Chapter 2075: Rest Assured
In Anze Province, many swamps were deemed unsuitable for development under current conditions. However, Qiao Xuan remained confident in her selection, knowing she hadn’t intended to claim all the swamps anyway.
Despite Qiao Xuan’s reassurances, Jia Heming maintained his skepticism, albeit with a forced smile. “Madam, your judgment is undoubtedly sound…”
It was Shao Yunduan who made the final call. “Let’s proceed as planned. Assign them tasks here and pay them according to market rates. With work to occupy them, they’re less likely to cause trouble.”
Thus, the exploration served as a pretext. Even if it didn’t yield the desired results, it wouldn’t matter much.
Qiao Xuan shot Shao Yunduan a glance, sensing his lingering doubt. That conversation could wait until they were home…
After some consideration, Jia Heming concurred.
Crucially, they couldn’t afford to let the refugees idle. Unsupervised free time often led to trouble—opportunities for theft, mischief, and other vices.
With a respectful bow, Jia Heming pledged his compliance. “Understood. I’ll attend to it promptly.”
He then instructed Jia Heming to escort Qiao Xuan home. “There are fewer than a thousand refugees at present, and it may be some time before we reach the next thousand. Please, take some rest for a few days.”
His wife’s enthusiasm seemed unyielding. Despite her lack of fatigue, Qiao Xuan decided not to contest the matter. It was an opportunity to spend time with her son, after all.
With refugee registrations now complete, the count stood at 921 individuals, all fleeing from flood-ravaged areas.
Jia Heming organized them by geographical origin and, with the assistance of four clerks, led them to the settlement. Their immediate task: constructing shelter, using whatever materials were available, be it tiles, bark, or thatch.
Given the season, there was no urgency, and temporary arrangements sufficed for the time being.
Uncertainty loomed regarding how long these refugees would remain in Anze Province. If they departed come spring, the houses would seem wasted—an unacceptable notion for Jia Heming, ever mindful of frugality.
Thus, the priority lay in providing temporary shelter from the elements. If some chose to stay longer, decisions could be revisited then.
Apprehensive that they might be turned away, the refugees breathed a collective sigh of relief when Jia Heming reassured them of the government’s provisions. Grateful, they cheered and expressed their thanks to Lord Shao for extending his hospitality.
The prospect of work brought a sense of ease rather than resentment among the refugees. They understood that nothing came for free in this world.
While the government could provide temporary shelter and sustenance for a few days, perhaps even a month, what then? Were they to expect perpetual charity from foreign governments?
It was only logical to assume they’d be swiftly expelled.
With employment now secured, they could at least count on staying until winter, possibly even until spring.
Next year promised a fresh start—a chance for everything to fall into place.
To maintain order, the government dispatched 50 bailiffs. Under Jia Heming’s direction, the clerks organized the refugees into groups and began the task of building houses.
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