Chapter 70: A Pit to the End
Upon hearing this, Lord An sighed deeply, but did not continue talking about this topic. Instead, he became concerned about the situation in Elm Village.
That day, Chen Qi and Shan Dajun came back and reported to him the casualties in Yushu Village, which really surprised him.
Now he wanted to hear what Lu Chengjing and Shang Wanhui had to say.
Shang Wan was too impatient to say so much, so he let Lu Chengjing do it all.
Lu Chengjing's narrative was detailed and concise, highlighting what should be highlighted and concealing what should be concealed, and he took the opportunity to lead the topic to disaster relief grain.
Upon hearing this, Lord An frowned and said in a deep voice, "In recent years, our country has been plagued by border friction with the Xia Kingdom, and domestic disasters have occurred frequently, leaving the treasury empty. This time, only Qingyang Prefecture was affected by the disaster. Many people in the court thought the disaster was not serious, and the Ministry of Revenue only allocated 10,000 taels of silver for disaster relief. These were sent along the way..."
Before he finished speaking, he picked up the teacup and gently stirred it with the tea lid.
Lu Chengjing's eyes deepened slightly.
Ten thousand taels of disaster relief silver were sent from the capital. After layers of exploitation, how much would be left in Dongning County?
His expression changed, and there was a hint of anxiety between his brows.
"Sir, the houses in the village have been severely damaged. Many people's crops have been soaked and rotted by the rain, and the grain seeds have also been destroyed. The wheat seedlings in the fields have been severely damaged, which will definitely affect this summer's harvest."
"Spring came early this year, and most families have already planted their millet. We don't know if this earthquake will affect them. It's almost April, and it's time to plant millet, but we don't have a good harvest until autumn. If we don't have enough food to eat, how will the villagers have the energy to work in the fields?"
"If this is the case in Elm Village, the situation in Willow Village will only be worse, and the situation in other affected villages and counties is no less severe. The summer harvest is still three months away. Without the relief grain from the imperial court, we probably won't make it until then."
Millet is millet, and broomcorn millet is yellow rice. The rice that ordinary villagers eat is cooked with yellow rice grown in their own homes. If you are willing to spend money, you can also go to the rice shop to buy some rice from the south and mix it with the rice.
What Lu Chengjing said was what he learned from Old Man Wu and the others. Although these words were meant to play the victim in front of Lord An, they were also the true situation in the village.
He looked worried, and Lord An's expression became increasingly serious.
Shang Wan secretly clicked his tongue. These two are pretending to be ignorant even though they know the truth. Are they trying to compete in acting skills here?
Lord An held the teacup and looked at Lu Chengjing, "You know a lot about farming in the countryside."
"Most of it I heard from the elders in the village." Lu Chengjing heard the hidden meaning and said truthfully, "I also read some miscellaneous books on agriculture in my spare time, so I know a thing or two."
Lord An nodded, as if it was just a casual question, and continued to talk about the disaster relief grain.
"Don't worry too much. I've already sent people to Ping'an Prefecture and Yan'an Prefecture to borrow grain, and I've also asked the gentry in the prefectures and counties to raise funds for grain. We'll have results in the next two days, and it should be enough to deal with the disaster."
His words undoubtedly gave Lu Chengjing a reassurance.
With him around, even if the court's disaster relief funds were not available, the funds he raised could be delivered to the villages and counties in a timely manner.
"Living under your rule is a blessing for the people." Lu Chengjing showed gratitude. "When I was still at home, my father always taught my three brothers and me to do more good deeds. He also set an example himself by setting up a soup kitchen to provide relief to the victims during disasters."
"After years of accumulation, our family has a small amount of food stored. Now that we've been hit by a disaster, my father must be extremely worried and wants to do his bit to help the people affected. If you're raising money for food, please consider the Lu family."
Lord An's eyes twitched, and he looked at Lu Chengjing secretly. It was the first time he saw someone betraying his own father like this.
However, thinking that Lu Chengjing had been expelled from the Lu family and was framed by the owner of the Lu family's rice shop today, it was understandable that he was angry and took the opportunity to trick the Lu family.
Lord An coughed twice and said solemnly, "I've made note of this. I will never let your father's kindness in helping the poor and needy stifle me."
Lu Chengjing smiled, "Four years ago, when a flood broke out, my father led the gentry in raising a large sum of money for food, which was highly praised by the previous county magistrate. If you are at ease, you may as well hand this matter over to my father. He will certainly be able to share your worries."
Mr. An: This is the son betraying his father, and he is betraying him to the end?
After his promotion to Qingyang Prefecture, he checked the account books and records of previous years. As a member of the officialdom, he was naturally aware of some of the tricks involved.
Now, hearing Lu Chengjing specifically mention the flood four years ago, he immediately came up with a plan.
The sadness in his heart dissipated a little, and he praised Lu Chengjing for being filial.
Shang Wan was teasing Yuanyuan while listening to the two people chatting, and he was so bored that he wanted to yawn.
Gradually, the topic of their conversation finally turned to Tian Sheng, who committed suicide by taking poison.
"I have checked all the suspicious persons and singled out a messenger who was in charge of serving meals," Lord An said. "That messenger accepted money from Madam Tian and helped pass on a message to Tian Sheng that night."
Shang Wan finally heard something interesting and asked, "What was it?"
"The gist is that my son has a high fever."
Shang Wan: "Just this one sentence?"
Lord An nodded. "The officer thought that passing on a message would earn him two taels of silver, which was not a big deal, so he agreed to help."
Lu Chengjing asked, "Sir, have you sent someone to ask Madam Tian?"
"Of course." Lord An said, "However, when Guard Shen arrived, Madam Tian and the two children had disappeared. Most of the servants in the house had dispersed, and the remaining old servants didn't know where the three of them had gone."
Shang Wan frowned and guessed, "Could he have been harmed by someone?"
After all, Tian Sheng is dead. If the person behind the scenes wants to wipe out the entire clan, there is no reason for him to let Mrs. Tian and the two children go.
Lord An was unsure, saying only, "The soldiers guarding the city never saw the three men leave the city, and they couldn't find them inside."
No one is seen alive, and no body is found after death. I am afraid only the three of them know what happened to them.
Lu Chengjing lowered his eyes and thought.
Lord An mentioned another matter. "The imperial court document has been issued. The new county magistrate will be in office in a few days. Once the new magistrate arrives, I will return to the capital. Madam Shang, if you have any new medicine, please send a letter and I will send someone to pick it up."
Shang Wan wanted to say that there was no need to go through so much trouble and that she could just have someone take him to the capital. But before she could finish her words, Lu Chengjing suddenly nodded at her imperceptibly.
The words on Shang Wan's lips suddenly changed, and the rejection turned into a yes.
After saying goodbye and leaving the county government office, Shang Wan asked Lu Chengjing, "Why did you agree?"
Lu Chengjing wiped Yuanyuan's saliva and said slowly, "Your Excellency is so kind, why would you refuse?"
Good intentions?
Shang Wan blinked and said, "Be more specific."
"This is not the place to talk." Lu Chengjing glanced at the passers-by beside him, "I'll talk to my wife in detail when I get back."
Shang Wan leaned forward and stared at Lu Chengjing's profile, "What did you call me?"
"My wife." Lu Chengjing turned his face away slightly and asked calmly, "You and I are husband and wife, what's wrong with calling me that?"
"That's fine." Shang Wan stood up and continued pushing the wheelchair forward. "Just call me that from now on."
The corners of Lu Chengjing's lips curled up slightly, but the smile in his eyes faded before it appeared. His dark eyes stared at the red-painted carriage passing by him.
The curtain was lifted by the wind, revealing a familiar face inside the carriage.
(End of this chapter)
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