TFWYH – Chapter 380 Increase in Refugees

That was only the explanation given to the public.

Closing the city gates wasn’t just to guard against criminals — more importantly, it was to keep out the refugees.

It wasn’t that Su Yuan didn’t want to do good deeds; it was that there were simply far too many people fleeing the famine.

Some came from Wutong Town, others from nearby villages…

The gates of Xiangxi Town were already surrounded by refugees, and their numbers were still increasing.

These people were starving — once let inside, who knew what they might do?

Xiangxi Town could barely protect itself as it was; it truly couldn’t withstand riots.

The Shen boy didn’t know all this. Hearing the explanation, he immediately grew anxious. “How can that work? What about the people from Huanshan Village? Are you not letting them in either?”

The scholar said helplessly, “There’s no other choice. On the famine roads there are too many vicious people — arson, murder, looting — even exchanging children to eat happens. If we let them into the city, something will definitely go wrong. In extraordinary times, we can only protect ourselves first.”

The Shen boy opened his mouth but couldn’t say a word in rebuttal.

He hadn’t personally experienced famine flight, but his father had when he was young, and had told him many stories about its cruelty.

He knew the scholar was right.

But… but…

“This still isn’t right!” The Shen boy’s eyes reddened with urgency. In his agitation he grabbed Ling Yu’s sleeve and spoke incoherently, “Young Master Yu, I know you’re in a difficult position. But… what if there are good people among them? You can’t lock everyone outside! And also — my father once fled famine to settle in Huanshan Village. He said if officials shut refugees out of the city, once they’re starving enough they’ll storm the gates. That would backfire!”

Ling Yu tugged at his sleeve but couldn’t pull it free. A trace of impatience crossed his brow. “You’re right — but that only happens when people are starving beyond reason. Although we’re refusing entry, we distribute porridge outside the gates once a day to prevent desperate actions.”

As long as they weren’t starving, the refugees wouldn’t act rashly.

Su Yangyu and Xie Wenjie were watching the situation outside the city at all times. Even if a few troublemakers appeared, they would be stopped quickly.

This way, Xiangxi Town could gain a little breathing room — time to stabilize the chaos inside the city and wait for imperial aid.

The Shen boy pressed on anxiously, “Then what about my parents? What about the people of Huanshan Village? Are you just going to ignore them?”

Ling Yu finally lost patience and looked down at the hand clutching his sleeve.

The Shen boy instantly reacted and let go as if shocked. “Sorry — I was too anxious. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“It’s fine.” Ling Yu brushed his sleeve, expression calm.

He said it was fine, but the Shen boy could tell — the black-hearted one was annoyed.

The scholar also seemed to sense Ling Yu’s displeasure and quickly took over: “We’re not ignoring the surrounding villages. Madam Ling is currently growing edible sprouts called bean sprouts — they have high yield and a short growing cycle. A few days ago we already sent people to deliver seedlings to various villages. The portion for Huanshan Village will be delivered personally by Madam Ling tomorrow. If you’re worried about your parents, you can go back with her to check on them.”

“But my wife…”

Forget it.

The Shen boy wasn’t someone who couldn’t take a hint.

Ling Yu was truly busy, and the yamen was short-handed — he couldn’t keep troubling them.

He would just have to ask the aunt living next door to keep an eye on his wife.

…

Ling Yu didn’t return home for several days in a row, helping handle city affairs while patiently instructing the scholar.