"...Hm?"
"There aren't any unruly mobs. It's just that the relief supplies aren't being distributed consistently." Li Yao turned back, wiping the blood dripping from his chin. "I just went over there and had a look."
"What do you mean?"
"Can't you see? There's some today, none tomorrow, and no knowing when there'll be more; little in the morning, plenty at dusk, and no knowing how little or how much. Living in that kind of fear, who wouldn't risk their life to snatch the meal before them? Naturally, everyone ends up living like a beast." Li Yao spoke earnestly. "Once relief becomes consistent, people's lives will soon settle into order... It's a very simple matter, yet I don't know why no one in the government offices does it."
He wiped the blood from his face, cupped his hands, and bowed again. "Thank you for saving my life. I am Li Yao, the Worthy Prince's only son. May I ask my benefactor's name?"
The young man watched him quietly. After a moment, he straightened and saluted. "My surname is Shang. I served under the late general as Left Cavalry Central Marquis. My respects, Your Highness."
Chapter 617: Lunar Twelfth Month Ties Color (Part Two)
Li Yao parted ways with the young man, but picked up the sword Li Heng had dropped in the blood, then walked out of the alley with a hand pressed to his abdomen.
He was weaker now than he had been earlier, yet noticeably fewer people dared look his way. As he walked down the street, those approaching stepped aside for him.
When he reached the palace gates, he scarcely recognized the place.
The outer walls had been washed with fire and blades. Broad stains of blood had sunk into the pores of bricks and cracks between