Upon hearing what Judge Qin said, Gu Yuzhi knew that he really wouldn't be going to the clinic to see patients, so he pouted and told Judge Qin to leave.
As for opening a pharmacy, Gu Yuzhi could only wait until Chief Secretary Xie returned.
The snow disaster in the northern desert was not very good. Not to mention the houses outside the city collapsed, even in the civilian areas inside the city, many houses collapsed. Xie Changshi was busy for almost half a month. When Gu Yuzhi saw him again, he almost did not recognize him.
"Your Highness." Chief Secretary Xie breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Gu Yuzhi. He had been very tired during this period, and his voice had become quite hoarse. "The refugees outside the city have all been settled, and Prefect Qi has also reported the death toll."
Gu Yuzhi's face was serious. After Xie Changshi had drunk two cups of tea, he said, "Changshi, isn't Changzhou supposed to be the most prosperous city in the northern desert? Why did so many people die in the first blizzard? Winter still has several months to go. What will happen to these refugees?"
Since he woke up, Granny Xu refused to let him go to the disaster relief site again, so Shen Yu'an often went outside the city in the name of the Wen family and brought back a lot of news.
The neighboring prefecture brought not only manpower but also refugees. Prefect Qi, fearing it would cause a riot, had no choice but to keep these people outside the city and send yamen runners to patrol day and night.
Fortunately, the temporary residence outside the city has been built, and the prefectural government will distribute some relief porridge every day. However, it is difficult to arrange work for these people in the winter, so we can only take it one step at a time.
A servant brought Xie Changshi a cup of hot tea. Xie Changshi, who always enjoyed tea, drank several cups before he could recover: "It's already December, and the snow will start to melt in March next year. In the two months in between, Prefect Qi has been trying his best to find short jobs for them."
But there were too many refugees and too little work to do in the freezing cold. Prefect Qi had been working late for several nights in a row and had lost a lot of hair.
"The granaries in Changzhou have already been opened, but the quantity is limited and probably won't last long. Secondly, the journey is long, and we have to wait for the imperial court's relief grain to arrive, which may take more than two months..."
Gu Yuzhi's face was tense, he was also worried and helpless. All the grain that could be distributed in the mansion had been distributed, and now they were buying the high-priced grain from Li Ji Trading Company.
Unable to think of a solution, Gu Yuzhi simply put it out of his mind and instead brought up the cause of the snow disaster: "I heard from the servants in the manor that it snows every year in Changzhou, so why is this year's snow disaster so severe?"
Before he could finish speaking, Chief Secretary Xie's face fell: "I have asked Prefect Qi, and he said the main reason is Li's Trading Company. After Li's Trading Company gained a foothold in the northern desert, it not only raised grain prices, but also used various means to acquire many fertile fields outside the city, and then raised rents. After paying rent, farmers have almost all the money left to buy grain, so where would they find extra money to repair their houses?"
If you don't repair them for a year, it's fine, but what about two or three years? These houses had already reached their limit, which is why they collapsed one after another after a snowfall.
Gu Yuzhi never expected this reason, and said angrily, "Li Ji Trading Company is so bad, why doesn't Prefect Qi kick them out?"
That's just childish talk!
Chief Secretary Xie rubbed his temples and said wearily, “Your Highness should know that the taxes paid by merchants are very high. How could Changzhou possibly drive out the largest merchant guild if it wants to develop? Moreover, the background of Li Ji Merchant Guild is unfathomable. How could Prefect Qi dare to act rashly? During this snow disaster, Li Ji Merchant Guild raised grain prices overnight, which has already affected several other prefectures in the northern desert.”
With such a powerful presence in Changzhou, it's no wonder that Prefect Qi was so eager to take them to acquire the escort agency.
Shu Xiaohan sighed deeply: "The people of the northern desert are truly living in dire straits."
Manager Wen continued to press his advantage: "This Li Ji Trading Company is utterly inhuman! Your Highness, please talk to Chief Secretary Xie about opening a pharmacy. As long as we get the Zou family's medicinal herbs, we can definitely deal a heavy blow to Li Ji Medical Hall."
If you were to ask Gu Yuzhi who he hates the most right now, it would definitely be the people from Li Ji Trading Company. If his pharmacy could actually open and steal business from Li Ji Medical Clinic, that would be truly delightful.
Gu Yuzhi's eyes darted around, and just as he was wondering how to start the conversation, he heard Chief Secretary Xie say, "Your Highness, as soon as I entered the manor, I heard Imperial Physician Qin tell me that you want Imperial Physician Qin to practice medicine at the clinic? Could you tell me why you think that way?"
Gu Yuzhi huffed angrily, "Judge Qin has already refused and even criticized me! I didn't even bother with him, yet he dares to complain to you. I'm going to fine him a month's salary!"
Not only will his salary be deducted, but he will also be forbidden from eating any of Xu Mama's cooking for a month!
Chief Secretary Xie...
“Your Highness, Guard Qi agreed because of his adventurous nature and the fact that we can use the escort agency to send messages to the Emperor. But that doesn’t mean that Imperial Physician Qin would agree to let an Imperial Physician like him work as a doctor in a clinic. The two are worlds apart in status, and Your Highness shouldn’t have approached Imperial Physician Qin without consulting me.”
"Qin Shinan told me that Judge Qin initially thought you wanted to make money by using his medical skills."
Gu Yuzhi puffed out his cheeks and looked at Qin Yuanpan, his big eyes brimming with tears: "I understand. Besides, I didn't ask Qin Yuanpan to be my attending physician just because I wanted to make money."
He recounted everything he had seen that day, still somewhat angry as he slammed his hand on the table: "I don't want Judge Qin to suffer any more injustices in the future, and I certainly don't want the people of Li's Trading Company to harm the common people for these inexplicable reasons."
Gu Yuzhi looked at Judge Qin: "Judge Qin, you told me before that I am the King of the Northern Desert, the pillar of the Northern Desert people. If I were like the Li Family Trading Company, the lives of the Northern Desert people would only become more difficult."
He has already started his education and will be six years old next year. He is no longer a three or four-year-old child who knows nothing.
Chief Secretary Xie was completely bewildered.
He didn't know that these words were the result of Teacher Shu's subtle teaching over many days. He only knew that although he seemed to be exiled, he had actually picked up a great treasure.
Chief Secretary Xie came from a poor family and was most able to understand the hardships of the people. He knew what kind of life the local people would live if a local official was diligent and caring for the people.
He wiped away tears from the corners of his eyes with the gesture of raising his hand: "Your Highness's love for the people is a blessing to the people of the Northern Desert. But Your Highness should give up on Qin Yuanpan. I have another matter to discuss with Your Highness today, which concerns the pharmacy. Consort De's mother's family is the largest medicinal herb grower in the Sang Dynasty. I believe Your Highness can speak directly to Consort De; I trust she will not refuse you."
Gu Yuzhi, huh?
He was just wondering if Chief Clerk Xie would also refuse to let him open a pharmacy because of Judge Qin, but who knew that Chief Clerk Xie would bring it up himself!
Gu Yuzhi smiled broadly, his good mood returning.
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