Chapter 805:  Different Paths Lead to the Same Destination

Translator: Atlas Studios    Editor: Atlas Studios

Yu Shande replied patiently, “The Imperial Court has already ordered the officials and n.o.bles of various places in the North to help with the resettlement of the refugees. The three provinces of Liaodong are near the sea, so they have more resources and less drought. When you reach the Liaodong area, you can still obtain food from other places.”

If the government and the n.o.bles were really reliable, there wouldn’t have been so many refugees rushing into the capital.

Whether the refugees could be settled still depended on King Yue Fei.

King Yue Fei was not a fool. There were so many refugees without money or food. How were they going to settle down?

After some consideration, the court officials planned to prioritize the You army’s salary. They even gathered 30% more military salary from other places to compensate King Yue Fei.

In addition, they had transferred a batch of food from Hubei, Henan, and other food-producing lands to the North. Although there wasn’t much, they couldn’t be ignored.

The court officials wanted to throw the refugee problem to King Yue Fei.

However, they couldn’t do it too shabbily.

However, they couldn’t mention the food transfer for the time being, or there would be trouble.

Yu Shande answered the refugees’ questions one by one without any hesitation.

There were also some talented and knowledgeable people among the refugees. After asking about everything, a group of people gathered together and discussed this matter at once. They felt that this was a way out. If the capital did not open the city gate and release food, they would still starve to death if they just guarded it. They might as well go to the North to find a way out.

King Yue Fei was willing to accept refugees, and Princess Shaoyi was also in the North. No matter what, it was better than waiting for death.

Yu Shande said, “Tomorrow morning, the relief food from the government will be distributed. At that time, the officials and n.o.bles in the city will set up porridge sheds outside the city. You can have a full meal before leaving. It can be considered a farewell. The government will send troops over to guard it. Everyone, remember not to s.n.a.t.c.h and cause trouble.”

When the refugees heard that they could still have a full meal before leaving, most of them were teary-eyed and excited.

When Yu Shande saw this scene, he felt sorry for them.

It was Sixth Miss Qi, Third Miss Song, and Fifth Miss Tang who had joined forces with various families in the capital to raise money and food, asking the Graceful Heart Hall to help the refugees.

Some families were sincerely kind. Previously, they did not want to stand out because there were too many refugees and they could not help them. With the Graceful Heart Hall standing up, they were naturally willing to contribute generously.

Some families wanted to take the opportunity to build a good reputation for their daughters and were willing to fork out money and food.

There were also some families who were worried that there would be additional complications when they heard that the Imperial Court was moving the refugees to the North. It was better to avoid trouble and pay some money to send the refugees away.

Otherwise, if a large number of refugees gathered outside the city, they would not even be able to sleep well. They were afraid that the rebels would cause a riot and rebel.

In short, no matter what their goal was, the refugees could still eat their fill.

When Yu Shande returned home, he looked for Elder Yu.

Elder Yu was over 60 years old and had a white beard. After hearing his reason for coming, he dug his ears. “What did you say? Say it again!”

Yu Shande knelt on the ground with a thud. “Uncle, I’ve been in the Hanlin Academy for three years. It’s time for me to find a proper job.”

Elder Yu looked at him steadily for a while. “After you entered the Hanlin Academy, you’re very valued by His Majesty. You’ve already been promoted to a steward of the Hanlin Academy. After enduring it, you can be promoted to a fifth-grade steward scholar or even a third-grade courtyard head scholar. The Hanlin Academy is your stepping stone. In ten years at most, you’ll be able to enter the cabinet and become an elder. Your future won’t be inferior to that of your second uncle.”

All these years, the Yu Clan had produced many talents. Yu Shande was not too eye-catching. It was a coincidence that he was valued by the Imperial Court.

However, what made everyone’s eyes widen was that he could stabilize the opportunity brought about by the emperor’s kindness. Moreover, with the solid foundation he had built over the years, he quickly gained a foothold in the Hanlin Academy and opened up a path to success for himself.

In his imagination, Yu Shande only needed to stay in the Hanlin Academy for ten years, and the Yu Clan would have another elder.

Yu Shande shook his head. “This isn’t my intention after studying hard for more than ten years. I want to take off my thin silk pants and change into coa.r.s.e clothes. I want to starve with the refugees and eat gra.s.sroots together. I want to bring the 200,000 refugees outside the city to the North to help them settle down in the North.”

His words were so shocking that Elder Yu couldn’t react for a long time.

“Uncle, there are some things a gentleman can do and some things he can’t do. Sister Yao’er is a woman, but she has the breadth of mind to help the world. I, Yu Shande, am a dignified man. How can I tolerate the suffering of the commoners and all living beings but not do anything? My family has named me with the character for virtue. What is virtue? To establish kindness and show benevolence is virtue. Only by taking my name and doing good deeds can I establish myself as a person.” Yu Shande slowly stood up and bowed. “Uncle, please fulfill my wish.”

Elder Yu looked up at him. “Have you decided?”

Yu Shande nodded. “I’ve decided.”

Elder Yu asked again, “Don’t you regret it?”

Yu Shande insisted, “I definitely won’t regret it.”

“Okay.” Old Yu said one word and closed his eyes again. He was old and often felt exhausted. Sitting down made him want to doze off. He was not as ambitious as young people.

Yu Shande was stunned on the spot.

Elder Yu narrowed his eyes, his eyelids twitching as if he was about to fall asleep. “I won’t stop you, and the Yu Clan won’t stop you.”

Yu Shande lowered his head, not knowing what to say.

Elder Yu said, “Why does Emperor Gaozu have an extremely high evaluation of the Yu Clan? Why is he willing to use the Yu Clan but not put in an important position? Just because our Yu Clan killed the king? Then why did our Yu Clan kill the king?”

Yu Shande was stunned.

Elder Yu said, “The Yu Clan killed the king because the previous dynasty was heartless. The commoners had nowhere to live and the Yu Clan couldn’t bear to see the people suffer. Emperor Gaozu praised the Yu Clan for being loyal and strong. He used the Yu Clan, but it was endless. He knew that the Yu Clan was the Yu Clan of everyone in the world, but not the Yu Clan of the Yin Imperial Clan. One day, the descendants of the Yin Clan would be unfilial. How is one to know whether his descendants will be killed?”

Yu Shande was shocked.

Elder Yu said, “Teaching according to talent and according to ambition is the reason why the aristocratic families can always nurture many famous scholars. If you don’t want to do something, naturally, someone will do it. It doesn’t have to be you. Your ambition isn’t in the temple. You’re focused on the people and have the demeanor of an ancestor.” At this point, he said meaningfully, “If the Yu Clan only pursues fame and power, they won’t be able to pa.s.s it down.”

In a family, there were people who were famous, people who sought profit, people who loved power, and people who sought wealth…

Some were willing to plead for the people, while others were greedy for power.

Different paths led to the same destination!

Yu Shande bowed deeply. “I’ve learned my lesson.”

Elder Yu closed his eyes and dozed off.

Yu Shande had a choice, but some people did not even have a choice.

Just like Yu Zongshen.

After Old Master Yu’s death, other than not wanting to live, the orphan and widow could only live properly. Otherwise, in such a huge family, they would be eaten until not even their bones were left.

The family emphasized fairness, not justice.