The imperial cause at the end of the Han Dynasty was not one of partial peace.

Chapter 96 On the Eve of Chaos, Recruiting Refugees

The great victory at Yichun greatly enhanced Liu Bei's reputation in Jing and Yang provinces. Within a month, more than 10,000 of Zhang Ya's defeated soldiers surrendered, more than ten mountain strongholds of the Yue people were destroyed, and more than 5,000 households and more than 30,000 people of the Yue people were taken in as allies.

When the good news reached Linxiang, the entire county was in an uproar, and people spread the news far and wide.

Liu Bei left Qian Zhao to temporarily oversee the defense of Yichun before leading his army in a triumphant return. The grain transport ships newly delivered by the Huang family of Nan Commandery proved invaluable.

The grain, supplies, gold and silver artifacts captured in Yichun, along with copper, cinnabar, animal hides, and medicinal herbs accumulated by the Yue chieftain over the years, filled more than forty ships. They were transported down the Yuan River, into the Xiang River, and back to Linxiang in a grand procession.

As for the more than 30,000 Yue people who surrendered, Liu Bei, Tian Feng, and Guo Yuan discussed the matter repeatedly and decided on a method of distributing them separately.

The Yue people are skilled in mountain farming, bamboo and wood weaving, and especially adept at kudzu and hemp weaving. If these skills are left to the mountains and forests, they are merely means of making a living. However, if they can be introduced into workshops, they can become resources for industrial development.

Therefore, the prefectural government issued an order: all the Yue people skilled in weaving were to be assigned to the newly established hemp and kudzu workshop of the Brocade Bureau, which provided several hundred women, among whom more than a hundred young girls were particularly valuable and were all assigned to the brocade workshop.

Skilled bamboo and wood weavers were housed in a newly built bamboo and wood workshop outside the west gate of Linxiang.

The remaining elderly, weak, women, and children were placed in Liling and Chaling counties, given land to cultivate, and exempted from rent for one year.

More than 30,000 people were settled in an orderly manner, and no one was cold or hungry, and no one was displaced.

By the time everything settled down, it was already the scorching heat of July.

The cicadas chirped noisily along both banks of the Xiangjiang River. The early rice in the fields had already been harvested, and farmers were busy turning over the soil in preparation for transplanting the late rice.

In Linxiang City, the flag pavilions in the East and West Markets still raise and lower flags every day, and merchants come and go like shuttles.

Liu Bei had already prepared in Linxiang to face the accusatory document from Wang Rui, the governor of Jingzhou.

However, everything was calm and peaceful.

Wang Rui did not send any official document reprimanding them, nor did the prefecture send any inspectors. It was as if the incident of the Changsha troops crossing the border into Yuzhang had never happened.

The Han dynasty is now in chaos, and compared to the turmoil in all directions, Liu Bei's journey of crossing dozens of miles to help fight and quell the rebellion in the neighboring region, with the aim of protecting the Han dynasty's counties and towns, is really insignificant.

In Yizhou, the Yellow Turban Rebellion swept through three prefectures. In Liangzhou, the rebels were difficult to control and their momentum was immense.

But what enraged the emperor the most was the matter of Ji Province!

The current emperor, weary of his long stay in the deep palace of Luoyang, issued an edict in early summer of this year, declaring his intention to travel north to his old residence in Hejian. Hejian is the hometown of Emperor Xiaomu and Emperor Xiaochong, and also the fiefdom he held before ascending the throne. The emperor wishes to return home in glory and see the place where he was born and raised.

The imperial edict caused an uproar throughout the land.

Wang Fen, the governor of Ji Province, conspired with Xu You, Zhou Jing, and other powerful figures to depose the emperor and install the Marquis of Hefei as emperor. Wang Fen used the pretext of "bandits from the Black Mountain plundering Ji Province" to mobilize tens of thousands of troops, ostensibly to clear the road, but in reality to deploy troops to await the emperor's carriage.

Fortunately, the Grand Astrologer observed the celestial phenomena at night and said, "There is a red aura in the north, stretching across the sky from east to west; it is not advisable to travel north." So the emperor stopped.

When Wang Fen realized his plot had been exposed, he committed suicide out of fear of punishment. His associates either fled or were executed, causing great shock in Ji Province.

But what troubled the emperor even more was—who was Wang Fen? He was a member of the partisan faction, a pillar of the righteous stream. If even he dared to collude with bandits and plot to depose the emperor, who in the world could be trusted?

Thus, the emperor conceived the idea of ​​establishing the Eight Colonels of the Western Garden. The so-called Eight Colonels of the Western Garden were nominally selected from the elite troops of the empire to guard the imperial palace, but in reality, they were a separate force of imperial guards directly under the emperor, established outside of He Jin's Grand General's residence.

The Eight Colonels of the Western Garden were called the Eight Colonels, but there were actually nine of them.

Because Emperor Liu Hong was also known as "Supreme Colonel".

Since the founding of the Han dynasty by Emperor Gaozu, all emperors have ruled over all regions with the dignity of an emperor.

The emperor himself was appointed as a colonel, a first in history. The students of the Imperial Academy in Luoyang were whispering amongst themselves, saying that the Han Dynasty might truly be on the verge of collapse.

The imperial court is in such a mess. The governor of Ji Province is plotting to depose the emperor, and rebellions are breaking out in You Province, Bing Province, and Liang Province. Seven prefectures and kingdoms in the Central Plains are flooded. Compared with these major events, the mere prefect of Changsha crossing the border to suppress bandits is really not worth mentioning.

The imperial court was unable to pay attention, and Wang Rui, the governor of Jingzhou, was too busy taking care of himself to even have anything to ask of Changsha.

Since the beginning of summer this year, torrential rains have caused widespread flooding in the Jianghan River basin.

Yingchuan, Chenliu, Runan, Henan, Nanyang, Nanjun, and Jiangxia—seven commanderies and kingdoms—simultaneously reported an emergency. Rivers breached their banks, fertile fields were flooded, and countless people and livestock drowned. Hundreds of thousands of refugees, carrying the elderly and children, fled to higher ground.

In Wancheng, Nanyang Prefecture, the floodwaters overflowed the city walls, and the people used boats to navigate the market.

In Xiling, Jiangxia County, the river water overflowed and flooded the city, and the government offices were submerged in water for months.

The area north of Jingzhou was completely submerged, and Wang Rui was in a state of utter distress in Jiangling, working day and night to allocate grain and fodder, conscript laborers, and repair breaches and dikes.

Urgent dispatches from various prefectures poured into the state government like snowflakes. The prefect of Nan Commandery requested grain, the prefect of Jiangxia requested manpower, and the prefect of Nanyang requested help. The threshold of the governor's office was almost worn down by the messengers.

On the day of Bingyin in August, Wang Rui's envoy arrived in Linxiang.

The one who arrived was Wang Rui's chief clerk, surnamed Xun, named Qin, courtesy name Xiubo, a native of Yingchuan. He was known for his talent from a young age and was famous for his writing. When Xun Qin saw Liu Bei, he first bowed deeply to the ground, then took out a scroll of silk from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

Liu Bei unfolded the silk scroll and saw that Wang Rui's handwriting was hasty and hurried. The opening line read: "My dear brother Xuande, the floods in Jingbei are devastating. I cannot sleep at night and have no appetite. The three commanderies of Nanyang, Nanjun, and Jiangxia are particularly badly affected, with a million people suffering and more than 100,000 people displaced."

"The Prefect of Nan Commandery requested 5,000 bushels of grain, and Liu Xiang, the Prefect of Jiangxia, requested 3 million coins. Every day, no fewer than 100 people in Nanyang starved to death."

The prefectural treasury is empty and unable to provide relief. I have heard that Changsha has had a bumper summer harvest and its granaries are overflowing. I earnestly request that you, my brother, distribute the surplus grain from the granaries to relieve the famine in the neighboring prefectures.

"Furthermore, the prefecture intends to conscript 30,000 laborers to repair the river embankment and dredge the waterways. Jingnan will need to provide assistance with funds, provisions, and artisans. This is not just Rui's request, but the hope of a million people in the three prefectures. I hope that you, my brother, will remember our duty as fellow ministers in the same court and to work together to secure Jingzhou, and generously lend your assistance, setting an example for Jingnan."

After reading the silk scroll, Liu Bei couldn't help but sigh. Wang Rui was an arrogant man who held a disdain for military men.

During the suppression of the rebellion last year, he clashed with Cao Yin, the prefect of Wuling, and threatened to kill him several times.

Now he is willing to lower his head and ask Jingnan for help, requesting Liu Bei to set an example for Jingnan and provide money and grain to relieve the famine in the neighboring counties. The floods in the seven counties and kingdoms of the Central Plains are probably more serious than Changsha imagined.

He handed the silk scroll to Ju Shou and Tian Feng beside him for reading, then bowed to Xun Qin and said, "Registration Officer Xun has come a long way and has had a hard time. The flood is severe and serious, and millions of people are suffering. How can I sit idly by? I request that you report to Governor Wang of Changsha that we are willing to distribute 100,000 bushels of surplus grain and 3 million coins from the granaries to relieve the disaster victims in Jinan, Nanjun, and Jiangxia."

This was a good opportunity to win people's hearts, and Liu Bei naturally wouldn't miss it.

A mere 100,000 bushels of grain can be easily replenished when the autumn harvest comes in Changsha.

Changsha boasts two rice harvests a year, with fertile fields stretching for miles, truly a land of abundance. Liu Bei had virtually no worries about food supplies.

Give him three years and he will be able to accumulate two million bushels of grain.

The saying "When one prefecture is bountiful, several prefectures forget hunger" is not an exaggeration.

Upon hearing this, Xun Qin was overjoyed and immediately bowed to express his gratitude.

After Xun Qin thanked him profusely and took his leave, Liu Bei summoned all the officials of the prefecture and government to the main hall for a meeting.

Liu Bei sat in the main seat, with Ju Shou and Tian Feng on his left and right respectively. Cui Yan, Guo Yuan, Mi Zhu, Jian Yong, Chen Qun, Liu Zihui and others sat in order, each with a cup of warm rice porridge in front of them.

"You all already know about Lord Wang's envoy requesting aid," Liu Bei said bluntly. "I have already promised to provide 100,000 bushels of grain and 3 million coins to aid the three counties north of Jing. However, aiding neighboring counties is only a temporary solution; the fundamental solution lies in Changsha."

"Seven prefectures in the Central Plains were flooded, affecting millions of people and displacing hundreds of thousands. Flood victims from Nanyang and Runan have already begun to migrate south. After the flood, there will surely be a plague. If my prediction is correct, after autumn, no fewer than 100,000 flood victims will pour into Changsha."

"The reason I have invited you all here today is to discuss and agree on a plan for how to resettle the displaced people, how to develop water conservancy projects, and how to prevent future disasters."

Upon hearing this, all the officials in the hall perked up.

This also shows Changsha's current geographical advantage. It is very close to Nanyang, Runan, Nanjun and other places. Whenever there is a disaster in the Central Plains, these refugees will flock to Jingzhou.

Therefore, Jingzhou could also leverage its geographical advantage to win over the hearts of the people, laying the foundation for future conquest of the Central Plains.

Therefore, Changsha cannot stand idly by in the face of this disaster; it must save tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of its people.

In the future, when refugees rebel north and armies vie for control of the Central Plains, these people will all serve as the vanguard for the king!

Therefore, Cui Yan was the first to rise. He had been persuaded to stay by Liu Bei and had also received his appreciation and courtesy, thus he was the most steadfast in upholding Liu Bei's ambitions.

He cupped his hands and said with great emotion, "Your Excellency is wise. I believe that this great flood in the Central Plains is a challenge for Changsha, but also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Nanyang, Runan, and Yingchuan are all prefectures in the heart of the Central Plains, where gentry families are entrenched, literature flourishes, and all kinds of crafts thrive. When the flood comes, scholars are displaced, artisans lose their jobs, and the common people flee."

"If Changsha could take the lead, setting up tents and distributing porridge, and opening its doors wide to attract talent, why would it worry that scholars, artisans, and common people from the Central Plains wouldn't flock there?"

He quoted extensively from classical texts, his spirits high, and said: "During the reign of Emperor Xiaowu, there was a great flood in Guandong, and hundreds of thousands of people fled into the Guanzhong Plain. The court relocated them to Shuofang and Xinqinzhong, built cities and towns, provided them with land and grain, and within a few years the refugees settled down and the border regions were prosperous."

"The situation in Changsha today far surpasses that of the north! Changsha has fertile land stretching for thousands of miles, with rice yielding two harvests a year, and the prefectural granary holding no less than 800,000 bushels of grain. Moreover, commerce and industry are booming, and workshops everywhere are short of several thousand workers. This is a godsend opportunity; if we do not make good use of it, wouldn't we be wasting this opportune moment?"

Liu Bei nodded and praised, "Ji Gui's words are exactly what I was thinking. At this time of turmoil in the Central Plains, refugees are coming from the south. We cannot refuse them, nor can we let them fend for themselves. Refusing them would violate benevolence and righteousness, while letting them fend for themselves would lead to rampant epidemics and banditry."

"Gentlemen, you should all offer your suggestions and advice in response."

Liu Bei was the lord, and he acted with benevolence and righteousness. He had already set the rules, and others could only offer suggestions in that direction.

Ju Shou, who was stationed in the prefectural government, was responsible for this important matter. He stood up and said, "According to what you think, we should respond with three strategies."

"Firstly, we implemented a work-for-relief program. The able-bodied young among the refugees were enrolled in corvée labor to repair water conservancy projects, reinforce dikes, and dredge waterways. They were provided with daily grains, salt, and vegetables so that they could support themselves. This not only relieved them from famine but also brought benefits to Changsha."

"Secondly, land was allocated. Those who wished to cultivate the land were granted fifty mu of newly reclaimed wasteland south of Dongting Lake and along both banks of the Xiang River, along with grain, seeds, and farming tools, and were exempted from rent for one year."

"Thirdly, skilled workers were recruited into the workshops. Among the displaced people, those with special skills, such as blacksmiths, weavers, kiln workers, carpenters, papermakers, doctors, and scribes, were all selected and employed by the government-run workshops in various places, and were paid a monthly salary and provided with food and clothing."

These are all sound policies from honest and capable officials, and no one will object to them. All that is needed is for the prefecture and government to work together to implement them.

Liu Bei nodded and said, "This is a good strategy. We should implement it accordingly. Are there any other suggestions?"

Tian Feng stood up and said, "Gong Cao's three strategies are the usual methods for pacifying the people. I would like to add a strategy: send envoys north to set up tents and distribute porridge, and attract people along the way. Refugees fleeing the disaster often do not know the policies of Changsha and blindly follow the crowds."

"If the prefectural government could dispatch several teams of officials to the border areas of Nanyang, Runan, and Nanjun, posting notices, setting up tents and distributing porridge along the way, and informing the surrounding areas, so that the refugees would know that there is a way to survive, land to cultivate, and work in Changsha, they would surely come with their elderly and children. This strategy..."

It requires little money and grain, yet yields enormous results.

This is a combination of orthodox and unorthodox tactics. Ju Shou focused more on holding Changsha and consolidating the foundation of the kingdom, while Tian Feng focused more on launching surprise attacks to increase influence in all directions.

Liu Bei turned to Guo Yuan and asked, "Now that floods are rampant, Changsha must also take precautions. I intend to build water conservancy projects in Changsha, which can both irrigate farmland and provide relief to the people, thus preventing floods. Is this feasible by manpower?"

Guo Yuan immediately stood up, took out a scroll of silk from his sleeve, and slowly unfurled it in front of Liu Bing.

That was a map of the water conservancy situation in northern Changsha that he had recently led the officials of the Water and Land Departments to rush to make. The map was marked with vermilion to indicate the water level of Dongting Lake, outlined with ink lines the Xiangjiang River, Zishui River, Yuanshui River and other water systems, and circled with indigo blue several dangerous sections of the project that urgently needed to be reinforced.

"Please look, Your Excellency." Guo Yuan pointed south of Dongting Lake. "This year, the Central Plains suffered severe flooding, and the water level of Dongting Lake also rose sharply. Fortunately, Changsha is located on higher ground. Although there was flooding in the lower reaches of the Xiang River, the water was not deep, and we can still replant autumn rice after the water recedes."

"However, if there are more heavy rains this autumn and winter and next spring and summer, Dongting Lake may flood again. At that time, Luo County and Yiyang County in the northern part of Changsha will be the first to be affected."

Therefore, he solemnly said: "To prevent floods, we should start from three places. First, we should strengthen the dikes along the shore of Dongting Lake. The terrain here is low-lying, so we need to build dikes with rammed earth, about 10 feet high, 30 feet wide at the base, and 10 feet wide at the top, which can withstand a flood that occurs once every ten years."

"Secondly, dredging of the Xiangjiang River channel. Several sections of the lower reaches of the Xiangjiang River have narrowed due to years of siltation, hindering flood discharge. It is necessary to organize manpower to dredge and widen the river so that floodwaters can be discharged smoothly."

"Thirdly, we will build more ponds. Following the example of clearing ponds last year, we will build several more ponds in slightly higher areas of Luo County and Yiyang County. In times of drought, we will release water to irrigate the fields, and in times of flood, we will store water for flood control."

After introducing all the projects, he straightened up and said in an excited tone: "If these three projects can be started with the efforts of 10,000 people, they can be completed this winter and next spring. At that time, they will not only prevent floods from the Xiang River, but also increase irrigation benefits, ensuring that thousands of hectares of fertile land in the north will be protected from drought and flood."

"In the Battle of Yichun, 30,000 were captured. Among them, after removing women, children, the elderly, craftsmen and artisans, there were still more than 5,000 able-bodied men."

"Another 5,000 laborers will be dispatched, and 3,000 corvée laborers can be recruited from Changsha, bringing the total to over 13,000 people heading north."

"In conjunction with the work-for-relief method, these manpower can be used to build the Xiangjiang River embankment, which can both resettle the displaced people and strengthen the embankment, achieving two goals at once."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent! Zini's plan is exactly what I wanted. I hereby appoint you as the Director of Water Conservancy and send you north to take full charge of the water conservancy project."

"The necessary officials, including those in charge of fields and waterways, will all accompany us. In addition, several dozen people who are proficient in arithmetic and water conservancy will be selected from the Cai Gong Academy to serve as assistants."

Guo Yuan straightened his clothes, took a half step back, and bowed deeply to Liu Bei, saying, "I dare not fail to do my utmost to repay your trust, my lord."

Several days later, the decree of Changsha Prefecture spread throughout the villages and towns of the thirteen counties.

The decree reads: "Prefect Liu of Changsha hereby proclaims to all officials and people of the prefecture: The seven prefectures of the Central Plains are ravaged by floods, and millions of people have been displaced and lost their homes."

The Prefect, understanding the Emperor's compassion and mindful of the people's suffering from famine, specially opened the granaries to relieve the famine in neighboring prefectures, and further established a system of irrigation ditches on the northern border of the prefecture.

A place for the resettlement of civilians.

"All those who flee to Changsha, regardless of their origin, age, gender, or social status, shall be taken in and settled. There shall be fields to cultivate, work to do, and food to eat, and no one shall be left to freeze or starve."

Following the decree was a detailed "Record of Refugees Recruited to Changsha," consisting of ten articles, each meticulously analyzed.

This included the rule that "when refugees entered the prefecture, they should first register their name, place of origin, age, and skills at the soup kitchens in the three northern counties."

"Young men who are willing to join the workshops will be selected by the Zhen, Kou, and Huang families, as well as various government-run workshops, and will be paid a monthly salary and provided with food and clothing."

"Those who wish to cultivate the land will be allocated 50 mu of newly reclaimed wasteland south of Dongting Lake by the Land Administration Bureau, and will be provided with grain, seeds and farming tools, and will be exempt from rent for one year."

"Among the displaced people, those with a skill such as blacksmiths, weavers, kiln workers, carpenters, papermakers, doctors, and scribes will be given priority in recruitment by the prefecture government, with preferential salaries."

And "all scholars who fled from Nanyang, Runan, Yingchuan, Nanjun and other prefectures, regardless of their social status, were provided with lodgings by the prefecture government, and were given three bushels of millet and five hundred coins per month. Talented scholars were employed according to their abilities," and so on.

The moment this decree was issued, the entire city of Changsha was in an uproar.

County officials, along with their assistants and local officials, set up soup kitchens and posted notices along the official roads to receive disaster victims from the south.

The granary officials allocated grain, and cartloads of millet were transported from the Linxiang granary to the northern border. The medical officials, carrying medicine bags, were at the soup kitchen.

A clinic was set up nearby to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

In Luo County and Yiyang County in the northern border region, the activity was even more intense.

Guo Yuan was stationed in Luo County, where he organized 10,000 people into ten units, each with 1,000 people, and stationed them at various dangerous sections along the shore of Dongting Lake.

The able-bodied men were mixed with the captives of the Yue people and the Han and Yue people ate and worked together, and they lived in peace.

On the dike construction site, the shouts of workers ramming earth and building embankments rose and fell, and could be heard more than ten miles away.

At the river dredging site, thousands of people waded barefoot through the water, carrying silt in bamboo baskets, sweating profusely under the scorching sun.

At the construction site of the reservoir, water management officials led craftsmen to survey the terrain, measure the water conditions, and demarcate the dam foundation. The prototypes of new reservoirs were emerging on the barren land.

The most enthusiastic participant was naturally Zhang Fei. He led 5,000 soldiers northward to assist in the construction of water conservancy projects.

Zhang Fei, as one of the generals in charge, personally asked Liu Bei for permission to stand on the embankment, saying that if he stood there, who would dare to slack off?

Liu Bei naturally wouldn't refuse his third brother's good intentions, so Zhang Fei personally led 5,000 troops north to Luo County to assist Guo Yuan in supervising the dike project.

When Zhang Fei arrived at the Dongting Lake dike construction site in Luo County, he was far from content to sit quietly in his tent and supervise the work.

He found the tent stuffy, so he simply took off his battle robe, went shirtless, and jumped into the mud wearing only a trousers, joining the soldiers and laborers in carrying soil and tamping the dike.

Under the blazing sun, a lake breeze carrying humid, hot air rushed towards us, making it hard to breathe.

Thousands of workers toiled on the dike construction site, their shouts of ramming earth and building the embankment echoing from place to place, and could be heard more than ten miles away.

Zhang Fei's imposing figure stood out in the crowd. He had broad shoulders and a wide back, with bulging muscles in his arms, and his dark spine gleamed with an oily sheen under the blazing sun.

He carried two baskets of soil on his shoulders, moving with incredible speed. The carrying pole bent into an arc on his shoulders, creaking loudly. Several other laborers carrying soil nearby quickly moved aside, fearing that the carrying pole might not be able to withstand the weight and would break halfway through.

Since ancient times, the generous and magnanimous people of the Central Plains have not worried about hardship but about inequality.

Originally, the soldiers and refugees were filled with resentment from working under the scorching sun. However, seeing Zhang Fei, as the commander-in-chief, sharing the hardships with his soldiers, their enthusiasm soared. All their resentment vanished, and the entire construction site was filled with a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.

This place seems to have stepped into the fervent era of the founding of the People's Republic of China, when soldiers and civilians were united in their efforts to build water conservancy projects.

With such enthusiasm, the soldiers not only did not complain, but also pushed the project forward at an extremely fast pace.

Ten days later, Liu Bei, along with Ju Shou, Guo Yuan, and dozens of officials from the prefecture, traveled north by boat from Linxiang to inspect the dike construction sites in the northern border region.

As the boat sails on the Xiangjiang River, one can see crisscrossing paths on both banks, with lush green rice seedlings growing on the banks.

The further north they went, the more bustling the scene became on both banks. Along the official road by the river, oxcarts carrying grain came and went in an endless stream, and refugees heading south came in an endless stream. Among them were many soldiers from the Central Plains who arrived by cart and were supported by their servants.

Newly built thatched huts and cottages are scattered everywhere, with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys, creating a vibrant scene.

As the boat approached the Luoxian ferry, before it even docked, the distant sounds of workers chanting as they rammed earth to build embankments could be heard, a sound characteristic of that era.

After disembarking from the boat, Liu Bei did not take a carriage, but instead walked along the newly paved cobblestone path towards the dike construction site, accompanied only by Ju Shou, Guo Yuan, and a few personal guards.

What he saw along the way invigorated him.

The shoreline of Dongting Lake, which was once a barren beach overgrown with reeds and inhabited by wild ducks, has now been transformed into a levee stretching for dozens of miles along the lake.

Beyond the embankment lies tens of thousands of acres of newly reclaimed fertile land, with rice seedlings stretching as far as the eye can see.

At the dike construction site, thousands of people chanted slogans, working in groups of ten or more, pulling huge stone rammers and pounding them onto the rammed earth. Each rammer weighed over a hundred pounds, and with each strike, the ground thudded, and the rammed earth became denser.

The work chants were rough and desolate, led by several gray-haired village officials. They would shout out a line, and hundreds of people would respond in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

At the dredging site of the river, thousands of people waded barefoot into the water, carrying silt in bamboo baskets, sweating profusely under the scorching sun.

Among them were soldiers from the Gengshi Battalion dressed in crimson military robes, young men from the Yue tribes in shabby short coats, and ragged but spirited disaster victims from the Central Plains.

They spoke different accents—the boldness of Youzhou, the gentleness of Jingchu, and the robustness of the Central Plains—yet they chanted the same work song and kept the same rhythm.

Guo Yuanhui reported: "My lord, since we led our troops north to carry out work relief, we have received more than 10,000 households of refugees. Among them, more than 4,000 able-bodied men are participating in the construction of water conservancy projects here, and more than 3,000 households have been resettled in various places, either cultivating wasteland or working as tenants for local magnates."

Liu Bei's eyes lit up. It had only been a little over two months since the disaster relief began, less than three months, and they had already taken in more than 10,000 households of refugees.

He exclaimed with delight, "In that case, Changsha can be considered to have added a major county."

Guo Yuan nodded excitedly and said, "And the gains don't stop there. The key is that this relief effort has greatly enhanced the reputation of the Prefect, and his name of benevolence and righteousness has spread far and wide. The people of Nanyang, Nanjun, Runan and other places all cherish the kindness of our Lord. The people of these three places flock to him and follow him."

Liu Bei smiled and turned to Jian Yong, instructing, "Distribute the three boatloads of tangerines and dozens of jars of honey that I specially brought, so that the soldiers here may quench their thirst and be joyful."

Jian Yong smiled and agreed, then turned and beckoned his guards to move the tangerines.

A moment later, baskets of golden tangerines were carried onto the embankment, and several guards, carrying bamboo baskets, distributed them one by one to the soldiers, laborers, disaster victims, women and children on the embankment.

These are tangerines produced in Changsha this year. They are large, thin-skinned, and juicy, with a fragrant aroma when peeled.

Zhang Fei took an orange, didn't even peel it, and took a bite. Juice splashed everywhere, dripping down his bushy beard.

He grinned and laughed heartily, "I knew my brother was kind! Look, on this sweltering day, he brought us oranges to cool us down! You guys, what do you say, isn't my brother great?"

"Great!" The response from thousands of people was like a landslide and a tsunami, even causing ripples on the surface of Dongting Lake.

"Long live Lord Liu!"

Clearly, Liu Bei has won over another wave of people's hearts this time!

Then Liu Bei asked Guo Yuan, "Zini just said that a large number of people from the Central Plains are heading south? Who are they? Could you introduce them to me?"

These people will inevitably become his vanguard in his future struggle for control of the Central Plains!

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