Refugees were a hidden danger at any time.
If mishandled, they could raise their poles and bricks and rise in revolt.
In their words, death awaited them either way. If they gambled everything, they might yet forge a great undertaking.
Chen Yi could think of this, and Elder Master Xiao and the others naturally understood it as well.
"Third Brother, go find Liu Si and ask how he plans to settle those disaster victims."
"Xuan Suo, immediately take the people from the Disciplinary Hall to the outskirts of the east city gate. See what the situation is there. If anyone commits crimes and wreaks havoc, you know what to do."
"Lixing..."
"Yes!"
Before dawn had broken.
The Xiao Family was already bustling inside and out.
The armored personal guards kept strict watch over the front courtyard and inner residence, while people from the Disciplinary Hall rushed back and forth, bringing back report after report.
Even Xiao Wan'er, upon rising early that morning, was summoned by someone the old master had sent.
As Xiao Wan'er made her way over, she too noticed the grave expressions of the armored soldiers throughout the mansion. Once she arrived at Qingjing Residence, she asked,
"Grandfather, you sent for me? Did something happen?"
Elder Master Xiao supported himself with both hands on his cane, sitting upright in an armchair as he gave a slight nod.
"The people of Guang'an, Lejiang, Xingwen, and several other counties had an extremely poor summer grain harvest. Famine has broken out, driving many commoners all the way to the Prefectural City."
"Disaster..."
Xiao Wan'er's eyes widened. "There are disaster victims outside the city?"
Elder Master Xiao sighed. He greatly disliked using those two words, but that was indeed the reality.
"Those people arrived last night. There are quite a few of