Each prefecture opened its granaries and distributed grain to provide relief to displaced people.
The prefects of each state had previously shirked their responsibilities and allowed the crimes of the displaced people to go unpunished. They were temporarily set aside and given a chance to redeem themselves through meritorious service.
If they continue to play dumb and ignore everything, then we'll settle the score all at once.
Whether by coincidence or by accident, Mr. Wen was sent to the farthest prefecture, almost to the vicinity of Fengshan County.
Before Li Lao Er could say much more to Mr. Wen, he immediately left the palace and began gathering people to get busy.
After all, nearly ten thousand refugees were like hungry children, their eyes red with hunger.
Every extra minute of delay increases the risk of riots.
Fortunately, the Li family may lack many things, but they certainly don't lack experience in dealing with ordinary people...
In the Broken Gold Beach, the village chief was chatting with the old men under the trees.
I was busy for almost two days and I was so tired that I just wanted to collapse on the ground and sleep.
But now, the fields are empty, the mountains are empty, there is no work to be done, and everyone is not used to it. They feel like they have nowhere to put their hands and feet, and they can't sit still as if they have nails under their butts!
So the men in the village came one after another, chatting with the old men while asking to join the patrol team.
“Uncle Village Chief, please add us to the patrol team. We can work day or night. We’re just sitting around doing nothing; it feels like our bones are going to rust.”
"Yes, Uncle Village Chief, if all else fails, we can ask the host if there are any jobs in the city that we can be sent to help out."
"I wish I could take over my wife's chores. It's so boring to fetch water and cook every day."
The village chief chuckled and tapped his pipe twice, laughing and scolding everyone.
"You lot are just lazy bums, destined to work your whole lives! You were so tired before, and nobody said a word. Now that we're letting you rest, you all start complaining!"
Uncle Zhao and the others laughed and echoed.
"That's a real man, someone who lives a proper life."
"Yes, everyone's spirit is the best! It's this spirit that has allowed us to start from scratch and get to where we are today!"
"That's right, who doesn't envy the life we have in Suijintan these days? It's all thanks to hard work and dedication!"
The men listened with smug satisfaction, scratching the back of their heads with sheepish grins.
Their best qualities are simplicity and diligence.
The village chief added some more tobacco and said, "Tomorrow I'll go to town and ask around to see if the Earl and the Princess have any plans."
“We think life is peaceful in the village, but there are many things going on in the city. The Earl and the Princess have gone to great lengths to protect everyone.”
"We should help as much as we can, and if we can't, we should stay put and not cause trouble for the family. Understand?"
"Yes, Uncle," the men quickly replied.
The village chief nodded, then lowered his voice and instructed, "Don't try to take the patrol jobs. These hundred-odd wounded young men have just arrived in our Broken Gold Beach and are afraid of being looked down upon. They'll feel more secure eating here if they have some jobs. Understand?"
"I know, I know!"
The men quickly responded, chuckling sheepishly with a hint of guilt.
They were so focused on their own happiness that they forgot about their wounded brothers.
The village isn't short of rice and grain; in fact, it could easily support over a hundred wounded soldiers for free.
But they are just as ambitious as they are, and they don't want to just sit around and eat for free.
They could do other work if they weren't patrolling, but the wounded soldiers' patrols were a testament to their sincerity towards the village.
Just then, a fast horse galloped off the side road and headed straight for the village entrance.
Uncle Zhao has sharp eyes. He peeked out and said, "It looks like Xiao He. Did the Lord give any instructions?"
Everyone stood up.
Soon, Zheng He arrived and dismounted.
Seeing that everyone looked unwell, he quickly said, "Don't worry, everyone. The Lord has something to do and needs your help. It's not a bad thing."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, a huge weight lifted from their hearts.
The village chief pulled Zheng He aside and asked, "What errand do you have, sir? Tell me quickly."
Zheng He said, “Our family sent stews and cakes to the refugees, and the Emperor and the high-ranking officials in the court found out. The Emperor ordered the families in the city to donate grain and vegetables, and ordered our Lord to be in charge of providing relief to the refugees outside the city, which means providing them with food and drink and keeping an eye on them to make sure they don’t cause trouble.”
“That’s nearly ten thousand people. The old man didn’t have enough people around him and couldn’t trust anyone else, so he sent me back to ask the village chief for help.”
"Relief for displaced people?"
The village chief and everyone else were surprised, but then they were overjoyed.
"It should have been done a long time ago. Those refugees couldn't survive in the south, so they came to Xindu. They are so pitiful!"
"Yes, yesterday when I was ladling stew for them, I felt like the bowls were bottomless. So little food for so many people, it was really worrying! Now that His Majesty has spoken, it's wonderful!"
"As long as the imperial court provides the grain, we'll go help the Earl. We'll do our labor without hesitation!"
Everyone responded enthusiastically, happy for the refugees.
The village chief immediately discussed it with Uncle Zhao and the others, and finally decided that the 150 veterans would stay and take care of the village.
The remaining villagers stayed behind, about a third of them, to look after their homes and take care of household chores.
Two-thirds of the people, all strong and capable laborers, went to help outside the city.
In less than half an hour, the villagers had packed their things and set off.
Outside the city gate, some of the refugees who had been staying for two or three days managed to grab some food and seemed to be doing alright.
But the elderly, women, and children, without food or water and exposed to the scorching sun, simply couldn't withstand it.
After all, they came here because of their belief that they could be saved in Xindu, right under the emperor's nose.
Looking at it now, there is still no hope of survival, and many people have fallen ill.
The family was in pain, bystanders felt a sense of shared grief, and the people of Xindu watched coldly.
At this moment, Li Lao Er arrived with the relief bureau personnel.
The first thing the elderly and children of the relief department did was to bang on their copper basins and ladles and shout out their wares.
"By imperial decree, soup kitchens must be set up immediately to cook porridge and provide relief to the people. Everyone will have food soon, so please hold on! Don't panic, don't cause trouble, things will get better soon!" "We'll have food soon! We won't have to go hungry anymore!"
"Everyone get ready. We'll start registering your names and where you came from in a bit, and then you can get your food to fill your stomachs!"
"Cheer up, everyone! Don't make a fuss, just wait for instructions. We can all survive!"
The elderly and children at the Relief Department shouted different things, but they all meant the same thing.
The refugees initially didn't believe it, but when they flocked to the city gate, they saw horse-drawn carts carrying pots, pans, and bulging sacks of grain.
They couldn't help but cheer, and some even hugged their families and cried!
There's hope for survival!
The children from the relief office put down their copper basins and spoons, set up tables and chairs, rolled up their sleeves, and transformed into little teachers.
The elderly people carried seven or eight large baskets, all filled with black skewers.
Anyone who came forward to register their name, place of origin, and number of family members would be given a slip of paper.
This is the proof that he and his family will receive relief porridge from then on!
The refugees crowded around all the tables and chairs, eager to register as soon as possible so they could get their food.
The boys shouted themselves hoarse, but they couldn't get the refugees to line up properly.
Today's update is here!
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