"Xiao Man is severely injured and unconscious, taken by Master Wu You for treatment. It is impossible for her to marry you. Find someone else," the old emperor said slowly. He did have someone in mind, but his son was stubborn; if forced, he would surely kill the person.
"No, it must be her! I heard she was severely injured and would take three years to recover. I will wait for her for three years. However, Father, you cannot blame me for not marrying; I am very willing to marry, but Xiao Man is not here," Nangong Yu said earnestly. "If she can return, I will immediately take her as my consort!"
The old emperor choked. Was delaying the wedding useful? Could delaying it prevent him from marrying? The old emperor suddenly thought of another possibility, looking at Nangong Yu hesitantly. After a long while, he tentatively asked,
"Little Fourth, you... you don't happen to like men, do you?"
Nangong Yu stroked the cat in his arms. "Father, I like women."
"Since that is the case, I will bestow the Princess of Zhao's daughter, Princess He'an, upon you as your consort."
"She is too ugly," Nangong Yu replied without hesitation. "Besides, didn't I say it? I fell in love with Xiao Man at first sight. I won't marry anyone else, and I will wait for her for three years."
"You..."
"She won't do. Find someone else!"
"As of now, she is barely worthy of this king!" Nangong Yu dangled the cat, showing its paw to the emperor. "I have no interest in anyone else, nor would they survive entering my royal mansion."
The old emperor gnashed his teeth in anger, but was helpless. He could only huff and order Nangong Yu to be sent back to the Qin King's mansion.
The rain stopped for two days in the middle, then resumed and lasted for half a month without ceasing. Urgent reports came from various prefectures and counties, with many areas suffering from floods.
Jiangzhou, in particular, a prefecture with flat terrain known as the granary of Yusheng, was hit by continuous heavy rain. River dikes collapsed, and floods raged, turning the entire Jiangzhou into a vast ocean, causing countless deaths and injuries.
Ministers flocked to the palace to discuss disaster relief. Prime Minister Wen's face was also grim. It was currently the spring plowing season, and Jiangzhou was always important. The border had also been unstable. If the army's grain supplies were insufficient, the army would likely suffer defeat.
"Your Majesty, the disaster in Jiangzhou is urgent," Prime Minister Wen said. Although cunning, he held a high position and was not entirely incompetent. He deeply understood the importance of Jiangzhou. If Jiangzhou were destroyed, Yusheng would be severely weakened.
"Jiangzhou has always been known as the granary. This great flood has displaced many people, and the land is covered with corpses of the starving. The local government cannot cope with the rescue. Neighboring prefectures and counties should be ordered to fully assist Jiangzhou and treat the people."
"Food is paramount to the people. Under such circumstances, the government should open its granaries and distribute grain to relieve the people; otherwise, it is easy to incite rebellion."
The old emperor rubbed his temples. His head ached as if it would explode. Too many things had happened recently. Continuous heavy rain, floods in many places, and all the newly sprouted seeds were ruined. Moreover, the rain showed no signs of stopping, and he didn't know how much longer it would last.
"Your Majesty, the crisis in Jiangzhou is urgent."
"Your Majesty, Pingzhou is densely populated. The people should be prioritized. Treat Pingzhou first."
"Your Majesty, I believe we should repair the river dikes first. The reason for this severe flood is the collapse of the dikes."
"The people must be saved, and the dikes must be repaired," the old emperor said slowly. "I intend to send an envoy to Jiangzhou to provide disaster relief, rescue the people, and rebuild the river dikes. Who is willing to go?" Su Dan Novel Network
As soon as the old emperor finished speaking, everyone fell silent. Jiangzhou used to be a piece of fat meat, but now it was a hot potato. If anything went wrong, one might not return.
"What? No one is willing to go?" The old emperor was naturally annoyed when no one responded.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to go," a person stepped forward. Everyone looked at the speaker and saw that it was Wen Mohan.
Prime Minister Wen's eyes widened, but it was too late to stop him. This rascal, did he know the current situation in Jiangzhou? How dare he volunteer to go to Jiangzhou? Was he tired of living?
"Does my dear subject understand the situation in Jiangzhou?"
"I have reviewed some materials about Jiangzhou in the past two days. If I recall correctly, there is a military camp in Jiangzhou with about fifty thousand troops. This natural disaster is irresistible by human effort, but if this army is mobilized to participate in the rescue, it will be twice as effective with half the effort."
The old emperor nodded with satisfaction. "Indeed, there is a military camp in Jiangzhou. Since you are quite familiar with Jiangzhou, how much silver and grain do you think is sufficient to take there?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Jiangzhou itself has three granaries. One is specifically for disasters, and two are exclusively for the military camp. This flood has turned Jiangzhou into a vast ocean, and the grain will inevitably be soaked and cannot be preserved. Even if some is salvaged, it will be a small amount. This grain can be used for disaster relief to help the people through the immediate crisis. Five thousand dan of grain, and at least one million taels of silver for disaster relief."
The old emperor pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement. "Granted."
"In addition, I also need the Ministry of Works to send several experienced officials specializing in water conservancy to assist me in Jiangzhou to rebuild the dikes."
"Granted."
"Since a large amount of grain is needed for disaster relief, please allow me to forcibly requisition grain from wealthy merchants and gentry at market prices." Wen Mohan emphasized the word "forcibly" because, due to the flood, many unscrupulous merchants were hoarding goods and profiting from the national disaster. With the Emperor's order, he could act more boldly.
"Granted."
Wen Mohan bowed, then turned to the Ministry of Revenue. "Minister Jin, when can the one million taels of disaster relief silver be prepared?"
Minister Jin pondered for a moment. "Ten days."
"One day," Wen Mohan said decisively. "I will depart for Jiangzhou early tomorrow morning. Before my departure tomorrow, the Ministry of Revenue must prepare the disaster relief silver and grain."
"Your Majesty, one day is truly too rushed. The Ministry of Revenue..."
"Do as he says. Saving lives is like fighting fires. In ten days, do you know how many people will die?" The old emperor's face turned green. "If you cannot fulfill your duties as Minister of Revenue, then someone else will."
"Your humble servant obeys." Minister Jin gritted his teeth. He had intended to stall for time, but he did not expect Wen Mohan to be so urgent. He had to order all personnel in the Ministry of Revenue to work through the night to prepare the necessary supplies before Wen Mohan departed.
In the dense forest, Xiao Ling, in disarray, navigated through the rain. Today was the agreed-upon date, and she was rushing to the meeting point. She could hardly believe that she had survived in this wilderness for a month.
Upon arriving at the designated location, she saw a figure waiting. However, it was not the familiar figure she remembered. Xiao Ling stopped and asked, "Who are you?"
The person bowed and replied, "Third Miss, Eldest Miss sent this subordinate to wait for Third Miss here. The one-month period has arrived. Third Miss may go wherever she pleases."
Xiao Ling walked forward slowly. "Where is Elder Sister?"
"Eldest Miss has matters to attend to and cannot come. She instructed this subordinate to bring something to Third Miss." The person opened an umbrella and handed it to Xiao Ling. "Third Miss, please follow me."