Chapter 315: Weak Scholar Chen Qingzhou (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 315 The Frail Scholar Chen Qingzhou (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Refugees were a perpetual hazard regardless of the era.

Should they be mishandled, they could raise the banner of rebellion with nothing but clubs and stones.

To borrow their own phrasing, death awaited them either way, so a desperate gamble might well forge a grand destiny.

Since Chen Yi could grasp this reality, the elder Master Xiao and the others naturally understood it too.

"Third son, seek out Liu Si and query him on how he intends to resettle those stricken masses."

"Xuanshuo, lead the members of the Punishment Hall to the eastern city gate immediately to survey the conditions there; if any scoundrels violate the law, you know what must be done."

"Lixing..."

"Understood!"

The sky had not yet brightened.

Yet the interior and exterior of the Xiao manor were already astir with activity.

The armored personal guards strictly secured the front courtyard and the inner quarters, while operatives from the Punishment Hall rushed to and fro, bearing back piece after piece of intelligence.

Even Xiao Wan'er was summoned by the old master's envoys the moment she arose that morning.

As Xiao Wan'er traversed the grounds, she noticed the grim countenances of the armored guards within the residence, and upon entering the tranquil courtyard, she inquired:

"Grandfather, did you summon me? Has something occurred?"

The elder Master Xiao rested both hands upon his cane, sitting upright in his grand armchair, and nodded slightly as he spoke:

"The autumn grain harvests in Guang'an, Lejiang, Xingwen, and other counties were abysmally poor, culminating in a famine that has driven numerous commoners all the way to the prefectural city."

"The dis..."

Xiao Wan'er's eyes widened, "There are disaster victims outside the city?"

The elder Master Xiao sighed, deeply reluctant to employ that particular terminology, yet the reality was undeniable.

"Those folk arrived last night, and their numbers are considerable."

"Then, then your purpose in summoning me is..."

"How much silver remains within the treasury at present?"

Xiao Wan'er regarded him with a bewildered gaze, "Less than forty thousand taels are left."

The elder Master Xiao calculated briefly, "Withdraw it all, and in a short while I shall dispatch servants to deliver it to the Wan family."

"The Wan family?"

"I have already reached an accord with Old Wan; two taels of silver for one dan of grain, to purchase provisions for the relief of the populace outside the walls."

Xiao Wan'er understood his intent and, after a moment's reflection, said: "Grandfather, let me be the one to go."

"You? Absolutely not."

"The crowds outside the city are currently a chaotic mixture, and should an unforeseen event arise..."

The incident concerning Du Cang had transpired not long ago, so the elder Master Xiao was naturally unwilling to permit his granddaughter to court peril once more.

Furthermore, distributing porridge to refugees was a thankless and grueling endeavor, and it remained uncertain whether Xiao Wan'er's frail constitution could withstand the strain.

Xiao Wan'er shook her head, "Grandfather, it is precisely because of this that I must lead our people there."

"Though the Xiao family founded its legacy upon martial prowess, we ultimately derive our roots from Shuzhou, and it behooves us to lead by example at such a juncture."

It was true that she rarely departed from the marquis's residence, yet she was well-read and understood what ought and ought not to be done.

An act such as aiding disaster victims must be performed regardless of the cost, and given the current circumstances of the Xiao family, only her personal involvement could demonstrate their true stance.

The elder Master Xiao remained somewhat hesitant, "It is not that your grandfather is unreasonable, but your health..."

"Please be at ease, Grandfather, my body is no longer in serious jeopardy, and moreover, there is my brother-in-law..."

"Brother-in-law? Chen Yi? He is but a frail scholar, of what utility could he possibly be?"

Realizing her slip of the tongue, Xiao Wan'er hastily explained: "It is precisely because my brother-in-law is a man of letters that he can assist me when confronting the intricate situation outside the city."

"That is true enough..."

The elder Master Xiao murmured to himself for a moment, then glanced at Xie Tingyun and Shen Huatang who stood guard outside the courtyard, before finally nodding his assent.

"Since that is the case, you may lead the party forth."

"Bear strictly in mind, if any mishap occurs, you must immediately have the guards escort you back within the city walls."

"Very well..."

As the elder Master Xiao watched the departing figure of Xiao Wan'er, his expression grew inevitably complex.

There was gratification, but also a profound heartache.

Had Xiao Fengchun and the others still been present, how could the vast Xiao family ever allow the terminally ill Xiao Wan'er to expose herself to the public eye.

"Alas, such is time and fate."

The elder Master Xiao breathed a heavy sigh and turned his gaze toward the southeast, where the Provincial Administration Commission lay, his eyes turning ice-cold.

"Liu Hong!"

Last night, the elder Master Xiao had directed his subordinates to ascertain the situation within the government offices.

The outlook was far from optimistic.

The prefectural office deflected responsibility by claiming that the Provincial Administration Commission had issued no explicit directives, while the Commission itself claimed a shortage of grain.

At the very least, until the grain merchants of the eastern and western markets lowered their prices, the provisions in the storehouses could not be lightly deployed.

Upon hearing this, how could the elder Master Xiao fail to perceive the schemes Liu Hong was hatching?

He trembled with sheer indignation.

Had it not been for Xiao Jinghong calculating with him before departure that they were still somewhat unready to confront Liu Hong, he would have donned his armor and led his men to slaughter their way into the Liu residence long ago.

Yet as matters stood, he had to devise a method to pacify the refugees outside the city to prevent further chaos from erupting.

"That scoundrel Zhang Xuan, where on earth did the grain and silver I loaned him disappear to?"

...

While the elder Master Xiao chafed with anxiety, Chen Yi remained completely unhurried.

By the time he learned he was to accompany the expedition to dispense porridge outside the city, it was already the hour of Chen.

Having just finished his morning meal, he had intended to remain within the Spring Lotus Garden, waiting for news from the outside world while cultivating his Four Imagery Technique.

With Xiao Jinghong away, he had to exert more effort and diligence to ensure his cultivation would not fall too far behind in the days to come.

Besides, he had already implemented countermeasures the previous evening.

With the grain from Lin Village available, it would suffice to sustain those refugees for a few days at least.

However, when Xiao Wan'er arrived with her retinue to explain the matter, Chen Yi merely feigned complete ignorance of his own prior arrangements and readily agreed to the request.

Once he had changed into regular attire, the party boarded their carriage and hastened toward the outskirts of the city.

In addition to Xie Tingyun and Shen Huatang, the three maidservants Juan'er, Cui'er, and Xiaodie naturally followed alongside them.

In the time before this.

Wang Lìxíng, Liu Sìr, and other knights of the Houfu mansion had already moved the grain supplies out of the city, setting up porridge distribution points beyond the walls.

This brought some peace of mind to those outside.

Even so, the city itself still bore the brunt of the turmoil.

Though the refugees were no match for the fearsome King Shi of the Phoenix and the barbarian scouts, the common folk remained uneasy.

With millions of mouths now demanding food, would the city’s stores suffice? How were the authorities responding? Would the grain prices plummet?

Questions piled up, none can be answered.

Not a single edict from the Magistrate’s Office or the Prefect’s Office offered concrete solutions.

They merely decreed that the city gates would remain closed to entry but not exit, urging people to stay put.

“What’s happening to Sichuanese these days?”

“The Tea Horse Road’s merchants—killed and wounded by the dozen—they all say it was King Shi of the Phoenix who attacked them.”

“No word yet from there. But the refugees from Guangmeng’s counties have already arrived.”

What a chaotic autumn.

More troubling still, those grain merchants—aren’t they the real villains?

Today’s grain prices have soared to thirty taels of silver. Such prices would make even the noble families struggle to eat.”

“Them?”

“They’ve got stored grain. Why should we worry about them?”

Chen Yì watched the bustling crowds outside his window, catching snippets of the murmured conversations around him.

“It’s all because of the refugees. The gates are half-shuttered.”

Xiao Wǎn’er couldn’t hear the words clearly, but she sensed the urgency in the air, her pale face etched with worry.

“Brother-in-law, can this porridge distribution last?”

Chen Yì gave her no cold answer. “It should hold.”

He understood the root of the problem wasn’t the refugees themselves, but the man who’d driven so many from Guangmeng County to flood into the city.

If that man were heartless enough, he could stir up chaos among the refugees in moments.

Then all the grain in the stores would be for nothing.

After thinking it over, Chen Yì proposed, “Let’s prepare a few more sites. With tens of thousands of refugees, our current efforts won’t suffice in a day.”

Xiao Wǎn’er hesitated slightly. “People, they’re not enough.”

“I have a way.”

While passing the Jishì Medicine Hall on the carriage, Chen Yì dismounted and sought out Liu Quán and others, asking them to come along.

In this critical moment, there was no time to spare for the Medicine Hall’s three attendants. The priority was to calm the refugees outside the city first.

Just then, Ma Liang approached with Yuú Niǔ’er and a young man of refined appearance, bowing politely.

“Master.”

Chen Yì glanced at him, a faint sniffle escaping his nostrils, and acknowledged the title with a nod. “Niǔ’er presents herself.”

“Ah, still a disciple who knows his manners. Master, please allow me to escort you.”

“—” Ma Liang could only manage a strained smile.

Yuú Niǔ’er glanced at him, then at the young man beside him, fidgeting nervously.

“Master, I apologize for my earlier words. You—you need not trouble yourself—”

The younger brother, Yuú Hào, looked at Chen Yì with a mixture of fear and deference.

Chen Yì snapped back to himself, waving his hand dismissively. “Nonsense. Such a small matter, I take no offense.”

“Come, join me.”

Without further ado, Chen Yì led Yuú Niǔ’er and Yuú Hào aboard the carriage.

Yuú Hào took the spot beside Xie Tōngyún and Shen Huáotóng.

Yuú Niǔ’er settled beside Chen Yì in the carriage.

Liu Quán, Ma Liang, and others carried the medicine chest behind the carriage, just in case.

When they reached the eastern city gate, Xie Tōngyún negotiated with the city guards, and they were permitted to leave.

Beyond the gate, rows of hundreds of soldiers stood lined up, their belts holding long blades, shields on their backs, faces grim.

Along the road in the distance, a scattering of people moved slowly.

Most were ragged, their faces streaked with mud and soot, their original features obscured. Only their eyes remained visible, pleading toward the city.

Old and young, male and female, all stood with mouths agape, whispering weakly.

“Water… food…”

“Save my child…”

“Great master, please…”

Chen Yì peered through the curtain’s gap, his expression calm.

With his keen eyesight, he could see further—those closer to the city were in better shape.

Farther out, some lay collapsed from starvation, too weak to move, leaning against trees or sprawled on the roadside, groaning for scraps.

Seeing this, Xiao Wǎn’er’s face softened. “Brother-in-law, there are so many people here. Should we set up porridge here?”

Chen Yì shook his head. “No. Let’s go to Lin Zhuang. There, people will come from elsewhere to seek treatment.”

He believed there were many like the ruthless Liu Hong, but also trusted that within the city, those like the Xiao family, who practiced kindness, were more numerous.

Before he could speak further, he heard the thunder of horses’ hooves and shouts from within the city gates behind him.

“Haven’t you seen my son’s family trying to aid the refugees? Make way, quick!”

“The Xiao family is allowed passage, but we common folk? What in the world?”

"Hurry aside, mind your official persons don't get hurt!"

Such situations were not few, and Chen Yi spoke up directly:

"Kindly have the Cloud Immortal proceed to Lin Zhuang."

"Second Uncle, don't worry..."

Xiao Wan'er said no more, her only wish that these disaster victims be saved.

But as they surveyed the roadside conditions, her face grew ever paler.

She had only ever seen in books the pitiful plight of people in disasters, usually ending in the phrase "people eating each other."

She could never have imagined it, nor dared to believe it.

Now, before her eyes—those starving folk, their eyes like beasts' with bloodshot veins, staring at the children beside them.

There was no way Xiao Wan'er could doubt.

Chen Yi noticed her unease, patted her shoulder gently, and whispered:

"Once we begin serving congee, these people will be saved."

Xiao Wan'er, unable to attend to the others, leaned lightly on his shoulder, nodded once, and turned away, unable to bear watching further.

Xiao Erxiao, Cui Er, and Juan Er wept freely, their eyes brimming with tears.

Only Yuan Liu'er remained lost in thought.

After a while, she spoke softly: "Master, can these people be healed with medicine?"

Chen Yi looked at her, puzzled: "Medicine?"

He paused, then shook his head: "No cure."

Hunger, though painful, was not illness.

And they were too frail; even if medicine were given, a bowl of steaming rice porridge would prove more effective.

Yuan Liu'er nodded, her face serious as she stared out the window, perhaps lost in some unspoken thought.

Chen Yi guessed at least part of it.

Strictly speaking, Yuan Liu'er's father had perished from "hunger."

She must have felt a pang of empathy, recalling her father's fate.

They moved slowly, then stopped.

The carriage reached the outskirts of Lin Zhuang.

As Chen Yi had thought.

The citizens of the capital city, who had once gathered here, had vanished.

In their place stood a line of emaciated villagers, propping up their frail bodies, waiting to drink a bowl of rice porridge.

At the front of the line,

Wang Li and Liu Si'er were busy cooking congee.

There were four congee-serving stations, each with four soldiers.

Outside, soldiers under Xiao Suo Huo of the Xiao family's execution bureau stood ready.

Farther off, disguised were Liu Laoshan and Xue Duanyun, holding a residence, watching the outside.

Chen Yi took in the scene, then joined Xiao Suo Huo and Xiao Wan'er.

No sooner than he spoke, Xiao Wan'er said: "Second Uncle, set up more stoves—let them eat as quickly as possible."

Xiao Suo Huo glanced at her, then at Chen Yi, and said slowly:

"It's not that Second Uncle won't, but the grain..."

Though this time, Elder Xiao had spent all his silver to buy grain, it was still a cup of water compared to the number of disaster victims.

Before Xiao Wan'er could speak, Chen Yi interjected: "Second Uncle, as long as they survive today, I reckon the capital city still has other noble families arriving."

"Is that so?"

Xiao Suo Huo, seeing Chen Yi's certainty, no longer hesitated, and led people to build several more earth stoves nearby.

Others were sent to fetch large iron pots, light fires, and cook.

In no time,

Outside Lin Zhuang, the disaster victims each held a bowl, drinking rice porridge, calling out to their benefactors with one another.

Liu Laoshan clasped his hands in front, watching Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er bustling about, and muttered:

"Not untrue to the Xiao family—truly benevolent and charitable."

"Daobao, do you think the boss also wants to do this?"

Zhang Daobao looked at Chen Yi in the crowd, and replied softly: "Probably so..."

"Can't be certain."

"The boss is shrewd in his dealings; he rarely suffers loss."

"...Lao Ge, I urge you not to speak ill of the boss."

"Why should I fear? He's not here, after all..."

Zhang Daobao was about to speak, then stopped. His eye caught Chen Yi calmly watching them, and he startled, lowering his head.

Liu Laoshan, I warned you!

You refused to listen...

Liu Laoshan noticed nothing, seeing Chen Yi glance back, he lifted his head, eyebrows raised, muttering under his breath:

"Xiao stepson... what will old Liu Ge do?"

"Never mind, considering General Jinghong's standing... what business have I with a bookish weakling?"

(Chapter End)