Disaster victims are disaster victims. What strange disaster victims could there be?
Chief Yang was the first to rise from inside the black awning boat. He left the cabin, asked where they were, and looked in the direction others pointed. Sure enough, there was a group of disaster victims diagonally ahead.
Zhan Muchun, silent inside the black awning, sighed lightly. He put away the silver notes, stood up and went out to see what was going on with these so-called strange disaster victims.
That group of disaster victims was clearly heading towards Shangwan city.
This patrol boat was also returning to Shangwan city after an inspection trip outside.
The group of disaster victims had clearly set off before them. However the victims were trudging through the muddy floodwaters, one foot deep and one foot shallow. They were obviously much slower than the boat rowing on the water, so the boat caught up with them from behind.
When the two sides were almost parallel, the strangeness of this group of disaster victims became clear to see.
Because these disaster victims were actually dragging dozens of simple stretchers, not carrying them, but truly dragging them along.
One end of each stretcher was lifted while the other end dragged on the ground. The people on the stretchers were lying at an angle, heads up, feet dragging in the mud.
Perhaps to save effort, six or seven people dragged one stretcher together while walking.
Outsiders hearing this might not think much of it, but for people in the disaster area, this scene was simply a rare miracle in the world.
It was an unbelievable miracle.
People in the disaster area, if they knew anything, all understood that those who could not walk basically had no choice but to wait for death.
There was also a cruel reality that people did not want to face or mention. They would become food for others.
When people were hungry to a certain extent, there was no etiquette, righteousness, or shame. All moral teachings became empty air. They would become the most primitive animals, with obtaining food above everything else.
In this situation, those who could not walk would not be helped even by the government or the court, because they could not be saved.
It was even less possible for any disaster victims to rescue them.
The reason was simple. Saving one person like this, carrying one person like this, required physical strength. When one could barely survive oneself, where would there be strength left to carry another person on a long journey? It was simply unrealistic.
Even the instinct for survival did not allow a person to do this.
Yet the actions of the refugee group before them completely overturned their imagination and went beyond their understanding. They did not know why these people had such strong willpower.
Could they be some fallen military troops or something? Otherwise how could they have such good discipline?
Upon closer inspection, everyone found that this was clearly not the case. The men and women were of various ages, almost all staggering and leaning on chopped wooden sticks as crutches. They were obviously gritting their teeth and holding on. They could not be organised military personnel.
Therefore the shock this scene brought to everyone could be imagined.
The few officials standing at the bow of the boat could only show faces full of disbelief.
When the moving boat overtook the refugee group, Chief Yang saw Yu Qing leading the way at the front. He could not help but exclaim, Eh. That little-moustached leader looks a bit familiar, as if I have seen him somewhere.
He had indeed seen him. After passing the imperial examinations, when the new jinshi rode horses in parade, they had passed by the entrance of the Ministry of Revenue. Chief Yang had also watched from the entrance and had seen Yu Qing.
But now Yu Qing had a ponytail, had grown a small moustache, carried a sword at his waist, had a large leather bag slung on one side, and carried a small half-bag of dry food on his shoulder. His head was slightly tilted, and his body was covered in mud and water. He looked extremely dirty, so it was normal not to recognise him.
Hearing this, the others also looked carefully.
Sure enough, Zhan Muchun also felt this person seemed familiar. He felt puzzled and strange. How could there be an acquaintance here, and one who had become a disaster victim.
Yu Qing, holding a staff and probing the ground ahead from time to time, shouted loudly backwards again, Everyone be careful. There is a ditch on the right. It seems to be a slope. Do not step into empty air and slip down. Follow me and go a bit to the left. Stay close. If anyone falls behind do not blame me for not caring.
His spirits were still very high. He had suddenly earned so much silver. He felt that for reasons of both emotion and reason he should properly deliver these disaster victims to Shangwan city. Then, well, he could earn that more than eighty thousand taels of silver with peace of mind.
The young couple had probably eaten quite full. They might have gradually gained some energy, or perhaps they had seen hope of survival. The two stayed tightly behind Yu Qing and helped pass on the words backwards.
As soon as he heard Yu Qing speak, Zhan Muchun’s expression shook violently. He recognised the voice at once. Setting aside Yu Qing’s greatly changed appearance, he stared at Yu Qing’s face and looked closely. It matched. He recognised him instantly. Who else could it be but Brother Shiheng?
He checked several times. Yes, it was indeed Brother Shiheng. How had he come here?
He immediately understood. What else could it be but disaster relief? The facts were already before his eyes.
So much time had passed. The news of the top scholar resigning from office had long spread here. When he had heard the news before he had also been shocked. Why? Was what everyone sought after ten years of hard study not this? Did he really resign because he did not get first place and harboured resentment?
In short he could not quite understand it.
Today he suddenly saw Yu Qing rescuing people in the disaster area. His heart was indeed somewhat impacted.
That talented top scorer who had full marks in four subjects, how had he ended up like this?
Yu Qing also noticed the boat over there. He thought to himself that if he had known there was such a waterway earlier, would it have been more convenient to build some wooden rafts to carry the disaster victims?
Then he felt he was thinking too much. How many wooden rafts would be needed for over a thousand people? Not to mention whether materials could be gathered. By the time they were built, with that time they would probably have arrived by walking.
Besides at the beginning he really did not know about such a waterway, and he did not understand the terrain of the waterway.
He also saw the few officials wearing official robes on the boat. He could not be bothered to deal with them and did not even want to greet them. He no longer placed any hope in these corrupt officials.
If these corrupt officials had even a tiny bit of conscience they should have taken the initiative to offer to get down and walk, letting the people who could not walk board the boat. However they did not. They clearly passed by yet not one made a sound.
He did not see Zhan Muchun.
Zhan Muchun had wanted to call out at first, but then thought of some issues and turned his head away with some guilt. He did not dare to greet Yu Qing.
It was for no other reason than that he could not open his mouth and did not know how to speak.
The matter was obvious. Brother Shiheng was leading these refugees towards Shangwan city, but he knew that Shangwan city had already set emergency disaster regulations. Without money one could not enter the city. After the man had worked so hard to bring such a large group of disaster victims here, if he greeted him, should he tell him the truth or not tell him?
He felt guilty in his heart and was ashamed to meet.
The other officials who did not speak actually had similar mindsets. They watched silently. No one dared to tell the truth to these people struggling bitterly in desperation.
The boat soon pulled ahead, getting farther and farther from the group behind.
Everyone stay close. All follow me. We will try to reach Shangwan city before dark…
Yu Qing’s loud and energetic shouts still came faintly.
Zhan Muchun stood in front of the black awning looking back. His gaze fixed on the figure leading the group and could not move away for a long time. His heart was full of guilt and also full of admiration.
He discovered that this Brother Shiheng was indeed an extraordinary person, truly someone who could create miracles. He had actually managed to organise this group of starving victims. He really did not know how it was done.
The idea of arriving before dark was dashed. The disaster victims’ marching speed was too slow. The originally planned two-hour journey actually took a full three hours. Only then did the over one thousand beggar-like disaster victims drag themselves to the foot of the city.
Of course the bad road was also a reason, plus these disaster victims had been hungry for too long and their physical strength really could not keep up.
The half bag of flatbread dry food that Yu Qing carried had already been distributed on the road. Those doing heavy work dragging stretchers received more. The others each got one quarter of a flatbread.
Eating flatbread easily made one thirsty. With no mountain spring water available, they could only drink the muddy water from the ground.
Whether it was dirty, clean, or would cause illness, no one could care anymore. Yu Qing could only allow it because he was powerless to do anything.
Shangwan city was on higher ground. Reaching the foot of the city meant coming out of the water, though it was still mud full of footprints everywhere.
Torches were lit all over the city walls. At the base of the city wall by the moat, spaced bonfires were also lit.
Outside the moat, a dense black crowd of people had gathered. Those who could not stand were sitting or lying on the muddy ground.
From time to time people knelt and begged the soldiers inside the city to let them in. However the soldiers carrying out orders were truly cold-hearted.
Yu Qing, who had arrived outside the city, was speechless with a heavy heart. His heart turned cold. Only then did he realise that the thousand or so people he had brought were nothing at all. The disaster victims gathered outside the city hoping to enter were the majority, far exceeding those he had brought.
Go. Yu Qing turned back and called out. He led over a thousand people and forced their way hard into the crowd.
The group carved out a path to the edge of the moat. Facing the raised drawbridge, Yu Qing shouted loudly, Lower the drawbridge quickly and let us enter the city.
The defending general on the other side of the drawbridge shouted, Any unauthorised intruders who dare defy the emergency disaster regulations will be killed without mercy.
Yu Qing pulled open a gap in the large leather bag, grabbed a handful of silver notes and shouted, I have money.
As soon as these words came out, a group of disaster victims outside the moat saw so much money and their eyes immediately glowed green.
No need to call out. The crowd suddenly became chaotic. Someone immediately rushed over, followed by a group of people rushing over.
It was obvious they wanted to rob.
Clang. Yu Qing faced the city wall with his back to the crowd and drew his sword. A cold glint reflecting the firelight from opposite swept in his hand. Without even looking he swung towards the back. The first man who rushed over had his head instantly fly into the air. Blood sprayed from his neck and he fell with a thud.
This did not scare the others. The other rushing people continued to pounce.
Sword light flashed like a rainbow, fast, very fast.
He slashed at anyone he saw. He killed anyone who charged. Blood flew like rain.
A few fell, yet there were still those unafraid of death charging.
A dozen fell, yet there were still those charging for their lives.
Only after dozens had fallen did it finally take effect.
Bodies lay in piles on the ground. These people had no ability to resist in front of Yu Qing at all, just like being chopped melons and vegetables.
Yu Qing showed no mercy at all. His moves were simple and neat killing strikes.
The one saving people was him, and the one killing people was also him.
No disaster victim with ill intentions could get close to Yu Qing’s body. Those who approached died. Some who were restless yet terrified finally did not dare to advance anymore.
Yu Qing, covered in blood with bloodstains also on his face, stood on the piled corpses. One hand held a blood-smeared sword and the other still grasped the handful of silver notes now stained with blood. Like an evil ghost he waved the bloodied silver notes and shouted fiercely, Come. Come and rob again.
No one dared to come forward anymore. The defending soldiers on the other side of the moat were also stunned.
Yu Qing turned around with a ferocious expression and shouted, I have silver notes. Lower the drawbridge.
Handing out money, the one handing out money kept handing out money.
Taking out money, the one taking out money kept taking out money.
The effects of long-term hunger on the body could not be solved by one full meal.
The young couple’s physical weakness was real. Although they had eaten a few flatbreads, after the long journey to get here their physical strength was also consumed. After standing here busy for a long time, both husband and wife could hardly hold on.
They broke out in cold sweats and even their hands trembled a bit.
Yu Qing, facing the disaster victims with his back to them, did not notice.
The defending general sitting on a wooden plank placed across the cheval de frise did notice. He called out, Brother, those two might not be able to hold on. Why not let them go in first.
Yu Qing turned back and understood.
The defending general added, If you trust me, I will call a few brothers to replace them. It will be faster than the two of them handing out.
Faster? It is not your money being handed out. Yu Qing cursed inwardly and gave him a white look, but he still silently agreed. He went over, took back the unfinished money from the couple’s hands, and gave each of them seven taels. After giving it he apologised, I can only give you this much. Please forgive me.
The couple understood the meaning of the extra two taels each, four taels in total, not exceeding five taels, and five taels could save one more person.
The money was not much, but it was a token of goodwill.
The couple looked at each other and both bowed, Thank you, benefactor.
The man then asked, May I ask the benefactor’s honoured name?
Stop talking nonsense. Pretend we have never met. Go. Yu Qing impatiently waved his hand. His mood was indeed not good right now.
The couple had no choice but to bow once more. Then they left, looking back every few steps.
The defending general also stood up and left to pick helpers.
After turning his back for a while, Yu Qing turned around to watch the departing young couple. He really did not know how the two of them would face each other after they recovered.
When the woman was violated by Tao Yongli and the others, he wanted to help, but he had no grain on hand. The grain he had was robbed by an earlier group of disaster victims. The couple were starving victims who only wanted food. He could not provide it, and the couple were willing to make the exchange with Tao Yongli and the others.
What could he do? Along the way he had seen too many miserable situations of starving victims. He could not bring himself to stop the couple from obtaining food.
Of course he could have used his influence to persuade Tao Yongli and the others to let the woman go, then used his influence to get a piece of flatbread from them for the couple.
But what would be the point?
There were many women affected by the disaster. Stopping it once would be useless.
He had sat by and watched the unbearable scene happen.
He also did not regret striking Tao Yongli and the others too late.
If the unbearable thing had not happened, he would not have heard the news that Shangwan city was nearby at the time of the transaction.
The dry food they carried could not bring so many people out of the disaster area. Perhaps selecting some people to take out and sell was really saving people. As for morality, was there any morality in this place where people ate people? Those outsiders who were full and comfortable talking about morality were all speaking without feeling pain in their backs. They were all beasts. They should be made to experience it themselves.
Only after learning that Shangwan city was nearby did he make up his mind to act against Tao Yongli and the others.
The defending general soon brought five capable men over. Yu Qing threw some silver notes to them. The five stood in a row at the bridgehead handing out money. The speed was indeed much faster.
With faster handing out of money, like flowing water, Yu Qing felt even more heartache.
Heartache was secondary. As time passed bit by bit, terror gradually appeared in Yu Qing’s eyes.
The small change was almost finished, yet the number of refugees gathered outside the city showed no sign of decreasing at all.
This was impossible. His small change plus the small change from Tao Yongli and the other two probably meant ten thousand people had entered the city. Why were there still so many people outside?
Soon he realised. The number of disaster victims he saw outside the city was only on this side.
There were disaster victims gathered in other directions outside the city. Now that there was an entrance into the city here, they were all slowly gathering towards this direction.
After understanding this, his expression showed a toothache-like feeling. What to do when the small change ran out later?
What he feared came.
The small change ran out. The hands of the five money distributors were also empty.
Facing a group of disaster victims, Yu Qing subconsciously tightened his grip on the leather bag. He no longer intended to take out more money.
An unknown number of disaster victims felt their heartstrings tremble because of this.
They had not dared to make a sound, hoping the steady progress would continue forever, hoping they could take their turn safely. They feared breaking rules and making Yu Qing unhappy, and feared any accident. They had been staring at the slowly deflating leather bag and praying.
Suddenly one person knelt down before Yu Qing.
Immediately after, the people nearby also knelt before Yu Qing.
Then the gathered people on site were like a tide suddenly receding. Under the moonlight people knelt layer by layer spreading outwards. They all knelt down, all kneeling towards Yu Qing.
Disaster victims farther away who could not see clearly what was happening here did not know what was going on in a short time, but knew that following suit would not be wrong. They also knelt down one after another.
Who had experienced such a scene?
It was silent kneeling, without words or noise.
There were no shouts of long live, no cries or pleas, only silence.
Countless people knelt silently, silently looking at Yu Qing. Their eyes were full of pleading, yet no one spoke. The sporadic sounds of sobbing instead made it feel even more oppressive.
Silence sometimes carried more power than sound.
At least it caused Yu Qing’s soul to feel an extremely strong shock. This silent power shocked him so much that his scalp went numb. He could read the wordless expression of these disaster victims. These disaster victims really had no other way. They really regarded him as the only person who could save them.
The defending soldiers by the moat were also instantly as if petrified. They all stared blankly at this scene and similarly felt a strong shock.
They had seen countless disaster victims kneeling and begging, but they had never seen so many disaster victims kneeling silently in hope.
Never. This was the first time in their lives.
Some soldiers bit their lips hard.
Some soldiers had silent tears running down their faces.
Gradually the gazes of the defending general and all the soldiers fixed on Yu Qing’s motionless back, wondering what choice this person would make.
Of course, no matter what choice he made, no one would blame him.
Because they had no right.
No one had the right to blame him. Even those starving victims rarely had such clear awareness, which was why it was silent.
Because no one had done better than this person.
Facing countless kneeling gazes, Yu Qing could even feel the defending soldiers behind him staring at him. The scene seemed frozen. Even the flickering firelight seemed suppressed by the atmosphere.
Yu Qing slowly raised his head to look at the sky and cursed inwardly at the old man in heaven.
Under the gaze of everyone, his hand moved. He suddenly pulled open the leather bag, grabbed a handful of silver notes, turned and waved them while roaring angrily at the defending general sitting on the cheval de frise, The small change is gone. Tell me what the hell I should do. His roar was like blood dripping from every word. His eyes reddened. Blood vessels filled his eyeballs in that instant, as if ready to fight desperately.
He hoped the defending general would give him a reason to close the bag and turn to leave.
The defending general took a deep breath and slowly stood up on the cheval de frise. He knew that running out of small change was indeed a bit troublesome. Giving a group of refugees large denomination silver notes and letting them divide it themselves would definitely cause trouble. If handed to the soldiers to handle, were the current soldiers still trustworthy?
He suddenly turned his head and also roared, Old Ghost, go to the money house. Bring the people from the money house here at the fastest speed.
The officer named Old Ghost said loudly, Sir, the money house is definitely closed at this time.
The defending general roared again, Then take more people. Smash open the door of the money house for me. As long as the people are not dead, bring them to me.
Yes. Old Ghost loudly accepted the order and quickly called a small team to run off.
Everyone’s tempers were a bit hot.
In fact the ones suffering the most in the entire city were these defending soldiers. It could be seen from their almost all dark eye circles.
Some things, the civilians in the city could only discuss behind backs. Officials could make decisions in the government offices. But these people guarding the city walls every day personally saw the tragic scenes of people eating people happening below the city.
What normal person could endure this?
Every day watching the constant pleas from below the city yet being unable to do anything.
Hearing the defending general’s shouted solution, the disaster victims kneeling on the ground immediately cried into a mess. Perhaps they were crying from extreme joy, yet no one stood up. They continued kneeling there and waiting.
Kneeled to and worshipped by a group of people, Yu Qing was as if under a body-locking technique. He wordlessly looked up at the starry sky. The hand gripping the leather bag seemed about to squeeze out water.
Old Ghost did not disappoint. He did not make this side wait too long and urgently brought the people from the money house.
The money house people were clearly much more experienced than Yu Qing and the others in handling such matters. After rushing over they first set up two tables at the city gate to start operations. The shopkeeper personally brought two assistants to the bridgehead. After communicating with Yu Qing and the defending general, they immediately set up. The shopkeeper reached out to Yu Qing, Silver notes.
Yu Qing gritted his teeth and took out a one thousand tael note and gave it to him.
The shopkeeper took the silver note, verified it briefly, and announced, One intact one thousand tael silver note, correct. Redeem for two hundred people to pass. Start.
The silver note was taken into his sleeve.
Yu Qing immediately waved his sword and pointed for a line of disaster victims to come first.
The two assistants, one holding ink pad and one holding a seal stamp.
One stamped the disaster victims’ hands, one counted the numbers.
The shopkeeper announced from time to time, Those who have been stamped go to the table at the city gate. With the stamp receive five taels of silver money and enter the city.
The disaster victims who passed one by one did as instructed at the table at the city gate. One money house assistant used a brush to wipe off the stamp, while several other assistants handed out the silver. The disaster victims who received the money went directly into the city. It was such a smooth complete process.
The speed of entering the city was much faster than before. At the drawbridge entrance the stamping continued nonstop and people were let through. It was really fast.
One intact one thousand tael note, redeem for two hundred people to pass…
People passed quickly, and Yu Qing’s speed of taking out money quickened again.
One intact two thousand tael silver note, redeem for four hundred people to pass…
One intact five thousand tael silver note, redeem for one thousand people to pass…
The denominations of the silver notes Yu Qing took out became larger and larger. No one could know his mood at this time…
City post house.
Sir, wake up. Sir Zhan, it is time. You should wake up.
The yamen runner who had been instructed to come and wake him on time urged beside a couch.
Ah… Zhan Muchun suddenly cried out and sat up, breathing heavily. Only after seeing clearly the person in front of him did he breathe a sigh of relief. He waved his hand to indicate the man to withdraw.
This night had been spent having nightmares all night.
He had been too tired these days. He could fall asleep as soon as he lay down. But this Brother Shiheng whom he did not dare to meet had met him in the dream, scolded him thoroughly, and dragged him to see all kinds of miserable situations of the disaster victims. In the dream he desperately explained to Brother Shiheng.
The two tangled in the dream until he had just woken up.
After waking and collecting himself, he suddenly listened carefully and found that it was not sounds from the dream but real noisy commotion outside.
What was going on? Had something happened?
He quickly put on his shoes and socks, hurriedly dressed and ran out to see what was happening.