Where the provinces of Lingdong Circuit might once have each looked after their own affairs, disaster-stricken Lingdong was now remarkably united-not merely Deng Province, Zhao Province, and Yun Province, but all the others as well.
The plague in Zhao Province had not only frightened countless common people; it had also filled them with concern.
The words "save our homeland" captured the feelings of these men from Deng Province. Saving Zhao Province meant saving themselves, saving Lingdong, saving their homeland.
And although there had been some sordid dealings between the Imperial Court and the people after the disaster, although no one could possibly attend to everything, it was just as Chu Hang had written in his essay late that night.
In a great disaster, confidence came first!
Whether spurred on by the local government or moved by their own feelings, the people's struggles and the wondrous deeds of myth alike all embodied Lingdong's resistance.
Now, every soul in Lingdong had faith that they could weather these hardships. That was also what gave Chu Hang the conviction to declare, "Man can triumph over Heaven."
The "haulers" had eaten all the dry rations they had brought, but officials and ordinary people from the counties along the way kept coming of their own accord to meet them. Some brought food, others tea and water, and some even joined the teams hauling the ships, allowing those whose strength was failing to rest.
Before the fleet even reached Zhao Province, more of its residents had already heard the news and come hurrying over. The magistrate and County Commandant of Tianyu County in Zhao Province came in person.
Eventually, Chu Hang had to step forward and persuade some people to return home. There were simply too many of them for the riverbanks to accommodate. Many of the