Chapter 75 Mingpan Town
By the time Gu Yu arrived at Mingpan Town, it was just dawn.
The journey en route was significantly slowed down due to numerous roadside robberies, causing their carriage to arrive at Mingpan Town only now.
Looking at the devastated town before him, it was truly shocking.
Gu Yu had not expected… other towns to be so ruined because of the earthquake. The force of the earthquake in Lian Town was minor, but here it was so severe that people could no longer live there.
No wonder so many refugees had flooded into Lian Town.
Gu Yu now had a better understanding of the current situation.
“Instructor’s husband, you must be careful. The surrounding towns have been very chaotic lately, with many ferocious guys killing people and eating their flesh. Although this place looks abandoned, you still need to be extra cautious to prevent being attacked by those people.”
“Have people resorted to eating human flesh?”
“It has been a long time since the earth dragon appeared… During this period, people’s food and drink have been a big problem. Although some people will not starve to death, for those with savage personalities, this is the best opportunity to unleash their perverted inner desires, so they no longer have any scruples.”
While speaking, the bailiff did not state things directly but hinted them implicitly. Upon hearing this, Gu Yu felt very helpless about the situation.
In such circumstances, all they could do now was hope that the imperial court would quickly distribute disaster relief grain.
However, Gu Yu had not expected such ferocious individuals to appear in such a short time.
Normally, wouldn’t it take a long time… until people had no food at all before some, under duress, would have such thoughts!
“The earth dragon’s appearance this time was sudden, and after its appearance, there were many black-hearted fellows who took advantage of the disaster to rob. When their lives were almost gone, naturally no one would resist for food… and afterwards, when there was no food, people then took risks… all for the sake of survival!”
Perhaps sensing Gu Yu’s thoughts, the bailiff, who was leading the way, spoke with great emotion.
Gu Yu had been in this world for too short a time and did not know everything about some matters. However, the bailiff, being a local who grew up here, understood such situations very well.
Especially with the constant warfare in Linfeng Kingdom in recent years, the civilians were in a state of fear and unease. Taking advantage of the earth dragon’s appearance to rob was entirely within expectations.
However, it was the common people who suffered!
As for Lian Town being in a relatively good situation, it was attributed to Magistrate Bai’s effective management and the fact that the bailiffs had been trained by Instructor Gu. With the implementation of iron-fisted methods, no one dared to cause trouble at this time.
As for other towns, they were not so lucky.
While the bailiff was talking with Gu Yu, the two quickly arrived near the collapsed river channel.
Seeing the mess ahead that prevented the carriage from passing, the bailiff became agitated, thinking that if he left the carriage there, the strong horse would likely be reduced to a pile of bones by the time he and Gu Yu returned.
However, if he stayed to guard the carriage, Gu Yu’s safety would become a problem.
“Really, if Magistrate Bai had sent two bailiffs, I wouldn’t have to face such a dilemma now!”
“You don’t need to follow me. If you walk along this river, I can find the place.”
Upon seeing the obstacle blocking their path, Gu Yu did not react much. He simply spoke to the bailiff, who was showing a conflicted expression, after seeing the obstruction.
Although bringing the bailiff along would save Gu Yu some trouble if he encountered danger, as he wouldn’t have to act himself, the carriage could not pass together. Gu Yu did not want to be without a carriage to ride back, and thus have to walk home.
That would be too unlucky.
When the bailiff heard Gu Yu’s words, his face showed hesitation, and then he looked up at Gu Yu’s somewhat frail body, thinking that it was absolutely impossible to let Gu Yu, a scholar, take risks!
If Gu Yu were to really have an accident, he would not be able to live either.
“Instructor’s husband, the situation now is not what it used to be. We should be more careful. Otherwise, let’s go back this time. When we bring more people, we can investigate it then.”
“That would take too much time. You also know the power of my medicinal powder, so don’t worry. I’m leaving first! You stay here and guard the carriage well. Don’t let anything happen to you by the time I get back.”
“Absolutely not, Instructor’s husband, you can rest assured!”
Upon hearing Gu Yu mention the medicinal powder, the bailiff finally remembered… Gu Yu was not only Instructor Gu’s husband but also a very skilled physician.
The medicinal powder he made was extremely potent!
It was even stronger than Instructor Gu’s.
At least, it was very effective against a group of people.
Indeed, if Gu Yu were just an ordinary scholar, how could he have caught the eye of the formidable Instructor Gu!
Thinking of this, the bailiff immediately nodded to Gu Yu, assuring him that he would guard the carriage diligently and that nothing would go wrong.
At this moment, Gu Yu stepped forward. With numerous obstacles, he walked with great difficulty. Several times his body became unstable and he almost fell, but fortunately, his balance was good, and he did not fall directly.
Finally arriving at the place where the river was blocked, Gu Yu looked at the pile of bricks, stones, and trees blocking the river channel. His eyebrows furrowed, and he felt that things were not as simple as they seemed.
These obstructions blocking the river were somewhat too obvious.
Had Magistrate Bai properly investigated the situation?
Or did he only rely on the reports from his subordinates, which was why he said the river channel was blocked by the earthquake…
“Heh heh, another fat sheep delivering himself, brothers come out quickly!”
“Yo, it’s still a fair-skinned, tender scholar. Today is really good luck!”
“Why the nonsense, just tie him up, so he doesn’t slip away unnoticed like last time, which made me chop and eat my woman.”
“Haha, when the next woman comes, just make her your wife.”
While Gu Yu was pondering these things, several voices suddenly rang out. This meant Gu Yu did not have to search for them later.
However, listening to what they said made one feel nauseous.
It seemed that since the earthquake, these people had committed many misdeeds!
Gu Yu did not utter a word of nonsense to them. Instead, he directly sprinkled the medicinal powder, causing these knife-wielding fierce bandits to collapse softly on the ground before they could even act, losing all ability to move.
