Wu Laoliu and Yang Xiu led the oxen in front, while Zhou Yi sat on the oxcart. Behind them were the innocent people who were lucky enough to survive the disaster.
Along the way, Zhou Yi saw mostly dilapidated houses, and almost no building was intact.
After walking for a while, Zhou Yi and the others came to a building that had half collapsed. A big cowhide drum that fell from the door could vaguely tell that this was the former Yamen.
Wu Laoliu took the lead and jumped in front of the drum, beating the drum vigorously with his intact arms.
Dong dong dong~ dong dong dong~
The big drum was beaten by Wu Laoliu, making it rumble.
Wu Laoliu shouted while knocking: "Old Qiantou, the county magistrate sent by the imperial court is here!"
After a while, a middle-aged man wearing a shabby police uniform walked out of the Yamen with three people in a hurry.
The leading policeman excitedly ran to Wu Laoliu and asked, "Wu Laoliu, what did you just say? Has the court sent a new county magistrate?"
Wu Laoliu pointed at Zhou Yi who was sitting on the bullock cart with his intact finger and said, "That gentleman is the newly appointed magistrate of Pingliang County."
Qian Yong looked at Zhou Yi on the bullock cart, quickly walked down the steps, knelt down in front of Zhou Yi, and said with tears: "Sir, you are finally here. The court has finally not forgotten us people in Pingliang County!"
Zhou Yi quickly helped Qian Yong up and asked him in detail about the situation in Pingliang County.
Although Pingliang County is a remote town, it originally had more than 800 households and more than 5,000 people six months ago. However, after the war disaster half a year ago, the entire county now probably has less than 2,000 people.
Even the previous county magistrate and master were because of their strong personalities and would rather die than surrender. In the end, they pledged their lives to the country, and their heads were chopped off by the Huns and stuck on spears as a demonstration.
In the end, Qian Yong collected the bodies of the county magistrate and the master after seeing the Huns retreat and return.
After hearing Qian Yong's description, Zhou Yi and Yang Xiu felt a chill above their necks.
"Sir, I don't know when the imperial court's border troops and rescue supplies will arrive in our county?" Qian Yong, the catcher, asked tentatively.
Zhou Yi already knew from the memory of the original owner that the Chen State was rotten to the core, especially after the traitorous prime minister Yan Song came to power, the entire court was thrown into chaos.
In order to earn a lot of money by selling his official position, Yan Song, the traitor prime minister, messed up the court system, which was like the system of three gongs and nine ministers, and the system of nine ranks and Zhongzheng.
As long as he can afford the price, even a first-rank minister in the DPRK can buy it.
Of course, no matter whether it is one rank or several ranks, the biggest one besides the emperor is Yan Song, the unranked prime minister.
Now, except for a few officials in the Kyoto court, all others were 'promoted' by Yan Song.
Therefore, corruption is so prevalent in Chen State that it is difficult to stop it, and many knowledgeable people are saddened by this.
As for the rescue and supplies that Qian Yong just mentioned, we have not seen them for more than half a year. It is obviously impossible to have them again.
Zhou Yi snorted coldly and directly exposed Qian Yong's fantasy: "It's been more than half a year. Those dog officials above the imperial court have not allocated food and sent troops. Are you still thinking about these nonsense?"
Zhou Yi's words were not loud, but the people around him heard them clearly.
In an instant, the surrounding people who had heard Wu Laoliu say that the government was going to release grain relief all looked gloomy, and the fire in their eyes was extinguished.
Zhou Yi saw the disappointed looks of the people around him and their figures preparing to leave. Seeing that the time was almost up, he shouted loudly again: "Fellows and fellow villagers, the thieves are now in power in the imperial court, and the emperor favors the evil concubine. I was deceived by traitors and caused this disaster to all my fellow villagers."
Zhou Yi would not use the food provided by his own system to buy the emperor's heart, so he continued: "Your suffering can be said to make those who hear it sad and those who see it cry. Seeing your miserable situation today, I, Zhou Yi, really can't bear it. Fortunately, I, Zhou Yi and Zhou Xingjian, have a lot of family resources, so I decided to destroy my family to relieve the difficulties and tide over the difficulties with everyone."
"The grain I bought in Zhouyi will be delivered to our Pingliang County tonight, and grain relief will be officially distributed at noon tomorrow."
The people present who were about to disperse gathered together again.
Zhou Yi continued: "But if you want to drink this relief food, you can't do it without working. Our city wall in Pingliang County is now in dilapidated condition and cannot defend against any enemy invaders. Starting at midnight tomorrow morning, we will start repairing and strengthening the city defense from the south. .”
"No matter men, women, old, weak, sick or disabled, as long as they play their part in repairing and strengthening the city defenses, they can all have our porridge at noon."
Regarding the repair and reinforcement of the city wall, the people present were actually not opposed to it, and even supported it from the bottom of their hearts. However, everyone was skeptical about Zhou Yi's ability to arrange food on time.
"Captain Qian, go and send someone to the county to count the population in our county. Give me a detailed breakdown of men, women, old and young. In addition, especially those who can read and know some crafts, let me know clearly. "After that, he led Yang Xiu towards the dilapidated government office.
Qian Yong quickly arranged for two people to count the population according to Zhou Yi's instructions, and he followed the county magistrate into the government office.
To be honest, Qian Yong didn't think that Zhou Yi, who was quite wealthy, could support the entire population of Pingliang County.
Even if all the family property is sold, I'm afraid it won't last a few days.
"Qian Putou, where is the granary in our county?" Zhou Yi asked directly.
Qian Yong was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly replied: "Do you want to use the grain from the granary to help the victims?"
"The food in our granary was robbed by Hun thieves half a year ago."
Zhou Yi also knew the result, shook his head and said: "Didn't you hear what I said before? Didn't I say that the food I raised will arrive tonight, and I need to find a suitable place to store the food."
As soon as Qian Yong heard that food was coming, he immediately led the way diligently.
Not long after, Zhou Yi was taken to a place where grain was stored.
Just like what Qian Yong said, this granary is so clean that rats can starve to death. But fortunately, the invading Huns soldiers did not destroy the granary.
Otherwise, Zhou Yi wouldn't even know where to put the food provided by the system.
"Captain Qian, go find some locks and re-lock these granaries. Just give the keys to Yang Xiu when the time comes. The person who delivers the food later will go to Yang Xiu." Zhou Yi ordered.
"By the way, this Yang Xiu will be the master of our county from now on."
Yang Xiuxi, who was following Zhou Yi, said with a smile: "Detective Qian, from now on we will assist the county magistrate together. Please give me your advice."
Qian Yong took a look and immediately knew that Yang Xiunai was Zhou Yi's confidant. He quickly responded politely: "Master Yang, please take good care of me in the future."
Although the entire Pingliang County was plundered by the Xiongnu bandits, you can still find a few useful locks in the city.
When Qian Yong found the lock, he began to test Yang Xiu's words: "Master Yang, when will the food raised by the county magistrate arrive at night? Do you need us to send someone to help carry the food?"
Yang Xiu shook his head lightly, took the locks from Qian Yong's hand, and locked the granary.
After Yang Xiu locked the empty granary, he said mysteriously: "There is no need to bother Qian Qian to transport the grain. Before noon tomorrow, Qian Qian, you only need to send people to Nancheng to pick up a few large grains." Boil water in the iron pot, and then send a few more people with me to transport grain to the warehouse."
