The next day, large quantities of grain and warm clothing were taken out in an orderly line by servants from the County Magistrate's manor. The starving citizens watched them, dazed.
Seeing food after so many days, some daring people wanted to take action, but the guards were standing guard over the food. After glancing at the imposing guards, they had to give up regretfully.
Still, they followed the servants cautiously, in the hope of picking up any grain in case some fell to the ground.
The County Magistrate was ordered by the Crown Prince, Xie Fang, to distribute these supplies to the citizens.
Soon, he, along with servants carrying the grain and clothing, reached the center of the plain, which had once been a busy market,
and one of the guards rang a bell.
The sound of the bell echoed far and wide. It was not long before people started to gather there with curiosity in their eyes.
