Chapter 259: Relief Efforts Begin - Part One

they still couldn't get the city gate open. When the mule carts behind arrived, a middle-aged man in rich clothes and looking flustered got off. He spoke to the guards for a while, but the city gate...The next day, Gu Huan also woke up early. When Xu Huaiyi was getting dressed, she opened her eyes and sat up. She changed the diaper for her daughter first, then fed her milk, and after tidying everything up, she handed it to Xu Huaiyi.

The father and daughter hugged each other for a while, giggling happily.

After Xu Huaiyi flashed away, Gu Huanxi also hugged her daughter out of the car. After dinner, she went to the tofu factory first. The tofu factory was operating normally, even busier than before, because she had expanded the production scale of tofu sauce and added two new products: chili bars and vegetarian meat. There weren't enough people, so she hired a few more women from the village. Now, there were over twenty people working here.

When Xu, the village head, saw her, his unease resurfaced. He couldn't help but ask again, "Ah Li's mother, are you really going to make so much bean curd What if we can't sell it all We'll lose all our money if it doesn't sell. Shouldn't we wait for Huaiyi to come back and discuss it together"

Gu Huanyi said, "Village Head Uncle, please rest assured, this is what Huaiyi means."

"So what's he planning to sell it for I heard Gao Zhuang muttering that finding a market in the city isn't easy, especially for things like this. People won't even take them if they don't know you, scared of getting sick."

"Huai Yi said he had a way, perhaps he knew someone in business"

She didn't make her point very clear, but Xu, the village head, had some guesses. But until those guesses were confirmed, his heart could only remain in suspense.

He poured just as much heart and soul into this tofu shop as Xu Huaiyi and his wife, if not more. He was even more concerned about it, afraid that if something went wrong, they would go bankrupt, leaving the villagers without a source of income to support their families.

So, no one was more eager for the tofu shop to thrive and prosper than he.

After leaving the tofu shop, Gu Huan instructed Wei Liang, who always stayed by her side, "Go prepare a carriage. We're going out in a bit."

Wei Liang was slightly taken aback, but he didn't ask anything. He simply replied respectfully.

Gu Xiaoyu curiously asked, "Mother, where are you going"

Gu Huanxi smiled and said, "Mother will take you and your sister out for a stroll."

Gu Xiaoyu hesitated, "But, isn't it said that things are a bit chaotic outside now The village is on patrol shifts, and there are still refugees lurking nearby…"

"Don't worry, there won't be any today."

"Why"

"You'll see when you get out."

As soon as Gu Xiaoyu got into the carriage, she realized what was going on. Her voice trembled with surprise and joy, "Could it be that the imperial court has finally opened its granaries to help the disaster victims"

Gu Huanyi nodded and shook her head. "The imperial court was involved, but the court had no grain. It was those wealthy families and prominent houses in the capital who raised the food."

Gu Xiaoyu immediately thought of the vision from that night and blurted out, "Is it because the Chang Le Hou Mansion was struck by lightning as a warning from heaven"

That night's anomaly spread throughout the capital the next day, and it reached even the villages. In fact, some people happened to be in a high place and witnessed the whole thing firsthand. For example, Gu Huanxi's family knew about Xu Huaiyi's plan, so they wouldn't miss this good show. They took a walk after dinner and strolled outside with their family. They arrived at an open spot just in time to see a flash of light from afar. Although they couldn't hear the thunder, the light was dazzling and clearly visible. To be honest, it was different from lightning, but for people at the time, apart from lightning, they couldn't think of anything else that could explain such a sight.

That's how it was just brushed over.

In the end, everyone in the village believed it wholeheartedly, even Gu Xiaoyu didn't doubt it. To him, Chang Le Houfu was like an enemy, having done so many evil things to him. It wouldn't be surprising if heaven struck them with lightning.

Gu Huanxi nodded along with him, solemnly saying, "Well, I guess so."

"That was an eye-opener, wasn't it" He said in a veiled tone, his eyes flickering with sadness before returning to their usual calmness.

Gu Huanxi didn't say anything to comfort him, just lovingly patted his head and handed Ah Li to him, letting the siblings huddle together.

Alì is just a little angel, and soon made Gu Xiaoyu laugh.

Gu Huan was pleased by the sight and couldn't help but smile. She pushed open half the car window. The village was in order as always: some were still plowing the fields, others were hunting in the mountains, and those who burned charcoal were even more diligent, nearly every household piled with kilns, billowing smoke day after day. It was quite a spectacle. Besides using it themselves, they also wanted to gather more to sell outside. Such thriving and vibrant energy – who could have imagined that at night, the village had been probed and intruded upon several times

If it weren't for the patrol team's early discovery and response, if it weren't for the villagers' experience with fleeing disaster that allowed them to remain calm in times of crisis, if it weren't for everyone working together wholeheartedly, who knows if Lake Village would still have this peaceful scene today.

She didn't tell Xu Huaiyi about any of this, fearing that he would be distracted by family matters at the academy. After all, he had already devised a way to 'force' those people to donate for disaster relief. As a result, these crises in the village would 'resolve themselves'.

The carriage arrived at the village entrance and came to a gentle stop.

Wei Liang got out of the carriage and went to negotiate with the people guarding here. Soon, Hu Village Head came over leaning on a cane and asked through the car window, "Mrs. Xu, are you going out"

Gu happily agreed politely.

Hu Cu Chang hesitated and said, “It’s not peaceful outside. Is there something very important you need to do If it’s not urgent, why don’t you wait for Huai Yi to come back”

Gu Huanxi knew the other person was concerned for her safety, so she felt grateful and didn't get angry. She patiently explained a few things, saying, "Don't worry, sir. Right now, the disaster victims are too preoccupied with their own survival to bother our village. The imperial court should be starting relief efforts soon, and perhaps in a few days, this disaster will be resolved."

"Really How do you know that" the village head asked excitedly.

Gu Huaxi only had to coax, "Last time when Huaiyi returned, he just vaguely said a few words. Later, Master Huisin wasn't praying for the disaster victims At the same time, there was thunder and lightning in Chang 樂 Houfu, which was seen as a warning from heaven. To quell this matter, Chang Le Hou had to raise grain to help the disaster victims. Then how could those who served with him in court not follow suit Even Huaiyi's school expressed its position. With everyone contributing, the disaster situation naturally eased."

Hu Cunzhang murmured, “Right, you make sense. Then what is this…”

"Nowadays, everyone is talking about Master Huxin's saying, 'Helping disaster victims can bring blessings to oneself.' I also want to do my best to pray for the children, hoping they will be safe and well. This time, I'll go investigate first. If there are suitable opportunities, I'll donate some food."

"Oh, oh, well wishes, should be..."

The village chief had people move the fence blocking the entrance to the village, but he was still uneasy. He called his eldest grandson over and insisted that Hu Yingjie accompany him.

If something happens, having more people also means greater safety.

He couldn't bear to refuse, so he thanked them and agreed.

Once they left the village, the carriage sped up. After about half an hour, they saw the majestic city gate from afar. Wei Liang pulled on the reins and forced the horse to stop.

"Madam, there are too many people ahead."

Gu Huanxi had already seen it from the window. How many there were, she didn't know, perhaps more than just this one place. After all, it was said that there were tens of thousands of refugees in the capital now. At the relief site, in order not to cause chaos, it was best to separate them. What they saw now occupied a piece of farmland. The wheat seedlings had been pulled up and eaten by starving refugees earlier. Now, it was bare and only had a sea of heads.

Fortunately, the team was still orderly and there were no scenes of shoving or fighting.

In front, there were several sheds, inside which stood a few large pots. The porridge in the pots was bubbling and emitting a fragrant aroma of grains.

The carriage dared not get too close, only faintly hearing some noise.el of harmony between wives and concubines. But if she was truly so charitable and generous, how come there were only two sons born in the palace Or why were they so much younger than her own son, and...