Chapter 49: Jiangcheng

Lin Feng naturally had quite a knack for making grilled fish. This was one of the essential culinary skills for wilderness survival from his past life, and he mastered the heat, texture, and flavor to absolute perfection, making everyone thoroughly enjoy the meal.

As the group was eating heartily, they saw seven or eight ragged commoners walking over from the dense woods along the road. There were old and young, men and women, all of them sallow and emaciated, swaying in the wind like willow catkins as if they could barely withstand a gust.

An old man wobbled and suddenly collapsed on the ground.

Liu Ruofu hurried forward, asking, "What is wrong with him?"

The little girl beside the old man cried, "Grandpa hasn't eaten anything for several days."

Liu Ruofu said to Zhang Yuan, "Quickly go get some food!"

Tian Xi'er also ran to the carriage and brought out a large package of flatbreads that Mother Tian had baked before they set out.

They began to eat ravenously. Lin Feng said, "Do not eat too fast. Drink some water and take your time."

Having starved for days, gorging oneself suddenly could lead to trouble.

Finally, they were all full, and they expressed their utmost gratitude by kowtowing and thanking Liu Ruofu and the others.

"Old man, where are you from?"

"We are from Pingyang Town by the sea. A few days ago, Japanese pirates suddenly arrived. They burned, killed, and looted, stopping at nothing, and even violated and killed my daughter!" The old man wept bitterly, tears streaming down his face, choked with sobs.

Zhang Yuan rolled up his sleeves, "I'll go slaughter the bastards!"

"They have probably already left. They never stay long after burning, killing, and looting." The old man sighed. "We didn't dare to return; there's no telling when they might come back."

"Did the village chief of your town not lead anyone to resist the pirates? What about the men from the coastal defense garrison?" Liu Ruofu frowned and asked.

A man curled his lips in disdain, "Who knows about the coastal defense garrison? We've never even seen them. As for that village chief, who knows where he hid himself!"

"What?! As a village chief, to flee without fighting—he is simply the scum of the imperial court and a disgrace to officialdom!" Liu Ruofu said angrily, "When I return to Jiangzhou, I will certainly report this to the Prefect to have him dismissed from office and investigated! And the coastal defense garrison as well—nowhere to be found at a critical moment. How can such soldiers protect the country and its people?"

Hearing Liu Ruofu's words and realizing he was an imperial official, the old man immediately led the others to kowtow and kneel, "This humble commoner pays respects to Your Honor!"

"Everyone, get up quickly." Liu Ruofu immediately helped the old man to his feet.

Zhang Rou said, "Husband, let us hurry to Jiangcheng. This matter requires serious attention."

"Alright, we depart right now." Liu Ruofu looked at the old man and asked, "Old man, where do you plan to go?"

"We do not know. We will just find a safe place to settle down first."

"It is not far to Jiangcheng from here. Why don't you come with us? If we walk quickly, we can reach Jiangcheng by evening, and I will see if I can find a place for you to settle."

"You truly are an upright and benevolent master!" The old man bowed in gratitude.

"Old man, you are not in good health. Ride in the carriage with your granddaughter," Zhang Rou said.

"How could that be? I am not worthy!"

"Just listen to me. Zhang Yuan, help the old man onto the carriage."

Lin Feng spoke up, "Ride in my carriage instead; my sister-in-law is also not feeling well." With that, Lin Feng helped the old man into his own carriage.

Since Liu Ruofu loved the people like his own children, how could he not support and back him?

There truly were good officials in ancient times, and Liu Ruofu was quite simply the best among them.

Liu Ruofu still arranged for Tian Xi'er and Xiaodie to board his wife's carriage.

The group delayed no further and journeyed all the way toward Jiangcheng.

Finally, as night fell and the city gates were about to close, they arrived in Jiangcheng.

Upon seeing refugees, the city guards were reluctant to let them enter the city. It was only after Liu Ruofu displayed his official credentials that the guards immediately granted passage.

In the night of Jiangcheng, brilliant lanterns illuminated the streets like the Milky Way fallen to earth. Pavilions and terraces stood everywhere with carved beams and painted pillars, and shops and restaurants lined the streets closely. Fragrant aromas of delicious food drifted through every alley and corner, and pedestrians came and went in an endless stream.

Tian Xi'er, standing beside Lin Feng, exclaimed in awe, "Jiangcheng is so beautiful."

Lin Feng smiled, "This is a famous metropolis of the Great Chu, hardly inferior to the Chu capital itself."

Having never left home before, Tian Xi'er had rarely even visited a county town, let alone the imperial capital.

"Brother-in-law, where are we staying?" Zhang Yuan asked Liu Ruofu.

"It is impossible to go to the Prefect's Yamen tonight. They will probably arrange accommodations for me tomorrow. Let us find an inn to stay for the night."

"What about these people?" Zhang Yuan pointed at the refugees following them.

"They will all stay at the inn."

The old man shook his head, "Your Honor need not worry about us. We can just make do on the streets for the night."

"That will not do. Since I brought you to Jiangcheng, I cannot let you sleep exposed to the wind and dew." Liu Ruofu pointed at an inn on the street and told Zhang Yuan, "Go book several rooms."

"I'll go with you." Lin Feng accompanied Zhang Yuan to the inn. Zhang Yuan muttered speechlessly, "My brother-in-law has no money yet insists on playing the good guy. In the end, it's all my money being spent, and those three carriages are rented by me too. If he's so noble, why doesn't he pay out of his own pocket? Honestly, can these refugees stay in an inn every day? Even if he reports to the Prefect's Yamen tomorrow, will the Prefect arrange housing for these refugees? He's imagining things quite nicely, treating Jiangcheng like Luping Town. There are plenty of officials here whose rank is much higher than his."

"What official post is he taking up?" Lin Feng asked.

"Just a provincial judge, a mere lower seventh rank. He really thinks he's somebody."

Lin Feng said, "Since we are newly arrived, we shouldn't bring up these refugees right away. Let's see how things stand after he reports for duty tomorrow. Furthermore, it would be best if he visits his teacher, the Prefect, tonight. That way, he won't have wasted his teacher's instruction and patronage. When the Prefect sees he is thoughtful, he will surely value your brother-in-law even more in the future."

Zhang Yuan gave a thumbs-up, "Brother, you truly are a brilliant strategist. If you became an official, you would certainly go far."

"This is just human nature."

"Human nature is something my brother-in-law knows nothing about. He's just too pedantic; everything he does is stubborn and inflexible."

Lin Feng smiled, "Actually, a talent like your brother-in-law is extremely rare. If everyone were so worldly, where would we find upright officials who work for the welfare of the people?"

"That's true as well... Come on, let's go book the rooms."

There were only four rooms left in the inn.

With no other choice, they had to squeeze in together.

Lin Feng, Liuhe, and Zhang Yuan shared one room; Liu Ruofu and his wife took another; and Zhang Rou's maid, Tian Xi'er, and Xiaodie shared the third.

The refugees were all crammed into a single room. There was no help for it, but at least it was better than sleeping on the streets.

After settling in, Lin Feng, Zhang Yuan, and Liuhe decided to stroll around Jiangzhou City, taking the opportunity to have some wine and food.

"Brother, I passed your words along to my brother-in-law. At first he hesitated, but then my sister persuaded him too, so he went to Magistrate Liang's residence."

"That's good. What gifts did he bring?"

"Just the few packages of spiced peanuts you gave us. That was my sister's idea."

Lin Feng nodded, "When visiting a mentor, the value of the gift doesn't matter; sincerity is what counts. These spiced peanuts are at least a rare delicacy; Jiangcheng probably doesn't have them."