The Tyrant's Beloved Empress

65

Edited and Proofread by KitKat

During the mid-month of June, Shen Tu Xu had finally escorted the ten thousand "prisoners" to Yanzhou.

Although they managed to keep their lives, they were nevertheless convicted and exiled. The treatment they received along the way was largely cruel. By the time they reached Yanzhou, they were malnourished and dressed in rags.

After both sides had tallied the prisoner count and exchanged documents, Shen Tu Xu's task was completed. And since there were matters to take care of back in Suzhou, he took his leave thereafter.

Xiao Zhige then assigned officers to make arrangements for these civilians.

Yanzhou's expansion had not begun while the newcomers were fairly populous. They had not figured out where to allocate them and it was not advisable to abruptly introduce them into the city. It was a good thing that they had prepared a temporary shelter at the city outskirts with residents ready to guide them.

Although the exiled people were unhappy about leaving their home, they dared not step out of line in front of the Northern Warlord. Everyone had resigned to their fate. They complied with the soldiers' instructions, leading them towards the city's border.

They thought that they would have to live without a shelter over their heads and labor away day and night. But when they arrived, they saw that a massive stretch of land had been filled with rows of well-made thatched huts. Furthermore, over ninety giant pots of boiling porridge were spread evenly across the whole area.

The people's despondent expression soon began to change. They looked eagerly at the thatched huts and hot porridge and wondered if those were prepared for them.

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Since this group of people consisted of civilians from different provinces around Kangyong County, Xiao Zhige believed that instead of appointing his men to take charge, it was best to let them manage themselves.

After the group had quietened down, the people at the front, who were mostly elderly men, cautiously stepped forward. They looked at Xiao Zhige with the eyes of a prisoner waiting to be executed.

It was at this point that An Chang Qing's role became prominent. He gathered the village chiefs and others who had gained considerable reputation during the rebellion and discussed the arrangements with them. After which, they would return and relay to their respective groups.

Having heard An Chang Qing's speech, these people were all surprised. They had thought that after being exiled, they would just have to wait for their death and there was little hope for a better future. They had never thought that when they reached Yanzhou, not only had they not been treated as criminals, they were also given a path to continue their livelihood!

The village chiefs and leaders were so touched that they were speechless. They bowed appreciatively and said, "Thank you Wangye and Wangfei for your benevolence. We will never forget your kindness!"

An Chang Qing let them leave to relay the details to their people which they did so with enthusiasm.

Upon hearing about the plans An Chang Qing had for them, the general masses were filled with joy. They had thought that they were doomed, having turned into convicts and exiled, but after arriving at Yanzhou, their hopeless situation had turned for the better.

An Chang Qing and Xiao Zhige stood side by side watching the people queuing up for food with smiles on their faces. They couldn't help but feel deeply moved. It had taken An Chang Qing many days to formulate and organize the arrangements for these civilians. But the happiness he felt having convinced the senior officials to accept his proposals was nowhere as satisfying as witnessing this scene.