Reborn and returned, sisters swapped

“The enemy troops outside the city haven’t even attacked yet, but we’re being forced to go into the city to take refuge.”

Not to mention that there's nowhere to put the goods in the shop, business has been coming to a standstill for days! A leather merchant said angrily, the bag of goods in his hand trembling slightly from the effort.

The rice shop owner next to him frowned, stroked his beard, and echoed with a worried expression:

"I only brought this grain back two days ago. If we move it now, the losses will be significant."

Besides, aren't we just city dwellers? Our homes are here, why should we be forced to leave?

Just then, a series of orderly footsteps sounded. Lü Qian, accompanied by several close followers, arrived at the street corner, glancing at the disgruntled merchants with a slight frown.

He bowed respectfully and said in a deep voice, "Fellow merchants, today's matter is an order from the general, which we cannot change."

The southern ward is close to the city gate; if the enemy attacks, this place will inevitably be the first to bear the brunt, therefore a temporary relocation is necessary.

Upon hearing this, the merchants immediately began to discuss the matter.

An old shopkeeper selling medicinal herbs spoke first, his voice tinged with dissatisfaction:

“Lord Lü, all our shops and businesses are located in this southern ward. We dare not disobey the general’s orders.”

But how can we feel at ease if this relocation is not properly planned?

As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding merchants echoed his sentiments, and complaints arose everywhere.

Lu Qian remained expressionless, his gaze sweeping over the worried merchants with a deep look, and said in a deep voice, "I understand your feelings."

But with war imminent, the general has ordered me to assist you in moving the goods to ensure the safety of the people of Nanfang.

I have already prepared carriages and manpower, and will do everything in my power to assist you in transporting your important goods to a safe place in the city, ensuring that you suffer no losses.

He paused, then his tone turned serious: "As for the matter of buying and selling, the lives of the people are of utmost importance right now. The general has ordered that the grain and other supplies in the southern ward be centrally stored in preparation for wartime needs."

If everyone cooperates to the best of their ability, they will be contributing to the city's defense, and the general will remember their efforts and reward them handsomely after the battle.

Upon hearing this, the merchants were speechless for a moment.

With war at hand, although they harbored resentment, they dared not openly oppose the general's orders.

At this moment, a simply dressed grain merchant pushed his way to the front of the crowd, hesitated for a moment, and asked in a low voice:

"Lord Lü, if we really have to move them, could the goods be stored in a warehouse nearby in the city?"

And if the war becomes dangerous, will we be able to bring these goods back?

Lu Qian's gaze was firm, and he nodded slowly: "I have already prepared a plan for this matter."

The warehouses have been arranged to ensure your food supplies are safe and secure.

Once the war has ended, you may move back immediately, and the general in the city will treat you well.

In times of war, preserving life and provisions is more important than guarding a shop.

Upon hearing this, the merchants, though unwilling, had no choice but to comply.

Most people nodded reluctantly, indicating their willingness to cooperate.

Lu Qian secretly breathed a sigh of relief, glanced at the merchants, and quickly gave orders to his entourage:

"Quickly summon wagons to load and transfer necessary supplies such as grain, medicine, and cloth as soon as possible, without delay."

Soon, several horse-drawn carriages slowly drove into the South Market, their shafts creaking and groaning, sounding particularly out of place in the stuffy air.

Merchants busied themselves, with their staff assisting with loading; the streets and alleys were filled with figures moving goods.

An elderly silk shop owner, his hands trembling, held several bolts of precious silk, sighing repeatedly:

"Oh, these bolts of silk were so hard to transport from Jiangnan..."

"Once it's loaded onto the cart, I don't know if it will still be intact," he complained, but could only helplessly hand the cloth to his attendant.

Standing to the side, seeing the merchants' worried expressions, Lü Qian walked up to the silk shop owner and said gently:

"Don't worry, shopkeeper. I've already ordered people to put thick cloth under the carriage to prevent the goods from being damaged by the bumps on the road."

With the war raging, the general cannot bear to see you suffer losses. He only hopes that everyone will work together to overcome this difficult time.

Upon hearing this, the silk shopkeeper nodded and sighed deeply:

"Alas, we common folk understand the difficult situation and will certainly follow Lord Lü's arrangements."

"I only hope that once the war is over, Hesha City can return to its former peace."

Lu Qian deeply appreciated their hard work and solemnly bowed, saying, "Thank you for your understanding, shopkeeper. The cooperation of all the merchants is the greatest help to the city."

The herbal medicine merchant standing nearby sighed softly, his face showing both helplessness and a hint of resignation.

After the carriage was full, he tugged at Lü Qian's sleeve and whispered, "Lord Lü, these boxes of herbs are for saving lives. Please escort them carefully all the way."

Lü Qian nodded solemnly, personally inspected whether the medicinal herbs were properly stacked, and instructed his attendants to be extra careful.

Along the way, he had to both appease the merchants and ensure that the supplies were safe and undamaged.

Seeing that the merchants had gradually calmed down, Lü Qian felt a little relieved and quickly ordered the team to get ready to set off.

As night fell, the carriage slowly drove toward the city's central warehouse, where an open space had already been prepared to house the goods of these merchants from the southern district.

Lü Qian personally escorted the carriages, and after each carriage came to a stop, he signaled his attendants to begin unloading the goods and personally inspected the placement of the grain and fodder.

Upon seeing Lü Qian, a warehouse manager quickly bowed and whispered, "Sir, the granary has been cleaned and is ready for storage at any time."

Lu Qian nodded and carefully inspected the warehouse. Seeing that it was dry and free of moisture, and that the grain sacks were neatly stacked, he felt somewhat relieved.

He instructed the steward, "This granary is the lifeblood of the city; it must be guarded properly."

The provisions are stored within the city solely for wartime needs. Anyone who takes them without authorization will be severely punished.

Upon hearing this, the steward repeatedly agreed. Lü Qian then inspected the area again before standing at the granary entrance, silently thinking: As long as these provisions are safe and sound, the soldiers and civilians in the city will have something to rely on.

All of this, though intended for the merchants, also serves as a safeguard for the entire city's defenses.

After a busy day, the merchants in Nanfang were finally settled and returned to their temporary residences.

Lü Qian and his entourage moved the last batch of goods into the warehouse, and it was already late at night.

He wiped the fine sweat from his forehead, looked at the warehouse in the dark night, and felt a sense of calm.

Although the merchants were unwilling at the moment, they gradually understood the current situation as the general's orders were implemented.

Just then, the rice shop owner quietly walked up to Lü Qian, paused for a moment, and then clasped his hands in greeting:

"Lord Lü, although the merchants have some complaints about today's events, we are grateful for the general's thoughtful arrangements."

We only hope that the war will end so we can return to Nanfang and reopen our business soon.

Lu Qian smiled slightly and clasped his hands in return, saying, "Shopkeeper, you flatter me."

The general's entire journey was for the safety of the people of Nanfang. Although there are some inconveniences at the moment, his only wish is for the people to be safe and sound.

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper's face showed a mixture of emotion and understanding.

At this moment, they may not want to move, but they understand their current predicament.

As his entourage gradually returned home, the streets of Nanfang fell silent, leaving only Lü Qian's solitary figure in front of the warehouse.

He stood still for a moment, then turned and began his journey home.