After thinking for a bit, he took a step back and tried another approach: "You don't have to come out and fight the bandits to the death. Just open the city gate and let us in to hide for a while, that's all. I beg you, brother, I'll kowtow to you!"
The soldiers guarding the gate were about to cry as well: "Brother, stop forcing us. It's not that we don't want to save you, we don't dare. If we open the gate and let you in, the bandits will break through and loot the whole county!"
"You'd better hurry back, take your family and get them away to hide somewhere. Wait until the killing over there is done, then we'll talk!"
With that said, he ducked back into the room on the gate tower and didn't show his face again.
"You bastards, you dog shit who watch people die and won't save them, you'll get what's coming to you!" After cursing a few times, the soldier wiped his tears, turned his horse, and galloped back.
...
