shut palace gate. He felt nothing but pain.After Li Chen went in, he never came out.Chen Zhi seemed to hear Zhao Rui's soft, melodious voice from inside the palace doors, a voice he had longed for i...Chapter 1759: Zou Qingyuan's Thoughts

"What has happened in Gansu and Shaanxi now, everyone knows why you were forced to leave your homes and come here. You all understand this in your hearts, there's no need for me to say more, nor does it require a small magistrate like myself to question the decision of the imperial court."

Zou Qingyuan looked weary, but he took a deep breath and spoke loudly: "The world is difficult, and it's not just the hardships faced by our fellow countrymen who have left their homes. We, the local officials, are also having a tough time."

"The imperial army is fighting the Liao forces just a few hundred miles away. Right now, we've lost the Moonlit Pass, and the entire Gansu-Shaanxi region faces the Liao cavalry. What can we do We can only rely on the imperial army. So, those of us in the rear, no matter what the cost, must contribute."

"All of you are like this, Zou Qingyuan is like this too, and the hundred thousand people in Yulin Prefecture, both high and low, are also like this."

"The imperial court has relocated everyone here, and although everyone was unwilling, they were forced to move. Logically, with the imperial decree in place, the officials of Yulin Prefecture should treat everyone with leniency, but Yulin Prefecture is also facing difficulties!"

"Life in the entire Yulin Prefecture was already difficult. It was hard enough to feed its hundred thousand local people, and even then, it had to rely on begging for relief from the capital every year just to keep things running. But how many people have moved here this time Take a look behind you. The makeshift shelters stretch across the land, covering even the accumulated snow, making it impossible to count. I tell you, there are a total of one hundred twenty-six thousand and five hundred!"

This is equivalent to the Yulin prefecture suddenly having its population double. Moreover, you all have left your homes and families behind, with nothing but the clothes on your backs, no land, and relying entirely on the Yulin prefecture for food, shelter, and everything else. With so many people needing care, how much capacity does the Yulin prefecture even have to accommodate them

"Some might say it was the imperial court that relocated everyone here. Then you should petition the court for relief and support. That logic is sound, but right now the imperial court is facing its own difficulties, with immense pressure on the front lines. Any resources they have are being sent to the front lines. How could they possibly concern themselves with the lives of those in the rear"

After all, if the frontline collapses, then the entire Gansu-Shaanxi region and even half of the country will fall. Which is heavier

"I could, by my command, allow all of you into the city. But look at what happened in other gathering points - once that was done, prices skyrocketed and the government lost control. The local people have some savings, but how many ounces of silver do you all possess"

"Then, the already limited resources would inevitably be raided. Tensions between local residents and those who migrated in would immediately escalate, each side harboring resentment towards the other. Under immense pressure to survive, the only outcome would be a clash, leading to an uprising!"

Zou Qingyuan's words pierced the heart.

The people fell silent, and Li Chen also frowned.

It's Xu Wei, feeling that Zou Qingyuan is truly outrageous.

Every sentence actually accuses the imperial court.

Impliedly, the root of all this lies with the imperial court.

It may not be obvious, but people can still hear it. Even those in power can't possibly miss it.

At this time, Zou Qingyuan said again: "Therefore, letting you all live in tents in this icy and snowy weather may seem cruel, but it is actually my protection for you. The porridge you have been having these days was donated by wealthy households and common people in the city. And they are willing to donate because I promised them that I would not easily put you into the city to compete with them for resources. This is the only way to stabilize the local population and migrating people at present."or dragging him into it out of fear.What a dirty scoundrel, shameless!No matter how displeased the scout felt, Xiao Tiannan still personally led him to Yelü Shenxuan at the first opportunity.This time...