Chapter 83 Another Storm

After a moment's thought, Xiao Yu immediately issued an imperial edict.

"That's fine too. After all, Li Jun is from a prestigious family. Consider this a good experience. The Li family won't have anything to say about it." Song Luoning smiled gently.

Xiao Yu gripped her hand tightly: "My wife is right, but Li Jun is, after all, from a prominent family..."

She didn't really want to hire scions of prominent families, but that was the only option for her at the moment.

The powerful families in the capital are deeply entrenched and cannot be brought down overnight. This exam also served as a reminder to her that, apart from Lin Qingyue, all of the top ten were from powerful families. This shows that these families value family education highly. If they want to select talents from humble backgrounds, establishing schools is imperative.

However, if she is too reckless, she will inevitably face opposition or even suppression from powerful families; there are countless examples of this in history.

Being an emperor is really difficult!

It's even harder to be an emperor without real power!

Xiao Yu sighed softly and leaned on Song Luoning's shoulder.

"Why is Your Majesty sighing?" Song Luoning asked softly.

This person has always been optimistic, but now she is troubled by these things. Song Luo felt a pang of heartache and looked at her with heartache. She closed her eyes, and her delicate face was full of exhaustion.

Song Luoning was slightly lost in thought, and gently raised her hand to stroke her back.

After a long while, a low voice came from beside him: "My lady, I heard that those scholars have started making trouble again. Someone even wrote an article criticizing me, saying that I am heartless, disloyal, unfilial, and unworthy to be emperor."

If last time it was just scholars in the capital causing trouble, now it has spread to scholars all over the country...

Xiao Yu was disappointed. She wanted to be a good emperor, but apart from the eldest daughter, no one understood her.

Upon hearing this, Song Luoning's heart tightened, her hand paused for a moment, and then she gently patted her.

It was difficult for her, but it was even more difficult for an emperor without real power. The people did not understand her, and the court officials made things difficult for her at every turn.

But this world...

Can we really just ignore it?

At this moment, Song Luoning was confused. Having grown up by her father's side, she had been influenced by his words and actions, which were all about seeking the well-being of the people. However, seeing this lecherous man in a difficult position, she was wavering and even thought about giving up. They could leave the capital and return to Linyang County to live a peaceful life.

How wonderful it would be if that day ever came.

Thinking of this, her eyes reddened, and she quickly turned her face away, worried that the other woman would see.

Fortunately, the person still had their eyes closed and didn't notice. Song Luoning breathed a sigh of relief, smiled, and secretly decided that no matter what the outcome, she would stand by her side.

Xiao Yu was not discouraged by this incident. After recovering, he issued another imperial edict, ordering Lin Qingyue to go to Jiangnan with the disaster relief team to draw up the terrain and topography of Jiangnan.

The imperial court's opening of granaries and allocation of silver were major events. The national treasury had already been half-squandered by Xiao Cheng'an, and after the rebellion, even after the confiscation of the Chang Prince's mansion, it was still difficult to come up with so much silver for disaster relief all at once.

Left with no other option, Xiao Yu had to first order the grain and fodder to be sent to the disaster area, and then make further plans regarding the money.

Judging from the memorials submitted by subordinate officials, the north is suffering from drought, and even if taxes are levied, not much will be collected, which will only cause public resentment to boil over.

Even if taxes are collected, it's not realistic. By the time the taxes are collected and the money is sent to Jiangnan, it would take a month to travel back and forth. How could the disaster victims wait that long?

For several days in a row, Xiao Yu had not had a good night's sleep. Every day at dawn, he had to summon his ministers to discuss the matter. The ministers talked animatedly, but they never mentioned the matter of contributing money.

Xiao Yu glanced at the assembled officials, knowing full well that it was impossible to get them to contribute money. His heart sank; how many of these people were corrupt officials whose personal wealth exceeded that of the national treasury?

Xiao Yu was willing to let them pay some money and be done with it, but the ministers were determined to stay out of it.

Just as the situation was at a stalemate, a palace servant came to report: "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has arrived."

As soon as he finished speaking, the main gate of the front hall was pushed open from the outside, and four palace servants carried in two mahogany boxes, which were placed in the center of the hall under the watchful eyes of the officials.

The Empress Dowager and her attending nanny followed closely behind. She gave the nanny a look, and the nanny immediately stepped forward and opened both wooden boxes. Rows of silver ingots were neatly stacked inside, filling one box. The other box contained gold and silver jewelry, which was clearly what the Empress Dowager usually used.

Xiao Yu immediately understood the Empress Dowager's intention. Just as she was about to speak, another palace servant entered. Xiao Yu spotted her eldest daughter at a glance and was overjoyed. She couldn't sit still and hurriedly got off the dragon throne: "Why is the Empress here too?"

Song Luoning's gaze was gentle: "Your Majesty was discussing state affairs with the ministers, and I shouldn't have come to disturb you. But when I thought of the people in Jiangnan still suffering, Your Majesty was worried, and the Empress Dowager was concerned about Your Majesty. So she and I raised some disaster relief funds for Your Majesty, hoping to share your burden."

Xiao Yu understood that the young lady was clearly trying to slap the ministers in the face. The awareness of the court officials was not even as good as that of the women in the inner palace. She smiled, turned around and said to the Empress Dowager, "Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand and glanced at the assembled officials: "These are just small tokens of appreciation from the women of the inner palace. The Emperor need not take them to heart. When matters arise, think more about the people. If you have any questions, discuss them with the ministers. Those present are all key ministers of Bai Sheng. The Emperor should listen to their opinions and not act unilaterally."

She deliberately bit the minister's limbs very hard, causing the courtiers to blush.

"Yes, thank you for the reminder, Your Majesty," Xiao Yu said respectfully.

"Alright, you can continue. The Empress and I will head back now and won't disturb your meeting any longer." With that, she raised her hand, and the maidservant beside her immediately helped her up.

"Respectfully seeing off the Empress Dowager." Xiao Yu raised his sleeve.

The ministers also hurriedly knelt down, saying, "Respectfully seeing off the Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, and as she turned around, she met Prime Minister Song's gaze. She said seemingly casually, "I wonder how much silver Prime Minister Song donated this time? Look at my brain, Prime Minister Song is not only Bai Sheng's prime minister, but also the emperor's father-in-law, so naturally he wouldn't have donated little."

"......"

"Alright, everyone get up." Before the officials could react, the person had already been helped out of the main hall by the nanny.

With the Empress Dowager setting an example, Xiao Yu no longer needed to waste words. The court officials all took the initiative to donate silver, and the disaster relief funds were quickly raised and sent to the disaster-stricken areas.

The disaster relief efforts were able to catch their breath, and the emperor's gloomy expression of the past few days vanished, replaced by a joyful look.

After the court assembly, Xiao Yu hurriedly went to find the eldest young lady.

These days, she has been worrying about disaster relief every day, and the young lady has been accompanying her every day, losing a lot of weight. Now that she has time, she must spend more time with the young lady.

Along the way, the chrysanthemums in the garden were just beginning to bloom. Xiao Yu then remembered that the Mid-Autumn Festival was just around the corner. Half a year had passed since she transmigrated. A lot had happened in the past six months. She and the young lady had grown closer and their relationship had become even stronger.

Xiao Yu stopped and stood in the garden for a moment before continuing on her way back.

Unexpectedly, they found nothing; the young lady had gone to the Empress Dowager's Shou Kang Palace.

Xiao Yu could only sit alone in the palace, staring blankly at the scenery in the courtyard, waiting for the young lady to return.

Before long, a palace servant came to report that the disaster relief commissioner, Lord Li, had sent people into the palace and were waiting outside the hall.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu was surprised that someone had been sent so soon after he left. He didn't dare to delay and quickly had a palace servant take the visitor to the Imperial Study. After giving a few instructions, he also went to the Imperial Study.

The person who came was an official who had accompanied Li Jun. Upon seeing the emperor, he knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty, something has happened. The floods in Jiangnan are rampant, and the disaster victims in many places have rebelled and are looting everywhere. The people who have suffered from the disaster are already in dire straits, and now they are also being harassed by bandits. Even the areas that have not been affected by the disaster are in danger."

"What?" Xiao Yu suddenly stood up. Why did this have to happen at this time?

"Where are Lord Li and the others now? Are the disaster relief funds and grain safe and sound?"

Xiao Yu tightened her fingers, already prepared for the worst.

As expected, the visitor looked regretful and continued, "As soon as we arrived in Jiangnan, Lord Li instructed me to return immediately to report to His Majesty. As for Lord Li and the others, they should be at the prefectural office right now."

Hearing this, Xiao Yu's expression softened a bit. As long as the disaster relief funds and food were still available, there was still a way.

The newcomer knelt in the hall. Seeing that the emperor remained silent, he secretly glanced at him. The new emperor had only recently ascended the throne, and he was just a minor official of the sixth rank. He rarely saw the emperor and sighed inwardly.

Since the late emperor passed away, there have been two emperors. It is unknown how long this young emperor can sit on this throne.

With so many troubles happening right now, he couldn't help but glance at the young emperor a few more times.

"Where are the troops stationed in Jiangnan Prefecture?" Xiao Yu asked.

The visitor replied truthfully, "The garrison commander said that troops cannot be mobilized at will without the tiger tally."

"Damn it!" Xiao Yu cursed under his breath, knowing it wasn't the time to pursue the matter. He pursed his lips and told him to leave first.

The newcomer bowed respectfully, then glanced at the new emperor. Since his ascension, the young emperor had shown considerable concern for the people's livelihood, displaying a similar demeanor to his predecessor in his youth. It was a pity...

Xiao Yu sat for a while, then ordered someone to summon the Grand Princess. Of all the officials in the court, she could only rely on this one person.

Her father-in-law, who should have been closest to her, seemed loyal to the country in court, but made things difficult for her at every turn, and she had no one to confide in.

Must the country be destroyed so that she can experience the fate of a foolish and incompetent ruler who has brought about the downfall of her nation?

Xiao Yu was unwilling to accept this.

Before long, Xiao Qinya arrived. Ignoring formalities, Xiao Yu stepped forward to help her up, saying, "Something has happened in Jiangnan."

Xiao Qinya was taken aback. As she listened to her detailed explanation, she became increasingly alarmed. Floods were a common occurrence in the Jiangnan region in previous years, but as long as the imperial court provided timely relief, there had never been any instances of bandits causing trouble.

"What does Your Majesty wish to do?"

"I plan to send troops to suppress this, what do you think?"

Sending troops to suppress the rebellion is absolutely necessary, but who should be sent? And how should the troops stationed in Jiangnan be arranged?

Xiao Qinya's heart sank. The tiger tally of the Jiangnan garrison was in General Yuwen's hands. The Yuwen family was a powerful clan, though they had declined, they still had a strong foundation. General Yuwen had been stationed on the border for years. If he were recalled now, with the Eastern Kingdom still eyeing the border with covetous intent, she feared...

She hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Whom does Your Majesty wish to send?"

Xiao Yu replied, "Let's send a team from the Imperial Guard."

The Imperial Guards, responsible for protecting the capital, are the emperor's personal troops and the last line of defense for the imperial city. Sending them...

Xiao Qinya frowned: "Didn't Your Majesty consider that this might be a trap, and that the enemy might take advantage of the situation after the Imperial Guards leave the capital?"

She knew all too well that the real culprits behind the two cases had not yet been caught, and sending the Imperial Guards away was the most unwise choice. But what could she do? She couldn't disregard the lives of the people and neglect her duties since she was not in a position of authority.

Xiao Yu smiled. She never expected that one day she would end up like this. Before she transmigrated, she was just an ordinary college student.