As soon as they left Bian Jing and arrived at Yingtian Prefecture in Nanjing, the grain transport envoy Liu Yu and his subordinate Su Yuanzhong colluded with the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture.
The prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, Chang Xuelin, hosted a banquet to welcome Liu Yu and others. At the banquet, everyone drank and talked happily. The table was filled with wine and meat, and there were singing girls performing songs and dances in the hall.
Liu Yu raised his glass and said, "Alas, Your Majesty has sent me on this grain transport mission, and I should have galloped as fast as I could. The people of Haizhou are still suffering, and yet I am here singing and dancing with the pleasure of the night. I truly cannot live up to Your Majesty's kindness."
Chang Xuelin relied on his flattery to become the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, so he said, "Lord Liu, you are wrong. His Majesty appointed you as the grain transport envoy because he wants you to take care of your health. Without a healthy body, how can you work for the benefit of the people? What do you think?"
How could the officials from Yingtian Prefecture who were present at the meeting say no? So they all started to flatter Liu Yu, making him smile with joy.
Liu Yu stopped pretending and raised his glass: "I care about the people, and what I hate most is corruption. Exploiting the people's wealth will bring punishment from heaven, and embezzlement and withholding for personal gain are what I detest most!"
Chang Xuelin smiled, a smile that was somewhat unnatural. "Well, Lord Liu is noble. I admire you! However, Your Majesty has allocated a full 40,000 dan of grain for disaster relief. As far as I know, the governor of Haizhou, Han Tiexin, reported that 20,000 dan would be enough to solve the famine in Haizhou. That's a lot of grain, right?"
Liu Yu nodded. "I understand what you mean, Lord Chang. You're worried that if too much food is distributed for disaster relief, the victims will develop a lazy habit of eating and working only when food is readily available."
Chang Xuelin was delighted: "Exactly, exactly, that's what I meant."
"Well, that's why. When I was leaving the capital, Prince Zhao said, 'Liu Yu, what I value most is your selfless character and your willingness to think for the world. When you arrive in Yingtian Prefecture, get close to Lord Chang, the prefect. I've always held Chang Xuelin in high esteem!"
Chang Xuelin was overjoyed: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your cultivation. I have already received an urgent letter from Your Highness. Your Highness said in the letter that this disaster relief food..." There were many people talking at the banquet, so Chang Xuelin didn't dare to say anything more.
Su Yuanzhong, the attendant, said, "Since Lord Chang has received the prince's secret letter, we should obey his orders."
Unexpectedly, Liu Yu slammed the table and said, "This is naturally in accordance with your majesty's wishes. I will ensure that every grain of rice is distributed to the victims!"
Su Yuanzhong hurriedly stood up and saluted: "Your humble servant has been too talkative. Your humble servant was wrong. Of course, we must obey Your Majesty."
Chang Xuelin winked at his advisor, who hurriedly said, "It's getting late. Sir Liu should rest. Let's end the banquet early."
Chang Xuelin waved his hand and pointed at the two singing girls, saying, "You guys, serve Master Liu well tonight and don't let him get hurt. The court is counting on Master Liu to serve the people!"
Two beautiful singers hurriedly supported Liu Yu. Liu Yu pretended to refuse a few times, but when they reached the door, he hugged the two singers and left with an obscene smile.
Chang Xuelin was a little confused. The prince's secret letter said that Yingtian Prefecture withheld 20,000 dan of disaster relief grain and sent the rest to Haizhou. Why did Liu Yu seem to be unconvinced?
Su Yuanzhong, the attendant, stood up and said, "Master Chang, Master Liu is honest and upright. He promised to send the relief grain to Haizhou. This is a sign of loyalty to Your Majesty. I heard that Master Chang is a master of calligraphy. I have some personal matters that I would like to discuss with you in private."
Chang Xuelin was stunned. How could he know any bullshit calligraphy? But since the other party said so, he couldn't refuse. "Well, then, please move to the inner room, Master Su."
Arriving at Chang Xuelin's inner room, Su Yuanzhong finally said, "Master Chang, regarding the disaster relief grain shipment, there were so many people at the banquet just now that Master Liu couldn't say much. Master Liu already knows what the prince meant. Take your men and transport the 20,000 dan of grain tonight. Replace all the grain bags with Guangyuan Grain Shop signs."
Chang Xuelin was delighted. The relief grain bags were all stamped with official seals to prevent smuggling and trafficking. Guangyuan Grain Shop was the largest grain merchant in the Song Dynasty, and its owner was also the richest man. If all 20,000 dan of relief grain were bagged in Guangyuan Grain Shop bags, the sale would become legal.
"I, I'll prepare it right away!" Chang Xuelin said hurriedly.
Su Yuanzhong grabbed him and said, "Master Chang, the singer next to you at the banquet just now danced really well."
He was talking about the singer Xiao Cui who had poured wine for Chang Xuelin at the banquet just now. The bastard Su Yuanzhong actually wanted to steal someone else's love.
Chang Xuelin was stunned, and there was a hint of anger in his eyes when he looked at Su Yuanzhong. The hatred of having his wife taken away was irreconcilable. Although Xiao Cui was a singer and not his concubine, she was his favorite singer.
Su Yuanzhong met his gaze, looking at him even more sinisterly. His eyes were more like a provocation, and Su Yuanzhong didn't seem to be afraid of Chang Xuelin.
The anger on Chang Xuelin's face flashed away, and he said with a smile: "I will go and call him over right away, and ask him to serve Master Su well tonight!"
The last sentence was said almost through gritted teeth, and Su Yuanzhong smiled: "Thank you very much for the gift, Lord Chang."
Looking at Su Yuanzhong's receding back, Chang Xuelin clenched his fists tightly and his teeth chattered.
...
Han Tiexin was horrified: "What! How did the disaster victims break into the city?"
The servant stammered, "Langya, Langya County Magistrate Li Haoran led the victims into the city. Also, also..."
"What else?" Han Tiexin grabbed his collar.
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