Chapter 1014: Chapter 850: Go to Yingnan Mansion?

The Magistrate of Hangtian Prefecture, Yang Chaoying, was working in the government office. These days, he was busy supervising the river workers every day, and the official duties in the government office had piled up like a mountain, leaving him overwhelmed.

"Sir, something has happened! Refugees from Changtian Prefecture have arrived; they are now gathered outside the city gate, clamoring to enter the city."

A Government Official hurriedly ran into the room, reporting to Yang Chaoying.

"What? How many people?" Yang Chaoying stood up anxiously, asking in a deep voice.

Previously, the imperial envoy had explained the situation in a letter. By the time the envoy arrived, those people had already set off towards Hangtian Prefecture on their own.

The remaining people were temporarily stopped by the envoy, but they couldn’t be held off for long.

The envoy’s intention was for Hangtian Prefecture to first receive a portion of the refugees, while the rest were planned to be dispersed to Yingnan Mansion and Sunan Prefecture, among other states.

However, Hangtian Prefecture was the closest to Changtian Prefecture, so it was the first choice for those refugees.

The massive gathering of refugees required food and water and could also lead to outbreaks of disease.

Among them were also troublemakers; if they gathered to cause trouble, Hangtian Prefecture would indeed be in chaos.

"Quick! Bring some officials and come along with me."

Gu Chengyu and his two companions traveled day and night, and finally, they saw the city gates of Yingnan Mansion from afar.

They couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that they could rest for two hours upon reaching Yingnan Mansion.

Ming Mo and Ming Yan were utterly exhausted, covered in dust. Only in recent days had they not only gotten tanned, but even their faces had slimmed down significantly.

Gu Chengyu’s condition was not much better; not only were they exhausted, but even the horses were nearly collapsing.

The three queued to enter the city, uninterested in observing the prosperity of Yingnan Mansion, only wishing to quickly find an inn to rest.

Gu Chengyu did not reveal the identity of an imperial envoy, as they hadn’t gathered any information yet.

If the local government were alerted, they feared it would be another round of formal receptions, not just delaying matters but also making it difficult to gather information.

"Ming Mo, contact Ding Shiliu and his group now, and have them report on the situation of the states near the Tianya River. They have been stationed in Jiangnan, so they must be more acquainted with the situation of these states."

"When they arrive, have them also investigate recent events in Yingnan Mansion, as well as the whereabouts and actions of the officials dispatched by the court."

As soon as Gu Chengyu entered the inn’s room, he immediately began to make arrangements.

He wanted to gather information on Yingnan Mansion because Gu Chengyu had thought of the surviving refugees of Changtian Prefecture, who could not remain there.

Since the Changtian Prefecture’s river embankment had yet to be repaired, if a breach happened again, the survival of the remaining people would truly be in jeopardy.

As for the location to resettle the refugees, it had to be Yingnan Mansion. Hangtian Prefecture, downstream of the river, would not be a suitable choice if there were any issues with the river embankment.

The remaining Sunan Prefecture is farther than Yingnan Mansion; if the people were to go to Sunan Prefecture, it would take several days of travel eastward.

There are quite a few villages near Changtian Prefecture along the Tianya River; if they all moved to Yingnan Mansion, it might be too much for Yingnan Mansion to handle.

Gu Chengyu felt that, for the time being, they could only take one step at a time. If Yingnan Mansion couldn’t accommodate them, they could move some to Sunan Prefecture.

"Yes!" Ming Mo left the room, as he had to contact a few people as soon as possible.

"Ming Yan! Let’s take a rest first." Gu Chengyu rubbed his brow, feeling he couldn’t hold on any longer.

After saying this, without even taking a bath, Gu Chengyu went straight to bed.

...

"Everyone, please be quiet and listen to what I have to say!" At the city gate of Hangtian Prefecture’s prefecture city, Yang Chaoying shouted to the agitated refugees.

"Everyone! This is my lord! Please don’t be hasty; listen to what my lord has to say first!"

Seeing Yang Chaoying shouting strenuously, a Government Official hurriedly helped calm the refugees.

The refugees saw a man in official uniform standing at the city gate, and their previously restless mood gradually subsided.

"Everyone, quiet down and listen to what the official has to say." An elder gestured to everyone, signaling them to calm down.

Yang Chaoying looked over at him, realizing this person must be the village chief, someone with some influence in the village.

As soon as he spoke, the villagers indeed quieted down.

"I know that coming to Hangtian Prefecture, far from your homes, after such a long journey is truly arduous. And now, arriving at the city gate but being unable to enter, your anxiety is understandable."

Yang Chaoying’s words naturally resonated with the refugees, and even the elder from before gave him several glances.

"Sir! I am the village chief of the village by the river, and these are our villagers. Surely, our difficulty is something you can understand. Having arduously reached Hangtian Prefecture, these officials claim there’s a rule that prevents refugees from Changtian Prefecture from entering the city, causing us great distress. Some families have several members, and they’ve long run out of food, urgently needing to enter the city to buy rice and grains!"

Thinking about the hardships of the journey, the elder couldn’t help but tear up. The other villagers also showed signs of despair, all of them now pitifully homeless.

At that moment, light rain was still falling from the sky; some of their clothes were soaked through by the rain. Their straw shoes were deeply entrenched in the muddy ground, leaving them in quite a sorry state.

Yang Chaoying glanced at the refugees, who were covered in mud with worried expressions, and sighed deeply.

"Folks, it’s not that I won’t let you into the city, but our Hangtian Prefecture is currently facing the same crisis."

Yang Chaoying looked around, seeing the hopeful eyes of the surrounding people, feeling troubled.

"Our Hangtian Prefecture’s river embankment has been leaking for several days. I’ve organized river workers and citizens to reinforce it, meaning our Hangtian Prefecture isn’t safe either. I advise you all to continue northward to the higher ground of Yingnan Mansion; it’s safer there."

Yang Chaoying spoke partly out of personal interest and partly out of genuine concern.

He was speaking the truth; however, what the refugees heard was another matter.

Their faces fell—traveling even further north? To Yingnan Mansion?

But they had already run out of food and exhausted the silver coin they had left on the road; how could they reach Yingnan Mansion?

Moreover, who knows if what this official was saying was true? Perhaps he simply didn’t want to take in these refugees and was shifting responsibility to Yingnan Mansion.

"Sir! You say that Hangtian Prefecture is already reinforcing its river embankment, so it should be fine by now. The village’s people are willing to help the city’s citizens strengthen the river embankment, speeding up the process, aren’t they? Besides, we don’t need silver coin, just two meals from you, sir."

Upon hearing Yang Chaoying’s words, the elder thought of an idea. As long as they could enter the city, what was a little labor?

Moreover, they could get two full meals, so this official should agree.

The elder’s suggestion made Yang Chaoying seriously consider it.

If the refugees could help with reinforcing the embankment, it would be good. But once the refugees entered the city, where would they be settled?