Chapter 187: Poor Again
Lu Chenyang wrote in the letter that the loss of Yanhui Pass had caused the people to lose their homes, their loved ones, and their families to be separated. He felt heartbroken every time he thought about it. Yanhui Pass had not yet been recaptured, but he could not bear to see the people displaced any further. He urged all who read this letter to go to Ningzhou, Quzhou, Anzhou, Lingnan, and Shu. As long as they contacted the local authorities, they would be properly resettled.
The world is in chaos because the officials are incompetent. He has limited abilities, but he also hopes to provide a refuge for the people.
In fact, this letter should have been written by Emperor Qianyuan, but it would have been better if the crown prince wrote it.
But Lu Chenyang didn't want to.
He was the one who provided the food for the people. He had originally written a memorial suggesting that the emperor provide food for disaster relief, but now there was no response. Emperor Qianyuan was angry about the appointment of a crown prince and deliberately ignored the disaster relief issue to express his dissatisfaction.
Why would Lu Chenyang save face for Emperor Qianyuan when he behaved like this? As for the Crown Prince, Lu Chenyang didn't think he had that much of a relationship with him.
The prince did not contribute to the disaster relief. He did not have the intention to do so, and Lu Chenyang was not so kind as to give him this face.
So Lu Chenyang wrote the letter himself.
This letter was quickly sent to various places. The places Lu Chenyang mentioned were all under his control, especially Ningzhou and Anzhou. These two places were closest to the battlefield and had the most refugees.
Notices were posted in front of every city gate, and a large number of refugees flocked into Anzhou, Quzhou and Ningzhou.
Lu Chenyang had no choice but to continue collecting food and sending it to various places.
The weather has turned cold, but fortunately the temperature in Anzhou and Quzhou is not too low, so people can still work outside.
Lu Chenyang copied the same system he used in Yanquan County, asking the refugees to work in exchange for relief, allowing them to build houses and workshops to earn money and food.
A large amount of food was consumed every day, and most of the wealth Lu Chenyang had saved with great difficulty was gone.
Lu Chenyang stayed in Yanquan County for only two days before rushing back to Quzhou. The food he sent out for disaster relief had not yet arrived when Chen Songyuan came to complain about being poor.
Chen Songyuan did some calculations. Judging from the scale of Lu Chenyang's disaster relief, the money they had would not last long, so he wanted Lu Chenyang to make money.
Lu Chenyang scratched his hair and asked, "Is there any caravan coming back soon?"
Chen Songyuan said without hesitation: "The fastest caravan to return will not be back until after the Qingming Festival, and all the money they have will be used to buy food and transport it back. It's just a drop in the bucket."
Since Lu Chenyang became an official, he has often been in financial deficit. His territory has become larger and larger, but he has become poorer and poorer.
Lu Chenyang now has not only a caravan under his control, but also a workshop, both of which are actually very profitable.
But it couldn't keep up with Lu Chenyang's spending speed, especially this time on disaster relief, all the taxes he collected in the autumn were spent.
Lu Chenyang asked: "How can we make money?"
Chen Songyuan immediately perked up and said, "Actually, we are guarding the golden hen."
Lu Chenyang looked at him and realized that the golden hen now was Quzhou.
Dai Jitong gave Lu Chenyang all the account books of shipments from merchants in Quzhou, and Lu Chenyang knew how much tax to collect.
"With your current power, it is not difficult to collect taxes in advance," said Chen Songyuan.
To put it nicely, it is collecting taxes in advance, but in fact it is just borrowing money.
Lu Chenyang touched his face and nodded solemnly: "Okay, isn't it just borrowing money? I'm familiar with this matter."
I've borrowed a lot in the past, and the more I borrow, the more experience I've gained. In short, as long as you're shameless, you can borrow money.
Lu Chenyang didn’t think it was a big deal for scholars to borrow money. For the people, he could do anything!
Chen Songyuan quickly bowed with both hands, "How can I let the Lord speak in person? I will go on his behalf."
His master was a powerful official, so how could he personally discuss the loan? He had to share his master's worries.
Lu Chenyang shook his head. "Mr. Chen, I know you're doing this for me, but I'll go in person. The amount we're borrowing is quite large, and the merchants didn't lend us money for nothing, so I'll go in person."
Chen Songyuan was so moved that his eyes turned red. His parents were so wronged.
Chen Songyuan thought for a moment and said, "There's no time to lose on this matter. I'll post it as soon as possible."
Lu Chenyang sighed: "After all, I just arrived in Quzhou. If I bring up this matter suddenly, I'm afraid they won't trust me."
Chen Songyuan thought for a moment and said, "I have someone who can help you, sir." He didn't keep the conversation a secret and said directly, "How about asking Vice President Dai to come forward and help?"
Lu Chenyang's eyes lit up, and he was overjoyed: "Mr. Chen, this is very thoughtful. Let's do it this way."
Lu Chenyang immediately sent out an invitation, accompanied by Dai Jitong and Fan Zhenxi, to invite the wealthy families in the city to drink and dine.
Everyone saw that Lu Chenyang posted the message personally, and with these two people accompanying him, they knew this was a big deal.
They weren't stupid either. Why would Lu Chenyang invite them to dinner for no reason? Of course, it was because he had some use for them.
What could they possibly do for Lu Chenyang? It was just money and effort, wasn't it? They were familiar with this.
They were also willing to give Lu Chenyang face.
However, Lu Chenyang also had his own standards and would not ask for more. He would just take 30% of the taxes that everyone should pay.
"As you all know, refugees are everywhere now, and I am heartbroken. To help them, I have resorted to this desperate measure. Don't worry, I will not deny it since I have already said it is a loan. All the money you have contributed will be deducted from taxes. I also know that with the constant wars and chaos, your lives are difficult, and you probably haven't received the money you paid for the goods, so I only want 30%." Lu Chenyang said sincerely, "I would like to ask all the family heads to do me a favor."
Lu Chenyang was very humble in this, giving everyone enough face, and guaranteed that it was a loan, and all the money would be deducted from taxes.
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. What else was there to say? Lu Chenyang's attitude had already touched everyone's heart. Lu Chenyang didn't treat them politely and directly robbed them. What could they do? Didn't they still have to pay the money obediently? The people should not fight against the officials.
Furthermore, Lu Chenyang wasn't unreasonable in asking them to pay the money; he was also considerate of their current situation, only asking them to pay 30% of the tax. Furthermore, Lu Chenyang's move was to help resettle the refugees, not to enrich himself.
If it were any other official, they wouldn't believe it, but when it came to Lu Chenyang, they believed it. They all believed that Lu Chenyang did this for the people.
An official can lower his posture so much for the sake of the people just to resettle refugees. What else can they be dissatisfied with?
They are also ordinary people.
One merchant bowed and said, "Your Excellency, you are too kind to us. This action is for the benefit of the people of the world. We are also your subjects and have been protected by you. Now that you can use us, we have no reason to refuse. Your Excellency is benevolent and loves the people, and we admire you deeply."
The others also stood up and said in unison: "Your Excellency is benevolent and loves the people. We admire you."
Dai Jitong looked at Lu Chenyang with sparkling eyes.
Lu Chenyang breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally raised the money and felt relieved.
After the banquet, Fan Zhenxi was so excited after hearing Lu Chenyang's words that he drank too much with others and was carried back directly.
It was Lu Chenyang and Dai Jitong. No one dared to force Lu Chenyang to drink, but Dai Jitong was an old hand and knew everything about the drinking scene. He also had a good alcohol tolerance and always stayed sober.
Dai Jitong walked up to Lu Chenyang and said, "Would you like me to take a walk with you, sir?"
Lu Chenyang smiled and nodded, and the two of them strolled on the street, slowly walking towards the county government office.
Lu Chenyang said nonchalantly, "I knew it would go so smoothly this time because you informed them in advance. Thank you for your hard work."
Dai Jitong's eyes flashed. Ever since he surrendered to Lu Chenyang, he has admired Lu Chenyang more and more.
Lu Chenyang did not have any grudge against him because of the past. Since he had hired him, he valued him very much. In terms of union matters, Lu Chenyang treated him and Fan Zhenxi equally.
Even when he had a conflict with Fan Zhenxi, Lu Chenyang was impartial and fair.
Dai Jitong became increasingly convinced of Lu Chenyang's intentions. This time, Lu Chenyang wanted to collect taxes in advance, and Dai Jitong knew this was his chance, so he took the initiative. He went to persuade several wealthy families overnight. He was familiar with Quzhou's situation and knew who was rich better than anyone else. He could always pinpoint them.
Rich people: "..."
Dai Jitong said softly, "It is my honor to be able to help you, sir. Moreover, you are doing this for the people."
Lu Chenyang glanced at him with a smile, "Boss Dai is a completely different person now. He's less domineering than the former lord of the Qinglong Gang." Dai Jitong said with a smile, "You used to be all about fighting and killing, but now that you're with me, I can't be the same."
This is what he really thinks.
Lu Chenyang smiled, and the two of them walked quietly, chatting casually. Dai Jitong found that he liked this feeling very much. There was no intrigue, just like a good friend.
He didn't intend to use this trip to plan anything, he just chatted casually.
Lu Chenyang has a calming feeling, allowing everyone who walks beside him to experience the long-lost peace.
This is probably what makes Lu Chenyang unique.
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