allonlinenovel Chapter 343: Danger is Inevitable
Chapter 343: Danger is Inevitable
Everyone turned their attention to that spot and began to whisper among themselves.
One villager raised his question: "Even if we manage to sneak in, the internal structure of this government office is complex, with a maze of passages. We're not familiar with it, so what if we get lost inside?"
Fang Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment, then said, "This is indeed a thorny issue. But according to my inquiries, the prisons in the yamen are roughly in this area."
Her slender fingers moved lightly across the map. "If we can find the route here, we can greatly increase our chances of finding Pei Yan."
Everyone chimed in, offering their opinions and suggestions.
Some suggested sending someone to infiltrate the government office to find out what was going on inside; others thought that enough weapons and tools should be prepared just in case.
“We can split into two groups. One group will create chaos to attract the bandits’ attention, while the other group will take the opportunity to sneak into the prison to find Pei Yan,” Fang Xiaoxiao said, expressing her initial idea.
"Wouldn't the group that attracted the bandits be in great danger? A slight mishap could lead to their complete annihilation," someone said worriedly, their face full of anxiety.
Fang Xiaoxiao answered with a firm gaze: "Danger is inevitable, but it is a risk we have to take. As long as the attraction team can successfully hold back most of the bandits and buy enough time for the infiltration team, we have a chance to rescue Pei Yan."
Everyone fell into deep thought, weighing the pros and cons of the plan.
An elderly villager said slowly, "Miss Fang, your plan is bold, but it's not entirely impossible. We just need to remain calm and adaptable during the operation."
After a heated discussion, they gradually refined their plan by combining the bandits' patrol patterns with the terrain of the government office.
"We first lay in ambush in a secluded spot near the yamen, waiting for the eve of dawn, when the bandits are most tired. The distraction team will make noise on the east side of the yamen to draw away the guards."
The infiltration team quickly crept in from the northwest corner of the wall, following the pre-arranged route to find the cells. Once they located Pei Yan, they used a coded signal to notify the others, and then they all evacuated.
Fang Xiaoxiao explained the final plan in detail.
"What about the evacuation route?" a young villager asked anxiously.
Fang Xiaoxiao pointed to the map and said, "We've prepared horses in the woods behind the yamen beforehand. Once we rescue Pei Yan, we'll ride away from there."
"But what if we are discovered and chased by bandits?" someone raised a new concern.
Fang Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and said, "So we need to arrange for some people to set up obstacles along the way to slow down the bandits' pursuit. As long as we can get into the forest, we will have a chance to shake them off thanks to the complex terrain."
After a moment of silence, everyone said in unison, "Alright, let's proceed according to this plan!"
Fang Xiaoxiao looked at everyone and solemnly said, "This operation is fraught with danger, but in order to rescue Pei Yan, for the future of our Dounan County, and for the people who have been oppressed by bandits, we must go all out. If we fail, we will die for our country!"
A resolute flame burned in everyone's eyes as they responded in unison, "We are willing to obey Miss Fang's orders and vow to rescue Pei Yan!"
The candlelight flickered in the wind, illuminating their resolute faces, as if foreshadowing the thrilling rescue operation that was about to unfold.
In order to carry out the plan to rescue Pei Yan, Fang Xiaoxiao and others embarked on a challenging and unknown preparation journey.
As the first rays of sunlight shone on the streets and alleys of Dounan County, Fang Xiaoxiao led her companions into a busy and stressful day.
Their figures moved through this once prosperous but now devastated town, their sharp eyes searching every corner where useful items might be hidden.
They first arrived at an abandoned area on the edge of town, where the houses had been ravaged by bandits and were in a state of disrepair, with crooked doors and windows and mottled walls.
Fang Xiaoxiao carefully pushed open a rickety wooden door, and the room was filled with thick dust and a putrid smell.
She covered her mouth and nose, carefully examining the scene inside the room. In a corner, she found a pile of tangled ropes, somewhat worn, but still sturdy and usable.
"Come quick, there's a rope here!" Fang Xiaoxiao shouted excitedly. Her companions rushed over upon hearing this, all showing expressions of joy.
They continued their search in the abandoned house, and one of the soldiers found several rusty daggers in a dilapidated cabinet.
He picked up the dagger and gently sharpened it on a stone, gradually revealing a sharp glint on the blade.
"These daggers are a bit old, but they can still be used after some sharpening," the officer said.
Then, they found several sticks of varying lengths in another abandoned house.
These sticks, which may have originally been used to support houses or as farm tools, have now become potential weapons for them to fight against bandits.
However, this was far from enough. Fang Xiaoxiao knew that to successfully rescue Pei Yan, they needed more tools and weapons.
So they secretly sneaked into several abandoned houses, each search filled with both hope and disappointment.
Sometimes they would find a perfectly intact dagger in a pile of ruins; other times, they would return empty-handed from an empty room.
While searching for tools and weapons, Fang Xiaoxiao did not forget to win the support of the people in the city.
Under the cover of night, she secretly made contact with some of the people in the city.
In an ordinary house, Fang Xiaoxiao gently knocked on the door. The door opened, and a haggard-looking old man appeared in the doorway, his eyes filled with wariness and fear.
"Grandpa, don't be afraid, I'm Fang Xiaoxiao," Fang Xiaoxiao said softly.
The old man's wariness lessened slightly upon hearing her name. "Miss Fang, what brings you here so late?"
Fang Xiaoxiao said sincerely, "Grandpa, we are preparing to rescue Pei Yan, who is being held captive by bandits, and we need everyone's help."
The old man sighed, "Miss Fang, we would like to help, but we are unarmed and what can we do?"
Fang Xiaoxiao grasped the old man's hand: "Grandpa, we don't need you to fight on the front lines. We just hope you can provide us with some intelligence in secret, or help us hide some of the tools we've collected."
The old man hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright, Miss Fang, I believe you. As long as you can drive away those bandits and let us live a peaceful life, I'm willing to help."
And so, Fang Xiaoxiao visited the townspeople one by one.
Some people provided them with food and water in case of emergency; others told them about the latest movements of the bandits; still others offered to stand guard for them during their operations.