With a body like this, even after a whole winter of proper care, these people wouldn't be in much better shape.
They all understood one thing: the "proper care" for these refugees was vastly different from that of the esteemed elders in the capital.
Those elders lived on delicacies, nourished by ginseng and bird's nest, that was true nourishment.
These refugees, on the other hand, were fortunate to have enough to eat, thanks to the attention of Second Master Meng.
If it were another official, forget a full meal; even gruel thin enough to cast a shadow would be made from old rice.
Alas, people's hearts were different; they felt this deeply.
After exchanging pleasantries with everyone, Grandpa Meng invited Yan Yi to the seat of honor. Then, he personally led his men in distributing supplies in front of Yan Yi.
Each person received their share of money, grain, and provisions.
Seeing these items, Foreman Song, taking the lead, knelt before Yan Yi and Mayor Meng again.
Everyone solemnly kowtowed their thanks.
"Hey, I've told you all, no need for such formalities."
Qi Yuanshan, who had accompanied Yan Yi, saw Yan Yi flustered and couldn't help but steal glances at the sky, suppressing a smile.
Yan Yi: He couldn't stand this. It would be best for him to leave soon.
So, he found an excuse and asked Qi Yuanshan to lead the way, saying he wanted to see the seaside.
Finally, having seen off this troublesome guest, Foreman Song and the others finally relaxed their tense nerves.
Foreman Song sidled up to Mayor Meng, hoping for some certainty.
"Old Song, I can't say for sure about anything to you all. We'll only have a definite answer after Lord Yan returns to the capital. However..."
The old man glanced at the attire of Foreman Song and his companions, a wry smile on his face. "You should go and eat. Especially the seafood soup; it's very nourishing. It's this late, so it might be cold, but heat it up and make sure everyone drinks a bowl. And change these clothes you're wearing quickly."
"Ah, we thank you, Mayor Meng."
"We've known each other for so many years. Stop thanking me so much; it makes us sound distant."
"Yes, yes."
Foreman Song and the others were truly hungry. After Mayor Meng's few words, they all, clutching their distributed belongings, went to eat.
Grandpa Meng, however, looked around the courtyard and then thought about the money and provisions just distributed, his brows furrowing.
Seeing his father's frown, Fu Yu stepped forward anxiously and asked in a low voice, "Father, are you not feeling well?"
"No, your father is worried about your Uncle Song and their belongings."
Thinking of their current status as bottom-tier refugees, the old man sighed for them.
"Father, there will be a way."
"But this Qingxi Town is a mix of people. Although it has been much more peaceful under our governance in recent years, who knows what undercurrents lie beneath the calm."
"Father, we still have a few days. At least while Lord Yan is in Qingxi Town, no one will dare cause trouble."
"Mm, what you say, Yu'er, makes sense."
...
At this moment, Lord Yan, whom Fu Yu mentioned, had arrived at the seaside with Qi Yuanshan.
The tide had receded at this hour. Soldiers from the Sixth Squad of Yingzuya were using their various skills to collect seafood on the beach.
Watching the veteran soldiers braving the cold on the beach to gather seafood, Yan Yi's admiration for Second Uncle Meng surged once more.
"Second Uncle Meng's character is unmatched."
"Of course. Without Uncle Meng, the soldiers of the Yingzuya garrison would still be hungry. Nor would Qingxi Town have today's prosperity and its people living in peace."
While he could talk about other things, hearing Qi Yuanshan mention that the soldiers of the Yingzuya garrison were hungry before Second Uncle Meng's arrival made Yan Yi blush for the one on the dragon throne.
How could he not blush? Even if fates differed, they shouldn't differ so drastically.
These words, he couldn't say to the one on the dragon throne. Otherwise, that person would think he was brilliant, believing that it was only after he sent Meng Qingping to the northern frontier that they ate their fill, and perhaps they should thank him.
This time, it was Yan Yi's turn to have a toothache.
Before the soldiers collecting seafood noticed them, Yan Yi made another request to Qi Yuanshan.
"Let's go and see the houses built for the refugees."
"Alright, your subordinate will lead Lord Yan."
So, by the time the veteran soldiers felt something was amiss, they only saw their Commander and a red figure.
After galloping two li, Yan Yi reined in his mount and looked back at the lookout tower built among the treetops. "This is good. Who came up with this idea?"
Qi Yuanshan: ...
Seeing Qi Yuanshan's silence, Yan Yi guessed whose idea it was.
"Heh, I know whose idea this was," Yan Yi said. If he weren't afraid of scaring the sentry up there with his attire, he truly wanted to fly up and see the scenery from above.
Qi Yuanshan, however, was like a leaking bellows, deliberately not fulfilling his wish.
"Lord Yan, shall we go now, or later?"
"Now."
"Ah, your subordinate will lead the way."
Qi Yuanshan finished speaking and urged his horse forward.
Yan Yi watched Qi Yuanshan's retreating back and thought, "This man truly lacks perception. No wonder he's only a Commander."
Qi Yuanshan paid no mind to Yan Yi's thoughts, only wishing for him to return to the capital soon.
Yan Yi: I've finally come to Liaodong. How could I go back so quickly?
But he had other matters too. Escorting the supplies for the refugees in Qingzhou was just one minor task.
With the money and provisions for the refugees all distributed, Yan Yi and his men left Yingzuya the next morning and headed for the General's Mansion.
Qi Yuanshan stood at the mountain pass, watching their departing figures, feeling that every inch of land below Yingzuya was fragrant.
Yan Yi looked back. I'll be back in a couple of days.
Grandpa Meng's mood grew heavy after Yan Yi and his entourage left.
With no outsiders at home, he sat in the main hall and confided in his son, "Lord Yan used to find excuses to stay a few more days whenever he visited Yingzuya. Why is it different this time?"
"Perhaps Lord Yan has matters to attend to. After all, his position is not one anyone can hold."
"That's true." The old man understood this. "However, with Lord Yan leaving so soon, I haven't figured out a proper solution for your Uncle Song and his situation."
The old man thought about Foreman Song's group possessing over two hundred taels of silver, new cotton-padded clothes, new quilts, and grain, and worried for them.
"What shall we do?" The old man not only feared their money and possessions being stolen but more so feared them being harmed.
"Father, why don't I find Brother Yuanshan and ask him to send a few people to guard the school? That would serve as a deterrent."