Chapter 140: The Suburbs

While Cai Yu was making a grand show of gathering his men, the refugees outside the city had already amassed like an ocean. In just one night, news of the shelter and free porridge had spread for miles around. Starving refugees with hollow cheeks flocked to the Zhizhou soup kitchen, clogging it up completely.

Qiao Tianya watched as the crowd surged forward. The men in charge of maintaining order at the front of the queue were already overwhelmed. He gave Fei Sheng a subtle nod. Understanding, Fei Sheng stepped back and instructed the Imperial Guards to tightly secure the grain wagons while replacing the local guards to keep the queue in check. These guards wore black robes and carried swords, their formidable presence intimidating any potential troublemakers.

"Your Highness," Qiao Tianya raised his arm to shield them from the crowd, whispering to Shen Zechuan, "It's almost dark, and we've been here for two days and a night. It's about time we retreat to the back."

Shen Zechuan had just finished speaking with an elderly refugee and didn't turn around when he heard Qiao Tianya. Instead, he put away the blue handkerchief he had taken out and said, "There's no harm in staying a bit longer."

Qiao Tianya surveyed the surroundings, noticing the crowded masses of haggard refugees. Concerned that in the event of a conflict, someone might take advantage of the chaos to harm Shen Zechuan while scrambling for food, he suggested, "Your Highness, stand at the back, near the grain carts. It's just as good."

Shen Zechuan gazed upon the forest, its foliage tinged with hues of autumn. The sky was painted with fiery clouds resembling shredded cotton candy, and the sun had already set halfway, signaling that darkness would soon fall. Having spent two days and one night outside the city, he finally withdrew his gaze and said, "There's no rush."

* * *

As twilight descended, lanterns illuminated the shops along the streets within the city. Tea State no longer boasted many taverns or teahouses, but due to the proliferation of brokers, numerous brothels had sprung up in secluded corners. For his gathering, Cai Yu summoned his own gang leaders, men who relied on him for sustenance and typically engaged in no legitimate livelihood. Fond of bullying the weak, they often tyrannized the city and frequented brothels year-round. When summoned, some stumbled out half-dressed, their eyes still bleary from intoxication. Cai Yu's loyal followers dared not offend them and had to coax and flatter these men to get them to leave their quarters.

While they were calling out names and organizing their ranks, Luo Mu and Kong Ling began their own preparations on the other side.

Kong Ling bowed to the assembled gang leaders and said, "As you all know, Chizhou is here to sell grain. If we can overcome this danger tonight, the rice prices will only drop further tomorrow."

One of them replied, "Words without evidence won't convince us, how can we believe you?"

Kong Ling then stepped aside, introducing Luo Mu, "My words might not carry weight, but Lord Luo's surely do, don't they?"

Luo Mu had repeatedly extended his aid, providing these small gangs with considerable silver over the past half-month. Recently, they'd been severely suppressed by Cai Yu, so much so that they dared not even venture out of their alleys during the day, let alone obtain the affordable grain at one tael and five dou. Cornered by Cai Yu, they relied on Luo Mu's support, naturally willing to trust his words.

Luo Mu cleared his throat and said, "Currently, Cai Yu alone controls the granaries in the city, and the prices are exorbitant. Not to mention ordinary citizens, even we find it unaffordable. Chizhou's offer is reasonable, comparable to Qidu, and more importantly, they've pledged not to raise prices in the future. I've already signed an agreement with Chizhou, and black and white cannot be falsified."

The gang leaders whispered among themselves.

Kong Ling continued, "I understand your concerns about the Yan family, but as they say, a quick pain is better than a prolonged one. Rather than letting the Yan family continue to control Chazhou's lifeline through Cai Yu's influence, it's better for all of you to take matters into your own hands. Besides, Cai Yu is willing to lower prices today because Chizhou's rice is too cheap. If we fail to eliminate him tonight, the rice prices in Chazhou will inevitably return to their original state once our Chizhou grain wagons leave."

To unite people, one must first explain the benefits and risks. Kong Ling was well-versed in this principle. Originally, Chizhou had set the price at one tael and eight dou per stone, but Shen Zechuan had refrained from mentioning the lowered price these past two days precisely to boost morale at this crucial moment.

Pausing briefly, he added, "According to our magistrate's intention, if everyone is willing to contribute, once Cai Yu is defeated, the rice price will be even lower, three dou less than one tael and three dou per stone!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted into excitement.

In Qudou, rice was sold at one tael per stone and five dou, but Zezhou offered one stone and six dou – a deal far more generous than Cai Yu's token gesture. Beyond the grain, they saw a path to survival in Chazhou in the future. Most importantly, the first batch of autumn harvest would not be bought with their own money, but with Luo Mu's. After Cai Yu fell, they could loot the granaries of the Cai Estate in Chazhou. With these two sources combined, they wouldn't have to worry about winter this year.

The crowd responded with enthusiasm, morale soaring.

Kong Ling nodded at Luo Mu and then addressed the minor gang leaders, "Cai Yu's men haven't left the city yet. Everyone, remain calm. We have our plans."

Around midnight, Cai Yu's troops marched out of the city. These bandits utilized the armory of Chazhou's garrison, and though their equipment was outdated, it was well-maintained. With swords, shields, and armor, they appeared somewhat like a regular military force from a distance.

When his trusted aide scouted the outskirts earlier that morning, there were only a thousand or so, but now, as they poured out of the city gates, the endless sea of soldiers clearly outnumbered that by twofold. There were only fifteen hundred of Cai Yu's men within the city, and he had brought a thousand with him. At the crowded city gate, their bravery wavered slightly.

"Why so many people all of a sudden?" The leader from the back peered out, "They're packed like sardines!"

The trusted aide turned around, his face beaming with a smile. "Starving to the point of being unable to walk, can they even be considered human? What matters now is the grain carts. Our Lord has said that if any of you can manage it, the entire stock of grain from Chizhou will be distributed among you, the leaders."

The leader counted the people silently. Seeing that they were indeed destitute refugees with tattered clothes, and that there were pitifully few guards from Chizhou, he declared, "With the Big Boss's assurance, we'll do it! Did you see those Chizhou guards? A few carts for each head taken down. Whoever kills more will get a larger share of the grain when it's time to divide it up!"

The group of men rubbed their fists eagerly. Without waiting for the aide's command, they surged forward in a swarm.

* * *

As Shen Zechuan lifted the bowl of porridge to his lips, he heard a deafening cry of battle. A group of bandits emerged from the main road, brandishing their swords and axes. Fortunately, the guards from Cizhou were stationed at the edge, engaging the bandits in close combat. Fei Sheng immediately shouted towards the crowd of refugees, "They're stealing food! Cai Yu has sent people to steal our food!"

Fei Sheng's voice was strained but not loud enough. However, the nearby refugees, already panicked, began pushing and shouting, "They're stealing food! Cai Yu's men are here to steal our food!"

Upon hearing this, the gang leader on the other side grew bolder and laughed sinisterly, "Stealing food indeed! Whoever stands in our way will be sacrificed to the blades! Brothers, charge!"

The Cizhou guards were outnumbered and couldn't withstand the bandit's onslaught. The refugees behind them were crushed together, cries of pain echoing everywhere. Seeing this, the bandits took it as a chance to taunt and intimidate, dragging out the elderly, weak, and women with children, threatening them with their swords, "Not only are we taking the food, we'll kill too! Kill, kill!"

A woman holding her child had her hair pulled by a bandit, trembling in fear as she sobbed and pleaded. But these bandits were seasoned villains; instead of showing mercy at her cries, they burst into laughter and reached for the child in her arms.

Suddenly, a hand shot out from the crowd, blocking the bandit's blade.

Qiao Tianya flicked his robe aside with a grin, "Killing, huh? Why bully people? It's no fun listening to all this wailing. Just swing that blade cleanly!"

The bandit exerted force, but the blade wouldn't budge. He yelled, "Well done! Let go!"

Seeing the man's face turn red with effort, Qiao Tianya stepped back a few paces. The gang leader stumbled after him.

Standing at the back, Shen Zechuan spoke up, "What's the point in playing with them? Qiao Yueyue, let go and give him back his sword."

Qiao Tianya replied, "Indeed, indeed. I'll let go, I'll let go right away!"

No sooner had he said that than Qiao Tianya actually released his grip. The bandit was yanked forward by the force and lunged at Qiao Tianya. Qiao Tianya dodged to the side, then kicked the bandit in the rear, sending him flying into the crowd right in front of Shen Zechuan.

The bandit attempted to rise, his gaze trailing up the white robe. Just as it was about to linger on Shen Zechuan's chest, it was halted by the tip of Yanshan Snow's scabbard, pressing against his hairline.

Shen Zechuan's demeanor shifted, his gaze sharp and resolute as he declared, "I have come to Chazhou for the welfare of its people. If Cai Yu refuses to let me enter the city, so be it. But why must he dismantle the soup kitchen? Go ahead and tear it down if you must, but do not harm anyone in the process."

His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, yet it was clear enough for everyone around to hear. The people of Tea State had suffered greatly due to the combined efforts of Cai Yu and the Yan family in raising grain prices. Amidst their collective sorrow and anger, many wept upon hearing the cries of the rescued woman.

How could this bandit know that he had fallen into a trap? All he could think about was the head the Chief had mentioned earlier. Since he couldn't lift his head, he cursed against the ground, "The Great Leader is the sky over Tea State. Can you stop him from tearing down and killing as he pleases?!"

Shen Zechuan slightly released the pressure on him and said, "This grain—"

Before he could finish, the bandit grabbed the knife that had fallen within arm's reach and slashed at Shen Zechuan's chest. Qiao Tianya had already moved, but he couldn't match the bandit's proximity. The blade was headed straight for Shen Zechuan. However, in that fleeting moment, the bandit clearly saw the calmness in Shen Zechuan's eyes, as if he had been waiting for this.

The scabbard of Ersan Snow's sword struck with a loud thud, hitting the side of the bandit's blade. But along with the sound came a sprinkle of fresh red, splattering onto Shen Zechuan's sleeve.

The man beside Shen Zechuan slumped to the ground, terrified, "Someone's been killed!"

Qiao Tianya initially assumed the blood belonged to someone else, but upon closer inspection, it was Shen Zechuan's left hand that was bleeding.

Amidst the wailing, Fei Sheng, from a distance, shouted with all his might, "Who dares harm my lord?"

Upon his words, the Imperial Guards drew their swords in unison. The chamberlain behind Qiao Tianya, recognizing the challenge they faced by the way Qiao had caught the blade, quietly retreated a few steps and ordered, "Follow the Chief's directive – slash them to pieces!"

The bandits in front of Shen Zechuan were still alive. Qiao Tianya swiftly kicked them to the ground from behind, but before he could draw his own sword, several men emerged from Shen Zechuan's back, pouncing on the bandits with fists and kicks. The crowd's fury reached its peak, and in an instant, the refugees charged, recklessly colliding with the bandits.

"Cai Yu, open the granary! These villains deserve death! Protect our benefactor!"