The yamen runner Yang also noticed Li Yan's movements and hurriedly said, "Young lady, don't look anymore. Lord Yang hasn't come back yet."

As if he could see Li Yan's worry, the yamen runner Yang continued, "Don't worry, young lady. The lord and his entourage have gone to the main camp and probably won't be back tonight. Lord Li was afraid you would worry, so he sent me here to deliver the message!"

After hearing this, Li Yan's panicked heart relaxed a little.

After delivering the message, Yang turned around and was about to leave. He had to rush back as soon as possible to await further instructions.

Seeing the man turning around to leave, Li Yan simply handed him what she had just written, and asked the yamen runner Yang to give the things to her father.

Yang, the yamen runner, stuffed the letter handed to him by Li Yan directly into his arms, then jumped on his horse and disappeared into the night in the blink of an eye.

"What happened in the yamen?" From the conversation at the door just now, Lin only heard that her husband would not return tonight. This situation had never happened before.

"Perhaps he's talking about the market tax. Business has been so good lately, I'm afraid the county magistrate has asked father to stay to discuss matters!"

Li Yan did not tell her mother about the arrival of refugees. Li Yan believed that County Magistrate Zheng would properly settle these refugees, so why should she let her mother worry about it? Besides, there were two children at home who needed his care. Li Yan did not want to let her mother worry about it anymore.

County Magistrate Zheng actually received news that these refugees had already arrived in Yuncheng, the provincial capital. Under the mediation of General Qin, the prefect had to hold his nose and temporarily set up a porridge stall outside the city to accommodate the refugees who arrived one after another.

However, the prefect still felt that these people were a hot potato, so the gates of Yuncheng were closed and these people were not allowed to enter. Fortunately, the weather was warmer now, and the refugees who had been running for months seemed to see hope after drinking a bowl of clear soup and porridge. They stayed outside the city in groups of three or two, hoping that someone would take in their families.

In the evening, County Magistrate Zheng also received a letter from the prefect. The message in the letter basically told him not to accept these refugees. If he did, he would have to find the money and food for their resettlement himself.

The meaning is very clear. These refugees are not the people under your rule. If you want to be kind, you should pay them yourself.

The prefect also has some sources of information in the capital. If these refugees are to be resettled, they must report to the court. The crown prince, who is the regent, is now suppressing the report and pretending to be unaware of this matter. If he reports at this time that there are refugees and the court needs disaster relief, he is not stupid, so how can he be the first to do so?

These people are not under his rule, so what does it have to do with him whether they live or die? Besides, this is not his political achievement, so why bother getting involved in this mess?

If I let these people into the city and cause another riot, I will be in trouble too. It will be a thankless task.

If General Qin had not sent someone over to say that he would first provide comfort and relief, the prefect would have wanted to stay away from them.

At this time, the northwest camp was brightly lit. General Qin's face turned ashen after hearing what County Magistrate Zheng said.

"General, if the court doesn't issue an order for disaster relief, even if I want to intervene, I can only do my best. We don't know how many people are outside the city yet. If there are too many people, I'm afraid..."

The first thing to consider when accepting these people is food and accommodation. Now that the weather is warmer, it is not a big deal for them to stay outdoors for a few days. The main issue is food.

Although the government office is well-off now, it is still okay as long as there are few people. However, if there are too many people, I am afraid that it will not be able to provide relief. How many county magistrates in the thirteen cities of this prefecture will be willing to accept refugees like myself?

In the end, if I am the only city that accepts the refugees, and if there is a shortage of food and drink, and the refugees riot, then my position as a county magistrate will be over!

The prefect was unwilling to intervene, and as a small county magistrate, he had to take charge based on his own situation. County Magistrate Zheng could not bear to see the people's finally found way to survive ruined again because of some people's selfishness, so he finally came to the general for help.

"I've already sent this urgent message to the capital over 800 miles. Meanwhile, Yuncheng is temporarily distributing porridge outside the city to appease the people. You guys go back first, and I'll let you know when I have news!"

General Qin was also helpless about this matter. As a general with military power, he could only lead troops to fight and was not allowed to interfere in local political affairs.

The excuse for sending troops to Yuncheng this time was to prevent riots and maintain stability in Yuncheng.

Especially now that it is a turbulent time and so many eyes are watching him, he cannot afford to make any mistakes and let those with ulterior motives attack him by saying that he is interfering in government affairs.

Even if I have a way, how can I manage it? All of this needs to be done with a legitimate reason.

When the two came out of the camp, they met Officer Yang who was waiting outside the camp.

"It's getting late today. Wenzhi, please come back to the county government office with me. We will discuss the issue of accepting refugees!" After saying that, he got on the carriage first.

The adults said so, and Li Erlang obeyed. When he passed by Yang Yashi, he was stopped by Yang Yashi and handed a letter to him: "This is from Miss Li!"

Li Erlang took it, thanked her and casually stuffed the thing into his sleeve. It was dim outside the camp at this time, with only two torches lit in front of the door. Although he guessed what his daughter had written, Li Erlang still controlled his temper and waited to read it after returning!

When the two men returned to the county government office, the servants saw the master coming back and immediately asked him if he wanted to set the table.

"Set the table!" Following the order, servants came out one after another, some fetched water, some set the table.

"Wenzhi, go wash up too. I'll go to the backyard to change clothes and come back later!" After saying that, he strode towards the backyard.

After a day of running around, Li Erlang felt covered in dust. After washing his hands and face, he opened the letter in his sleeve and read it.

Just as he had imagined, it turned out that these measures for resettling refugees were written by his daughter.

When he saw the last line of the sentence, his heart suddenly moved, so he stood up, as if he wanted to go find the county magistrate. Just as he walked out the door, he remembered that the adults were in the backyard, so he sat back on the stool.

Li Erlang knocked on the table again and again with his big hands with distinct joints, considering the feasibility of this matter in his mind!

When County Magistrate Zheng came back again, he had taken off his official robe and put on the Confucian robe he wore every day. He invited Li Erlang to eat first.

After a busy afternoon, both of them were hungry, so Li Erlang was in no hurry to talk. They finished their meal in silence. The servants took away the leftovers and served hot tea, then tactfully left the room.

County Magistrate Zheng picked up the teacup, stirred the floating leaves in the tea, took a sip, and asked, "What were you about to say?"

"Sir, I have proposed some methods for resettling the refugees, but I'm not sure if they will work."

Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Zheng perked up immediately, put down his teacup, and urged, "What's your idea? Tell me now, tell me now!"