Chapter 324 Being Blackmailed
The locust plague was widespread, affecting not only Qingzhou Prefecture but also Xuzhou Prefecture.
However, Cheng'an County in Qingzhou Prefecture was the least affected by the disaster, and most of the more than 20 villages there used the herbal medicine developed by Du Wanchun.
A few days ago, Zhou Ruiyuan and Prefect Li mentioned this herb to the Prefect of Xuzhou Prefecture, but they did not trust the Zhou family, thinking that the Zhou family, as merchants, wanted to take this opportunity to sell herbs to make money.
However, they only realized their mistake after the locusts arrived.
Many areas have been severely affected by the disaster, resulting in food shortages.
They flocked to Zhou's rice shop to buy rice.
Zhou's rice shop was not affected by the locust plague, and its output remained unchanged, so the villagers in the more than twenty counties of Cheng'an County continued to live better and better lives.
Seeing that Xuzhou Prefecture was severely affected by the disaster, Du Wanchun proposed to Zhou Ruiyuan to provide porridge for disaster relief.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Ruiyuan immediately dispatched people to set up soup kitchens in more than ten counties of Xuzhou Prefecture.
Du Wanchun led a group of people to personally distribute porridge and also gave villagers herbs to prevent locusts.
When the villagers received the herbs, they realized that there were such good things. Later, they learned that the former prefect of Xuzhou had refused the kindness of Prefect Li and Magistrate Zhou of Qingzhou.
They were filled with regret. If they had known that they had let the Zhou family out and they had taken the herb, their grain wouldn't have been eaten by locusts.
Du Wanchun did not linger in the porridge stalls. After checking each stall in her carriage, she prepared to go home, but was stopped by the former prefect's men on the way.
"Manager Du, our master would like to invite you to his residence." The man who came was a servant, with his chin held high and an arrogant expression on his face.
After thinking for a moment, Du Wanchun smiled and said, "Alright, then please have this young man lead the way."
The servant turned around and had someone lead Du Wanchun's horse to the former prefect's residence.
The former prefect was neither a good nor a bad official. He usually managed his subordinates in a proper and orderly manner, but when it came to important matters, he became timid and hesitant, only caring about himself.
It was because of this that he was unwilling to send anyone to Cheng'an County to get the herbs that could drive away locusts.
The reason Du Wanchun was invited was because he needed a favor. Several villages in the vicinity had run out of food, and simply distributing porridge was far from enough. He hoped that Du Wanchun could provide some silver so that he could help these disaster victims.
However, upon learning of the locust plague in the capital, 200,000 taels of silver had already been allocated, more than enough for him to help the victims.
However, seeing that he was powerful in Xuzhou Prefecture, this Lord Yuan secretly embezzled the silver and planned to ask Du Wanchun for some more silver to make a show of it to the people in the capital.
When Du Wanchun entered the mansion, the former prefect personally came to greet her, saying, "Manager Du, you've arrived. Please have a seat."
After saying that, he instructed the maid behind him, "Quickly, go and pour tea for Manager Du."
"Yes, sir." The maids quickly withdrew and turned to pour tea for Du Wanchun.
Soon a cup of fine Longjing tea was served.
Du Wanchun picked up the cup, took a sip, and smiled, "Lord Yuan, your tea is quite good."
The former prefect quickly replied, "It's just some old tea, nothing special."
Du Wanchun squinted and slowly smiled, "It seems that Lord Yuan has some good tea here. Normally, our Zhou family can only drink this kind of fine Longjing tea a few times a year."
The former prefect was taken aback, his cold gaze sweeping over the cup on the table next to Du Wanchun, before he secretly glared at the little maid.
The little maid was so frightened that she quickly lowered her head.
Du Wanchun changed the subject and asked directly, "What brings Lord Yuan to my residence?"
The former prefect removed the coldness in his eyes and said with a smile, "I've heard that Manager Du is a well-known philanthropist. Now, more than ten counties in our Xuzhou Prefecture are affected by the locust plague. I wonder if Manager Du could show some kindness and donate some silver to help these disaster victims."
Du Wanchun picked up her teacup, took a slow sip, and remained silent for a long time.
The former prefect squinted and continued, "Everyone says that Manager Du is extremely wealthy, so it should be no trouble for him to contribute some money."
Du Wanchun slammed the cup down in her hand. “Lord Yuan, you may have forgotten that there are soup kitchens belonging to the Zhou family in many counties throughout Xuzhou Prefecture. These soup kitchens of mine have saved many disaster victims here. When it comes to doing good deeds, I should have done my utmost.”
As if he had expected her to say this, the former prefect continued with a smile, "This is a soup kitchen. With so much rice from your Zhou family, it shouldn't cost much money, and it's quite a lot of work. Why don't you just give me the money, Manager Du, and I'll take care of these things?"
Du Wanchun sneered. This former prefect really knew how to play his cards right.
She pays the money, but he gets the credit?
She resolutely refused, saying, "Lord Yuan, our Zhou family is also unable to provide the funds. Furthermore, since we are the ones who opened the soup kitchen, our Zhou family will take full responsibility for it. We do not need your interference."
As the prefect listened, anger gradually rose on his face. He really hadn't expected this Manager Du to be so sharp-tongued.
His face gradually darkened. He looked around and saw that Du Wanchun was the only one there. Suddenly, he had other evil intentions.
"Manager Du, don't rush to conclusions. Stay at our residence for a while, and then think carefully about what to say."
He meant to keep her here by saying that.
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