Refugees displaced by disasters in their hometowns who didn't want to return could register with the local government office. They could then find a place to settle, clear land, and farm to support themselves.
Three years later, when the government conducted a census and updated the household registers, they would be officially added.
However, it had to be confirmed that the person was neither a tax evader nor a fugitive.
This regulation was primarily to prevent people from dodging taxes or from pretending to be refugees to move to prosperous areas when they couldn't officially transfer their household registration.
Village Chief Meng felt the wanderer certainly wasn't one of them. The Northern Pass was no bustling metropolis; 'only someone with a screw loose would want to move here.'
As for the second possibility…
When Ji Huan had first settled the wanderer in the earthen hut, the village chief had felt it was inappropriate and had secretly gone to check on him once.
