CHAPTER 328: CHAPTER 328: THE MOB (PART 1)

"...These famine-stricken people come from Xiangzhou Wei County. They have struggled due to a drought, and this year they have suffered from a locust plague. The government is powerless to provide relief, so they have no choice but to flee in search of subsistence."

After about half an hour, Song Yuan returned with a grave expression and reported in a low voice, "The number of people is around three hundred, with the elderly, weak, and women making up only ten percent; the majority are young and strong men."

"They don’t have a specific destination, just heading toward the Capital City along the main road. I’ve asked them carefully; they’ve been fleeing for almost half a month, and the food they brought has been mostly consumed. At their current pace, it would take at least half a month more to reach the Capital City."

By then, how many of these famine victims would be left?

How many more would starve to death along the way, leaving behind children and the elderly?

The famine victims are pitiable, of course. However, as a Commandery Princess returning on a hasty journey, it would not be appropriate for her to openly gather them. If word reached the court, she could quickly be accused of scheming to win the people’s hearts under false pretenses. Prime Minister Wang is eagerly waiting for her to make a mistake; she cannot give anyone the chance to gossip.

But to encounter them and then completely ignore and disregard their plight would be far too callous.

Jiang Shaohua’s brows furrowed slightly.

Chen Jinyu, who knew Jiang Shaohua’s temperament best, saw her deep in thought and softly advised, "Commandery Princess, we are in a hurry and cannot take these people along the road."

"Moreover, they are heading to the Capital City to escape famine. If we take them in halfway, not only would we not gain any favor, but we would also be accused without reason," Ma Yaosong quickly added. "I dare to suggest that we grant them some grain so they can continue to the Capital City."

Song Yuan also said, "I believe that the way Ma suggests handling this is quite suitable."

Jiang Shaohua steadied her mind and quickly made a decision, "Ma, go and get some grain, distribute it according to the number of famine victims. Regardless of whether they are old or young, each person should receive five jin of grain."

Five jin of grain, cooked into porridge with water and eaten sparingly, would be enough for ten days.

Three hundred people would require more than a thousand jin of grain. While the grain itself was not excessive, distributing it individually would be quite cumbersome.

Ma Yaosong accepted instantly. Following Jiang Shaohua’s instructions, he led over ten trusted aides to measure and distribute the grain. Upon hearing the news, the famine victims were so moved that they fell to their knees in unison, kowtowing and shouting, "Many thanks to Nanyang County Princess!"

"Long live the Commandery Princess!"

Among them, a few more knowledgeable victims showed signs of disappointment in their eyes, and two even boldly rushed forward, loudly pleading for the Commandery Princess to take them in. They hadn’t even gotten close before the trusted aides intercepted them with drawn swords.

The two bold famine victims knelt down in disappointment, kowtowing before retreating silently.

Jiang Shaohua watched this scene from a distance and turned to Chen Jinyu, saying, "I have two hundred trusted aides with me, all on horseback and armed. The famine victims don’t dare make any reckless moves. If it were someone else, out here with gold and grain, these famine victims might very well rush to kill and rob."

Chen Jinyu shuddered, her eyes widening in shock. "Robbing grain is one thing, but how could they dare kill people?"

Jiang Shaohua sighed softly, "If people are pushed to the extreme, they dare to do anything! Think about it, they fled from Xiangzhou Wei County for almost half a month. Where do you think they got their food during these ten days? If they stole it, the ones they stole from wouldn’t let it go easily. Killing people to rob grain would be their only recourse."

"Moreover, they are mostly young men, with very few children. Where have all the children gone?"

The more one pondered such matters, the more horrifying they seemed.

Chen Jinyu’s back was drenched in cold sweat, her clothes sticking uncomfortably to her body. Seeing those excitedly kowtowing and shouting famine victims, she regarded them as though they were prehistoric beasts.

"No need to be afraid," Jiang Shaohua gently reassured, "I had Ma distribute the grain, so they have ten days’ worth of food. If they hasten their pace, they can approach the Capital City and receive government aid and resettlement. With hope for survival, they lose the reason and courage to fight desperately."

The most crucial factor remains the presence of two hundred strong personal soldiers; even if the famine victims were starving to madness, they would have to reconsider whether they have the capability to rob.

As Jiang Shaohua anticipated, the process of distributing and receiving the grain went very smoothly.

Under the watchful eyes of a group of armed and stern personal soldiers, the famine victims obediently lined up, one by one, to receive their grain. Afterward, they knelt in the direction of the Commandery Princess, kowtowing in gratitude.

Once all the famine victims had received their grain, more than an hour had passed, and the sun was slanting westward, nearing evening.

Song Yuan stepped forward and directed the famine victims to retreat several tens of meters away from the main road. Jiang Shaohua led the group forward on horseback.

Though separated by several meters, the famine victims still couldn’t discern the appearance of the Commandery Princess. However, holding the life-saving grain she had given, their hearts were full of gratitude.

In a corner, the two driven-away famine victims huddled together and whispered, "This Nanyang County Princess is indeed wealthy. Look at the convoy behind her; it’s packed with grain, and there might be a lot of gold and jade artifacts too."

"It’s a pity they have so many people. Those personal soldiers look formidable. Even if we all rushed together, we wouldn’t be a match."

"Along the way, we’ve killed for grain. When there was no food, we even turned to cooking children for meat and soup, barely making it to this point. We must find a way to survive, or it would be unbearably unjust."

"Forget it, at least they gave us ten days’ worth of food. If we push on quickly, we can reach the Capital City. Once there, the government can’t just ignore us."

"But what if, and I mean what if, when we reach the Capital City, they don’t even let us through the gates?"

The taller, thinner famine victim let out a sinister laugh, his eyes flashing maliciously, "We have no way back now. As long as the gate opens a crack, I’ll rush in even if it kills me. If I must die, it’ll be in the Capital City."

...

With this episode behind them, everyone remained silent over the ensuing journey.

It was a rare occasion for Jiang Shaohua to travel late into the evening. She urged her horse forward for thirty miles, ensuring the famine victims couldn’t possibly follow before stopping to rest.

Having missed the post house, they would have to camp in the wilderness tonight.

The personal soldiers, accustomed to the routine, set up tents. They divided into three shifts, taking turns to stand guard and rest.

Jiang Shaohua ate some dry food casually and rested in the carriage.

That night, she had an unpleasant dream. In it, the famine victims, eyes red and wild, charged the city gates, shouting.

Arrows flew from the gate, and one by one, the famine victims, struck by arrows, fell in agonizing despair, quickly soaking the ground in blood.

As one wave of famine victims perished, a second and third wave surged forward, only to be slaughtered.

The ground was littered with corpses and body parts, blood flowing like rivers, resembling Hell itself.

Jiang Shaohua awoke from the nightmare, opening her eyes abruptly.

In her ears, she heard the even breathing of three people. Yin Zhutu Bai curled up in a corner, while Chen Jinyu slept soundly beside her.

Jiang Shaohua slowly adjusted her breathing, closed her eyes, and gradually fell asleep again.