But at this time, Xu Guangqi could not talk to Zhu Youxiao about the money issue because there was really no way to say it.
Should I tell His Majesty that you have gone too far and that I have no money to give you?
What are you talking about?
I can only go back and think of other ways to see if I can find some money.
However, Zhu Youxiao did not share Xu Guangqi's idea. He had not thought about spending a penny since leaving the capital. Someone else would pay for it, and it was necessary to pay for it.
Zhu Youxiao only looked at the refugees from a distance and did not go over to investigate. It was not that he did not want to go, but it was simply inconvenient; even if he went over to take a look, what would it mean?
The lives of refugees are just like that, and will not change just because Zhu Youxiao went to see them. Zhu Youxiao wanted to see other things, and what he did had to be put behind the scenes.
As for brushing up his reputation and presence, Zhu Youxiao had no interest in that. Even if he brushed up his presence here, it would still be of little use. The problem with the Ming Dynasty was not in this aspect, but in other problems.
It is enough to know that Liu Mao did not lie and that he really did something.
Zhu Youxiao wanted to inspect the officials. What could the emperor's visit represent? Only the officials could represent the Ming Dynasty.
The people of this era were not very knowledgeable, and sometimes some practices were not very useful. After a few days, when the money and grain were distributed, Zhu Youxiao could go out and show his face to let the people see that the emperor had distributed grain to them.
Now, the past is of no use other than empty promises.
"Okay, let's go back." Zhu Youxiao glanced at the ministers around him and said expressionlessly.
No one dared to say anything more. No one knew what His Majesty was thinking at the moment. In such a situation, the most appropriate choice was to say nothing and do nothing.
So everyone followed Zhu Youxiao back.
The next morning, Liu Mao came running over to ask for a meeting.
Looking at Liu Mao with dark circles under his eyes, Zhu Youxiao knew that Liu Mao had not slept at all. The Dezhou prefect must have been busy all night after returning home and had not done anything else.
"Your Majesty, I am Liu Mao's servant. I pay my respects to you." After seeing Zhu Youxiao, Liu Mao hurriedly knelt down and saluted.
"Okay, get up." Zhu Youxiao looked at Liu Mao and said, "From your appearance, you must have been busy all night. The disaster is raging, and the victims are crying out for food. It's good that you are working hard."
"I am just doing my duty as a subject." Liu Mao said quickly.
For Liu Mao, receiving such praise from His Majesty was already a source of great joy. He quickly raised the manuscript in his hand and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, this is what I drafted last night. I was a bit rushed, so there may be some shortcomings. I would appreciate your corrections."
"Present it." Zhu Youxiao nodded and said.
Chen Hong hurried over to take the memorial, then quickly walked back to Zhu Youxiao's side and held the memorial in front of His Majesty with both hands.
Zhu Youxiao took the question book from Chen Hong's hand and quickly flipped through it.
In this proposal, Liu Mao drew up a very detailed plan centered around "replacing revitalization with construction," covering everything from dock renovations and canal dredging to riverbank repairs and road maintenance within the area.
According to Liu Mao, we should start with the most urgent projects one by one. If the disaster victims will stay in Dezhou for a long time, we will complete all the projects; if they stay for a short time, we will start with the most urgent projects.
It even specifies at the back how to coordinate personnel and how to distribute food and silver. Everything is written clearly.
Just from this petition, one can already see something. Zhu Youxiao found that Liu Mao did have some ability and was not an official who was just getting by.
Zhu Youxiao said: "Well done, have you started to move?"
"In the early stages, use the grain and silver from the Dezhou treasury to support you. Later, I will have someone send you silver and grain. Also, prepare some food. I will take it to the disaster victims and distribute it all to them so that they will have enough food for a few days. Then you can take them to work."
"I understand. I'll prepare it right away." Liu Mao agreed quickly.
His Majesty obviously wants to win over the hearts of the people, which Liu Mao can see, but he must cooperate well in this matter and let His Majesty win over the hearts of the people thoroughly, otherwise he will be in big trouble.
Only Your Majesty can do such a thing. Liu Mao would never dare to do it.
After returning, he arranged for the staff of the government to go among the disaster victims to spread the word, telling them that the emperor had arrived and brought them food and jobs. As long as they listened to the court's instructions and worked according to the court's arrangements, they would be able to receive food and wages.
This kind of thing was caused by Your Majesty, and the victims should be organized to kowtow to Your Majesty in gratitude. This kind of event should also be grand, inviting some local gentry and gentry to donate some money and grain to express their support for the court and Your Majesty.
At the same time, we should also find some scholars and literati to record what happened this time and write some articles praising the merits and present them to Your Majesty when the time comes.
In Liu Mao's view, this is his chance.
Things must be done beautifully, and the flattery must be loud enough.
Having served in the officialdom for so many years, Liu Mao knew very well that it was not enough to just talk without doing, nor was it enough to just do without talking. Especially when facing His Majesty, he had to speak beautifully and do things beautifully.
Zhu Youxiao looked at Liu Mao deeply and said, "Okay, go and get ready."
After Liu Mao left, Chen Hong quietly came to Zhu Youxiao and said, "Your Majesty, Xu Xianchun, the commander of the Jinyiwei, is here."
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