books44 Chapter 105 Disaster Relief Task: Checking the Money and Grain
Chapter 105 Disaster Relief Task: Checking the Money and Grain
Du Zheng coughed, and the entire hall fell silent.
"My dear colleagues, this torrential rain disaster is truly a once-in-a-millennium event. The people are suffering greatly! Thank you for your hard work!"
Having said that, I glanced around.
"Thank you for your hard work, sir!"
Except for Xu Zhi, everyone praised him in unison.
The voices were in unison, it seemed they had been training a lot.
"His Majesty is restless and has ordered His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and me to come to provide disaster relief. I hope that all of you will be grateful for His Majesty's kindness, sympathetic to the people, and fulfill your duties to overcome this difficult time together!"
Du Zheng's voice was not loud, but very majestic.
Moreover, Du Zheng was known for his uprightness in the court, so local officials were naturally afraid of him.
"Your Majesty, we will definitely fulfill our duties to repay your grace!"
Xu Zhi just nodded.
The preliminary work is well done!
Xu Zhi said to Du Zheng:
"Master Du, please speak directly! What are we going to do about this disaster relief? We are waiting for your orders so that the people can live a normal life as soon as possible!"
"I know, no need for you to say more!"
Du Zheng said coldly.
Xu Zhi sneered and said nothing more!
After all, Du Zheng was an imperial envoy, and he was a step below him.
What's more, the prince is still next to him.
But he still sighed in dissatisfaction.
Du Zheng ignored him and continued, "My first priority in disaster relief is to find out the extent of the damage in this county seat and report it to the disaster relief office!"
A group of officials listened attentively.
Since Du Zheng didn't give Xu Zhi face, others certainly didn't dare to commit suicide.
"Secondly, all the county's grain reserves will be brought under the unified management of the administrative office. I have all the records of each county's money and grain reserves! Starting immediately, Liu Ji, the warehouse official, will be responsible for clearing the money and grain!"
Du Zheng said this, patting the stack of files in front of him.
"Uniform allocation? Clearing up the money and grain?"
As soon as Du Zheng said this, officials from various counties were stunned!
How many of the figures reported initially were real?
No one will be held accountable for false reporting or concealment.
This!
"What? Is there a problem?" Du Zheng sneered.
Liu Zhao also guessed in his heart that these county magistrates and county heads were probably trembling in their legs at this moment!
Just by clearing out the remaining grain, we might be able to capture several county magistrates!
Kill the chicken and the monkey!
The lobby suddenly fell silent. No one dared to say a word, and everyone was racking their brains to think of how to solve this difficult problem.
"Liu Ji, take my seal immediately and lead your men to each county to collect the taxes and grain! Tomorrow morning, I want to see the detailed accounts!"
Du Zheng said as he wrote a few words on a piece of white paper, stamped it, and handed it to Liu Ji.
"Yes, I'll do it right away!"
Liu Ji was very thin and looked very gentle, but he had very long fingers. He said goodbye and took his people away.
"Master Du, the warehouse department is short-staffed. How about officials from each county go back and help?"
Henan Yin Xu Gan stepped forward at this time and bowed to report.
"County officials have important matters to attend to! No need to go. Liu Ji is experienced and can take care of everything!"
Du Zheng looked indifferent.
"Yes, Lord Du!"
Xu Gan said nothing more and walked back to the queue.
The county magistrates were all disheartened. If they couldn't get back in time, and asked Liu Ji to take people to investigate, wouldn't that be just waiting to die?
"Master Du, I am Qian Li, the magistrate of Heyin County. The Heyin County Magistrate is old and has poor eyesight. I am afraid that it will be difficult for him to count the money and grain, which will delay the disaster relief efforts. I hope that Master will allow me to return to the county and return immediately after the money and grain are counted!"
The magistrate of Heyin County was a plump man, and it looked like he lived a very comfortable life. His name also contained the word "money". He stood in the middle of the lobby and swayed for a while, which made Liu Zhao take a few more glances at him.
"No!"
Du Zheng replied coldly.
"Sir!" Qian Li was obviously helpless and even a little panicked.
"If you don't shut up, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"Yes!" Qian Li had no choice but to stand back.
"My dear colleagues, I am here on a mission, so I'm not afraid of offending you. Anyone who tries to leave here will be killed without mercy!"
After Du Zheng finished speaking, his eyes slowly swept over the officials.
The atmosphere in the lobby was very quiet.
The dozen or so tough soldiers who came with Du Zheng and his party stood in a row at the door, their hands tightly gripping the hilts of their swords. It looked like if anyone really wanted to leave, they would be killed on the spot.
What's more, there are tens of thousands of soldiers outside, it's really impossible to escape.
"Your Highness, I'm not sure if this arrangement is appropriate. Please let me know!"
At this point, Du Zheng just remembered that Liu Zhao was sitting next to him. It would be too disrespectful for him to talk alone!
Still a little impulsive!
Although the Crown Prince is only symbolic, if I embarrass him in front of everyone, I'd be courting death!
It was also my own subconscious fault, as I still thought Liu Zhao was not smart enough.
But there is still time to remedy the situation.
"I fully agree with Minister Du's arrangements. Everything will be done according to his plan!"
Liu Zhao glanced at all the officials and spoke briefly.
This statement is somewhat similar to the summary made by great leaders in later generations, but Liu Zhao did not want to come up with that kind of nonsense that was highly valued in terms of ideology.
After all, the purpose of my coming here is to study. At this time, most of the county magistrates are worried. Du Zheng has already made it clear that anyone who leaves will be beheaded, so there is not much point in my talking nonsense.
Xu Zhi stood aside steadily without expressing his opinion.
He was really unsure about the prince's behavior. He seemed really stupid before, but now he really seemed to be much smarter.
I heard that he was ordered to play with women outside!
Is this normal, or was it just an act?
"Since everyone has no objection, then please be patient and take a break for a while!"
Xu Zhi knew something was wrong as soon as he looked into it. He knew very well what the consequences would be if he investigated further.
Wouldn’t all my previous explanations to the counties be in vain?
So he coughed and stood up.
"Your Highness, I have something to say!"
Du Zheng was prepared and looked at Liu Zhao.
After all, Xu Zhi only addressed him as the prince and did not mention himself.
It was obvious that he looked down on me, the disaster relief and appeasement envoy.
But I've gotten used to it and don't take it seriously.
Now we can really see what the prince is capable of!
"Say it!"
Liu Zhao looked at Xu Zhi. He had seen him before and had some impression of him, but he didn't know him well.
"Your Highness, I believe that with such a severe flood and widespread victims, the top priority should be to launch disaster relief operations immediately. We can investigate the issue of money and grain after the relief efforts are completed. Furthermore, this is a time when we need people. Leaving these officials here waiting instead of doing their work will lead to disaster without officials to direct the situation. With such a severe disaster, I'm afraid it will lead to a catastrophe!"
As soon as Xu Zhi finished speaking, all the officials breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as we don't check it now and have time to go back, is there anything that can't be solved?
It’s better for the boss to take action!
He got to the point right away.
Liu Zhao stared at Xu Zhi's face for ten seconds without saying anything.
Xu Zhi was a veteran in officialdom. Although he felt somewhat uncomfortable being looked at like this by Liu Zhao, he was delighted at the same time.
It seems that my request has put the prince in a difficult position?
It doesn’t matter whether the prince is smart or not. As long as the prince expresses that he doesn’t need to go, Du Zheng will have no choice!
Du Zheng remained calm and waited for Liu Zhao to speak.