Chapter 688: Murder?

Two days later, they finally arrived in Le'an.

On their way to Le'an, they had already experienced a light snowfall.

After passing Mayi, it didn't snow anymore, but the weather became colder.

As soon as Yun Zheng pulled Ye Zi out of the carriage, a gust of cold wind swept over him.

Ye Zi, who had just gotten off the carriage, couldn't help but shiver with cold.

Seeing this, Xin Sheng quickly took out a snow-white mink velvet cloak and handed it over, "Mrs. Zi, please help me put the cloak on you! Don't freeze your body."

"Ah."

Ye Zi nodded slightly.

"Let me do it!"

Yun Zheng took the cloak from Xin Sheng, slowly helped Ye Zi put it on, and then walked forward with the girls.

Ye Zi let Yunzheng hold his hand and looked up at the foggy sky, "It's going to snow heavily in the next two days. Let's just see if the people in Le'an have supplies for the winter. If they don't have supplies for the winter, I’m afraid we have to allocate some supplies from military supplies.”

"This won't work!"

Yun Zheng refused without thinking, "Military supplies are military supplies! The soldiers are bleeding and fighting outside. Although there is no war now, they don't need training. No one can freeze them!"

He would rather send people to Fuzhou to wipe out all the cloth and garment shops than use military supplies.

Seeing Yun Zheng's determined look, Ye Zi and Miao Yin couldn't help but smile.

never mind!

If we don’t move the military supplies, we won’t move the military supplies!

Anyway, it's not the coldest time yet, and Chen Bu has already ordered people to step up the purchase of large quantities of cold-proof materials from within the customs.

It is estimated that a large amount of cold-resistant materials will soon enter Shuobei.

Le'an looked very dilapidated at this moment.

Of course, looking at it from the other side, it can also be said that this place is growing.

The outer city wall has been built half a foot high, and the roads in the city are paved with stone slabs and cement.

Shuobei's cement production is still very limited, and it is currently unrealistic to directly use cement mixed with gravel to pave roads.

There are scattered houses on both sides of the road.

The better ones are made of stone walls, the second best ones are made of rammed earth, and the third best ones are those made of thatched straw.

Some houses have been built, and some are still under construction.

There are also some disaster relief camps provided by the government, but there are basically no people inside the camps.

Most people are probably busy.

Seeing this group of people, many people subconsciously stopped what they were doing and looked over curiously.

However, in the face of these armored and sharp soldiers, no one dared to come forward.

Not long after, Yunzheng saw a grain shop.

There were several government officials guarding the entrance to the grain store.

"Are you afraid that these people will steal food?"

Miaoyin asked Ye Zi in a low voice.

"Ah."

Ye Zi nodded lightly, "At the beginning, there were incidents of victims looting grain stores here. Later, people were sent to guard grain stores and banks, and this kind of thing was gradually put to an end."

"Do these victims have money to buy food?" Miaoyin asked again.

"Most people should still have it."

Ye Zi smiled and said: "There are banks here that lend money. Even if you have nothing, everyone can borrow one or two silver from the bank! You can also get wages for helping the government build roads and cities."

The reason why Le'an wanted to build roads and city walls first was to provide these victims with work-for-relief opportunities.

As long as these victims are willing to work hard, they will not starve to death.

While they were looking around, a group of people hurriedly came from a distance.

"I am lowered to the magistrate of Le'an County, Wu Shengtai, to see the prince and the two ladies."

Wu Shengtai, who was still three feet away, led everyone around him to salute Yun Zheng and the others.

"No gift."

Yun Zheng waved his hand gently and slowly stepped forward to stare at Wu Shengtai, "I think you look familiar to me!"

Wu Shengtai bowed and said: "Go back to the prince, I have stayed in the prince's palace before."

"No wonder!"

Yun Zheng suddenly realized, "Since you are here, come and walk with us in this city!"

"Yes!"

Wu Shengtai took the order.

Led by Wu Shengtai, the group continued to wander around the city.

On the way, Wu Shengtai also told them about Le'an's situation.

Currently, there are 130,000 people in Le'an, most of whom are victims of the disaster from within the customs. There are also a very small number of people who come to Le'an to do business.

Le'an currently only has one decent restaurant and a few inns.

The government offices are quite well built.

The common people who worked for the government received different rewards depending on their labor. The daily wages were basically between three and ten cents. A small number of skilled craftsmen could receive ten to twenty cents.

Le'an's biggest dilemma right now is the lack of supplies to keep out the cold.

Wu Shengtai had written to Chen Bu several times to explain the situation. Chen Bu also allocated some cold-warming supplies to Le'an, but the amount was far from enough.

Seeing that the weather was getting colder day by day, Wu Shengtai was also anxious.

If there are not enough cold-proof supplies, many people will freeze to death when the weather gets colder.

Listening to Wu Shengtai's introduction, Yun Zheng and Ye Zi couldn't help but look at each other silently.

Sure enough, they guessed it.

"Soon, a large amount of cold-resistant materials will enter Shuobei. I will ask Chen Bu to go to Le'an first to distribute them."

Yun Zheng gave Wu Shengtai some reassurance.

Wu Shengtai was overjoyed and said loudly: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Yun Zheng waved his hand and ordered: "Take us to a place where there are many people working."

"Yes!"

Wu Shengtai said and immediately led Yunzheng and the others towards the quarry.

The construction of Le'an requires the use of a large amount of stone, and a large number of people are quarrying, cutting, and transporting stone here. The quarry is undoubtedly the busiest place.

There were also children who looked younger than ten years old and were walking among the crowd carrying water bottles, responsible for refilling people's water.

Yun Zheng walked to a large pot that was boiling water and frowned instantly, "You're not just going to give people these things, are you?"

Yun Zheng pointed to the big pot in front of him, which was boiling something like grass roots.

"no no!"

Wu Shengtai quickly explained, "This is boiled water for everyone. There are herbs in it to help ward off the cold."

"Oh?"

Yun Zheng looked into the pot again and said, "I happen to be a little thirsty. Scoop a bowl for me and let me taste it."

"This……"

Wu Shengtai opened his mouth slightly, with a look of embarrassment on his face.

Yun Zheng saw something strange about Wu Shengtai, "Why, I can't drink this?"

"no no."

Wu Shengtai shook his head quickly, "Back to your lord, although the water made from this herb can drive away the cold, it will make people uncomfortable..."

feeling bad?

Yunzheng became even more curious.

"You put it like that, I really want to try it and see how uncomfortable it is."

Yun Zheng said, winking at Shen Kuan next to him.

"Your Highness, let the general have a taste first!"

Shen Kuan said warily.

No one knows whether the water is poisonous or not. Should we be cautious?

"Fine!"

Yun Zheng nodded and said nothing more.

Shen Kuan immediately scooped up half a bowl of steaming herbal water, blew it to cool it slightly, and then poured it into his mouth.

As soon as he drank the water, Shen Kuan felt something was wrong.

The next moment, Shen Kuan suddenly drew his knife and put it on Wu Shengtai's neck, shouting murderously: "How dare you! How dare you murder His Highness! Come and arrest all the people who made the herbal water!"