Zhou Huaijin looked up.
Zhou Huailing was walking towards the gate, followed by many guards and officers as well as imperial doctors. They were hailing him into the sky, showing flattering smiles.
Zhou Huaijin frowned slightly. The snow disaster had touched down, with refugees from different places gathered outside the gate. They were sick, freezing or starving, whilst Lord Ling seemed to be in a good mood and showed a very bright smile.
The refugees were all looking at Lord Ling outside the gate.
As they saw Lord Ling, the refugees also showed disgusted looks. This lord was just like the terrible officers they always ran into – none of them cared about civilians.
“Eighth Brother, what are you doing here?” Zhou Huailing asked in surprise at the sight of Zhou Huaijin.
“These refugees are coming into the city, Fourth Brother, open the gate for them. They have taken an overnight trip and need a place to stay,” Zhou Huaijin said politely. He was displeased with what he saw, but at least, he had to make sure the refugees were well allocated. That was the most important thing.
Zhou Huailing glanced at those people, then he frowned.
These refugees had not showered or changed clothes for ages, and they looked so shabby, just like beggars.
He stopped glancing with displeasure.
If these refugees were released into the city, the most flourishing place of the whole land would be full of hobos!
“No.” Zhou Huailing turned him down directly, “These refugees are having a hard time, but I need to be responsible for the residents inside the city. I heard that they have caught a cold? I can’t allow them to spread the disease!”
“What do you mean?” Zhou Huaijin asked expressionlessly.
“I mean, those who are sick can not be allowed inside.” Zhou Huailing snapped. He might have feared Zhou Huaijin a while ago, but now he did not have to be afraid of him.
Judging from how the King treated him, Zhou Huaijin seemed to have been disgraced?
The King was treating him really well. So he needed to fear nothing! Also, he had married the Phoenix Girl!
When the civilians heard that those who were sick could not get into the city, they let out a groan. They travelled all the way to the city and got no food or warmth. Those strong men might make it through since they did not get cold. Yet most of them had some infection more or less. Also, those refugees came in teams and groups, and the infection could not be fully avoided. This order basically meant that almost none of them were allowed to get into the city.
The refugees became totally desperate.
Snow and winds dominated their home with no crops harvested. They had no food to eat. They held the hope of coming to the capital for shelter so they could get some food, even if that meant that they had to offer some labor, but now…
The court was leaving them alone and deserting them!
Riot arose inside the refugees.
Zhou Huailing bellowed. “Shut up!”
Quiet dominated for one second and then the riot started again.
Zhou Huaijin looked at Zhou Huailing. “They have not been fed well or given enough warmth, so they more or less would get some infection. Where would they go if you don’t let them inside the city for treatment?”
Zhou Huailing sized up Zhou Huaijin. He sneered. “Lord Huai, aren’t you very concerned about the refugees? Then you can deal with it yourself.”