A master of metaphysics is farming.

Chapter 172 General Pang

At the city gate, Xiang He handed the bankbook stub to Su Shi, saying, "Go to the capital as soon as possible. Go to the He residence in Zhaoxiang Lane, Yongpingfang, south of the city. I've already asked Fourth Aunt and the others to go there too; you'll be safest there."

Madam Su gripped the stub tightly in her hand. "The master's house?"

"Well, once you get to the capital, don't wander around. If you have some free time, go help out at Xinyue or Rongxing's shops, but whatever you do, don't talk to those young ladies too much."

Madam Su knew that the noble ladies in the capital were different, but she still didn't understand why she had to give a few more instructions.

With a hint of doubt in her heart, Madam Su took her hand and agreed, "Don't worry, we'll follow their arrangements. Your father and I aren't familiar with the capital, so we won't run around or say anything unfounded."

Xiang He glanced at Xiang Yun, who was already nine years old, and squatted down to gently rub her cheeks. "Yun girl, your sister has something to say to your mother."

Xiang Yun nodded, "Alright..."

After Xiang Yun walked a few steps away, Xiang He hesitated for a while before whispering to Madam Su, "Xiang Lianhua is dead, but she came back to life in the body of the daughter of the Junior Supervisor of Works in the capital, just like my situation back then."

"What!" Madam Su covered her mouth in surprise, "How could this be..."

"I told my mother that if she sees her, she should not talk to her and should be careful with her words so as not to be tricked by her."

“I will,” Su said gently, patting the back of her hand. “You all need to be careful here too. Once things are resolved, remember to send a message immediately.”

"Okay, Father and Mother, be careful on the road."

At this time, the city gates opened, and some people also wanted to leave the city. It would be better if everyone traveled together.

Xiang He and Zhu Nan watched everyone leave from inside, only turning away reluctantly when the city gates closed.

As soon as I turned around, I ran into a beautiful figure rushing towards me. "Why are you back!"

Zeng Yunqing was a little out of breath from running, and she put her hands on her knees to catch her breath. "I heard from Grandpa early this morning that you were back, but I didn't believe it!"

"Why are you running so fast? Did something happen?"

Zeng Yunqing waved her hand, "No, it's...it's my mother who sent me to find you and have lunch at home."

Xiang He glanced at Zhu Nan, then looked at Zhou Jiasheng, "Brother Zhou, can we go there?"

"You have freedom, but you're only free because I'm watching you."

Having received the message, Xiang He and the others headed towards the backyard of the county government office. Madam Zeng had already prepared the meal, and upon seeing an extra soldier, she quickly added another set of bowls and chopsticks.

Having just eaten a simple meal in the morning and another hearty lunch, Zhou Jiasheng, who was somewhat sensible about social etiquette, deliberately chose a seat that was a little far away but still visible when they were about to have a detailed discussion.

Magistrate Zeng hadn't slept all night and was now catching up on sleep in his room.

Meanwhile, Zeng Quan, the son of Magistrate Zeng, kept sighing. Zeng Yunqing poured him some tea and asked, "Did you two hear some news that made you rush back at this time?"

"We've only heard news of enemy forces approaching the border. Has anything strange happened recently?"

“We are just family members. Even Father doesn’t know what’s happening at the front. He only knows that the enemy only moves at night and is nowhere to be seen during the day…”

"No trace at all?" Xiang He's hand on the table tightened. "There are many mountains outside the city. They travel at night without fire, making it difficult for scouts to see the distance from afar, but once they get close..."

"Scouts are dangerous."

Xiang He suddenly looked at Zeng Quan, "Xiao Yang didn't go to work as a scout, did he?"

"Sigh... He and two other people from the city went to scout out the enemy's route..."

Ever since Xiang He resolved Zeng Yunqing's matter, his family has taken special care of the Xiang family. When they learned that Xiang Yang had been conscripted, they even went to help him out, but unfortunately, Xiang Yang was determined to join the army...

"Most of the people in the city have left, but we are still here, standing with the general and his soldiers."

Xiang He looked down at the large umbrella on the table. "Can I borrow a room?"

Zeng Yunqing immediately got up and led her to her boudoir. The man did not enter, but the door was open, and Zhou Jiasheng was watching from outside.

"Please close the window."

Zeng Yunqing immediately went to close the window, and Xiang He opened the large umbrella and softly called out, "Four ghosts, come out."

Four dark figures appeared, instantly transforming into human form. Zhou Jiasheng was so frightened that his legs went weak and he sat down on the ground, pointing in terror, "What...what is this?!"

"Don't worry, it's just my ghost guard."

Xiang He looked at the illusory figure before him, "How did the investigation go last night?"

Da Chun clasped his hands in a fist and said, “Last night we went around the city to investigate and found an extremely strong yin energy at Shuilingpo. We dared not get too close.”

"Moreover, the yin energy is slowly approaching, closing in together with the enemy army."

Sanqiu also clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "We found the young master's figure on the high mountain behind Shuilingpo. We did not disturb him, and he is currently safe."

Hearing that Xiang Yang was safe, Xiang He was much relieved. "That's good. Last night it was almost dawn, so you didn't have much time to investigate. You can investigate again tonight."

"Yes." Da Chun's gaze fell on Zhou Jiasheng. "Miss, once it's light, we can no longer sense the Yin energy. The enemy is moving at night, which may be related to that Yin energy."

“Hmm,” Xiang He gently turned the umbrella handle in his hand, “You guys go back first, it’s not good for you in broad daylight.”

"Yes, young lady, please be extremely careful."

After the four ghosts disappeared, Zhou Jiasheng, who was standing at the door, had not yet gotten up. He was still in shock and could not get out.

His eyes were fixed straight ahead, as if he had lost his soul.

Xiang He gently tapped his forehead. "Zhou Jiasheng, come back to your senses."

The sudden appearance of the ghostly creature startled him. Zhou Jiasheng took a deep breath, his heart pounding rapidly.

"Who...who are you?!"

“He’s just a Taoist priest. If your General Pang asks, just tell him. But you can’t tell the soldiers about this, lest it cause a disturbance.”

Xiang He stepped out of the room and sat down with everyone in the backyard. "The enemy forces ahead are acting strangely. If you can leave, you should do so as soon as possible."

Zeng Quan looked at his wife. Although he also wanted his family to be safe, his father would never leave, and he could never abandon his father and take his wife and children away.

Mrs. Zeng reached out and took his hand, saying, "We will wait for good news in the city."

The soldiers were still fighting desperately in the city; how could they, as family members of officials, easily leave?

Xiang He understood what the others were thinking, and after giving them a few simple instructions, he left.

The three walked down the street, where soldiers could be seen sleeping on the eaves of houses, covered only by simple cloth.

Everyone was operating at night, which shows that General Pang had figured out the enemy's tactics and had the soldiers get used to working day and night so that they could launch a surprise attack when the enemy was at it. Everyone was awake.

There were hardly any civilians left on the streets. Even those who were there would bring out their own bedding to cover the soldiers.

"Brother Zhou, I'd like to ask if the soldiers have enough food supplies?"

Zhou Jiasheng, still trying to process what he had just seen, was startled. "I... how would I know..."

"Where is the place to cook? I remember we still have some rice and flour at home that we can donate."

Zhou Jiasheng hesitated for a moment. Taking civilians to the military granary was absolutely forbidden, but she also said she wanted to donate grain, which put her in a difficult position.

Seeing his expression, Xiang He didn't want to put him in a difficult position. "How about this, you come home with me and take all the grain from your house to the county government office?"

"This...this is alright..."