Blessed Girl From a Farm Family: Surviving the Famine With Space - Chapter 32

Then, Chang Zhong set up the pot and began stewing the meat.

While waiting for the meat to cook, Fu Manman chatted with Chang Zhong and his family. She learned that they were refugees from Qingzhou City in the west. Chang Zhong had originally worked as a guard for a wealthy family in a village, where he picked up some martial arts skills—mostly self-taught through practice. Because he was quite skilled, the master valued him, and their life had been relatively stable. But last year, when the Western Di invaded, the city garrison surrendered without a fight, abandoning the entire population and fleeing.

The Western Di soldiers stormed the city, burning, killing, and looting, slaughtering everyone in sight. Chang Zhong managed to escape the city with his family and the master, but it was a harrowing experience. Along the way, they encountered not only Western Di soldiers but also brutal bandits who preyed on the weak. During their flight, they eventually got separated from the master, but fortunately, the family remained together and safe—which was no small blessing.

“Doesn’t the imperial court do anything in such situations?” Fu Manman asked indignantly. With so many refugees, shouldn’t the court set up relief camps? These were suffering commoners—if the court didn’t help, how were the victims supposed to survive? In the era she came from, wherever disaster struck, aid would follow, protecting people, guiding them out of misery, helping refugees rebuild, with support coming from all directions. Those scenes were so stirring and heartwarming. Shouldn’t the imperial court of this era also assist the refugees?

“The imperial court? What imperial court is left these days? As we fled south, none of the cities would let us in. Those officials—they’re all heartless, turning a blind eye to people dying right in front of them!” Chang Zhong grew more agitated as he spoke, clenching his fists tightly, his eyes filled with both anger and helplessness.

Fu Manman felt deeply moved and shared their frustration. “How can the court treat human life so cheaply? What kind of wretched world is this!” It was utterly infuriating! She had been too naive—this was a ruthless feudal society, where human life was as fragile as paper.

“If the court won’t help us, how are we supposed to go on living…” Aunt Luhua wept, glancing at her children, who were emaciated and gaunt.

“Stop crying. Let’s serve the children some meat first!” Chang Zhong urged. The twin boys of the Chang family had been squatting beside the pot, not budging an inch, waiting eagerly.

Aunt Luhua nodded and set about serving the food.

Then Chang Zhong asked, “Where do you siblings plan to go from here? I heard that Qingzhou City on the way to the capital isn’t allowing refugees in.”

“Where are you planning to go, then?” Fu Manman asked in return. She still didn’t know much about this society. Qingzhou City was probably a key pass on the way to the capital. If they wouldn’t take refugees, they’d have to find another place that would.

“I’ve heard there’s a young Northern Yang King in the north. He’s talented and achieved remarkable military successes, recapturing several cities from the enemy. He treats the people well too—many refugees in his territory have received relief grain. I heard that come spring, he’ll even distribute land to the people! I plan to take my family north, to the young Northern Yang King’s domain, to seek a livelihood.” As Chang Zhong spoke of this young Northern Yang King, his face filled with reverence, and his eyes shone with a light of hope for the future.

“Brother, this young Northern Yang King sounds really impressive!” Fu An said, full of admiration.

Fu Qiang, however, kept a cold expression and didn’t say a word.