Chapter 260: Refugees

Chapter 260: Disaster Victims

After returning home from the government office, Meng Wan immediately wrote letters to the academies in the four counties, informing them to start the break earlier this year and instructing the teachers to warn students to stay alert for natural disasters and not to go out easily.

Recently, the rain had lightened a bit, and no disaster had been reported from anywhere within Xi Wu Prefecture. Song Tingzhou had also sent several letters reporting his safety. Everything seemed fine, yet Meng Wan still felt an inexplicable emptiness.

That night, lying in bed, he left half of the bed curtains hanging. His gaze fell on the newly changed window paper from a few days ago, and he held the double fish jade pendant Song Tingzhou had given him, absently stroking it.

He didn’t know how long he stayed like this. His eyelids slowly drooped, but the tension in his body never eased, as if even in his dreams he was restless.

Until a pair of slightly cool fingers gently touched his face. Meng Wan seemed startled, snapping his eyes open. “Who is it!”

“It’s me, Wan’er, I’m back.” Song Tingzhou lit a candle and placed it on the small table beside the bed. The candlelight illuminated his lean waist and his face, which was faintly visible in the darkness.

Meng Wan was greatly shocked. The next second he sat up from the bedcovers, shivering from the cold. But Song Tingzhou, who should have been on his way to the capital, Shengjing, was actually sitting by his bed.

Meng Wan pinched his gaunt cheek. “What happened? How did you just come back like this? Did the court issue some decree? Or did you fall ill on the way? You’ve been gone less than a month, how did you lose so much weight?”

He asked a rapid series of questions, and Song Tingzhou answered them one by one. “The rain in Lingnan has been too heavy, unprecedented in recent years. I was worried something might happen, so I consulted with the Provincial Administration Commissioner and came back.”

Song Tingzhou took Meng Wan’s hand. “Don’t worry, I didn’t get sick. The whole journey was overcast and rainy, making it hard to prepare meals, so I ate less.”

Meng Wan breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing him dressed only in undergarments, he asked again, “Have you taken a hot bath? I’ll call Gui Cheng to bring hot water from the kitchen.”

Song Tingzhou stopped him. “I already bathed in the study. Don’t bother, let’s sleep soon.”

“Then come to bed quickly. The floor is freezing cold.” Meng Wan moved further inside the bed, leaving plenty of room for Song Tingzhou.

Song Tingzhou got under the covers and expertly pulled his husband into his arms. Meng Wan rubbed against his neck, letting out a contented sigh. The knot of worry in his heart slowly unraveled, as if all his troubles had melted away.

Song Tingzhou wanted to say a few more words, but when he looked down, the person in his arms was already breathing steadily, clearly fast asleep.

He softly pressed his lips to Meng Wan’s cheek, then slowly closed his eyes.

The next morning, when the family saw Xue Sheng, they all knew Song Tingzhou was back. Meng Wan still felt an unreal sense of joy, but it was quickly followed by deep concern.

Although local officials could be excused from the imperial audience in the event of major disasters, Xi Wu Prefecture had not yet reported any serious issues. If Song Tingzhou just came back like this, he might face censure from the court, or even a demotion.

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

Song Tingzhou had already thought it through on the road. “I wrote a memorial to the court while traveling. One copy was entrusted to the Provincial Administration Commissioner to take to Shengjing and submit to the Ministry of Rites. Another copy was sent via courier station to my senior brother, so he could forward it if the Commissioner fails to do so.”

The Provincial Administration Commissioner was his direct superior, so it was appropriate for him to submit it. And even if something went wrong, Lin Congrong would serve as a backup plan.

Chang Jinhua didn’t understand official affairs. After hearing Song Tingzhou’s explanation, she thought it wasn’t a big deal, but her heart ached for his difficult journey. So instead of going to the shop today, she personally went to the market to buy ingredients, saying she would make a nourishing meal for Song Tingzhou in the evening.

Song Tingzhou stopped her. “Mother, no need. I plan to take some men to Deqing County this afternoon.”

“You only came back last night, and you’re leaving again this afternoon?” Chang Jinhua said, still picking up her basket to go out. “Then I’ll go out and buy groceries first. You can eat lunch at home before you go.”

Meng Wan followed her. “Mother, I’ll go with you.”

Song Tingzhou went to the government office to make arrangements. Besides leaving the Vice-Prefect in charge at the office, he dispatched Vice-Prefect Du, Prefectural Judge Zhang, Instructor Shan, Registrar Qiao, and others. Each was to lead a team to inspect the four counties, survey all water conservancy projects within Xi Wu Prefecture, demolish uninhabited houses, and remind residents to reinforce their homes.

At noon, Chang Jinhua and Meng Wan prepared a large table of dishes. During the meal, Meng Wan told Song Tingzhou about the beggars appearing outside the city.

“I’ve already sent someone to enquire. They are indeed from villages around Xi Wu Prefecture. Originally poor, their houses collapsed in the continuous rain, forcing them to beg. I had Qing Xing examine them; they show no signs of epidemic, just severely weakened. I sent people to their villages to help build two small huts so they have a place to stay, and also sent two bags of coarse grain. The rest is up to them.”

In the face of natural disasters, humans are fragile. Meng Wan didn’t concern himself with the adults; he had done his duty. But the children were innocent. He arranged for the two children to go to Songyun Academy, where they could do chores during the day and attend regular classes, working in exchange for their education.

“That’s already very generous. Thank you, husband.” As the Prefect of Xi Wu, Song Tingzhou inevitably had oversights, and he was grateful that Meng Wan could fill the gaps.

After the meal, Meng Wan packed his luggage. The workshops in the prefectural seat had been shut down, and with Tang Jinshuang and Yu Yandong watching over things, it was enough. He would accompany Song Tingzhou to Deqing County.

The family prepared a good number of unleavened flatbreads, steamed buns, dried fruit, and preserved fruits—items that didn’t need cooking—for them to take. Meng Wan suddenly thought of sausages: convenient to carry and store, and good for preventing a lack of meat for long periods without eating meat. Unfortunately, he didn’t know how to make them.

But perhaps someone somewhere had already started producing sausages. He could write in a letter to ask Third Master Zhu to keep an eye out for them.

The last time Song Tingzhou left alone, A Yan had been downcast for two days. Now that both fathers were leaving together, A Yan was even more reluctant. He clung to Meng Wan’s leg. “Adie…”

Before he could start crying, Meng Wan interrupted him. “Get in.”

A Yan stared dumbfounded, tears hanging on his eyelashes. Pointing at himself, he asked, “Me?”

“You’re so old and still crying? How shameful. Get in.” Meng Wan’s tone was dismissive.

Chang Jinhua objected. “It’s raining so heavily, and you’re going on official business, not on a pleasure trip. Why take A Yan?”

Meng Wan immediately changed his expression, grinning cheekily. “Let the child see the world, Mother. Look at my husband—he’s seen all kinds of storms, and now he’s so accomplished. You don’t want A Yan to grow up in a greenhouse and end up like the eldest son of the Yu family, do you?”

Indeed, the now broad-minded Old Yu had been thoroughly tempered by his eldest son, which was why he was so relaxed about Yu Yandong, his second son.

The eldest son had been pampered by his wife and mother until he could not distinguish the four limbs from the five grains. He was spiteful and tyrannical, even snatching things from his own younger brother. His treatment of the concubines’ children was so harsh they were like timid insects. He had done every kind of wicked deed short of murder.

If not for Song Tingzhou keeping the eldest Yu confined at home since taking office, he would probably have ended up in prison.

Everyone in the prefectural city turned pale at the mention of him, and even Chang Jinhua had heard of it.

When Meng Wan brought up the wasted life of the eldest Yu, Chang Jinhua began to waver. “Then… can’t we wait until he’s a bit older? Besides, A Yan is so sweet and well-behaved, nothing like that Yu eldest.”

Song Tingzhou’s tone was somber. “People’s hearts are degenerate, and times are turbulent. He needs to see with his own eyes the ruin beneath the glamour and the coldness of human nature in the face of disaster.”

One sentence from him was more effective than ten from Meng Wan. Chang Jinhua could no longer argue.

By the time they got into the carriage, Chang Jinhua noticed that all three children had climbed aboard. She gritted her teeth several times, but finally couldn’t help asking, “Our own kids are one thing, but why did you bring Tong’er along? He’s so young! If anything happens, how will we account to Rong Geer?”

Song Tingzhou lifted Tong’er up, and Meng Wan caught him. “Don’t worry, Mother. Tong’er is far safer with us than with his two fathers.”

When they left the house and reached the main street, A Xun was waiting at the intersection, carrying a bundle and a medicine chest. Seeing the Song family carriage, A Xun asked, “Master Meng, is Chu Ci going?”

Meng Wan lifted the curtain and smiled back. “He’s in the carriage ahead. A Yan and Tong’er are both coming. Sit with them during the day, and at night share a room with Huang Ye. You’ll be fine.”

“Okay!” Huang Ye took A Xun’s luggage, and A Xun climbed into the carriage with Chu Ci, A Yan, and the others. Since they were all family and still within Xi Wu territory, rules were less strict.

Song Tingzhou and Meng Wan sat in the last carriage, acting as the rear guard. Without the children around, they could enjoy some peace and quiet.

These past days, Song Tingzhou had come and gone in a hurry, not even getting enough sleep. Now he was about to set off again in the rain for Deqing County.

As soon as the carriage left the boundaries of Xi Wu Prefecture, Song Tingzhou lay down in the carriage and fell asleep.

Meng Wan covered him with a quilt, placed two hand warmers beside him, and kept watch while eating dried fruit and reading a book.

What was reassuring was that Deqing County was their own turf. Once there, the hardship of travel would be over.

But when they finally arrived at Deqing County, Meng Wan saw dozens of refugees gathered outside the city gate.

Song Tingzhou, his face grim, descended from the carriage and ordered the constables nearby to shield Meng Wan and the others. He then spurred his horse forward with Chi Yu and Tao Ba.

When they saw people arriving, the refugees at the gate surged forward in a mass.

"Mister, please give us some food. We haven't eaten in three days."

"Anything to eat will do—dry or wet, we don't mind if it's dirty or stinky!"

"Move! Let me through! My child is dying of illness—let us into the city! Xiao Shi, wake up! Don't fall asleep! Open your eyes and look at your mother!"

The city guards weren't heartless, either, but the County Magistrate above them had ordered that no refugees be allowed into the city. To keep their jobs, they could only block the way.

Chi Yu and Tao Ba pushed through the refugees crowding around them. Song Tingzhou, his face cold, walked up to the city guards, pulled out his token, and tossed it to one of them. "Go find Fei Jing. Tell him to get the hell out here and see me within half a stick of incense."

The soldier held the token with both hands and sprinted into the city. Half a stick of incense later, Fei Jing galloped over, followed by the Deputy Magistrate, the clerk, the Scribe, and other subordinate officials of Deqing County.

"Your Excellency the Prefect, why didn't you just enter the city? Did these blind idiots block your way?"

"Blind idiots?" Song Tingzhou's voice was colder than the bitterest winter wind. Very few people could anger him like this anymore, and Fei Jing was one of them.

By then, he had already found out who the refugees at the gate were. A Xun and Chu Ci were examining the sick.

Pointing at the beggar-like commoners, Song Tingzhou berated Fei Jing: "As a magistrate, you should care for the people like your own children. Is this how you treat your people?"

Fei Jing quickly bowed. "Please understand, Your Excellency. These refugees are not from within West Wu Prefecture—they are drifters from Qinzhou!"

"How dare you make excuses!" Song Tingzhou thundered. "To gather the displaced and keep them from becoming homeless is the duty of a magistrate. Never have I heard of a county magistrate refusing to shelter disaster victims in a time of crisis!"

Song Tingzhou took a deep breath, pushed past him, and strode into the city. "Magistrate Fei, I will surely write a memorial to His Majesty recounting your deeds. West Wu Prefecture can't accommodate a big shot like you anymore."

Fei Jing's knees buckled. If the secretary hadn't caught him, he would have hit the ground. He staggered after Song Tingzhou. "Your Excellency! Your Excellency, calm down!"

The gate guards were at a loss, so they turned to the Deputy Magistrate for advice. "Lord Chen, should we still block these refugees?"

"Block? Block them? Can't you see the Prefect is furious?" The Deputy Magistrate sneered. Fei Jing was done for. That bastard should have been kicked out long ago.

Song Tingzhou summoned all the doctors in Deqing County to examine the dozens of refugees. After confirming they only suffered from malnutrition and colds, with no infectious diseases, he ordered treatment for the sick and temporarily housed the rest in the outer courtyard of the county school.

Meng Wan didn't actually own a house in Deqing County, but there was a courier station and Songyun College.

Considering the size of their group—mostly men—and that the courier station was mostly warehouses and the winter was cold, staying at Songyun College was more convenient.

While Song Tingzhou went to the county office to reprimand officials and settle the refugees, Meng Wan led the group to Songyun College to set up. Some scholars had houses outside the college; for those who didn't, Meng Wan rented two courtyards for them to live in.

Otherwise, with so many men staying together, the scholars of Songyun College might feel uncomfortable.

They borrowed the students' beds for now, and spent the rest of the day unpacking and making the beds.

"Father, how long will we stay here?" A Yan ran over to ask Meng Wan, who was folding clothes.

"If things go smoothly, maybe half a month and we'll go home. If not... maybe after the New Year." Meng Wan replied with a complicated expression.

A Yan had grown up and was as sharp and thoughtful as Meng Wan. He thought of the pitiful people who had entered the city with them. "Is it because of those refugees?"

It was the first time he had heard the term "refugees," but he already understood its meaning—people without homes, forced to wander.

Meng Wan stroked his head and noticed A Yan had grown to above his waist. He said with a sense of foreboding, "These refugees are manageable. What I fear is if tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, become refugees—that would be a nightmare."

Hopefully, it was just him and Song Tingzhou overthinking.

After settling the refugees, Song Tingzhou organized the officials of Deqing County to act swiftly: inspect all villages in the county for disaster conditions, dredge rivers, check dams, and reinforce the houses of poor residents.

Sure enough, problems were found.

A constable from Deqing County galloped back to the county office to report, "Your Excellency! The dam in Maolin Town is about to collapse!"