Xuanyuan Zhan's words once again stirred up the people of the North.

"Two more years? We'll all starve to death in two years!"

"Yes, given our current situation, how can we possibly hold out for another two years!"

"We can't survive for two months! Does Your Highness have any other way to save us?"

"The idea of ​​diverting water from the south to the north is good, but we really can't wait that long. Please, Your Highness, save us!"

The people kowtowed to Xuanyuan Zhan once again.

Xuanyuan Zhan understood their anxiety and worry, and raised his hand, saying, "Please calm down, everyone. Although the South-to-North Water Diversion Project will take another two years to complete, the imperial court will regularly send relief grain to the North during these two years. Also, the North is severely short of water, so we should stop planting rice. I will import drought-resistant sorghum, wheat, cotton, and corn from the Northern Wei, and everyone can plant these from now on. These crops can provide food and clothing, and can also be traded for rice. In short, if these things can be grown in the North, everyone will no longer have to go hungry."

If we're talking about drought, Northern Wei is located in the far north of the entire Xuan Tian Continent, and it's not much better than their northern regions. If Northern Wei can survive, why can't the people of their northern regions survive?

The Northern Wei dynasty rarely cultivated rice; they traded their rice for wheat, cotton, sorghum, and other crops.

Eastern Chu also lacks wheat, cotton, and corn. If the northern regions could grow drought-resistant crops like those of Northern Wei, they could reduce the amount of these crops they exchange with Northern Wei, which would be a win-win situation.

Upon hearing this, the people looked at each other in bewilderment, and then couldn't help but start discussing it heatedly.

"I heard that the Northern Wei Dynasty had an even more severe drought than our area, yet they didn't starve to death!"

"Yes, the Northern Wei Dynasty grew sorghum and wheat, and I've heard their sorghum wine is very delicious!"

"If they can grow crops on their dry land, we certainly can too!"

"It doesn't matter what it is, or whether it's rice or not, as long as it's edible, we can survive!"

"Your Highness is so clever and thoughtful! Why didn't we think of that sooner? If we had planted those earlier, we might not have gone hungry!"

"Your Highness is truly too clever!"

Zhang Debiao and the others exchanged glances, each seeing hope, admiration, regret, and shame in the other's eyes.

If the Holy King had arrived in their northern lands sooner and resolved the drought and famine there, so many people in the north wouldn't have turned to banditry, and the north wouldn't be in such a state now.

And they may have already been living a happy life with their wives, children, and warm beds!

Instead of kneeling here like this, becoming a sinner in the entire North, and having to worry about being beheaded!

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs"...

Fortunately, the Holy King did come to the North. They hadn't reached the point of certain death yet; they still had a chance to live. And with the King's arrival, the North would turn things around and gradually improve. They would also have a chance to start over!

Bai Ying looked at Xuan Yuanzhan with admiration in his eyes.

Previously, he only thought that his martial arts skills were very high and admired him greatly for having such profound martial arts skills at such a young age.

But now he admires him as a person, his magnanimity, his temperament, his vision and wisdom, everything about him, what he says and what he does, makes people admire him!

Seeing the people so excited, Xuan Yuanzhan was also somewhat moved.

In fact, the matter in the North should have been resolved in this way long ago, but the officials in the North did not take it seriously, and the Emperor had never been to the North and was not clear about the specific situation there.

He only came up with these corresponding measures after arriving in the north and comparing them with the actual drought situation there.

So if those in power had put in more effort, perhaps the drought and famine in the North would have been resolved long ago.

"In order to survive this drought, starting today, the five cities in the north will begin distributing porridge and food. People and refugees in need can line up to drink porridge and receive food."

The people were instantly thrilled when Xuanyuan Zhan said this.

"Great! We have food to eat!"

"The government has finally opened the granaries and distributed grain!"

"The prince has arrived! We are all saved!"

"We don't have to die, we have food to eat, we can live!"

The people shouted excitedly and kowtowed to Xuanyuan Zhan.

"Your Highness, you are truly our living bodhisattva!"

"Long live the Prince!"

Someone shouted this, and the kneeling people behind him shouted in unison, "Long live the Prince! Long live the Prince!"

Xuanyuan Zhan felt the gratitude and emotion of the people, and raised his hand, saying, "I am here to provide disaster relief and suppress bandits. It is the responsibility and duty of us superiors to let the people of Dongchu live a good life and work in peace. There is no need for this. Please get up. I will arrange for someone to cook porridge in a while. You can take this time to go to Marquis Dingping to report your grievances, corrupt officials, and evil bandits."

Upon hearing this, Mu Lingchen immediately took over the conversation, saying, "If anyone has any grievances or anything they want to report, they should all line up and come to me. I will record them all and then investigate them one by one. Once verified, whether they are officials or bandits, we will deal with them severely."

As soon as Mu Lingchen said this, many refugees started lining up for him, and even some officials joined the queue.

Xuanyuan Zhan stood up and offered his seat to Mu Lingchen.

Mu Lingchen didn't stand on ceremony and sat down to start taking notes.

One of the bandits, who was squatting down, raised his hand tremblingly and said, "Your Highness, if we have been wronged and want to report it, what should we do?"

This question reflects the sentiments of many bandits.

Although they became outlaws, many of them did so because they were oppressed by government soldiers, so many of them had grievances.

Even Bai Ying looked at Xuan Yuanzhan, a hint of emotion flickering in his eyes.

Without a second thought, Xuan Yuanzhan raised an eyebrow and said, “Whether you are bandits or commoners, you are all citizens of Dongchu. If you have any grievances, you can report them. If your report is verified, those officials or bandits who harmed you will also be severely punished!”

Xuanyuan Zhan glanced at the somewhat apprehensive officials and bandits: "As for those who want to surrender, they should also come to Marquis Dingping to have their surrender recorded."

Xuanyuan Zhan then looked at Mu Lingchen and said, "If you can't handle it by yourself, have Shanbai and Shanshui help record it."

Mu Lingchen nodded: "Don't worry, leave it to me!"

Mu Lingchen then turned to Shan Bai and Shan Shui and gave them an explanation.

The two immediately found paper, pens, and stools, and sat on either side of Mu Lingchen.

"This is the bandit's route. Bandits with grievances can line up here to appeal!"

"This is the special lane for surrendering. Officials and bandits who wish to surrender can come and register as they please."

As soon as the two shouted, many bandits and officials lined up.

The prince just said that surrendering oneself can reduce one's punishment, and this is the only chance they can have, so they can't miss it.