Chapter 544 - 315: Frail Scholar Chen Qingzhou

Questions were thrown out one after another, but no one could provide a clear answer. Even the public notices issued by the Governor’s Office and the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office offered no specific countermeasures. They only stated that the city gates were restricted to entry only and advised residents to minimize going out.

"Why has our Shu State been in such chaos lately?"

"Countless merchants have died or been injured over by the Ancient Tea-Horse Road. Everyone says the Peacock King Banner has launched an attack."

"There’s still no accurate news from over there, yet the refugees from Guang’an County and its neighbors have already fled here."

"It’s a troubled time, indeed."

"Compared to all that, aren’t those grain shops even more detestable?"

"Today’s grain price has skyrocketed to thirty silver coins. At this rate, let alone people like us, even those Noble Families won’t be able to afford to eat."

"Them?"

"They all have reserves of old grain. They don’t need us worrying about them..."

Looking out the window at the hurried commoners, Chen Yi could naturally hear the noisy discussions around him.

"Ultimately, it’s due to the influx of refugees. The city gates are half-sealed," he noted.

Xiao Wan’er didn’t hear him clearly, but she knew the current situation was urgent. A touch of worry surfaced on her pale face. "Chen Yi, can we hold out by distributing porridge like this?"

Chen Yi didn’t pour cold water on her hopes. "We should be able to."

He knew very well that the crux of the problem wasn’t the refugees themselves, but the main culprit who caused the people of Guang’an County to swarm the Prefecture City. If that person were a bit more ruthless, they could incite the refugees to riot in an instant. When that happened, no amount of grain would be of any use.

After a moment of thought, Chen Yi suggested, "We might as well set up a few more distribution points. After all, there are tens of thousands of refugees. Just the few of us won’t be enough for even a single day."

Xiao Wan’er hesitated slightly. "We don’t have enough people."

"I have a way."

Taking advantage of the carriage passing by the Jishi Medicine Hall, Chen Yi stepped off and found Liu Quan and the others, telling them to come along. Now was not the time to worry about the meager earnings of the Medicine Hall; placating the refugees outside the city as quickly as possible was the top priority.

Just then, Ma Liangcai approached with Yuan Liu’er and a well-featured young boy. He bowed and said, "Master."

Chen Yi glanced at him and grunted in acknowledgment, reluctantly accepting the title of "Master."

"Liu’er greets Grandmaster."

"Ah, it’s still my good grand-disciple who knows her manners. Grandmaster will take you there in the carriage."

"..." Ma Liangcai opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a single word.

Yuan Liu’er looked at him, then at the boy beside her, and stammered, "Grandmaster, this is my brother, Yuan Hao. Could he... could he come along with you..."

"He’s your brother?"

Chen Yi sized up the young boy. Inevitably recalling those large golden characters, he cast a glance at him using his Qi Observation Skill.

"Huh, he isn’t sick?" Chen Yi thought. He pondered for a moment, his eyes drifting toward the East City Gate. Could it be related to the refugees outside the city?

Seeing him fall silent while staring intently at Yuan Hao, Yuan Liu’er tangled her fingers together and said anxiously, "Grandmaster, please forgive me if I misspoke just now. Please... please don’t take offense..."

Even Yuan Hao, who was shrinking back behind her, looked at Chen Yi with a hint of fear.

Chen Yi snapped back to reality and waved his hand with a smile. "Relax. I wouldn’t mind such a trivial matter. Come, come with me."

Without giving them a chance to argue, Chen Yi brought both Yuan Liu’er and Yuan Hao onto the carriage. Of course, Yuan Hao only managed to snag a spot on the driving box, sitting alongside Xie Tingyun and Shen Huatang. Yuan Liu’er followed Chen Yi into the carriage cabin. Liu Quan, Ma Liangcai, and the others carried their medicine chests and followed behind the carriage, just in case.

When the carriage arrived at the East City Gate, Xie Tingyun negotiated with the City Guard Army, allowing the group to exit the city.

Outside the gate, hundreds of City Guard Army soldiers were lined up longitudinally on both sides. They wore long blades at their waists, carried wooden shields on their backs, and bore solemn expressions. In the distance on the official road, a sparse smattering of people could be seen. Most were in rags, their faces so covered in mud and ash that their original appearances were indiscernible. Only their pairs of eyes stood out.

Regardless of age or gender, they all gazed longingly in the direction of the Prefecture City. Most weakly muttered the same few words.

"Water... food."

"Save my child..."

"My lord, please..."

Through the gap in the window curtains, Chen Yi watched these refugees with a calm expression. With his superior eyesight, he could naturally see much further. He knew that the condition of these refugees near the Prefecture City was actually considered relatively good. Further away, there were commoners so emaciated from hunger that they were too weak to walk. Leaning against trees or lying on the side of the official road, they could only let out weak groans, begging for something to eat or drink.

Seeing this, Xiao Wan’er’s face revealed a look of unbearable pity. "Chen Yi, there are quite a few commoners here. Should we just distribute the porridge right here?"

Chen Yi shook his head. "We’re going to Lin Village. Other people will come to help the folks here."

He believed there were many ruthless people like Liu Hong, but he also believed there were even more people in the Prefecture City willing to perform good deeds like the Xiao family. Let alone later, even right at this moment, he could hear the sound of horse hooves and reprimands echoing from inside the city gate behind them.

"Can’t you see that our Sun family is going out to provide relief to the refugees? Hurry up and let us through!"

"If the Xiao family can do it, why can’t we?"

"Get out of the way quickly, or you’ll lose your official posts."

Instances like this were numerous. Chen Yi directly instructed, "Fairy Tingyun, please hurry to Lin Village."

"Rest assured, Mr. Chen..."

Xiao Wan’er said no more; as long as these refugees were saved, it was fine. However, as she observed the conditions along the way, her face grew increasingly pale. She had only ever read about the miserable state of commoners during natural disasters and man-made calamities in books, mostly summed up by the phrase, "exchanging children for food." But she had never been able to truly imagine it, nor did she want to believe it.

Now, seeing it with her own eyes—those bloodshot-eyed, starving refugees staring at the children beside them with the gaze of wild beasts... Xiao Wan’er had no choice but to believe it.

Chen Yi noticed her distress. He patted her shoulder and said softly, "Once we start distributing the porridge, these people will be saved."

Xiao Wan’er didn’t care that Xiaodie and the others were still present. She leaned lightly against his shoulder and murmured an acknowledgment, unable to bear looking any longer. The three maids—Xiaodie, Cui’er, and Juan’er—felt the same, their eyes brimming with tears.

Only Yuan Liu’er stared outside in deep trance.

After a long while, Yuan Liu’er spoke in a low voice, "Grandmaster, can Medicinal Stone cure these people?"

Chen Yi looked at her in slight surprise. "Medicinal Stone?" He paused, then shook his head and said, "It would be difficult. Although hunger is agonizing, it is not a disease. Moreover, they are too weak. Feeding them ordinary medicines wouldn’t be as effective as a piping hot bowl of rice soup."

Yuan Liu’er uttered an "oh," her small face serious as she gazed out the window, lost in her own thoughts.

Chen Yi, on the other hand, could guess a little. Strictly speaking, Yuan Liu’er’s father had also died of "starvation." She was likely struck by the scene and moved by compassion.

Stopping and starting along the way, the carriage eventually arrived outside Lin Village. Just as Chen Yi had guessed, the commoners from the Prefecture City who had previously gathered here were nowhere to be seen. They had been replaced by starving refugees with sallow faces, forcing their weak bodies to stand in a long line, waiting to drink a bowl of rice soup.

At the front of the line, Wang Lixing, Liu Si’er, and the others were busy cooking porridge. There were a total of four porridge distribution stations, each guarded by four Armored Warriors. Further out, Xiao Xuanshuo was leading men from the Xiao Family Punishment Hall to maintain order. And even further away were the disguised Liu Lang, Xue Duanyun, and the others. They were guarding a residence while observing the situation outside.

Chen Yi scanned the area and gained a general understanding of the situation before joining Xiao Xuanshuo alongside Xiao Wan’er.

Without pausing to look closer, Xiao Wan’er said, "Uncle Xuanshuo, let’s set up a few more stoves and get them something to eat and drink as quickly as possible."

Xiao Xuanshuo glanced at her, his gaze then landing on Chen Yi and the others. He mused, "It’s not that I don’t want to, but the grain..."

Despite Elder Master Xiao taking out all their silver coins to purchase grain this time, compared to the sheer number of refugees, it was still a drop in the bucket.

Before Xiao Wan’er could speak, Chen Yi chimed in, "Uncle Xuanshuo, we only need to hold out for today. I see that other Noble Families from the Prefecture City are also sending people."

"Really?"

Seeing his certainty, Xiao Xuanshuo hesitated no longer. He took some men and built a few more earthen stoves nearby. He then ordered people to bring over large iron cauldrons, light the fires, and start cooking.

Not long after, outside Lin Village, the refugees held their bowls and drank the rice soup, calling out "Benefactors!" with every mouthful.

Liu Lang crossed his arms and watched the busy Chen Yi, Xiao Wan’er, and the rest. Clicking his tongue, he said, "As expected of the Xiao family, they are indeed charitable and generous. Dabao, do you think our boss also wants to do this?"

Zhang Dabao looked at Chen Yi in the crowd and carefully replied, "Probably... I suppose."

"Hard to say," Liu Lang continued. "The boss is incredibly calculating. He rarely does anything that puts him at a disadvantage."

"...Brother Liu, I advise you not to speak ill of the boss."

"What’s there to be afraid of? He’s not even here. Don’t worry..."

Zhang Dabao opened his mouth to speak but stopped. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Chen Yi calmly looking over in their direction. Frightened, he shuddered and quickly lowered his head.

"Brother Liu, I did warn you," he thought. "You just wouldn’t listen..."

Liu Lang remained completely oblivious. Upon seeing Chen Yi looking over, he even tilted his head up, raised an eyebrow, and muttered, "The Xiao family’s live-in son-in-law... What are you looking at Master Liu for? Whatever, out of respect for General Jinghong... why should I bicker with a frail scholar?"