During my escape from famine, I survived by eavesdropping on the whispers of food.

The next morning, Qin Shuangshuang was disturbed by a knock on the door.

Qin Shuangshuang opened her eyes and saw her younger brother push open the door and enter. He said to her, "Sister, you're awake! Some officials came to see you just now. They looked very important and were dressed very well. If I ever become an official, I want to take care of you too."

Qin Shuangshuang asked curiously, "What's going on? Why are officials suddenly coming over? Could it be those people from the county government office that you saw before?"

Qin Hao nodded and said to her, "Yes, it's them. I know very well. It seems that this morning, those refugees went to the county government office to beg for food, but there wasn't much food available to give them."

"I'm in a complete mess right now, and then a few officials came by, apparently looking for you, but I told them you were resting and to come back later. Sister, aren't I a good girl?"

Qin Shuangshuang pinched his cheek and reasoned with him, "You're the most obedient one, but if any of these government officials come by in the future, wake me up. They're good people."

"If they come in the future, you can wake me up; don't worry about whether I'm resting or not."

Qin Hao nodded and said to her, "Okay, sister, I understand. Are you planning to go to the county government now? How about I go with you?"

Uncle Li is already waiting outside the door, just waiting for you to wake up so we can go see you together.

Qin Shuangshuang thought about it and realized that she really needed to go and see; she couldn't let Lin Zheng face it alone.

Now is the time for me to rescue him from this predicament, as I will inevitably need to trouble him in the future.

Qin Shuangshuang then said to him, "Okay, then you go outside and wait for me. I'll be out soon."

Qin Hao nodded obediently and closed the door behind him as he left.

Qin Shuangshuang looked at that sly little fellow; he was actually quite well-behaved and knew to avoid talking to girls.

Qin Shuangshuang quickly washed up and then went out.

The winter was bitterly cold, and Qin Shuangshuang was wearing a thick, tattered set of clothes that she had found in the courtyard.

She found several tattered, thick coats and distributed some to everyone so that they could have a better winter.

Qin Shuangshuang, her younger brother, and Uncle Li arrived outside the county government office.

Uncle Li said to Qin Shuangshuang, "I heard this news from our people. They said the county government was going to provide meals today, and many people were waiting there."

But there were so many refugees that, somehow, by midday, the entire street was packed with people.

Qin Shuangshuang stood on tiptoe and peered inside, guessing that Lord Lin must be in a terrible predicament by now.

Qin Shuangshuang asked him, "Can we go through this road?"

Uncle Li shook his head and explained, "These people are all incredibly strong, and it looks like it will be difficult for us to squeeze in. The main reason is that there are just too many people. If there weren't so many people, we could have squeezed in."

Just then, Lin Zheng, who was standing below the government office, looked at Qin Shuangshuang and saw her thinking about how to get in. Lin Zheng quickly instructed Jin Danian beside him, saying, "See? Qin Shuangshuang is here. Quickly find a few yamen runners and bring her over. Remember one thing: protect her safety. Who knows, she might save us from this predicament!"

Jin Danian nodded and said to him, "Okay, please wait here."

Then Jin Danian called a few of his brothers, and they went with him.

They went to the backyard and led Qin Shuangshuang and the others in from there.

As Jin Danian led Qin Shuangshuang inside, he said to her and the others, "These refugees are far too rampant. Originally, we only intended to deal with the refugees in this county town, but unexpectedly, the news spread, and they all rushed over as soon as they heard about it."

I don't know why this news spread so quickly; I suspect someone is pulling strings behind the scenes.

Qin Shuangshuang remained calm, shook her head, and said to him, "Everyone is just trying to make a living, so naturally no one would do anything malicious. I guess they just want everyone to have food to eat. I don't think anyone is being cunning."

Jin Danian sighed, "I hope so, but the grain sent from our government office is really not much, only enough to feed a few thousand people, but this seems to be for tens of thousands."

Qin Shuangshuang was instantly shocked upon hearing this, "Tens of thousands? How much grain would that require?"

Jin Danian shook his head, not knowing what to do. "The master is currently overwhelmed with worries. He has only just recovered from his illness. If he is overwhelmed with these matters, I am really worried that his condition may relapse."

Qin Shuangshuang thought that was indeed the case, and she couldn't let Lin Zheng get tired and stressed. "Take me there first, and I'll see if we can get through this crisis."

Seeing so many people in front of him, Jin Danian stood behind Lin Zheng and said, "Sir, I have brought the person here."

The group looked around at the densely packed crowd.

The younger brother stood next to Qin Shuangshuang, took her hand, and said to her, "Sister, there are so many people, I'm a little scared."

Qin Shuangshuang said to him, "Brother, don't worry, I will protect you. Just hide behind me."

Qin Shuangshuang looked around at the people coming and going. There were still so many, and she estimated that there would be even more people soon.

Lin Zheng's face was filled with worry as he said to Qin Shuangshuang, "Miss Qin, what should we do? I have never seen so many refugees before. I was only focused on marching and fighting before, and seeing so many refugees for the first time has truly shocked me."

The grain sent by the imperial court has only arrived in such a small amount; at this rate, it won't last another day.

Qin Shuangshuang looked around at the eaves of the houses, which were covered in snow.

Nowadays, people can even eat tree bark, so why can't they eat snowmelt?

Qin Shuangshuang had a bad idea after thinking about it for a moment.

If I were to take out all the Boletus luridus and other things that could be stewed from my space, I could cook some mushroom soup for everyone. As long as it's soup, it's good for everyone to have a warm drink, which is better than having nothing to eat.

Qin Shuangshuang looked around and saw that the snow was falling heavier and heavier. There were tens of thousands of people here now. If she used her method, she could probably slow things down for a while.

Finally, Qin Shuangshuang turned to Lin Zheng and said, "I have a brilliant plan."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zheng was overjoyed and said, "Quickly tell me, what brilliant plan is it? You'd better think it through carefully. There are tens of thousands of people involved. If we really want to provide relief, it will probably take a very long time."

Even if I wrote a letter now and sent it to the imperial court by the fastest horse, it probably wouldn't be enough time. With so many people, this is truly a difficult situation for me!"

Qin Shuangshuang said, "I wonder if I could borrow your elite troops, or if I could find someone with a loud voice to stand in front of me and relay my message."

The girl has a soft voice, after all.

Jin Danian volunteered, saying, "Let me do it!"