Chapter 116 Refugees

Li Yuanyou ultimately led the disaster relief team away from the capital with great reluctance.

Before setting off, he really wanted to see his elder sister one more time.

Even if we don't say anything, just looking at her would be enough.

Unfortunately, she was under house arrest, and the gates of the mansion were guarded by the Imperial Guards, so he ultimately failed to get his wish.

The convoy headed east, but Li Yuanyou remained silent, his mind uneasy.

My mother's sharp words kept echoing in my ears.

Is it truly destined that he and his elder sister can only turn against each other?

Did the Empress Dowager... also already regard him as an enemy that must be eliminated?

Over the years, he has always remembered his elder sister's words.

"If you don't have the ability, don't try to be strong."

But he didn't understand why things had inevitably come to this point, even though he had been very obedient and had never thought of fighting for anything.

The closer he got to the Hebei region, the stronger his inexplicable unease became, as if something bad was about to happen.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out at the front of the convoy, forcing the previously smooth convoy to stop.

This disaster relief effort was quite large-scale.

In addition to a thousand elite Dragon Martial Army soldiers providing close protection, several officials from the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Imperial Medical Bureau also accompanied him.

The Imperial Concubine was even more worried, so she specially selected dozens of quick-handed eunuchs to take care of Li Yuanyou's daily life, fearing that he might suffer any grievances while he was away.

This procession was grand and imposing, with its banners waving, making it particularly conspicuous on the official road.

Hearing the commotion outside, Li Yuanyou frowned, but before he could speak...

Cui Dalang, who was sitting beside him to keep him entertained, had already lifted the carriage curtain and asked in a loud voice, "What's all the commotion up ahead?"

Huang Wei, the Vice Minister of Revenue, immediately rode forward and bowed to report: "Your Highness, Lord Cui, it seems we have encountered a group of refugees blocking the road. General He is ahead dealing with and driving them away."

Huang Wei, a top scholar in the imperial examination, was indeed a capable official. He was not only efficient in his work but also well-versed in the ways of officialdom and a master at reading people.

He was obedient to Cui Shiliang in his daily life, and in less than five years, he rose to the position of Vice Minister of Revenue. He was a trusted confidant promoted by Cui Shiliang and was deeply trusted and valued by him.

During this disaster relief mission, Cui Shiliang knew that the second prince lacked experience and his son, Cui Dalang, was even less capable of handling important matters. Therefore, he specially sent Huang Wei as the deputy envoy to accompany the mission, so that Huang Wei could take charge of the overall situation and handle specific affairs, ensuring that the mission was carried out "beautifully".

On the surface, Li Yuanyou was the imperial envoy, representing the imperial power and sitting in the central government. His role was mostly symbolic, demonstrating the court's attention to the disaster and conveying the "boundless imperial grace."

In reality, Huang Wei handled everything from the allocation of grain and funds to the resettlement of disaster victims, while Cui Dalang basked in the benefits and gained some political achievements.

"Why are they stopping the car?" Li Yuanyou leaned out, looking at the crowded people ahead, his tone full of confusion.

Cui Dalang echoed, his tone tinged with arrogance: "These country bumpkins are quite bold, daring to obstruct the imperial carriage. They truly don't know their place!"

Huang Wei quickly tried to appease them, “Your Highness, please calm down. They are just ignorant commoners who have never witnessed the majesty of the Emperor. Perhaps they are starving and that’s why they tried to stop us for food. I have already instructed General He to disperse them as soon as possible. Please calm down and rest in the carriage for a while.”

"Since they want food, why not just give them some?" Li Yuanyou was increasingly puzzled. "Isn't our purpose in coming here to provide disaster relief and distribute food?"

"Your Highness, this is absolutely unacceptable!" Huang Wei's tone suddenly turned serious. "If this precedent is set, the consequences will be dire. If these refugees can easily obtain food by simply surrounding and blocking the road, the news will spread, and starving people along the way will swarm in, blocking the carriages layer by layer. At that time, we will be unable to move an inch, and when will we be able to reach the disaster area to take charge? Furthermore, disaster relief supplies must be allocated and distributed by the local government granaries. What we carry with us is only enough for the team's daily needs, which is just a drop in the ocean. How can we distribute it so casually?"

Li Yuanyou nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

He was never one to have his own opinions, and at this moment he just hoped to get things over with as soon as possible so he could return to the capital to see his elder sister. So he said, "In that case, let's not worry about them and hurry on our way."

Cui Dalang, standing to the side, impatiently urged, "Tell General He to hurry up! Don't dawdle here. If we delay any longer, when will we reach Weizhou?"

"Yes." Huang Wei bowed and replied, secretly relieved.

Although this second prince was simple-minded, fortunately he was not a stubborn person.

However, this eldest son of the Cui family is rather arrogant, and seems prone to making mistakes.

Huang Wei quickly walked to General He's side and said in a low voice, "General He, His Highness is urging us to disperse the refugees as soon as possible and not delay the journey."

After a moment's hesitation, he cautiously added, "Remember to be careful and don't cause any deaths, lest things get complicated."

He Peng was the deputy general of the Longwu Army and a former member of the emperor's personal guard. In the capital, he was never ordered around by a fourth-rank official.

But with the Second Prince's safety and the journey ahead of him, he could only nod expressionlessly.

Immediately, he drew his sword with a "whoosh" and shouted sternly at the Imperial Guards standing guard behind him, "All of you, be alert! Form ranks! Advance and drive the men to the side of the road!"

The Imperial Guard soldiers immediately responded, holding long spears and forming a tight horizontal line, slowly advancing towards the refugees.