Chapter 76: Housing the Refugees

"Those wealthy families are unwilling to provide enough housing, money, and grain?"

Fu Jingyu shook his head, pulled Xu Yuan to a secluded spot, and said, "Several local wealthy families have temporarily lent us seven large mansions, and we have also requisitioned the Chen family's carriage and horse business—the Chen family dared not refuse—this is sufficient to house these people, after all, it is only to provide them with a temporary shelter."

"As for money and grain, we can take from the Chen family; I believe that will be enough."

"But..."

Fu Jingyu looked at the refugees again, his expression becoming complex: "Among these refugees, there must be some who have been contaminated by evil spirits."

"However, we have no effective means to screen them out."

"Once night falls, these people will undergo a sinister transformation!"

Xu Yuan also became solemn, thought for a moment, and said, "These refugees should be isolated and housed separately..."

"The problem lies here; there is no suitable place within this county. The mansions provided by the wealthy families are all surrounded by large areas of common housing."

Xu Yuan fell silent as well.

Fu Jingyu finally stated his purpose: "Currently, the only ones in the Sin-Erasing Office who can act are myself and Yan Lao. Yan Lao needs to protect the Master, so only I remain."

"I have already conscripted cultivators from the seven major sects among the local wealthy families to stand guard with me tonight, but these people will surely put in appearance without putting in effort..."

Fu Jingyu looked at Xu Yuan with bright eyes; Xu Yuan frowned and said, "I came to see the great lord Ma Tianshou."

Fu Jingyu nodded.

Ma Tianshou lives in an inn in Chengxi.

According to Fu Jingyu and Yan Lao's thoughts, of course, they wanted him to move to Wangjing Fang.

But the great lord firmly refused; even with his severe injuries, he insisted on staying in Chengxi to keep watch.

Everyone knows that something will surely happen tonight!

Similarly, everyone knows that the most suitable place to house the refugees is actually Wangjing Fang, but even Ma Tianshou cannot manage it.

Ma Tianshou's condition is actually not bad; his injuries have stabilized, he is just somewhat listless and weak.

Given his status and position, he naturally lacks nothing in fine pills.

Seeing Xu Yuan, Ma Tianshou's face flushed slightly, and he broke into a smile: "I heard from your family that you were also injured; how is it? I still have some pills here; take some to use."

Xu Yuan clasped his fists in a bow of thanks: "It is no longer a major concern; thank you, great lord, for your grace, but it is not necessary."

Ma Tianshou nodded and did not insist: "Then let it be. But the Sin-Erasing Office's reward will certainly not be just this; this time, we owe much to your stepping forward; otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Ma Tianshou paused slightly, observing Xu Yuan; finding that the youth's face was like an ancient well, showing not a trace of pride, he nodded inwardly.

"Yan Lao once promised you the position of Mountain-Moving Captain..."

Xu Yuan rose and bowed: "Great lord, let us not speak of these things first; regarding the housing of the refugees, this young one has some ideas and wishes to ask the great lord to listen."

Ma Tianshou was curious: "What ideas? Speak."

Xu Yuan had thought of this idea just now while talking with Fu Jingyu.

"The Demon-Extermination Army has a camp in the southwest outside the city; if we can communicate with the Demon-Extermination Army, we can house these thousands of refugees in the military camp."

Ma Tianshou's white eyebrows furrowed; he understood Xu Yuan's meaning.

If someone undergoes a sinister transformation among the thousands of refugees in the middle of the night, they will not only bring disaster to the refugees but may also rush out to feed on blood from other common people.

Moreover, it is not as if passing through this night means everything is fine; those refugees infected by the strange phenomena, some transform that very night, while others will do so on the second night or the third night.

According to the Sin-Erasing Office's past experience, the refugees must be isolated for at least ten days.

Ma Tianshou weighed his words and said, "The idea is good, but between us and the Demon-Extermination Army, there has always been little communication..."

Xu Yuan naturally understood; the Sin-Erasing Office, the Demon-Extermination Army, and the Shanhe Office have overlapping jurisdictions, so naturally, colleagues are enemies, and they do not get along.

Xu Yuan said, "If the great lord thinks it feasible, I can try to communicate; my second uncle is currently the Commander-in-Chief of the Demon-Extermination Army; one of his subordinates is nearby; having him step forward should give us some chance of success."

Ma Tianshou was surprised, and his gaze toward Xu Yuan became complex: "Is there someone in your family in the Demon-Extermination Army?"

"My second uncle left home early in life and has not returned for a long time; he only sent this news back recently."

Ma Tianshou thought for a moment and reluctantly nodded: "Trying is better than nothing."

Xu Yuan rose, clasped his fists, and hurriedly left.

Xingan Cargo Station happens to be in Chengxi as well; Xu Yuan asked his way all the way and found it shortly.

Xu Yuan gave Zheng Rongkui's name at the door; the young clerk went in to report, and not long after, Uncle Rongkui walked out laughing heartily: "Nephew, have you come to your senses?"

"I have something else to ask of you."

Uncle Rongkui opened his mouth immediately: "Rest assured, I have a life-and-death friendship with your second uncle; whatever it is, just say it."

After Xu Yuan explained the matter of the refugees, Uncle Rongkui's expression became somewhat unnatural.

"This matter... is difficult to handle."

Xu Yuan then said, "You and my second uncle have a life-and-death friendship!"

Uncle Rongkui was blocked and could not speak.

Moreover, if he remembered correctly, the boy had just called him "you" for the first time—truly using people when needed and ignoring them when not!

Uncle Rongkui's mind turned, and he chuckled: "Although it is difficult to handle, just for the friendship between me and your second uncle, I must go and ask for you; however, if this matter is accomplished, you must return with me to the Demon-Extermination Army..."

Before Uncle Rongkui finished speaking, Xu Yuan turned and left.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Uncle Rongkui shouted and grabbed him: "What does this mean? You ask me to do things for you, yet you give me no promise?"

Xu Yuan told him clearly: "This is not you doing things for me; this is an idea I came up with; if accomplished, it is human merit for both of us. But do not think to use this matter to blackmail me; I have no kinship with those refugees."

"You boy!" Uncle Rongkui helplessly shook his head: "Fine, I will go and ask for you."

"Hurry up; it is almost dark."

"Understood!" Uncle Rongkui then took a horse from the cargo station, flipped onto its back, and rode straight toward the outskirts of the city.

This military fortress of the Demon-Extermination Army is named Iron Gate Fort and belongs to the Demon-Extermination Camp.

In earlier years, at its peak, it housed ten thousand elite soldiers.

Later, the Demon-Extermination Camp moved south along with the Great Ming Army, sweeping through the southwestern regions.

As the front line pushed further south, Shanhe County became the "great rear area," rendering this fortress less useful; in recent years, only about a hundred men remained, responsible for daily repairs and maintenance, and occasionally helping to escort the Demon-Extermination Camp's military rations.

Uncle Rong Kui could have stayed directly inside the fortress when he came to Shanhe County.

But life in the fortress is austere—no wine, no meat, no women; how could it compare to the comfort of the county town?

Moreover, though everyone here is part of the "Demon-Extermination Army," Uncle Rong Kui truly looks down on these common soldiers.

The Demon-Extermination Camp holds the lowest rank within the Demon-Extermination Army.

Uncle Rong Kui rode his horse forward, displayed his tally, made no mention of cooperating with the Pollution-Removal Bureau, and simply stated that he had received orders from above to handle a case in Shanhe County and now demanded Iron Gate Fort's cooperation.

You do your jobs properly, do not ask what you should not, and I will make up the necessary paperwork for you later.

The highest official currently in Iron Gate Fort is merely a Squadron Commander, yet before Zheng Rongkui, he acted like a subordinate, truly intimidated by just a few words; he dared not ask anything and could only open the fortress gate to accept the refugees.

Begging for monthly tickets!

There will be more tonight.

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(End of this chapter)