In the year 640 of Da Liang, it was October 9th.
Chen Mu slung a small cloth pack on his back, locked his door, and left Shanglin Neighborhood, heading for Jian'an Gate, east of the city.
He went through two more searches—the government officials who came to his door were increasingly irritable, smashing many things, and silver was of no use.
Chen Mu worried and nearly thought of giving gifts to those few officials.
After much thought, he still restrained himself.
In the end, he decided to head to Lijiang Guard City as soon as possible to get away from this nest of trouble.
...
The gates of Nanyang Prefecture City were shut tight, with only the An'ding Gate to the south and the Jian'an Gate to the north open.
There were also checkpoints set up along Luo River, intercepting and inspecting passing boats.
Near Jian'an Gate, Chen Mu encountered many people with their belongings on their backs, leading their families out of the city.
