Under the escort of the Grand General of Pacifying the Far Reaches and the National Preceptor, the Empress Dowager had already entered the territory of Ji Province, the area hardest hit by the disaster.
Traveling northward, as far as the eye could see, not a trace of green was visible.
The earth was scorched by the sun as if charred, everything shrouded in a bleak yellow-gray.
A group of refugees fleeing the famine came toward them, and the two parties met on the official road.
Seeing the officials' carriage, the commoners naturally retreated to the roadside, kneeling with their backs to the road, afraid that catching a glimpse of the officials' faces might offend the nobles.
But the carriage stopped behind them, and soon a young officer stepped forward to ask, "Where are you heading?"
"Your Honor, we are from Lu Family Village, Anning County, Ji Province. Ji Province is suffering a severe drought—it hasn't rained for over four months. The rivers in Ji Province have dried up. At first, we could dig holes in the riverbeds for water, but after summer began, the riverbeds yielded nothing. It's unknown when it will rain again. The crops have yielded nothing, and autumn planting is impossible. If we delay any longer, we'll all die here. So after the clan elders discussed it, the entire village is fleeing south to escape the famine, hoping to find a way to survive."
The young officer immediately reported this to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager let out a deep sigh and then sent the young officer back to deliver a message.
The young officer quickly returned and said to the man who had spoken, "The person in the carriage is Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. If you trust the court, follow Her Majesty back to Ji Province. If not, you are free to go."
Hearing that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had come, the villagers hurriedly kowtowed, shouting "Long live the Emperor" and "Long live the Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager's carriage continued forward, and all the villagers gathered together.
There were not only villagers from Lu Family Village but also from other villages.
They were astonished that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, of such noble status, had come to Ji Province for disaster relief.
"Will the court actually provide relief?"
"With the Empress Dowager and the Emperor here, it can't be false."
"Village Chief, you decide—should we go back or continue south?"
"But the Empress Dowager didn't bring much food."
The village chief of Lu Family Village hesitated, unable to make up his mind.
"What does everyone think?"
"In my opinion, why not follow the Empress Dowager and the others?" Lu Dayong, a younger man, stepped forward.
"I disagree. Maybe it's not even the Empress Dowager in that carriage. How many times have we faced disasters, and has the court ever cared for us? Perhaps the court, fearing too many refugees fleeing and causing unrest, set up this trick to make us give up heading south."
A dispute arose among them.
Finally, the village chief made the call: "Those willing to stay, stand here. Those who want to continue south, stand over there."
Soon, the villagers lined up.
Those willing to follow the Empress Dowager back were led by Lu Dayong to return to Ji Province.
Those insisting on heading south were handed over to Lu Erniu, who had just spoken, to continue southward. Thus, they parted ways, and no one had any objections.
"Village Chief, what about you?" a middle-aged man asked.
The village chief waved his hand: "I'm old. If I go south with you, I'll only slow you down. I'll go back to Ji Province with Dayong. If I can survive, fine; if not, so be it."
The people of Lu Family Village felt deeply bitter.
If there had been any other way, the entire village, all from the same clan, would never have split apart.
After reluctantly parting with tears, each group set off toward their own futures.
The Empress Dowager's carriage led the way, with Lu Dayong and his group following behind.
Whenever they encountered groups of refugees heading south, a young officer would go out to persuade them, successfully convincing some to turn back.