Normally, Yan Qingqing would be rather nonchalant when she saw Magistrate Ling, but this time she seemed quite serious and even a little anxious.
Yan Qingqing was immediately startled. Without bothering with pleasantries, she asked directly, "What's wrong? Has something serious happened?"
Magistrate Ling nodded and said, "A large-scale snow disaster has occurred in seven prefectures in the south."
Yan Qingqing's heart sank upon hearing this; snow disasters had struck seven prefectures simultaneously.
Those are millions of ordinary people; the affected area is indeed quite wide.
Furthermore, considering the geographical location of Great Yan, it is generally located in the south, so it usually doesn't snow in the south.
Yan Qingqing looked at Magistrate Ling and asked, "Does the imperial court have any countermeasures?"
Magistrate Ling nodded and said, "After hearing about this, His Majesty issued a series of disaster relief policies early this morning."
The Ministry of Revenue allocated a large sum of money and grain, but this money and grain has vanished without a trace.
Yan Qingqing was shocked. How could anyone be so wicked? This was something that saved the lives of ordinary people, and they dared to embezzle it.
Magistrate Ling paused for a moment before continuing, "His Majesty originally thought that with the funds and provisions already allocated, the disaster would soon be alleviated."
But to everyone's surprise, not only did they not receive good news, but...
What they found was that the money and grain they were escorting had vanished.
This was because the prefect of Yena Prefecture saw that although the imperial court had issued a disaster relief order, the supplies had not yet reached them, and the people were either freezing to death or starving to death.
Some people simply couldn't hold on any longer and even left their homes, becoming refugees with their families.
He risked his life and fortune to go to the capital to demand an explanation for the people.
Only then did the emperor realize that the disaster relief funds and grain had not reached the disaster victims at all.
Enraged, he immediately imprisoned the Minister of Revenue and related personnel.
They subjected him to severe torture, but ultimately failed to find the whereabouts of the money and provisions.
Ling Ziyuan was always well-informed, so he knew the details quite well.
Yan Qingqing then asked, "Has the imperial court not allocated funds for disaster relief again?"
Magistrate Ling gave a wry smile and replied, "His Majesty also wishes, but the national treasury was already empty due to years of war."
Things have finally eased up a bit in the last two years, but we're still not wealthy.
Otherwise, why would the emperor reward you so handsomely if you discovered high-yield crops and cotton?
The last batch of grain and silver was raised from military rations and pay that the Emperor had misappropriated.
Upon hearing this, Yan Qingqing exclaimed in disbelief and asked, "Doesn't that mean the soldiers at the other side have run out of pay and food?"
This could kill even more people.
If the soldiers on the border are not well-fed and clothed, how can they have the strength to fight? If the enemy finds out, they will definitely take advantage of the situation and seize the opportunity to attack and plunder.
While disaster relief is important, the soldiers on the border are even more important.
Ling Ziyuan nodded helplessly and said, "His Majesty is naturally aware that this problem is very serious, and has already instructed some officials and wealthy merchants in the capital to raise funds."
These things are enough to sustain us for a while.
But who knew this problem would arise?
If His Majesty were to solicit donations again, the officials and wealthy merchants in the capital would likely be unwilling, and he might then lose the support of the people.
To put it nicely, it's fundraising; to put it bluntly, it's outright robbery.
This can happen once, but never twice or three times.
However, Yan Qingqing felt something was off when she heard this. She felt as if it was a trap set up for the emperor to walk into.
No matter what the emperor does, he will fall into this trap.
However, before Ling Ziyuan could finish speaking, the most serious issue was not the disaster itself.
Many of these disaster victims are sick, with fever and cough. The disease is contagious, and I heard that quite a few people have died. However, the cold weather has slowed the spread of the disease.
After listening in silence for a while, Yan Qingqing asked, "Is it a plague?"
Ling Ziyuan shook his head and said, "I don't know if it's a plague, but it looks like it is, but no one dares to say it."
However, news of a plague spread among the disaster victims, and many people realized that something terrible was about to happen and began to flee in all directions.
By the time the authorities discovered the situation, a large number of disaster victims had already left the city.
Yan Qingqing felt increasingly that it was a conspiracy, but now was not the time to investigate.
Whether it's a natural disaster or a man-made one, the most important thing is to find a way to resolve the current situation.
Although it is said that everyone has a responsibility for the rise and fall of the nation, she is just an ordinary person. She can donate some money, but there is really nothing else she can do.
She didn't know what Magistrate Ling's purpose was in coming to see her.
Yan Qingqing immediately asked, "Why did Magistrate Ling come to see me? You don't think I can handle something this big, do you?"
Magistrate Ling looked at Yan Qingqing and sneered, "If you can solve something that even the Emperor can't, then you must be aiming for the heavens!"
Yan Qingqing was so angry she wanted to grind her teeth. What was the point of her coming to see her if she looked down on her so much?
Seeing that Yan Qingqing was angry, Ling Ziyuan quickly said, "It's not that I want to come and discuss this with you, but a group of disaster victims entered the city yesterday. As the magistrate of Chengyang County, and as the Emperor's appointed Mingzhao Shuoren, you naturally have to protect the safety of the people."
Yan Qingqing was even more shocked to hear that some disaster victims had already entered the city. This was a matter of life and death. Why was Ling Ziyuan dawdling around and not just get to the point?
But thinking about it again, it doesn't make a difference if it takes a little more time.
So Yan Qingqing quickly said, "In that case, hurry up and come up with a solution!"
Ling Ziyuan replied, "I have already ordered the city gates to be sealed off. As for what to do next, I really have no experience in this area."
"Isn't this because you're usually so resourceful? I thought I'd like to discuss this with you."
No wonder Ling Ziyuan was so calm and could sit here and ramble on and on with her; it turns out he had already sealed the city gates.
Yan Qingqing approved of his action.
Although it was cruel to the disaster victims, it at least ensured the safety of the people in Chengyang County.
However, simply sealing the city gates is not enough.
If she and Ling Ziyuan stay holed up in the city and do nothing, the emperor's desk will probably be piled high with memorials impeaching them after the epidemic is over.
Besides, she couldn't just stand by and watch those disaster victims freeze and starve to death; she would do everything in her power to help them.
Thinking of this, Yan Qingqing asked, "What about those disaster victims who have already entered the city? Have they been properly resettled?"
Magistrate Ling nodded and said, "There are about fifty or sixty of them. I have already had them settled in the charity hall and have assigned people to watch over them."
Yan Qingqing nodded and said, "That would be best, but you must tell the guards not to let them run around."
Furthermore, it is essential to take precautions when coming into contact with these individuals.
After all, no one knows if any of them are sick.
If it really is a plague and a large-scale outbreak occurs, that would be a real problem.
Ling Ziyuan nodded in agreement.
However, at this moment, neither Ling Ziyuan nor Yan Qingqing realized that the situation was far more serious than they had imagined.
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