Seeing Chen Jingshu's rather serious expression, Wang Runchao didn't say anything more. He simply explained the relevant procedures for distributing porridge to her without assigning her any tasks.
After all, she was still a Noble Consort. If anything happened to her, I wouldn't have enough heads to chop off.
"Your Highness, may I please explain the process of distributing porridge?"
"Alright, Lord Wang, please speak freely. I'd like to see what I can do to help."
"Yes, Your Majesty. There are four steps to distributing porridge: household review, identification, sorting, and porridge distribution. We first need to classify the disaster victims according to their economic conditions so that the porridge distribution can be targeted. Then, we issue 'porridge tickets' to the disaster victims as the basis for them to enter the porridge hall to collect porridge. After entering the porridge hall, the disaster victims must queue in order and must not push or fight. Finally, we distribute the porridge to the disaster victims one by one. By distributing porridge in this order, we can basically take care of all the disaster victims who really need porridge relief during these three days of porridge distribution. Moreover, the whole process is orderly and has been very smooth since the start of the porridge distribution day. There have never been any unexpected incidents."
Listening to Wang Runchao's introduction, Chen Jingshu could understand it clearly, even though she was a woman who rarely left her home. She sighed that the emperor was indeed quite capable of governing the country and was a rare man.
It's a pity that such a good man's heart wasn't with her, but she did meet a man whose heart was with her.
"Lord Wang, it's getting late. When shall we begin distributing porridge?"
"Your Highness, the guards have just reported that today's porridge tickets have been distributed, and the disaster victims will soon enter the porridge hall to line up for their porridge."
As soon as Wang Runchao finished speaking, the guards led a group of disaster victims into the porridge restaurant.
A group of ragged beggars walked in, hunched over, disheveled and filthy, emanating a strange odor. Their faces were covered with wrinkles and dirt, bearing the marks of hardship and despair. Having not eaten for many days, some of them coughed violently, their bodies trembling, their steps becoming increasingly unsteady.
Chen Jingshu frowned as she watched the flood of disaster victims pouring in. The pungent smell filled her nose, and she couldn't help but cover it.
"Silence, silence! The Emperor's grace is boundless. The porridge distribution will begin today, on the third day of this month. I, Wang Runchao, will serve as the Imperial Envoy for this porridge distribution, with Consort Chen assisting in its completion."
"This humble subject kowtows to Your Majesty, long live the Emperor! This humble subject thanks the Imperial Envoy and Consort Chen."
They were originally displaced disaster victims and beggars. It was only because of the Emperor's decree to establish a porridge distribution day a few years ago that they were able to survive to this day. They were extremely grateful to the Emperor.
"Gentlemen, there is no need for formalities. Today's porridge distribution is the same as usual. Each person can receive a bowl of porridge and a bag of grain with their porridge ticket. Do not take more or waste any. If anyone is found to have done so, they will be dealt with according to military law. If you have any unspeakable difficulties, you may come and tell me. I will do my best to help."
"Thank you, Lord Wang."
"In that case, let's begin."
Wang Runchao then turned to Chen Jingshu, and seeing her disgusted expression, he understood that this person was indeed just there to go through the motions, after all, her father was...
"Your Highness, let's begin."
Chen Jingshu took the veil Qiu'er handed her and put it on her face. Instantly, the smell in the air lessened considerably.
"There are indeed more people than I expected, so it's more appropriate for me to wear a veil."
"Her Imperial Concubine is indeed very thoughtful."
Chen Jingshu's disdain for the disaster victims was written all over her face, but Wang Runchao did not expose her.
"Lord Wang, let's begin."
Because there were many disaster victims, the porridge distribution team was divided into two groups: one group went to Chen Jingshu's group and the other group went to Wang Runchao's group.
After all, Chen Jingshu was a woman who couldn't even lift a chicken, and her movements were much slower than Wang Runchao's. Wang Runchao's side had already gone through wave after wave of disaster victims, while Chen Jingshu's first wave had just ended.
Some of the disaster victims queuing up with Chen Jingshu had already begun to complain, since many of them had elderly and young children waiting for them to cook.
Chen Jingshu's expression gradually turned sour. When had she ever felt so wronged, distributing food to these unruly people and then being pointed at and criticized by them?
At that moment, a cruel thought flooded Chen Jingshu's mind: if all these disaster victims were eliminated, wouldn't there be no more disaster victims? How wonderful the country would be then, with everyone living in peace and prosperity. Distributing grain to those who cannot contribute to the country, as the Emperor does, is a tremendous waste.
Wang Runchao's side was still proceeding in an orderly manner. He looked up at Chen Jingshu's side and saw that not only were many people complaining, but the line of disaster victims stretched as far as the eye could see.
"Your Highness, you've been working hard for a long time. Why don't you rest for a while? The guards can take over for you."
More and more disaster victims came to the porridge restaurant. The thin veil could no longer block out the pungent smell. However, the porridge distribution was something they had asked the emperor for themselves. If they asked to take a break, wouldn't that be incredibly shameful?
When Chen Jingshu heard that Wang Runchao had finally come to her rescue, she naturally agreed immediately.
"Perhaps I caught a cold while hunting a few days ago, and I haven't fully recovered yet. I am indeed a bit tired. I'll have to trouble you, Lord Wang."
"It turns out that Your Highness is not fully recovered. Why don't you go to your room and rest for a while? After I serve you porridge, I will prepare a meal for you."
"No need for formalities. I will just watch from here. Lord Wang, please continue. Do not let my presence delay the distribution of porridge."
She can still gain a good reputation by sitting here now, and Yan Shaoheng might even hear about it. But if she leaves to rest halfway through, the rumors will spread like wildfire, and who knows what people will say about her.
Yan Shaoheng, who was still resting at the state guesthouse, sent Cheng Ying to gather information early in the morning.
Bu Chengying had just returned. "My lord, I went to the porridge shop. It was indeed the house near the east of the city. Consort Chen was there with Wang Runchao, distributing porridge to the disaster victims."
"Hmm, how much longer until the porridge distribution ends?"
"Wang Runchao's team is almost finished. Consort Chen seems to be less skilled and is much slower than Wang Runchao. There are still more than half left, and it will probably take another hour or two."
"Hmm, go and make some preparations. Tell them that I've heard there are many fish in the moat, and they taste extremely delicious. I'd like to go and catch one or two."
"Yes, Master."
Because Yan Shaoheng was, after all, a prince of another country, his movements in Yue Kingdom were restricted. The moat did indeed have many delicious fish, and for this reason, the emperor ordered the establishment of a special fishing caravan to sell them at low prices. Fishing was not allowed without permission, so even if Yan Shaoheng wanted to fish, he would need to apply for permission.
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