Chapter 796 - 556: Supreme Daoist Lord
On the open ground outside the city, there was a district of temporary shelters.
Uniform grass mat roofs arranged neatly, with narrow yet clean passages connecting them.
Among them, the disaster victims in ragged clothes could be seen moving about orderly.
Contrary to the imagined chaos and clamor, there was actually a sense of order and solemnity, almost like a well-arranged campsite.
Captain Wu, dressed in a blue official robe and carrying a long sword at his waist, led a few yamen runners, riding slowly to the edge of the shelter area, reining in the horse while surveying everything from above.
His brows relaxed slightly, a hint of approval flashed in his eyes, and he mused silently:
"This Magistrate Lu is indeed a capable official! To have settled nearly ten thousand refugees so orderly!"
Holding the sword sheath, his face remained expressionless, but the calculations in his mind were loud:
"With the backing of officials from the Ministry of Personnel, and possessing his own skills, he is surely destined for great future."
"Such a character must be befriended. When he leaves office, I will personally lead, sending a Ten Thousand People’s Umbrella as a gesture of goodwill."
Just then, his gaze inadvertently swept across the entrance of the shelter area, and a familiar figure caught his eye.
The man wore a slightly worn blue short outfit, hunched, with a clear side profile — indeed, it was his household servant Wu Liu.
A trace of surprise flashed in Captain Wu’s eyes, then he called out loudly:
"Wu Liu!"
At the call, Wu Liu quickly turned around, immediately spotting Captain Wu on horseback, and his face instantly showed respect. He hurried forward and fell to his knees with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly:
"Your servant Wu Liu greets the master! I was unaware of your arrival, and failed to welcome you properly. Please pardon me, master."
Captain Wu reined in his horse, looking down at him with a calm tone:
"Get up. Why are you not in the mansion performing your duties, and instead ran off to this refugee shelter area? Could it be you are lazy and slipped out secretly?"
His words carried a hint of displeasure.
A household servant, leaving without permission, might suggest to outsiders that he is poor at managing his household?
Wu Liu hurriedly stood up, bowed his head, his hands placed by his sides, his waist bending almost to touch his thighs, with a respectful and earnest tone:
"Master, your servant wouldn’t dare to be lazy. The old madam specifically instructed your servant to come here."
"Ever since the old madam returned from asking for talismans at the Zhenbao Temple, she has been more devout, burning incense and chanting sutras daily, always talking about doing good deeds, accumulating virtue, saying the refugees now are pitiable people, and instructed your servant to bring rice and grain from the mansion to relieve the refugees here. She also specifically warned your servant to be diligent and responsible, without any neglect."
Captain Wu upon hearing this, his brows slightly relaxed, his displeasure dissipated instantly — this matter, he had heard of it.
A few days ago, the old lady specifically mentioned to him about a spirit-channeling Daoist at the Zhenbao Temple, saying the safety talisman requested was very efficacious, even getting one for him to wear closely.
Having worn it, he didn’t feel any different, just treating it as the old mother being getting on in years and believing in these supernatural things.
He had secretly inquired into the situation at the Zhenbao Temple and found it to be an official temple, not a rogue one, so he didn’t bother to interfere, letting the old mother do as she wished, treating it as her spiritual solace.
"I see."
Captain Wu nodded slowly, his tone much calmer:
"Since it’s the old madam’s instruction, make sure to handle it well, do not disappoint the old madam’s intentions."
"By the way, you’ve been here for some days, you must be familiar with the situation of this area, accompany me for a walk, and explain the circumstances well."
Wu Liu quickly bowed and responded:
"Your servant obeys! Please follow your servant, I will certainly explain everything to the master thoroughly."
With that, he quickly walked to the front of Captain Wu’s horse, slightly turned sideway to lead, an utmost respectful demeanor.
At a slow pace, the group entered the shelter area, with grass mat shelters neatly arranged on both sides. The refugees, seeing Captain Wu in official robes, rose and stepped aside, eyes filled with some awe.
Before long, Captain Wu saw a sizable porridge distribution site, above the shelter hung a large white banner, with a distinct black ink "Wu" character, very prominent.
In front of the porridge distribution site, a few servants from the mansion were orderly ladling porridge and handing out bowls, the refugees queued neatly, no signs of snatching.
Captain Wu looked at the "Wu" character banner, the corner of his mouth curled with a barely noticeable smile, secretly satisfied:
"Well done. Doing good deeds indeed needs a reputation."
"Our Wu family is also a scholarly family, the reputation of a benevolent family not only earns respect from neighbors but also greatly benefits future generations in their scholarly pursuit and official career."
He nodded in satisfaction and said to Wu Liu: "Not bad, the old madam’s instructed task, you’ve carried it out very well."
Wu Liu quickly bowed in reply:
"It’s all the old madam’s kindness, your servant only followed orders, I dare not claim credit."
The group continued forward, Captain Wu’s gaze kept sweeping over the distributed porridge sites along the way, becoming increasingly surprised as he observed.
Every hundred steps along the way, there was a shelter distributing porridge, atop each shelter hung different banners with names "Zhang," "Zhao," "Li," "Wang," etc., all of them notable and influential local families!
He reined in the horse, his expression gradually growing solemn, secretly astonished:
"What is going on? These notable local families in the county, they’re all here?"
They are all local powers, who doesn’t know who?
If our county suffered a disaster, considering their reputation, they might provide some symbolic relief, mostly they would seize the opportunity to annex land and exploit people.