The political situation is currently turbulent, but it has not yet affected Yunshui County.
In the affected areas, people were displaced and scattered in all directions.
As the prefect, Liu Yunfei witnessed the suffering of the people and was filled with mixed emotions.
Perhaps he initially became an official to meet his father's expectations and to overturn the verdict against his father-in-law, but gradually, after several years in office, he came to understand more and more that being an official meant making tangible achievements for the people!
Otherwise, he would be letting down the official robes he wore and the expectations of his father and father-in-law.
"Your Excellency, there are many more refugees outside the city."
"Your Excellency, the tents for keeping warm have already been transported to the city gates."
"Your Excellency, the purchased rice and grain have all arrived at the city gates."
"Alright, pass down the order to settle the refugees in the rice paddies a kilometer away. Those who know how to pitch tents, select some refugees to help set up the tents."
"Set up makeshift shelters outside the city as soon as possible to distribute rice porridge free of charge."
"The rest of you, come with me to settle the refugees and maintain order!"
"Your humble servant obeys!"
"Your subordinate obeys."
......
At first, the refugees were very anxious.
They brought their families along, enduring the freezing cold, moving from place to place, being driven away and rejected.
They had no hope; they only wished to enter Yunshui County, find a place to stay, and eke out a living.
Unexpectedly, the officials here stopped them and kindly registered them.
Then they were guided to a place to stay, their tents were set up, and the rules of Yunshui County were explained to them.
Who among the people who survived to this point doesn't have sharp eyes?
Lend a hand if you can, help if you can.
After the tents were set up, the officials began to distribute them.
It can fit a family of four or five.
Scattered around, just four people squeezed together.
Surrounded by officials dressed in the uniforms of Yunshui County, the refugees went from being afraid to feeling at ease.
One hour later—
"Coo coo coo~"
One of the officers heard the refugees' stomachs rumbling and gestured for everyone to be quiet so he could hear what he had to say—
"Everyone, put your luggage in the tents. Our brothers will be there to guard it. No one will steal it, and no one will dare to steal it!"
"Our princess and the prefect have set up free porridge sheds outside the city. Everyone can go there to get some porridge."
“Those with mobility issues, please raise your hands. We officers will bring you porridge.”
"Special times call for special measures. We can't have lavish meals, but Yunshui County is already doing a great service by providing a hot bowl of porridge to passersby so they can be sheltered from the wind and rain and fill their stomachs."
The refugees listened with heartfelt gratitude; indeed, they were deeply thankful for this kindness!
Without needing any orders from the officials or servants, they lined up on their own and went to the city's soup kitchen to collect their porridge.
Seven or eight elderly people had frostbite on their legs and feet and could hardly walk, so they raised their hands.
Officials immediately registered the number of people, reported to their superiors, and then left the queue to line up and receive porridge.
Liu Yunfei's hands and feet were purple from the cold, and he was shivering as he flipped through the register.
This group of refugees totaled 134 people, including 30 elderly, children, sick and disabled people, and 104 people of mixed genders who could barely be considered as laborers.
After noting down the numbers, he returned the register to the head constable, his tone encouraging:
"Well done, keep it up."
"This humble official will certainly do his best to fulfill the duties assigned by you, sir!"
The head constable said with emotion, "The prefect I used to serve never cared about the suffering of the people, let alone offered any help to the refugees."
The current prefect, though young, is broad-minded and understands the suffering of the people; he is truly a good official!
"If any more refugees come seeking refuge, they can all be settled here. As for rice, food, and tents, I will return to the county and discuss with the princess how to allocate them."
Liu Yunfei's words were firm and clear, indicating that he would take care of the lives of these refugees.
Then, changing the subject, he said in a serious tone:
"As for charcoal and firewood for heating, that might be a bit difficult."
An elderly man with mobility issues struggled to crawl out of the tent, tears welling in his eyes, and said:
"Your Excellency, you have provided us with food and shelter. As for the timber and charcoal, when our children return, I will have them search for them in the nearby mountains."
The old man thought to himself, "In life, one should be content and grateful."
We cannot rely on the charity or assistance of others for everything.
Don't hold others back, and don't become a burden to others.
"Yes, yes, Old Zhao is right. On our way here fleeing famine, we saw a grove of trees about ten miles away with lots of firewood. We'll find a way to transport it so as not to be a burden on you, sir."
In another tent, an elderly man with gray hair climbed out and couldn't help but chime in.
There is true kindness in the world; not everyone you meet is good, but not everyone you meet is bad either.
Liu Yunfei poked his stiff palm, then bent down, signaling the old folks to go back into their tents.
As for charcoal, he will go back and discuss with Aunt Jiang how to get it. As for firewood, these refugees really need to find their own way.
Yunshui County is extending goodwill, but that doesn't mean it's without any bottom line.
Self-reliance is the only timeless truth!
When Liu Yunfei returned, he passed by the soup kitchen and saw a little boy of about five or six years old among the refugees, holding a bowl of soup and sipping it slowly, with a satisfied smile on his face.
Upon closer inspection, the little boy's shoes were torn, revealing his frostbitten, bluish-purple toes. His clothes were clearly ill-fitting, with dark, mushy wadding showing through...
Heartbreaking.
Thinking of his own brat, as a father, he couldn't bear it and forced himself not to look.
Damn it, when he gets home he's going to look for that brat's old clothes!
Princess's Residence —
study.
Jiang Yue flipped through the ledgers, occasionally making a mark.
When they turned to the last page, the maidservant announced that Prefect Liu was requesting an audience.
"Go in!"
Jiang Yue closed the ledger. To her right was a cup of hot tea; she took a sip, which refreshed her.
Alas, she used to never touch such bitter tea, but as she got older, her health deteriorated.
Especially when I'm busy, my head feels dizzy, and only drinking this bitter tea can clear my head.
After Liu Yunfei entered the study, and seeing no one else around, he immediately started shouting:
"Aunt Jiang~ Help! It's extremely urgent~"
While shouting, he saw the brazier in the middle, disregarded his image, moved a chair over and sat down to warm himself by the fire!
"Did you just climb out of the snowdrift?"
Jiang Yue looked up and almost cried out in surprise.
Where did this guy go? His face is ashen from the cold, and his lips are the color of eggplant. This is the prelude to frostbite.
“Alas, a group of refugees came from outside the city. I felt sorry for them, so I went to great lengths to settle them.”
Liu Yunfei sighed; his hands and feet were itchy, or rather, his ears were itchy too.
"refugee?"
Jiang Yue took out a box of ointment from her sleeve, stood up, and handed it to the other person...
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