When this news came out, not only Xu Yi and others, but even the refugees showed happy smiles, because along the way, people either starved to death or died of disease.
Now they can recuperate and have a place to shelter from the wind and rain. After a long journey, the refugees can finally get a good night's sleep.
Xu Yi left a large contingent of troops outside the city to keep watch, and then entered the city.
The county magistrate sent someone to tell him that the matter of price gouging on grain had been investigated and was almost completely solved.
Merchants are usually quite well-informed, especially after they've taken the time to pay attention.
In fact, the biggest mastermind behind this whole affair was Mao Buba, who was under Xu Yi's control.
He sent people to the towns ahead to gather information beforehand, and learned that food would become scarce after the refugees arrived.
So before the refugees arrived, they sent people to spread rumors that the government's stockpiled grain would be given to the refugees first.
Not only that, but now they are also going to plunder grain and send it to the south. As a result, there will be very little grain left. If we don't buy more and keep it at home, we may not even be able to eat in the future.
Spreading rumors wasn't enough; they also arranged for people to mingle among the people, constantly stirring up trouble and encouraging them to buy overpriced grain.
When Xu Yi arrived at the government office, everyone had already been brought there, including the two elders from the Chamber of Commerce.
These two elderly men were also quite respected figures in the Chamber of Commerce. They usually acted like respectable people, and it took repeated instructions to get them to do anything.
They weren't even properly dressed yet, just wearing shoes and no socks; it seems they were brought here in a hurry.
The reason they were arrested was because they acted as accomplices to Mao Buba, turning a blind eye to Mao Buba's massive price increases and trying to get away with it.
Of course, the help wasn't for nothing; the stingy person gave them quite a few benefits, but now that they've taken the benefits, they can't spend them.
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The two old men saw Xu Yi give a heavy snort, then turned their heads away, muttering, "No manners, no manners."
Xu Yi was completely confused, but he ignored them and instead went to find the county magistrate.
The county magistrate was grinning from ear to ear. "Xu Yi, Miss Man'er is truly an extraordinary girl. She figured out these people's schemes and tricks in such a short time."
"Those two old guys saw that things weren't going well and tried to pretend to be sick and hide, but Miss Man'er dragged them right out of bed."
"Haha, this is so interesting! How come I never realized that Miss Man'er was so interesting before?"
Hearing what was said earlier, Xu Yi wasn't too puzzled. Fu Man'er was smart; when the two met at noon and talked about those things, she probably already knew how things were going.
With Fu Man'er's help, the county magistrate was able to bring the person back so quickly.
But Xu Yi felt a little uncomfortable listening to that last sentence.
“Your Excellency, Man’er is already married. Please call her Madam Xu.” Xu Yi said earnestly. He liked how outsiders addressed Man’er.
The name "Young Madam Xu" immediately suggests a connection to Xu Yi.
The county magistrate was a few years older than Xu Yi and had many wives and concubines. Hearing his sour tone, he understood perfectly well what was going on.
"Alright, alright, I was just praising someone. Look at you, so stingy."
"The interrogation of the people is almost complete. There were quite a few involved this time. The prison can hold them all, but there aren't enough guards to keep an eye on them."
There are also problems with keeping all the prisoners in one place. The concern is that if no one is watching them, they might cause trouble in the prison.
Currently, half of the city's armed forces are responsible for the city's security, while the remaining force is divided into two parts: one part is used to help refugees outside the city, and the other part is kept in the government office.
“We don’t need to lock them all up in jail.” Xu Yi looked at the string of people with their hands tied with rope in the yard. “We’re short-handed right now, so let them go outside the city to help with the work tomorrow.”
"Those who do well can avoid going to jail, but those who cheat and do poorly will get a beating and then be thrown into jail."
The county magistrate burst out laughing, "Brilliant, brilliant, Xu Yi, you've got it all!"
Xu Yi smiled modestly, "It's just making the best use of everyone's talents."
He knew perfectly well that although so many people had been arrested, many of them were being used as pawns by Mao Buba and the old man from the Chamber of Commerce.
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Even according to the laws of this dynasty, these people would only be locked up for a few days, and they would have to be fed and watered, and kept under guard.
Rather than that, it would be better to make them all work, since those who don't work properly will end up in jail anyway.
In this way, the government suffers no loss, achieving two goals at once, so why not do it?
"Lord Xu, Lord Xu." Xu Yi had just stepped into the courtyard when Mao Buba, who was squatting on the ground, rushed over. His hands were still tied.
Unlike his smug and overconfident demeanor at noon, he now resembled a stray dog.
"Lord Xu, please have mercy and plead with the magistrate on my behalf. I was just being foolish."
Mao Buba didn't expect things to be exposed so quickly. He was taken away by soldiers who broke in while he was still counting silver in the grain store.
Once you're in prison, it can take three to five years to get out.
"Lord Xu, I still have a lot of grain in my grain shop, as well as the money I collected today. I'll give you half of it. Could you please plead for me?"
Mao Buba looked at Xu Yi with a fawning expression, hoping to bribe him with money.
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"I know you're rich and might not care about these things, but even a fly is meat."
Mao Buba knew that if he went to jail, all that grain and silver would be gone.
Xu Yi hates people who profit from others' suffering the most. People like Mao Buba are too easy to just throw in jail.
"The grain and silver in the grain store have already been taken over by the government. Tomorrow, all the grain will be taken outside the city to feed the refugees."
"As for you, you won't have to go to jail either."
A glimmer of hope ignited in Mao Buba's eyes. "As long as I don't go to jail, I'll take all the grain, even if it's all given to the government. I don't want any of it."
As long as he doesn't go to jail, he has a chance to start over.
Xu Yi looked at him coldly, "Someone will take you to the stone quarry in the southwest in a few days."
Mao Buba was stunned. "A stone quarry?"
He had heard of that place; it was practically hell on earth, where people were exposed to the elements every day, working without a break, and if they dared to slack off, they would be whipped.
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Anyone who has been there will be severely injured, even if they don't die.
"My lord, my lord!" Mao Bubai panicked and tried to reach out to pull Xu Yi, but Xu Yi didn't even glance at him and just walked away.
"Sir, going to the quarry will kill me! Please, save me!"
At this point, Mao Buba truly regretted his actions. He had only wanted to make a fortune, but he never expected to end up like this.
The cries behind him grew louder and louder, but Xu Yi paid no attention.
It's deserved that they wouldn't give up their hair; they don't deserve any sympathy.
After a night's rest, the refugees seemed to be in much better spirits, and they had the energy to talk.
"Thank you, officials, thank you."
"If it weren't for you guys, we probably wouldn't know where to go."
"I haven't had a proper meal in days, thanks to the officials."
Some people even kowtowed to the guards. How could they accept such a great honor? Everyone hurriedly helped them up.
A short while later, Xu Yi led another group of people over; they were there to distribute porridge to the refugees.
Several wealthy families in the town have agreed to take turns providing porridge to the refugees over the next few days. Although they may not be able to eat well, they will at least ensure that the refugees do not go hungry.
The reason for this is that since Mao Buba and his group were arrested last night, there is no panic about food shortages. Secondly, wealthy families like to do good deeds to gain a good reputation.
Upon seeing Xu Yi arrive, many refugees spontaneously went to greet him. Xu Yi had handled all the matters with them yesterday.
Many refugees genuinely liked this kind-hearted and capable official, because Xu Yi was truly working hard to take care of them.
"Hmph, we were the ones who stayed here to keep watch last night, but the good words all went to someone else." These sarcastic remarks came from Qian Dayong.
It was common knowledge that he and Xu Yi had a falling out, and afterwards, their relationship remained lukewarm, with little interaction between them.
Seeing the refugees crowding around Xu Yi, Qian Dayong felt uneasy again.
"When it gets dark, I go back to the city and get a good night's sleep. When I wake up, I come here to listen to everyone's compliments. Being a commander is really comfortable."
He kept muttering on and on until someone nearby couldn't stand it anymore.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Our commander only returned to the city late last night, and he still has a lot of things to take care of back there."
"Look, he's still wearing the same clothes as yesterday. He probably hasn't even had a good night's sleep."
Although Xu Yi was a military officer, he paid great attention to his appearance and would rarely wear the same clothes two days in a row.
Not only have they not changed their clothes, but even the headdress on their heads is the same one from yesterday.
"You think you know everything about him? You're like a tapeworm in his stomach." There are many people in the guard who support Xu Yi now, and Qian Dayong knows he can't win an argument with them.
He was so angry that he spat and walked away. He just couldn't stand Xu Yi's arrogant attitude.
What's so great about him? If he were still a deputy commander, Xu Yi would be the one stealing the limelight.
At this time, although everyone was busy with their work, Qian Dayong just wanted to slack off. Anyway, one more person wouldn't make a difference, and one less person wouldn't make a difference either. For a while, no one noticed him.
Qian Dayong was seething with anger, and he walked recklessly, especially since the area was densely packed with tents.
Before I knew it, I stepped on something and almost tumbled over.
Before he could even utter a curse, a soft voice rang out, "Ouch, my foot."
Qian Dayong finally managed to steady himself, turned around and saw a thin woman sitting in the corner of the tent.
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