Chapter 93 Bran
"Don't make any noise, what are you colliding with!"
Originally there were only two yamen runners guarding the door, but when the people started to make a commotion, they immediately felt something was wrong.
The two men hastily set up water and fire sticks, but they had no effect. The person in front couldn't see clearly even if he raised his head, and his vision was mostly blocked by the cart.
So people from the back pushed those in front and squeezed their way into the county government office.
The hall was not peaceful either. The bag of relief grain fell to the ground. Everyone could see what was inside and was stunned.
"How could it be... bran?"
Everyone had this question in their mind, and County Magistrate Lu Zhaochuan came quickly.
Because of his old age, his eyesight was not good, so he just squatted down, picked up the food with both hands and came closer to check it.
"this……"
He looked up blankly and saw the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Affairs sitting in the hall in the distance.
The steward had a calm expression. He lifted the lid of the cup and tilted it three-quarters, then slowly pushed it along the rim of the cup, swept away the foam, and took a sip.
Seeing everyone looking at him, he sneered, "What are you looking at? Do the disaster victims still want to eat fine grains?"
The grain mixed with a lot of bran slowly slipped through his fingers. The old county magistrate looked bitter and slowly stood up.
He walked closer and bowed, "Sir, this... the proportion of bran is too high..."
Bang!
The steward suddenly put down the cup, and it made a crisp sound when it hit the table.
"Disaster relief is for saving lives, not for enjoyment. Do you think I'm corrupt..."
"No, no, I dare not, I dare not!"
Ignoring his words, the clerk looked at the officials in the court with a look of suspicion on his face.
“Let me tell you, it’s not just Longmen County that’s been affected by the disaster.
The flood, which had not occurred in fifty years, affected three states, and as many as sixteen counties were severely affected.
Moreover, at this time when there is a shortage of food, being able to raise so much food in such a short period of time is already a great favor from the emperor! "
The secretary's words were resounding and deafening.
"Do you know how much effort Her Royal Highness the Princess went through to get this food?
We have been escorting the goods all the way here almost without sleep, and we have never dared to slack off.
Now look, you are still picking it?
Why, everyone in other counties can eat, but only the victims in Longmen County can't eat because they are so precious?"
"No, that's not what I meant..."
"Unload the truck quickly and count the quantity!"
“Yes, yes…”
The joyful atmosphere in the hall disappeared, and it seemed as if a dark cloud was hanging over their heads. The bailiffs moved the things in silence, their chests choking with a heaviness that was neither breath nor breath.
In the time it takes to stick an incense stick, the hall, the lobby and the second hall were packed to the brim, and there were indeed quite a few of them.
The clerk finished his tea and stood up. "Sign it to me. I have to rush to the next county."
"Sir, why don't you take a rest in the county office and have some hot soup and rice?"
"Oh," the clerk sneered, "Forget it, so that you guys in Longmen County won't accuse me of being corrupt and exploiting the people."
The county magistrate broke out in a cold sweat, knowing that he had offended this important person. However, he did not know how to respond for a moment and could only keep saying "I dare not".
"Stop talking nonsense and sign the contract immediately."
Helpless, Lu Zhaochuan had to sign and hand over the document.
The steward snatched it away, snorted coldly and strode out.
The officials from the capital were dignified, riding tall horses, and were escorted by cavalry. The noisy people outside the gate gradually fell silent.
“Get out of the way!”
At the loud shouts, the people quickly made way and watched them pass by.
"Brother Chengze, what should we do?"
Faced with the county magistrate's question, Lu Zhaochuan seemed unaware and sat down dejectedly.
At the beginning of the flood, the government purchased a lot of millet and sorghum to provide disaster relief.
Later, when it was not enough, he turned to the wealthy merchants and gentry in the county for help, begging them to release grain.
Thanks to his popularity in Longmen County over the past decade, many people gave him some face.
So they distributed porridge and steamed buns every day, which helped them get through those days.
However, the coarse grains from the surrounding grain merchants had been sold out and could not be transported from outside, so the rich families had to use fine grains for disaster relief.
Before the autumn harvest, no one's stored grain could supply the entire county.
Even if Lu Zhaochuan begged repeatedly, it was impossible for others to give out all the money for disaster relief. They had to reserve some for themselves.
Seeing that they were about to run out of food, they waited day and night for the relief grain from the imperial court, but now...
Not only are the grains coarse, but they also contain a lot of bran. What should he do?
When the cavalry left some distance, the people at the door could no longer bear it and pushed forward, and the two yamen runners were unable to stop them.
"Your Excellency, County Magistrate, why do I hear bran?"
"No way, the imperial court's disaster relief grain doesn't really contain bran, does it?"
"Yes, Lord Lu, please speak!"
…
Faced with the huge crowd and anxious inquiries, Lu Zhaochuan raised his head, pursed his lips tightly and could not utter a word.
The hall was filled with sacks, and in the chaos, someone pulled one down.
When the food inside spilled out, the people in the hall felt like their throats were being strangled.
After a brief silence, there was a big uproar!
"How could this be? How could this be!"
Suddenly someone in the crowd shouted, "Dog officials, it must be the corrupt officials of the imperial court."
"Is bran for human consumption? It's for livestock."
"The imperial court doesn't treat us as human beings, they treat us as animals!"
"We can't let them go. We must get to the bottom of it."
“Go, go, go!”
In an instant, the situation became chaotic. The old county magistrate felt that something was wrong and stood up to stop it.
"Don't panic, everyone. The imperial court is helpless. We must endure this difficult time and wait for the autumn harvest..."
But who would listen to him? They all rushed out, their eyes wide open, running in the rain, chasing after the relief team.
"Hey! Quick, stop them! Don't rush into them!"
The old county magistrate had poor legs and feet, so the county magistrate gritted his teeth and asked the yamen runners to bring water and fire sticks and go after them immediately.
For a moment, Lu Zhaochuan was the only one left in the hall, looking confused. Did he make a mistake by asking those wealthy businessmen for grain?
They had not gone far when the angry people soon caught up with them.
"Sir, something is wrong!"
The cavalry immediately became alert. They had only fifty riders, and if they were surrounded, the consequences would be disastrous.
"How dare you offend an official of the imperial court? Are you planning a rebellion?"
"Sir, the most urgent thing is to leave first."
The steward was so angry that his face turned pale.
The cavalry immediately began to speed up. The people behind them were about to catch up, but in the blink of an eye they were left far behind. They were filled with hatred.
"You bastard officials, you embezzled our food and fed us bran!"
"Stop right there!"
Amidst the shouts of "Dog Official", the group fled in embarrassment. Fortunately, they had fast horses and soon arrived at the city gate.
There was light coming from the second floor of the teahouse behind the gatehouse.
A young man in white clothes gently waved a folding fan and looked down at the cavalry from the window.
The steward was still scolding, but at this moment he raised his head.
The two people's eyes met through the rain curtain and disappeared in an instant.
Unlike his ferocious expression, there wasn't a trace of anger in the steward's eyes. Instead, they were as cold and clear as a pool of stagnant water...
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