Prince Duan was the first to object, saying, "Although my brother sent me here to treat the smallpox epidemic, there are too many infected refugees. Isn't it a waste to spend so much money and food to save these dying people?"
Yun Tian nodded: "I second that proposal."
Ye Qingyu also said in a deep voice, "I also think this matter needs to be put aside for a while. After all, it is not a small amount. The situation is tense right now, and many places are in dire need of money and food. We should use our resources wisely."
Not only them, but even the Shence Army soldiers and the Jinyiwei guards around them couldn't help but nod in agreement. In their eyes, let alone these patients infected with smallpox, even the lives of ordinary refugees were not worth mentioning. This was due to their long-standing mindset.
At this moment, only Zhao Qingyao frowned slightly: "I think we should do as Lu Tu said and allocate some money and grain to him so that he can appease the refugees he has gathered and stabilize the situation."
"That's not a good idea, Second Sister. Sending away this money and grain will be a complete waste..."
Before Prince Duan could finish speaking, Zhao Qingyao interrupted him: "How can saving people's lives be a waste of money? Besides, the money and grain for disaster relief are meant for these people, not for you to pocket."
Upon hearing this, not only was Prince Duan shocked, but Yun Tian and Ye Qingyu also stood up immediately.
They quickly explained, "Your Highness, you are wise. We would never dare to touch a single penny of the disaster relief funds and grain. The grain is still stored in the warehouse."
Zhao Qingyao nodded: "If that's the case, then it's easy. Let Lü Tu take some of it for disaster relief and as a reward for his treatment of smallpox."
Upon hearing this, Lü Tu was overjoyed. He cupped his hands to Zhao Qingyao and said, "Thank you for your compassion, Your Highness. On behalf of the more than 5,000 refugees under my rule, I thank the Emperor, the Princess, and Prince Duan!"
Now that things had come to this point, even if Prince Duan was unwilling to hand over the money and grain, there was nothing he could do. At this moment, he frowned and said, "Second Sister, you don't know this, but after transporting the grain here, less than one-tenth of it remains. There is not much grain left that can be used for disaster relief."
Zhao Qingyao was also aware of the losses incurred in transporting grain, especially in this northern region where water transport was scarce.
"But we still have silver, which we can use to buy grain."
"Who should we buy from? The major grain producers in Wuchuan have already closed their warehouses. We can't just force them to buy from us, can we?"
Zhao Qingyao sneered: "You've become so easygoing now. Normally, you'd kill someone's whole family if they just glanced at you, but now you can't even buy grain with money?"
These words showed absolutely no respect for Prince Duan. Aside from the Emperor, perhaps only Zhao Qingyao could do that.
Prince Duan was so worried. He had been most afraid of his second sister since he was a child, but as he grew older, Zhao Qingyao would still give him some face.
Unexpectedly, today, in front of so many people, especially in front of a low-ranking military officer like Lü Tu, he said something to refute him, making him lose face.
Prince Duan said helplessly, "But Second Sister, even if I take out all of it, it will still be a drop in the ocean."
How many do you have?
"5,000 taels."
"That's enough."
"But what about the other refugees? Are all these silver coins just going to Lu Tu?"
Zhao Qingyao knew this was the truth. It was impossible to give all the disaster relief funds to Lü Tu. This was only a part of it. You have to know that there are more than 200,000 permanent residents in the entire Wuchuan area, not to mention the other five towns.
Lu Tu spoke up at the opportune moment: "This humble general has a plan that can solve our immediate crisis!"
Everyone was delighted upon hearing this: "Go on!"
Lu Tu's gaze fell on Yun Tian, and at that moment Yun Tian subconsciously took several steps back, his eyes filled with terror as he said, "Don't even think about it!"
"Hehe, Commandant, look, you're even answering first now."
Seeing everyone looking at him, Yun Tian had a premonition that he probably wouldn't be able to save his life savings today, and waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Your Highness, General Ye, there's nothing I can do just by looking at me. You all know that I am an honest official with only 20 taels of silver a month in salary, and I also have to support this large family. I really can't afford it."
None of the people present were fools, so why would they believe Yun Tian's nonsense?
You have to understand that he served as a military commander in Wuchuan for over twenty years. Let's not even talk about his collusion with the enemy and the illegal sale of salt and iron. Even the fees he collected every day when he entered the city have almost all gone into his own pocket over those twenty years. To say that he had no money? Nobody would believe it!
However, the people present did not want to directly point it out, because if they did, wouldn't they also have to pay money?
Prince Duan and Ye Qingyu looked up at the sky at the same time, pretending to be nonchalant.
The more they acted this way, the more Lu Tu wanted to get money from Yun Tian. After all, when he had the conflict with Ye Qingyu earlier, Yun Tian did not stand on his side or speak up for him at all.
This alone is enough to prove that Yun Tian still hates Lü Tu from the bottom of his heart. After all, the hatred for killing one's son is irreconcilable, not to mention what happened a few days ago.
Yun Tian and Lü Tu have already broken off all pretense of civility, leaving no room for reconciliation. Therefore, Lü Tu need not show him any respect.
Lu Tu chuckled and said, "Lord Yun, I remember there was a man named Zhou Taishan during the last rebellion."
Upon hearing Zhou Taishan's name, Yun Tian felt a headache coming on. He looked at Lü Tu in shock and anger, instantly realizing that Lü Tu already knew about Zhou Taishan's collusion with the enemy and his illegal sale of salt and iron to the Wuhuan people. However, Lü Tu was giving him face for the time being and did not expose him as well.
Zhao Qingyao asked, "Rebellion? Who dares to rebel? Has their entire family been executed?"
The three questions in a row made Yun Tian shudder. The rebellion was easy to cover up, but the key was that Yun Tian's son, Yun Ao, was also involved in the rebellion that day. If the matter were investigated thoroughly, Yun Tian would also be held responsible.
But now that Lü Tu had already said it, Yun Tian naturally couldn't evade the question. He could only put on a smiling face and look at Lü Tu: "Captain Lü, you still remember Zhou Taishan? That guy really doesn't know what's good for him. After I punished him before, he still dared to hold a grudge. If it weren't for Captain Lü's help that day, my old life would be in danger."
Zhao Qingyao raised an eyebrow in slight surprise: "Oh? So Lu Tu also has the great merit of establishing a state and suppressing a rebellion?"
Upon hearing this, the people present immediately understood that Zhao Qingyao still wanted to support Lü Tu. After all, suppressing a rebellion was a great achievement no matter where it happened, enough to elevate one's rank by three levels.
Lu Tu shook his head solemnly: "Sharing the burdens of the Emperor and the Princess is what I, as a subject of the Great Yu, should do."
As he spoke, Lü Tu looked up at the sky, then put his hands behind his back, his face radiating a holy glow. He really looked like a loyal minister who cared about the country and its people. Even Prince Duan and Ye Qingyu frowned, thinking to themselves that this kid was too good at pretending.
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