Leng Xi snorted in dissatisfaction. "General Liu, what you said is ridiculous. Who knows if these disaster victims are truly here because of the disaster? Or, in other words, are there foreign enemies among them? The court is not clear about the current situation in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and the authenticity of that memorial is still unknown. It would be unwise to rashly allow these disaster victims into the city."
Yu Shiming also took over and said:
"I also think what Prince Xi said makes sense. The emperor is seriously ill and unable to handle state affairs. The treasury door is also closed. What results can we get from studying here? Let's stop them outside the city first and make a decision when the emperor recovers!"
Liu Dechang gritted his teeth and looked at Yu Shiming, then retorted in hatred:
"Sir Yu, I used to respect you as a good official who loved the people like his own children, but how could you become so cold-blooded now? Who would be willing to sleep in the open and make the long journey to the capital? They are here to file a complaint. Their area was hit by a flood six months ago, but the capital was completely unaware of it. Local officials have submitted memorials many times, but they have all been suppressed. And you actually doubt the authenticity of these disaster victims? When the emperor wakes up, this general will report this matter to the emperor and ask him to thoroughly investigate. Who is so bold as to deliberately suppress the memorials of officials from Jiangsu and Zhejiang?"
As soon as he said this, several officials from the Ministry of Revenue present instantly became nervous, and one of them began to sweat on his forehead.
While these people were talking, Leng Yu didn't say a word. He just watched coldly and listened quietly.
When he mentioned the memorial, his face turned pale and blue. His dark pupils narrowed and he raised his voice to ask:
"Master Zhang from the Ministry of Revenue, why did a memorial that should have gone to the memorial hall end up at your Ministry? Why did a memorial concerning the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions get intercepted by your Ministry? Furthermore, you concealed it and refused to report it. Do you acknowledge your guilt?"
Seeing the harsh tone in Leng Yu's voice, Lord Zhang shuddered, knelt on the ground, and replied in a trembling voice:
"Reply... reply to Prince Yu, I have no knowledge of this matter. I will... I will investigate this matter thoroughly when I return. Please... please, Prince Yu, give me some time."
Leng Yu's shrewd eyes flickered a few times, and he nodded with a dark face.
"Alright, I'll give you three days. If you can't figure this out within three days, your tenure as an official will be over. Go home and enjoy your retirement!"
"I understand, I understand."
"besides……"
Leng Yu looked at Master Zhang kneeling on the ground, his eyes flashed, and he continued:
"Since your Ministry of Revenue's suppression of memorials has led to the court being completely unaware of the disaster affecting the people of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and now that so many victims have come to the capital to protest, your Ministry of Revenue must bear the responsibility. I hereby order that all officials of the Ministry of Revenue above the third rank each contribute one thousand taels of silver, and those below the third rank each contribute five hundred taels of silver, to be used for the temporary resettlement of these victims. As for you, Lord Zhang, you should lead by example and contribute three thousand taels."
"Your Majesty..."
"Master Zhang, do you have any objections?"
Leng Yu looked at Master Zhang with a pair of stern eyes, frightening Master Zhang so much that he swallowed back the words he was about to say. He nodded in agreement hurriedly.
"I understand. Even if I have to use all my strength, I have to help these disaster victims overcome their difficulties."
"Give it your all? These three thousand taels are nothing but a drop in the bucket for you, Master Zhang!"
"What Prince Yu said is..."
After saying this, Master Zhang suddenly realized that he had made a mistake and quickly corrected himself:
"Your humble servant... Your humble servant is only a second-rank official, and your monthly salary is only eighty taels. Your humble servant... Your humble servant will go back and sell your belongings to collect the three thousand taels to prevent the victims from starving."
Seeing his pitiful words, Leng Yu raised his eyebrows in disdain, "Okay, then Lord Zhang, go back and make arrangements. Tell this king that within three days, if you can't find out who secretly withheld the memorials, I will personally send someone to investigate. When that happens, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"I understand. I'll do it right away."
After leaving these words, Lord Zhang got up from the ground. Without even wiping the sweat from his forehead, he ran out impatiently. Because he ran too fast, he almost bumped into Luo Lan who had just entered.
Luo Lan was not familiar with this Lord Zhang, but Lord Zhang was very familiar with Princess Yu. He nodded hurriedly and apologized.
"Princess Yu, I almost offended you. I am guilty."
Luo Lan glanced at him, his eyes tightened, and then he said softly:
"It's okay, take care."
Seeing that Luo Lan did not blame him, Lord Zhang took big strides and ran away.
The lady came, Leng Yu was the first to greet her, Leng Xi and Yu Shiming frowned at the same time, and Liu Dechang also greeted her with a serious expression.
"Madam, why are you here?"
Luo Lan glanced at him, chuckled and replied:
"Come and see you."
"Let the little twins take you to the room and wait for me for a while. I will come to you after I finish my business."
Leng Yu's voice was extremely gentle, and Luo Lan nodded obediently.
"good."
After saying that, she nodded to Liu Dechang, but did not enter the imperial study. Instead, she followed the guidance of the twins and went to the side room.
As soon as the door of the ear room was opened, the little twins couldn't wait to introduce:
"The prince hasn't slept well for two nights. He's troubled by the disaster victims. It's a relief that you've come. Please try to persuade the prince. He can't go on like this. Otherwise, he'll starve to death."
"Well, how are the victims doing?"
The twins pulled out a chair beside the table and motioned Luo Lan to sit down. Then they replied across from her:
"According to the information Brother Ling has gathered, there are at least 30,000 disaster victims heading towards the capital. If nothing unexpected happens, they will arrive in a day and a half, which would be tomorrow night. The prince is currently discussing countermeasures with several ministers."
Thirty thousand people?
Luo Lan secretly took a breath of cold air.
"Thirty thousand people? The capital city only has a population of a mere one hundred thousand. If these thirty thousand people break into the capital, the city will be in chaos."
"Yes! That's why the prince has been very worried these past few days. He has ordered people to build a temporary shelter for the victims a hundred feet away from the capital, but there is still a huge gap in the money..."
"Have the funds from Bai'antang and Prince Yu's Mansion been used?"
"Yes, the prince took out all the cash from Prince Yu's Mansion and Bai'antang. There are still some items that the prince has not touched. He said that they are your hard-earned money and he can't touch them. He can't let you live the life you used to worry about money."
"How could he be so stupid? Now I can make money, and the court also pays the Yuwang Mansion a full monthly salary. How can we possibly worry about money? I'll tell him later to take out the rewards the emperor gave to the Yuwang Mansion and some of my jewelry to use for emergency purposes. If the money is gone, we can earn more later. The victims are starving and desperate, and they will do anything."
"well!"
The little twins still shook their heads and sighed deeply.
"Your Highness has calculated that even if we exchange everything for silver, it would only be enough to feed and nourish these disaster victims for three days. This isn't a long-term solution!"
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