Chapter 262 Murong Li activates the Yun and Su families
Since the emperor asked him, on the one hand he really wanted him to give advice, and on the other hand he was also testing his ability to handle affairs.
Then he had to come up with a foolproof plan.
Of course, if he were to resolve the issue privately, he would definitely handle it the same way as in Northwest County. There would be no need for the court to intervene, and he could resolve it quickly on his own.
The problem can be solved by just the money houses and trading companies around Jiangnan.
He hasn't received any news about the flooding in Jiangnan yet. The center of Jiangnan has become the hardest hit area, and those who are trapped there cannot send any news.
Otherwise he would have received it long ago.
Thinking that the news was so outdated, Murong Li envied the communication of Su Yue's era, which allowed him to know the details at the first time. At the same time, he felt a little annoyed, wondering when the Xifeng Kingdom could develop to that level.
But there is no point in worrying now, the problem must be solved.
This is the court's business now, not just his own business, and he can't take his things away.
Moreover, he is not the emperor yet. If he were the emperor, he would just stick his own stickers and it wouldn’t matter.
So he said, "Father, I have a plan."
The emperor glanced at him and said, "Speak quickly."
Murong Li nodded. "Your Majesty, I think we can allocate funds first and send a few ministers as imperial envoys. Have them immediately take the money and go out to purchase supplies in the unaffected counties and towns surrounding the disaster area. Once they're purchased, they can be delivered immediately. This will save a lot of trouble, speed up the process, and make it less likely that anyone will notice you," he said.
The emperor's eyes lit up when he heard this. This was indeed an easy solution. It was great. The emperor's mood improved a lot when he looked at Murong Li.
Transporting supplies from the capital was not only labor-intensive but also conspicuous. Just like last time, all the grain and silver were robbed.
This time, as long as someone brings silver notes, who would know that they have such a huge sum of money in their pockets?
Moreover, when buying and selling supplies in the surrounding areas, the court did not need to provide manpower and effort for transportation. The company itself could help with transportation, which shortened the distance and enabled the disaster area to be reached faster.
The Jiangnan area is not like the remote and poor place in the northwest county. It is a place where money can be made and we must pay attention to it.
"That's a good idea, but who should we send?"
Those good-for-nothings in the court are either pushing each other or you push me, and no one is willing to take on such a hard job.
And we also have to consider the personnel aspect. If someone puts the banknotes in his pocket and runs away with them, he will be in trouble.
Murong Li's eyes turned, and he said, "Father, haven't the Marquis of Anding and General Yun's Mansion been recalled? Why not take this opportunity to let them handle this matter? I believe that given their current situation, they will do their best to do it."
The emperor looked at Murong Li obscurely, "You know how to pave the way for yourself."
Murong Li raised his eyebrows. "If you want to get things done, you need someone to help run errands and do odd jobs. Besides, I just returned to the city and have no one available. I can guarantee that these people have no intention of disloyalty. They just came back and have no official positions or power. Why can't I use them?"
He did not deny that he wanted to use those two companies again and use them for his own purposes.
The emperor is a very suspicious person. Why not put all his intentions and thoughts out in the open and appear to be the kind of person who is open and honest, not the kind of person who plays tricks behind people's backs?
The emperor himself is such a person. He hates such people the most. It would be better for him to do the opposite and be more open and honest, so that the emperor will look up to him.
As expected, the emperor was not angry. Instead, he praised: "You are quite frank, very good. Father likes people like this. Everything is laid out in the open, and no tricks are done behind the scenes. This is also why Father did not allow the fifth son to take the throne. The fourth son knows it well."
The emperor paused, then changed the subject and continued, "Your Majesty, what I'm referring to is that in front of you, in front of others, you can't do that. You should be cunning when necessary, be ruthless when necessary... If you're not cunning, others will be cunning to you. If you're not ruthless enough, others will be ruthless enough to you..."
The emperor also took the opportunity to explain to Murong Li how to be a king.
Murong Li listened carefully, and whether he used it or not was his business.
Murong Li bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your teachings. I will take every word to heart. I dare not play tricks in front of you. Your Majesty, your tricks will not stand a chance in your eyes."
No matter how many times flattery wears out, sometimes you have to learn to flatter.
The emperor was very pleased with Murong Li's words. Regardless of whether it was as he said or not, it really made him happy. No one doesn't like to hear nice words, especially those said by his own son. It makes him feel admired by his son.
He smiled and said, "If that's the case, then you should go and deal with it quickly. You can go to the Ministry of Revenue and withdraw 500,000 taels of silver first. If it's not enough, it depends on their ability."
This means that the national treasury will only pay out this much silver, and no matter whether it is enough or not, the court will not give out a single extra copper coin, leaving them to solve the problem themselves.
This time the emperor was not stingy, but there was simply not much silver in the treasury. The court had many uses for silver, so some had to be kept.
Murong Li cursed him in his heart for being cunning. How could five hundred thousand taels be enough? It was obvious that he was asked to pay for it himself. However, it was his idea and he was the one who appointed the person. He could only blame himself for his bad luck.
So he bowed and said, "Then I will do it right away."
The emperor wrote him a handwritten note and waved his hand, saying, "Go quickly."
Murong Li hurried out of the palace and came to the Ministry of Revenue. After handing the emperor's handwritten edict to the Minister of Revenue, he sent someone to the General's Mansion and the Marquis of Anding's Mansion to summon General Yun, Master Su, Master Su II, and Su Qiwen.
If we send these four people, since they have no titles now, we must give them the title of imperial envoys so that they can do their work better when they go out.
The imperial envoy had to go to the Ministry of Personnel. Murong Li took out a silver note worth 500,000 taels and went to the Ministry of Personnel, where he was waiting for the four people.
Murong Li waited for an hour with good tea and water before the four people hurried over.
Murong Li quickly explained the situation and talked about the severity of the flood there.
"Your Highness, are we leaving the capital immediately?" Su Qiwen asked.
Murong Li nodded. "You will leave the capital immediately. You will go and collect your respective imperial commissioner identity tokens. Here are 500,000 taels of silver notes. Divide them among yourselves first. I will send some more silver notes over later. You will leave immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness." The four of them immediately bowed and accepted the order.
Murong Li had already made arrangements, and the four of them quickly received the identity tokens of imperial envoys. Each of them was also assigned an official from the Ministry of Revenue and an official from the Ministry of Personnel. Once they arrived at the local area, the local officials would cooperate to a great extent.
After everything was arranged, General Yun and his entourage rushed towards the city gate, while Murong Li returned to Prince Li's mansion, got a silver note worth one million taels, and rode it at full speed to deliver it to General Yun and his entourage.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com