Zhou Ping'an had just arrived at the West City Gate when he saw the Qingyang portal wide open, with a constant stream of refugees pouring into the city.
Of course, they weren't all refugees.
Among them were some men with shiny faces and strong bodies, whose eyes darted around, carrying blades and spears on their backs, starkly different from the destitute refugees.
Most outrageous, however, was the presence of several large stoves to the left of the gate, boiling porridge and steaming hot.
There were those wearing tall hats and hemp clothes, loudly proclaiming, "The Red Lotus Matriarch, unable to bear the suffering of the people, has specially granted Spirit Talismans to heal the sick and provided porridge to aid all beings."
"Come one by one, as long as you believe in the Red Lotus Matriarch, you will no longer fear hunger, have enough to eat and wear, and will no longer be oppressed by the Official Government or exploited by the rich."
Boom...