Chapter 619: No Handle

This heavy snowfall turned into a snowstorm that occurred intermittently. The area near the capital was the hardest hit. Jinzhou was relatively better off as people living in dangerous houses were relocated early on. Even with the influx of refugees into the provincial capital, the situation did not appear chaotic.

Zhou Shuren came back tired in the evening. Zhulan felt so distressed that she said, "Eat more."

I have lost a lot of weight in the past two days of arranging for the refugees.

Zhou Shuren was very hungry. He had breakfast in the mansion in the morning and drank some porridge at noon. His stomach was empty. He ate a few mouthfuls of rice to fill his stomach. Then he said comfortably, "The refugees in the city have been settled. Fortunately, we prepared in advance, otherwise the refugees would not even have a place to live."

Zhou Shuren felt that he had accumulated a lot of good deeds. If it weren't for him, who knows how many people would have frozen to death. After the heavy snow stopped, the temperature dropped sharply. He was freezing even though he was wearing a thick cotton coat and a cloak. What about the poor people? It was good to have winter clothes. They didn't know how many years it would take for the cotton coat to be hard and not warm enough.

Zhulan served Zhou Shuren chicken soup and put down the bowl before saying, "I heard that some kindhearted people have set up porridge shops these days. Do you think we should also set up a porridge shop at home?"

There was plenty of food at home. Her hoarding hobby affected the entire family, and the Zhou family had plenty of all kinds of supplies.

Zhou Shuren drank the ginseng chicken soup and felt his stomach warm. He was very satisfied. "No need to set up porridge shops. Starting tomorrow, no one will selfishly set up porridge shops. I have sent people to notify every household. No private porridge shops are allowed. All food and cotton clothes should be donated to the government office, and the government office will distribute them uniformly. This will prevent the refugees from wandering around and making it difficult to manage them. It will also allow for the reasonable allocation of supplies and maximize their use."

Zhu Lan paused for a moment, "Some people are truly kind and generous, some are just trying to gain fame, not everyone likes to donate to the government for unified allocation."

Zhou Shuren, "So I prepared a donation list, with details of who donated how much and how the donated items were distributed, and posted them all outside the government office."

Zhulan chuckled, "This is a good idea. Since you are donating to the government office, as the prefect of Jinzhou, our government must also donate a thousand kilograms of food and the quilts and cotton clothes that have been prepared long ago. What do you think?"

Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "It's good, not too much, not too little."

Zhulan considered this number carefully. She consulted several people from the Tao company and then chose a medium number so as not to offend anyone and to donate the most supplies.

Zhou Shuren ate and drank his fill, "It's still more comfortable at home."

Zhulan, "I'll ask the kitchen to prepare some jerky tomorrow. You can take it with you."

Zhou Shuren waved his hand, "No need."

Zhou Shuren got angry when he said this. He really didn't think he had to share weal and woe with the people, but other officials insisted on doing so. Since so many people were doing the same, he felt embarrassed to ask for special treatment. God knows it would be better to do more practical work than to be hungry.

Zhulan sighed, "The situation in Jinzhou is pretty good, but I wonder how the other places in the capital are doing?"

Zhou Shuren leaned back in his chair and drank tea. "The capital will be a bit chaotic. The refugees from nearby areas want to go to the capital the most. The capital has the most refugees. Even if we are prepared, we can't settle them in a short time."

Especially in the capital, where every inch of land is valuable and the population is dense, there are not many vacant houses, making resettlement more difficult.

The next day, the front of the Jinzhou government office was filled with carriages bringing in donated food. Zhou Shuren walked around outside and said to Wang Ju, "The details must be clearly written. Yes, and written in large characters."

Wang Ju said excitedly, "Yes, sir."

Zhou Shuren patted Wang Ju's shoulder. Mr. Wang had been a little excited these days. "Calm down."

Wang Ju couldn't remain calm. He had experienced several snowstorms at his age. When the dynasty was established, snowstorms really brought misery to the people. The court had no money and not enough food. The people were poor and many people died in a disaster.

The situation got better in the later period. There was a snowstorm a few years ago, and he was in Jinzhou at that time, but the situation was still not handled well. There was a shortage of everything, and many elderly people and children died.

Regarding this year's snow disaster, he was the most relaxed and confident. He really admired Lord Zhou. He did not ask for Lord Zhou to eat meat or drink more soup. Alas, no one died in this year's snow disaster, and there was no unrest at all. This is achievement!

After Zhou Shuren arrived in Jinzhou, he subtly cultivated the efficiency of the officials in the yamen. Every donation was recorded without any confusion, and Zhou Shuren was very satisfied with this.

In the capital, the prince stood in a makeshift porridge shop and said quietly, "Even though we have made preparations, many refugees still have nowhere to stay. The weather is colder than in previous years, and we have run out of cotton-padded clothes to keep warm."

Ning Xu folded her hands over her chest and said, "Your Highness has done a very good job."

Prince, "It's not that I did the right thing, but that Lord Zhou's method was right."

Ning Xu had heard Lord Zhou more than once. She turned her head to look at the undisguised admiration in the prince's eyes and smiled, "It's getting late. The emperor is still waiting for the prince."

The prince looked at his third uncle in silence. This guy was really brazen. He knew that no one would guess that it was Ning Sanlang, but he actually came out with him. The corners of his mouth twitched, "Okay."

On the way back to the city, Ning Xu sat by the car window. He followed out for the prince's safety. He didn't trust anyone. The prince was too important to the Ning family. The Ning family had paid for several generations, and what they wanted was the prosperity of future generations. No matter who was in trouble, the prince must not be in trouble.

Ningxu stared at some soup kitchens on the street, frowning, "It's better to keep the refugees in one place. It's a bit chaotic here."

The prince looked at the soldiers patrolling everywhere and was about to reply when he was stunned. When he looked again, the people were gone.

Ning Xi asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's OK."

Just now he saw a man in front of the porridge shop who looked like his father, but he disappeared in the blink of an eye. The prince lowered his head. Is the current Lao Wu a fake? Is it true? He has guessed various possibilities, but in his heart he is more certain that the real Lao Wu is dead. He must have seen it wrong just now, so Lao Wu must be dead. Judging from himself, he will not leave any handle.

In Jinzhou City, Zhulan listened to what Mrs. Song said and said, "Deng Li is really tenacious. She comes every day even when I don't see her."

"She won't give up easily if you don't see her."

Zhulan sighed, "Forget it, just bring her in."

Soon, Deng Li came in. It was the first time Zhulan saw Deng Li. The girl looked very similar to Deng Yun, but with different personalities. This girl had ambition in her eyes.

Deng Li's excitement instantly turned cold when he saw the eyes of the mistress of the Zhou family. He hurriedly bowed his head and saluted, "Deng Li has met Gong Madam and thanks Gong Madam for saving my life."

Zhulan had no opinion on Deng Li. Different environments lead to different personalities and pursuits. The girl knew much more than Deng Yunda. Nothing happened to Deng Xiucai's cheap brother-in-law. The girl had seen the prosperity and it was normal for her to have pursuits in her heart. However, she was not suitable for the Zhou Mansion. "Now that you are well and the road to the capital is open, I will send you home in two days."

One hour later, there is another chapter

(End of this chapter)