Chapter 207: Liuzi's Request

What the hell is this palace construction, just because the land parcel is a bit larger, does that mean it must be a palace?

Empress Changsun was also speechless; many common folk lack insight, so in their eyes a plot that large and gathering so many people could only be for building a palace.

If they hadn't known in advance that Chen Yan intended to build a library, they'd probably truly be mistaken.

Liuzi gave a wry smile, "Everyone says that; I thought the County Magistrate really intended to build a palace, didn't he?"

"Fine, don't worry about what the County Magistrate wants to build; it's certainly not a palace anyway." Li Shimin waved his hand, "Take us to see that workshop first; I'm rather interested."

"Oh~" Liuzi thought, then hesitated, "It's a bit far; the workshops the County Magistrate bought are somewhat remote, walking there would take quite a while......"

"Never mind, we can ride a horse......" Li Shimin was about to suggest taking a carriage, but suddenly thought of something, pointing at the nearby public transport boat and asked, "Can we get there by boat?"

"Eh?" Liuzi was startled, replying, "It is possible, but it doesn't go directly to the destination; after disembarking you have to walk another stretch, and the County Magistrate didn't just buy one workshop—the others are also not close to each other."

In other words, taking a carriage is best; the boat isn't very worthwhile.

In fact Liuzi omitted another point: taking the boat costs money, and he doesn't earn much, so he'd rather walk than spend.

"Alright then." Li Shimin was slightly disappointed; he had intended to let Empress Changsun try the public transport boat.

But it was just a whim; not taking it makes no difference.

Then some people returned to the carriage; Li Shimin and his wife sat inside, while Liuzi rode outside with Li Junxian.

After an indeterminate time, Liuzi finally asked Li Junxian to stop.

The couple got out, their eyes immediately drawn to a workshop covering more than ten mu not far away; the next moment they also noticed the bustling locals nearby.

Most of them were women, all with dull yellow hair, clothes full of patches, faces looking gaunt, and some even walked barefoot on the ground.

"What's going on?" Empress Changsun couldn't help asking.

Liuzi quickly replied, "This is the workshop the County Magistrate bought, but no one knows what it's for; some have asked the people inside, but they haven't disclosed anything."

"I… I'm not asking that; I'm asking you, what do these people do?" Empress Changsun said, "Why do they look so much like… refugees?"

Empress Changsun thought for a moment, then found a suitable word to describe them.

The people before them were exactly like the citizens who fled to Chang'an City last year, except that the former refugees' eyes were numb and ashen, showing no hope.

These people, however, had light in their eyes; despite looking very weak and impoverished, as if they hadn't eaten for a long time, their steps were light, exuding a relaxed air, and they occasionally smiled when talking.

On the surface the two groups seem similar, but a careful look reveals a world of difference.

Since the workshop was bought by Chen Yan, why are these commoners here?

Liuzi smiled, "You are right, noble one; these people are indeed refugees."

"Truly refugees......" the couple's eyes were complicated.

They were beginning to not understand Chen Yan's actions.

If one says Chen Yan is compassionate toward the people and wants to give this poor segment a way to live, he should do so only if it doesn't affect his own interests.

Whether it's road building or workshop workers, wouldn't healthy common folk be better?

Can these refugees, who seem like they could be blown down by a gust, keep the workshop running smoothly?

Li Shimin felt conflicted now; on one hand he was pleased with Chen Yan's intention, but on the other he didn't want Chen Yan's compassion for these people to jeopardize the plan.

His mind a whirl, finally Li Shimin looked to the sky, let out a long sigh, and said nothing.

As a woman, Empress Changsun was more compassionate, so she wasn't as skeptical as Li Shimin; looking at the distant folk she said, "Liuzi, tell me more about these people."

"....... huh?" Liuzi was puzzled why the two nobles were always interested in odd things, but since they paid, he should answer himself.

After a moment's thought, he said, "You two probably remember last year's great drought, right?"

The two nodded.

At that time, many people everywhere couldn't survive; many disaster victims dragged their families toward Chang'an City, hoping to find a way out.

During that period, many disaster victims died on the road; only a portion made it to Chang'an City, and ultimately another portion didn't survive the drought.

The remaining ones, those with family or who obtained surplus grain in Chang'an after the drought, returned to their hometowns.

But there was a tiny fraction who lost their families in the drought, left alone or with a child.

If they had to continue trekking mountains and rivers, walking back home, not even considering road dangers, their bodies were already at the end of a strong bow, utterly unable to travel such a distance.

So they could only stay in Chang'an City or nearby counties.

The people you both see now are exactly that segment of the populace.

Liuzi's eyes again showed envy: "Although they suffered before, they survived and eventually reached the County Magistrate."

Recently, officials ran around gathering all these people, and after the County Magistrate bought several workshops a couple of days ago, he asked whether they were willing to work here.

The willing ones were settled.

"I know a young brother; his sister is here. The boy said the County Magistrate prepaid three days' wages, settled them, and now they work here."

Liuzi let out a long sigh; honestly, he was somewhat envious of these people.

They had been very poor before, but now they have a stable income and no longer worry where tomorrow's food will come from or whether to eat less today.

Thinking of that, Liuzi felt regretful, "If my parents had given birth to me six years earlier, maybe I could have worked in the County Magistrate's workshop, support my sister, and perhaps later send her to a school."

Li Shimin and Empress Changsun heard this and fell silent, their mouths full of bitterness.