Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao only learned later that there had indeed been unrest at the city gate. The collection of fees for passage had angered some residents living near the gate. More and more people were flocking to Que Zhou City, and seeing the wealthy easily enter while they, the poor, were blocked, inevitably stirred resentment. Soon, instigated by a group of villagers, they attacked the city.
The guards had grown too complacent. Unprepared, they were indeed breached by a small wave of refugees. In their panic, some guards drew their swords and blood was shed. It was said that some refugees lost their lives that day.
The refugees, seeing the bloodshed, became even more agitated. The relatives of those who had seen red, naturally also saw red and directly erupted into a major riot.
Cursing furiously.
Thus, most of the refugees outside the city joined the fray.
However, the guards had merely been too careless, which allowed some refugees to break in. After they counterattacked, they successfully subdued the refugees and lowered the city gates. Now, no matter how the refugees raged, they couldn't break through the thick, layered city gates, and could only shout furiously outside the city walls.
This is how the breach was sealed. The refugees who had gotten inside, seeing the peace and prosperity within, also saw red. Finding suitable tools, they began to go mad.
As mentioned before.
Behind the city gate was a free market, and thus many people were injured.
It was only then that people realized something had happened.
Immediately, chaos erupted.
The residents within the city scattered in all directions. Those further away were unaware of the situation.
But panic is highly contagious.
Especially in these times.
Even the wealthy who managed to enter the city had experienced such turmoil before.
They immediately began to flee inwards.
However, the incident was too sudden and did not spread quickly. Therefore, people further inside had no idea what was happening, only knowing they had to hide.
Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao reacted quickly, and the young couple also rushed home.
Li Datou and his small team, who had gone out to collect mountain goods, were only able to enter the city smoothly after the city dispatched a large number of guards and yamen runners in the evening to surround the refugees outside the city. They were able to enter the city. Passing by the scene, they were deeply shocked.
"Young Master, you have no idea! Those people were like beasts, completely surrounded, with nowhere to go. They were all surrounded by swords, long spears, and arrows, and dared not move. Only then could we enter the city peacefully!"
"Exactly. Little Wu Zi was almost scared out of his wits. It's truly the first time Little Wu Zi has seen such a scene in his life, and my legs went weak from fear!"
"Yes, yes, I'll vouch for it. I helped Little Wu Zi back!"
"I heard the refugees outside were causing a huge fuss around noon! It's said many people were injured. This whole thing, it's truly frightening."
"I thought everything would go smoothly from now on, but who knew! Such a thing could happen. But I think, if it weren't for you, Young Master, and Young Madam leading us, we might have been in that crowd right now!"
"Ah, quick, spit! Spit that bad luck away! Say it again!"
Because the previous remark had angered everyone, their complaints were interrupted.
Now, the doors and windows of their courtyard and the neighboring processing workshop were locked, and people were assigned to keep watch. Currently, there was not much to worry about.
Wang Daming also reminded them, "Don't let your guard down. You cannot go out for the next few days. We don't know if there are any lunatics hiding in the city. The yamen runners said they have to check identities for several consecutive days. We are registered since entering the city, so we are not afraid of the checks. Just don't go out and wander around."
Lest they be bitten by the "mad dogs" lurking in the shadows.