138: Chapter 138 You Take the Lead

On Li Han's round, chubby face, his two eyebrows were almost knitted together.

He sighed heavily and said, "That's a full twenty to thirty thousand mouths to feed!"

"They are all refugees fleeing from the north, flooding into Yunzhou City like locusts!"

Li Han slammed his teacup onto the table.

"We can't just close the city gates and watch them starve to death outside, can we?"

"If a civil riot really breaks out, both of our heads will be on the chopping block!"

Su Bai's eyelids twitched, but he didn't respond.

Li Han stood up, paced back and forth in the study with his hands behind his back, and said as he walked:

"You were a witness when the Demon army attacked the city a while ago."

"The casualties among the young and strong men in our Yunzhou City were truly heavy, weren't they?"

"Nine out of ten households are empty!"

Li Han turned his head and stared into Su Bai's eyes.

"Now there are a large number of widows left in the city, plus countless unmarried women among the refugees."

"The Yin and Yang are seriously out of balance, and public order has become a complete mess!"

"I'm so worried that my hair is falling out in handfuls!"

Su Bai thought to himself, your forehead didn't have many hairs to begin with.

Yet he didn't show it on his face, instead cupping his hands respectfully and saying to Li Han, "My Lord's concern for the country and the people is truly a blessing for the citizens of Yunzhou."

"Stop buttering me up!"

Li Han waved his hand, leaned in a little closer, and said to Su Bai:

"I have thought of a compromise."

"Since there aren't enough men, we should let the surviving men take on more responsibility!"

"Those women will simply be treated as military merit rewards and bestowed upon the soldiers who have rendered meritorious service!"

Su Bai's heart skipped a beat.

This move was absolutely explosive.

Treating living people as objects to be bestowed would definitely get one impeached by the censors in times of peace.

But in this chaotic world where Demons run rampant.

At this moment, this is the most appropriate course of action.

After all, the dead are already dead, and for those who remain, survival is what matters most.

Although Li Han's idea was a bit devious, it could both appease the military and solve the survival problems for some of the women.

"My Lord is wise."

Su Bai spat out these four words dryly.

Li Han nodded with satisfaction and slapped a large hand heavily on Su Bai's shoulder, "That is why I need an example."

"A young, promising general with glorious military achievements to take the lead and respond to the government's call!"

Su Bai realized it in an instant.

This is aimed at me!

"General Su, you have rendered meritorious service in eliminating the Piled Rocks Ridge, and you deserve a heavy reward!"

"I hereby grant you special permission to go to the Marriage Matching Office and freely select a few women to bring into your household!"

"It is settled; you go tomorrow morning!"

Without giving Su Bai any chance to refuse, Li Han issued a direct, unyielding order.

...

Walking out of the Prefect's office gate.

Su Bai tightened his cloak and pulled a bitter smile to the corner of his mouth.

Taking concubines by official decree?

What kind of nonsense is this!

How did I inexplicably become the role model for taking concubines in the whole city?

He looked back at the brightly lit Prefect's office.

Li Han played this trick quite skillfully.

He not only set a precedent but also took the opportunity to test whether I am obedient.

But this is also good; I was just worrying about having no excuse to cover up the matter of those Spirit Stone Miners in the cellar.

With the "obsession with women" matter, other people's attention will be diverted to some extent.

The next morning.

Su Bai led his horse and walked slowly along the streets of Yunzhou City.

The scene along the road was unbearable to look at.

Everywhere there were refugees in rags, huddled under the eaves and shivering.

Many young women with straw tags stuck in their hair knelt numbly by the roadside.

As long as you give them a bite to eat, these women would even sell their lives to you.

Su Bai secretly tightened his grip on the reins.

Li Han was right; if these women are not arranged, they will definitely not survive this winter.

Half an hour later.

Su Bai stopped in front of a spacious Yamen.

This place was originally the warehouse of the Transport Office, but now it has been temporarily converted into a "Marriage Matching Office."

There was a long line at the entrance, all old ruffian soldiers holding approval slips to collect women.

"Move aside, move aside! Don't block the way!"

Several Yamen Runners were maintaining order, pushing and shouting.

Su Bai handed his horse to his subordinate and strode up the steps.

Just as he walked into the main hall, he bumped into a middle-aged man wearing a crimson official uniform.

The man was facing away from the door, pointing at several Clerks and cursing, "Are you all useless? You can even mess up the roster!"

"If you match even one pair wrong today, I'll skin you alive!"

This voice, why does it sound so familiar?

Su Bai looked carefully, and his whole body froze.

The crimson-robed official finished cursing and turned around, just in time to meet Su Bai's eyes.

The air seemed to freeze at this moment.

Military Governor Zhou Zheng, the second-in-command of Yunzhou City.

He was also Su Bai's legitimate father-in-law.

The look of anger on Zhou Zheng's face hadn't had time to fade, and it just got stuck there.

The corners of his mouth twitched wildly.

The two of them stared at each other with wide eyes for quite a while.

The surrounding Clerks and Yamen Runners also sensed something was wrong and lowered their heads to stifle their laughter.

"Fa... Father-in-law."

Su Bai bit the bullet and stepped forward to salute.

Zhou Zheng opened his mouth, as if a handful of thorny straw was stuck in his throat.

That old bastard Li Han!

Yesterday in the Yamen, we were discussing countermeasures and said we needed to find a new military upstart to be the scapegoat.

Zhou Zheng even raised both hands in approval.

As a result, this old turtle actually sent my son-in-law over?

This is deliberately trying to embarrass me!

Zhou Zheng took a few deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the urge to draw his sword and hack Li Han, walked quickly to Su Bai, grabbed his sleeve, and said urgently:

"Come with me to the back hall!"

The two of them entered the back hall one after the other, and Zhou Zheng closed the door with a "bang."

"How did you end up here, you brat?"

Zhou Zheng lowered his voice and asked through gritted teeth.

Su Bai spread his hands helplessly and said:

"The Prefect issued the order himself, asking me to set an example."

"I had no choice in the matter."

Zhou Zheng punched a mahogany pillar, shaking dust from the rafters.

"That old fox Li Han, he's scheming against me!"

He paced around the room irritably twice.

As the Military Governor, he knew better than anyone the mess Yunzhou City was currently in.

The settlement of refugees is the top priority; if this gap is not opened, there will surely be a big disaster.

Li Han's move was vicious, but it was indeed the key to breaking the deadlock.

Sacrificing his son-in-law's looks to preserve the overall situation of Yunzhou.

Zhou Zheng stopped, looked back at Su Bai with complex eyes, gritted his teeth, and said:

"Forget it! Since you're here, do it according to the rules!"

Zhou Zheng patted Su Bai's shoulder and, instead, took the initiative to comfort him.

"You don't need to worry about Qingying; I'll go talk to her later."

"In this world, it's normal for men to have three wives and four concubines, especially since you are doing it for the stability of Yunzhou City!"

Su Bai touched his nose, feeling completely uncomfortable.

Being forced by his own father-in-law to take a concubine, this experience was truly unique.

"Then... what should I, your son-in-law, do?"

Su Bai asked tentatively.