According to You Gou's brother's assumption, wailing was heard everywhere in this disaster area, and Chen Ke was no immortal. Even if he saved his life, his subordinates should have scattered. He brought seven or eight people; forcibly taking You Gou home shouldn't be a problem. Even he didn't need to use force at all; his sister would probably follow him voluntarily. But reality ruthlessly shattered You Gou's brother's fantasy.

Fengtai County was completely different from other disaster areas. Along the way here, wailing was heard everywhere in other places, and dead bodies could be seen in the river every day. People selling their sons and daughters were everywhere, and many victims were migrating towards Fengtai County. After entering Fengtai's territory, suddenly everything became better. The corpses were gone, and not a single victim could be seen. Before he met Chen Ke, just his sister You Gou was leading a hundred or so people working. You Gou's brother had always been clear about his sister's little entrepreneurial ideal. Now that she could finally command hundreds of people to work, the possibility of pulling his sister home was basically non-existent.

It seems I have to go to the Magistrate. You Gou's brother suddenly thought. Maybe the government can control this bunch of people?

Completely ignoring her brother's thoughts, You Gou just took these few people to the edge of the open space beside the test site, then said: "Brother, let's talk here. I am very busy these days and have no time to receive you. After we finish talking here, you go home."

What's there to talk about? You Gou's brother felt very helpless. Being soft definitely wouldn't work. Being hard... his sister was harder than him; waving her hand, a hundred or so strong men would come over to beat people. This trip seemed to be in vain. Unless going to the government...

"By the way, Brother, don't go to the government either. Our People's Party is the leader of Fengtai County now. The government is still under the leadership of our People's Party. If you go to find Comrade Shang Yuan, the Magistrate of Fengtai County, Comrade Shang Yuan will send you back to me. I think you shouldn't waste this effort," You Gou knew her brother very well and dispelled his unrealistic fantasy right from the start.

"You just brag to me." Hearing his sister's words, Young Master You really couldn't hold back and retorted sarcastically.

You Gou just smiled. She asked the two comrades who acted just now to come over. These two were You Gou's guards. "You take my brother to see Comrade Shang Yuan."

Hearing this order, the two guards saluted You Gou, dragged Young Master You up, and left. Young Master You originally wanted to struggle, but gave up after thinking about it.

An hour later, Young Master You was brought back by the guards with an iron-green face. Shang Yuan was very polite to Young Master You. He took time out of his busy schedule to see Young Master You and left a sentence, "Since you are Comrade You Gou's brother, I'll speak frankly. No one here can forcibly take away People's Party and Insurance Corps people. If you insist on doing this, just try. Anyway, if caught by us, we'll beat you a hundred strokes first. You can leave now. Oh, by the way, when you go back and see Comrade You Gou, say hello to her for me; she works hard."

Watching his sister lead her subordinates to work, Young Master You said nothing. Thinking angrily, what kind of world is this Fengtai County? Is there still royal law? Although thinking so in his heart, some inexplicable joy also existed in the anger. His sister could actually make the Magistrate regard her so highly now; this ability... if it could be so in Shanghai too, that would be great.

Thinking of this, Young Master You couldn't help but scan these few people who came with him arrogantly. Those subordinates acting as thugs already knew the severity and stood still honestly one by one. And the one beside him looked at You Gou's every move with longing eyes. This fiery look made Young Master You's mind move.

The one beside him was the live-in son-in-law (*shang men nv xu*) Old Master You found for You Gou, named Huang Renshi. News in Shanghai spread fast. Everyone in the comprador circle of Shanghai knew that You Gou, who always did things crazily, owned shares in a pharmaceutical factory. Old Master Huang and Old Master You were good friends. He knew that although this girl You Gou did things a bit outrageously, her character was still very reliable. Old Master Huang had many children. Old Master You hinted that if one of the Huang family children came to be a live-in son-in-law, he was very likely to get a certain share of this pharmaceutical factory. So Huang Renshi, as the sixth boy, was selected.

Before this marriage was formally proposed, You Gou left without saying goodbye. Things having come to this, Young Master You came to Anhui hoping to bring You Gou back. Old Master Huang also agreed to the You family's request and let Huang Renshi come along. If Huang Renshi felt You Gou was not bad, this marriage could still be discussed. If he felt it wouldn't work, the Huang family was considered to have done their best.

Looking at it now, the passion revealed in Huang Renshi's eyes was enough to prove that the Sixth Young Master of the Huang family had feelings for You Gou.

"Renshi, what are you staring at my sister for?" Young Master You asked knowingly.

"Sorry, Brother You." Being said so, Huang Renshi blushed. But You Gou's attraction to Huang Renshi was so strong that Huang Renshi still couldn't move his eyes away. "Heard people say Miss You always does things... always unexpectedly. Seeing it with my own eyes today, she is truly unparalleled in the nation (*Guo Shi Wu Shuang*)."

At least use "heroine" (*Jin Guo Ying Xiong*). What is this "unparalleled in the nation"? Young Master You thought. But since the other party said so, he had to be polite with his mouth, "My sister just loves to mess around. Mess around."

"Not so, Brother You. My family runs factories. Let alone these more than a hundred people, leading a dozen people to work in such a hot place is extremely difficult. What's rarer is, look, none of these people slack off." Huang Renshi praised.

Young Master You was originally full of anger at his sister, but seeing his sister working in such a hot place, he was actually somewhat happy in his heart. Being far from the kiln, he still felt the heat pressing. And his sister wearing thick clothes and being so close to the kiln, it must be even hotter. Including You Gou, everyone poured water on themselves to get close to the kiln. Just looking at it, one knew how hard it was. Yet these people, including his sister, worked in full swing. This attitude, being said so by Huang Renshi, made Young Master You also admire a bit.

Huang Renshi continued to praise: "Although I don't know what Miss You is doing, it is definitely not an ordinary thing. Unexpectedly, such a person can exist in this place of Fengtai County; it's really an eye-opener."

"Renshi, don't just praise my sister; isn't your family's factory also run well?"

"Although I know work has to be done like this, I absolutely can't do such hard work myself. Miss You, a woman, can do such hard work; ashamed, ashamed." Huang Renshi shook his head while speaking.

"Then Brother Renshi, it seems you feel about my sister..." Young Master You was just about to ask Huang Renshi's attitude towards this marriage, but suddenly closed his mouth. He saw several people wearing dark blue clothes run here quickly, stop beside You Gou, and say a few words. You Gou's face changed, and she hurriedly shouted: "Assemble!" While shouting, You Gou took out a whistle from her pocket and blew it. The shrill whistle attracted everyone's attention. In the surprised sight of Young Master You, Huang Renshi, and others, soldiers ran over. Soon they lined up on the ground.

You Gou turned her head to look at her brother, then ordered: "First Squad! Three steps forward, march."

Hearing the order, the twelve soldiers of the First Squad walked three steps forward. Stepping out of the rank neatly.

"First Squad Leader, take these people to the barracks and guard them."

"Yes." The First Squad Leader responded and took his troops to Young Master You and the others. "These gentlemen, please follow us."

Although he didn't know what mystery his sister was playing, Young Master You dared not refuse. For a sister whom even the Magistrate had to yield to a bit, Young Master You had lost the courage to resist.

Watching the idlers leave the field, You Gou shouted: "We received an order; someone wants to storm the grain depot in the county. We are going to protect the grain depot. Second Squad stays to guard the cement kiln."

"Teacher You, who is so bold?" Soldiers couldn't help asking. There were still people who dared to target the Insurance Corps now; such behavior really puzzled the soldiers.

"It's refugees from other places. Now gathered in the county, requesting to open the warehouse and release grain. And someone is inciting trouble. There isn't much grain in the county grain depot either; Comrade Shang Yuan asked us to maintain order."

Hearing that refugees from other places came to make trouble and even wanted to storm the grain depot, the local comrades of Fengtai immediately got angry. This Fengtai County had stabilized with great difficulty; how could it withstand the tossing of outside refugees.

Under You Gou's leadership, the troops ran towards the barracks.

After the headquarters of the Insurance Corps transferred to Yuezhangji, only a total of one battalion force remained in the county town. This battalion was not a standing regular army but temporarily patched together by four companies with different affiliations. Among the four companies, two were logistics companies, and the company affiliated with You Gou engaged in cement, glass, and red brick production R&D. Another company was responsible for the breeding farm. Although there was daily basic military training, the purpose was more to cultivate discipline, not any formal training. Encountering such an emergency, the commanders of the four companies met. Although everyone was anxious, they also had to act urgently.

According to regulations, three waves of messengers were sent to deliver letters to Chen Ke. The Insurance Corps must hold the barracks. The combat effectiveness of the two logistics companies was passable, so they undertook this task. The combat effectiveness of the breeding farm company was very weak. You Gou found that only her company could go to battle. Things having reached this point, the commanders of the other three companies panicked a bit. You Gou didn't force these useless men to move out. After all, now only troops were needed to make a gesture; the regular army of the Insurance Corps would arrive soon. As an old Party member, You Gou felt it necessary to take responsibility.

There was no dispute. You Gou asked the troops to bring the long sticks for daily military training. Before appearing, she emphasized obeying discipline and not hitting people on their own initiative. Then she led the troops to set off.

The grain depot in the county was located on higher ground. Just after walking through half of the county town, they saw so many refugees in front unknown when. After the Insurance Corps took over Fengtai County, refugees hadn't been seen for a long time. As if gushing out from underground, suddenly there were many people in the county town. Under various eaves, many mothers with children and old people sat or leaned. All were equally dark and thin, all equally ragged. Young children looked listless, leaning weakly in their mothers' arms, crying a few times occasionally. Mothers unbuttoned their already tattered fronts, revealing shriveled chests, breastfeeding their children completely without any effect.

Seeing hundreds of people walking over neatly with sticks, these people didn't even have surprise. Instead, someone said with a hoarse voice: "Do a good deed, give something to eat."

All shops closed their doors and put up door boards. And residents closed their gates tightly. No matter how noisy outside, how begging, no one dared to show their faces. Judging from the accent, most of these people were from nearby, and some were from further places. Fengtai County was not a transportation hub originally, and there had been no large-scale influx of refugees after the flood. But don't know what happened now; suddenly so many people came.

These people stranded in the county town were slightly better. Further forward was the county yamen. When still more than a hundred meters away, a noise was heard.

"Lord Magistrate, beg you to release grain to save lives!" This was the most heard voice. Men, women, old people were all shouting and begging.

"Mom, I'm hungry." In between was the crying of children.

You Gou was a girl after all. Although ten minutes ago her chest was full of obligation and responsibility to the People's Party and Insurance Corps, and she could lead her team to come and protect the grain depot. But really seeing these miserable states, especially hearing the children's crying, this girl who was originally not hard-hearted just felt her nose sour.

"Teacher You, how about we take a detour," the guard protecting You Gou whispered.

"How to detour?" You Gou asked subconsciously. Her gaze swept over those skinny children but couldn't help avoiding them. But wherever she looked, she could see these pitiful children. Hearing a detour was possible, she was moved.

"Turn left, go around a street, should be able to pass."

"Oh?" You Gou felt this plan was passable. But she suddenly remembered something and asked: "Just now when you brought my brother here, didn't you see so many people?"

"Teacher You, you forgot? Magistrate Shang Yuan is not in the county yamen today, but sending people off at the dock."

"Sending people off?" You Gou didn't understand for a moment, then thought again and remembered that today was sending off that group of Anhui New Army people. Chen Ke couldn't run so far personally; naturally, Shang Yuan was responsible for seeing them off.

"How could so many people come suddenly?" You Gou was very puzzled.

"If you ask me, it's all caused by that bunch of Anhui New Army people this time. They saved quite a few people along the way and came all the way to our Fengtai County. Doesn't this make it clear that there is food in Fengtai County? These common people probably followed those New Army boats here. Just that those New Army people took boats and ran fast. These people are all from nearby; I'm afraid more will come in a few days."

"Who told you this?" You Gou was very strange. Although her guard was loyal, he wasn't such a clever person. If someone hadn't told him this, then she had misjudged him.

"This is what I heard from the two teachers Zhu Guangzu and Zhong Shunqing when I went to deliver a letter yesterday." The guard told the truth.

Hearing this news, You Gou was dissatisfied then. Since they had such a view, why didn't they explain it clearly to her? She pursued a question, "Then did these two teachers tell others this idea? Or just said it to you casually?"

"This I don't know," the guard answered.

Just then, they heard copper gongs sounding at the entrance of the county yamen. "Porridge distribution!" "Porridge distribution!"

A joyful shout erupted immediately in the crowd composed of refugees. The begging sound disappeared immediately; as long as there was a bowl of porridge, they could last one more day.

"Fellow villagers and elders, I am Fengtai County Magistrate Shang Yuan. We will distribute porridge in the south of the city immediately. It's useless for everyone to squeeze at this county yamen entrance; all go to the south of the city." Shang Yuan's voice came from afar.

Many of the refugees stood up immediately and walked south. But some refused to leave. Those walking south then noticed the team wearing dark blue clothes appearing nearby all along, everyone holding a long stick. Although still afraid in their hearts, to fill their stomachs, everyone couldn't care so much. They bypassed You Gou's company and hurried towards the south.

You Gou didn't know whether to go to Shang Yuan's side or continue to the grain depot. But she heard the sound of copper gongs ringing one after another. It seemed Shang Yuan sent out quite a few people. She heard several people shouting: "Porridge distribution! Porridge distribution! Porridge distribution in the south of the city." These people went in different directions.

While thinking, she saw someone squeeze through the stream of people composed of refugees rolling away. He also wore a dark blue "military uniform," but was Shang Yuan's guard.

"Teacher You. Teacher You, Lord Shang Yuan asks you to go to the grain depot quickly. By the way, Lord Shang Yuan asks you to put on all the masks." The guard shouted.

Although You Gou didn't know what idea Shang Yuan was playing, she followed the suggestion and ordered the troops to put on all masks. Everyone didn't quite understand what this meant exactly, but the effect was immediate. The refugees' eyes looking at this team instantly carried fear. Many people looked away, daring not look at the Insurance Corps team anymore.

You Gou was in the team, so she couldn't see. But since the refugees dared not squeeze over anymore, the action was much more convenient. Shang Yuan stood on the high ground in front of the county yamen; he saw it very clearly. A team all in blue clothes, holding sticks, wearing blue soft hats, especially wearing blue cloth masks on their faces—even knowing deeply this was his own team, Shang Yuan felt his eyes couldn't easily get rid of the attraction of this team no matter what. The neat attire, especially "masked," gave this team a very evil and fierce feeling. Just looking at it was scary enough.

Shang Yuan exhaled gently. This time Pu Guanshui came; everyone originally thought they got strong aid. But following them were refugees who found the direction; everyone came to Fengtai County to beg for a mouthful of food. Shang Yuan hoped very much to save the common people, but he knew better how much grain reserve Fengtai County exactly had. Maybe a few thousand more people was okay; if tens of thousands more people poured in, Fengtai County's grain would definitely not be enough to eat.

Facing such an urgent situation, Shang Yuan knew he couldn't conjure up grain. The only thought in his heart was for Chen Ke to come up with a solution quickly. Just like in the past, Chen Ke easily solved all dangerous problems encountered.