CHAPTER 308: CHAPTER 308: RESETTLEMENT (3)

A few days later, Jiang Shaohua’s letter from the Capital City was delivered into the hands of County Magistrate Cai in Li County.

At this moment, County Magistrate Cai was leading a group of famine-stricken people to settle into their new homes. Li County, with its abundance of mountains and trees, made building houses quite convenient.

The time was pressing and urgent, so the houses built weren’t of the highest quality, but they were enough to shield from the wind and rain.

The famine-stricken people looked at the vast expanse of brand new houses, and tears of excitement filled their eyes, with some even bursting into uncontrollable sobs on the spot.

Having abandoned their homes and livelihoods, wandering, they finally had a home again.

County Magistrate Cai, busy all day long but still full of energy, shouted at once, "Shi Dayong, your family of five, come and pick out a house first."

Shi Dayong wiped his tears with his sleeve, knelt and heavily kowtowed three times in the direction of Nanyang Prince Mansion, then kowtowed to County Magistrate Cai. Afterward, he led his elderly mother, wife, and daughter into the nearest small house.

Although small, the house was fully equipped with having three empty rooms and a small piece of land in the back. Enough space for five people to settle in.

Upon entering, they found even simple wooden beds in the house. Laying down their tattered bedding, it resembled a real home.

"Dad," Da Ni, having had enough food for a few days, was no longer haggard and asked excitedly, "Is this our home from now on?"

Er Ni immediately added, "Dad, I like it here."

Shi Dayong, an honest and straightforward man, didn’t know how to sweet-talk his daughters and just smiled broadly.

Shi’s wife and Shi’s mother continuously wiped the corners of their eyes with their sleeves.

Back when they were despairingly fleeing from famine, they were prepared to die of starvation by the roadside. Who could have imagined today would come?

By the time all the famine-stricken people had moved into the new houses, most of the day had passed.

Following that, County Magistrate Cai personally distributed shovels and other farming tools to them. Starting the next day, they would begin cultivating the land, and once the land was reclaimed, they could pick up seeds from the county government to start farming.

With over four hundred famine-stricken people, a leader was necessary. County Magistrate Cai, most familiar with Shi Dayong, appointed him as the leader of this new village.

Bearing this great responsibility, Shi Dayong felt a bit uneasy but more excited and joyful.

He said to County Magistrate Cai, "Sir, I am just a farmer who knows nothing but farming. I fear I might not be suitable for being a village chief."

County Magistrate Cai laughed and said, "Try it first, learn as you work. No one is born knowing how to do things. If it doesn’t work out, I can replace you later."

Only then did Shi Dayong shyly thank County Magistrate Cai for his kindness.

Tang Yamen Runner came over, smiling widely, and whispered a few words. County Magistrate Cai’s eyes lit up, quickly giving Shi Dayong a few instructions, then impatiently heading back to the county government.

The trusted aide sent from the Capital City with a letter was Sun An.

"Lord Cai, this is the Commandery Princess’s letter." Sun An, having traveled many days on horseback, showed a weary face. Once County Magistrate Cai took the letter, Sun An took his leave.

The Commandery Princess specifically ordered him to send a letter to the Prince Mansion as well, showing her care by allowing him to reunite with his family for a few days.

Huang Sanmei had borne him a plump son two years ago, and became pregnant again before he left for the Capital City with the Commandery Princess. While working in the Capital City, he constantly thought of his wife and son.

Sun An rode swiftly for two days and returned to Nanyang Prince Mansion. He handed the two thick letters to Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng, then hurried home to be with his family.

The mischievous and lively two-year-old boy giggled as he threw himself into his father’s arms.

Huang Sanmei, her belly already swelling, slowly came over holding her waist, eyes filled with joy: "Why have you come back?"

Though usually quiet and reserved, in private Sun An was tender and considerate to his wife. He held Huang Sanmei’s hand and whispered with a smile, "The Commandery Princess asked me to come back to deliver a letter, and to take the chance to see you all. I can rest at home for two or three days before heading back to the Capital City."

Huang Sanmei nodded with joy: "I made two pairs of shoes for the Commandery Princess, and embroidered ten pairs of socks, take them with you when you go back."

"You’re pregnant, you should be taking good care of yourself, why are you making shoes now." Sun An spoke with tender concern for his wife, quietly saying, "Besides, there are so many embroideresses in the Prince Mansion, along with Silver, Red, Tea, White, and Mother Zhang, does the Commandery Princess lack shoes?"

"That’s different." Huang Sanmei explained simply, "They make theirs, and I make mine from the heart. I have received great kindness from the Commandery Princess, making some shoes and socks for her is only right."

If not for the Commandery Princess’s rescue, she feared she would still be slaving away at the Huang Family.

Her gratitude and reverence for the Commandery Princess surpassed anyone else. Even if the Commandery Princess asked her to walk through fire or water, she would not hesitate.

...

Chen and Feng, the two Chief Historians, were reading the Commandery Princess’s letter together.

After reading his own letter, Feng Wenming, feeling slightly unsatisfied, peeked at the letter in Chief Historian Chen’s hand. Upon comparing, he immediately grumbled, "The Princess wrote me a three-page letter, but wrote you a four-page one."

Chen Zhuo glanced at Feng Wenming with a smile: "The Princess wrote to me about the court affairs in the Capital City and her interactions with officials privately, naturally taking up more words."

Always wanting to compare, my old friend, you’re truly too small-minded.

Feng Wenming chuckled awkwardly, then re-read the Commandery Princess’s letter. He then said to Chen Zhuo, "Li County took in over four hundred famine victims and settled them meticulously and securely. County Magistrate Cai is indeed a conscientious and diligent worker."

Chen Zhuo nodded, "Let’s use the method Li County used to settle the famine-stricken people as a standard. I’ll draft an official document and have it sent to the other counties."

Writing thirteen of them, Chief Historian Chen surely had his work cut out for him.

After his bout of envy, Feng Wenming felt sympathy for his hardworking and laborious old friend: "Don’t you have a long-term follower skilled in writing? Write a sample, and let them write the rest."

Chen Zhuo agreed with a smile, "That’s what I plan to do. Don’t worry, I won’t overwork myself. This old body of mine still needs to hold up for a few more years to serve the Commandery Princess."

Just as they were about to part ways, a trusted aide came to deliver a message that people from the Second Guard Camp had returned, bringing several hundred famine-stricken people with them.

Feng Wenming felt both amused and exasperated, "Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan seem to be in sync; it’s been just over half a month, and the Second Guard Camp is already back with people."

It was obvious they must have "communicated" privately long ago. At this rate, the Third Camp would soon bring the famine-stricken people back too.

Chen Zhuo pondered briefly, "Let’s send this batch of famine-stricken people to Wuyin County!"

Wuyin County is the poorest county in Nanyang County. These past two years, the Prince Mansion has been supporting Wuyin County, and County Magistrate Gao is a diligent and good officer, leading the people to plant new grains, ensuring county residents can now eat their fill. Now, with the arrival of famine-stricken people, it’s a good opportunity to boost the population of lower counties and actively cultivate wasteland to plant new grains.

Feng Wenming nodded, "I’ll head to the Household Department to allocate some funds and grains to send with the famine-stricken people to Wuyin County."

This showcases the solid backing of the Prince Mansion. If only people were given without grains, the county magistrates would surely complain endlessly. But now, giving both people and grains, meaning the Prince Mansion is nurturing a batch of citizens for the county town – who wouldn’t be pleased?