The crackling north wind howled by, mixed with some scattered dust, and rolled up clouds of yellow storm, covering the entire sky.
On the official road, a group of strong men and horses escorted dozens of mules and horses, walking slowly towards Caishi Town!
After nearly a month of expedition, Liu Ruyi finally returned to this familiar land.
"How are you, old man? Can you still stand it?" Liu Ruyi was riding on a big horse, stretched out her hand to roll up the coarse cloth covering her face, and shouted loudly behind her.
Weather similar to sandstorms was quite common in the north in later generations, but in this era it was rare, and was considered by many old people to be a symbol of ominous weather.
Old Man Feng was lying on a mule horse, looking haggard, obviously suffering a lot. He gestured to Liu Ruyi, "Ruyi, how long will it take? The bones in this old man's body are about to fall apart!"
"We'll get there just by bypassing the mountain ahead. Old man, hold on!"
Some of these mules and horses were specially left to Liu Ruyi by Deputy Wang Qianhu before he left, and some were Yu Laoer's family property, which Liu Ruyi took into his pocket without ceremony.
This time, Liu Ruyi and his party were not only loaded with nearly ten thousand taels of silver, but also many weapons and leather armors left by the bandits. The village was deserted and Liu Ruyi could not find any civilian men, so he had to let the soldiers do it themselves. Who knows?
Just after coming down the mountain, we encountered such bad weather again, it was really difficult!
Qing'er leaned in Liu Ruyi's arms, holding Liu Ruyi's clothes tightly with her two small hands. She also wore a thick veil on her face, but her two big eyes looked around curiously.
Everything seemed to be a little panicked. She had been living with her grandfather in the mountains since she was five or six years old, and had never traveled far. This time, the distance from Lijiamiaozi to Caishi Town was less than fifty miles.
But it was already the longest trip Qing'er had ever taken.
Liu Ruyi understood Qing'er's thoughts and didn't say much. He just hugged her waist tightly! Sometimes, actions are always more practical than words!
"Brothers, work harder! We'll be home soon! Good wine and meat are waiting for you all!" Liu Ruyi shouted loudly.
"oh!"
The soldiers also cheered in unison, obviously feeling very happy!
Liu Ruyi also showed a bit of a smile. Although there were many dissatisfactions about this expedition, overall, it was quite successful!
However, looking at the bodies of the fallen soldiers at the end, Liu Ruyi sighed deeply, but there was no good way! 'In war, people will die after all!' All she could do was treat their family members kindly.
!
After bypassing the mountain peak in front, a familiar scenery appeared in front of them. Everyone was overjoyed and hurriedly quickened their pace and ran towards the town.
The town has not changed much, but there are a lot more homeless shacks outside the town, extending all the way to the river in the east. There are probably no less than a thousand people, and there are still people flowing towards this direction.
As they gathered together, Liu Ruyi couldn't help but frowned.
Huang Hansheng also received a few hundred taels of silver from the spoils that day, and he had already returned to the town many days earlier. It was his duty to settle and deal with the refugees, but at this moment...
*************
Back in the Liu Mansion, Zou, Xiao Zixin, and Chun Yunu cried loudly. It was not until Liu Ruyi repeatedly assured her that she was fine, and they looked at Liu Ruyi's whole body carefully, that they felt relieved!
Regarding Qing'er, Liu Ruyi also communicated with her mother and two daughters in advance. Needless to say, Ms. Zou saw that Qing'er had beautiful features, slim waist and round hips. She was also well-behaved and sensible, and even had sex with her precious son.
Li was filled with joy, holding Qing'er's hand and laughing non-stop, wishing that Qing'er could have a precious grandson right away!
For Mr. Zou, when choosing a daughter-in-law, her background is secondary. Character, appearance, these are the key points!
Liu Ruyi understood her mother's thoughts, but she was not easy to talk to. She just nodded her head in agreement!
As for the two girls Xiao Zixin and Chun Yunu, Liu Ruyi was also a bit big-headed. Xiao Zixin was a little better and didn't say much. There was just some resentment in his eyes, but Chun Yunu was so aggrieved that tears fell down.
She should be the first to get started, but now an unknown little girl has taken the lead. How can the arrogant 'Chun Master' accept this?
Liu Ruyi could only comfort her with kind words and promised to take her into the house as soon as possible, which made Chunyu Nu smile a little.
After handling the household affairs in the inner house, Liu Ruyi came to the main hall of the front yard. Uncle Fu, Wu San and Zhao Sanhu had been waiting here for a long time!
"Sir, since you went on the expedition, there have been a lot more refugees outside this town. I heard that from Xincheng to Qingzhou, there has been a famine. The weather has been dry and there has been no rain. The rent of the land has continued to rise. Many
The people can no longer survive, so they are fleeing the famine one after another. Even outside our town, there are probably more than a thousand people gathered!" Wu Sanzui cleverly reported the situation to Liu Ruyi first.
Liu Ruyi nodded. He already had some understanding of these situations, but he didn't expect them to be so serious. In previous years, at this time, when spring plowing was approaching, it was the time when farmers should be busy in the fields, but now...
The house leaked and it rained all night, which made me sad and sad!
At present, the Ming Dynasty is already riddled with holes, and now... Liu Ruyi is also a little worried.
"What did Huang Baihu say? Why didn't you let the refugees into the town? It's still so cold today, how could you let these refugees fend for themselves?"
"Who can say it's not the case? Sir! There were refugees who came to the town to petition, but Huang Baihu ignored them at all and even asked his servants to drive them away. Just a few days ago, the Huang family's servants beat several refugees to death!
It’s true that Madam often goes outside to give porridge these days, but there are so many homeless people that it’s just a drop in the bucket and she can’t even take care of them!”
Wu San was also worried. Although he was cunning, he was not confused about these things!
The gathering of refugees has been the most worrying event for rulers since ancient times! During the Qin Dynasty, if three people gathered to discuss state affairs, it would be a serious crime of beheading, and if more than ten people gathered, their relatives would be implicated! How majestic the First Emperor was
Even he is so afraid of Lue, let alone those kings who are not sages?
Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it!
When people really don't have enough to eat, they can only take desperate risks! If there is still a way to survive, who is willing to abandon his wife and children?
Liu Ruyi's face gradually turned gloomy. He was really helpless in other areas, but under his own eyes, he must not allow such a tragic apocalyptic scene of exchanging children for food!
"Prepare your horses, I am going to Huang Baihu's house! The brothers' bounty, pension, and temporary rest will be handled by Uncle Fu first. When I am free, I will visit you one by one!"
"yes!"
************
"Hey! What a rare visitor! Why does General Liu Qi have time to come to my small temple? Ah, didn't I hear that General Liu Qi was appreciated by the superior and will jump out of this poor mountain nest?" Huang Hansheng crossed his legs.
, sitting on the main seat of the Hundred Household Hall, his words were full of teasing.
"Sir Huang, Mr. Liu is here for the refugees outside the town this time! I wonder how Mr. Huang plans to deal with this matter?" Liu Ruyi ignored Huang Hansheng's weirdness and raised the topic.
"What? Mr. Liu Qi, do you still need to teach me about such things?" Huang Han stood up from his seat abruptly, pointed at Liu Ruyi's nose, and said with a smile: "Mr. Liu Qi, these
The Jinan government office has not made a decision on this matter yet, so what? Brother Liu, do you have any ideas?"
"Lord Huang, you and I share the wealth of the emperor, so we should share your worries for you! In the past, there may have been some misunderstandings between us personally! Liu is still young and does not understand the truth well. If he did something unintentional, he would have offended Mr. Huang unintentionally.
, please don’t take it to heart, Mr. Huang! It’s just that the refugees are gathering more and more, and people are dying every day. If it can’t be dealt with in time, Liu is worried that there will be a big mess! Mr. Huang, please be careful!”
Liu Ruyi didn't want to start a verbal war with him. If such an official was serious about fighting with them, Liu Ruyi would really lose! This time, Liu Ruyi lowered her attitude and just wanted to come up with a reasonable solution. After all, that was all.
These are living human lives! Buddha said, saving one life is better than building a seven-level pagoda, let alone more than a thousand lives now!
"Haha, Mr. Liu Qi, you really have a bodhisattva heart!" Huang Hansheng couldn't help laughing when he saw Liu Ruyi surrendering for the first time, "It's just that this is supposed to be the prefect's yamen's business. If I wait for you to take over, I'm afraid I'll have to do it."
Being criticized!"
After Huang Baihu finished speaking, he walked up to Liu Ruyi with a smile and patted Liu Ruyi on the shoulder, "Mr. Liu Qi, I know that this time you went to suppress the bandits, and your men suffered heavy casualties, so you need to add more manpower!"
These things are all easy to discuss! We are all brothers, right? How about this? Goujiazhuangzi in the south of the town will also be assigned to you! However, Mr. Liu doesn’t have to worry about the refugee issue.
Got it!"
'Fuck, this stupid old bastard!'
Liu Ruyi cursed in her heart. There were only three families in the Goujia Village, and two of them were widows. The one with a male family only had an old man left, who was probably no less than eighty years old! From where to replenish manpower,
This damn guy named Huang thinks he is a fool!
"So, Huang Baihu is determined not to take care of this matter?" Liu Ruyi's words also became colder. The two were already at odds. This time, Liu Ruyi gave Huang Hansheng enough face, but he still did so. Liu Ruyi
How could Ruyi give him a good look?
"General Liu, the defense of this town is my responsibility! I don't care about others outside, but General Liu wants to let the refugees into this town, which is absolutely impossible!" Huang Hansheng also refused to give in!
The two looked at each other for a long time, and Liu Ruyi suddenly laughed, "It's good, Huang Baihu is prudent and prudent, and he really has the air of a general! In this case, I won't bother you anymore! Farewell!"
After Liu Ruyi finished speaking, he turned around and left!
"Hmph, little bastard, if you want to fight with me, you're still far away!" Huang Baihu looked at Liu Ruyi's back and sneered bitterly!
…………
"Young Master, this old bastard is really not a fucking thing! Young Master, please say something and I will go and get him..." Xiao Liu'er made a sinister gesture of wiping his neck!
Liu Ruyi slowly shook her head, "The time has not come yet!"
"Then, what should we do with those refugees? We can't just watch them starve to death, right? Young Master!" Xiao Liu'er was originally from a poor family, and he has deep sympathy for those refugees!
"Liu'er, don't worry! If he doesn't care, don't we have any other way? Don't worry, someone has already made a plan for this matter!" Liu Ruyi smiled coldly!