Chapter 360: All Specially Prepared for You (3)

Refugees were gradually entering the city. As the sedan chair passed through the East Market, several refugees crouching under the tea house eaves shrank their necks in surprise.

An emaciated old woman holding a broken bowl followed the sedan chair with her cloudy eyes for a long time.

“Luo Hai! Come here to see this official!”

The sedan chair hadn’t even stopped when Sun Wenyuan leaned halfway out.

The eastern city gate was teeming with people, dust filled the air, over twenty large iron pots were set up under makeshift reed shelters, the scent of bubbling rice porridge mingled with the acrid smell of sweat, assailed the senses.

Luo Hai personally went into the crowd, rolling up his sleeves to serve porridge to a crippled old man, getting rice soup stains on the hem of his official robe.

Seeing his superior arrive, Luo Hai quickly put down the wooden ladle and saluted, “Subordinate pays respect to Mr. Sun. As you can see, these refugees from Jingzhou…”

“Look at your blockhead!”

Sun Wenyuan snatched the porridge ladle and slammed it into the pot, splattering hot porridge that made several refugees hop around in pain.

“Canzhou itself is too poor to even fill its pots, and now you’re pretending to be a Bodhisattva?” His chubby fingers almost poked Luo Hai’s nose, “Close the city gates immediately! If these peasants cause an epidemic, I’ll hold you accountable.”

“My lord!” Luo Hai suddenly straightened his back, “The Da Jing Law states in the Ministry of Revenue section that we shall not hinder refugees outside the city during a disaster year. I’ve already ordered people to…”

“Are you lecturing me about the Da Jing Law? Is it me or you, Luo Hai, who decides in Canzhou?” Sun Wenyuan burst with anger.

While the two were at an impasse, a violent tremor emanated from the ground. The streets within the city were covered in dust as dozens of fast horses galloped closer and closer from afar.

The leading man reined in his horse, its front hooves shattered the sunlight, and bits of grass clung to its mane.

His trusted aides behind him each carried bloodied prey over their shoulders, with the strongest, Xiao Zhengfei, carrying half of a spotted tiger, its tail dragging on the ground leaving a trail of blood.

Everyone present was awestruck by the visitor’s imposing presence, but no one noticed the common trait of the game carried by the aides.

The smaller animals had arrows embedded in them, killed by arrows. But the larger game had only a single blood hole, blood flowing steadily from it.

“Prince?”

Seeing Zhao Zun arrive suddenly, Sun Wenyuan’s expression changed abruptly to a flattering smile, hastily fastening his belt, only to find his outer robe still in the sedan chair.

He quickly bent over to hook the back of his slip-on shoes, then walked over with hands cupped in greeting, his ingratiating manner made Luo Hai shake his head.

Sun Wenyuan stepped forward, respectfully cupping his hands in salute, “Subordinate Sun Wenyuan pays respects to the Prince.”

The young Vassal King dismounted smoothly, his dark outfit stained with grass juice, the gold-trimmed embroidery on his sleeves snagged and frayed by branches.

“Ah! Mr. Sun is here too?”

Zhao Zun took the bow off his shoulder and casually tossed it to his trusted aide, curling his lips to reveal white teeth.

“Perfect! Saves me from going round to find you.” Zhao Zun turned and pointed at the game on his aides’ shoulders.

“This bear’s paw is very thick, and that muntjac, I just hunted it myself, it’s still warm! Mr. Sun, you’ve worked hard supervising the Prince Mansion, all this game is especially brought for you.”

With that, Zhao Zun waved his large hand. The aides urged their horses forward, dropping the game at Sun Wenyuan’s feet. In no time, it formed a small mound.

Hearing these were all especially for him, Sun Wenyuan stared at the pile of game, overwhelmed and twitching at the corners of his mouth as if having a seizure.

“Subordinate… Subordinate… Prince’s great kindness, subordinate is not worthy…”

“No need to be so polite!” Zhao Zun laughed heartily, patting Sun Wenyuan on the shoulder with such force it nearly knocked him to his knees.

Suddenly, Zhao Zun’s hearty laugh came to an abrupt stop, as if he just noticed the refugees peeking near the porridge shelter, furrowing his brows.

Zhao Zun’s voice carried a hint of annoyance, “What’s this play all about? Why are these people gathered here?”

Sun Wenyuan thought Zhao Zun must also be displeased with the refugees, just about to explain, Luo Hai stepped up to salute, “In response to the Prince, heavy rains have caused flooding in Jingzhou for days, so…”

“Prince, please calm down!” Sun Wenyuan quickly interjected, sycophantically leaning closer, “Prince, please calm down, it’s my incompetence that these lowly people have sullied your eyes. Rest assured, I’ll order them all expelled from the city at once!”

Having said this, Sun Wenyuan turned to scold his subordinates, “What are you standing around for, hurry up and drive these refugees out.”

Zhao Zun suddenly raised his hand to stop, “Hold on!”