Bai San immediately saluted upon hearing this.
"Lady of the Pavilion, feel free to speak; there’s no need for such courtesy."
Pei Shu’er said, "After those displaced people are driven out, tell them there’s a way for them to survive. For those willing to seek a livelihood, we’ll be waiting for them at the Ten-mile Pavilion ahead."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was somewhat puzzled by Pei Shu’er’s intentions.
Bai San looked at Tang Zan and, seeing him nod, agreed.
"Lady of the Pavilion, rest assured. We will convey your message at the appointed time."
Tang Peizhong sighed, "Probably not many will come."
Pei Shu’er nodded, "Saving a few is better than none. It’s a beneficial endeavor, and only these people will truly treat the Deserted Mountain as their home and put effort into building it."
These words left Tang Peizhong stunned; this daughter-in-law was not at all like the impression he had had of her.
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Otherwise, so many people would not be beneficial to them, as it would easily expose their whereabouts.
Tang Zan understood this better than anyone.
Tang Zan’s men were sitting in front of the carriage, driving it for them.
Another carriage was filled with grain, dry rations, and some daily necessities. If they got tired of eating dry rations, they’d make a meal.
In the Capital, they couldn’t buy goods on a large scale, and what’s more, the Capital had become a complete mess and was really not suitable for purchasing.
They planned to buy more in other cities.
The Ten-mile Slope was ten kilometers from the Capital; if these people were able to walk ten kilometers, it would mean they had passed the initial screening.
If they weren’t willing to walk even ten kilometers, then there was no need to waste time.
They waited at the Ten-mile Slope for half a day before seeing the displaced people.
There were tens of thousands of displaced people in the Capital, but only seven or eight followed them.
Others either couldn’t walk or found it unreliable.
After all, they had already reached the Capital; who could say when the Emperor might be in a good mood and let them into the city?
Then they’d find a livelihood in the city, much better than heading to the far north, wouldn’t it?
Moreover, who could say if these people might be swindlers?
In comparison, these seven or eight people who came with them seemed exceptionally naive or foolish.
Among the seven or eight people, only a gaunt woman held a baby in her arms, so hungry that the infant was nothing but a tiny bundle that couldn’t even cry audibly.
Besides, there were two small children with her, their cheeks dark and thin.
Among others, there were old, weak, sick, and disabled people.
After all, these people really couldn’t wait any longer.
If they stayed in the Capital, the most likely scenario was starving to death before the Emperor changed his mind.
Since someone was willing to take them in, there would surely be food provided.
These seven or eight people noticed there were only a dozen people on Pei Shu’er’s side, and the men looked fierce, scaring them a bit.
Just then, Pei Shu’er got off the carriage. She had resumed dressing as a woman, so she didn’t have to use oral skills constantly in speaking, which was taxing on the throat.
Moreover, there were no women in the group; if the female displaced persons saw this, they definitely wouldn’t dare to join.
Pei Shu’er smiled warmly, "Let’s go. The place we’re heading is quite far, but it’s definitely better than the Capital."
The woman, her lips cracked, immediately knelt before Pei Shu’er, knocking her head three times.
"Can I beg the girl for some food for the children? My kids are almost starving to death."
As she was saying this, she couldn’t even shed tears anymore, having not eaten or drunk for a long time.
Pei Shu’er immediately took out a porcelain bottle containing powdered milk, and a feeding bottle, then prepared the formula and handed it to the woman.
The woman looked at the feeding bottle perplexedly, not knowing how to use it.
Pei Shu’er bent down and inserted the bottle into the baby’s mouth.
The baby initially didn’t know how to drink, but after sucking a few times, learned how to, and the only sound was the swallowing of milk.
Pei Shu’er sighed, "Let’s go."
Another old man, limping, walked over and respectfully saluted Pei Shu’er.
"May I ask, miss, where is our destination?"
These people hadn’t passed the trial yet, so she wouldn’t reveal the destination.
If these people fled, their home in Gulan Mountain, coupled with the War King’s event, would make many suspicious of them.
Pei Shu’er said, "Don’t worry, old man. You’ll know when we arrive, and we are not bad people."
"Only by following us will you have a way out."
Others exchanged glances, hesitating for a moment.
As she spoke, Pei Shu’er looked at Di Liu.
"Give these people some food and water."
Their faces lit with joy; they hadn’t eaten for many days and didn’t expect to have food as soon as they followed this woman.
Pei Shu’er said, "I’m giving you food because you are my subordinates. I do not support idle people. If your legs are crippled, find some work you can do."
"If you just want to take advantage, I won’t feed you for nothing."
Pei Shu’er had to give this warning, or these people might think she was foolish.
She didn’t need leeches sucking her dry.
Upon hearing her words, everyone’s minds eased; they didn’t fear work, they feared being spoiled.
After they ate, Pei Shu’er said, "Get on the carriage."
There was another carriage behind, and though tight for eight people, it was still possible. They couldn’t make them walk.
After all, some were very old, and some very young.
Pei Shu’er said to Tang Zan, "Could they drive the carriage to the city gate? There should be more displaced people there, and I will bring them back."
She was focused on construction, for Gulan Mountain Range had vast resources.
But for construction, manpower was most needed.
These people needed land, and she needed manpower.
Tang Zan nodded and lifted the carriage curtain to instruct his men.
As everyone was about to turn away, Tang Zan spoke.
"In the future, whatever my wife orders, you must obey."
His subordinates were somewhat stunned, as no superior had ever ordered them to obey his woman.
Pei Shu’er was also surprised; in the original book, Tang Zan never issued such an order, as he was a deeply suspicious person.
Even those close to him for a long time were guarded against, let alone someone who had only been with him for a short time.
So what did Tang Zan mean by this move? Was there a deeper plan?
Was it a reward for her rescuing them this time?