125. Drive

The night is as cool as water, and the moon is bright in the sky.

The Regent's carriage was traveling under the cover of night, but its destination was not the palace, but the East Market.

Rongse sent the disaster victims into the city, where officials from the court took over their resettlement. Although there were few survivors among the disaster victims in the villages and towns, there were still hundreds of people in Tong County who needed to be resettled, except for those who were seriously injured and could not be evacuated immediately.

Rongse's industry and the court shared the responsibility for the three meals of the disaster victims. The court provided porridge in the morning and evening, and at noon, various shops headed by Fusheng Building sent relief supplies. But when Rongse actually saw the so-called resettlement place, his face still darkened.

The night shrouded the dilapidated temple. This place was remote and there was an ancient temple that seemed to have been abandoned for a long time. Only broken walls were left and it was drafty everywhere. A dim light could be seen from inside.

The East Market is not as prosperous as the West Market. Rong Se already knew that most of the people living here are poor. At first glance, it seems desolate and deserted. This is the opposite of prosperity, the dark side that is not seen by those in power.

"Is this what you call settling down properly?" Rong Se sneered, "There are so many empty gardens in the West Market, why do you have to settle people here?"

When it was first mentioned that they would be relocated to East City, Rong Se thought that even an ordinary house would be fine, at least it could provide shelter from the wind and rain in an emergency.

But now, as he walked into the ruined temple, Rong Se saw that many people could only huddle in the yard wrapped in tattered quilts. The reason was self-evident, because the habitable places were already full.

Liang Shenyu saw that Rong Se was unhappy, and whispered: "Although the gardens in the West Market are often used by the rich and powerful for entertainment, they all belong to the royal family. If you want to use them, the silver you pay must be added to the national treasury."

Rong Se's face became more and more ugly.

Pleasure, pleasure, what power and what high-ranking officials, is there nothing else in their minds?

Thinking of Rong Jing who didn't take human life seriously, Rong Se felt it was natural again. This was not a case of the upper beam being crooked, but birds of a feather flock together.

These self-proclaimed noble superiors do not take ordinary people seriously at all.

Rong Se walked into the yard, and some of the victims recognized him and looked up.

Just as Rong Se walked up the stairs to enter the main hall, the official on duty came hurriedly. Because he was in such a hurry, his feet slipped and he knelt directly on the stairs.

"Ouch! Hiss... Your subordinate, your subordinate pays respect to the prince!"

Rong Se turned around when he heard the voice and saw the man's face twisted with pain, but he didn't recognize who he was. He should be a minor official who was not allowed to enter the Xuan Zheng Hall for the morning court.

Rong Se looked very bad, and the clerk became even more frightened and uneasy after seeing it.

"Who is in charge of resettling the disaster victims?" Rong Se asked.

The clerk immediately said, "Your Highness, yes, it is Ji Chang, the Minister of Revenue."

Rong Se said "hmm" and pushed open the door of the main hall. The broken Buddha statue had long lost its golden body. Years and frost had corroded the Baoxiang Manor to the point where there was little left. The lights in the hall were dim. It didn't look like a temple, but more like the underworld. The victims were piled up one after another, squeezing the hall without any gaps. When they raised their heads after hearing the sound, they were all numb.

Rong Se suddenly felt a little suffocated. He felt that the hall was so depressing and dull that it made him feel breathless.

There were people everywhere, but there wasn't a trace of life.

Silence, a chilling silence.

They are victims who have survived the natural disaster, but they seem to have been forgotten in the gutter and have been casually abandoned here.

Rong Se closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, the approachable Regent of Tong County had disappeared without a trace, replaced by the solemn and stern face that Rong Se Zao was accustomed to showing.

"Come on, someone."

Rong Se almost squeezed out these words from between his teeth, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the door frame.

"Have all the gardens in the West Market vacated for me, and prepare vehicles to transport the victims there."

Yun Chu immediately responded, "Yes."

After Yun Chu turned around to do his work, he placed his warm palm on Rong Se's hand that was holding the door frame and held it gently. As soon as Rong Se's hand loosened, he was gently led away. Liang Shenyu closed the door again in time and said softly, "The wind is cold, and your Highness should not stand here."

Liang Shenyu brought Rong Se back to the carriage and put a hand warmer in his hand. Seeing that Rong Se still looked unhappy, he sighed and said, "The people below are not doing their job well. How can it be worth you to be so angry?"

"Not doing a good job?" Rong Se snorted, his tone full of sarcasm, "Not only is it rotten to the core, but no one is clean from top to bottom. I now understand why Jizhou ended up in such a mess."

Liang Shenyu could not deny it, "Whether it is the court or the emperor, this is the peaceful and prosperous era of the Jin Dynasty."

Beneath the prosperity, there are countless dead bones.

Rong Se pursed his lips.

What kind of prosperous age is this? Those aristocratic families who shout about peace and prosperity for the country and the people are like blood-sucking termites, greedily using the blood and sweat of the people to support themselves.

But what is the basis for this?

Who is born noble and who deserves to be lowly?

After a while, Yun Chu's voice came from outside the carriage: "My Lord, everything is ready."

After a while, Rong Se opened the carriage door and asked, "Why didn't anyone tell me about this?"

Yun Chu's expression changed slightly, and he lowered his eyes and said, "I failed to notice this."

Rong Se looked at him and said slowly, "I have always trusted you to do things, what happened?"

Yun Chu sighed and said, "I should have reported this to the prince long ago, but I didn't mention it today because I saw that the prince was too tired. Since the prince went to Tong County, the imperial guards are not in the capital, and the Xuanji Camp has become more and more tyrannical. There are many things that I can't intervene in. As for the matter of settling the disaster victims, I really have no power."

"I understand, my king."

Rong Se nodded.

He had guessed this a long time ago, so he didn't blame Yun Chu directly.

Yun Chu does not hold any official position, but others respect him because of the huge Regent Palace behind him. However, when Rong Jing and the imperial guards are not around, Yun Chu can do nothing about many things, as he is just a manager of the Regent Palace.

The matter of settling the disaster victims was left to the court officials, and Yun Chu, as a commoner, naturally had no right to interfere.

"If you can't do it, then I will do it." Rong Se said nothing more, looking at Xiao Tiao's dilapidated temple with a cold expression.

He has been away for only a few days, but these evil spirits really think they can turn the world upside down.

On that day, the Xi family held a garden party and there was a lot of singing and dancing in the garden. Cao Haoyun and several noble families were drinking and having fun. Cao Haoyun was not very happy recently. The wife he married was not a famous lady. The Liu family fell after she married. In addition, she seduced Liang Shenyu. Cao Haoyun was always upset about it and was unwilling to stay at home. He often went out to play with other noble families.

As a result, after three rounds of drinking, when everyone was in high spirits, a servant came in in a panic and said, "Sir, Sir! There are guards outside. Let us go out and make room for them!"

Cao Haoyun was drunk and threw his cup when he heard this. He was furious. "What imperial guards? Who dares to disturb the young master's interest? Get him out of here!"

"Oh, it's a narrow road for enemies to meet."

A teasing laugh was heard. Xiao Mufeng, who was wearing a martial robe and a breastplate, kicked the door open and stood at the door with a smile on his face. He waved to Cao Haoyun in the room and said lightly, "The Imperial Army is doing something. I'm sorry to bother you gentlemen to give up this place."

It is true that enemies often meet in a narrow road.

Cao Haoyun was beaten last time, and was implicated in the suppression of Xuanji Camp. In addition, Cao Haoyun still held a grudge against the two elders. He was not willing to fulfill Xiao Mufeng's wish at this moment, and cursed: "You dog slave, how dare you! What can the Imperial Guards do? This garden does not belong to the Imperial Guards! Get out of here if you know what's good for you!"

Xiao Mufeng still smiled, "You are right, sir. The imperial guards are nothing more than the Regent's lackeys, but so what? I am following the Regent's orders and ask you to make way for me. I will say nice things to you, but if you refuse, we brothers will resort to violence."

Having said that, the sword in his hand was slightly unsheathed, shining with a cold light.

The young masters of noble families who were not yet completely drunk were a little scared when they heard the title of Regent King. They all looked at Cao Haoyun, but Cao Haoyun was drunk and could not stand the threat from Xiao Mufeng. He immediately sat down on the chair, stiffened his neck and sneered.

"Today, young master, I am here to play. Let's see who dares to be presumptuous!"

"Oh, that's good." Xiao Mufeng slowly drew out his sword, still smiling but with a little more coldness on his face. He said politely, "Swords have no eyes, gentlemen and ladies, please be careful."

When the graceful dancers saw the sword, they screamed in panic.

Xiao Mufeng ignored him and called out to the outside: "Brothers, please ask the young master to go out and clean up this place inside and out--"

The response was a chorus of "Yes!"

The lights were on the cold blades, and the imperial guards were merciless. How could these young men from noble families who had been indulging in sensual pleasures for years be a match for the imperial guards? It didn't take long before they were picked up and thrown out of the door like chickens.

A cold wind blew, and Cao Haoyun got up from the ground. The alcohol had dissipated a lot at that time. He was not sure whether it was because of anger or cold, but he was shivering all over, his teeth chattering, and he shouted fiercely: "Asshole...Asshole! Dog slave!"

Xiao Mufeng happened to come out. He was in a good mood today and didn't seem angry when he heard this. He stood in front of the door and looked down at Cao Haoyun's wolfish appearance. He sneered, "Isn't your father also a dog slave of the court? Mr. Cao, if you have time to stay here, you might as well go back and complain to your slave father and see if he can get justice for you. What do you think, brothers?"

He turned around and asked, causing the imperial guards to join in the laughter.

Cao Haoyun couldn't hold back his pride and said with an unpleasant expression, "Xiao, Mu, Feng!"

"Hey." Xiao Mufeng smiled, "We are all dogs, there is no need to distinguish between high and low. Little dog, go back and complain to your father."

The imperial guards cooperated and laughed out loud again.

"Okay, okay, Mr. Xiao, just wait for me!" Cao Haoyun couldn't stand such humiliation, so he left in a hurry after saying some harsh words.

Seeing that he was in a state of panic, the other young masters of the noble families did not dare to stay for long and left in disgrace, as the other party was following the orders of the Regent.

Xiao Mufeng snorted, sheathed his sword, and sneered, "A bunch of good-for-nothings, you still think highly of yourself, what kind of people are you?"