As soon as the leader finished speaking, the other patrolling Yamen Runnerss unsheathed their Broadswords with a clang. The people from Tianjia Village and the others also nervously gripped the axes and kitchen knives in their hands; for a moment, the atmosphere was tense and a conflict was imminent.
Before Qin Sang could speak, San Gui stepped forward with a smile, his hands open:
"Oh, how could we, Official? Aren't there many displaced people along the way? We're just carrying these things for self-defense, self-defense, self-defense."
Tian Sangui emphasized the last two words, saying the important part three times. After speaking, seeing that the Yamen Runners leader made no further move, Tian Sangui scolded his own team:
"Eldest Uncle, Uncle Xu, put them away, put them away. Don't let the Official misunderstand."
The villagers knew San Gui was trying to curry favor with the Officials and didn't want to remain in a standoff, so they all tucked their weapons into their back waistbands.
The Yamen Runners leader's expression finally relaxed with satisfaction. Tian Sangui continued to smile apologetically:
"Official, look, they're all put away. You've worked hard on your patrol. Please take this small amount of money for tea; don't look down on it."
A heavy small cloth bag was stuffed into the leader's palm. Seeing the other party weigh it and then put it away, Tian Sangui continued:
"We have an appointment with Steward Huang. Could you, Official, make it convenient for us? If you're worried, you can see us to Steward Huang's Residence with your own eyes, how about it?
Nowadays, this Town is unstable everywhere. If we have Officials like you accompanying us, we clodhoppers would feel much more at ease."
Having taken the money, the leader no longer intended to make things difficult. He waved his hand, making Tian Sangui take two steps back, and the others also sheathed their swords:
"Go on, go on. Continue the patrol."
Once the patrolling Officials left, the smile on Tian Sangui's face lost some of its hypocritical sincerity:
"These people never actually intended to fight us. We have more people and they have fewer; only a fool would try to arrest us and hold us accountable."
The villagers thought about it and realized it made sense. Tian Yougen said indignantly:
"These grandsons—when you want them to catch someone, they can't, but when it comes to asking for money, they're all experts."
Qin Sang knew he was referring to the incident where someone had surreptitiously attacked and cut him in the neighboring village last time; it had been reported to the authorities, but there were still no results.
During such a long Drought, the Government officials hadn't handled anything. When the Locust Plague came, no Officials came out to provide relief or record losses. The imperial court provided no disaster relief grain, and entering the Town even required paying protection fees to the Officials.
Qin Sang had no good impression of the Officials in this area, so much so that she couldn't even force a smile.
Qin Sang was very satisfied with San Gui's cleverness and stepped forward to pat his shoulder:
"You handled that very well. How many Copper Coins did you give just now? Mother will reimburse you when we get back."
Tian Sangui was delighted and was about to say five hundred wen, but then he thought about how his wife had been fined several hundred wen a few days ago, so he said honestly:
"One hundred wen. Huan'er said she wanted me to bring her some snacks."
Qin Sang hummed in response; pregnant women were prone to getting hungry:
"After we finish the deal, we'll go to the general store and see if it's still open."
They finally arrived at the back gate of Steward Huang's Residence. Under the wall, two teams of guards were patrolling with swords and spears. Steward Huang's servant had been waiting at the back gate for a long time.
Seeing Qin Sang's team approaching, he arranged for servants to open the gate, ushering Qin Sang and the others to drive their carts into the backyard, and then went to inform Steward Huang.
Hunter Xu and the other villagers were sensible enough not to follow inside. Only Qin Sang, bringing Lao Da, Lao San, and Xiao Wu, led the mules and horses into the backyard.
In the backyard, many carriages were parked, and maids and servants were busy packing things. Fortunately, the backyard was large enough; even with Qin Sang's two additional carts, it didn't seem too crowded.
The Apothecary Shopkeeper was also there. Scales, paper, and brushes were already prepared, just waiting for the carts to be unloaded and weighed.
The Innkeeper of Tongfu Inn came over to greet them:
"Oh, Doctor Qin, we've finally been looking forward to your arrival. You used to arrive earlier than today; I thought you weren't coming."
Qin Sang said with a smile:
"How could that be? On the way here, we went to the Private School. My Xiao Wu was supposed to be studying there, but unexpectedly, the Master of the Private School went to the county seat, and the school is closed.
We were stopped on the street by the patrolling government office for questioning and were only let through after giving quite a few benefits. That's why we're late."
After hearing Qin Sang's words, the Innkeeper also said with lingering fear:
"There's nothing to be done about it. No one expected to encounter a Locust Plague. This Drought was already difficult enough, and now with a Locust Plague, the Heavens simply aren't letting us commoners live."
Qin Sang thought to herself, 'We are commoners, but you wealthy households in the Town might not be.'
However, the people's livelihood affects everything; if no one has money, the wealthy households can't make money either, so they can only curse the Heavens to vent their anger.
"There was even a riot in the Town yesterday evening. Two families in Town were overrun by refugees, and not a single person was left intact."
Qin Sang said worriedly:
"Then are you and Steward Huang doing alright? The losses aren't too big, right?"
Since entering, Qin Sang had been paying attention to the servants and maids in the yard. She asked:
"Is Steward Huang moving?"
The Innkeeper nodded:
"Not only is Steward Huang's Residence moving, but my family is also moving to the county seat. Any later, and the county seat will only allow people to leave, not enter."
Qin Sang couldn't help but be surprised:
"Then what about the mosquito coils business?"
Before the Innkeeper could answer, Steward Huang's voice came from behind:
"This mosquito coils business can only take one more delivery. In three days, I'll take as much as you can make, and the same goes for the mosquito coils. As for future business, we'll have to wait until the Drought eases before deciding."
Qin Sang's expression became somewhat solemn. It seemed that because Steward Huang's Residence was large, it would take three days to move. In ancient times, transportation and information were extremely inconvenient; to know anything, one could only rely on word of mouth. Just like the previous Locust Plague, if the displaced people hadn't reached Songbai Town, Qin Sang wouldn't have known the situation elsewhere was so severe without asking around.
And the group of people who knew the most news were the Officials and wealthy households. These businessmen mostly had dealings with the government; knowing some inside information was much easier for them than for ordinary commoners.
So many people had fled the Town, and now even Steward Huang was in a hurry to leave Songbai Town; this couldn't help but make Qin Sang think more.
Crop failure, government inaction, displaced people scattered everywhere—what was most likely to happen?
Qin Sang had learned a lot from history books—uprisings.
When the time comes, displaced people will start smashing, looting, and burning just to survive. Once it reaches a certain scale, someone will raise their voice and start a rebellion.
When that happens, blood will flow like a river and corpses will pile up like mountains. Commoners like them will all become stepping stones for a new round of rulers.
Qin Sang involuntarily clenched her fists. An answer was already about to emerge in her heart, but her face showed no panic, remaining as steady as a mountain. This was the demeanor she had developed while maintaining her elder persona in front of her family during this time:
"It's good to avoid it. If a riot really breaks out in Town, wealthy households like Steward Huang's will definitely be the first to bear the brunt.
The move over these three days involves a long journey. Steward Huang should still gather as many capable people as possible for protection."