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After their meal, Jun Mo and Su Li, having changed their appearances, headed out into the streets.
On the streets, a few taverns and inns were still open for business. Previously, there had been quite a few refugees on the streets, but now, not a single trace of them could be seen.
The two entered a rather grand-looking tavern.
"Esteemed guests, please come in. What would you like to eat?" A waiter enthusiastically greeted them.
As soon as Su Li and Jun Mo entered, they noticed quite a few people inside. Judging by their attire, they were all either wealthy or noble. The inside and outside of the tavern were like two different worlds.
The waiter led them to a seat in the main hall. Jun Mo ordered some wine and dishes.
"Brother Jun, only now does this little brother truly understand the sentiment behind 'Wine and meat rot behind vermillion gates, while corpses freeze on the road from starvation'."
Hearing Su Li's form of address, a playful glint flashed in Jun Mo's eyes.
"Worthy Brother, I didn't bring you here just for you to sigh over these things. Look around carefully, and you'll find many interesting things." Jun Mo had a smile on his face, but it didn't reach his eyes.
Su Li looked closely and indeed discovered something interesting. "This waiter leads some people upstairs, while directly arranging others in the main hall."
Jun Mo nodded. "Pay attention to their waists."
Su Li noticed that some people with a small plaque hanging from their waists were led directly to the second floor by the waiter. Those without a plaque, like themselves, were directly arranged on the first floor.
"There's even a ranking system?"
Jun Mo took a sip of tea. "If I'm not mistaken, this plaque belongs to the Meng family. It seems that to find out the truth in this Shu Du City, we'll need to get a few of these plaques."
Su Li nodded. "The plaque is indeed from the Meng family. I just saw a character 'Jiang' on it. This Jiang family truly dominates Shu Du."
They couldn't hear any useful information in the main hall, nothing more than talk about the high price of rice or which brothel's beauties had slenderer waists.
"Let's go. To the Prefectural Governor's Mansion. Mo Yang and the others should have arrived."
Arriving at the gate of the Prefectural Governor's Mansion, they found it to be quite luxurious and imposing.
"Who are you? If you have no business, move along! If you disturb the Prefectural Governor, you'll be thrown into the great jail!" The gate-keeping yamen runner glared fiercely at the two.
Jun Mo raised an eyebrow.
Su Li, acting as a young attendant, retorted, "Have your dog eyes gone blind! This is His Highness Prince Jing!"
The yamen runners looked at each other and immediately knelt. "This lowly one has eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai! Please forgive us, Your Highness!" Their superior had told them earlier that His Highness had not yet arrived and to be on their utmost alert. They hadn't expected to offend him the moment he arrived.
Just then, a portly man with a large belly, dressed in official robes, hurried out from within the mansion. This was the Prefectural Governor of Shu Zhong. The Prefectural Governor had met several princes during his annual trips to the capital to report on his duties.
"This servant was late in receiving Your Highness, please forgive me, Prince Jing! Men! Drag these two blind dog-things down and throw them into the great jail!"
"Your Highness, spare us! Your Excellency, spare us!!"
Jun Mo chuckled. "Enough, enough. They've never seen me before; it's excusable."
The Prefectural Governor immediately smiled. "Your Highness is truly magnanimous! Quickly, thank His Highness!"
"Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Highness!"
Jun Mo asked, "Have all my men arrived?"
The Prefectural Governor quickly stepped aside and replied, "They have, they have. Please, Your Highness, come in."
Su Li followed Jun Mo into the Prefectural Governor's Mansion.
"Your Highness! Miss... Young Master Su!" Upon entering, they saw Mo Yang and the others approach. Zhi Shu and Si Qin also came to stand behind Su Li.
The group entered the main hall, and maids served tea and refreshments.
The Prefectural Governor said with a smile, "Your Highness and this Young Master must be weary from the journey. This humble official has prepared a simple wine..."
Jun Mo raised his hand. "No need to trouble yourself. We have already eaten." He went straight to the point, asking, "This Prince saw no refugees along the way until I entered the Shu Du city gate."
The Prefectural Governor's smile didn't falter. His already small eyes narrowed into slits when he smiled. "Your Highness may not know, but these refugees all wish to stay in their homeland. They are unwilling to leave their homes and flee the famine, just waiting for the imperial court's disaster relief!"
Jun Mo raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is that so? This Prince thought the Prefectural Governor was keeping these refugees for some important purpose."
The smile on the Prefectural Governor's face froze for an instant but quickly reappeared. "Your Highness jests. What use could this humble official have for refugees?"
Su Li sneered inwardly. The uses are immense. Push people to desperation, then give them a mouthful of food, and they'll even obey if you tell them to rebel. What's more, these refugees are needed to build Jun Hui's reputation as a virtuous prince!
Jun Mo took a sip of tea and asked, seemingly unintentionally, "This Prince was dining at a tavern in the city and saw many people with a small plaque at their waists. I wonder what that plaque is for?"
The Prefectural Governor smiled. "That's just a plaque, nothing of great use. Wherever Your Highness wishes to go, please do. No one will stop you."
Jun Mo smiled. "So that's how it is." He could directly reveal his identity, but then he feared he wouldn't hear even a shred of what he wanted to know.
"This Prince has come to Shu Du for disaster relief this time, but only brought myself, not grain. The heavy snow in the north has blocked the roads, and grain cannot be transported out. Therefore, this disaster relief will still depend on your strong assistance, Your Excellency. How about this: tomorrow, you host a banquet, invite your subordinate officials and gentry, to welcome this Prince. How does that sound?"
The Prefectural Governor grumbled inwardly. Welcoming is false; wanting people to donate grain is likely the truth. But I'm afraid this Prince Jing will be disappointed!
The Prefectural Governor smiled. "It should be done, it should be done."
"Alright, this Prince is also tired. I'll go rest first."
The Prefectural Governor quickly stood up. "Your Highness, the rooms have long been prepared. I'll have a servant lead you there now."
A maid entered. "Your Highness, please."
Su Li also stood up, and the group went to a quiet courtyard.
"Your Highness, Young Master, this is the place."
Su Li entered her room and saw that the Prefectural Governor's maids were still there. "You may leave first. This Young Master will call you if I need anything."
"Yes, Young Master."
After the two maids withdrew, Si Qin and Zhi Shu stepped forward. "Miss, are you tired? Would you like to rest for a while?"
Su Li shook her head. "Where's Mo Yun?"
"Mo Yun is here!" Mo Yun suddenly appeared in the room.
Su Li said, "You're fine. I was just asking. It's better for you to remain hidden."
"Yes." After speaking, he disappeared from the room again.
Su Li stood by the table, her fingers tapping on its surface. Jun Mo asking the Prefectural Governor to host a banquet tomorrow means the plan starts tomorrow. It will be three to five days at most until the grain distribution. Can the Governor-General of Huizhou make it in time? This Shu Du City hides many secrets; this trip is more dangerous than she imagined. But if the plan succeeds, Jun Hui will suffer a major setback!