"Reporting to the Magistrate, the townspeople are demanding that the city gates be opened. They refuse to be barred from entering or leaving. A large crowd has also gathered outside the walls, insisting on entering to conduct trade," the yamen runner replied respectfully.
Kong Hongyi furrowed his brow. Since learning that the Jiannu had captured Weiyang, he had ordered the entire city under martial law to prevent a surprise attack. Yet, after ten days of lockdown, there was not a shadow of the Jiannu to be seen.
The situation had turned sour. The people inside the city were running low on grain, vegetables, and other essential supplies, while those outside had plenty of food and produce. Merchant caravans were unable to enter the city to sell their goods. As resentment deepened, the people began to congregate in front of the yamen.
Chapter 323