This was a small alley near the East City Gate.
It was home to fewer than a hundred households.
The narrow lane was deep and dimly lit. The uneven, potholed flagstone path caused Yuan Liu'er and Yuan Hao to stumble along, their footing constantly shifting.
As they walked, Yuan Hao recounted what he had seen and heard during the day.
"Liu'er, they're so pitiful.
"They came all the way from Guang'an County along the Chishui River. They didn't even dare to take the official roads, afraid of being stopped by the Government Office's men, so they could only travel through mountain trails and waterways.
"There was no food on the road. Many had to fight wild beasts, and some even waded into the freezing water to catch fish.
"When there was truly nothing left, they resorted to eating tree bark and wild weeds..."
Yuan Liu'er was more mature. Having recently experienced a tragedy in their own family, she naturally empathized with their plight.
