Chapter 86: The rice warehouse is moldy and people take advantage of the chaos to make ill-gotten gains.
First, ask for instructions, then report.
The prefect approved the document and then went back to the hall to discuss the matter.
When the situation is extremely urgent, you still say these superfluous nonsense.
The inexperienced scholars frowned, their eyes blazing with anger. To avoid exposing their identities, they swallowed back the accusations that were about to come out of their mouths.
I didn't know what to do for a moment.
How can Daliang expect the country to prosper when there are such redundant officials who only care about shirking their responsibilities?
"We will not interfere with the official regulations of the county." Xie Yuan leaned back slowly, resting on the back of the carved nanmu chair and holding up the teacup.
"When supervising cases, we only look at the results."
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and a smile appeared on his face, as gentle and peaceful as a spring breeze blowing across the lake.
The following words made it impossible for the Lixian County Magistrate to shirk responsibility and prevaricate any longer.
"Whoever causes the dike to collapse will be beheaded.
If the dam collapses and causes mass casualties among the people, all nine generations of the family shall be executed."
He took a leisurely sip of tea, put down the teacup, and folded his hands in front of his stomach.
His tone was calm, but every word he said was like a hammer, revealing an unquestionable majesty, striking the heart of this humble official.
"Swish!" Luan Shuangbai and the boatman cooperated very well and drew their swords.
The former was wearing a navy blue soft armor, ready to go, while the latter was wearing a dark black raincoat, with a fierce look on his face.
The two men's every move could not conceal the murderous aura around them, like sharp blades that could be unsheathed and strike the enemy at any time.
The county magistrate was so frightened that he trembled and almost collapsed to the ground.
His pupils contracted sharply and his lips trembled uncontrollably. He wanted to speak, but it took him a long while to squeeze out a word.
"I still hope that the governor can save me, save me!"
The county magistrate's body was shaking like a sieve, and his feet seemed to be nailed to the ground, unable to move.
He had long heard that the emperor attached great importance to floods, but Li County was not under the jurisdiction of Qingye Prefecture, so he thought he could rest easy.
He never expected that the imperial court would take action against him.
"I've surveyed the terrain. There are hills on the northeastern plateau outside the city." Xie Yuan knew it well. "The temple on the top of the hill avoids the low-lying areas and can accommodate a thousand people."
The magistrate of Li County was even more convinced at this moment.
If he wasn't the inspector sent from Hangzhou, how could he be so observant?
What's more, the accompanying civil and military officials all looked dignified and did not seem to be faking it.
"I would like to ask the county magistrate to issue an order to send troops to our county to assist the people in their evacuation." Luan Shuangbai sheathed his sword and spoke calmly and forcefully.
The magistrate of Li County nodded in agreement to this request.
Only when he mentioned transporting grain, his sparse mustache jumped in surprise.
After entering the rice warehouse, Guizhier discovered the trick.
The rice warehouse faces south and has a rough and mottled surface. When you push open the thick elm door, a creaking sound fills the silent space.
Guizhier couldn't help but sniff it.
The plump rice grains have a light rice fragrance, which is the sweet smell of new rice.
But there is a faint smell of sourness and decay.
She suddenly stopped in her tracks and flared her nostrils, trying to identify the source of the strange smell.
The cold wind blew in from the vents inlaid with carved stones, passing through the grain storage that was as tall as a hill, ensuring air circulation.
Where does this smell come from?
"Sir, this is the account of the granary's income and expenditure." The chief clerk and the warehouse clerk were in a hurry and trotted behind Gui Zhier, forcing smiles on their faces.
Hopefully, those tampered warehouse receipts and false weighing records won't be discovered.
Guizhier opened the account book and was overwhelmed by the dense, tiny handwriting.
"Hmm..." She pondered for a moment and remained silent.
To be honest, she didn't quite understand it.
Different kinds of grains such as rice, brown rice, corn, etc., are all mixed together whether entering or leaving the warehouse.
It's like being poured into the same big vat, and it's impossible to tell where each goes and how much is left.
Checking accounts is still too complicated for the cook.
Guizhier walked to the grain storage and without waiting for the warehouse clerk to open the grain bag for her to inspect, she raised her hand and cut it with a knife.
The short blade pierced straight into the lower half of the grain bag.
With a rustling sound, rice bran splashed in an instant. She turned her wrist lightly, swung the knife out, and brought out a small cluster of rice grains.
The chief clerk and the warehouse clerk broke out in cold sweats.
The rice on the top of the grain bag is crystal clear and the grains are uniform, and it is specially for inspection by superiors.
It can be easily seen by just looking slightly.
But the place where the cassia twig pierced was hidden at the bottom.
Some of the splashed rice grains were corroded and became soft and brittle, some became damp and moldy, and even showed gray-green spots.
The foul smell comes from here!
"Passing inferior goods off as good ones?" Guizhier raised her eyebrows and played with the short knife in her hand.
She saw through this shady little trick, stealing high-quality grain and replacing it with inferior goods.
The difference in price is naturally pocketed by corrupt officials.
Her movements were skillful and natural. She pointed the sharp blade at the chief clerk's throat. Her eyes were as sharp as cold stars, revealing a ruthless spirit.
"Sir, please spare my life!" The chief clerk wanted to fall to his knees, but because of the cold knife flashing on his neck, his knees froze halfway.
"I have been diligently following the usual procedures. I wonder..."
"Shh." Guizhier signaled him to be quiet.
Now is not the time for a complete reckoning, everything must be given way to disaster relief.
Gui Zhier ordered the two men, who looked ashen, to pick out bags of rice that were of qualified quality and wait for the garrison to transport them.
The food reserves are limited, so we have to survive one day at a time.
The sky grew darker, and dark clouds rolled in like ink.
A strong wind suddenly blew, making the signs of the shops on the street crackle. The shop doors were closed, but rain continued to seep into the houses through the gaps.
The rushing water hits the bluestone road and rushes away in a stream.
The transfer notice has been issued, and the rapid sound of gongs "dang dang dang" continues to ring.
It's like a life-or-death alarm.
"Ada, we're not allowed to bring too much luggage." The woman nervously packed her clothes and belongings, tears welling in her eyes. "If the valuables at home were stolen, who would take care of it?"
The government is so unreasonable!
The man rolled up his trouser legs, and the veins on his exposed calves bulged. He hurriedly lifted the heavy object onto his shoulders, then picked up the hungry child with one hand.
"If it gets flooded, you might as well lose your life."
He gritted his teeth and walked out the door.
Women's concerns are not unfounded.
"There's a thief! Catch the thief!" Angry shouts pierced through the noise of the rainstorm.
The owner of the corner grocery store grabbed a man by the ear and rushed out of the store, not caring about his wet clothes. He waved his arms vigorously and cursed at the top of his voice.
"This thug thought I was gone, so he actually broke into the wing and rummaged through my things!"
The people who had not yet evacuated quickly put on straw raincoats, picked up sticks and other simple weapons, and prepared for battle.
The thug who was caught red-handed had dirt all over his face.
"Ouch, oh, oh, be gentle!" He tilted his head, twisted his body desperately, and let out a pig-killing howl.
The thug had a cracked mouth, his teeth were yellow and incomplete, and one of his straw sandals had fallen off, revealing his dirty feet.
"Who is causing trouble here?" Luan Shuangbai interrupted the farce.
His face was serious, and his deep eyes revealed unquestionable majesty. His soft armor shone coldly under the rain.
The noisy people involuntarily quieted down.
"Sir, this guy is a notorious scoundrel on our street," the grocery store owner replied with a nod and a bow. "He thought we'd moved and no one was home, yet he dared to come in and steal things!"
Take advantage of the chaos to make ill-gotten gains.
Hearing this, the onlookers who were packing their luggage suddenly became hesitant and slowed down.
Although the rain is a bit heavier now, Lixian County experiences the plum rain season every year.
I haven't seen the reservoir actually burst its banks.
But if these petty thieves are not eliminated, wouldn’t we lose more money if they leave a moment earlier?
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