Dalong did not accept the magistrate’s letter of appointment, but he continued to help resettle the refugees. Lin Zhongsi and Erlang, while assisting Dalong, also began clearing the wasteland their family had purchased. Since returning to Liangping Town was no longer an option, they decided to settle on that barren land. Liulang was also busy—with so many refugees around, cheap labor was abundant as long as food was provided.
The court had announced that land rentals or purchases would be significantly cheaper for refugees. However, most refugees had fled with nothing, barely surviving, let alone having money to buy or rent land. Even with the policy allowing free cultivation for the first few years without taxes, it was effectively meaningless for most.
First, clearing wasteland required tools, and with so many refugees needing resettlement, the court couldn’t supply enough tools in time. Expecting refugees to fend for themselves or local authorities to gather resources was simply unrealistic.
Second, newly cleared land yielded poor harvests in the early years. Often, the crops weren’t enough to feed a family for a year. By the time yields improved, taxes would kick in, leaving families still struggling to survive.
Given these conditions, renting land from wealthy landowners was more practical than renting from the court. Landowners at least provided food and some wages during the reclamation process, whereas renting from the court meant refugees had to clear the land themselves, bearing all costs—something they couldn’t afford.
Ironically, this policy benefited the wealthy. Soon, refugee resettlement split into two extremes: the affluent, who still had money after fleeing, bought large tracts of cheap wasteland, while the majority, penniless, worked for the rich to survive temporarily. Once the land was cleared, they could rent it. The Tong family and Liulang’s household were among those who expanded their holdings this way.
Dalong refrained from buying more land, knowing that greed could backfire. Besides, the prosperous Lin Manor was already conspicuous; expanding further might invite trouble. In contrast, Chen Dong spent all her savings on land, as prices were much lower now than when she had bought her plot for three hundred taels.
As winter set in, refugees in temporary shelters, already weakened by their flight, succumbed to the cold. Illnesses and deaths from freezing became daily occurrences, worsening as temperatures dropped. The court’s insufficient supplies of clothing and bedding forced many to flee again, leading to rampant theft and robbery.
When Lin Chengxiang arrived at Lin Manor with the provincial government’s official revocation of the abandonment decree and the appointment letter, half the refugees had already left. Only the elderly, weak, and sick remained, many on the verge of death. Witnessing bodies being carried out of the shelters deeply shook Lin Chengxiang.
Holding the revocation document, Dalong was moved—his children’s futures were no longer tarnished, and he could live without shame or suspicion. Yet when the magistrate read the appointment letter, Dalong refused to accept it.
Taking office in a crisis might work for military matters, but resettling refugees was a matter of life and death. With the winter harsher than usual and temperatures still falling, Dalong felt unfit for the role of town chief. He preferred donating supplies for refugees over accepting the position.
Lin Chengxiang was surprised—most people coveted official posts, yet here was someone refusing one. Considering the dire situation, he didn’t press further. “Lin Dalong, I understand your hesitation. Think it over carefully. I’ll keep the appointment letter for you. Return when you’ve decided.”
Lin Zhongsi and Madam Tong later reflected on the irony of fate: years ago, Dalong was forced to leave home because of Chunhong, and now it was Chunhong’s son who worked to clear his name.
That evening, Steward Qi visited the Lin family, assuring Dalong he could safely accept the town chief position with the Qi family’s support. Initially uneasy about the Qi family’s surveillance, Dalong now accepted it, trusting Qi Biao’s protective intentions. If Steward Qi said it was safe, Qi Biao must have a plan.
The next day, Dalong and Madam Tong went to the county town—she to treat Magistrate Song’s wife, he to retrieve the appointment letter. At the county office, Dalong ran into an acquaintance.
“Well, if it isn’t Master Lin! You look younger—has the blessed land rubbed off on you?”
“Master Shi, what brings you here? Legal trouble?”
“Legal trouble? Master Lin jests. With corpses everywhere, who isn’t wronged? The magistrate can’t handle them all. I’m here on personal business.”
“Ah, so you’re close with the magistrate. Don’t let me delay you—these are busy times.”
“Not at all. And you?”
“Just passing by. Carry on.”
Dalong cursed his luck at meeting Shi Liaoliang in this remote county. He loathed the man, recalling how Shi Binhua had once tried to assault his wife and daughter. Only propriety kept him civil.
Since Shi Liaoliang was also seeing the magistrate, Dalong decided to visit later and headed to the Lin family’s clothing shop instead. With unrest rampant, he traveled with two guards besides Tan Liu.
The guards, originally from Liangping, recognized Shi Liaoliang—the town’s largest drug merchant—and despised him. They stayed vigilant until the encounter ended. Tan Liu, noticing their tension, resolved to learn more later.
At the shop, Dalong spotted a familiar figure. “Master Sima?”
The man turned slowly. “Master Lin. It’s been a while. I am Sima Xin.”
Inviting him inside to warm up, Dalong noticed a bulge under Sima Xin’s cloak—a baby. Sima Xin explained the child had a rare sleeping sickness; doctors couldn’t wake him, and he might starve. Recalling Chen Dong’s condition, Dalong sent Tan Liu to fetch Madam Tong, hoping she could help.
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