Chapter 304: Chapter 53: Picking Up Leaks! Wang Family’s Future Development Plan_2
Under the leadership of Faang You’an, a group of disciples from the Profound Ice Hall approached Wang Shouzhe with smiles. The members of the Changning Guard stepped aside as they passed.
Before Faang You’an could speak, Wang Shouzhe greeted him courteously first: "Shouzhe greets Senior Brother Yoou’an, and greets all the senior brothers and this senior sister."
Faang You’an returned the greeting warmly: "Junior Brother Shouzhe, it’s been over two months since our hurried farewell at the Academy. I didn’t expect we would meet under such circumstances."
Jii Mingyu, Li Yangde, and another core female disciple, Qian Cailing, also hurriedly returned the greeting, all calling him "Junior Brother Shouzhe."
They all knew Wang Shouzhe was the named direct disciple of the Changchun Ascendant.
Although carrying the term "named," they all understood it was a result of circumstances, and the Changchun Ascendant could take Wang Shouzhe as a direct disciple whenever he desired.
Moreover, they felt it was only natural. This Junior Brother Shouzhe was not even thirty yet, and he had already defeated Jii Mingyu; even if he wanted to join the Profound Ice Hall, their master, the Binglan Ascendant, would likely accept him as a direct disciple.
This is the ethos of the Academy, not concerning one’s background or origin. If your skills are lacking, even if born into a Purple Mansion Family, some core disciples and direct disciples wouldn’t take you seriously.
However, individuals like Wang Shouzhe, who have earned their status purely through their own abilities, even Jii Mingyu respected him greatly, and dared not challenge him again.
After some brief pleasantries, Wang Shouzhe learned their names and greeted them: "Brother Yangde, Senior Sister Cailing. Once this matter is settled, don’t hurry off, allow Shouzhe the chance to host you properly."
Seeing their familiarity, the expressions of various Eighth-Grade Noble Families became somewhat subtle. Marriage allies naturally wore pleased expressions, while others appeared slightly complex.
The Clan Leaders of two Celestial Human Families, Lei Qiwei and Huangfu Jinhuan, showed obvious embarrassment.
They were at the forefront, aiming to gain favor with the Academy’s direct and core disciples but didn’t expect them to be so familiar and closely connected with Wang Shouzhe.
Even Lord City Guard Xiahou Hongde paused for a moment before stepping forward, laughing, "Who would have thought Clan Leader Shouzhe is so acquainted with the esteemed figures here, truly enviable. However, this is not the place for conversation; I have already prepared a banquet at the Hundred Flavors Pavilion, ready to welcome the esteemed figures."
Clearly, he had also noticed the awkwardness among other families and sought to ease it.
Meanwhile, Wang Shouzhe’s status in his mind was raised a few levels. It seemed the information he received from the Academy was not comprehensive; he still underestimated Wang Shouzhe!
Faang You’an and the others, naturally did not refuse Xiahou Hongde’s gesture, and, following orders, entered the city with the group.
Escorted by the City Defense Camp, the group went straight to the Hundred Flavors Pavilion.
Of course, the Hundred Flavors Pavilion in the Changning Guard couldn’t compare to the headquarters in Longzuo County.
Upon arriving at the Hundred Flavors Pavilion, they found the shopkeeper Qiaan Xue’an of the Qiaan’s Trading Company Longzuo branch had long been waiting at the door.
He, with his growing belly resembling the Maitreya Buddha, smiled welcomingly to Faang You’an and the core disciples of the Purple Mansion Academy.
Upon seeing Qian Cailing, he bowed deeply and called, "Xue’an greets Aunt Cailing."
"So it’s Xue’an." Qian Cailing sized him up, "Just two or three years and you’re fatter again. I didn’t expect you to be in the Changning Guard."
Qian Cailing had a significant impression of Qiaan Xue’an.
Originally just an unremarkable direct lineage son, yet now rising steadily with commendable achievements for the family, even the family ancestors mentioned his name twice.
What an honor! Even Qian Cailing, a core disciple of the Academy, increasingly remembered Qiaan Xue’an.
Naturally, this was because Qiaan Xue’an was quite adept at networking, seizing opportunities to visit the Academy every two to three years.
Qiaan Xue’an frequently bestowed benefits to Qian Cailing, leaving her with a deep impression.
Though this exchange seemed trivial, the patriarchs of the Changning Guard once again became serious, marking a significant reminder in their hearts.
Among the core disciples of the Academy, this female core disciple named Qian Cailing seemed the least notable; yet she hailed from the Qiaan Family.
In the entire Longzuo County, the Qiaan Family was a famous Fifth-Grade Noble Family with significant prestige, almost unchallenged.
Even Wang Shouzhe cast several glances at Qian Cailing, surprised that Senior Sister Cailing was the aunt of Qiaan Xue’an.
The Purple Mansion Academy indeed was a place teeming with hidden talents.
Or rather, the heritage of the Longzuo Qiaan Family was indeed profound.
Afterward, naturally came a warm reception, with Qiaan Xue’an, a master of ceremony, the atmosphere became much livelier.
After three rounds of drinking.
Faang You’an’s expression turned serious and he addressed the table, "My friends, we have eaten and drank, but the disaster cannot be neglected. I’ve been entrusted by the Governor’s Mansion and the Academy to oversee and manage the disaster, and I’ll need everyone’s help. Lord City Guard, I saw quite a number of refugees gathered near the Changning Guard earlier, has this matter been properly arranged?"
At the mention of serious business, everyone’s faces turned solemn.
Xiahou Hongde spoke gravely, "The floods in the downstream of the Anjiang have been extremely severe, with numerous refugees moving east. As only thirty percent of Changning Guard’s territory was affected, many refugees have gathered here and are reluctant to leave. I’ve ordered the construction of several temporary refugee camps and opened the granary to provide porridge to refugees. However, as the number of refugees keeps growing, our food reserves in Changning Guard’s warehouse are limited, and eventually, we won’t be able to sustain them."
Faang You’an frowned, "Our group of senior brothers arrived first, and a few junior disciples are coming via land, collecting supplies along the way, but distant resources cannot quench present thirst. We need local families to lend their strength."
Upon hearing this, everyone fell into a period of silence.
Westpeace Dang Family Dang Zhenghe smiled bitterly, "Inspector General, our Westpeace Dang Family has been completely flooded, and tenant farmers and civilians from our jurisdiction have fled to Lin Town’s territory. Without assistance, our Family might..."
The other families also showed bitterness, indicating that it wasn’t harvest season, and each family is living off reserves, with each suffering considerable losses.
"Food is not a big issue." Shopkeeper Qiaan Xue’an said, "I can manage to gather some, which should suffice for the short term. But as the refugee numbers grow, will we have to send them elsewhere? From what I know, upstream Dingnan Town and Zhenze Guard are suffering from more severe disaster, countless fields and houses destroyed, especially Zhenze Guard, perpetually submerged with countless casualties. Those remaining tenant farmers and civilians are likely homeless."}
"Hmph!" A trace of killing intent flashed in Faang You’an’s eyes, "Dingnan and Zhenze Guards neglected flood defenses, leading to this calamity. The days of those two city guards might be numbered. For now, these refugees need placement; please kindly make arrangements."
Hearing this, the noble families again silently pondered and calculated.
Wang Shouzhe understood it wasn’t their fault.
After hundreds of years of development, most family territories in Changning Guard were saturated. Increasing tenant farmers and laborers wouldn’t significantly boost the economy but rather increase consumption, becoming a burden.
Yet they couldn’t easily ignore Faang You’an’s request, considering his role as "Inspector General."
Despite his gentlemanly demeanor and amiable appearance, angering him might lead to the destruction of an Eighth-Grade Family as a warning.
After brief deliberation, the family heads expressed their positions: one family would accept one or two thousand refugees, another would take two thousand; despite their utmost efforts, the refugee accommodation was but a drop in the ocean.
Some even suggested diverting refugees to East Sea Guard or other guards.
At this moment, Huangfu Jinhuan stood and said, "Our Huangfu Family is willing to accommodate five thousand refugees."
Lei Qiwei quickly added, "Our Lei Family is also willing to accept five thousand refugees."
With this, Faang You’an’s look of concern eased considerably, at least these local powers weren’t entirely shirking.
"Senior Brother Yoou’an." After deliberation, Wang Shouzhe stood and said, "Our Ping’an Town is willing to accommodate forty thousand refugees."
What?
Forty thousand refugees?!
Everyone was shocked, their gazes fixed on Wang Shouzhe, filled with unbelief.
Wang Shouzhe seemed regretful.
Were it not for an inability to handle all at once, he hoped to accommodate all refugees, as Wang Family’s upcoming development plans demanded numerous populations.
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