Chapter 152 The Disaster Management Director, all beauty and no substance

The journey was bumpy, and Prefect He and Assistant Prefect Zheng vomited countless times, yet they still urged each other to keep going day and night. There was no other way; as long as the matter in Zhangzhou Prefecture was not resolved, a knife was hanging over their heads.

When the group arrived in Zhangzhou Prefecture, He and Zheng were already vomiting and unconscious. Just as they were about to be carried to a clinic for treatment, a hand with distinct knuckles blocked their way.

Prefect He opened his eyes groggily and saw that it was Zhang Ting. He sighed inwardly and had no choice but to sit up. In front of all the officials in the prefectural government, he verbally granted her the responsibility of "handling the disaster situation in the whole prefecture" and exercising the power of the general disaster relief officer, but her official title remained unchanged.

At this point, the entire responsibility for disaster relief in the prefecture was handed over to Zhang Ting.

Prefect He was carried away, groaning and groaning. Halfway there, she secretly opened one eye and unexpectedly met the gaze of Assistant Prefect Zheng. The two understood each other perfectly and closed their eyes again.

Their vomiting symptoms had already subsided, but now that they were sick, wasn't it like a pillow being handed to someone who was sleepy? It was a perfect opportunity to escape this ordeal.

The officials didn't understand why the prefect had appointed Zhang Ting to take charge of the overall situation, but seeing that they would have to listen to the orders of a minor official from now on, they were naturally dissatisfied, sulking and looking down on everyone.

Some even thought disdainfully, "A newcomer to officialdom, trying to steal their positions? Go back to your father's arms and nurse!"

He tried to make things difficult for Zhang Ting on the surface, but she retorted to each of his attempts. Feeling incredibly frustrated, he was preparing to do something sabotage in secret, but before he could even devise a counterattack, she sent him to the disaster relief front with a single sentence.

"You! How dare you!" A mere seventh-rank official dared to lecture a sixth-rank official like her!

The disaster situation in Zhangzhou Prefecture was urgent, and Zhang Ting was too lazy to bother with her. "My lady, is there anything you are dissatisfied with? I will convey it to the prefect on your behalf."

What a brilliant move to intimidate others!

Everyone present was terrified. The man was caught between a rock and a hard place, and he sneered, "How dare I have any complaints? You are the 'Chief Disaster Officer' appointed by the Prefect! What a show of authority!" He snorted coldly and turned away.

After making an example of someone, the remaining officials, regardless of their true thoughts, outwardly behaved themselves.

Zhang Ting was somewhat satisfied, and then called out several people to inquire about the actual situation in each county of Zhangzhou Prefecture, as well as the detailed figures for the prefectural city's finances, food supplies, medicines, and manpower...

They worked until dusk, and then the officials dispersed after receiving their assigned tasks.

Zhang Ting had been discussing things with people all day, and her throat was hoarse and slightly sore. She picked up a cup of tea to moisten it, her brows furrowed with worry.

The situation in Zhangzhou Prefecture was far more serious than imagined. There was no grain, no money, and the people were suffering heavy casualties, with the numbers rapidly increasing.

Since the floods began, approximately 37,000 people in Zhangzhou Prefecture have drowned or died from disease. Such a large number, nearly equivalent to the casualties of two counties, explains why He and Zheng are doing everything in their power to find a scapegoat for her.

The most urgent task is to mobilize all available resources in the prefecture to bring the disaster under control.

Zhang Ting wearily rubbed his temples, his mind racing as he weighed the pros and cons, ultimately choosing the method with the least cost.

"Master, it's time for dinner," Zheng Er reminded him from the doorway.

She looked up at the sky, walked out of the council hall, and called to Zheng Er, "Let's go together."

The other person stood there stunned for a while, then happily followed.

Zhang Ting: "Have you ever thought about moving to a higher level?"

Zheng Er panicked immediately, thinking that Liu Da had betrayed him and that his master no longer trusted him. "Master, you are wise. I swore an oath to follow you for life. More than a thousand days and nights, four winters and summers have passed, and I have never changed my mind!"

Zhang Ting turned his head and smiled slightly, looking at her: "I mean, would you be willing to be my advisor, my legal expert?"

This means that Zheng Er was intentionally led into an official career, no longer just a steward handling household affairs.

Zheng Er froze on the spot, as if struck by a silent thunderbolt. "I... I can be your advisor?" His hands trembled uncontrollably, and his heart pounded violently as if it would jump out of his chest.

She hadn't received much formal education growing up, and even in her twenties, she was still helping people transport goods. It was only after working for a boss that she gradually learned some basic knowledge and principles of conduct through observation and experience.

Could someone as contemptible and insignificant as her be a staff member for her employer?

Zhang Ting's gratified gaze fell on her. "You are very good. You are meticulous, quick-witted, hardworking, and better than many people in the world. Why can't you be like this?"

Zheng Er sniffed and shook his head. Then, unable to hold back his tears, he covered his face and stammered, "I...I am a person of lowly birth, without any official rank or title. How can I be your legal tutor? It will...it will make you a laughingstock."

“I don’t care about my noble or humble birth, nor do I care how others look at me. Besides, Zheng Er, haven’t I been bringing you under my wing and teaching you all these years for this day?”

He placed a hand on her shoulder and said gently, "Once this busy period is over, I'll ask someone to teach you properly. Your good luck is yet to come."

Zheng Er's eyes were red-rimmed, and he suddenly knelt down on both knees with a "thud," prostrating himself deeply, his voice trembling with excitement: "Master's kindness is so great, your subordinate will only repay it with his life."

Zhang Ting helped her up, saying, "Let's go, the food is getting cold."

"yes!"

Seeing Zheng Er acting like he was on steroids, she shook her head helplessly.

After finishing his evening meal, Zhang Ting even skipped his post-meal exercise and went straight to his study to deal with the disaster situation. He discovered that there had been oversights during the day, so he quickly summoned the relevant officials to inquire about them.

They didn't stop until late at night.

Turn off the lights and go to sleep.

...

The disaster situation in Zhangzhou Prefecture is urgent, and the situation in other prefectures is also not to be underestimated.

The imperial envoy in charge of disaster relief arrived first at Yingzhou Prefecture. This was because the imperial family was based there, and many relatives lived there. The notorious deposed crown princess was also from there.

Han Bingyue knew that although she was well-versed in classics, history, and geography, knowledge gained from books was ultimately superficial. Therefore, she respected Lu You's opinions and acted accordingly, and no unexpected incidents occurred.

She was welcomed into the city by the prefect of Yingzhou Prefecture, and without even having time to drink a cup of tea, she went straight to the memorial site of the virtuous prince.

The imperial court distributed grain late, and although Han Bingyue had only just arrived in Yingzhou Prefecture, today was already the last day of the mourning period.

At the memorial site, she read out Emperor Chengtai's edict, posthumously conferring upon the title of Prince Xiande the title of Prince Xian, posthumously granting him the title of Grand Tutor, and ordering him to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

The relatives kneeling below were still waiting for Han Bingyue to continue reading the imperial edict, such as how much gold and silver would be bestowed, and what honors would be given to their descendants, but nothing came of it.

Han Bingyue offered incense to the Wise King on behalf of Emperor Chengtai and then left.

The relatives were incredulous and rushed towards the imperial edict, exclaiming, "His Majesty loves his wife so much, how could he not bestow treasures upon her!"

"My mother is His Majesty's aunt, and she even raised His Majesty in the past. How could she not mention the bestowal of titles and honors upon her descendants!"

"This is impossible, impossible!"

Han Bingyue left the memorial hall and breathed a long sigh of relief. With the national treasury and imperial coffers empty due to disaster relief efforts, where would they find the funds to bolster the reputation of their relatives? Even His Majesty's own pockets were emptier than his face.

She turned around and asked someone to lead the way to a heavily guarded courtyard.

This is the place where the deposed Crown Princess Chen Jue was imprisoned.

Her face was deathly pale, and she lay weakly on the bed, her temples streaked with even more silver than when she left the capital.

Han Bingyue noticed that her eyes were beginning to become cloudy, like those of an old woman whose life was about to end.

Chen Jue coughed twice, his voice barely audible: "It's rare for Lord Han to visit. Did she send you to watch when I die?" He raised his right hand with difficulty, but ultimately could not lift it.

"Your Highness...you've misunderstood His Majesty. No matter what, His Majesty is your mother. How could she want a parent to outlive their child?" Han Bingyue said, putting herself in his shoes.

Madam Cui wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and walked over with a dark brown medicine bowl in her hand. "My lady, it's time for you to take your medicine."

Chen Jue struggled to get up from the bed, but her legs felt like superfluous objects, unable to exert any force, and she almost rolled to the ground in a disheveled state.

Cui cried out in surprise and rushed to help, but was knocked down by the enraged man, spilling the medicine all over the ground.

Chen Jue glared at Han Bingyue, her eyes bloodshot and menacing. "Go back and tell her I'm crippled and can never stand up again. Will she be happy then?"

Han Bingyue silently withdrew her outstretched hand. "Your Highness, if His Majesty truly wanted you dead, why did he hesitate to act? Why did he try so hard to protect you in front of all the ministers? Please don't break a mother's heart."

Chen Jue laughed hoarsely, "She doesn't want me to die, she wants to torture me to the point of wishing I were dead! Putting me in a room with unstable beams, isn't that her plan? Hahaha, go back and tell her that there's nothing to be afraid of for a commoner like Jue who is all alone. Use whatever dirty tricks you have on me!"

These words would have sounded harsh to any mother, and Han Bingyue was no exception. Feeling disgusted, she left the courtyard, exhaled, and headed to the government office.

Inside the house, Cui picked up the broken pottery shards scattered on the floor and then wiped the floor clean with a damp cloth.

"Masakazu, thank you for your hard work." A voice suddenly sounded from above.

Mr. Cui paused, looking down at his hands. They were rough, sallow, and wrinkled, like old tree bark, as if he had worked for seventy years. But he was only forty-seven years old.

"I'll follow my wife wherever she goes, whether she's a chicken or a dog. I don't find it hard." He deftly swept the medicine off the ground, got up, and asked, "Should I make another bowl for my wife?"

"Just hang in there. At least I can keep it from the spies in the courtyard. My eldest sister, fourth sister, and fifth sister are all hoping I'll die a horrible death."

“Yes.” Madam Cui lowered her head and turned around, one foot about to step out of the threshold.

But then Chen Jue said, "I contacted Xu Qiushui a few days ago. She was exiled to Zhangzhou Prefecture. In her letter, she said she seemed to know Xiaoyi's whereabouts."

Cui's pupils contracted sharply, her eyes widened, followed by an uncontrollable surge of joy, which caused her entire body to tremble slightly. She turned around abruptly, "Where is Xiaoyi?" and took two quick steps forward urgently.

Where is his eldest son's only child?

"How is the child doing? Has he been bullied, given his arrogant nature?"

She must have been bullied terribly. Even those who are imprisoned have such a hard time. Xiaoyi is all alone and helpless, with only her beauty. I wonder how much suffering she will endure.