"Shut up, what are you doing!"
Originally, there were only two yamen runners guarding the gate, but when the people started making a fuss, they immediately realized something was wrong.
The two hurriedly set up the water-and-fire sticks, but it had little effect. The people in front could not see clearly even if they stretched their heads, as their vision was mostly blocked by the cart.
So those behind pushed those in front, squeezing their way into the county government office.
The hall was not calm either. A bag of disaster relief grain fell down, and everyone saw what was inside. They were all stunned on the spot.
"How could it be... bran?"
Everyone had this question in their minds when County Magistrate Lu Zhaochuan strode over.
As he got older and his eyesight deteriorated, he squatted down, picked up the grain with both hands, and brought it closer to examine it.
"this……"
He looked up blankly and saw the Director of the Bureau of Civil Affairs sitting calmly in the distance.
The steward, with a calm expression, picked up the cup lid, tilted it slightly, and slowly pushed it along the rim to remove any foam. He then took a small sip.
Seeing everyone looking over, he sneered, "What are you looking at? Do you think the disaster victims want to eat fine grains?"
Grain mixed with a lot of bran slowly slipped through his fingers. The old magistrate looked bitter and slowly stood up.
He stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Sir, this... the proportion of bran is far too high..."
Bang!
The steward abruptly put down his cup, which clattered against the table with a sharp sound.
"Disaster relief is for saving lives, not for personal enjoyment. Do you think I've been corrupt...?"
"No, no, I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!"
Ignoring his explanation, the steward glanced disdainfully at the officials in the room, his face showing displeasure.
“I’m telling you, it’s not just Longmen County that’s suffering from the disaster.”
The once-in-fifty-years flood affected three prefectures, with as many as sixteen counties suffering severe damage.
Moreover, given the current lean season, the fact that so much grain could be procured in such a short time is already an act of immense imperial grace!
The steward's words were resounding and thought-provoking.
"Do you know how much effort Her Highness the Princess went through to get all this grain?
We worked almost non-stop, escorting the goods all the way here, never daring to slack off for a moment.
Now look what you've done, you've even started picking on me?
"What? Everyone else in other counties can eat it, but the disaster victims in your Longmen County are so precious that they can't eat it?"
"No, that's not what I meant..."
"Unload the truck quickly and count the quantity!"
"Yes, yes..."
The joyful atmosphere in the hall vanished, as if gloomy clouds were hanging overhead. The bailiffs moved the load in silence, a lump in their throats.
Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the main hall, the vestibule, and the second hall were piled high with food, and the quantity was indeed considerable.
The clerk finished his tea, stood up, and said, "Sign here. I have to rush to the next county."
"This... sir, why don't you rest for a while at the county office and have some hot soup and rice?"
"Ha," the steward sneered, "Fine, lest you Longmen County accuse me of being corrupt and oppressing the people."
The magistrate broke out in a cold sweat, realizing he had offended the official, but he didn't know how to answer for a moment, so he could only keep saying "I dare not".
"Stop talking nonsense and sign the document immediately."
Left with no other choice, Lu Zhaochuan had to sign and hand over the document.
The steward snatched it away, snorted coldly, and strode out.
The official from the capital was imposing, riding a tall horse and escorted by cavalry, which gradually silenced the noisy crowd outside the gate.
"Get out of the way!"
At their loud shouts, the people quickly parted to make way for them, watching them pass by.
"Brother Chengze, what... what should we do?"
Faced with the county magistrate's question, Lu Zhaochuan seemed oblivious and slumped down.
At the beginning of the flood, the government purchased a lot of millet and sorghum to provide disaster relief.
When the grain supply ran out, he sought help from wealthy merchants and gentry in the county, pleading with them to release more grain.
Thanks to his extensive network of connections in Longmen County over the past decade, many people give him face.
So they provided porridge and steamed buns every day, and that's how they survived those days.
However, the coarse grains sold out by the surrounding grain merchants and could not be transported from outside, so the wealthy households were giving away fine grains for disaster relief.
Before the autumn harvest season, no household's grain reserves could sustain the entire county.
Even if Lu Zhaochuan pleaded repeatedly, it was impossible for others to donate all of their money for disaster relief; they would always keep some for themselves.
Just when it seemed the food supply was about to run out, the long-awaited disaster relief grain from the imperial court finally arrived, but now…
Not only were they coarse grains, but they also contained a lot of bran, so what was he supposed to do?
Once the cavalry had moved some distance away, the people at the gate could no longer hold back and began to push forward, which the two constables could not stop.
"Your Excellency, I heard bran in your mouth?"
"No way, the imperial court's disaster relief grain wouldn't actually contain bran and chaff, would it?"
"Yes, Lord Lu, please say something!"
...
Faced with the throng of people and their eager inquiries, Lu Zhaochuan raised his head, his lips pressed tightly together, unable to utter a single word.
The hall was piled high with sacks, and in the chaos, someone tore one off.
When the grain inside spilled out, the people in the hall felt as if they had been choked.
After a brief silence, chaos erupted!
"How could this be? How could this be!"
Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, "Corrupt officials! It must be corrupt officials in the imperial court!"
"Bran is for human consumption, not for livestock."
"The imperial court doesn't treat us like human beings, they treat us like livestock!"
"We can't let them get away with this; we have to get to the bottom of this."
"Let's go, let's go!"
In an instant, the situation escalated into a huge uproar. The old magistrate sensed something was wrong and stood up to try to stop it.
"Don't panic, everyone. The imperial court has no choice. Just get through this tough time and wait for the autumn harvest..."
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