...

A month later, Gu Jingyan escorted thousands of officials and scions of prominent families back to the capital in triumph.

These are all suspects involved in the burning of grain in various southern states and counties.

After a joint trial by the Minister of Justice, the evidence was conclusive, and all of them were imprisoned to await their fate.

Upon learning this news, Pang Yi attempted to flee Chang'an overnight, only to be arrested by the Embroidered Blade Guards, who had been secretly placed by Yu Xiyan.

Also implicated were officials at all levels of the six ministries and prominent families in the capital. From then on, the Pang family was completely removed from the court.

The disaster relief work also began to proceed in an orderly manner. After more than a month of coordination and with the support of local families with a strong sense of loyalty and righteousness, the disaster was quickly brought under control.

Gu Jingyan truthfully reported the details of his trip to Yangzhou, but deliberately concealed Shen Zhao's role, which was something the two had agreed upon beforehand.

Shen Zhao truly didn't want to have anything to do with Yu Xiyan again in this lifetime. Despite the grudges from nine lifetimes, he never thought of how to target Yu Xiyan.

He thought that once he was free from the system's control, he would unleash a furious revenge on Yu Xiyan.

But this time, after being reborn, he found that doing so seemed meaningless, and it would be better to focus on the regrets that he had not made up for in his previous life.

He wasn't the kind of overgrown child who couldn't live without love, and besides, he'd never even received a shred of love.

However, Yu Xiyan did not immediately believe Gu Jingyan's account of the burning of the grain.

Inside the side hall...

"Cousin, there are no outsiders here. Tell me honestly, is it really just a coincidence that things went so smoothly in Yangzhou this time?"

Gu Jingyan replied, "Your Majesty, everything I said is true. If it weren't for the intervention of that immortal elder who cared for the common people, we wouldn't have been able to sweep away the gloom in the southern states in one fell swoop this time."

Yu Xiyan: "I have heard that in the direction of Yunzhou and Yangzhou, there is a female knight-errant who cares for the common people and saves them from suffering. Is her name Su Yunying?"

Gu Jingyan did not deny it: "Your Majesty, Miss Su is a woman of the martial world, a heroine among women. She once defeated an elder of Taichu Peak in one move to stabilize the situation."

However, Your Majesty, please rest assured that Miss Su has no interest in court affairs and will not pose a threat to Your Majesty's throne.

His concern was that Yu Xiyan would think Su Yunying's reputation would affect her throne, so he added a sentence.

However, Yu Xiyan said, "Cousin, do you think I am the kind of tyrant who would stop at nothing to gain power?"

"Miss Su has been kind to the imperial court. I'm wondering if I shouldn't bestow something upon her?"

Gu Jingyan: "Your Majesty, Miss Su doesn't care about official titles or money. She only wants to help the people, after all, her background is also very tragic..."

Yu Xiyan's lips curled slightly.

Su Yunying, how could she not know? Although they had no connection in their past lives, there were still quite a few rumors about them.

However, she had never heard of Su Yunying suddenly appearing in various southern states to provide relief to the people at this time, so there must be some hidden reason behind it.

Because at this time, Su Yunying simply could not and had no ability to save tens of millions of refugees from their suffering.

"Is it really all the work of Miss Su? Cousin, you are the person I trust most, don't lie to me."

Gu Jingyan's expression flashed with a hint of unease, but he still forced himself to say, "Your Majesty, instead of getting hung up on who did it, why not think about how to resettle the people after the disaster?"

Yu Xiyan: "So what are your thoughts, cousin?"

Gu Jingyan said, "This is the strategy I have been devising these past few days. Now that the disaster relief grain has been distributed to the people, their plight will be alleviated."

However, post-disaster reconstruction will still require a large expenditure of the national treasury. In my opinion, the most urgent task is to mobilize the enthusiasm of the disaster victims through work-for-relief programs and to rebuild the breached dikes.

The firebrick and cement method can replace ordinary rammed earth, and at the same time, channels can be dredged to divert water into rivers and seas, so that new seeds can surely be sown before spring next year.

According to my calculations, implementing these three methods simultaneously can significantly reduce the expenditure on the national treasury and also resolve the security issues in the disaster area.

Gu Jingyan spoke eloquently, unaware that with each word he uttered, Yu Xiyan's expression grew increasingly gloomy.

Yu Xiyan finally couldn't hold back when he presented the cement formula and the new dam construction structure.

"Gu Jingyan!"

"Your subject is here!"

"Do you know what the punishment is for deceiving the emperor!"

Gu Jingyan was stunned, and instinctively knelt on the ground, cold sweat instantly pouring down his forehead.

"Why does Your Majesty say such a thing?"

Holding the plan, Yu Xiyan asked, "I know you are capable, but are these cement methods, the work-for-relief plan, and the new dam structure diagrams really things you could come up with?"

Gu Jingyan then realized that he seemed to have said too much.

"You said you were so focused on dealing with the Yangzhou grain burning case that you were overwhelmed with problems. How could you possibly come up with such a comprehensive strategy for governing the country in such a short time?"

"Gu Jingyan, tell me the truth! Who did you encounter in Yangzhou?!"

Gu Jingyan didn't know how to answer for a moment, so he could only lower his head and remain silent.

Yu Xiyan's face flushed with anger.

The post-disaster reconstruction plan in my hand has been written by Shen Zhao countless times in my past life, and it is exactly the same.

Seeing that Gu Jingyan still wouldn't speak, Yu Xiyan took a deep breath and asked, "Did you see Shen Zhao? He was involved in the Pang family affair and the Yunzhou affair, wasn't he?"

Gu Jingyan remained silent, which was tantamount to acquiescence.

Yu Xiyan said, "Cousin, I didn't mean to blame you, but you are my family, and you shouldn't hide anything from me."

Gu Jingyan lowered his head and said, "I know, but I promised Shen Zhao that I would not let him tell Your Majesty."

Yu Xiyan frowned slightly: "Why would he do that?"

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