Chapter 105 Revenge and Natural Disaster
Ji Xie replied that Li Chu had been extremely obedient since he came to his side. He would not dare to go west if he was told to go east. As his subordinate, he was very efficient and had never had any bad intentions.
When Rong Yin saw the content of the reply, she could imagine Ji Xie's silly expression with his teeth bared as he wrote the letter.
However, having dealt with Li Chu for several years, Rong Yin did not believe that he was an honest person, and specifically reminded Ji Xie that it was better to be careful.
Ji Xie's truckload of seafood was used by Rong Yin as a special benefit to reward old customers. If a certain amount of consumption was reached at the hot pot restaurant, one could get a portion of seafood-based food. When the dish was served, the waiter would even shout out that this was a special gift for someone, which was considered a great way to give the customers face.
Everyone says that Boss Rong is really good at doing business. No wonder he is so highly regarded by His Majesty despite being a Hu person.
Yes, in the eyes of the uninformed common people, Rong Yin with his blue eyes and outstanding appearance was a Hu man. Otherwise, how could one explain how he could make so many delicacies that were not available in the capital?
Everyone was guessing that he must have donated a lot of gold, silver and other treasures to His Majesty in order to gain the Emperor's protection. His shops were doing so well that he probably had to give part of his earnings to His Majesty.
There is more than one Hu merchant in Beijing, but strangely, other Hu merchants said they didn't know him and had never heard of the food he sold in his hometown. When a customer asked Rong Yin which country he was from, he smiled and said it was a secret.
At this time in the palace, Boss Rong, who in the eyes of the people had gained the emperor's trust because of his wealth, was comfortably dozing on the emperor's shoulder, while the emperor was tirelessly massaging his neck.
Rong Yin had a stiff neck last night. When he woke up in the morning, his neck was so stiff that he dared not move. In the end, he had to rely on Zong Zhengxiao for help.
"It is your massage technique, Xiao Xiaozi, that pleases me the most." Rong Yin hugged Zong Zheng Xiao's waist and sighed comfortably.
Zong Zhengxiao's face was full of smiles, and he followed his acting: "Being able to serve you is the blessing I earned in my previous life. I don't ask for anything in return. Your praise is the greatest reward for me."
Rong Yin sighed and said, "You understand my heart the best. You are not like the male tiger in my house who knows how to control me all day long, not letting me do this or that. That is why I love to come to you, my dear. You are my gentle hometown and my ecstasy nest."
Zong Zhengxiao asked, "Oh? May I ask who is the male tiger in your house?"
Rong Yin couldn't help laughing, and said with a trembling body: "Who else could it be? The current emperor Zong Zhengxiao, a very bad person."
Zong Zheng Xiao helped Rong Yin sit up and looked him in the eyes. "Then, please tell me in detail what is wrong with this Zong Zheng Xiao?"
One look at Zong Zheng Xiao's expression told him that he was most likely trying to find trouble, but Rong Yin didn't give him the chance.
He approached Zong Zheng Xiao, and his slender fingers stroked Zong Zheng Xiao's eyebrows like soft willow branches, then moved down, passed over the high nose bridge, and lightly touched the plump lips.
"I told you, he is a bad guy, and he has done bad to me."
Zong Zhengxiao didn't expect Rong Yin to be so cunning. He didn't dare to show weakness. He grabbed Rong Yin's waist and pulled her towards himself, making their bodies fit tightly together.
He lowered his eyes, met Rong Yin's affectionate eyes, and whispered: "Master, can you show me what it means to be bad?"
"Of course you can. You are my sweetheart. If you have any request, I will naturally agree to it."
The two of them, one willingly and the other unwillingly, made their decision and started to stir up trouble in each other, completely forgetting that it was still broad daylight and the time was ripe for unexpected events.
So when they were halfway through taking off their clothes, Xiao Ai rushed in with the puppies, and the palace servants were unable to stop them.
The scariest thing was that Xiao Ai had a frog in his mouth that he found from somewhere.
After rushing in front of them, Xiao Ai loosened his mouth and the frog fell to the ground with a loud "quack" sound.
Rong Yin, who had always been afraid of creatures like frogs and toads, screamed immediately and climbed onto Zong Zheng Xiao like a monkey, almost knocking Zong Zheng Xiao off the couch.
Xiao Ai and the puppies thought the two were playing, so they happily jumped up and barked non-stop.
When the palace servants rushed in, they saw the two masters hugging each other in dishevelled clothes, with a bunch of puppies lying on their bodies and a poor frog croaking next to them.
To put it in one sentence, it's a mess.
In the end, Xiao Ai and the puppy were punished by not being allowed to eat snacks for a day, and the palace servant who failed to stop them had half a month's salary deducted.
This year was another year of good weather and good harvest. After the autumn harvest, Rong Yin met Zhao Laoer's family in a hot pot restaurant.
After the autumn harvest, the villagers have some free time and their wallets are a little fatter. Most of them will take this opportunity to go to the city to spend money and reward themselves for their hard work for half a year.
Last year, the paper mill recruited workers again, with the same quota for male and female workers. This time, the government did not need to advertise vigorously. As soon as the news came out, the men and women who came to sign up almost broke down the threshold of the paper mill.
Because there are so many applicants, the selection criteria this time are more stringent. Most people are regretting that if they had registered without hesitation last time, they wouldn't have to compete with others like they are now.
Because there was an old employee named Tian Xiaocui in Xiaoxi Village, the people of Xiaoxi Village received the recruitment news in advance. Tian Xiaocui also taught them some tips during training.
When the final quota was decided, Xiaoxi Village had the largest number of people recruited. Now that everyone had benefited from Tian Xiaocui, they had more trust and respect for her family.
In the past few years, the Zhao family worked together and not only bought the land but also completed the renovation of the house they had longed for. Their lives are getting better and better, and they are gradually becoming one of the wealthy families in the village.
This time I went to the hot pot restaurant, on the one hand to reward myself with a good meal, and on the other hand to send something to Rong Yin.
The Zhao family received Rong Yin's kindness and naturally wanted to repay him, but they could not afford gold, silver and treasures. Even if they forced to buy these things, they were afraid that Rong Yin would not look down on them.
With Rong Yin's status, he certainly has no shortage of food and clothing, but he probably likes new and fresh things. In the past, when villagers picked wild game from the mountains or hunted game, they would send them to the city to sell. The rich people in the city like these and pay very high prices for them.
Normally, whenever the Zhao family picked mushrooms, black fungus, bamboo shoots, etc. in the mountains, or hunted deer and rabbits, they would pack them all and send them to Rong Yin.
Rong Yin knew what they meant and did not refuse. The Zhao family was not the kind of people who would not repay a favor. Only a relationship of give-and-take could make them feel at ease.
This time, in addition to wild game, the Zhao family also sent this year's newly harvested autumn grain, saying that they wanted Rong Yin to have a taste of something new.
Rong Yin accepted the gift and gave them a discount. After returning to the palace, Rong Yin asked the chef to cook all the ingredients, and she and Zong Zhengxiao ate until they were full.
Autumn passed and winter came. At the end of the year, Zong Zhengxiao and Rong Yin were each busy with their own things, but they were both very pleased to hear the news that the cement road had been built longer and farther.
It is also winter. Some people stop working with their families, leisurely and happily waiting for the coming of the New Year. However, some people's hearts are as cold as ice and snow. During this period of time, they will think of their deceased relatives and be tortured by the pain of separation.
Today was the anniversary of the death of the second young master Chen. Since morning, the Chen residence had been unusually quiet. The servants did not dare to smile at all, and even spoke and walked carefully, for fear of becoming the sinner who broke this eerie silence.
The Chen family went out to worship in the morning and did not return until the evening.
Mrs. Chen cried so hard that she could not walk, and was almost carried back to the house by the old maids. The eldest and third young masters Chen were in better condition, but their eyes were also red and swollen.
Only the head of the Chen family had a blank expression on his face. Not to mention tears, his eyes didn't even turn red.
But if you look closely, you can see the grief and hatred in his eyes.
Although several years have passed, no one in the Chen family can come to terms with the death of Young Master Chen.
On New Year's Eve, the two remaining brothers of the Chen family brought wine to the room of the second young master Chen and got drunk, muttering all the time, "We will definitely avenge you and make the Cui family pay for their blood debt with blood."
It's the New Year again. Rong Yin flipped through the account book and saw the huge expenditures. He couldn't help but sigh: "If only making money was as easy as spending money."
Zong Zhengxiao hugged him from behind and rubbed his neck. "Let me pay for the money first. I have enough money in my private vault, and the income from the shop and paper mill is also increasing. When I have used up all the money here, I will open your small private vault."
Hearing this, Rong Yin put down the account book and slapped Zong Zhengxiao's hand around her waist unhappily, "What nonsense are you talking about? I feel bad that the money is spent quickly because I feel that I don't earn enough. I am not reluctant to spend it. Every penny of this money has been used for the right purpose. Your Majesty, you are making me look stingy by saying this."
"That's not what I meant." Zong Zhengxiao turned to Rong Yin and explained anxiously, "I don't think you're stingy, Ayin. I just want you to be happier. Didn't you say before that the more money you have, the happier and more secure you'll feel?"
Rong Yin pretended to be angry, "I am happy and feel safe because with money, we can do what we want and no longer be restricted. So saving money will not make me happy. Only when I spend it can I really feel safe."
"I'm sorry." Zong Zhengxiao said sincerely, "I misunderstood you, Yin."
Rong Yin then laughed, "It is a great honor to admit your mistakes and improve yourself. I forgive you."
Zong Zhengxiao chuckled and hugged Rong Yin again. "Are you tired after reading the account book for so long? If you are tired, you can rest in my arms for a while."
戎音靠着宗政逍的肩膀，神情柔和，“原本是有一點累的，但陛下來了以後，所有疲憊感都消失了。”
宗政逍輕撫着戎音的後背：“看來我是阿音的靈丹妙藥。”
戎音嘿嘿一笑：“那我待會兒就把你吃掉。”
“不用待會兒，現在就可以吃。”宗政逍說着，便捧起戎音的臉，輕吻上了他的唇瓣。
戎音本能地回應，抱住他的脖子，加深了這個吻。
春耕完後又下了好幾場小雨，春雨貴如油，滋潤着廣闊的土地，看着地裏冒出的糧食嫩芽，農人們臉上挂着欣慰的笑容，紛紛嘆道：“今年肯定又是豐收年！”
直到夏初時節，大家都還是這個想法。
可人算不如天算，從五月底開始，北方的氣溫就逐漸攀升，但下雨的次數卻少得可憐，即便下了雨，雨量也稀得連泥地都打不濕。
要知道這幾個月可是莊稼成長的關鍵時期，沒了雨水澆灌，今年的秋收可就完了。
而與北方相反，南方的天卻像是漏了一般，幾乎是兩天一小雨三天一大雨，南方的百姓久久不見太陽，眼神都仿佛跟着衣服一起發黴了。
唯一值得慶幸的是，大晟的水利工程還算完備，在出現幹旱情況後，宗政逍就下令讓水庫開閘放水，供百姓飲用和澆灌田地，算是暫時解了燃眉之急。
但要是整個夏秋都不落雨，這水庫也堅持不了多久。
夏季高溫，因為少雨，京城跟水有關的東西基本都漲了價，連以低價相互競争的崔陳兩家的奶茶鋪子，都不約而同上調了價格。
即便這樣，上門的顧客也依舊只多不少，崔陳兩家趁機賺了不少錢。
可與他們不同的是，即便氣溫一再升高，季家冰鋪依舊堅持賣低價冰，免費冰也照送不誤，并且态度依舊熱情謙和。
戎音的奶茶店也是一樣，不僅不漲價，還會經常做打折活動，讓更多有需要的人能吃得起水和冰。
即便是身無分文的乞丐來乞讨，奶茶店的人也依舊會客氣地送冰給他們，沒有任何歧視和看不起。
因為有他們控制着物價，包括世家在內的其他商家即便漲價，也不會漲得太過離譜，超脫百姓的承受範圍。
這時候百姓們才深刻感受到，同樣是做生意，到了危機時刻，世家只會利用天災對平民扒皮吸血，而背後站着皇帝的季家和戎老板，卻事事以百姓為本，會優先考慮百姓的生命和安全，反而将自己的利益抛諸腦後。
誰值得百姓信任和尊重，一目了然。
從宮外回到銀鲛園，戎音覺得這一路自己就像是蒸鍋裏的一條魚，熱得他都快熟了。
喉嚨幹澀得厲害，他咳嗽了幾聲，一進屋連衣服都來不及脫，先噗通一聲跳進了水池裏，将自己全身都淹了進去。
宗政逍回來時，勉強吸飽水的戎音才浮出水面。
走到半淹沒進水裏的臺階上，宗政逍蹲下身去，輕撫游到他面前的戎音的臉，蹙眉心疼地道：“笨蛋，你本來就比人類怕熱，還不聽我的話，非要天天跑宮外去，把自己熱壞了可怎麽辦？”
高溫對戎音的折磨比普通人更甚，宗政逍本想把他拘在宮裏，讓他乖乖泡水吃冰，舒服地熬過這段酷暑的時間。
但現在奶茶店的生意爆滿，高溫烘烤，人心浮躁，人與人之間更容易産生摩擦，戎音不放心，怕店鋪出事，所以每天都要去親自盯着才肯放心。
宗政逍不是不理解戎音的想法，但看着戎音這麽辛苦，他還是心疼極了。
戎音抱着宗政逍的手貼在自己臉上，安慰他道：“沒關系，又死不了，而且只用忙這一段時間，相信很快北方就能下雨了。”
說完，戎音像是想到了什麽，眼眸低垂，神情也沮喪起來，“明明手握劇本，卻還是沒能提前預知災難的發生，我真沒用。”
聽見他的話，宗政逍知道戎音又開始習慣性往自己身上攬責任了，他趕緊捏了一把他的臉，故意冷着臉道：“原書裏又沒寫這件事，你不是神仙，怎麽可能每個細節都知道，還有，阿音，之前說好了的，不許再不分青紅皂白地怪自己，不然我可要教訓你了。”
災情剛出現的時候，戎音就仔細回想了原書的內容，他明确記得書裏沒有提過旱災和水患的事情。
這是他穿書的第十年，在原書裏，這時候男女主已經帶着孩子歸隐，由宗政連均繼承皇位。
因為接近大結局，書中只寫了宗政連均花了大力氣治理大晟，導致最終因過度勞累而英年早逝。
劇情都是一筆帶過，根本沒有描寫細節，是以戎音并不清楚，這其中還包含了今年的天災。
戎音垂頭喪氣：“我就是有點難過。”
宗政逍摸摸他的頭，柔聲道：“其實從阿音來到我身邊，改變了我早死的結局開始，這個世界就跟原書劇情沒什麽關系了。阿音陪我創造了新的歷史，要走一條別人沒有走過的路，遇見挫折困難很正常，我們要想辦法解決困難，而不是責怪自己沒有提前預知，阿音，你該從陳舊的過去走出來了。”
他的話像是一團團燃燒的火焰，照亮了戎音黑洞洞的內心，帶着他走出了思維的死胡同。
“陛下說的對，我和你可是要創造新歷史的，怎麽還能糾結于過去，停滞不前！”
說完，戎音臉上重新浮現出笑容，他雙眸亮晶晶地看着宗政逍，撒嬌似地道：“陛下是指點我迷津的人生導師！”
宗政逍溫柔地替戎音揉着自己剛才捏過的地方，眉眼帶笑，“阿音也是拯救我人生的天神。”
他們二人，早就成了彼此性命交關、不可分離的一部分。
北方幹旱南方水患，一道道政令從京城下發到全國各地，宗政逍也派人前往南方，監督南方各州府認真開展防災、減災，以及災害發生後的善後工作。
虧了這兩年造的水泥路，大大縮減了消息傳遞的時間，在發現南方降雨量不正常，可能會發生洪災後，宗政逍就第一時間下令要求南方做好防災措施。
因為提前準備，加固了堤壩橋梁、轉移了危險區百姓，是以後來哪怕洪水爆發，受災人數也在可控範圍之內。
而支援的銀兩和物資，也因為水泥路的方便，及時送達了災區，避免了天災之下再出人禍。
季燮這段時間剛好在南方，宗政逍便特地秘密令他暗地裏調查南方官員的作為，看看有沒有陽奉陰違的家夥。
但正如一堆糧食裏總有幾粒壞種，人也是一樣，盡管明知宗政逍非常重視此次南方的災情，如果工作出現纰漏，肯定會被嚴懲，但某些官員還是存在僥幸心理。
他們不顧下屬勸告，自以為自己所管的地界很安全，所以既沒有提前勘察地形水況，預防洪水侵襲，也沒有提前轉移民衆，防止洪水爆發來不及逃跑。
是以當意外發生時，災難沒有留給他們任何後悔的機會。
宗政逍并不知道，随着他一道道政令下達到南方的，還有一則神秘的自世家府中傳出的密令，這道密令上沾染着殺意與恨意，發出的那一刻就是沖着某人的性命去的。
南方某縣被山洪淹沒、全縣百姓無一人生還的噩耗傳到京城時，朝野上下一片嘩然，宗政逍震怒。
徹查後發現居然是因為那縣令玩忽職守，不在乎朝廷政令，這才導致了悲劇的發生。
雖然那縣令也死在了洪水之中，但這不足以抵消他的罪孽，不僅他的官職被奪，成了千古罪人，他的家族和朝中與他有關的官員都受到了牽連，家人入獄不說，關系親近的官員也慘遭降職。
正在全天下都悲憤于這一慘案的發生，紛紛唾罵活該被千刀萬剮的縣令時，一聲驚天的哭嚎自崔府傳出，幾乎響遍了整個京城。
“什麽？茂山老人和崔炘死了？”
饒是穩重如宗政逍，在聽見暗衛說出這個消息時，也不由得震驚到差點破音。
他身旁的戎音更是瞪大眼睛，一副仿佛在做夢的表情。
茂山老人乃當世名儒，喜游歷天下到處講學，而崔炘是崔家幼子，多年前被茂山老人看中，收為親傳弟子，帶着他一起雲游四方，至今未回京城。
沒想到再次聽見他們的消息，居然是兩人的死訊。
侍衛道：“是，屬下打聽到，茂山老人帶着崔炘于兩月前到達桉常縣、也就是那座前不久剛被洪水淹沒的縣城，本意是拜訪老友，也沒有講學的打算，便沒有公開身份，是以當地官員并不知曉兩人在那裏，崔家也是收到崔炘的信件，才知道他們會在那裏停留一段時間，誰知道後面就發生了洪災……”
崔家知道桉常縣被淹，且無一人生還後，還倔強地不肯承認事實。
They hoped that their son would be alive, but also hoped that the two of them had actually left Anchang in advance. The reason they did not send a letter to the capital to report their safety was because the south was too chaotic and they could not find a chance.
It was not until they sent people to the south and found out after great difficulty that the master and his apprentice were indeed in Anchang County when the flood broke out, and that neither the government nor the public had found a single survivor in Anchang County to date, that they completely accepted their fate.
The fact that Cui Xin was chosen by Old Man Maoshan is enough to show how outstanding he is. The Cui family is waiting for him to grow up a little, learn from Old Man Maoshan, and then return to take over the family business from the head of the Cui family.
Now that Cui Xin is dead, the Cui family not only loses a relative, but also means that the Cui family may have no successor, and there is a high probability that they will decline.
Who can accept such cruel consequences?
So now almost the entire Cui family has gone crazy. Old Mrs. Cui is bedridden, Mrs. Cui cries all day long, and the head of the Cui family has turned all his grief into anger and directed it all at the surviving family members of the county magistrate.
I’m afraid the fate of the county magistrate’s entire family will not be much better than that of the tragic death of the county magistrate.
The news of Cui Xin's death was good news for Zong Zhengxiao.
But what many people don’t know is that the people who laughed the loudest at this moment were actually from the other two parties.