Xiayan Village is their only hope at the moment: "We want to eat! We want to survive!"
They couldn't bear to see that hope shattered.
The situation got a little out of control.
"Brothers, there aren't many of them. They can't stop us! Let's go!"
Someone raised his arm and called out, and everyone else followed suit.
Xin Sanlang was extremely anxious.
At a glance, I saw a young man dressed like a scholar at the front of the team, completely different from the refugees.
His pupils shrank: "Ding Zhongming, you beast!"
Ding Zhongming was a classmate of his from a distant place. He had been brought by Yuanfang to visit his home before.
Ding Zhongming smiled awkwardly when he saw Xin Sanlang recognized him.
"Uncle San, I have no choice. These villagers are all hungry. I can't bear it. Uncle San, your family eats meat every meal, so please leave some porridge and rice for these villagers. They will be grateful to you."
"Yes, sir! Please have pity on us and give us something to eat."
When Xin Sanlang heard this, he felt a surge of anger rising to his head:
"What are you talking about?! Just because you eat meat every day, does that mean everyone else should have such good conditions?! Ask the people of Changyuan County, do they agree?!"
After all, having been in the government for many years, Xin Sanlang did not fall into the vicious circle of self-proof.
He knew that if he couldn't handle this incident properly at this moment, the consequences would be disastrous.
Ding Zhongming didn't expect that Xin Sanlang would be so difficult to deal with.
Seeing the refugees he had just fooled looking at him one by one, Ding Zhongming felt panic in his heart:
"We've run out of food, so where's the meat? Uncle Xin, you're only saying this to lure the villagers away. But they've been starving for so long. Can you really bear to see them dragging their exhausted bodies back and forth?"
Xin Sanlang glared at Ding Zhongming.
I secretly hated myself for not being able to judge people.
They also wondered what grudge Ding Zhongming had against their family and why he was harming them like this?
But his face was full of righteousness, and he said righteously:
"If I let you go to Xiayan Village, I would be truly harming you!"
He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.
"Fellow villagers, I know you're starving, but Xiayan Village has also suffered from drought, and they don't have enough food either. Believe me, if you go to Xiayan Village, you'll return empty-handed."
Some refugees began to waver.
"Yes, there has been a drought in recent years. I heard that Xiangcheng is also very serious."
"But……"
Ding Zhongming didn't want to give up.
Seeing these refugees wavering, he sneered:
"Uncle Xin, you're afraid we'll go and compete with them for food! Uncle Xin, you're from Xiayan Village, so you're reluctant to give up your food because you're afraid your fellow villagers will eat it, right?!"
Xin Sanlang snorted coldly:
"That's sheer nonsense! As the Chief Clerk of Changyuan County, how could I possibly have such selfish thoughts?! Ding Zhongming, stop inciting people! If these folks starve to death because of your false information, you'll never be able to redeem yourself!"
At this time, the sound of horse hooves came from afar.
The county magistrate arrived in time with the garrison.
Xin Sanlang saw the dusty scene from afar and felt a little relieved.
It's good that the garrison has arrived.
With the garrison there, we will definitely be able to stop these refugees.
The county magistrate understood the situation and looked at Ding Zhongming with cold eyes.
But when he turned to look at the refugees, he showed the kindness of a parent official:
"Fellow villagers, I am Lu Ze, the magistrate of Changyuan County. I know that your journey has not been easy.
"Therefore, we have already sent people to other prefectures to transfer grain, and the grain will arrive soon. I also ask the villagers to give Changyuan County some time. Until then, please be patient.
"As everyone knows, Xiangcheng also suffered from drought. Only last year did Changyuan County receive a few drops of rain. But after the disaster, every household was tightening their belts. Where could they find any surplus food?
"Fellow villagers, please do not be instigated by those with ulterior motives and do something that will make you and your family regret your whole life!"
The county magistrate spoke sincerely, and the refugees' emotions gradually calmed down.
"Mr. County Magistrate, have you really transferred the grain?" someone asked cautiously.
The county magistrate smiled slightly:
"Please rest assured. I, Lu Ze, hereby assure you, fellow villagers, that as long as you stay outside Changyuan County, you will have food to eat. As long as I, Lu Ze, can eat something solid, I won't let you have anything to eat!"
The refugees were moved.
Everyone was so moved that tears streamed down their cheeks and they knelt on the ground: "Thank you, County Magistrate! Thank you, County Magistrate!"
The county magistrate raised his hand hurriedly:
"Fellow villagers, get up quickly! Follow me back! Although there are only shacks outside the city, they can at least provide shelter from the wind and rain."
"Yes! We will obey the County Magistrate! The County Magistrate is so kind, we will obey!"
"We all obey the county magistrate."
Seeing that the refugees started to walk back, Xin Sanlang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The crisis was finally temporarily resolved.
However, he was still worried.
The county magistrate promised to provide food for the refugees.
But now food is scarce throughout the court. Where can we get food?
Xiangcheng has been suffering from severe drought for three years, and the imperial court has distributed relief grain countless times.
But it is always a drop in the bucket.
Now there are so many refugees coming...
Ding Zhongming was secretly resentful. He didn't expect that the county magistrate and the garrison troops, who usually didn't care about anything, would go out today.
Just one step away!
Ding Zhongming gritted his teeth.
I had to put this plan aside for the time being and follow the main group back.
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