Chapter 305: Chapter 305

Chen Zhuo handled things efficiently and had someone deliver the letter overnight to the county government in Li County.

County Magistrate Cai received the letter sent by Chief Historian Chen at noon the next day. After reading it, his brows and eyes lit up with joy, and he looked radiant.

The Chief Clerk and County Magistrate nearby grew curious, exchanging glances.

The Prince Mansion suddenly sent a letter; could it be something significant?

Whether the matter is significant or not is unknown, but it’s definitely a good thing. Otherwise, why would Lord County Magistrate Cai be so happy?

County Magistrate Mo, after working the past two years, had come to fully respect County Magistrate Cai. He asked, "May I ask, my lord, is there some duty assigned by the Prince Mansion?"

County Magistrate Cai quickly revealed the mystery, directly handing the letter to County Magistrate Mo. County Magistrate Mo focused on the letter and also started laughing: "Good, good, good, this truly is excellent news."

The County Captain Chief Clerk also got to see the letter and each wore a joyful expression.

Of course, it is wonderful news.

Li County was originally a impoverished lower county. Over the past two years, the mountain bandits were exterminated, and County Magistrate Cai diligently governed, leading the people to plant and harvest medicines while opening up new fields for farming. At last, they could fill their bellies, though still far from wealth. Aspiring to upgrade to a middle county is even more challenging.

Da Liang has strict regulations for dividing upper, middle, and lower counties. The most important requirement is that the population of the citizens must meet a certain threshold.

As for Li County, no matter how hard it develops or the citizens strive to have children, the population cannot drastically increase. From the time a child is born to when they grow up, it takes at least a dozen years.

Now things are looking up. The Tang Family went to the northern counties severely affected by drought to promote new grains, while the accompanying Personal Guard Camp quietly recruited starving refugees. These are ready-made adults!

The Prince Mansion even sent money and grains, so living costs for a few months can be covered. When the corn and sweet potatoes in the fields are harvested, worrying about sustaining a few hundred people isn’t a concern anymore.

"Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng truly favor you greatly, my lord." The Chief Clerk praised, "With such good news, you thought of our Li County first."

"Indeed, we must settle the citizens well and make sure nothing goes wrong." The County Magistrate promptly picked up the conversation: "Whatever needs to be done, my lord, just give the command."

County Magistrate Mo, accustomed to being assigned tasks, proactively volunteered: "My lord, just command me."

County Magistrate Cai carefully thought it over and said: "The Chief Historians are sending the first batch of refugees to our Li County. First, to boost our population. Second, they surely want us to set an example. In the future, with batches of refugees arriving, it’s impossible to only send them to Li County; other counties will have to accept citizens too. So, we must carry out this matter swiftly and efficiently, without any mistakes."

"These refugees, arriving here for the first time, must be anxious and uneasy inside, so they cannot be scattered and settled randomly. We need to designate a vacant area and build some simple straw huts for them to temporarily live in for a few months."

"The task of building straw huts will be entrusted to County Magistrate Mo. Remember, no need to be elaborate; simply shelter from wind and rain will suffice. Recruit citizens to help build the huts together and finish within ten days. The county government will provide ten days’ worth of food."

County Magistrate Mo bowed and accepted the mission.

County Magistrate Cai instructed the County Magistrate: "You go and select half of the government officials, who will temporarily live with the refugees for these days. Prevent any troublemakers among the refugees or any attempts to escape freely."

The Chief Clerk naturally had a task as well. County Magistrate Cai instructed: "You go and receive the money and grain from the Prince Mansion. Calculate the daily grain requirement based on the refugee population and provide them with food daily."

As for County Magistrate Cai himself, he personally went to receive the refugees.

County Magistrate Cai, thin, dark-skinned, and ugly, looked unremarkable in official attire, lacking much of the dignity expected of a seventh-rank parents official; instead, he carried a certain indescribable shabbiness.

However, everyone from top to bottom in Li County was wholeheartedly convinced by County Magistrate Cai, and no one criticized County Magistrate Cai’s appearance anymore.

The one escorting the refugees was Tao Da from the Personal Guard Camp.

Tao Da led a troop of elite soldiers, each of the fifty men tall, strong, and robust, with long knives at their waists and bows and arrows slung over their backs. They also rode tall, majestic battle horses.

In contrast, the refugees appeared pale and gaunt, their clothes were in tatters, their expressions were despondent and weary, and their steps were so light that a gust of wind could blow them over.

"County Magistrate Cai," Tao Da spoke, his voice resonating like a great bell: "I have been ordered to bring the people here."

County Magistrate Cai hurriedly smiled and stepped forward, cupping his fists in gratitude.

Tao Da was famously naive, not particularly well-versed in social affairs. Nevertheless, endowed with great natural strength, rushing into battle was his forte, holding his ground tenfold in any fight. In the military camp, strength commanded respect, and with Commander Qin backing him, the Commandery Princess especially cherished him, making anyone who met Tao Da treat him with extra hospitality.

Tao Da chuckled: "I am here following orders; if County Magistrate Cai wants to give thanks, it should be to the Commandery Princess, not me."

Then he turned and loudly announced: "This is County Magistrate Cai from Li County. From now on, you are citizens of Li County. Quickly come forward to meet your County Magistrate."

The refugees stirred uneasily. One man plucked up courage and stepped forward, trembling as he asked: "Sir... Sir, where will we live from now on, and is there food to eat?"

Once this man spoke, a second and third person stepped forward.

"Sir, we don’t ask for anything else, just food for survival."

"Whatever hard labor there is, we can do. Just beg you, my lord, give our whole family a way to live."

"I bow to you, my lord. Da Ni, Er Ni, come and bow to the lord."

Before County Magistrate Cai could react, the refugees knelt in waves, competing to bow.

These refugees were unfortunate folks who had endured a two-year drought. Unable to survive at home, they abandoned their family belongings and fled in search of sustenance. When Qin Zhan picked people that day, he and Chief Historian Chen had a shared idea, selecting men with families, wives, and children.

For the sake of ensuring their wives and children survived, they grit their teeth, signed contracts of servitude, marched hundreds of miles, and found themselves in an entirely unfamiliar place.

For this reason, they possessed a great deal of courage.

County Magistrate Cai stepped forward, helping each of the kneeling refugees to their feet, solemnly saying: "Stand up, listen to what I have to say."

"This is Li County in Nanyang. I am the County Magistrate here. The individual who purchased you is the Nanyang County Princess, providing you with a place to live, offering you food, and enabling you to find a way to survive; that is all thanks to the Commandery Princess."

"You must remember the great benevolence and virtue of the Commandery Princess. In the future, settle down here in Li County, farm well, and live your days; that is how you repay the Commandery Princess."

The refugees could hardly believe their ears: "Sir, will we have land to farm in the future?"

County Magistrate Cai smiled, his thin, dark face blossoming like an old chrysanthemum: "Of course you will. However, you have to clear the land yourselves. Half of the cleared fields belong to the county government, and the other half belongs to you. The county government will provide seeds for planting; before any food is harvested, someone will deliver food to you every day."

The refugees paused for a moment, then suddenly burst into tears of joy, kneeling again to bow: "Thank you, Lord Cai." Check latest chapters at 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝕟𝕖𝕥

County Magistrate Cai hastily said: "This direction is towards the Prince Mansion; everyone must bow to the Commandery Princess!"