Chapter 168: Refugees' Hearts Return

In the side hall of Luo River County government office, a huge map of the three counties hung on the wall.

Different colors marked villages, farmland plots, water sources, and roads on it.

At this moment, Zhang Cheng was holding a fine brush, adding new marks to several originally blank spots at the edge of the map.

"Sir, look."

Zhang Cheng's voice carried a hint of fatigue, but more so excitement.

"These are the four newly established refugee settlement points this month; two are in the northwest of Luo River, near the mountains."

"One is in the southeastern depression of Thus entries: Thus entries: Anping, and another is beside the old post road by Riverside."

"All are located near water sources, with nearby wasteland reclaimed for farming."

Chen Wen stood before the map, his gaze sweeping over the newly added ink dots.

These marks represent the incessant influx of people, and also the weighty responsibility.

"The number of newly registered households now exceeds eight hundred, with a population over three thousand."

Wang Ru entered, holding a stack of freshly organized documents, and she said.

"This is only a preliminary tally; each day new refugees still arrive with their families."

"The situation's development is even faster than Chen Wen had anticipated."

"News of the summer grain harvest in the three counties and of 'no starving bodies on the road'."

"It spread like wings, following the trade routes and passing by word of mouth among the refugees."

"It quickly spread to the surrounding prefectures that had suffered from war, harsh governance, and famine."

"For those struggling on the line between life and death, a place where one can eat one's fill and survive is an earthly paradise."

"At first it was just a few here and there testing the waters; once they confirmed that the local government truly accepted refugees,"

"they were given rations and seeds, and wasteland was allocated to them."

"Even after being provided with rudimentary farming tools, the influx of people began to surge."

Chen Wen walked to the window, looking out at the street outside the office, which now appeared somewhat crowded.

"One could see many in tattered clothing, their faces bearing the marks of hardship."

"yet their eyes held a newly kindled spark of hope."

"They either went to the temporary camps under the guidance of clerks, or exchanged food at street-side stalls using the work-for-relief tokens issued by the government; overall order was maintained."

"Compared with the chaotic, despairing scene Chen Wen remembered from when Jiao Tu Zhen was first established, it is now worlds apart."

"Come, let's go check out the settlement point outside the city."

Chen Wen turned and said to Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru.

The party traveled light, with minimal retinue.

After leaving Luo River City and traveling northwest for about seven or eight li, they saw a newly opened camp.

The camp was built along a small stream, with rows of simple yet fairly sturdy shelters neatly arranged.

A simple fence of sharpened stakes encircled the perimeter, with soldiers of the Tranquil Peace Army on patrol.

Inside the camp, cooking smoke curled gently; though the voices were many, there was no sign of panic.

An elderly clerk in charge of the settlement here hurried over upon hearing the news; seeing Chen Wen, he quickly bowed.

"No need for much ceremony—how is the situation?"

Chen Wen waved a hand and asked.

"Reporting to the Defense Commissioner, this place has received one hundred twenty refugee households, all registered and issued three days' rations."

"The able-bodied have been organized into a reclamation team, led by veteran farmers, to clear the northern slope in preparation for planting beans and tubers."

"Women and children gather firewood, weave, or help with cooking near the camp."

The elderly clerk was clearly well versed in the local situation, answering fluently.

Chen Wen nodded and walked into the camp at an easy pace.

Many refugees recognized him, or rather recognized his official attire and the bearing of his guards.

They stopped what they were doing, some apprehensive, some hopeful, gazing toward him.

An old man with white hair and beard, supported by his seven- or eight-year-old grandson,

walked trembling up to him, making to kneel, but was stopped by Chen Wen's personal guard.

"Oh Heaven… Oh Heavenly Grandfather…"

The old man's voice choked, his turbid old tears streaming down his deep wrinkles.

"I… I am an old man who fled from Xingzhou… on the road, my son and daughter-in-law died of starvation and illness…"

"Only this old man and this little one remain… I had thought… I had thought we too would die on the road…"

"I never expected that, having come here, we could still have a meal to eat and a plot of land to farm…"

"I… I, the old man, kowtow to you!"

Saying this, he still tried to drop to his knees, overcome with emotion he could not contain.

Chen Wen felt a pang of sympathy, stepped forward, and personally supported the old man's arm, speaking softly.

"Elder, there's no need for this. Having arrived here, this is a place to settle and live. Take good care of yourself and bring up your grandson well."

"Ah! Ah! Thank you, great sir! Thank you, great sir!"

The old man repeatedly thanked him, and his grandson, obliviously, followed suit and kowtowed.

Seeing this, the surrounding refugees also gathered around, chattering excitedly about their gratitude.

"The government really gave out grain! Not bran, but real rice!"

"They also allocated wasteland, saying no taxes for three years!"

"The soldiers here aren't fierce either; yesterday when my child had a fever, it was the patrolling soldier who helped find a doctor…"

"We can survive…… we really can survive……"

On those faces that were once numb and hopeless, vitality has now returned.

Their eyes were full of hope for the future and gratitude toward the government that gave them all this.

This heartfelt allegiance rallies people more effectively than any coercive measure.

Chen Wen walked around the camp and saw a woman sitting by her hut mending clothes, her stitches fine and tight.

He saw older children organized into a group, being taught to read by a literate refugee elder.

He saw several middle-aged men, clearly artisans by trade, spontaneously repairing the camp's damaged fences and tools……

Wang Ru whispered from the side.

"My Lord, although the rations and initial investment are large under the current resettlement policy,"

"But if we can make it through this year, the land these newcomers clear will yield produce next year, greatly easing the pressure."

"Moreover, among these refugees there are no shortage of artisans and literate people."

"Even those with military experience, after a little screening, are usable talent."

Zhang Cheng also added.

"The Household Registration Office is working quickly to register households, ensuring population records are on file for easier management and corvée labor conscription."

"The Reclamation Team is also lightly organized along military lines, which improves efficiency and allows it to be converted into auxiliary troops when needed."

Chen Wen listened silently, calculating in his mind.

Population is the most precious resource in chaotic times.

With people come more soldiers, more labor, and thus the ability to support greater ambitions.

The refugees' allegiance is not merely a increase in numbers.

It is also the manifestation of Chen Wen's reputation for benevolence and righteousness and his governing ability, the living source of the growth of his power's Fortune Momentum.

That invisible vortex of Fortune Momentum within him also seems to grow from the endless influx of people's hearts and vitality.

It becomes mightier and denser, its turning subtly resonating with the cooking smoke of every newly settled household on this land.

Each newly cleared field produces a mysterious resonance.

Leaving the resettlement point, on the road back to Luochuan City,

Chen Wen saw a newly erected boundary marker beside the official road, inscribed with the two characters "Luochuan".

He knew that perhaps the border of this land temporarily ends here.

But its allure and the hope it carries have long since passed this stone.

It spreads onward to more distant, more difficult places.

"The foundation lies in the people's hearts."

He murmured to himself, his gaze resolute.

"And this people's heart is coming from all directions."

He seemed to see the invisible fortune like a trickling stream, flowing in from all sides.

Merging into the land behind him that grows ever more prosperous, and also into his own foundation, which is steadily accumulating and awaiting transformation.