Chapter 1158: The Prince's Flagrant Favor!

the Yan family out to the courtyard.A path was cleared by the crowd as they watched the Yan family members struggle, their faces filled with schadenfreude.The whole family came together, seeking their...The head of the household was afraid of being punished by his master, so he immediately shifted the blame.

"My Lord, it's not that I haven't tried my best. Thousands of refugees simply overwhelmed me. And there are wicked people at work, deliberately trying to sabotage our estate. "

"Over at Broken Gold Beach, they're making a big show of giving greens to the refugees. The refugees are envious that our family isn't receiving any, so they stormed our farm! It's all because the Li family is showing off and drawing attention to themselves; they've dragged us down. They're absolutely despicable!"

Dingbei Hou was naturally furious, but he didn't fully believe the words. He kicked the head of the household several times in anger. He still wasn't willing to look at the mess on the ground and turned his head and walked away.

On the road, he still turned his horse around and rode a long way "past" Suijin Beach.

As a result, at the intersection of the road leading out of the city to Suijin Beach, there were actually refugees queuing up!

Originally, the people of Suijin Beach were quick to act and had collected all the arable land they were owed. There were some immature vegetables left in the fields that everyone felt was a pity to waste.

Thus, the village head went into town to ask for instructions personally.

Li Lao Er was thinking about home today, so he took a day off.

But as the Empress had not yet passed away, it was inappropriate to travel and make a spectacle of oneself. Therefore, he remained at the Earl's residence and did not return to Suijin Beach.

Upon seeing the village head come to discuss, he asked a few questions and learned that there was enough farmland in the village to feed themselves for a year. He immediately agreed to give away the surplus.

Thus, the village head went back with great joy and organized the villagers to start a large fire on a big stove.

All the leftover potatoes and intact greens are chopped up and simmered in water, or mixed with a small amount of cornmeal to steam into buns.

Finally, it was brought to the intersection and given to the refugees, one bowl of vegetable stew and one steamed bun per person.

It wasn't abundant, but it was enough for the displaced people to fill their stomachs.

The refugees were naturally overjoyed to receive food without having to fight or be abused.

It turned out that the host who offered the food was the one responsible for bringing corn and potatoes. Most of the people knelt down to kowtow in gratitude.

For the past ten years, they have been able to eat and stay warm thanks to corn and potatoes.

Even though we are now on the brink of starvation, we must not forget this kindness.

At the Broken Gold Beach, people were huddled together eating dumplings and snacks. They casually told everyone that the fields in Zhuangzi's estate had stopped producing crops, and everything they could send had already been sent.

The refugees all nodded, after all, looking from afar, the Fragmented Gold Beach was indeed bare.

Of course, there are also those who don't believe in it but still have to play by the rules.

Because the soldiers sent from the dockyard camp were divided into ten squads of fifteen men each, constantly patrolling the Golden Sand Beach and its surroundings with their swords on their hips.

Four squads of villagers, along with several large dogs, protected the beach where the gold was scattered.

Dingbei Hou looked from afar for a while, hearing the gratitude of the displaced people towards the Li family. He was both envious and angry.

He was angry that the Li family hadn't warned him sooner, resulting in heavy losses to his farm.

Li was envied because a few vegetable leaves earned him the gratitude of the refugees, and his reputation soared.

All the way into town, he was calculating how to vent his anger.

Thus, under the pretext of reporting on the situation outside the city, he entered the palace again.

The Emperor and the Crown Prince were listening impatiently as the officials continued to chatter endlessly.

The emperor questioned, "Can you come up with any useful solutions at all!"

The crown prince, despite his temper, asked, "With so many refugees already here, and more arriving on the roads every day, how many tens of thousands will eventually gather"

If accommodation can't be arranged, it will become the biggest safety hazard in Xindu. Once things get out of control, it will be difficult to contain them. Moreover, the Mi Le Sect is eyeing us menacingly and could incite peasant uprisings at any time!

"Honorable guests, I urge you to work together at this time and speak your minds freely!"

The officials were also in a difficult position. They weren't unwilling to find solutions, but there was simply nothing they could do.

That's thousands upon thousands of people. Who can just talk their way into getting them settled

Furthermore, a thousand people have a thousand ways. If they speak up and it ultimately doesn't work, even making the situation worse, they won't receive any credit but will be blamed instead.

Whoever takes the lead is the fool!

At this time, Dingbei Hou returned from outside the city. When news of his request to see the emperor reached everyone's ears, they all looked up, eager to hear what he had to say.

The Emperor and the Crown Prince were like that too, so when Lord Dingbei entered, he was met with eager anticipation. It surprised and excited him.

He was about to kneel and perform a grand bow, but the Emperor waved him off. "How are things outside the city How many refugees have gathered Has there been any disturbance"

Dingbei Hou immediately replied, "Your Majesty, I was feeling a bit unwell and planned to go home and see a doctor. But the servants from my country estate outside the city reported that refugees were attacking the estate, so I rushed over."

"As a result, those refugees were utterly lawless. Hundreds of them stormed my farm, destroying all the crops and vegetables, and even injuring the farmers. They were incredibly arrogant and vicious!

"

"The law does not punish the masses, and I have no way to stop it. When returning to the city, I took a special look, and the number of refugees outside the city was about to exceed ten thousand, developing incredibly rapidly!

"

“If things continue this way, disaster is inevitable. Even now, there's some chaos outside the city walls. Refugees are everywhere, looting and pillaging, causing widespread resentment among the local people. Who knows what will happen next Perhaps these refugees will soon storm the gates!”

Everyone listened with grim faces. The Emperor and the Crown Prince were worried about how to handle this, while the other officials were concerned about their own properties. After all, who didn't have estates and farmland outside the city!

It's estimated that their family is probably going crazy with worry, but they've been stuck inside the palace discussing matters with the emperor and can't get out. They also can't send any messages back home...

Ding Beihou looked at everyone's faces, feeling pleased and sensing the time was right. He then spoke again, giving the Li family another "dose of medicine."

He feigned hesitation and said, "However, there are exceptions."

Exception

What exceptions

As expected, everyone looked to him, hoping he would bring some good news.

The Duke of Dingbei, suppressing his excitement, said, "When I returned, I passed by Suijintan. The crops in the fields there were harvested very cleanly, showing that they had been tidied up early and no chance was given to bandits to plunder them."

However, perhaps the Li family was simply too busy and didn't tell everyone.

Now that everyone has suffered losses and the common people despise refugees, Li's family stepped forward with grain and vegetables to aid the refugees, thus winning over the hearts of the people.

All the refugees outside the city say that the Li family is righteous, and they wish they could worship the Li family as their ancestors!

The officials all listened with frowns, unconsciously blaming the Li family for not giving them a heads-up. It was too selfish...

The emperor remained silent, but the prince promptly spoke up, replying, "It has been two days since the refugees appeared. We in the city naturally wouldn't know, but people at Broken Gold Beach outside the city would have a clearer view of the situation."

"Besides, the villagers of Suijin Beach had fled from the north many years ago and endured much hardship. They were naturally more alert to such matters than others. It’s not surprising they are providing food to these refugees. Perhaps they themselves remember their own struggles and have no ulterior motives. Your Excellency is being rather dramatic!"

This was blatant favoritism and protection, and everyone in the room felt it but dared not say a word.

Today's update is here ~~ortals.But today, I suddenly discovered that beneath the beauty, there were also hidden thorns and daggers, as if they were always looking for an opportunity to stab them.My eyes were filled with a be...