The Eldest Daughter Is Beautiful and Saucy
Chapter 339: townspeople
Chapter 339 Townspeople
After Wei Zhong bowed to Bai Qingyan, he retreated behind Nanny Jiang in a proper manner.
She looked at Wei Zhong, who was lowering his head and looking docile, and knew that her grandmother wanted Wei Zhong to show his ability so that she could recruit him.
“Eunuch Wei is very useful. With you staying by grandma’s side to take care of her, we can feel more at ease when we return to Shuoyang.” Bai Qingyan said.
Nanny Jiang’s lips moved, but before the eldest princess could say anything to Bai Qingyan, Bai Qingyan interrupted her. Nanny Jiang could only bow and leave with Wei Zhong.
“Eldest sister…” Bai Jinzhi was a little confused and turned her head to look at Bai Qingyan, “The information sent by the second sister is not as detailed as that Wei Zhong’s investigation. Since this person is so useful, why doesn’t the eldest sister keep him?”
“There’s an old saying that goes, a loyal minister does not serve two masters. Wei Zhong… is a loyal man. I have to use him by my side, but I’m afraid he will be hindered at the critical moment. It’s better not to leave any variables around myself.” Bai Qingyan picked up the teacup and slowly blew on the undulating tender buds in the cup.
Besides, Xiaoqi Bai Jinse will have to stay with her grandmother, so with someone like Wei Zhong, Xiaoqi will have someone to use.
Bai Qingyan had no intention of letting Bai Jinse do anything that would threaten the Lin family. She would definitely be safe with her grandmother.
At this time, what she was most worried about was the Yanwo famine.
In her previous life, she had never heard of this.
The magistrates of Pingyang, Guangling, Luohong and Hushui prefectures reported the disaster at the same time, which shows how serious the disaster had been. An unknown number of people had starved to death.
The most urgent matter now is disaster relief.
However, it is difficult to decide on the right people to provide disaster relief. With such a large disaster, civil unrest is very likely to occur. If the people in charge of disaster relief are not careful, they will be doomed. It is definitely not a good job.
Inside the palace, the emperor pressed an ice towel against his head as he listened to people below reporting on the disaster in Yanwo. He had a headache so severe that he could not open his eyes, and his chest heaved violently with anger.
“From the end of last year to this year, there has been no peace! No peace!” The emperor threw the ice towel in his hand and stood up angrily, “He actually concealed the disaster for the sake of promotion! It’s so abominable! Kill! Slowly execute Min Zhongsheng!”
Minister of Revenue Chu Zhongxing stepped forward and saluted, then said, “Your Majesty, I think the most urgent task is disaster relief. Your Majesty needs to decide on the candidates for disaster relief. This disaster is too serious. I’m afraid that it will take someone from the royal family to come forward to provide disaster relief in order to appease the people.”
The prince just nodded, but did not step forward to take on the responsibility of disaster relief.
This disaster relief is different from previous years…it’s a lucrative job.
The famine in Yanwo is now too severe, and the number of refugees is spreading. It is not only disaster relief… but also the settlement of the people. The right measure must be taken with great caution. If one is not careful… it will provoke a civil uprising. The prince dare not take this responsibility.
“Father, I think… we can let Third Uncle give it a try.” The Crown Prince stepped forward and lowered his voice to speak to the Emperor, “Third Uncle has always been honest and kind. This time when the people are in great trouble, he will definitely do his best to provide disaster relief and not allow others to embezzle or deduct money.”
“Your Highness, what you said makes sense, but in my humble opinion… if Your Highness can personally go to provide disaster relief this time, it will surely boost the morale of the people.” Chu Zhongxing suddenly changed the subject at this point, “But Your Highness is the crown prince of the country. The disaster this time is so severe that if you are not careful and cause unrest among the people, I am afraid that Your Highness’s safety will be endangered.”
The prince’s heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly said to the emperor, “I am not afraid of endangering my own safety, but I have no experience in disaster relief. This disaster is serious, and I am afraid I am not up to the task! I think it would be safer to send someone with experience in disaster relief. As Minister Chu said, the presence of the royal family will surely cheer up the people. I am willing to assist the person in charge of disaster relief and go together to share my father’s worries.”
The prince’s words expressed his loyalty to the emperor and his willingness to take risks for him. He also said that he had no experience in disaster relief and could only be a decoration if he went there. In this way, even if something happened in the end, it would not be blamed on him. He was really smart.
The emperor just fell for it. He sat down on the chair, took the ice towel handed to him by Gao Demao, pressed it on his head, closed his eyes and said, “The prince is the heir to the throne and the foundation of the country. He must not put himself in danger!”
Chu Zhongxing thought for a moment and said, “I do have a few candidates for disaster relief, but since His Majesty ascended the throne, there have been few natural disasters of this magnitude, so I’m afraid… it’s difficult to be perfect.”
In the past twenty years, the biggest natural disaster was the Jiaozhou epidemic. That year… Bai Qishan personally provided disaster relief and led the Bai family army to seal off Jiaozhou. Bai Suqiu asked for permission to enter the city. The epidemic in Jiaozhou was alleviated and the people recovered, but Bai Suqiu stayed in Jiaozhou forever.
The emperor’s eyes suddenly became sore, and his originally furious mood turned into sadness. He closed his eyes and said, “In such a large Jin court, can’t they choose a capable person to help with disaster relief?”
Originally, those who were in charge of disaster relief could have waited until tomorrow morning to discuss it, but the disaster was urgent now, and any further delay would increase the possibility of something happening.
The prince suddenly thought of Prince Liang. Prince Xin had been deposed, and now the emperor had only adult princes, so the next prince was Prince Liang.
“Father, in addition to the people in charge of disaster relief, we also need people from the royal family to support us. Since I cannot go, I would like to recommend someone to you. Please do not be angry.” The prince considered and spoke slowly. “Prince Liang’s previous attempt to frame the King of Zhenguo hurt your heart, but in the end, Prince Liang was deceived by his subordinates. Now he has been locked up in the palace to reflect on himself. Your birthday is also on your mind. Please give Prince Liang a chance to redeem himself and let him make meritorious contributions.”
The emperor turned his head to look at the prince who was kneeling on the ground to plead for Prince Liang. Before he had time to think about it, the Minister of Revenue had already agreed, “What the prince said makes sense. His Highness Prince Liang is the son of His Majesty. He can inspire the people better than the Third Prince.”
Gao Demao stepped forward and replaced the ice towel for the emperor. The emperor frowned and nodded: “Then appoint a Liang Wang. Who will be the person in charge? Who is suitable?”
“As for the people in charge of disaster relief, I think we need one civil and one military. The military general should lead the troops to intimidate. General Zhang Duanrui has already led his troops to Chunmu Mountain, so General Shi Panshan, who has made military achievements in the battle of Southern Xinjiang, is more suitable! As for the civil… you can choose from the ministers who have been in charge of disaster relief in recent years and have done a good job.” Chu Zhongxing clenched his fists, lowered his eyes, and said calmly, “I think… the son of the left prime minister, Li Mingrui, can be used.”
The emperor had a splitting headache and waved his hands: “It’s settled! Gao Demao… go and issue an order! Call Concubine Qiu over!”
The emperor had suffered from frequent headaches recently. The imperial physician prescribed a bunch of medicines, but they were of no use. Only when Concubine Qiu came to give the emperor massage could she relieve the headache a little.
The prince breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the task did not fall on him, anyone could do it.
Soon, the emperor’s decree was made public.