On the fifth day of the first lunar month, the heavy snow continued unabated.
Even though the Taoist officials of the Qintian Observatory intervened, there was no sign of the snow disaster abating. At most, they could only clear away some of the accumulated snow to prevent the city from being buried under it.
The cold became increasingly severe. In Yun Province to the north, a large number of disaster victims could not endure the frigid climate and fled southward for survival.
In Shusi Prefecture, as usual, some people continued to distribute porridge.
Those distributing porridge included some compassionate wealthy families, officials specially appointed by the court, and a majority of Taoists from the Taoist sects.
