Seeing him like this, Qin Yining couldn’t help but find it amusing. Men truly have childlike aspects regardless of their age, and even someone as steady in temperament and meticulous in thought as Pang Xiao couldn’t escape this convention.

The procession slowly approached Shuinan City, and the scenes that met their eyes were even more tragic than what they had witnessed in Jingang. The closer they drew to the former capital of Great Yan, the more severe the disaster became.

Both Pang Xiao and Qin Yining lost their mood for idle chat, each looking out one side of the window toward the areas densely populated with disaster victims.

They discovered that among the disaster victims, barely one in ten elderly remained, and children were equally scarce. The surviving disaster victims were mostly young and middle-aged men, with women comprising only a small portion.

In the face of natural disasters, physically robust men had greater survival capabilities than frail women, while the elderly and children, without careful care from family members, simply couldn’t withstand such calamity.

Qin Yining’s expression grew heavy.

When the disaster victims saw Pang Xiao’s relief procession arriving, their numb faces all turned to look. Seeing the prince’s manor guards transporting cart after cart of fully loaded wagons, the disaster victims rose to their feet one after another, their eyes filled with longing.

No one knew who shouted first: “The prince has come to provide disaster relief!”

The disaster victims, who had been lifeless just moments before, suddenly seemed to be injected with vitality, flowing like water toward the city gate where the convoy was located.

Pang Xiao hurriedly dismounted from the carriage, ordering the Elite Tiger Guards to surround the convoy. Walking shoulder to shoulder with Mu Jinghu to the outermost perimeter where the prince’s manor guards were positioned, he cupped his hands toward the disaster victims surrounding them and said: “Fellow villagers, everyone please remain calm. This prince will immediately order the setting up of soup kitchens, and you’ll be able to eat hot porridge shortly!”

Originally, the disaster victims hadn’t believed those rumors from the north. In their impression, court disaster relief had always been sluggish and dragging. Otherwise, during all this time, as they fled from various places to the major cities, they didn’t know how many family members and fellow villagers had starved to death along the way. If any official had been willing to act this decisively, so many people wouldn’t have died in vain.

Now, however, seeing Prince Zhongshun act so decisively, and the personal soldiers in armor who had come with him briskly unloading grain from the carts, everyone became excited.

So the rumors were true after all!

Looking at that grain, the disaster victims in the front rows could no longer contain themselves.

Having provided relief along his journey, Pang Xiao had seen his fair share of disaster victims who would riot and loot. With a wave of his hand, the prince’s manor guards and personal soldiers immediately stepped forward, raising their weapons horizontally to keep the common people outside the perimeter.

Pang Xiao declared in a loud voice: “Everyone, rest assured! This prince has brought sufficient grain – everyone will have food to eat! If anyone fails to maintain order right now, they’re only delaying the relief efforts. If everyone riots and loots, when will we ever be able to finish cooking the porridge? Wise people will help set up stoves and carry grain right now, not cause trouble!”

Those disaster victims whose eyes had turned red at the sight of grain still found it difficult to control themselves, but they feared the blades in the hands of the prince’s personal soldiers and dared not act rashly.

There were also some people who, after hearing Pang Xiao’s words, let reason prevail. They spontaneously told those around them to maintain order, and several young men stepped forward, volunteering to help.

Pang Xiao nodded with satisfaction, and his subordinates organized those disaster victims who had volunteered to help in finding places to set up stoves.

With someone taking the lead, disaster victims who were still capable of work stepped forward to help, and order outside the city gate immediately improved.

Pang Xiao returned to the carriage. Qin Yining was looking out through the window, and when she saw him approach, she gave him a thumbs up, causing Pang Xiao to smile involuntarily.

At the city gate, Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi led people to post a notice. Qin Yining was extremely curious and got out of the carriage to look, only to see that the notice contained a list of “sponsors.”

The wording was plain and simple, lavishly praising the wealthy merchants and landowners along the route who had sold grain to Pang Xiao, but instead of saying they had sold grain, it said they had “sponsored” grain.

By changing a single word, the entire meaning changed. Those who had profited from national disaster had suddenly become great benefactors.

Qin Yining turned back to look at Pang Xiao and couldn’t help but say with amusement: “This must be Master Xie’s idea, right?”

“Exactly.” Pang Xiao nodded with a smile.

Qin Yining praised: “Master Xie is truly clever and understands human nature well. This way, won’t those merchants who seek reputation actively contact Your Highness? They won’t receive any less silver, and they can even earn a good reputation as virtuous families.” There was another layer that Qin Yining didn’t voice publicly.

This approach would also conceal how much silver Pang Xiao had spent. If questioned, they could simply claim that people had sponsored grain and supplies.

In any case, before Li Qitian, no matter how much goodwill and loyalty Pang Xiao showed, it would be misinterpreted. Even without crimes, charges would be fabricated against him. Right now, they simply needed an explanation to silence wagging tongues.

And this explanation not only dispersed attention but also mobilized enthusiasm – why not do it?

As soon as Pang Xiao’s group entered the city, Huzi, who had been sent earlier to purchase grain, approached with his men.

“Your Highness, the grain is being transported here. This is the account book.” He presented a blue-covered ledger with both hands.

Pang Xiao didn’t even look at it. “You keep it, don’t lose it.”

Huzi knew this showed Pang Xiao’s trust in him. This account book could be considered evidence of Pang Xiao using the treasure trove – the total amount recorded inside for purchasing grain and supplies was an astronomical figure.

Nodding with a grin, he tucked the account book into his chest. Though Huzi wore a playful expression, his eyes were serious. “Your Highness, rest assured. I’d sooner lose my head than lose this account book.”

Pang Xiao tapped his forehead once: “Nonsense.”

Huzi rubbed his forehead, his peripheral vision catching sight of Bingtang behind Qin Yining. His smile became even more foolish, and even his ears turned red, causing Bingtang to also blush and lower her head.

Seeing this, Qin Yining couldn’t suppress her laughter and stepped forward to follow Pang Xiao to meet the local county magistrate.

Having found methods to procure grain and supplies, Pang Xiao’s disaster relief proceeded very smoothly. All along the route toward the former capital, he provided relief as he went. The disaster victims were all deeply grateful to Pang Xiao, and Prince Zhongshun’s reputation among the people became unparalleled.

By the time they reached the former capital of Great Yan for relief work, it was already the first month of the ninth year of Shengchang. The convoy arrived treading through snow, and before they even approached the city gates, disaster victims were already welcoming them along the way.

“Prince Zhongshun has come!”

“The prince has brought grain to save us!”

“Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Princess Consort!”

“The prince is our benefactor! When the earth dragon turned over years ago, it was the prince who came to save us. Now during this disaster, it’s still the prince who comes to save us!”

“You all don’t know – the princess consort actually arranged for people to come save people long ago. When the floods first began last year, the steward under the princess consort had already rescued many common people to her estates, and there were people specifically teaching how to develop terraced fields. Otherwise, we would have lost even more people this year!”

“The prince and princess consort are truly great benefactors!”

…

The common people discussed among themselves, their gratitude overflowing in their expressions. No one knew who shouted first, but soon people in the crowd began calling out: “Long live the prince! Long live the prince!”

This cry of “long live” truly startled the Elite Tiger Guards and strategists who had accompanied them.

Only the Son of Heaven could be called “long live.” If these words reached the capital, Pang Xiao’s hat of “plotting rebellion” would be impossible to remove.

But beyond their shock, those who truly followed Pang Xiao also felt equally proud.

This was the enlightened lord they followed!

He had given much, but had equally received the people’s love!

These words all came from the people’s hearts – no one had taught them to say such things.

At this moment, even these followers who had sometimes gone hungry along the way and still had to procure grain and supplies felt satisfied in their hearts, feeling that everything had been worthwhile.

The strategists led by Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi were now filled with mixed emotions.

“Brother Xu, Brother Xie, if we hadn’t listened to your advice back then, we would probably have made a grave error.”

“Exactly. Although we all had the prince’s interests at heart, our vision was ultimately limited, and the decisions we made nearly caused the prince to miss this excellent opportunity. Seeing this scene now, we’re truly filled with lingering fear.”

Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi repeatedly said “too kind, we dare not accept such praise.”

Xu Weizhi added: “Actually, everything comes from the prince’s heart. When the prince first began disaster relief, he was wholeheartedly devoted to the people, deciding to take from the people and use it for the people. If the prince’s heart weren’t with the common people, even if you and I had desperately remonstrated, the prince wouldn’t have listened.”

Xie Yue also nodded, pointing to the sky: “That one up there is a perfect example.”

Thinking of the Son of Heaven, everyone couldn’t help but sigh.

“Being an emperor, he can really be so heartless as to ignore whether the people live or die.”

“All along our journey, all grain and supplies came from the prince’s own funds. The Son of Heaven only gave eight carts initially, and even set a trap for the prince. These past months, the prince has saved so many common people, yet the Son of Heaven has had no reaction at all – not a bit of silver or grain for disaster relief!”

Several strategists became indignant thinking of Li Qitian’s actions.

But Xie Yue laughed heartily, pointing toward the cheering common people by the roadside outside the carriage: “Isn’t this a case of ‘plant melons, get melons; plant beans, get beans’?”

Hearing this, the others also burst into hearty laughter.

Qin Yining, wrapped in a fur-collared cloak and holding a hand warmer that had grown somewhat cold, listened to the cheering outside with some worry.

“This is a major city – there must be Li Qitian’s spies here. Moreover, the governor in the city is newly appointed. Those we originally knew have all been punished due to the disaster situation, and we don’t know which side he truly stands on. If he submits a memorial impeaching you, that wouldn’t be good.”

Pang Xiao’s large hand encircled Qin Yining’s shoulder, giving it a pat, and pinched her icy cheek: “Alright, don’t worry. I’ll go out and say a few words. Regardless of what the people think, my attitude must be clear.”

“Exactly so.” Qin Yining nodded.

Pang Xiao then grabbed a cloak to put on and ordered the convoy to stop.

Seeing the procession gradually come to a halt, the common people who had been welcoming them along the roadside couldn’t help but stop their cheering. They saw a man step down from the carriage – tall in stature, distinguished in bearing, and handsome in appearance, wearing a black fur-collared cloak.

Standing in the open space, Pang Xiao cupped his hands toward all directions: “Fellow villagers and elders, what virtue and ability does this prince possess to deserve such a welcome from all of you in wind and snow?”

Hearing this, the common people burst into cheers.

The people of the former capital still remembered the days under the rule of the Yuchi clan of the Yan Dynasty. When Prince Zhongshun had led troops to attack, they had been terrified beyond measure, truly because this prince had such a fierce reputation that everyone who mentioned him seemed to see a malevolent spirit, as if he could devour human flesh and drink human blood at any moment.

But many years had passed, and looking back, during the war between the two nations, this prince had never massacred civilians. There were even common people who had survived in places like Liang City who had cleared the prince’s name, saying that claims of his massacring cities at will were completely unfounded. He had even defied imperial orders to avoid massacring cities, leading to the current Son of Heaven stripping him of military authority and recalling him to the capital for “debriefing.”

During the war between the two nations, the Yuchi clan naturally wouldn’t speak well of their enemies. But the people’s eyes were sharp. When he had besieged cities, he hadn’t slaughtered the poor civilians, and had even transported grain to relieve the famine that followed the drought in the former capital that year.

Later, when the earth dragon turned over, it was he and the princess consort who had come for disaster relief.

Now, before the great floods, the princess consort had already arranged for people to come and make preparations in advance, and now it was again the prince and princess consort who came for disaster relief.

It could be said that Prince Zhongshun’s reputation as a “malevolent spirit” from years ago had gradually been erased, and now his fame for being brave in battle and benevolent toward the people had spread far and wide.

“Everyone,” Pang Xiao called out loudly: “You honor this prince too much. This prince’s disaster relief is also under orders from the Son of Heaven. I truly cannot bear the title ‘long live’ – only the Son of Heaven can live as long as Heaven itself and be called ‘long live.’ This prince is deeply moved by everyone’s sentiments, but please be careful with your words and never offend the Son of Heaven’s majesty!”