Unexpectedly, he was given not only the imperial sword, but also the golden medal of immunity from death.
Once they had made up their minds, the brother and sister would act immediately. Nuannuan would be responsible for riding to the magistrates of the nearest prefectures and counties in Anshan to issue orders, asking them to close the counties and restrict everyone from entering. As for Zhou Zeyun, he would be responsible for dealing with the floods. No matter what, the people still had to live their lives, so floods were particularly serious. Then there was the locust plague, and if it was serious, the consequences should not be underestimated.
Zhou Zhaonuan ran around the yamen all night, and the little girl didn't sleep all night. Biyu and Bilan followed closely. At first, the county magistrates were very arrogant when they saw that the person beating the drum was a little girl. When Zhou Zhaonuan took out the golden medal of immunity from death and the princess's seal, the county magistrates were all shocked. They obediently sealed off the prefectures and cities. After that, almost all of them wrote a memorial overnight and presented it to Zhou Beichen.
Originally, the memorials from the officials below could not reach Zhou Beichen directly. It was probably because of Governor Li. In recent days, Zhou Beichen had abolished that law.
In just a few days, Zhou Zeyun personally led some healthy people to dredge the river, clear away the mud, sand, and large stones, and then drain all the water in the fields. Then, he drew a map and asked people to follow it to build a dam, and silently prayed that it would not rain.
On the second day after Zhou Beichen received the secret letter, at the morning court, the ministers all felt that the emperor seemed much colder today than usual.
With trepidation in their hearts, the ministers knelt down and said, "Your Highness, we pay our respects to the Emperor. Long live the Emperor!"
A high-ranking official on the dragon throne sneered, "Long live the emperor? I only hope I won't be pissed off to death by you. I'd be lucky if I could live a hundred years."
The ministers didn't know why he was so sarcastic, so they could only lower their heads and keep silent. Zhou Beichen was indeed angry, but what made him most angry was that Governor Li intercepted the memorial some time ago. Otherwise, the situation would not have developed to this point.
After a long while, Zhou Beichen cleared his throat and said indifferently, "Get up."
The ministers were obviously relieved, and then they heard a cold voice from the local government, "Some time ago, the flood in Anshan was not effectively controlled, and the memorials could not be sent. Now, the disaster has spread. Now, a large-scale plague has broken out. Now, Princess Chang'an and Prince Yan are there, Minister of Works."
Zhou Beichen called out, and the Minister of Works tensed up and stood up, "I'm here."
"I order you to go to Anshan immediately to help Prince Yan and Princess Chang'an deal with the floods and plague."
The Minister of Works hesitated for a moment and said that he did not want to go on such an assignment, but he did not dare to go out. He did not want to die in this Golden Palace. The Minister of Works had no choice but to answer reluctantly.
"I obey the order."
Zhou Beichen nodded in satisfaction, his tone softening. "Let's set off today. I want you to bring all the doctors from the Imperial Hospital with you, leaving only two in the palace. Remember, you must ensure the safety of you, Princess Chang'an, and Prince Yan."
Zhou Beichen became very anxious when he thought of his two children in Anshan. If they hadn't gone there first, he would rather go to deal with the floods and plague himself and let his son govern the country, rather than let his two children take risks.
After resolving this matter, the minister reported some trivial matters. Zhou Beichen felt a little exhausted. Xiao Shunzi, who was perceptive, shouted, "Dismiss the court!"
When stepping out of the throne room, Zhou Beichen felt dizzy and nearly fell to the ground. Fortunately, Xiao Shunzi was quick to help him up. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, are you okay? How about calling the imperial physician to take a look?"
Zhou Beichen paused for a moment, "No need. I understand my own health. It's just that I've accumulated too much stuff. I haven't slept enough these past few days. I just sat for so long and got up too fast. It's nothing serious."
Even though he said this, Xiao Shunzi was still frightened. Like Deshun, he was Deshun's apprentice, and naturally had followed Zhou Beichen for many years.
"Your Majesty, how about I summon the imperial physician to Xuanzheng Hall and have him wait there? When you have finished handling your affairs, I would like to have him massage your head and take your pulse."
Zhou Beichen glanced at him sideways, as if wondering whether to steam or stew him next moment. Xiao Shunzi trembled at his sinister look, his thighs softened, and he fell to his knees on the ground.
"I am a talkative servant. Please punish me, Your Majesty."
Zhou Beichen was not thinking about what to do with Xiao Shunzi just now. He was thinking about how to kill the county magistrate who knew about the incident but did not report it. Fu thought again and realized that he was also responsible for this matter, so he secretly took a step back. Once this matter was over, he would definitely escort the county magistrate to Beijing, lock him up for a few days, and beat him up to make him vent his anger.
If his two children did not come back, he would tear Mei Ju into pieces. And that little girl who deserved a beating, if he had known there was plague, he would have detained the little girl in the palace no matter what.
Coming back to his senses, Zhou Beichen looked at Xiao Shunzi, whose eyes were filled with fear, and gave a casual order.
"Alright, get up. I don't intend to do anything to you. Call the imperial physician, even the least skilled. As for the rest, give them half a day to prepare. Have them return home, pack their belongings, and head to Anshan immediately. After this plague is over, I will reward you handsomely: five...two hundred and fifty taels of gold each."
After saying this, Zhou Beichen's heart was bleeding. As an emperor, he needed money to fight wars, his concubines needed money, and he still needed money to provide relief to disaster victims. And this time, the plague also needed money. Fortunately, in recent years, wealthy places have collected a lot of money from commercial taxes, population taxes, and land taxes. There is also the money earned by his daughter to give to him as a filial piety. In addition, there is the small private treasury that he had cheated and obtained from his dead father before he ascended the throne. Otherwise, he would really be poor to death.
Zhou Beichen felt his heart bleeding when he thought about taking out all this gold from his small private treasury. No, he had to go to the shop run by his daughter one day to see if there was anything he could steal.
Xiao Shunzi's tears of envy flowed from the corners of his mouth. At this moment, he really wished that he was also an imperial physician.
After saying yes, Xiao Shunzi turned around and was about to leave. Zhou Beichen suddenly thought of something and said, "Come back."
Xiao Shunzi, who had walked to the gate, sighed deeply and ran back, "Your Majesty."
Zhou Beichen's voice was calm, "Also, go to the Ministry of Revenue and tell them that if anyone from the Ministry of Works comes to withdraw money, let them do so freely. Just don't embezzle any. Otherwise, I will kill them."
In one sentence, Zhou Beichen spoke with ups and downs, which really scared Xiao Shunzi.
Therefore, when Xiao Shunzi arrived at the Ministry of Works, after he announced the imperial edict, he deliberately knocked on a sentence.
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