Chapter 124 Bailuzhou
The princess and her entourage stayed in Longmen County for another three days, waiting for the river embankment to be repaired and for reinforcements from the imperial court to arrive.
Three days later, we were ready to set off.
Two of the three states hardest hit by the flood have been affected, leaving only the last state, Bailu State.
We have made sufficient preparations for this trip.
Two Xuanji Guards from the Divine Martial Realm, Qin Zhaoqiong, Yaoguang, Canglan, and Chen Fang, four from the Fourth Grade, and a group from the Fifth and Sixth Grades.
The journey took two days, without any forced marches but steady progress, and without any accidents, we successfully entered the territory of Bailu Prefecture.
At noon, in Bailu County, which is also the seat of the provincial capital, the governor, county magistrate and other officials were already waiting at the city gate.
Of course, there was also the fifth prince Qin Jingzhan who went to provide disaster relief independently.
Everyone saluted, and Qin Jingzhan strode over, "Eldest sister, are you okay?"
Seeing his exposed worry, Qin Zhaoqiong smiled and patted his shoulder, "It's okay, just a minor injury."
"Your humble servants, Yan Wenyuan, the governor of Bailu Prefecture, and Lu Deyu, the county magistrate, greet His Highness."
In the carriage, Qin Zhaoyue leaned lazily on Sui Mo's shoulder, and Liu Yan was traveling with him.
The sorcerer has the ability to conceal the secrets of heaven, and the safest way is to provide close protection.
"Sixth Prince, are you not going out to meet the provincial officials?"
Qin Zhaoyue rolled her eyes at him and didn't even bother to respond.
Sui Mo raised the corner of his mouth slightly.
After spending time together day and night, she now basically believes what the Sixth Princess said in the Imperial Study.
His words and actions are so consistent that it is very likely that he really has no intention of competing for the throne.
Qin Zhaoqiong has always been decisive and resolute, but after entering Bailuzhou, his style changed drastically, focusing on stability.
When Yan Wenyuan suggested going to the governor's residence for dinner, she did not refuse.
"Master Yan, I need to take over the city defense."
"As it should be. This is the military officer. Your Highness can send someone to take over the defense with him."
Deputy General Hu left with the soldier.
The eldest princess streamlined the troops and left some seriously injured and unable to walk in Longmen County.
There are only two thousand cavalrymen coming this time, so there is no need to station them outside the city. A county town can easily handle them.
Deputy General Hu took away 1,500 of the cavalrymen, and the remaining elite troops continued to accompany him.
There are many reasons why Bailu Prefecture is placed last.
First, the region is remote and the water system is not as extensive as in the previous two states;
Secondly, both the early intelligence and the subsequent scouting investigations showed that the disaster in the state was well under control;
Third, there is the fief of King Rui in the state. Although it is only a nominal fief, it still has a certain influence.
Many officials and five hundred cavalrymen entered the city, and many civilians could be seen along the streets.
The yamen runners maintained order on both sides, but they didn't even use fire pokers.
The people did not clash with each other. They looked at the team mostly with curiosity and no tension.
Almost all shops are open, including grocery stores, rouge shops, cloth shops, restaurants, taverns...
There was a sign at the entrance of the grain store stating that purchases were limited based on household registration, but there weren't many people queuing, and there was no looting.
Passing through the five streets, Qin Zhaoqiong was left with only two words of feeling: stable.
The situation is completely different from the other two states, as if they have not experienced severe flooding.
Governor Yan recounted the flood control policies implemented over the past month at a leisurely pace, just like the relaxed atmosphere of the surrounding streets.
At the beginning of the flood, the state government immediately took measures.
Yan Wenyuan did not take any chances. Based on the worst-case scenario and the prediction of the spreading water situation, he relocated all the villages downstream of the waterways.
King Rui had a granary in his fiefdom, and he asked for help and obtained relief grain at the market price.
Domestic grain merchants were strictly controlled. A number of people who dared to deliberately store grain or sell it at a high premium were arrested, and grain prices were quickly stabilized.
Medical officers, bricklayers, and city defense patrols were organized to carry out concentrated rescue operations, and civilians were recruited to provide labor in lieu of relief.
Repairing and reinforcing river embankments, digging canals to drain water and release floodwaters, centralized medical treatment for the injured and disaster victims, establishing resettlement areas...all these efforts were well-organized and effective.
Although there were special situations such as landslides, swamps, and quicksand, which caused certain casualties, they were all brought under control in the shortest possible time.
Even for the disaster relief grain distributed by the court, Yan Wenyuan arranged for the yamen runners and laborers to sift out most of the bran, so there was no large-scale complaint.
In this way, the people of Bailuxuzhou still live and work in peace and contentment.
Qin Zhaoqiong smiled and praised generously, but remained alert in his heart.
On the surface, this governor was quite capable and King Rui also generously provided help, but she did not dare to take it lightly.
The Chiyan County Magistrate was also very capable, but what was the result?
Bailu Prefecture is not far from Hanei Prefecture and Qingyao Prefecture, and is at most three to five days' journey away.
There are also minerals in the country, but they are copper mines.
Qin Zhaoyue heard the bustling noise on the street and the faint cries of peddlers.
When I lifted the curtain and looked outside, the first thing that caught my eye was a big, round face.
"Sixth...sixth sister..."
Qin Jingzhan, who was standing next to the carriage, had actually been following for a while.
I heard that my eldest sister and sixth sister were both assassinated, and I wanted to show some concern.
It's just that he and Zhao Yue had very little in common, and he didn't know how to start the conversation. As a result, their eyes met unexpectedly.
"Fifth brother, your big face blocks my sunlight."
Qin Jingzhan: ...
Okay, no need to ask, Sixth Sister is fine!
With a cold snort, he immediately spurred his horse forward and moved out of the way of the sunlight.
Qin Zhaoyue looked out the window. This was the first time she saw a normal county town.
It's impossible that all these people are invited actors to perform. After watching for a while, they can be sure that Bailu County's water management is done very well.
In this way, we arrived at the provincial government smoothly.
Qin Zhaoyue appeared for the first time at this time.
The governor Yan Wenyuan still led the officials to pay their respects, and did not neglect her because of her reputation.
He was neither humble nor arrogant. Unlike his conversation with the eldest princess about disaster relief, he naturally brought up the customs and culture of Bailu Prefecture, as well as what delicious food and fun things there were in just a few words.
Qin Zhaoyue didn't give him a cold face, and naturally showed some interest when talking about eating, drinking and having fun.
Otherwise, how could he become the highest official in a state without any faults? It seems that he is well versed in the ways of being an official.
The governor had made preparations in advance and set up a banquet in the main hall.
Qin Zhaoqiong was given the main seat, and she originally wanted to bring her sixth sister along.
Speaking of the contribution to this disaster relief effort, Zhao Yue's overall contribution is definitely no less than hers.
As a result, just as she started to speak, the sixth sister turned her head and sat down on the left.
On the left side, in order, are Gu Tingyun, the Junior Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Affairs (yes, the old man is still there), the Fifth Prince, the Sixth Princess, Commander Meng, the person in charge of this trip of the Three Departments, and lastly, the Prime Minister's legitimate son.
On the right are the governor, deputy governor, heads of the five ministries, county magistrate, and county magistrate.
The host and guest took their seats and the meal was served.
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