After refusing marriage, she was pampered by the prince who acted as a shield.

Chapter 281: Forcibly Managing Refugees

Lin Rusi told them to deliver the supplies directly to Li Xiaokui and the others: "In that case, bring more refugees into Suzhou City, which will reduce the pressure on Lingzhou."

Lin Rusi fell silent again when the topic of the refugees in Suzhou was brought up.

Yesterday's move seems to have gone a bit too far. How to regain the trust of the people of Suzhou is still a problem.

"Your Highness, judging from your expressions, is something wrong?"

Li Xiao Kui was usually quite perceptive, and he immediately noticed that the Suzhou plan seemed to be going poorly: "If there's anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask."

When Li Jingyang explained the situation in Suzhou, the problem that was giving the two of them a headache seemed to be no problem at all for Li Xiaokui.

"Isn't that simple? If they don't want to come, just tie them up and bring them over. Our Juncai is settling refugees from outside the city, not the people of Suzhou."

Li Xiao Kui scratched his head slightly, somewhat surprised: "It's none of their business, why do we need their consent? As for the refugees outside, they probably don't have the strength to disagree now."

Upon hearing this, Lin Rusi and Li Jingyang were both stunned for a long time.

Yeah, how come they didn't think of that?

As expected, those involved are often blinded by their own interests; Li Xiao Kui's words actually solved their biggest problem.

"Xiao Kui, you are truly a genius."

Lin Rusi clapped her hands excitedly and praised Li Xiao Kui without reservation, making Li Xiao Kui embarrassed: "Your Highness, how could I be so amazing? I was just a bandit for a while, so my methods are a bit straightforward, hehe..."

Li Jingyang held back for a while, but couldn't bear it any longer, so he tapped the table again: "In that case, I'll leave this matter to you."

"okay."

Li Xiao Kui had no idea whether Li Jing Yang was starting to feel jealous again. All he knew was that his group of brothers had indeed been a great help to Prince Jing Lie.

They've only just returned, and they've already been given another important task.

Now that things have developed to this point, isn't it only natural that he will become Prince Jinglie's right-hand man?

Li Xiao Kui chuckled foolishly, then called to his men and prepared to leave.

"Wait, don't rush off. You're all dressed like bandits. People who know you're going to rescue someone will think you're going to silence them."

Lin Rusi quickly stopped her: "Go back and wash up first, and change into some clean clothes."

"That can't be done."

Li Xiao Kui quickly covered his face: "The prefect of Suzhou has a grudge against us brothers. He must recognize our faces. We deliberately painted our faces black outside the city before we came in. We can't let the prince's important business be delayed because of us."

Upon hearing this, Lin Rusi suddenly realized what was going on.

She said, "Why are these people's faces covered in patches of black? It's because they didn't apply the smear evenly."

"Then go take a shower. Aren't you uncomfortable covered in this?"

She casually called out to one of the constables: "Take them there, and remember to ask that person to change their faces."

How about changing the face?

Li Xiao Kui and the others were still a bit confused, not understanding who the new face belonged to or what the situation was, when they crowded together and followed the yamen runners out.

With a new plan in mind, Lin Rusi discussed it for a while, and before it got dark, they visited all the medical clinics, big and small, in Suzhou.

Of course, he carried the official seal of Suzhou Prefecture throughout the entire journey.

This thing was acquired with great effort, so of course I'll take it with me wherever I go, leaving Prefect Su no chance of getting it back.

Inspired by Li Xiao Kui's suggestion, the two laid out their conditions when they visited the clinic this time.

Those who actively cooperate with the government in treating refugees will be rewarded; those who refuse to cooperate will be forcibly conscripted.

If you're willing, I'll use it, and we'll both be happy.

If you don't want to, I'll forcibly requisition you; you can cry as you use me.

The situation was so urgent that the two had no choice but to resort to this measure, which saved them a lot of time from arguing with various medical clinics.

They can afford to wait, but the refugees outside the city can't.

After forcibly reaching an agreement with the medical center, Li Xiaokui and his entourage washed up, changed their appearances, and led a group of soldiers to personally carry a batch of incapacitated refugees into the city.

The procession moved along steadily, accompanied by the painful cries of the refugees, attracting frequent glances from the people hiding on both sides who were peeking.

Li Xiaokui is right. The refugees they were carrying had no ability to resist, so they could only let them do whatever they wanted.

In order to make everything public to the people of Suzhou, Li Jingyang ordered a tent to be set up in front of a clinic and cleaned the wound in front of everyone.

Inside the clinic, a large pot had already been set up to brew medicine. Only after the refugees outside had their injuries treated were they brought into the clinic's backyard to recuperate.

"This...they prey on refugees, yet they offer medical treatment?"

"Who said this is medical treatment? They can't be that kind. They must be messing around. Look at those refugees. They were already too weak from hunger, and now they're screaming in pain."

"No, you're wrong. They're treating injuries. I learned that from the doctors at the clinic before," someone immediately retorted.

The Suzhou residents who were watching fell silent.

Although it's unclear what this distinguished person from the capital is up to with such a drastic change in behavior, the fact remains that the injury was treated.

The busy night passed just like that. The next morning, the early risers of Suzhou, still thinking about what happened the night before, sneaked over to the vicinity of the clinic to peek.

As soon as they stepped outside, they saw another group of refugees being carried in through the city gate.

"Huh? Why are more people coming in? Where are the people from yesterday?"

"I've been to that clinic before. It's not very big. Now they've brought in so many people. Could it be that the people from yesterday have already been tortured to death?"

"I think it's possible. Sigh, what kind of world is this? We can't even die peacefully outside. Instead, we have to suffer like this in the end."

As the onlookers whispered among themselves, someone in the procession carrying the refugees suddenly spoke up.

"What nonsense are you all spouting? How could we be dead?"

"That's right, it's one thing for you to just watch the show from the sidelines, but why are you slandering the Prince?"

"Your Highness and Princess are our saviors. If you say anything more, I'll fight you to the death."

The people who were speaking were carrying the refugees when they suddenly stopped and confronted the people on the roadside.

These people were noticeably different from the others; they were much thinner and didn't seem to be in good spirits.

While others carried one refugee in twos, they carried one in four or fives, and they still looked like they couldn't muster any strength.

"What nonsense are you talking about? You think we've never seen what refugees look like?"