Even though this was their hometown, at this moment, they truly couldn’t bear to love this place.
At this moment, all they wanted was to escape it.
The place was truly terrifying, and not one of them wished to die here.
Seeing how agitated everyone was, looking as if they were about to clash with the soldiers, An Jing and Xiao Changyi hurriedly ascended the West Gate Tower.
Once standing atop the city tower, Xiao Changyi called out loudly to those below, "I am the Emperor’s adopted son, Prince Yi, Su Changyi. Today, I have already brought people to deal with this epidemic. Everyone, please calm down and rest assured, the Emperor will absolutely not massacre the city."
Xiao Changyi’s prestige in Xiyun was unmatched, and even people from the remotest regions knew of the Great General Xiao Changyi, who had triumphed in numerous battles—let alone in Nanshen City where almost everyone knew him.
Upon hearing Xiao Changyi claim his identity as Prince Yi, the previously noisy crowd fell silent.
If the man on the city tower truly was Prince Yi, who protected Xiyun’s land and ensured its peace, preventing foreign nations from bullying them, he was seen as a deity in their hearts, and they naturally would believe Prince Yi’s assurance that the Emperor would not massacre the town.
"You say you are Prince Yi, what proof do you have?" many people questioned, unconvinced.
They knew of Prince Yi, but they did not recognize him. If this man was impersonating him just to placate them, what then?
Xiao Changyi pulled out his Prince’s Token, "This is my token."
The doubters relaxed somewhat but still harbored suspicions, "We do not recognize what a token is..."
Which meant, I don’t recognize the token, you can’t prove your identity after all.
Xiao Changyi did not say anything to those below, but instead put away his own Prince’s Token and turned to ask An Jing, "Do you have the Death Exemption Token with you?"
"I do!" An Jing immediately produced the Death Exemption Token for Xiao Changyi.
Xiao Changyi received the Death Exemption Token and held it high, "The Death Exemption Token is here."
When the Death Exemption Token was displayed, it equated to the Emperor of Xiyun’s personal presence.
General Lu and some soldiers, as well as the city’s defending forces, upon seeing this Death Exemption Token, were all so frightened that they knelt respectfully and shouted, "Long live the Emperor, long may he reign."
Seeing General Lu and the others react , everyone else also believed in Xiao Changyi’s identity and hurriedly knelt as well, kowtowing and shouting, "Long live the Emperor, long may he reign."
Xiao Changyi said, "You are all subjects of the Emperor, and the Emperor will absolutely not abandon you. I am here by the Emperor’s command to deal with this epidemic, and I hope for your cooperation."
He then explained, "You are not allowed to leave the city because the epidemic does not manifest immediately. Some people may contract the epidemic and show symptoms only after several days. It’s possible that some of you are already infected without knowing. Staying within Nanshen City will prevent spreading the epidemic elsewhere and will also help me focus on treating this epidemic."
"I assume you all know that the Crown Prince is also right here in the city. I assure you, both I and the Crown Prince will stay here with you, facing this together, until the epidemic is cured."
No sooner had Xiao Changyi finished speaking than a commoner said, "Prince, we do believe you, but this epidemic is terrifying, and we are scared. We hope, Prince, that you can quickly cure the epidemic so that we can live peacefully again."
Hearing this, other citizens immediately knelt before Xiao Changyi, pleading in unison, "We hope, Prince, that you can quickly cure the epidemic so that we can live peacefully again!"