The fat wife is rebellious: she was spoiled by the group on the way to escape famine

"Open the door! Open the door! Open the door!"

The crowd did not take any extreme actions, but just shouted in unison at the door.

Xu Fangqi was furious upon hearing the news.

"This is outrageous! Are they planning a rebellion?"

"Come here! Disperse these ignorant refugees! Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy!"

The officers followed the order and left, but the refugees refused to retreat, and a conflict ensued between the two sides.

The unarmed refugees could only passively take the beating, and many were injured.

However, their numerical advantage united them, and they were enraged when they saw their companions being mercilessly beaten.

Unable to bear it any longer, they exploded and confronted the officers.

The riot caused by the disaster victims ended with the county magistrate personally stepping in and arresting many people.

However, after being detained for a few days, these people were released because the county government had no food.

After all, we can't let them really starve to death in the cell.

This incident caused a great uproar, and the news that the prefect would come to inspect the matter in person and distribute relief grain quickly spread.

The refugees were very excited.

They have been without food for several days, and every family is facing a food shortage.

As soon as the news came out, everyone seemed to have forgotten their previous dissatisfaction, and they asked about the prefect's schedule every day, looking forward to his arrival.

After waiting for several days, the prefect and his entourage finally arrived.

As soon as they entered the city, they immediately set up a porridge stall.

This made the people and refugees in the city praise the prefect highly.

It seems that there is no better official who cares about the people than the prefect.

The tents were set up and the refugees rushed to line up, even the local residents joined in.

Smoke rose from the shed, porridge was being prepared, and the people in line were praising the governor to each other.

"This prefect is truly a good official who cares about the people!"

"That's right. The first thing he did upon entering the city was to arrange for porridge distribution without any rest. He is truly a rare good official."

However, people's praise stopped at the moment the porridge was distributed.

Faced with the pots of porridge of strange colors in front of them, no one said anything at first.

Until everyone was handed a bowl of clear, grayish porridge, the hungry people didn't think much and drank it directly.

As soon as you put the porridge in your mouth, problems arise.

The porridge was extremely watery, with almost no rice grains visible, and it had a muddy taste. The worst thing was that there was sand mixed in with the few grains of rice at the bottom of the bowl.

This undoubtedly ignited the powder keg.

Most people immediately began to protest.

"Why is this porridge so terrible? Do you really think we are beggars and are using gravel and dirt as a substitute?"

"The Emperor has issued orders to provide relief to the victims and has granted you grain. How can you use such a shameful thing as a pretext?"

"What do you mean by 'serving the people'? They're just another bunch of corrupt officials sucking the marrow out of us!"

For a moment, the word "corrupt official" echoed among the crowd.

This is not porridge at all, it's clearly mud that can barely be swallowed.

"Corrupt officials!"

"Corrupt officials!"

"Corrupt officials!"

The commotion quickly attracted the attention of Xu Fangqi and the newly appointed prefect Zhou Wensheng.

"What's the commotion outside?"

Xu Fangqi gave Zhou Wensheng a cautious smile, then called a servant to ask.

"This……"

The servant stammered for a while, then finally leaned in and whispered everything the refugees were dissatisfied with.

"How dare you be so brazen! Immediately detain the troublemakers and await trial!"

When Zhou Wensheng saw this, he understood what was going on.

With many years of experience in officialdom and having handled the matter of disaster relief grain, he was well aware of the inside story.

He smiled and stopped the servant who was about to carry out the order.

"Wait, there's no need to rush. Please step back and let me discuss this with your elders."

The servant glanced at Xu Fangqi and seeing that he had no objection, he accepted the order and left.

Xu Fangqi turned to Zhou Wensheng and said.

"Sir, a harsh environment breeds unruly people! This group of refugees is very good at causing trouble. They need to be severely punished as a warning!"

Zhou Wensheng was not in a hurry. He took a sip of wine and smiled.

"Don't be hasty, Fang Qi. The people's will is the most important thing. You can't be too forceful in handling affairs. You need to know how to appease the people."

Xu Fangqi seemed to understand something and asked humbly.

"Then according to your Excellency's opinion, what should we do in the current situation?"

Zhou Wensheng laughed out loud.

"That's fine. Let's calm down the men first. We can deal with it after the meal. It's not too late."

The two of them chatted and laughed, toasting each other for a while, and another half an hour passed before they got up.

The two of them went to the city together to distribute porridge.

The refugees were making a lot of noise, and soldiers were surrounding them, standing with weapons, monitoring the crowd.

Afterwards, Xu Fangqi witnessed Zhou Wensheng putting on a compassionate look and speaking earnestly to the refugees with great sorrow.

Unfortunately, the voice was so soft that Zhou Wensheng showed his impatience and quietly signaled to others.

Upon hearing this, the man stepped forward and shouted loudly.

"Silence! All of you! The prefect has something else to say!"

Zhou Wensheng looked at everyone with a smile on his face. Gradually, the crowd quieted down and he began to speak.

"I am the prefect of Huizhou. I am fully aware of the controversy surrounding the disaster relief porridge. Please rest assured that I will thoroughly investigate this matter and will not tolerate any leniency."

Although no concrete action has been taken, these words have indeed given the people some comfort.

It is rare for someone in a high position to make such a promise.

The complaints in everyone's hearts then subsided.

Ultimately, all they need now is an official gesture and hope that the problem will be resolved.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd mentioned Jiang Jinhe.

"Sir, Madam Jiang has been imprisoned for many days. When will she be released?"

This sudden question made the prefect a little surprised.

He looked at Xu Fangqi, only to see his face gloomy as he bowed and began to explain to Zhou Wensheng...

"Sir, she is just an ordinary village woman who was imprisoned due to a minor misunderstanding. Now those refugees are still holding on to this matter."

"Hmm? What fault has she committed that still keeps her in your custody?"

Xu Fangqi stammered. What did he mean? Just because Jiang Jinhe refused treatment from someone else, he arrested him?

Seeing this, Zhou Wensheng didn't ask any more questions.

"If there's nothing serious wrong, it's best to release him as soon as possible, so the people don't keep thinking about it and it affects your reputation."

After settling the refugees, the two left.

Xu Fangqi was still brooding over the release of Jiang Jinhe, feeling that the other party had looked down upon him and had no intention of letting go.

Zhou Wensheng advised:

"Fang Qi, you're being a bit extreme. The refugees may be weak, but they're numerous. If they're pushed into a corner and a conflict breaks out, the situation will get out of control, and your safety will be in jeopardy."

Zhou Wensheng said earnestly:

"Besides, after the epidemic is over, the higher-ups will definitely conduct a detailed investigation, which may bring up many other issues."

"Fang Qi, stop making things difficult for yourself."

Xu Fangqi was startled and bowed quickly:

"Thank you for your reminder, sir. I will definitely pay attention to it."

It wasn't that he truly accepted Zhou Wensheng's advice, but it reminded him to act with caution.

In this case, he has to handle the matter in a low-key manner.

Zhou Wensheng did not interfere too much in this matter.

Xu Fangqi agreed on the surface, but secretly had someone move Jiang Jinhe's place of imprisonment.

He was still upset about Jiang Jinhe's previous public refusal to seek medical treatment.