Exile? A mad, wicked woman empties the national treasury to escape famine.

"That's right, I don't accept it! I don't accept it! I want to go in too, let us in!"

"Yes, yes, let us in, let us in!"

As Ji Yunshu and her group entered the city, the voices of the disaster victims outside grew louder and louder. They desperately pushed their way to the city gate, and more and more disaster victims gathered around, making it difficult for the soldiers guarding the city gate to stop them.

"Get out of the way, all of you get out of the way! Is this a place for you to squeeze in?!"

"Who gets admitted is decided by the county magistrate. This is Dongyang County, not some remote corner of your hometown. Everything must be done according to our magistrate's orders!"

"Those people who were just let in, didn't you hear? They had imperial edicts! They were escorting exiled prisoners by imperial decree, which is why they were allowed into the city. Do you have imperial edicts? If you do, you can ask our magistrate to let you in!" The soldiers shouted desperately into the crowd.

The county magistrate had just instructed them to use this excuse in case of a riot.

The disaster victims, already in a bad mood due to prolonged hunger, were further agitated and had no interest in listening to what the soldiers were saying.

"Get out! What kind of bullshit county magistrate is he? A dignified county magistrate, standing by and watching so many of us die! What kind of official is he? Bah! He should just die and be replaced!"

"That's right. I think he's a fair-weather friend who changes his mind easily. We've been waiting outside for so many days, and he hasn't given us even a little bit of anything!"

Those people who just went in, they said they had an imperial decree, but to put it bluntly, who knows what kind of benefits they gave your dog magistrate! Hmph, they're only preventing us from entering the city because they think we're penniless and easy to bully!

"Yes, yes, yes, they're bullying us, bullying us!"

The protests from the crowd grew louder and louder, and the pushing and shoving became more and more intense. Before long, all the soldiers guarding the city gate were squeezed at the city gate.

Many disaster victims even tried to push the city gate. Because there were so many of them, they pushed together, and the city gate showed a slight sign of opening.

The officers and soldiers were in a panic. The county magistrate had specifically instructed them that the city gate must not be opened!

Otherwise, Dongyang County would be finished.

Thinking of this, the officers and soldiers drew their sidearms and slashed each of the troublemakers, their blood splattering onto the other refugees and instantly bringing them to their senses.

Many of the disaster victims, still unafraid of death, rushed forward again, trying to break through the city gates. The soldiers, quick as lightning, slashed down with their swords.

They went up and cut them down one by one, and after several rounds, the disaster victims finally calmed down and dared not charge around as recklessly as before.

The noise subsided considerably, leaving only the screams of the wounded victims.

Ji Yunshu and her entourage's carriage slowly drove down the street. She turned her head to look at the tightly closed city gate behind her, and listening to the screams outside, she felt a little uneasy.

Those disaster victims are also pitiful people. If they weren't desperate, who would be willing to become disaster victims, and who would be willing to risk their lives to squeeze into the county town?

She had just glanced at the number of disaster victims outside the city. There weren't many, but there weren't few either. However, for Dongyang County, accommodating these people shouldn't be a problem.

"By the way, Xie Moyao, how was Dongyang County's GDP in previous years?" Ji Yunshu asked.

Xie Moyao lay on the side of the carriage, listening to the screams outside. He wasn't in a good mood either. He was stunned for a moment when he heard Ji Yunshu's words.

"W-what, GDP?"

What does this mean?

Ji Yunshu chuckled twice, then quickly changed her tune, "Well, I mean, how's their economic performance? How much tribute and tax do they pay to the court each year?"

A hint of suspicion flashed across Xie Moyao's face, but he didn't press for further details.

"I wasn't often in the capital before, as I was always fighting on various fronts. Occasionally I would return to the capital to attend court, and I had heard people mention Dongyang County. This place isn't very big, but it has a large population, and the per capita cost of living is quite high, almost comparable to that of the capital."

Moreover, the terrain here is flat, and the crops grown by the local people are highly productive. Coupled with the favorable geographical environment, there are basically no disasters. Even when famines occur each year, while other surrounding towns suffer, Dongyang County always manages to remain unscathed.

Not only did they not cause any trouble for the imperial court, but it was also said that they could send tributes to the court. Therefore, the magistrate of Dongyang County has remained unchanged for many years.

The emperor seemed to turn a blind eye to the affairs here, not interfering much.

Ji Yunshu raised an eyebrow, surprised that the magistrate of Dongyang County had such a good reputation in the capital.

If she hadn't just personally handed that scoundrel five hundred taels of silver, even she would have believed it.

Furthermore, if Dongyang County is truly so prosperous, why didn't the prefect open the city gates and distribute some porridge?

There were only a couple hundred disaster victims outside the city, which shouldn't have been a problem for Dongyang County. But the county magistrate didn't care at all. He even closed the city gates and charged her five hundred taels of silver for entering the city!

Can someone like that be a good person?

Those so-called reputations are largely unfounded.

She looked at Xie Moyao with a half-smile, "You also believe that the magistrate of Dongyang County is a good person?"

Xie Moyao revealed a mocking smile, his tone disdainful.

"A good person? What kind of truly good person is this? If he were really a good person, would he ignore these disaster victims outside the city? With the financial and material resources of Dongyang County, taking care of those disaster victims wouldn't be a problem. But not only does he ignore them, he just allowed his men to attack them. Those disaster victims are pitiful people too. If this magistrate of Dongyang County truly considered himself a parent official for the people, would he do such things?"

He paused, glanced at Ji Yunshu, and added, "Besides, if he were truly a good person, would he accept your five hundred taels of silver?"

Ji Yunshu was stunned, looking at Xie Moyao in disbelief. How did Xie Moyao know about her five hundred taels transaction with the county magistrate?

Does this guy have super hearing?

"How did you know about my deal with that county magistrate?"

Xie Moyao nodded, his tone leisurely.

"I only broke my leg, was poisoned, and lost my martial arts skills, but my hearing is still quite good. I heard everything you said to that soldier."

Ji Yunshu understood; so that's how it is.

Suddenly, she reached out and covered her mouth with her hand.

day!

It's as if Xie Moyao has a listening device installed right next to her. Didn't this man hear all those things she used to mutter to herself?!

All these days, he hasn't shown it at all!

Whatever, let them hear it, it's not like it's anything shameful.

"Since you heard it, why didn't you stop me? Don't you think it's a waste to exchange five hundred taels of silver for us to enter the city?"