By the time An Jing and Xiao Changyi were nearing the base of the Nanshen Tower, they heard Wang Youbao's voice—
"General Lu, I truly wish to go inside and take a look. Please let me in."
Wang Youbao, as the Salt Transportation Officer for the South Shen area, did not serve in Nanshen City and thus had avoided the plague.
"Lord Wang, it's not that I won't let you in; once inside, you won't be allowed out. Are you sure you want to come in?" Pausing for a moment, the general in charge of guarding Nanshen City continued, "The Crown Prince has decreed a lockdown—entry is permitted but exit is not. Otherwise, there will be no mercy."
Wang Youbao also knew that the Crown Prince had issued such an order to prevent the spread of the plague to other areas. Righteously, he said, "Granting loyalty for the grace of provision, sharing the sovereign's worries—the Crown Prince is afflicted inside; how can I only look out for my own safety? General Lu, please open the gates. I must go in."
