Chapter 1016: Chapter 852: Closing the City Gates

"No way! My lord, we can’t go to the South Mansion, you can’t stand by and watch us die!"

Someone shouted sorrowfully, followed by others echoing the sentiment.

Not good! Yang Chaoying noticed that these disaster victims were unwilling to go to the South Mansion, and they might use this opportunity to rush into the Prefecture City, as those originally in the back were already pushing towards the city gate.

He steeled his heart and took a few steps back, "Quick! Quickly close the city gate!"

Once the soldiers received the order, they charged forward with long spears, blocking those disaster victims trying to squeeze in, while others pushed the city gate closed.

Yang Chaoying was jumping in urgency here, while Hu Maoshen over at Changtian Prefecture was also in deep distress.

Facing the indignant villagers ahead, Hu Maoshen swallowed hard.

In matters of life and death, the people wouldn’t pay him, an official, any regard.

If he spoke a single wrong word, these villagers might just beat him up to vent their anger.

"Everyone, please don’t worry. I am not preventing you from leaving; it’s just not the right time yet. I’ve already sent word to the surrounding Prefecture Cities for them to prepare to accommodate you."

Hu Maoshen dared not speak the truth; could he say that those Prefecture Cities weren’t willing to accept you? Saying that could very well get him beaten to death today.

If so many people attacked him, getting beaten to death would just be unlucky for him. How would the court hold anyone accountable?

"Then when do we have to wait until? Those villages far from the river might be safe, but those of us nearby are in panic! The river embankment seems to have loosened again recently. If it collapses again, we’ll all die. I don’t want to die, my child definitely can’t die."

The man carrying a bundle was very agitated; he had struggled to have a son, and now faced flooding when his son was still young.

If they didn’t escape, once the river embankment collapsed, not only would he die, but his precious son would also be unable to survive.

"Please don’t deceive us, my lord. You say it’s not time yet, but we’ve already waited for days. Seeing the river embankment about to collapse, we can’t afford to wait any longer."

The villagers were worried; who isn’t afraid of death? How dare they continue to linger in Changtian Prefecture?

Even if there are villages far from the riverbank in Changtian Prefecture, they can be counted on one hand. Those villages can’t possibly accommodate so many people.

"I understand your urgency, but other State governments are not ready yet; you wouldn’t be able to enter the city gates even if you went."

Taking in disaster victims poses significant risks; without thorough preparation, one cannot easily manage refugees.

"Why can’t we enter the city gates? We have an official certificate and a travel permit, paid Copper Coin, why can’t we go in?"

Some villagers were already losing patience with Hu Maoshen’s words; all he talked about was waiting, when in fact he simply didn’t want them to leave.

"Let’s go! Let’s head to Hangtian Prefecture now; even if we can’t get in, it’s better than waiting here to die."

"Exactly! We can’t wait to die, let’s go! I don’t believe the court will ignore us. Those officials just protect each other, they don’t care about our lives!"

One man in particular was furious, his eyes burning with anger as he looked at Hu Maoshen.

Such a righteously indignant demeanor, coupled with instigating words, immediately stirred the previously quiet villagers into a frenzy.

This man saw everyone leaving with their bundles, and he quickly hid among the villagers, his eyes darting around.

When Hu Maoshen saw the villagers ignoring his advice, he quickly glanced around, finding only five Government Officials with him, and could only shake his head and sigh.

Helpless, most of Changtian Prefecture’s Government Officials had died, and the remaining ones had been sent out. Now he only had five people with him to stop the villagers; how could these few people stop them?

It seemed there was no point in him staying in Changtian Prefecture, and even the villagers here were unwilling to wait any longer, so the situation in other villages couldn’t be much better.

Since that’s the case, he’d better go to Hangtian Prefecture to take charge. With so many people flooding into Hangtian Prefecture, it’s bound to become chaotic.

Just as he was about to instruct his followers to pack up and leave, a Government Official came running over in panic to report.

"My lord! It’s not good, a part of the river embankment has collapsed again, water is spreading, several villages have been flooded. We must leave quickly, this place won’t hold much longer."

"What?" Hu Maoshen was shocked, he hadn’t expected it so soon.

"See! You wouldn’t let us go earlier, but fortunately we’ve packed our bundles. Otherwise, losing possessions would be minor, but lives would be lost."

"Quick! Let’s not dawdle, let’s go! This place might soon be flooded too."

After saying this, the villagers carried their bundles, took their families, and urgently rushed out of the village.

Hu Maoshen felt his legs weaken, barely able to walk, "Which villages? Were there any casualties among the people?"

"The villages near the river, my lord, since you came, we’ve begun evacuating people. But some are reluctant to leave their homes, so casualties are inevitable. However, most have survived the ordeal; with limited manpower, we can’t look after those stubborn villagers."

"My lord! We need to leave quickly, those villagers will surely head to Hangtian Prefecture."

The Government Official was also anxious; now, who dares to stay here, it’s all about escaping for their lives!

Hu Maoshen gritted his teeth and said, "Let’s go! We’re heading to Hangtian Prefecture too!"

Gu Chengyu woke up after sleeping for more than an hour, as Ming Mo had already gathered information.

"Ding Shiliu pays respects to my lord!" Ding Shiliu bowed, looking at Gu Chengyu’s exhausted expression.

Gu Chengyu nodded, "You’ve worked hard these days, but this water disaster concerns significant matters, you’ll have to continue working hard for a while."

"My lord truly praises me; this is all part of my duties!"

Ding Shiliu responded quickly; they were just servants, and the lord usually treated them with respect, so they mustn’t be ungrateful.

"What’s the situation now in the States near the Tianya River? Quickly explain in detail."

Gu Chengyu nodded eagerly, immediately asking about the current situation.

"Reporting to my lord! Several villages’ residents have already gone to Hangtian Prefecture, and the first batch has arrived. But they’ve been stopped outside the Prefecture City by Lord Prefect of Hangtian and not allowed entry!"

Gu Chengyu frowned upon hearing this, "What’s going on? How many people are in the first batch? How is Yang Chaoying comforting those disaster victims? Was there any rioting?"

Did Hu Maoshen fail to coordinate with Yang Chaoying? Why were the disaster victims stopped outside Hangtian City after arriving?

Gu Chengyu thought for a moment; maybe these two hadn’t reached an agreement yet.

"It’s just residents from one village, but there are quite a few, around two or three hundred people. They gathered at Hangtian City gates refusing to leave, and after Yang Chaoying tried persuading them, seeing the villagers seemingly trying to force entry, he temporarily closed the city gate, allowing exits but no entries."