Lu Tongzhi and Lu Tongzheng both turned to Xiao Yunhai for help, but he only gave them a slight shake of his head. Only then did they respectfully say, "As you command!"
Niu Hai'an turned to the aide who had followed him. "Have them run the numbers again. Tell them to cut the relief silver and grain by another ten percent."
"Sir, even with that, it won't be enough."
Niu Hai'an said, "I'll write a memorial later. All I can do is report the situation here as it is. But you must keep the people calm. If a riot actually breaks out, none of us will come out of it well."
'Niu Hai'an hadn't expected to be appointed the comforting envoy. Now he had to deal with these refugees *and* rush off to the Northern Three Provinces. The very thought was a massive headache.'
