Min Feng’s face stiffened, followed by a slight displeasure in his heart, "Then I’ll leave it to Lord Yang!"

Yang Chaoying hesitated, wanting to ask Min Feng when they would begin patrolling the river embankment. Yet then he thought, if the Imperial Censor and Ministry of Industry’s officials aren’t in a hurry, why should he be anxious?

After these officials conduct their inspection, they would surely report the river embankment leakage. Perhaps the court’s disaster relief funds would be promptly allocated, and he could breathe a sigh of relief.

However, simultaneously, he himself could not escape accountability. And at this moment, the most pressing issue wasn’t the river embankment leakage but the gathering of displaced citizens outside the city, which was becoming uncontrollable.

"By the way, earlier today when I entered the city, I noticed a large number of displaced citizens had gathered outside. Some of them have even set up grass shelters outside the city, seemingly planning to temporarily live there. Lord Yang, are you planning to take them in?"

Min Feng suddenly recalled the disaster-stricken people outside the city when he had just entered the city, dressed in tattered clothes and covered in mud.

Each of them looked pale and emaciated, their bodies filthy and unkempt. One displaced citizen approached asking for food and Silver Coin as their carriage was about to enter the city gate.

After he gave the cake from the table to that displaced citizen, he was swarmed by other displaced citizens, surrounding the carriage, almost unable to enter the city gate.

If it weren’t for the soldiers guarding the city driving them away, their carriage might have been dismantled by these people.

The chaos outside the city, as the Magistrate of Hangtian Prefecture, to be so inactive, is truly disgraceful.

Speaking of this, Yang Chaoying’s face was full of worry. Recently, he was so bothered that his hair was nearly turning white. He was originally waiting for the Lord Imperial Envoy to resolve the issue, but the envoy ran off to Changtian Prefecture and hasn’t shown up yet.

Meanwhile, these displaced citizens kept coming to Hangtian Prefecture, and after Qian Hui Chun passed away, he threw the mess onto him.

In Yingnan Mansion, Min Feng had heard from Li Taixing that Yang Chaoying was inflexible and unadaptable. Li Taixing’s words also revealed that Yang Chaoying was very timid and afraid of trouble, his abilities quite limited.

Upon meeting today, it was indeed true!

"Lord Yang! These displaced citizens gathered outside the city have nowhere to settle and lack food supplies. If you don’t let them into the city, where will they get grain? Even holding Silver Tael in hand, if there’s nowhere to purchase it, won’t they starve to death? This also makes it easy to incite unrest."

Min Feng could not agree with Yang Chaoying’s actions. If he wanted to take them in, why not let them into the city?

Leaving them to endure wind and rain outside the city, with no food filling their stomachs, is that not treating human lives as playthings?

"Indeed! Lord Yang, those displaced citizens are truly pitiable. If the court doesn’t care for them, how can they survive? Before the court allocates the disaster relief Silver Tael, I beseech you to consider, these are living human lives!"

Duan Shijie, a doctor from the Ministry of Industry, had never ventured out of the Capital. His ancestors were all Capital people. He hadn’t witnessed a flood before, but seeing the plight of displaced citizens now, his heart was moved with compassion.

Seeing these officials misunderstand him, Yang Chaoying felt annoyance in his heart.

These Capital Officials, accustomed to enjoying comfort in the Capital, were sent by the court to devise strategies amidst the severe flooding in Jiangnan.

Yet, these people first come to criticize him, acting as if it’s only natural, utterly clueless.

Nevertheless, despite his dissatisfaction, he could only suppress it for now.

Forcing a smile, Yang Chaoying patiently said, "You may not know, these displaced citizens all came from Changtian Prefecture. Upon arriving at Hangtian Prefecture, they refused to leave. I’m truly helpless. Hangtian Prefecture’s river embankment is still leaking, how dare I take in these citizens?"

"Moreover, the court hasn’t yet allocated disaster relief Silver Tael. Even if I want to take them in, I’m powerless. A small Hangtian Prefecture cannot possibly accommodate so many displaced citizens."

A few people pondered for a moment and then nodded.

"From what I see, after excluding those gradually arriving, the number of citizens outside isn’t very large, correct? Hangtian Prefecture should be able to arrange for them, right? As for those arriving later, let them go to adjacent State. Didn’t Mr. Hu make specific arrangements?"

Min Feng was somewhat puzzled, Hu Maoshen was meticulous, so he wouldn’t neglect these matters!

"Mr. Hu previously mentioned dividing these citizens into several groups, sending them to nearby Prefecture. Unfortunately, these displaced citizens won’t leave Hangtian Prefecture. They believe other State are too far, and the long journey is fraught with dangers, not only leaving them unfed but putting them in peril. Consequently, they’ve all gathered outside the city gate, I’m at a loss!"

Yang Chaoying glanced at the contemplative Min Feng and said, "I wonder if Mr. Min, along with the rest of you, have any suggestions. We could discuss and see how to accommodate these displaced citizens."

Min Feng’s face stiffened; he truly had no good ideas. Moreover, previously Hu Maoshen wrote to Li Taixing, who claimed no excess grain in the Prefecture. Li Taixing then wrote a letter on Yingnan Mansion river embankment leakage to Hu Maoshen.

He was feeling uneasy at this moment! Though his conscience was disturbed, he had been overwhelmed with thoughts of gold and silver back then; what else could he think of?

He had already reached his majority but never seen so much gold and silver.

Even though the teacher’s mansion was wealthy, those Jade artifacts and antique items were valuable, some even priceless.

But those weren’t his own, leaving him only able to look on wistfully.

After all, those pretentious elegant things are not as shocking as the sight of yellow and white objects, right?

Furthermore, Li Taixing promised him, pretend thoroughly, there was absolutely no need for concern.

The letter stated the river embankment was leaking, so it was indeed leaking, never allowing anyone to find fault.

As for how Li Taixing will act, it’s not Min Feng’s concern, he was relieved by then.

Besides, the teacher’s ancestral land is in Yingnan Mansion, and many clan members are officials in the court; with the teacher’s backing, does Hu Maoshen dare report truthfully to the Emperor?

"Lord Yang! I’m merely the River Patrol Imperial Censor, responsible for patrolling the river embankment. As for how to arrange the displaced citizens, I’m not in a position to comment. You should wait for the Lord Imperial Envoy to return, and let him decide?"

There’s truly no good solution; there are simply too many displaced citizens.

Since there will be more coming, and those displaced citizens don’t want to leave, Yang Chaoying certainly has a big problem on his hands.

He can imagine, if all those displaced citizens gather together without food, and the court doesn’t distribute relief funds, it’s bound to lead to chaos.

He should quickly complete the inspection of Hangtian Prefecture and head to other State; he shouldn’t get involved in this matter.

The teacher advised him, speak less and observe more in Jiangnan, just focus on his own duties, no need to meddle in others’ matters.

After inspecting the river embankments of these State and reporting to the court, his assignment would be more than halfway completed.

As for reinforcing the river embankment, naturally the Ministry of Industry officials will figure something out.