Chapter 144: National Ancient People Uprising, Envy of Plague City

Chapter 144

The refugees looked on with envy in their eyes: "Heavens, are these really the citizens of the Plague City? They seem so fortunate, able to receive so many supplies each month."

"Officer, can we go collect supplies too?"

"We also want to work in exchange for food..."

The soldier replied formally: "Any citizen who contributes labor is eligible to receive supplies."

A woman approached crying, about to kneel down: "Officer, my husband has passed away. I - I can work too. I beg you to consider—"

Seeing the woman about to kneel, the soldier quickly stepped back and hurriedly said: "Miss, there's no need to kneel before me! Women can work too, doing things like cooking or whatever tasks they're capable of."

"Whether you're a woman, or unable to do heavy labor due to physical reasons, as long as you want to work, we'll definitely arrange the most suitable tasks for you. So don't worry about not being able to do the work."

"Wonderful!!!"

The crowd of refugees applauded enthusiastically.

The woman was moved to tears. She had never imagined a place that would treat women so kindly.

Women could work for food too, and be respected!

Immediately, some people inquired about joining the army: "Officer, are the benefits for soldiers really that good?"

"Officer, can women join the army too? Are there any extra requirements?"

"Even if a soldier dies on the battlefield, their family will be taken care of? And their children can attend school for free?" NewW novels updates at novelhall.com

The soldier answered all the questions from the crowd, which made the people of Liujiang City deeply envious of the citizens of the Plague City.

Heavens!

The people of the Plague City were so fortunate!

They were glad they had chosen to follow the Elder Princess to the Plague City, rather than siding with the imperial court.

If the imperial court were recruiting soldiers, it would mostly be forced labor, without pay.

"The Elder Princess was right when she said life in the Plague City would be free from worries about food and clothing."

"When I saw there were female soldiers, I hoped that one day I could become a woman like them. I never imagined being a soldier had such benefits. I want to join the female guard unit too!"

"As long as I become a soldier, my son can go to school! I'm going to enlist!"

They wouldn't accept this!

The people gathered in groups to shout at the government offices, expressing their dissatisfaction and crying in distress. They beat the drums outside the county office to appeal for justice, hoping the county magistrate would listen to the voice of the people.

"Your Honor, my husband and son both died on the battlefield. Their deaths were so unjust! They left behind just me, a woman. With no son to care for me in my old age, how am I supposed to live?"

"Your Honor, my husband died while serving in the army. He died for his country, so why is the imperial court so heartless, not giving any compensation?"

"In the Plague City, soldiers get one spot for free education. Why can't the imperial court offer free education?"

"That's right, we had no harvest again this year! Look at the Plague City, not only do they not collect high taxes, but people can also receive so much grain for working. We have nothing!"

"..."

Seeing the aggressive crowd, the capital's county magistrate was too scared to hold court and could only order the county office to be tightly closed.

As the situation became increasingly serious, with the people growing more and more agitated and dissatisfied, all shouting about how their sons had died unjustly without any compensation.

They all cried about how good the rules in the Plague City were, how women could go out to work and earn money for food with their own hands, while they could only sit and deplete their resources.

The county magistrate: "....."

He was at his wits' end.

He even thought the Plague City sounded good!

No, no, no, he was an important official of the imperial court!

The magistrate wiped his face, then tried to sneak out through the back door. Oh no! The back door was also blocked by the people.

The dignified county magistrate ended up having to climb over the wall, fleeing in a pathetic state to report to the emperor at the palace.

At that moment.

In the main hall of the imperial palace.

When Pei Changying heard about the incident at the county magistrate's office, his arrogant and overconfident nature prevented him from realizing the gravity of the situation. He certainly didn't think that his rules needed to change.

Enraged, he threw the official report to the ground, exclaiming, "These insolent commoners dare to cause trouble right under my nose!"

"It must be the Consort Zhao incident that emboldened them. Do they think I am so easily manipulated?"

"Ignore them. If they dare to break down the gates of the county office, then according to the law, those who storm into the county office shall be charged with treason and immediately put to death!"