He also heard the news of a severe drought in Jinzhou. If the people had no money, he asked them to exchange their stored grain for it. One pill could be exchanged for a year's worth of surplus food.
Now it was winter, their wealth and food were gone, and they had no choice but to seek help from the city in order to survive.
However, some among them naturally did not have the antidote and contracted the plague, which then spread from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred. Seeing this, Liu Zhijie did not dare to let them into the city.
If anyone sneaked into the city, he would torture them, either by cutting off their flesh and blood, or by skinning them, and then hang the body from the city gate as a warning to others.
The city walls were filled with soldiers. With their skills, it was impossible for them to escape. After several such incidents, fear filled their hearts. Even with the city gates wide open, they dared not take a single step inside.
Listening to Jiang Zhiyu's description, Xu Yaowen could no longer suppress the anger in his heart, and his eyes turned red.
When he sent the medicine back, he had already instructed that only one pill of the antidote was needed, and people would never be infected with the plague again!
Liu Zhijie!
The officers and soldiers didn't dare leave the city. Seeing that they hadn't made any move for so long, they couldn't help but urge them, "My Lord Prefect? The Governor has learned of your return and has prepared fine wine and delicious food at his residence, waiting to welcome you and the Prime Minister."
Xu Yaowen's eyes were cold: "Good wine and good food...ha..."
He sneered repeatedly.
The officer realized he had spoken out of turn and quickly tried to make amends, "These are just surplus grains that the Governor had previously stored. You've been away from Jinzhou for a few days, so I'm afraid you didn't know. Jinzhou is currently facing a food shortage. Although the Governor wants to help them, he's powerless."
Xu Yaowen did not answer, but patted the driver's shoulder and motioned him to go into the city.
It is not a good idea to dawdle at the city gate. The most urgent thing is to enter the city first. There should be some surplus food in your house, so take it out to deal with the emergency.
Seeing the carriage heading towards the city, the officers and soldiers breathed a sigh of relief. But when the carriage came in and they were about to close the city gate, they were stopped by Xu Yaowen.
"There's no need to close the city gates. Send a few people with me to go to my mansion to get some food and make some porridge to serve at the city gates."
The officers and soldiers were stunned: "This..."
Giving porridge to these people is a small matter, but giving porridge to these people...
The officers and soldiers couldn't help but shudder.
Xu Yaowen's eyes were sharp, his nose wrinkled slightly, and he looked a little dissatisfied and impatient: "What's wrong?"
The officers and soldiers did not answer or move.
Xu Yaowen was about to speak when Jiang Zhiyu stopped him: "Third uncle, since the governor has been waiting, why don't we go see him first?"
[Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Let me go and blow his head off!]
Xu Yaowen frowned, pursed his lips and said nothing. The officers and soldiers saw He Yanting sitting in the carriage through a corner of the curtain that Jiang Zhiyu had lifted, and they were stunned.
Is this the Prime Minister?
Really... young.
…
Their carriages had been gone for a long time when Jiang Zhaorong's carriage finally arrived. After seeing another carriage coming, the officers and soldiers couldn't help but frown.
What day is it today? Why are all of you running here?
He stepped forward to stop the carriage: "Stop! Who are you?!"
The servant driving the carriage said, "How dare you! The Prime Minister is personally visiting Jinzhou! Why don't you send someone to lead the way to see the Governor?"
The officers and soldiers were full of questions.
How come, another prime minister comes?
…
There is a world of difference between the inside and outside of Jinzhou City. Although it is not as wealthy as Shengjing, people's lives are peaceful and comfortable.
The carriage sped all the way to the governor's mansion.
Before reaching the governor's door, he saw Liu Zhijie waiting in front of the mansion. He knew with a simple guess that he was there to welcome the prime minister.
Xu Yaowen couldn't help but sneer in his heart. What a pity, the Prime Minister was not among them.
The day before yesterday, Jiang Zhaorong, who had been following them, changed his route and no one knew where he went. At this moment, it is still unknown whether he can reach Jinzhou.
The carriage slowly stopped, and Liu Zhijie's voice, with a smile, sounded outside: "Prime Minister, I didn't know you would arrive so soon. I am sorry for not welcoming you. I hope you won't blame me."
Xu Yaowen lifted the car curtain and got out. Liu Zhijie glanced at him and then looked away coldly.
Serious matters may spread slowly, but gossip and anecdotes are always like having wings. Once they happen, they can spread tens of thousands of miles away.
But as the story spreads, it may be exaggerated.
Just as Liu Zhijie heard, Xu Youran was divorced and expelled from the mansion by Jiang Zhaorong.
When the two were husband and wife, Xu Yaowen was demoted here, and no matter how he suppressed him, the Prime Minister never took action. Now that Xu Youran has become a divorced wife, it is even more impossible for the Prime Minister to treat Xu Yaowen differently.
Thinking of this, Liu Zhijie's eyes looked at the carriage even more passionately.
He just got two beauties in his mansion, and he has not touched either of them yet. If he can catch the Prime Minister's eye, then his rise to prominence will be just around the corner, right?
When the curtain of the carriage was lifted, Liu Zhijie saw a hand as white as jade. He paused.
The Prime Minister came to Jinzhou with a woman?
This hand doesn't look that big.
Before he could form any intimate thoughts in his mind, Jiang Zhiyu completely opened the car curtain.
After seeing it clearly, Liu Zhijie: "..."
"Mr. He?!"
He had met He Yanting before when he went to Beijing.
Thinking of the emperor's favor for He Yanting, Liu Zhijie dared not neglect him.
"Governor, the refugees outside look truly pitiful. I heard from the soldiers guarding the city that you have some surplus food stored at home. Why not distribute some porridge to those at the city gates to alleviate their suffering from hunger and cold?"
Liu Zhijie looked at Jiang Zhiyu and did not equate her with the nobles in the capital in his memory. He was not sure of her identity, but he did not dare to neglect her.
"Your Excellency, you may not know that although I have some surplus food at home, it can only temporarily alleviate the urgent need..."
Before he could finish, Jiang Zhiyu interrupted him: "Then I'll have to trouble you, Governor. The Prime Minister is right behind us. If he sees what's happening outside the city, I wonder if he will punish you for dereliction of duty?"
Liu Zhijie paused and said, "Your Excellency's words are absolutely right. I will have the granaries opened and the grain released. Thank you for your reminder. May I know who you are?"
He signaled with his eyes to the servant standing nearby, and the servant hurried into the mansion.
Jiang Zhiyu chuckled: "It's not worth mentioning. It's really cold outside, Governor..."
Liu Zhijie suddenly realized: "Quick, please come in."
I'm going to find out where he keeps his food. I'll have to tell my third uncle to hold him back.
Just as she was about to move, she saw Xu Yaowen and Liu Zhijie chatting beside her.
Because he wanted to get Jiang Zhiyu's identity out of Xu Yaowen, Liu Zhijie's attitude became much better than when he was in front of the door.
Jiang Zhiyu swallowed the words on his lips.
[As expected of my uncle, he's really wise.]
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