A Good Country Wife-Chapter 605 - 599_1

Just by imagining, one could guess what the scene would have been. The human heart, it’s not that doing a good deed will necessarily be rewarded. If it’s an ill-conceived kindness, not only will there be no return, but it could also invite disaster. When that time comes, it won’t just be their family that can’t settle things well, even the village will be dragged down with them.

Of course, Lin Yue wasn’t completely indifferent. She still took in a few suitable people to work, or those who were honest, capable, or possessed a special skill and were willing to pledge their service to her family. Lin Yue left these people to stay, which did not impact her family and the village and also provided them with hope for survival. Even if pledging service was a last resort and they lost their freedom, working for Lin Yue, as long as they did so for a while, they all knew she was a good mistress and willingly stayed.

"Magistrate, the number of refugees in the city is increasing. Those troublesome people have caused unrest since entering the city, not only stealing chickens and dogs, but also brazenly engaging in robberies. The citizens are in a state of panic. Many families from aristocratic households have come to the Government Office to lodge complaints. The situation is very fierce indeed. I had to report to you, Magistrate, because I can’t hold out any longer. Please instruct me on what to do."

Ceng Lu had no mood to enjoy wine, dance, and the beauty of women at this moment. He had just received a letter from the Capital City, which said that the Emperor was very angry about the embezzlement of the relief funds by the officials in Jiangnan, and many had been dealt with already. While the situation in Xin’an City wasn’t severe, it was still a disaster-stricken area and under the Emperor’s close scrutiny. Ceng Lu was advised to restrain himself lately and manage Xin’an City well, avoiding any serious problems at this critical moment. The Ceng Family’s foundation was not as strong as those of the aristocratic families, who can confront the Emperor with their power backing them. Even if the Emperor was enraged, they wouldn’t be affected much. The Ceng Family was entirely reliant on imperial favor; only because an Empress from their family was in favor did they have today’s glory. Once the Emperor unleashed his anger, not only would the Empress be implicated, but the Ceng Family would also face a catastrophe.

Since taking office, Ceng Lu had been inactive and only knew to indulgently accumulate wealth. This was the first time he took interest in administrative affairs. In the past, he would leave such matters to his advisers.

"How could this be! Our disaster situation isn’t that severe, so why are there so many refugees causing trouble in the city? Haven’t you ordered the constables from the Government Office to patrol and maintain order in the city?"

Ceng Lu initially thought that managing a small place like Xin’an City, which wasn’t severely affected by disasters, would be quite straightforward. Now, hearing that the situation had become so serious, he truly felt it was a thorny and troublesome issue. He could not think of a solution, but the letter from home had repeatedly emphasized the urgency, and even though he had been careless in the past, he knew that this time, he couldn’t afford any slip-ups. This wasn’t like the fights he got into in the Capital City, where his family back him up and clean up the mess. If he messed up this time, not only would he suffer, but his entire family would also be dragged down with him.

"Sir, I’ve assigned more constables to patrol the streets, but it’s useless. The refugees are too many. Not just from inside Xin’an City, but some come from other disaster-affected areas. They have banded together and caused trouble. It’s truly detestable. Ordinary families dare not leave their homes now. Even when they’re at home, they block their doors with heavy objects, fearing these refugees might break in."

"Then what should we do about this? Adviser, aren’t you full of ideas? Come up with a solution quickly. The letter from the Capital City said we absolutely cannot afford any mistakes at this time."

"Ah, Magistrate, your Servant thinks since it’s the refugees causing trouble, we should just drive these troublesome people out of the city. Once we close the city gates, no matter how many refugees there are, they won’t be able to come in, and you can rest easy." The Adviser was only good at scheming but without genuine talent, and a mind not suited for good deeds, somehow he came up with perverse ideas.

"Right, right, let’s do that! Adviser, you’re really smart. What a great idea! Go and send people to do it immediately. Drive all those troublesome people out of the city, so we don’t have to worry about them causing more trouble!" Ceng Lu was a wastrel and because he didn’t know what to do with the refugees, he felt a big headache. Now after hearing the Adviser’s suggestion, he actually thought it was good and hurriedly urged his subordinates to carry out the task.

"Don’t worry, Sir, your Servant will take care of it immediately. The matter will be handled beautifully. As for refugees from other areas, we can drive them out, but some are citizens of our own Xin’an City, your subjects. Shouldn’t we open the granary to provide relief to them, so everyone knows you are a kind and benevolent official?"

Ceng Lu wanted to do something at this time to show the Capital City that he wasn’t entirely useless and had some ability to act. Little did he know, the Adviser was greedy and not really considering his reputation or the wellbeing of the citizens. He just wanted to profit from the situation, and most of the grain would likely end up in the Adviser’s own pocket.

The refugees were already at the end of their ropes. Originally they hoped to come to Xin’an City and beg for food. Unaware the Magistrate would have them all driven out of the city, what hope did they have left for survival? They began to revolt, confronting the government. Unfortunately, they were not as numerous as the Adviser had told the Magistrate, and the Adviser had even called in the local army. Even though they resisted, they were suppressed, driven out of the city, and many were killed or injured in the process, piling misery upon despair.

Refugees from other areas were just furious. Being driven out wasn’t a new experience for them; every city they came to treated them similarly. After all, being penniless, they had to commit despised acts to survive, left with no choice or alternatives. But some of the refugees were originally from Xin’an City. They already had complaints against Ceng Lu’s actions over the past two years, and this only intensified their hatred for him.

"This damned official wants to drive us to death! How are we supposed to continue living?!" an old man sitting on the ground said sorrowfully, his face full of grief and frustration, his words filled with despair. The common people cannot contend with officials, and as angry as they were, they were powerless against the Magistrate’s actions and the military’s suppression. Even if they resisted, they would not fare well.

"Alas, what can we do? Can we really fight against the government? Let’s take each day as it comes. Who made us end up with such an official as our leader? If it were Magistrate Chen from before, our Xin’an City would have been much better. Magistrate Chen loved the people as if they were his children and wouldn’t ignore the suffering of us common folk."

"I heard that Madam Lin from Zhao Family village is kind-hearted and has helped many people! Not sure if it’s true or not, but we don’t have any other options now. Why don’t we go and seek refuge with Madam Lin? It’s also a hope, maybe we can beg for some food," someone suddenly said within the crowd, and everyone immediately saw a glimmer of hope, like a drowning person clutching at a piece of driftwood, unwilling to give up.