The refugees also gained experience.
As usual, once the important person has passed, the matter is considered closed.
But today I suddenly realized something was wrong.
The nobleman's carriage had passed, but two masked men in black on horseback emerged, raising their whips: "Follow the convoy! Let's go!"
The refugees were bewildered: "Sir, we didn't cause any trouble..."
When facing the refugees, Chen San lost his former affability: "Go. Or die."
Refugees: "..."
That means there's no other choice!
So the refugees followed the carriage, walking between the black riders and the carriage.
Qi Yunxiao looked ahead: "We'll reach Hejian Prefecture in another half day. There are probably still quite a few refugees there. They're not going into the city; they're just camping outside. Chen San, come here..."
After giving some instructions, Chen San summoned a guard and rode off to Hejian Prefecture to make arrangements in advance.
Along the way, more and more refugees were forced to join the group.
By evening, when the caravan arrived outside Hejian Prefecture, several hundred refugees had already gathered there.
The prefect of Hejian arranged for people to set up large pots outside the city, where thick porridge of mixed grains had already been cooked.
The aroma of rice porridge stirred the refugees.
Chen San raised his whip: "Everyone, listen up! Form groups of ten and line up to get your rice bowls and porridge!"
"I'm starving to death, why should I wait in line?" someone among the refugees shouted, and tried to rush forward.
An arrow pierced through the clouds and tore through the silk, instantly killing the fleeing refugee who was rushing forward.
The restless refugees immediately stopped in their tracks, staring wide-eyed in alarm at the direction the arrow had been shot.
A masked man dressed in black calmly took another arrow from the quiver on his back...
The refugees immediately became obedient.
Someone shouted, "Line up! Line up! Hurry up and line up..."
Chen San had previously assigned them to different teams, but they didn't know what the point was and didn't recognize each other.
But there are always some who recognize them.
After some pulling and tugging, they finally managed to form a crooked line, and obediently lined up according to the masked man in black's instructions.
After a bowl of steaming hot porridge, all the refugees felt much warmer in their empty stomachs, and they collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.
Chairman Zhao Yuzhu took a paper megaphone, stood on a horse-drawn carriage, and began the first round of PUA (Pick-Up Artist) tactics.
"Fellow villagers, I know that you have suffered a disaster because of God, with no harvest and forced to leave your homes..."
First empathize with their fear, then discuss their destination.
"His Majesty has decreed that, starting immediately, all displaced people traveling southwest from the capital must come with us to Xing'an Prefecture in the southwest for resettlement. Along the way, we will provide everyone with one bowl of porridge a day..."
Provide clear direction and explain the benefits along the way to dispel any doubts.
"Once we get there, we'll work with the local prefect, mayor, and village head to find a way to get you something to do and pay you wages!"
"As long as everyone works diligently, everyone will have a full meal, warm clothes, and shelter from the wind and rain, so that you won't go hungry or cold in the winter..."
Eliminate their worries.
Ms. Zhao Yuzhu truly deserves to be the chairperson of a listed group!
Their ability to appease the people is truly remarkable.
Shen Qingyu and Qi Yunxiao listened with a mixture of pride and surprise.
After Zhao Yuzhu finished speaking, another refugee muttered, "Only one bowl of porridge a day, how can anyone get full?"
As soon as these words were spoken, other refugees immediately chimed in: "Yes, yes, we're starving with just one bowl of porridge a day!"
Zhao Yuzhu stood on the carriage and looked in that direction, seeing several greedy faces.
"Then I'd like to ask these villagers: Did you have a bowl of porridge every day along your journey?"
Everyone fell silent.
With so many refugees, even when local governments distributed porridge, the water was so clear you could see your reflection, and it was always too late to act quickly.
It's normal to miss a bowl of thin porridge a day; thick porridge is definitely out of the question.
"We're heading home, and all we can do is ensure you don't starve. If you're still not satisfied, ask the local prefect if they're willing to provide you with lodging, food, and work opportunities."
"If you can find a better place, then just leave."
Immediately, some strong and able-bodied refugees became restless, their eyes darting around.
Zhao Yuzhu then said, "If you do bad things after you leave, you will be exiled to the harsh northwest if you are caught. You should think it over!"
Upon hearing this, the refugees froze instantly.
The Northwest is a harsh and cold place, where even growing crops is difficult, and the people there are mostly bandits and refugees who have been exiled there.
In that place, let alone having enough to eat and wear, it's hard to say whether you can even survive.
So the hundreds of refugees were able to settle down again.
Seeing that there was no rain tonight, the refugees slept in the open in the mountains and forests for the night.
Seeing the refugees haggling over a bowl of thick porridge, the two children couldn't help but recall the days of more than half a year ago.
Back then, they could only drink wild vegetable porridge.
When did things start to get better?
It was only when Dad came back, bringing rice, flour, meat, and oil, that Mom started making all sorts of delicious things.
Mother didn't make those radish and meatballs many more times, but they left a deep impression on them.
That was the first delicious meal the family had after Dad brought meat home.
As a result, the two little ones became more silent and clingier to Qi Yunxiao than usual.
Qi Yunxiao didn't understand why the two children suddenly clung to his legs, and asked Shen Qingyu, "Are the children hungry? How about we have a couple of bowls of thick porridge, and some braised meat and eggs to go with them, okay?"
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