While An Linyu was overseeing the construction of the shelter, Kangxi also received results from his investigation into the distribution of disaster relief funds.
After seeing the results, Emperor Kangxi was furious.
The actual situation was even worse than he had imagined. This year's snow was heavy and torrential, and many people were unprepared. Many houses collapsed, and many people died in their homes.
The officials in the relevant government departments took the disaster relief funds but didn't spend a single penny on the disaster victims; the only expense was on bribing officials everywhere.
How could Emperor Kangxi not be angry? He was frugal, but all the money he saved was embezzled. How could he feel comfortable with that?
He was unhappy, so naturally he made those who made him unhappy even more miserable. Therefore, anyone who was morally deficient in this disaster relief fund incident was punished, ranging from being stripped of their official rank and exiled to having their property confiscated and being beheaded. There was no leniency in this regard.
In the snow-covered field, the execution ground at Caishikou, which had been quiet and deserted for a long time, was put into public execution.
Even in the coldest weather, there are always people watching the spectacle, especially the spectacle of an official who embezzled disaster relief funds being executed.
The whole affair took only two days, and Kangxi's ruthless and decisive actions made the people of the capital applaud.
The corrupt officials were dealt with, but the people were still suffering. After thinking about this matter, Emperor Kangxi finally turned his attention to Yinzhen.
However, we still need to go through the procedures.
At the grand court assembly, Emperor Kangxi asked the assembled officials, "Who do you think should be in charge of this disaster relief effort?"
After these words were spoken, everyone began to express their own opinions.
The Crown Prince's faction is small in number, but they are quite steadfast. They support the Crown Prince in taking responsibility. This incident has become common knowledge among the people of the capital. If handled well, it could be a great opportunity for Yang Ming.
The eldest prince's men were naturally not idle either.
The Third Prince also wanted to get involved, and he put on quite a show.
Kangxi sat at the head of the table listening, but he didn't hear anyone make any suggestions about Yinzhen. He was puzzled and couldn't help but wonder what had happened to the court officials. They used to be so good at guessing his thoughts, but now that they were allowed to guess, they were turning against him.
After a while, the noise finally subsided. Kangxi said, "Since you all have ideas, then each of you should explain how you plan to take responsibility, starting with the Crown Prince."
These words caught several people off guard. They wanted to claim credit, but they really had no idea what to do about disaster relief.
However, the crown prince was not truly incompetent. Although it was sudden, this was not without precedent. He followed the instructions and managed to say something.
Upon hearing this, Kangxi nodded, saying, "It's all proper; I wasn't wrong."
The Crown Prince said the standard things, so the First Prince had less to say. However, he wasn't stupid and came up with a few points from a different angle, which were quite good.
The Third Prince was in a difficult position. He was good at studying, but the Crown Prince knew everything he knew and had said everything that needed to be said. All he could say was, "Your subject thinks that what the Crown Prince and the eldest brother said is absolutely right."
The implication was roughly the same as what they were thinking.
After the Third Prince, it was Yinzhen's turn.
Yinzhen didn't have any particular thoughts. The shelter was already under construction. An Linyu's information was quite good. Because the wages were in place, even in the freezing cold, there were still quite a few people putting in the work.
In addition, An Linyu took in those whose houses had collapsed, providing them with shelter and food. Displaced, they worked even harder, with many people working together and several shelters under construction, and the project is almost complete.
So Yinzhen immediately said, "What my second brother and eldest brother said is very good. I have no better idea. I will donate six shelters to provide temporary accommodation for people whose houses have collapsed. In addition, my wife also wants to do her part and told me to donate 10,000 taels of silver for the expenses of the shelters."
Upon hearing this, Kangxi nodded and said with satisfaction, "You've put your heart into it."
"It's all what I should do."
After being praised by Emperor Kangxi, the Fifth Prince followed suit. Since he had no shelter to donate to, he donated money as well. After all, he had made a lot of money in Mongolia last time, so donating 20,000 taels of silver didn't bother him at all.
The Fifth Prince's actions also earned praise from Emperor Kangxi.
Then the court immediately became lively.
In the end, the eldest prince donated 30,000 taels of silver. Because he had received the money from the sofa donation, he could accept it, even though it hurt. The crown prince donated 30,000 taels of silver, which was about the same as the eldest prince's donation, and he could barely afford it.
The Third Prince donated 20,000 taels of silver, which was a bit too much for him to bear. After all, he was running the sofa business on his own and didn't "play" with Yinzhen. So when he said it, the thought of 20,000 taels of silver made his heart ache.
Moreover, other officials, besides them, cannot simply stand by and watch; they must also donate money.
They were more restrained; those with substantial wealth donated around ten thousand taels, while those with less donated several hundred or several thousand taels.
The entire grand assembly instantly turned into a fundraising event.
Emperor Kangxi was very satisfied with the sight, and even more satisfied with Yinzhen, for he had set a good example!
The officials below him are greedy and not worth it, but his fourth son is.
In the end, Kangxi noticed that the officials below him all had amounts on their heads. Officials of similar means would even compare themselves, and those from similar backgrounds would have different amounts, which didn't look good.
After hearing the quotes, Kangxi was overjoyed, and Yinzhen hadn't expected it either, but it was a good thing.
There's never too much disaster relief money.
Surviving the snow disaster will require some money, and then there will be reconstruction after the snowfall! That's the real expense. Yinzhen has money, but the things he does in secret also cost a lot of money, so he tries to save where he can.
After the donations were completed, Kangxi coughed lightly, his eyes brimming with undisguised joy, and said, “My dear ministers, you have all been very kind. Rest assured, after the snow disaster is over, I will send someone to erect a monument for you. I will remember your love and care for the people, and the people of the world will also remember your good deeds.”
After a series of kind words, the officials below, whose hearts were aching terribly, finally felt some relief. When they opened their mouths, what they said was real money.
With so much money, at least you can buy a name on the monument, so it's not too bad.
As Yinzhen watched, he could only sigh in his heart that his father was indeed the emperor, and this move really made people feel comfortable taking out their money.
Now that the money has been donated, let's get back to what we were discussing earlier.
"The shelter that Yinzhen mentioned earlier is already under construction?"
Yinzhen stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Reporting to Father Emperor, the shelter has been basically completed."
Kangxi was very satisfied. He was the one who discovered this matter, and now, before others had even realized what was happening, he had already begun to take action.
He is pragmatic, has plans in mind, and cares about the people.
"In that case, I will entrust this matter to you. I believe you will not disappoint me."
Yinzhen respectfully replied, "Your subject obeys the decree."
With that simple "Your subject obeys the decree," the matter was considered settled.
The Crown Prince and the First Prince looked pale and unwell. The Third Prince, however, was too shocked to care about his pale face; he hadn't yet recovered from the "blow" of the 20,000 taels of silver.
He used to say that silver was just a bunch of worthless things, and he was very disdainful when he said it. Now, he's the one who can't bear to part with these worthless things, which is really ridiculous.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
