The next morning, Li Chang'an hurriedly rode his horse to the palace.
Today, Emperor Xingchang did not ask everyone if they had any memorials to submit, as he usually did. Instead, he brought up the recent famine in the western border regions and asked all the ministers to discuss countermeasures.
The western region was originally poor in resources and the land was not suitable for cultivation, so it needed the imperial court's supplies every year to get through the dry season.
Fortunately, the local people have shifted their focus to animal husbandry, so the dry season is only difficult for two months each year.
But this year is different from usual; the dry season not only came exceptionally early but also shows no sign of fading away.
Even worse, the drought left the land barren, depriving cattle and sheep of their food source. As a result, the people had no choice but to sell their livestock, which were not yet fully grown, at an early age.
However, this method can only be used as an emergency measure. Now, famine has already occurred in the western border region, and the people are suffering greatly.
Moreover, many people are moving away with their families to relocate elsewhere.
Although the western border is remote and has poor natural conditions, it has important strategic significance and is the most resilient line of defense in case of invasion by neighboring countries.
The current situation is clearly very unfavorable for Sheng Nan, and solving the famine problem is urgent.
These past few days, Emperor Xingchang has been so worried about this matter that several strands of his hair have turned white.
All sorts of memorials were sent to him in droves, almost all of them reporting on the famine.
Because the journey was too long, the relief supplies were still on their way. But time waits for no one, and the people in the western region remained in a state of panic until the supplies reached them. Moreover, it was said that some local officials had already fled with their families.
If those officials take advantage of their positions and all run away, then even if the disaster relief food arrives there, there will be no one to receive it, and things will ultimately become very difficult.
“I think those officials who fled need to be severely punished as a warning to others.”
Li Chang'an stepped forward and shared his thoughts.
The reason she came up with this idea was not because she was cold-hearted, but mainly because Li Chang'an had been stationed in the western border region for a long time during the war, and he had a deep affection for the simple folk customs and the natural and wild environment there.
Even the recipe for mutton soup, which was a common drink in the military camp, was learned from the local villagers.
Li Chang'an could not accept the suffering of the people there, and he felt that those corrupt officials who only put their own interests first were unforgivable.
"Severe punishment? You make it sound so easy! Punishing one person is fine, but if everyone is severely punished, do you know how many people and things will be involved? The famine problem hasn't been solved yet, and you want to create more trouble? This is just making things worse!"
Bai Yuanshan was the first to stand up and object, and he presented a whole host of reasons to refute him.
Immediately afterwards, many ministers also stood up to unite with Bai Yuanshan, all agreeing that it was highly inappropriate to take action against those local officials at this time.
"I don't see anything wrong with it. The country supports so many people, not to let them do nothing. Why not send people to both ends to deal with the officials on one side and to handle disaster relief on the other?"
Feng Beichuan spoke quietly from the side, his face full of disdain as he looked at the officials led by Bai Yuanshan.
A bunch of rigid, old-fashioned people!
Upon hearing this, the others immediately fell silent. Bai Yuanshan was naturally annoyed at being humiliated and was about to argue with them when Li Chang'an interrupted him.
"Your Majesty's suggestion is indeed a good idea. We should take this opportunity to give those local officials a warning. Otherwise, if similar situations arise in the future, there will surely be people who will take advantage of their positions to desert their posts."
After speaking, Li Chang'an returned to his seat. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the man beside him and then nodded slightly to him, his eyes showing a hint of gentleness.
Feng Beichuan's heart stirred slightly, and a hint of warmth emanated from his eyes and brows.
However, some people are not so happy about it.
Bai Yuanshan frowned. He felt a surge of anger seeing the two of them working together, so he quickly began to think of a solution.
"What do you all think, my esteemed ministers? Do you have any other ideas? This matter must not be delayed any longer!"
Although Feng Beichuan's method was indeed feasible, Emperor Xingchang still asked for the opinions of others, as he also hoped to hear some different voices.
He was extremely unwilling to let Feng Beichuan and Li Chang'an dominate the court.
A hush fell over the room. After a long silence, Bai Yuanshan suddenly stepped forward and said, "I think it would be better to handle it according to the Regent's method. A two-pronged approach would be more efficient."
This turn of events was unexpected not only by Emperor Xingchang, but by almost everyone present.
Even Li Chang'an couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, wondering why this old fox was being so easy to talk to today.
However, things were not as simple as they thought. Bai Yuanshan then changed the subject and said, "However, more arrangements are needed in the details. I believe that the western border region is relatively unstable, so it is safer for the court to send a capable person to supervise the disaster relief efforts."
Bai Yuanshan spoke with conviction, and then a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
Emperor Xingchang immediately understood, and leaned forward slightly before saying, "Then let's follow the Prime Minister's opinion. I wonder if you have a suitable candidate in mind?"
The officials below exchanged bewildered glances, secretly sweating for themselves and praying that they wouldn't be sent to that wretched place in the west.
Bai Yuanshan couldn't help but smile slyly, but it was only for a fleeting moment before he composed himself and said seriously, "I think it would be better to send Her Highness the Princess to take charge of this matter. Firstly, Her Highness has led troops there for a long time before, so she is naturally more familiar with the environment and customs there than we are. Secondly, I think this is also a good opportunity for her to gain experience. Although Her Highness is already a dragon among men, she is still young and lacks experience. Since it is for the sake of national affairs, she cannot just stay in the court and talk about war on paper."
As soon as he finished speaking, the others quickly stepped forward to echo and support Bai Yuanshan's proposal.
These people are all masters of opportunism. They naturally wouldn't want to go to a godforsaken place like Bianxi, let alone get involved in disaster relief. Now that someone has found a suitable candidate, they naturally give it their full support.
Li Chang'an frowned slightly, finally understanding what this old fox was really planning.
Emperor Xingchang, sitting on the dragon throne, couldn't help but reveal a hint of approval in his eyes.
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