In the fifth year of Ning Yirong's reign, torrential rains struck Nanfeng Prefecture and Yuyang Prefecture, causing disaster to hundreds of thousands of people.
Sisi and Gou Dan were chatting with Eunuch Qi when Ning Yirong led his second and third sons, Lao Hei and Hei Bao, Lao Bai and his eldest son, Yun Shisi and Daoist Xuanzhen into the room.
Grandpa Qi is very old.
Back then, Old Master Yun angered the previous emperor over the matter of choosing an heir. The emperor originally intended to execute the entire Yun family, but Eunuch Qi reminded him that the abbot of Huguo Temple had divined his fate the previous year, saying that he should not engage in large-scale killings in the next two years, or he might regret it. Upon hearing this, the emperor changed the execution order to exile.
Sisi and Gou Dan could tell from this situation that Hei Bao and her master's predictions from some time ago had come true. Some time ago, both Hei Bao and Master Xuanzhen predicted a major disaster in the south.
Sure enough, as soon as Ning Yirong sat down, he looked at Sisi and Gou Dan and said, "Nanfeng Prefecture and Yuyang Prefecture have been hit by torrential rain. When Lao Bai's men came to inform Lao Bai, the rain hadn't stopped yet. I estimate that the reports from Nanfeng Prefecture and Yuyang Prefecture will arrive soon."
"We haven't seen such a major natural disaster since the founding of the nation. Let's draw up some regulations. If there are any more natural disasters in the future, we'll follow these regulations."
"Okay." Sisi looked at Gou Dan. "Didn't the Taoist priest and Hei Bao tell you a while ago that they wanted you to think about how to do disaster relief? Have you thought about it yet?"
"I've thought it through. First, I want to send two groups of people with the imperial edict to Nanfeng Prefecture and Yuyang Prefecture as quickly as possible to inform the disaster victims that the court will send people to provide disaster relief, so as to avoid panic among the disaster victims."
"Secondly, I want to send several more groups of people with imperial edicts to the surrounding prefectures of Nanfeng and Yuyang, so that they can first raise a batch of food and medicine for emergency relief. We will replenish them once the supplies allocated by the court arrive."
"Third: I want to send a group of troops over. Once the troops are there, they can assist in disaster relief and maintain order, preventing anyone from taking advantage of the chaos to cause trouble."
"Fourth: I want to send a group of imperial physicians there. Once they arrive, they can not only treat the people but also teach them how to prevent disease."
"Fifth: I want to ask my father for an imperial sword. If anyone deliberately delays disaster relief or embezzles disaster relief supplies, I can execute them first and report later."
"Sixth, I want to invite several eminent monks to hold a large-scale Buddhist ceremony after the disaster is over to pray for the souls of those who died in the natural disaster."
"Seventh, I want to go to disaster relief. I am the Crown Prince, and if everyone knew I was going to do disaster relief, they would be more willing to cooperate."
Sisi nodded after listening. "That's good, you've basically considered everything. Bring your uncle and aunt with you when you go. Your uncle is steady and reliable, and your aunt not only knows martial arts but is also proficient in metaphysics."
Sisi's aunt-in-law is Heibao, and Heibao and Shisi are already married.
Gou Dan was delighted that Si Si had agreed. "Father?"
Ning Yirong also agreed to let Gou Dan go. "Your grandfather and I have done a great service in pacifying the chaotic world, and you also have to do something for the people, otherwise they will not respect you from the bottom of their hearts. However, you are not only the son of me and your mother, but also the crown prince. The crown prince cannot be at the forefront."
"I know. Father, don't worry."
"Yes. Fourteen, Blackie, if he doesn't care about his own safety, then beat him up. You are his elders."
14. Black Treasure: "Okay."
Dog Egg: "..." His father really doesn't trust him at all! He's not some greenhorn. "Father, Mother, is there anything else you'd like to add?"
Ning Yirong twirled the jade ring on his hand. "What you just said mainly boils down to two points: first, stabilizing the disaster victims, and second, allocating supplies locally. However, if we're talking about who's closest to the disaster victims, it has to be the powerful families of Nanfeng Prefecture and Yuyang Prefecture."
Sisi understood immediately. "You want to punish them?"
Ning Yirong nodded. "They are closest to the disaster victims. If they are willing to help them, the disaster victims will surely be able to receive aid from the imperial court."
He wanted to do this when a natural disaster struck in his past life. Unfortunately, at that time he was still trying to gain support from all sides and didn't dare to say such a thing.
Later, after he secured his throne and no major disasters occurred, he didn't say anything.
However, he told his successor about this idea before he died.
"And you? Do you have anything to add?"
Sisi took a sip of tea. "Let out two rumors. First, the imperial court is going to thoroughly investigate all the wealthy merchants and their families to see if they have committed any illegal or disorderly conduct, or engaged in any market manipulation, especially grain and medicine merchants. Second, I am very dissatisfied with the increasingly extravagant behavior of the wealthy and powerful."
She was not short of money, but she wanted those wealthy merchants and nobles to develop the habit of sharing weal and woe with the court.
After the framework was finalized, everyone discussed some details and then went to make preparations.
The next day, the memorials from Nanfeng Prefecture and Yuyang Prefecture arrived.
Ning Yirong immediately ordered that all the officials qualified to attend the morning court session be summoned.
After all the officials had arrived, Ning Yirong announced his decision. "I have decided to send the Crown Prince to provide disaster relief. Furthermore, if those powerful families in Nanfeng Prefecture and Yuyang Prefecture only care about their own escape and do not care about the lives of the local people, I will confiscate their property. Do any of you ministers have any objections?"
The ministers were surprised to hear this. They all looked towards the Inspector General, especially the officials from Nanfeng Prefecture and Yuyang Prefecture.
The censor thought for a moment and stepped forward. "Your Majesty, do you think that if you want to confiscate the property of those powerful families who only care about their own survival, they will abandon their neighbors today and stand idly by when the country is in trouble?"
Ning Yirong: "Yes. People like them don't deserve to enjoy wealth and honor, much less serve as officials in the court."
The officials of Nanfeng Prefecture and Yuyang Prefecture: "..." You old fool! We asked you to persuade His Majesty, but you're making excuses for him.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
