Be a small county magistrate in ancient times

Chapter 752 Delineating the War Preparation Zone

No amount of grand pronouncements will change anything; one cannot live solely on imagination.

"Let's go up to the city wall and take a look." Meng Changqing went up the steps first.

Zhang Yuan quickly followed. He had been unable to believe the notice he received from the military camp yesterday until he confirmed it with Meng Changqing in person. Since the government had also issued a notice, they knew they were most likely going to have to fight.

Could the city wall he was guarding stop the Yan invaders? And would he himself survive this war?

On the city wall, the two hadn't walked far when Meng Changqing noticed the small shack in the barbican and almost forgot about the two people.

"Are those two from the Snow Night Tribe still around?" Meng Changqing asked.

Zhang Yuan was clearly flustered. When Meng Changqing asked him a question, he took a moment to react before saying, "He's still here."

"Is there anything unusual?" Meng Changqing knew perfectly well that he was in no mood to concern himself with the affairs of the Xueye tribe; he was probably thinking about how to save his own life.

If Zhang Yuan had someone backing him, he wouldn't have ended up under Meng Changqing's command in the first place. So no matter how hard he tries, it's no use; he can't escape.

"Nothing's wrong, they have a huge appetite, they eat and poop a lot, they just keep urging us to send troops." At this point, Zhang Yuan smiled bitterly and said, "Right now, we can't even take care of ourselves, how can we take care of them? Maybe I should let them leave?"

"No rush. The official documents from Lord Zheng and General Song have been sent to the capital by express. How to deal with these two people, whether to help the Snow Night Tribe, and how to help them, are all up to the higher-ups to decide."

Zhang Yuan sighed in frustration, "If those above were clear-headed, they would know that they shouldn't meddle in other people's business at this critical juncture."

Meng Changqing smiled and looked directly at Zhang Yuan, saying, "You should be careful what you say. The more critical the moment, the more careful you need to be. When you're afraid..." Meng Changqing's voice trailed off, almost inaudibly, "...some people are afraid too." The more afraid he was, the less he wanted others to see it, and the more strange things he would do.

Zhang Yuan was confused, knowing in his heart that Meng Changqing was giving him pointers, but he didn't quite understand them.

"Look at you," Meng Changqing shook his head at him. "You've lost all your former charm. It seems you've been terrified by those Yan thieves." Zhang Yuan wiped his face sheepishly, leaned closer to Meng Changqing, and whispered, "To be honest, I can't help but be afraid. It's not that I'm afraid of death..."

"Is it because you have too many things to worry about?" Meng Changqing finished the sentence for him.

"That's right!"

“I understand you,” Meng Changqing said to Zhang Yuan. “Although I’m afraid, even if the enemy has a knife to your throat, you would never betray your country. That’s why I feel at ease with you here.”

What appears to be a compliment is actually a piece of advice: no matter what, one must not betray one's country.

"Yes."

Meng Changqing walked to the edge of the city wall and stood facing his own Beishan County. "Two miles south of the city wall, demarcate the war preparedness zone."

"Huh?" Zhang Yuan's mind couldn't process what was happening in a short time. Everyone's processing speed is different, and Zhang Yuan would obviously need two more days to accept the current reality.

Meng Changqing repeated what he had just said.

"Combat readiness belt?" Zhang Yuan asked. "What's it for?"

"Then how can it be used for growing vegetables?" Meng Changqing felt it was difficult to talk to him now. If this matter could be postponed, she would definitely talk about it in a couple of days, but she couldn't delay it.

"When war breaks out in the future, you will personally lead people to clearly demarcate the area where the soldiers rest and prepare for battle. Place a sign at intervals, with the outside saying: 'No Entry, Violators Will Be Treated as Spy of the Enemy Country,' and the inside saying: 'No Exit, Violators Will Be Punished According to Military Regulations.'"

"Within the preparedness zone, all the people's belongings have been cleared out. There wasn't much near the city wall anyway, mostly just land cleared by the villagers themselves. If you see anything, send someone to the county government to inform me. I have someone specifically responsible for coordinating compensation; you just need to clear it out."

"Yes."