Chapter 156: Fortified Defense and Scorched Earth Policy.

Eastern Fortune Inn closed its doors.

Shortly after returning, Xu had the staff hang up a temporary closure sign and gathered all the employees to inform them about the current situation. He distributed the food supplies from the storeroom among them, advising everyone to return home, store food, and avoid calamity.

With Eastern Fortune Inn ceasing operations, other small and large shops in the county, previously watching and waiting, began to close and hurriedly plan their next moves.

As the second troop of soldiers entered the county, Xu had just finished distributing supplies. Hearing the sound of marching from outside, he peered out the window. Troops from Xu County, even more numerous than the first group, marched in. He watched for a while without seeing the end of the column.

Chef Yu, standing beside him, murmured, "So many troops have been called up. Does this mean we'll be safer?"

Xu didn't know what to expect. He simply shook his head and replied, "I hope so."

……

"People in the county town are in a state of panic, and the situation in the surrounding villages isn't any better."

"In Ten Mile Village, the sound of the gong sends the few remaining families into a frenzy of fear. Is it conscription, grain requisition, or forced labor?"

"Everyone's scalp tingles at the thought."

"It can't be grain requisition; there's none left to take. To do so would be to demand their blood, their lives."

"Yet, like domesticated animals trained by humans, they instinctively leave their homes and head towards the drying grounds at the sound of the gong, regardless of their willingness or fear."

"Despite their slow pace, their feet unwaveringly point towards the destination."

"Shen San, Li Shi, and the children at home, including Shen Jin, hesitantly head towards the drying grounds as well."

"This time, Zhou, the village official, arrives with a change. Along with the usual clerks, there are ten armored soldiers. Zhou stands at the side, humbled, letting the clerks do the talking. Gone is his former pomp, replaced by visible fear and uncertainty."

"The villagers listen intently, only to realize their guesses were all wrong."

"It's neither conscription, grain requisition, nor forced labor. Instead, they're instructed to move into the county town. The northern refugees have turned into bandits and are approaching Qi Yang County. Recent assaults and sieges in nearby counties have left a brutal trail: murder, arson, looting, and more."

"The names of the counties mentioned by the clerk mean little to the villagers, most of whom have never ventured beyond Qi Yang. But the terms 'refugees' and 'bandits,' as well as the grim consequences described, are terrifyingly clear to them."

"With each word from the clerk, the villagers' breathing grows heavier, haunted by the thought of starving refugees turned ruthless bandits."

"Everyone's minds are consumed with thoughts of being robbed and killed, to the extent that the order to relocate to the county town was almost entirely overlooked. A single thought dominates their minds: it's over!"

"The group of sixty to seventy people is thrown into frantic disarray."

"Seeing no one focusing on the crucial point, the clerk grabs the gong from Zhou, the village official, and strikes it forcefully."

"‘Listen up! The imperial court has dispatched troops to guard the county town. If you want to survive, bring your grain, clothes, and bedding, and move to the county town for refuge immediately. Bring all your food! Only after the bandits are subdued can you return.'"

"Finally, the key points sink in."

"There are two critical points."

"First, the imperial court has sent troops to protect them."

"Second, they need to relocate to the county town, which has walls and garrisoned troops."

"The initially despairing and panicked people suddenly find hope, with some exclaiming joyfully, 'The imperial court has sent troops, with the troops here, there's nothing to fear!'"

"Those who are more aware furrow their brows, realizing something, and ask, 'Our food supply is already low. In the village, we can still find some wild vegetables in the mountains to fill our stomachs, but once in the county town, where will we find food like that?'"

"This comment brings the previously elated people back to reality: 'Right, once we're in the county town, where will we live? There’s no place for us to find food, right?'"

"In the county town, even entering and exiting requires money, not to mention food and lodging."

"‘And what about our crops in the fields? Without anyone to tend them, won't they just wither and die?'"

"This prompts a chorus of agreement. The crops are their lifeline, especially now when their own food supply is so limited and their survival depends on the growth of these crops."

"Even Shen San, who fears death, suddenly realizes that once they enter the county town, they won't be able to tend to the crops in the fields, and where will his sons go to trap pheasants and hares?"

"He's just tasted the sweetness of their catch twice."

"While the crowd buzzes with questions, Shen San doesn't dare to make a sound, just pricking up his ears, focusing on the officials to hear their stance."

"What can the clerk say?"

"The county yamen has some stored grain, but whether it's enough for so many people and whether the County Magistrate Wei will open the granary without higher orders is uncertain."

"But these aren't his concerns. Right now, he can't show weakness; when the sky falls, the tall ones will bear it, not a minor clerk like him. His only task is to execute this assignment properly."

"With this in mind, the clerk lifts his chin and declares, 'Food and shelter will be taken care of by the officials. Just follow the instructions and hurry back to pack. You have an hour to take everything edible. We'll be waiting here in the drying ground.'"

"No one moves."

"An old man bravely asks, 'But sir, what about our crops in the fields? When will the bandits come, and how long will it take to repel them? If the crops are neglected, people will die. We have no more grain at home.'"

"His voice trembles, but he manages to articulate the most pressing concern in everyone's mind."

"This is beyond the clerk's purview, so he glances towards the leading soldier among the accompanying troops."

"The leading soldier, who has been stoic throughout, does not even glance sideways when the clerk looks at him but continues to gaze at the crowd of villagers, adjusting the sword at his waist, and declares, 'Moving you to the town is to save your lives. Military matters are not for you to question. If bandits come, forget the crops; all of you will be ghosts under the knife, and your money, grain, and women will belong to them.'"

"'Stop your nonsense. You have one hour. Men, go home and pack; send one woman from each family to the fields. Everything edible, including crops that can be consumed now, must be taken. Don't leave a single grain or vegetable for the bandits.'"

"If it weren't for the fact that it's still early for the autumn harvest, even the young rice plants would need to be uprooted and destroyed."

"His words cause an uproar among the villagers, but the soldier partially draws his sword, and the crowd instantly falls silent."

"The man presses his hand on the sword, his face cold. Speaking slowly but oppressively, he urges, 'Everyone, speed it up.'"

"Zhou Lizheng, who had been silent since entering the village, finally speaks up, echoing the soldier's words, 'Yes, yes, hurry up. Did you hear that? One woman from each family to the fields, the rest pack at home. Take all food, salt, and anything edible, along with clothes, bedding, and valuables.'"

"The villagers of Shili Village, intimidated by the sword-bearing soldiers and the yamen runners, exchange glances, realizing it's not the time for questions."

"After repeated military conscriptions and the departure of many families, the village is left with few able-bodied men, and none dare to confront the sword-bearing soldiers."

"And with bandits on their way..."

"Swallowing hard, the villagers head back home, their hearts in turmoil."

"As they leave, the leading soldier gestures with his head, and his troops understand, following the villagers."

"Before arriving, they had asked Zhou Lizheng about the village; with only a dozen or so households remaining, one soldier per house is more than enough."

"The villagers, planning to discuss amongst themselves, find the sword-bearing soldiers following them and dare not even speak."

"Fortunately, the soldiers only follow them to their yards, overseeing their packing without being overly intrusive."

"Once inside the main room, a bit away from the courtyard, Li Shi whispers urgently, 'What do we do? Are we really going to the town?'"

"Shen San looks at her as if she's foolish, 'What choice do we have? Stay here and wait for the bandits? Do you want to die? Don’t you know what refugees turn into when they become bandits?'"

"Li Shi, having experienced fleeing from famine, knows all too well."

"Her lips trembling, she's at a loss for words."

"Xiaojin squeezes his mother's hand, and Li Shi looks down to see him forming a word with his mouth."

"The hidden cave."

"The hidden cave, yes, there's still the hidden cave."

"But is the cave truly safe? Hiding temporarily is one thing, but can we stay hidden forever? If bandits linger around here, we'll have no choice but to flee deeper into the mountains."

"Heading deeper into the mountains... Li Shi feels apprehensive about it."

"Yet, if we go to the town, there are high walls and stationed troops for protection. But then, we'll lack wild vegetables and game. Will the government really provide us with food?"

"What should we do?"

"Li Shi's mind is in turmoil."

"Confused and anxious, she voices her concerns, 'Once we're in town, if we run out of food, will the government really take care of us?'"

"Shen San is already rummaging through their belongings, gathering silver, land deeds, and house deeds — essentials to take with them."

"Hearing Li Shi's question, he responds without turning around, 'Whatever happens, everyone from all the villages is going. With so many people, can we all starve to death? If it comes to that, the yamen will be surrounded, and some officials will go down with us.'"

"‘Don’t worry. If it's just one person starving, no one cares. But if hundreds or thousands are starving, the yamen can't just watch idly. Didn't they distribute food to refugees last year? When there are many, even the yamen gets fearful.'"

Li Shi feels somewhat reassured: "That makes sense."

Remembering the food and dried meat hidden in the cave, she doesn't dare delay any longer. While it's unclear why men are to pack at home and women to dig up vegetables, she realizes that retrieving the hidden supplies is something she can do more conveniently.

Li Shi heads to the kitchen to find empty baskets and a hoe, followed closely by Shen Jin and Shen Yin. The soldiers, stationed in the yard, merely glance at them without moving.

Once inside the kitchen, Shen Jin whispers to Li Shi, "Mom, are we really going to the town?"

He looks warily at the soldiers, feeling distrustful of the officials and troops due to past incidents with the yamen forcefully collecting and stealing grain, and Shen Jin finds himself growing anxious.

Li Shi hesitates for a moment but nods, lowering her voice, "The town has high walls and soldiers to protect it, which is safer than hiding in the cave. In the cave, we'll need to go out for food and water. If bandits and soldiers clash and linger, and we stumble upon them, it could be disastrous."

Shen Jin is torn about what to do.

His brother only taught him to beware of refugees, but he had not prepared him for the government gathering them in the town for refuge against bandits.

After all, Shen Jin is just nine years old, how could he comprehend all these complexities? Hearing both his parents assert the town's safety, he suppresses his unease and focuses on a more immediate concern.

"Mom, besides the cave I dug, the two others big brother made for me also have some grain stored."

His brother had advised that when bandits come, he might not have the chance to choose which cave to hide in. Therefore, he dug several in different locations, storing a bit of food in each, ready to use whichever was accessible at the time.

Li Shi was aware that Shen Lian had helped dig two additional caves, but she had only visited one with the children and had never been to the others.

Hearing there was also food in these other caves, she tensed up, "Is there much?"

Shen Jin replied in a low voice, "There's dried meat given by big brother, and some soybeans."

Li Shi gritted her teeth, "Then grab a backpack and come with me."

The mother and son, one with a carrying basket and the other with a backpack, were stopped at the door by the soldier.

"I said only one person is allowed to go."

Li Shi, looking distressed, coughed twice, "Sir, I've been seriously ill and am still weak. There are several plots of vegetables in the mountains, I'm afraid I won't manage alone in an hour. Please let me take a child to help."

The soldier looked at Li Shi's thin and pale face, not seeming to fake it, then glanced at Shen Jin, not yet ten years old.

Noticing three more children clinging to the door looking out from the kitchen and main room, he waved them off, "Go, but stay honest and don't wander. Every county around has moved into the town, leaving not a single grain or vegetable outside. What do you think those refugees and bandits will eat?"

"Once everyone is in town, the army will sweep through each village, leaving nothing for the bandits – a scorched earth strategy. With heavy military presence in town, children like yours become prime targets."

Li Shi, catching a meaningful smile from the soldier, understood the unspoken implication of his last remark, shuddering involuntarily and nodding hastily, bowing deeply, "Understood, we’re just going to gather vegetables, you see we have several more children at home."

The soldier smiled, unconcerned.

Their mission was only to ensure that all able-bodied men entered the city and to leave no grain behind. As for women and children, it was best if they could be brought along, but they couldn't do much for those few determined to seek their own demise, having already given their warnings.

……

Shen Jin, carrying a basket on his back, followed his mother out of the village. After walking a distance and looking back, he noticed soldiers stationed outside every remaining household.

He asked in a low voice, "Mom, if they're here to protect us, why are they watching us pack up?"

Li, recalling the soldiers' words, felt her legs go weak.

Entering the city doesn't guarantee survival from starvation, but not entering means either being devoured by wild beasts in the deep mountains, or, for those lacking the skills to survive there, facing cannibalism…

Cannibalism, she had actually witnessed it.

That year of severe drought... Long-forgotten memories surged, tormenting her with the thought of her and her children in such dire straits. Li's hands shook violently as she gripped the carrying pole, tremblingly uttering after a long while, "Don't ask, let's hurry and move into the city."

……

Usually, smoke would rise from each household at dinner time, but the villages outside the county were eerily silent. Meanwhile, the official road leading to Qiyang County was crowded with people carrying burdens, resembling refugees, lined up endlessly, grouped by villages and guided or driven by officials and soldiers towards Qiyang County.

Near the city gate, many county residents came to witness this scene, including ordinary folks and wealthy families who had moved into the county early in the chaos.

Once distinct classes, they now shared the same expression upon seeing the endless line of people outside the city, confirming the rumors were true.

The faint-hearted retreated and hurried home, thereafter living cautiously behind closed doors in the county.

While the wealthy commoners, followed by their servants, didn't hurry to leave, their expressions were equally grim.

Some impatient ones were already gritting their teeth, whispering to familiar acquaintances, "With so many people coming into the town, where will the food come from? Won't our families…" potentially be fleeced again by that Mr. Wei?

Those who were more composed glanced at the person who just spoke and said, "Our food doesn’t grow by magic either; it will all be abandoned in the fields. Is there any surplus left? Unless Brother Chen still has some in store?"

Chen, caught off guard, then relaxed his expression with a flicker in his eyes, "Brother Wang jests. Who could have surplus food in these times?"

……

Xu, the innkeeper, blended into the crowd with his old servant, watching group after group enter the town. After quite a few had passed, his servant Xu suddenly whispered, "Ah Lang, look over there, that group just arriving, two adults and four children…"

On hearing this, Xu looked in the direction, but in the crowded space, the described group wasn’t easily identifiable. However, as they approached, his servant whispered again, "They’re coming."

Xu then spotted the group of six, turning to his servant, "Are they the children?"

The old servant nodded.

Xu closed his eyes and sighed.

Entering the town, he couldn’t say whether it was good or bad right now.

Without saying more, he waited for the group from the ten-mile village to pass by before saying, "Let’s follow and see where they are being settled."

The old servant opened his mouth, unsure of what to say.

They themselves had limited food in the city, especially after his family had arrived; self-preservation was already a struggle, let alone taking care of others.

Xu, the storekeeper, knowing what was on his mind, said, "Let's first secure a place to stay, then we'll talk about the rest."

Shen Lie's request that day was simply within his means.