Chapter 273 Resurrection
This incident was a major mistake in the previous emperor's achievements. Because of this, Da Zhao's vitality was greatly damaged. When the emperor succeeded to the throne, his foundation was unstable and he was forced to be controlled by the Cao family.
Therefore, the emperor learned from his mistakes and would never allow history to repeat itself.
"Are there any of you willing to go?" The emperor asked solemnly.
The civil and military officials in the court looked at each other, and no one responded.
This kind of task is a duty if it is done well, and the lives of the entire family will be in danger if it is not done well.
The hall fell into silence, and the emperor pinched his eyebrows impatiently and said: "Let's discuss this matter later, and raise money and food first."
Things have their priorities, and this burden is not assured to be handed over to ordinary people.
"Yes." The ministers responded and breathed a sigh of relief.
After the court was dismissed, Yu Zheng and others went to Yu's study again.
Two days later, the first batch of money and food was collected, and Yu Cheng took the initiative to ask for an imperial decree to escort it.
For the people of Duanzhou, this first batch of money and food was extremely important. They were waiting for life and could not make any mistakes. Yu Cheng
thought about it for a few days and felt that it would be most reassuring to go there in person. His personal presence could also stabilize the people's hearts, killing two birds with one stone.
Cao Qian was shocked and immediately bowed and said, "Your Highness, please think twice. Disaster relief is a big matter and it will not be a few days' work. The government affairs of the court still need your Highness to discuss and deal with it."
Such an excuse made the emperor look grim: "According to Cao Qing, this court can't be handled without the prince?"
Did he think Yu Cheng was too useful, or did he think that he, the emperor, was too incompetent?
Cao Qian heard the deep meaning in the emperor's words and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. This is not what I meant."
"Humph!" The emperor snorted coldly, "If the prince can't go, who do you think can go, Cao Qing?"
Cao Qian glanced at Yu Zheng seemingly indifferently.
The emperor knew what he was planning and sneered in his heart.
"The first batch of money and grain will be escorted by the prince, the second batch of money and grain will be escorted by Zhou Boxu, and the third batch..."
The emperor's eyes swept over the ministers.
All the officials in the court lowered their heads, not daring to speak, for fear of being pointed out.
"I am willing to go." Shen Changze's voice was particularly loud in the silent hall.
Although the task is difficult, as long as it is done well, it is also an achievement.
Although Shen Changze has been appreciated by Yu Cheng in the past two years, he has not had many opportunities and has not been promoted. His situation is very embarrassing.
This time Yu Cheng will go in person, if he does the job carefully, even if he cannot be promoted immediately, he can still leave a mark in Yu Cheng's heart.
The emperor looked in the direction of the voice and saw Shen Changze's eyes lit up and his expression eased a little.
Shen Changze is loyal and brave, so he is relieved to let him escort the money and food.
"Approved." The emperor made the final decision.
After the disaster relief matters were decided, Yu Cheng set out that afternoon.
Although Cao Qian did not support it, he could not change it.
After being busy for a few days, Yu Zheng finally had some free time.
At night, he went to a secluded alley in the west of the city.
Zhang Li and Li Xu were both placed there.
"Your Majesty." Seeing Yu Zheng, Li Xu forced himself to get out of bed and saluted despite his injuries.
Yu Zheng looked at him coldly, and did not ask Li Xu to get up, leaving him kneeling.
"How is it? Has your master let you down?"
Li Xu's face turned pale, he looked up at Yu Zheng and said, "Can the prince really help me save my family?"
Yu Zheng's words that day still rang in his ears.
At first, Li Xu was skeptical, until Cao Qian's men gave him a death order.
Cao Qian said that both execution and suicide out of fear of crime were death, but suicide out of fear of crime would give him peace of mind and his family would be safe.
Li Xu had no choice but to 'commit suicide out of fear of crime'.
He took the turtle-breathing medicine that Yu Zheng ordered his men to give him, and then on the date set by Cao Qian, he smashed a bowl and stabbed himself in the chest with the fragments.
The fragments were stabbed very deep, and the coroner and Cao Qian's men did not find any clues. In addition to the effect of the turtle-breathing medicine, everyone thought he was really dead.
Xiang Maoyan and Yu Zheng's men worked together to transfer his "corpse". Once the effect of the turtle-breathing drug wore off, Li Xu "came back to life".
Although it was a fake death, Li Xu was indeed seriously injured and had not fully recovered after a few days of recuperation.
"What? At this point, you are still questioning me?" Yu Zheng narrowed his eyes, very dissatisfied with Li Xu's attitude.
Li Xu heard something wrong in the voice and hurriedly said, "I dare not. As long as the prince can help me save my family, my life will belong to the prince in the future, but I will obey your orders."
Yu Zheng corrected him in a cold voice: "Your life belongs to Sun Hechuan, but before you die, the mastermind behind the scenes must be brought to justice to comfort the loyal soul."
Yu Zheng never thought of keeping Li Xu alive, but just let him die a worthy death.
When Li Xu heard this, his heart sank suddenly.
No one wants to die, but he has no choice. It's all because he followed the wrong master.
After pondering for a moment, Li Xu asked worriedly: "I am willing to obey the orders of the prince, and I am willing to pay for his life after the matter is accomplished, but... can my family really be safe?"
After this, Li Xu became suspicious. He was afraid that Yu Zheng would kill them all like Cao Qian.
Yu Zheng glared at him and said, "Your master silenced them because your family knew something they shouldn't know. What does this have to do with them?" "
They are the people of Dazhao. As long as they abide by their duties and don't do anything illegal, they will be safe."
Yes, Yu Zheng had no reason and no need to silence them.
Thinking of this, Li Xu was finally relieved.
"Speak, your master, Cao Qian." Yu Zheng knocked on the tables, his patience exhausted.
Hearing Yu Zheng utter the word "Cao Qian", Li Xu was shocked.
It turned out that Yu Zheng had known about it for a long time.
And with Yu Zheng's intelligence, how could he not know anything?
The lives of his family members were in Yu Zheng's hands, Li Xu dared not hide anything and told him everything he knew.
As Yu Zheng expected, Cao Qian killed Sun Hechuan and helped Li Xu succeed as the Minister of Dali Temple in order to use his position to detain some important officials and replace them with his own people.
Then, it was self-evident what Cao Qian wanted to do.
Li Xu has been lurking in the Dali Temple for many years. He holds an important position and is an important chess piece of Cao Qian. He has done a lot of things for Cao Qian and knows a lot about Cao Qian.
Of course, he also has a backup plan.
"Where are the evidences?" Yu Zheng asked.
Li Xu said, "In my courtyard... the secret compartment of Gongfang."
Yu Zheng: "..."
His dark eyebrows wrinkled in disdain, and Yu Zheng ordered the secret guards to look for them according to what Li Xu said.
It was already late at night, and Yu Zheng stood up and said, "Hurry up and take care of your injuries. After your family leaves Beijing, immediately start collecting the rest of Cao Qian's evidence."
"Yes." Li Xu agreed and watched Yu Zheng leave.
At this point, Li Xu also wanted to kill Cao Qian as soon as possible. In this way, his family can live openly without fear.
On the tenth day of April, Jiang Shu returned to the Jiang family.
After checking the accounts of each store with Jiang's father, they discussed the matters in the store.
Jiang Shu said solemnly: "Everything is linked to one thing. This year, natural disasters have occurred one after another, and all walks of life will be affected. In addition to grain and oil, cloth and other storable goods, it is better to stock up more."
The shopkeepers said: "We have already stocked up a batch in various places according to the boss's instructions."
Jiang Shu said: "It's not enough, stock up more and buy more."
"Then how much is appropriate to stock up?" The shopkeepers asked.
Jiang Shu pursed his lips: "The more the better."
The shopkeepers looked at Jiang's father.
Jiang's business has been in business for many years, and there have been precedents of stockpiling goods in disaster years, but they only stockpiled appropriately, unlike this year when there is no limit.
Stockpiling a large amount of goods requires a lot of money. Once there is a loss, Jiang's will suffer a heavy blow, which is very risky.