Chapter 48: Fourth-Eighth Chapter: My Lord, Look Out

"My Lord, the number of refugees flooding into our county has been increasing lately! Moreover, now that news about Baian County has spread, even more people are pouring in!"

"No need to worry, our grain supply is sufficient!" Watching the waves of refugees surging toward this place, Shen Yu was filled with deep emotion. Reading descriptions in books and seeing it with his own eyes were two different things; he could never have imagined the scene of such vast masses of ragged commoners pouring in wave after wave.

Especially those pairs of desperate and numb eyes—they were heartbreaking to look at.

As the refugees began to pour in, Shen Yu also kept patrolling various areas. He had to ensure that no one was engaging in fraud or skimming off grain, and also ensure that these refugees would not disrupt normal order.

In fact, there were many who shared Zhou Yuan's worries. After all, once there are many people, anything can happen. Refugees who have lost their livelihoods are the most uncontrollable. However, Shen Yu was not worried in the slightest; he was actually afraid that not enough people were coming.

"What I lack right now is manpower. The labor force at the river embankment is still insufficient, and I am also planning to build roads, so naturally, the more refugees, the better. If you want to be prosperous, you must first build roads; this has been true in all ages. You don't understand—once the roads are easy to travel, the trade routes will be opened up!"

Finding a rock to sit on, Shen Yu then ordered, "Zhou Yuan, go and select a group of elite men from among the refugees to maintain order. I do not want anyone causing trouble!"

"My Lord is benevolent; the commoners are too grateful to even think of causing trouble!" Nodding, Zhou Yuan had already gone through this process many times. Nowadays, Baian County had quite a few sturdy men selected from the refugees maintaining order.

Besides that, some highly respected individuals had also been selected from among the refugees to facilitate management. Overall, there hadn't been any mistakes so far.

"Let's hope so!" Shaking his head, Shen Yu knew very well that not all commoners were simple and honest; there were always those who liked to get something for nothing, and always those who liked to scheme. It was fine if these people behaved, but if they dared to make even the slightest move, Shen Yu wouldn't mind letting them know what a thunderous rage was.

The sword in his hand was his greatest source of confidence!

"My Lord, look!" Suddenly, Zhou Yuan beside him shouted, giving Shen Yu a start. Looking up, he saw what appeared to be a large group of refugees in the distance, dragging their families along as they walked toward here.

During this period, refugees had been pouring in every day, but this was the first time there had been such a large group as today. At a rough glance, there were likely a thousand people traveling together.

"Another batch has arrived. Zhou Yuan, have people prepare the porridge and rice quickly; let them have something hot to eat first!"

"No, My Lord, behind these refugees!"

"Behind?" Following the direction Zhou Yuan pointed, Shen Yu saw a team of men dressed in black brocade. These people moved quickly and neatly, weaving back and forth among the refugees, seemingly searching for something.

"My Lord, could these people be..."

"The Black-Clad Guard!" His eyes narrowed slightly, and Shen Yu recognized their attire at once. The dignified Black-Clad Guard, an existence that made both the imperial court and the martial arts world turn pale—how could they be mixed in with the refugees?

"Are you the Baian County Magistrate, Shen Yu?" Before Shen Yu could react, one of the Black-Clad Guards rode a fine horse quickly to his side. Looking at the mark embroidered on his black clothing, he must be a Centurion. Hey, wouldn't that be one rank higher than his own?

"Indeed, that is me!"

"Good, I am Han Hao, a Centurion of the Black-Clad Guard. I was ordered to pursue the Prefect of Changling Jun, Xu Mufeng, but this man is cunning and treacherous, hiding and fleeing in secret. We pursued him all the way, and in the end, he hid among this wave of refugees. It is just that with so many people, it is truly difficult to distinguish him!"

"So I need the help of your Baian County!" While watching his subordinates who were still moving about, Han Hao said with some anxiety, "Immediately have all your government runners, constables, and city guards cooperate to find Xu Mufeng and bring him to justice!"

"This man is too cunning; he must not be allowed to escape again!"

"That is simple! Zhou Yuan!" After thinking for a moment, Shen Yu turned to Zhou Yuan and ordered, "Immediately take men to surround this wave of refugees; no one is allowed to leave without permission. Also, hurry and have people prepare porridge and rice. Oh, and don't forget to mix in some bitter juice, sand, or dirt—in short, mix in whatever is hard to eat!"

"Yes, My Lord!" Bowing to Shen Yu, Zhou Yuan prepared to go do it, but then he realized, "Mix in sand and dirt? My Lord, that doesn't seem right!"

"What's wrong with it? These people have been hungry for so long that they would definitely eat even mud if they could. Mixing in some sand won't affect them at all. But our Prefect is different; having lived in luxury for so many years, I'm afraid he won't be able to endure the hardship!"

"This... this subordinate understands. I will go do it now!" Being a Chief Constable, Zhou Yuan was not a stupid man and immediately understood Shen Yu's meaning.

"Impressive!" Shen Yu's quick reaction made Han Hao, standing nearby, unable to help but exclaim, and he immediately sized him up from head to toe. Oh my, this magistrate is quite young, and to be so devious at such a young age—he is clearly an old hand.

Feeling uncomfortable under Han Hao's gaze—that look of appreciation—Shen Yu was truly afraid that this man would suddenly raise a pinky finger and say to him, "The Black-Clad Guard needs talent like you!"

"Magistrate Shen, according to what I know, did you kill Xu Mufeng's only son?"

"Indeed. That man slaughtered commoners to practice his arts; he deserved to die!" While responding indifferently to the other party's words, Shen Yu frowned slightly and looked up with some uncertainty.

"Does Centurion Han mean that if my plan fails, you want me to act as bait?"

"Magistrate Shen misunderstands; I never said any such thing!" Looking at Shen Yu, Han Hao appreciated him more and more. Chatting with a smart person is simple—they understand with a single hint! But some things cannot be said explicitly.

"Does Magistrate Shen know that no corrupt official targeted by our Black-Clad Guard has ever been able to escape? From the moment Xu Mufeng was targeted by us, he couldn't run. So, if I were him, I would definitely think that since I can't run anyway, I might as well take the final opportunity to get revenge!"

"Therefore, as long as Xu Mufeng is not brought to justice, Magistrate Shen, you are in great danger!"

"Haha, I understand!" Nodding with a smile, Shen Yu said nonchalantly, "Centurion Han, rest assured, I will cooperate. But I will handle it myself; there is no need for the brothers of the Black-Clad Guard to help!"

"Magistrate Shen does not trust us? Very well, as long as Xu Mufeng can be captured, it makes no difference to us!"

"That is good!" Nodding, it wasn't that Shen Yu didn't trust them; it was just that the Black-Clad Guard was notoriously ruthless. To complete a mission, they could even abandon their own people; abandoning a mere magistrate like him would cause them no psychological burden. Trusting them was not as practical as doing it himself.

Having said this, both men fell silent. After a long time, Zhou Yuan hurried over. "My Lord, the porridge has been prepared according to your instructions, and it has already begun to be distributed!"

"I see it!" Shen Yu waved his hand at Zhou Yuan, his gaze fixed tightly on the refugees around them. After receiving the porridge and rice, even though it was mixed with many unpalatable things, these starving refugees still ate it in large mouthfuls.

"Pfft!" However, among the crowd, someone spat out a mouthful immediately after eating, their face full of disgust. But this disgust flashed by and was quickly concealed.

But who were the Black-Clad Guards? They discovered it at once, and Han Hao immediately ordered, "That's him, take him!"

Following the order, the Black-Clad Guards moved quickly, surrounding the man. The man also sensed something was wrong and immediately grabbed a withered old man nearby to shield himself.

"Slow down, don't hurt anyone!" Seeing the Black-Clad Guards about to act, Shen Yu flew forward quickly and blocked their path. His sword was unsheathed in an instant, and his figure landed in front of the man in the blink of an eye.

Supporting the old man with one hand and swinging his sword with the other, blood splattered everywhere, immediately causing waves of gasps. The entire process was as fast as lightning, leaving Han Hao slightly astonished. He hadn't expected this magistrate to be an expert.

"Old man, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, thank you, My Lord, thank you, My Lord!" Trembling, the old man lowered his head to thank Shen Yu. But what Shen Yu did not know was that in the eyes of this seemingly frail old man, a light of hatred seemed to erupt.

A dagger, appearing from nowhere in the old man's hand, stabbed toward Shen Yu's chest!

"My Lord, look out!"