Some people followed, and more and more people gathered to watch how things unfolded.

They didn't step forward not because they weren't tempted, but because they lacked the courage to take the risk.

Although they dared not try it, they wanted to see how it would turn out. If it really worked, they wanted to get a share of the profits.

At 20 coins per pound, they couldn't help but be tempted.

The refugees who followed the garrison to the city walls all looked nervous yet expectant.

The leader didn't waste any words and directly gestured for them to line up. Then, the city guards gave each of them three crayfish.

The people who received the boiled crayfish were initially hesitant, but when they saw the leading refugees peel and eat them just as the city guards had instructed, their initial resistance lessened considerably.

The fact that the city's garrison soldiers, who had eaten so much, were still fine and showed no signs of poisoning gave them even more confidence.

Once the first person tried it, everything else fell into place.

When a person is extremely hungry, anything edible will taste delicious.

The crayfish meat itself is already a delicacy, and once it falls into the mouths of these starving refugees, its taste is beyond words.

"This meat is so tender, it's even more fragrant than pork."

"It's so delicious. I can't believe I missed it for so long and endured so much hunger."

"Oh God, if only I had known earlier that this stuff was edible and not poisonous, my son wouldn't have starved to death! My son, my poor son!"

"Sigh... my wife just passed away the day before yesterday. If only she could have held on for two more days..."

In an instant, the crowd of refugees was filled with discussions and cries.

Some wept with joy and relief, while others felt regret and grief for their departed loved ones.

"Alright everyone!"

The leading garrison soldier raised his hand, signaling them to be quiet, and then said loudly:

"You have already tasted the food. This stuff is unclaimed outside. You can find it and cook it yourselves."

However, although this substance is edible, it should not be consumed in excess. Everyone's constitution is different, and some people may experience allergic reactions.

Allergic reactions typically include diarrhea and vomiting, and in more severe cases, redness, swelling, and itching.

But don't worry, everyone. Our general's wife said that we should each cook two pots of medicinal soup outside the city to treat this ailment.

Patients exhibiting either of these two symptoms can bring a pound of crayfish in exchange for a bowl of medicinal soup.

When they first heard that this thing could make people sick, these people panicked for a moment, but they were somewhat relieved after hearing that there was a solution.

Furthermore, not everyone who eats this will experience this effect; they all felt they shouldn't be that unlucky.

At this moment, a refugee mustered up the courage to ask:

"Sir, I've been hearing you mention the general's wife a lot. May I ask which general's wife you are referring to?"

In Jiangbei City, besides General Shen Muzhi, there are also permanent generals such as the Left General and the Right General. Naturally, each general has more than one wife, which is why this question was asked.

The leader, as if waiting for someone to ask the question, raised his chin and answered loudly without hesitation as soon as the question was asked:

"That is naturally our General Shen's wife."

"General Shen's wife?"

Upon hearing this, the refugees looked at each other, their doubts deepening.

They had never heard of Shen Muzhi having a wife. The rumors they heard were that the general was indifferent to women, didn't even have a maidservant, and was practically a battle maniac without any desires.

The only woman I seem to have some connection with is a female doctor surnamed Jiang. How did this lady suddenly appear?

Could it be that General Shen married that female doctor?

If that's the case, then it makes sense. After all, they were just wondering why that lady knew that eating crayfish would cause an allergic reaction and even provided a solution.

If the general's wife were a doctor who knew medicine, wouldn't that make sense?

As they thought this, they began to whisper among themselves.

After listening to a few words of discussion, the leading general immediately frowned and said seriously:

“Our General Shen has been married for a long time. He was separated from his wife and they have only just reunited. You should not make wild guesses and spread rumors that might upset our General’s wife.”

Upon hearing this, the displaced people who had been gossiping fell silent. They were filled with curiosity about the general's wife, whom they had never met before, and also felt a sense of gratitude.

After all, this was the first time since they fled the famine that someone had given them a chance to live.

Seeing that the general had done almost everything he was told and that the results seemed quite good, the leading general dismissed the men and told them to come back in two days to sell the live crayfish.

He also stated that the general had said that as long as nothing unexpected happened and no refugees caused trouble, a small trading market would be built outside the city in the near future.

Merchants in the city will be allowed to come out and sell grain and food seeds. Interested refugees can use the money they earned from selling crayfish to buy them.

Afterwards, refugees can also reclaim wasteland outside the city on their own. The land they reclaim must be registered and recorded. For the first three years, they are exempt from paying any taxes.

At the same time, they can build their own houses outside the city, with the land area calculated per person. Each person may not exceed 50 square meters, and each household may not exceed 200 square meters. The location of the houses must still not be more than ten miles away from the city gate.

At that time, a special service point will be set up at the city gate. Before building houses or reclaiming wasteland, people will have to register with the official at the city gate.

Those not registered are not protected by the government. If they are seized or robbed by others, the government will recover them and they will become public property. If the land deed is not found to be registered, it will also be returned to the public property.

Shen Muzhi's series of actions were clearly intended to give these refugees the opportunity to rebuild their villages outside the city.

It is springtime now, and the locusts have passed through. If these refugees have some income and are willing to cultivate the land, they will not need to wait until next year. In a few months, the area outside the city will be a completely different scene.

Most of these refugees were ordinary farmers who were familiar with farming and understood the opportunities that Shen Muzhi had given them. They were all so excited that their eyes welled up with tears.

Some even knelt down on the ground, shouting:

"Thank you, General Shen, thank you, General's wife, for giving us a way out. We will remember this forever."

One person took the lead, and the others followed suit, all kneeling on the ground and praising General Shen's wisdom and his wife's kindness.