As soon as Sima Han finished speaking, the crowd erupted in an uproar.
"Why?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Our houses are fine, and we don't owe them anything. Why should we take them in?"
"Exactly, if they move in, what about food? What about firewood for the stoves? What about water when we're thirsty?"
Shen Xiaoyan looked at the speakers one by one. They were all people whose houses were intact, and judging by their clothing, their families were quite well-off.
On the other side, those in ragged clothes, upon hearing these words, showed anger on their faces and wanted to argue, saying they wouldn't eat or live for free. But thinking of their current situation, the last bit of courage vanished, and they could only remain silent.
Shen Xiaoyan and the others looked at the howling faces of these people and felt disgusted.
Sima Han was more direct. Looking at the most vocal individuals, he said, "Since you're unwilling, you can leave."
Those people sneered and squeezed out of the crowd, standing to the side.
A man with a sharp mouth and monkey-like face said disdainfully, "Let's not leave yet. Let's just stand here and see how many truly charitable people are in our village."
The others standing beside him nodded in agreement, watching the crowd as if watching a good show.
Sima Han glanced at them indifferently, then decisively shifted his gaze.
Looking at such people for another moment would only taint his eyes.
Sima Han looked at the crowd and continued, "I didn't finish speaking. If I ask them to stay, it won't be for free. I know that although your houses are fine, the heavy snow has also brought you various inconveniences. Maintaining your daily lives is already difficult, and adding more people will certainly be a strain."
The people below nodded one after another upon hearing Zheng Wei say this, and their expressions softened.
Seeing this, Sima Han continued, "I will pay rent for the people staying in your homes."
"Rent? What is that?" someone asked curiously.
"It's like the food you pay for them staying in your homes," Sima Han explained.
After speaking, Zheng Wei circled the original spot, stomped his foot on the provisions, and continued, "See this? This is what I've prepared for them. As long as you agree to what I said earlier, this will be distributed to each of you."
After hearing Zheng Wei's words, the crowd was silent for a long time. After a considerable pause, a voice filled with disbelief asked, "Are you telling the truth?"
Sima Han smiled and said, "Do you think it's true? The items are right here. As long as you agree, you can register there later and collect your items."
Hearing Sima Han say this, most of them believed him.
However, some people remembered what Bai Yonggui had said earlier and looked at him in confusion, asking, "Village Chief, didn't you just say you had gotten us provisions, firewood, and cotton clothes, and that we should all come to collect them? Why is it different now?"
Bai Yonggui was put in a very awkward position by this question, but he had to answer.
Things had reached this point. If it failed because of him, he would truly lose everything.
"Ah, I... I'm getting old, and sometimes I don't even know what I'm saying. I often ramble," Bai Yonggui said with a wry smile.
The person, hearing Bai Yonggui's explanation, seemed to understand that Bai Yonggui had said that earlier without expecting this situation to arise.
"Alright, consider it. If you think it's acceptable, go and register there," Sima Han added.
"Register for what?"
"Register your name, where you live, which family you are helping, who is in their family, and how much food and supplies you have received from me," Sima Han explained, speaking loudly but very slowly, ensuring everyone could hear clearly.
"After registering, you will sign your name, two copies in total, one for each of us, to avoid any future misunderstandings," Sima Han continued.
After Sima Han finished speaking, everyone fell into deep thought, unsure of how to make a decision.
"Next, I will talk about the arrangements for the disaster-stricken villagers," Sima Han cleared his throat and continued.
Sima Han's words once again caused a stir.
Hadn't the arrangements already been made? Why were there more arrangements now?
Sima Han, ignoring their reactions, looked at the ragged group and said, "I have everything you need, and I have prepared it for you. However, I cannot give it to you for free."
These people looked even more bewildered upon hearing Zheng Wei say this. What did he mean?
"You have only suffered from the snow disaster, but your labor force is still intact. Instead of doing nothing every day, why not help the villagers clear the snow from the roads? This also makes things convenient for yourselves, doesn't it?"
After Sima Han finished speaking, there was a long silence.
After a while, an elder around sixty years old stepped out of the crowd, his expression indignant, and said, "We are starving and freezing every day, and might freeze to death any night. And you ask us to clear snow? I think you're not helping us, but trying to kill us."
Sima Han listened without getting angry and explained with a smile, "If I ask you to do it, I will naturally ensure you are well-fed and clothed. Otherwise, how am I different from a bully?"
The elder still seemed doubtful and wanted to say something, but Sima Han interrupted him, "Elder, you can choose whether or not to do it after you are well-fed and clothed. I will not force you, nor will I set a deadline for you. I am only considering everyone's well-being."
Hearing Sima Han say this, the elder thought about it carefully and realized it was indeed true, so he stopped speaking.
"Alright, I've said all I need to say. Everyone can go to the registration areas on either side to collect their items. The left side is for disaster victims, and the right side is for housing registration," Sima Han said, then leaped down from the platform and turned to walk towards Shen Xiaoyan and the others.
"Wait, why are you doing this? All this food and supplies must cost a lot of money, right? What is your purpose in doing this?" someone suddenly called out to Sima Han.
Sima Han had been wondering how to deliver the speech he had prepared if no one asked. Hearing someone ask now, he was secretly delighted.
Though his heart was filled with joy, he couldn't show it on his face.
Sima Han slowly turned around, his gaze swept across everyone, and then he said, "Just assume that the Grand Emperor still remembers you, knows you are suffering, and has specially sent me to help you."
Sima Han's words were like a stone suddenly thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up ripples.
The Grand Emperor had abdicated years ago, and the new Emperor had done nothing wrong, with no room for criticism.
In this remote mountain village, no one paid much attention to the succession of the throne.
Whether it was the former Grand Emperor or the current Emperor, who sat on the throne had little to do with them.
However, after they suffered disaster, it was the Grand Emperor who first sent people to rescue them.
This had a profound psychological impact on them.
However, there were also those who reacted instantly, such as Bai Yonggui.