Chapter 471: When Hunger Turns Men Into Beasts

The morning sun rose over the barren land, bringing another day of unbearable heat.

The refugee settlement had grown considerably overnight. Hundreds of people had arrived from neighbouring villages, and more were still coming. The temporary shelters stretched across the dry plains, their makeshift roofs fluttering in the hot wind.

There was no proper shade, no reliable water source, and certainly not enough food.

The drought had turned the entire region into a desert.

The earth was cracked, the trees were almost leafless, and the once-flowing river had become a narrow stretch of muddy water.

People had begun calling the place the Dead Plains.

Nobody knew how long they would survive there. A morning without enough food

"Mother, I’m hungry."

Tao’s little voice broke the silence.

Wong Mei looked at her youngest son. She had been trying to prepare breakfast using the last handful of rice they possessed.

"Wait a little, sweetheart. The food distribution will begin soon."

"But I’m hungry now."

Ming, his elder brother, nudged him.

"Stop troubling Mother. She hasn’t eaten either."

Tao looked at his mother.

"Then I’ll wait."

Wong Mei smiled sadly and stroked his hair.

The Empress, who was sitting nearby, watched the family.

She had become quite close to them over the past two days. Auntie Wong treated her like a younger daughter, while Lian had started following her around whenever she had free time.

"Here, have some water," the Empress said, handing Tao a small cup.

The boy accepted it eagerly.

"Thank you, Sister Lin."

"Drink slowly. Don’t finish it all at once."

The Emperor arrived carrying two empty containers.

"Are you ready?"

The Empress looked at him.

"Where are we going?"

"To collect water. The distribution will begin shortly."

She stood up, adjusting her simple cotton dress.

"Wait for me."

He looked at her feet.

"Are they still hurting?"

"Much better."

"Are you sure?"

She gave him an annoyed look.

"Do you intend to ask me that every morning?"

"Yes, if necessary."

Lian giggled.

"Brother Lin, you really worry about Sister Lin."

The Emperor glanced at the girl.

"Someone has to."

The Empress rolled her eyes.

"Let’s go before your concern becomes another speech."

Wong Mei laughed.

"Go, children. We’ll wait here."

The water distribution

By midmorning, the settlement had become unbearably crowded.

A long line had formed near the water containers.

The remaining supplies were being distributed carefully. Every family was receiving only a limited quantity.

The settlement workers were struggling to maintain order.

"One container per family!"

"Don’t push!"

"Keep the line moving!"

The Empress stood beside Lian, holding their clay pot.

She noticed a little girl crying near the back of the queue.

"What’s wrong?"

The child pointed towards her mother.

"Mother is sick."

The Empress crouched.

"Where is she?"

The girl pointed towards a shelter.

The Empress looked at Lian.

"Can you hold our place?"

Lian nodded.

The Empress walked towards the shelter and found a woman lying on the ground, sweating heavily.

She immediately called a physician.

By the time she returned, the water distribution had almost finished.

The Emperor was waiting for her.

"You disappeared."

"There was a sick woman."

He sighed.

"Of course there was."

She smiled.

"Don’t start."

He handed her the filled container.

"Take this."

"What about yours?"

"I have another."

She accepted it.

Around them, people were complaining about the small quantities.

Some families had arrived too late and were receiving almost nothing.

The Emperor watched the workers carefully.

He knew the supplies were insufficient, but he also knew that unequal distribution would make the situation worse.

The man who attacked another refugee

Suddenly, a commotion erupted near the largest water container.

"Stop him!"

A man pushed through the crowd.

He was thin, dirty, and dressed in torn clothing. His wrists carried old iron marks, suggesting that he had once been a slave.

His eyes were fixed on the water.

He rushed towards a large container and attempted to drag it away.

"Put that down!" a worker shouted.

The man ignored him.

A refugee standing nearby grabbed his arm.

"Brother, don’t do this! Everyone needs water!"

The man turned violently.

"Leave me alone!"

He pulled out a small knife.

Before the other man could move away, the attacker struck him.

The refugee screamed and collapsed.

Blood stained the dusty ground.

Women began shouting.

"He’s injured!"

"Someone call the physician!"

The attacker attempted to run with the water container.

Several guards immediately surrounded him.

"Drop your weapon!"

He raised the knife again.

The settlement instructor stepped forward.

"You dare attack someone over water?"

The man screamed.

"My children haven’t had water since yesterday! What do you expect me to do?"

The instructor drew his sword.

"Drop it!"

The man lunged towards him.

The instructor reacted immediately.

His sword flashed.

The attacker fell to the ground.

Silence spread through the crowd.

The injured refugee was quickly carried towards the medical tent.

The Empress stood frozen.

She had witnessed violence before, but seeing a man killed over water made her stomach turn.

Lian grabbed her arm.

"Sister Lin..."

The Empress looked at her.

"Don’t look."

But Lian had already seen everything.

An order that shocked everyone

The instructor looked at the dead man.

Then he turned towards the workers.

"Take the body."

One worker approached cautiously.

"What should we do with him, Sir?"

The instructor answered without hesitation.

"Prepare him. We will distribute his flesh to the people. At least he won’t be wasted."

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Then several people began murmuring.

"What?"

"Did he say we should eat him?"

"Human flesh?"

Lian’s face turned pale.

She instinctively moved closer to the Empress.

"Sister Lin, did I hear correctly?"

The Empress didn’t answer immediately.

Her eyes remained fixed on the instructor.

The Emperor, who had been standing beside the water containers, turned sharply.

"What did you just say?"

The instructor looked towards him.

"I said we will use the dead man’s body as food."

The Emperor stared at him.

"Have you forgotten the law?"

The instructor frowned.

"What law?"

"Human cannibalism is forbidden in this kingdom. Even criminals are entitled to burial."

The instructor laughed bitterly.

"That law was written in comfortable times. Look around you, merchant! People are dying of hunger. We have barely enough food for the living."

The Emperor’s expression darkened.

"That does not make a human body food."

The instructor pointed towards the crowd.

"Then tell me what these people should eat!"

The Empress stepped forward.

"They should receive food. That is what this settlement is supposed to provide."

The instructor looked at her.

"And where will you find it, young woman?"

She met his gaze.

"That is the responsibility of those managing this camp."

The crowd became restless.

Some people looked disgusted, while others seemed too hungry to object.

An elderly man spoke from behind.

"If we bury him, his flesh will be wasted. We have children who haven’t eaten."

Another woman immediately protested.

"He’s a human being! How can you suggest such a thing?"

Lian looked horrified.

"Even if he committed a crime, he was still a person!"

The instructor waved his hand impatiently.

"Enough. We cannot afford to waste resources."

The Emperor stepped forward.

"His body will be buried. Nobody will touch him."

The instructor looked irritated.

"Who are you to give orders?"

The Emperor’s eyes turned cold.

"I am someone who knows the difference between survival and cruelty."

For a moment, the two men stared at each other.

Then the instructor turned towards his workers.

"Take the body away."

He didn’t argue further.

The body was carried towards a separate area for burial.

The Empress released a breath she hadn’t realised she was holding.

Lian whispered, "I thought our kingdom had laws against this."

"It does," the Empress replied.

"Then why would he say such a thing?"

The Empress looked at the crowd.

"Because hunger can make people forget things they once believed were impossible."

The Emperor heard her words.

He said nothing.

The Wong family

When they returned to their shelter, Wong Mei immediately noticed their expressions.

"What happened?"

Lian sat down without speaking.

Ming looked at his sister.

"What is it?"

The Empress placed the water container on the ground.

"There was an incident during distribution."

Wong Jian looked up.

"What happened?"

"A man attempted to steal water. He attacked another refugee, and the instructor killed him."

Wong Mei covered her mouth.

"Good heavens!"

But the Empress wasn’t finished.

"The instructor ordered his workers to prepare the dead man’s body as food."

Silence.

Wong Jian stared at her.

"What?"

Lian finally spoke.

"They wanted everyone to eat him!"

Wong Mei immediately pulled her daughter closer.

"That’s horrible!"

Ming looked confused.

"Can they do that?"

"No," the Emperor answered.

Everyone turned towards him.

He continued calmly.

"The law prohibits it. A dead person must be given a proper burial, regardless of the crime they committed."

Wong Jian nodded.

"That’s right. Even during the previous famine, such practices were forbidden."

Wong Mei looked troubled.

"Then why is the instructor behaving like this?"

The Emperor sat down.

"Perhaps he believes that hunger gives him the right to do anything."

Wong Jian shook his head.

"If that is how the people responsible for us think, then we are in trouble."

The Emperor looked at him.

"Why?"

"Because the people are already frightened. If they begin believing that anything is acceptable during a famine, there will be no order left."

The Emperor silently agreed.

6\. An ordinary afternoon

The afternoon passed slowly.

The heat made everyone reluctant to move.

The Empress sat with Wong Mei, helping her repair a torn piece of clothing.

Lian was beside them, sorting the few belongings they still possessed.

"Lin-jie," Lian said, "do you think we will ever have enough food again?"

The Empress smiled.

"Of course."

"You’re always so certain."

"I’m not certain about when. But I don’t believe things will remain this way forever."

Lian looked down.

"I miss our home."

Wong Mei sighed.

"So do I."

The Empress continued stitching.

"What did your house look like?"

Lian’s face brightened slightly.

"It had a small courtyard. My mother planted flowers near the entrance. There was a wooden table where Father used to sit and calculate accounts."

"And you?"

"I used to help Father in the shop."

"What did you sell?"

"Cloth, household utensils, sometimes spices."

The Empress smiled.

"Then you’re a merchant’s daughter."

Lian laughed softly.

"Not anymore."

"Why not?"

"Because we have nothing."

The Empress put down the needle.

"Your father’s knowledge hasn’t disappeared. Your mother’s hands haven’t disappeared. And you haven’t forgotten how to work in the shop."

Lian looked at her.

"Things can be rebuilt."

The young woman smiled.

For the first time that day, she looked a little hopeful.

7\. Evening food distribution

By evening, the settlement workers began distributing food again.

The available supplies were limited, but the authorities had managed to arrange a little rice, vegetables, and dried meat.

The refugees gathered in orderly lines.

Wong Jian collected the family’s share.

When he returned, Tao immediately peered into the bowl.

"Father! Meat!"

Wong Jian laughed.

"Yes, little greedy fellow."

"I like meat!"

Ming shook his head.

"You like everything."

"Not bitter vegetables!"

The family laughed.

The Empress and Emperor also received their portions.

Their meal consisted of rice, boiled vegetables, and a small amount of dried meat.

The Emperor placed the bowls between them.

"Here."

She looked at the food.

"That’s your portion."

"We can share."

"You always say that."

"And you always complain."

She smiled and picked up her chopsticks.

They began eating beside the Wong family.

The meat was tough, and the rice was slightly undercooked, but nobody complained.

After dinner, Lian brought out the little bundle she had carefully kept.

"Look what I saved."

Inside were two small fruits.

Tao’s eyes widened.

"Fruits!"

Lian laughed.

"One for you and one for Ming."

"What about Mother?"

"I have already eaten mine."

She offered another small piece to Wong Mei.

The Empress watched the exchange with a smile.

The Emperor noticed.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You’re smiling."

"Can I not smile?"

"You can. I was merely asking."

She shook her head and took the fruit he offered.

They ate quietly.

The sweetness of the fruit was a welcome change after the bland food.

Tao began telling everyone that when they returned home, he wanted to eat an entire basket of apples.

"An entire basket?" Ming teased.

"Yes!"

"Your stomach will burst."

"No, it won’t!"

Everyone laughed.

Even Wong Jian, who had been unusually quiet all day, smiled.

For a little while, the family forgot about the drought.

8\. A conversation beneath the night sky

Later, the children fell asleep.

Wong Mei covered Tao with an old shawl, while Ming rested beside his father.

The Emperor sat near the fire with Wong Jian.

"Today was frightening," Wong Jian said.

The Emperor nodded.

"It was."

"That instructor shouldn’t have said such a thing."

"Agreed."

Wong Jian poked the fire with a stick.

"I have heard stories of people doing terrible things during famines. But I never imagined seeing something like that."

The Emperor looked at the flames.

"People need more than food during a disaster."

"What else?"

"Order. Protection. Someone they can trust."

Wong Jian nodded thoughtfully.

"You’re right."

The Emperor continued.

"If the authorities cannot protect the people, then even the strongest laws become meaningless."

Across the fire, the Empress was talking to Wong Mei.

"Your husband is a thoughtful man," Wong Mei said.

The Empress smiled.

"He can be."

"You’re fortunate to have someone who cares for you."

The Empress glanced towards him.

"Yes. I am."

Wong Mei sighed.

"I hope the Emperor sends help soon. I don’t know how much longer these families can survive."

The Empress lowered her eyes.

"He will."

Wong Mei looked at her.

"How can you be so sure?"

The Empress smiled faintly.

"Because he must."

9\. The merchant and his wife

When everyone finally settled down to sleep, the Emperor returned to their blanket.

The Empress was already lying down.

He sat beside her.

"Are you still thinking about what happened?"

She nodded.

"That man was desperate. He must have been terribly hungry."

"He attacked someone."

"I know. I’m not defending him."

The Emperor removed his outer garment and placed it over her.

She looked at him.

"You’re cold too."

"I’m fine."

She pulled half of the garment towards him.

"Then share."

He smiled and lay down beside her.

After a moment, she whispered, "Do you think we can really help everyone?"

He looked towards the dark settlement.

"We have to try."

She rested her head against his shoulder.

"Tomorrow, I want to speak to the women who arrived from the southern villages. Perhaps we can learn more about their situation."

"All right. But don’t exhaust yourself."

She closed her eyes.

"You’re becoming more troublesome than Auntie Wong."

He chuckled quietly.

"Sleep, Lin."

10\. An unexpected discovery

Long after the settlement had fallen silent, a worker approached the instructor’s tent.

"Sir."

The instructor looked up.

"What is it?"

"The body of the man who was killed has been buried."

The instructor frowned.

"I told you to prepare it for distribution."

"The merchant couple objected, and several refugees supported them. We didn’t want another disturbance."

The instructor slammed his hand against the table.

"Who do those people think they are?"

The worker hesitated.

"I don’t know, Sir. But the man called Lin speaks as though he knows the imperial laws very well."

The instructor narrowed his eyes.

"Keep an eye on him."

Meanwhile, inside their small shelter, the Emperor was still awake.

He had heard enough from one of his disguised guards to know that the instructor was becoming a problem.

Tomorrow, he would investigate the settlement’s management more closely.

He would also discover why the supplies were disappearing faster than they should.

The drought was destroying the kingdom.

But the actions of certain men might destroy its people even faster.

And the Emperor had no intention of allowing that to happen.

For now, however, he remained a commoner named Lin, sharing a blanket, a little food, and an uncertain future with his wife.