The road to wealth of a peasant widow

Chapter 186 Situation

When Chen Cui heard the news, she was stunned. Born in a peaceful era, she never thought that war would be so close to her.

"Will the attack reach us?" she couldn't help but ask Zhang Ruomei.

"It's hard to say. If the Jincheng garrison can't hold out, it will only take two or three days for the Western Rong cavalry to reach us. The master has gone to discuss countermeasures with Lord Ma. I called you here to ask if you want to leave the city and go south. The master is here, and I can't leave. If you leave, I want you to take Brother Yun and Brother Yang with you. You can go to Shuzhong. The terrain there is complicated, and the cavalry won't get through easily. Moreover, the Shu King has strong soldiers and horses. In case of any trouble, they can resist for a while!"

After Zhang Ruomei finished speaking, tears came down.

"What, the fight started from Jincheng?" Chen Cui was shocked.

"It's the Jincheng garrison. The battle should be more than 200 miles west of Jincheng, but it's hard to say how long they can hold out!"

Zhang Ruomei spoke in a heavy tone, and seemed not optimistic about the war.

"Changping is still in Jincheng and hasn't come back yet. Will he be in trouble..." Chen Cui was extremely anxious.

"If he didn't leave the city when the war started, he should be in the city now. If he's already on the way, he should be able to make it back!"

Chen Cui wanted to say that she would wait for her eldest son to come back, and that the family would stay together whether they left or stayed, but when she thought of her other three children, she couldn't say it.

Zhang Ruomei saw her hesitation, sniffed and said, "What I'm talking about is the worst-case scenario. The border troops may not be so useless. If we can repel the invading foreigners, then we will be fine. If the situation is really bad, please take Brother Yun and Brother Yang with you when you leave."

Seeing that she was serious, Chen Cui nodded heavily.

"When the time comes, you will go south. The terrain in Shu is complicated and it is difficult for cavalry to enter. Even if they break in, they will only plunder the Central Plains. I will prepare household registration cards and road permits for you, as well as tokens of our Zhang family business, and letters to my father. He has not seen these two grandchildren yet. When the time comes, please send these two children to him!"

Chen Cui saw that her tone was ominous and seemed to be asking for help, so she advised: "You are talking about the worst case scenario. The situation may not be this bad!"

"The Western Rong have been gathering their strength for so many years, so they must be well prepared for this attack. The imperial court hasn't fought a war for decades, and none of the soldiers have ever really fought against an enemy. I really don't dare to hold out too much hope! If the enemy attacks, there are only a few people in the government office, how can we fight against their cavalry? But you know our master's temper, he will definitely not surrender, and will fight to the death. I can only accompany him on the road!"

Zhang Ruomei's tears flowed down, and her clothes were wet with tears.

After hearing what she said, Chen Cui felt heavy in her heart. Zhang Ruomei was an official's wife and should understand the situation better than she did. The fact that she was so pessimistic showed that the situation was indeed not optimistic.

What should their family do then, especially since Changping is still outside and hasn’t come back yet. She might be trapped in Jincheng and unable to get out. What should she and the other three children do?

If they really fled for refuge early as Zhang Ruomei said, what would happen if the eldest son came back and couldn't find them?

"Sister, I beg you. I promise that if Changping comes back after you leave, I will find a way to send him away. If I can't send him away, I will take him to my house. As long as I'm alive, nothing will happen to him. If I'm gone, then... then..."

Zhang Ruomei's eyes were filled with tears and she choked with sobs. She could no longer utter the following words.

Chen Cui's heart was in a knot, and she couldn't help but shed tears. She forced herself to make a decision: "Okay, I promise you, I will go back and prepare to take the children out of the city."

Zhang Ruomei was right. If the army could hold on, the enemies on the border would not break in, Longnan would be fine, and everyone would be fine in the end.

If they could not resist, the enemy might not come to Longnan, and they could be safe. But if the enemy really came, they could not all be trapped in one place and die together, as that would be meaningless.

At this time, every possible survivor is a good one. If Zhang Ruomei was not really unsure, she would not have entrusted the child to herself.

"In an hour, I will have someone drive a carriage to meet you at your door. Don't worry, I will send guards to go with you. They know the way and can protect you along the way!"

"Okay." Chen Cui wiped her tears and agreed solemnly.

The news of the war at the border had not spread, so Zhang Ruomei invited Chen Cui over while Wang Hengzhi was discussing matters with Lord Ma.

She would not let too many people know about such an important matter. The two of them were talking in the small study with the doors and windows open and the servants around them all sent away.

Chen Cui tried her best to pretend nothing had happened and left the house. She asked Xiaoman to drive the car to the academy and call out the two young masters.

Chang'an and Changfu were a little confused when they were called out by the servants of the academy. Their mother never called them during class time. Did something happen at home?

As soon as they stepped onto the mule cart, Chen Cui told Xiaoman: "Hurry up and go home!"

The two brothers were horrified: "Mom, what happened?"

Chen Cui made a long story short, told them the severity of the current situation and stated her decision.

Although Chang Fu was surprised, he did not quite agree with her idea: "Mother, let alone the situation may not be so bad, even if they really break in, it may not endanger Longnan. Isn't it too early to go somewhere else now? Besides, who knows if the road is safe?"

Chen Cui glared at him and said nothing.

Chang An thought for a moment and said, "Chang Fu, listen to my mother. If the situation improves, we can just come back. But if the war is not going well for us, then going to Shuzhong is the best way. It is our way to survive!"

"The Shu people are good at fighting, and there are passes blocking the way. The grassland cavalry will not easily set foot in. They attack the Central Plains just to plunder food and wealth, and will not bite the hard bones. As long as we enter Shu, we will be almost safe!"

Changan analyzed calmly.

"What about eldest brother?" Changfu murmured.

Chen Cui couldn't help but shed tears again.

"Since Mrs. Zhang entrusted her two sons to my mother, she will definitely find a way to protect my eldest brother. It is useless for us to stay in the city now. It is better to leave first and find a way to reunite with my eldest brother later!"

Speaking of this, Chang'an also felt heavy-hearted.

Originally, the family was waiting for the eldest brother to come back for a reunion, and even thought about celebrating for him if he passed the exam, but they didn't expect that the war would come so suddenly and disrupt their peaceful lives!