135: Chapter 135: Gratefulness (Third Update Today) 135: Chapter 135: Gratefulness (Third Update Today) “What’s the point of saying so much?
What does this have to do with us not getting porridge?
Are you implying that sooner or later we’ll freeze to death, so we might as well starve now?”
This person clearly came here looking for trouble, as Lin Yi finally understood.
This guy has probably received quite a lot of benefits.
He waved his hand to stop his subordinates who wanted to rush forward to take the man, then ignored him and continued to look at the 30,000 refugees around him.
“The question you asked is indeed a good one.
However, it’s not that I want all of you to starve to death, but I am afraid that you might.”
As he saw that person below was about to speak again, Lin Yi did not give him another chance, but spoke directly:
“His Majesty’s benevolence is immense, and you are all His subjects.
Every time He thinks of your suffering here, Your Majesty finds it hard to sleep.
Since He cannot bear to see you suffer here, He specially ordered me to set aside land in Nanshan where you can build houses.
In this way, you will also have a new home, shedding the identity of displaced people.
What’s more, it provides a place for you to take refuge before the cold winter arrives, so you can better withstand the biting cold.”
Had Lin Yi bluntly told them to go to Nanshan to mine for him,
These people would definitely have objected.
There would inevitably be troublemakers popping out.
But now, Lin Yi directly stated that this is a vast imperial grace, that the Emperor, considering their displaced situation, has specially approved a plot of land for them to build houses—that sounds different.
As a 21st-century modern person, Lin Yi is very skilled in the art of speaking.
As expected, after his words, those who were originally restless due to that skinny man’s complaint quieted down.
Some were even moved to tears.
They could never have imagined that the Emperor of today was so merciful.
To actually allocate a piece of land for them to build houses, giving them a new homeland—how could they not be moved?
Some of the more astute individuals even began to ponder.
Although it seems that Nanshan is located in a remote area, after all, it is still within the Capital.
Even a bad place under the Emperor’s feet is much better than their previous locations.
Therefore, they secretly resolved in their hearts that as long as they could make a living here, they would definitely not leave.
At the very least, they knew that even if disaster struck, they wouldn’t become displaced under the Emperor’s feet.
However, even though they were moved in their hearts and had shed tears, none of them expressed too much.
None of them responded to Lin Yi.
They just silently stood there, their eyes fixed on the porridge carts.
This allowed that skinny man to catch a critical point.
It appeared he had grasped the last bit of hope; he stretched out his hand, pointing to the porridge pots on the carts, shouting loudly:
“His Majesty is merciful, and since He is building houses for us, we should be grateful.
But why is the porridge loaded onto carts?
What does this have to do with what you are saying now?
No matter how nice your words are, isn’t it still true that you do not want us to have porridge?
After all said and done, all these are empty talks.
Not to mention how long it takes to build the houses,
Everyone here must be very clear about that.
Just speaking of the present, if we cannot have the porridge, we can only wait to die here.
“I’m afraid we’d starve to death before this house even begins construction, right?”
At this moment, Lin Yi finally turned his gaze toward the speaker.
Gazing intently into his eyes, unblinkingly.
The gaunt man trembled as if struck by electricity, and quickly moved his gaze away from Lin Yi.
For some reason, a sense of fear arose from the bottom of his heart, sending shivers down his spine.
However, thinking of the large ingot of Silver hidden in his embrace, he gritted his teeth and looked up again, staring fiercely at Lin Yi.
But before he could speak again, Lin Yi’s voice, soft as a spring breeze, rang out beside his ear:
“You’re not a government official, how do you know that I do not wish to offer you this porridge?
Now I even start to doubt your identity, look around you, is there anyone as energetic as you?
Could it be that you, like those from before, are a spy embedded amongst them?
Or have you been bought by someone with ulterior motives?
Let me think, if someone bought you, what would they use?”
Seeing Lin Yi frowning and pondering, the man panicked and tried to speak in defense.
But before he could open his mouth, Lin Yi waved him off:
“Don’t rush, let me contemplate, surely besides money, they must have given you quite a bit of food, right?
However, such porridge isn’t easy to carry nor suitable to give away.
I presume they must have given you dry food, probably cakes or buns, right?”
With those words, the man visibly shivered, a reaction Lin Yi captured well.
He also confirmed his suspicion was correct.
Thus, he waved to his subordinates nearby:
“Detain him, search his body, and remember, do it in front of everyone, it has to be absolutely fair, just, and public.”
His subordinates had already disliked this man, and if not restrained by their superior, they would have charged forward already.
Finally receiving the order, they no longer hesitated and charged towards the gaunt man.
He immediately panicked.
As he prepared to turn and flee, he shouted loudly in grievance:
Is there no justice anymore?
How can such abuse of authority happen directly under the Emperor’s nose!
I only spoke a few words of truth on behalf of everyone, and they treat me , is there no justice in the world?
I demand to file a complaint, I demand to present a memorial to the Emperor!”
However, the soldiers were not indulgent towards him.
Despite his loud protests, the soldiers quickly caught up and grabbed him by the back of his neck.
With hardly any effort, they dragged him over.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the man began to struggle frantically.
Seeing this, a Soldier gave him a big hit with a Big Coin Pouch, immediately knocking him senseless.
PS: Thanks to Patron Youzi for the rewards, this chapter is dedicated to Patron Youzi.