Court meeting

It's easy to get things done when there are many people, and ten days have passed, and the staff dormitory has become quite large.

The victims who came to the farm because Lu Yaoyao was recruiting workers no longer looked as decadent and desperate as when they first arrived in the capital.

Everyone, young and old, is full of energy, has smiles on their faces, and has hope and longing for life outside.

Lu Yaoyao has been staying at the farm for more than ten days, and has also returned to the capital several times during this period, mainly to comfort the Lu family, and also to tell them some news coming from Jiangdong.

Because of Prince Jin and the help of some people she arranged to go over, the situation of the Lu family in Jiangdong is relatively stable.

In addition, the imperial court has already taken disaster relief measures, but there are no refugee riots.

However, this severe drought has not happened in fifty years. A lot of people were affected throughout Dongzhou. Although the government provided relief, there was no way for the victims to escape.

In just half a month, the number of victims in the suburbs of the capital has surged from 20,000 to 30,000 to nearly 100,000.

However, because this is Gyeonggi Province and so many victims gathered, the royal family and the court were very worried about riots, so they designated a resettlement area early and mobilized heavy troops to guard it.

Order has been well maintained, otherwise not only the imperial court would be in a state of distress, but Lu Yaoyao's farm would also be in trouble.

If there was a riot among the nearly 100,000 victims, her farm would not be able to be saved.

This morning.

In the Jinluan Palace, the king and his ministers were discussing disaster relief matters.

This severe drought affected more than three million people in Dongzhou, and millions of people fled the famine. If Emperor Hongwen hadn't issued an urgent decree, ordering officials from various places to take in and provide relief to the victims.

I'm afraid that the number of disaster victims here in the capital will double now.

"Your Majesty, this drought may be a warning from God. I believe that Your Majesty should blame yourself and beg God to appease his anger."

An old man at the Yushitai stood up and bowed to Emperor Hongwen.

As soon as these words came out, Emperor Hongwen's expression on the dragon throne immediately darkened, and a cold light shone in his eyes.

This is already the fifth time in the past few days that the minister has asked him to issue an edict to punish himself.

It seems that since he came to the throne, he has been working hard to govern Dongzhou. He has also governed Dongzhou in an orderly manner. He has not made any major mistakes in his ten years in power.

Now that there is a drought in the world, these ministers who are usually treated politely by him do not find a way to solve it. Instead, they come one by one to force him to issue an edict to punish himself.

"I second the proposal"

Then several ministers came out, and Emperor Hongwen's face became even more ugly.

Suddenly, his eyes turned and fell on Gao Yanming, the left prime minister who had been lifted from his confinement and returned to court.

When a major disaster occurs in Dongzhou, as the left prime minister of the court, he naturally has to go to court for discussion.

"What does the Prime Minister think?"

Hearing this, Gao Yanming walked out of the queue and bowed his hands to Emperor Hongwen.

"The veteran feels that the top priority is to find ways to appease and provide relief to the victims. The actual matter can be discussed later."

Emperor Hongwen nodded and was about to speak.

The old man who was the first to stand up today to remonstrate and punish himself was the first to speak: "The left prime minister's words are wrong. It is important to provide relief to the victims, but if it doesn't rain for one day, the disaster will not be alleviated."

"How much food does the imperial court have to provide relief to the victims?"

"Your Majesty, I think we should start from the root cause."

"If the wrath of God is not appeased, the victims of the disaster in Dongzhou will have no peace. I beg your Majesty to sin against yourself and seek forgiveness from God."

"That's nonsense."

Right Prime Minister Wen Songtao also stood up and glanced at the old man coldly.

"Since your Majesty ascended the throne, you have worked hard to govern and made no mistakes. Why should you blame yourself?"

After saying this, he bowed his hands to his superior, and then continued: "Master Dong has been asking your Majesty to sin on yourself. Could it be that after your Majesty sins on yourself, it will rain immediately?"

The old man named Dong was speechless when he heard this.

Who can guarantee this?

He suggested this because there was no other way. To put it bluntly, he just wanted to increase his presence.

You can't just look at a mute all the time and watch everyone talk about it every day without saying a word, right?

But now, Wen Songtao's words left him unable to find anything to say. Who dares to say that it will rain immediately?

"I understand Dong Qing's family's sympathy for the victims of disasters all over the world."

"If my edict of sin can really make it rain from the sky and save the people of the world, let alone one time, even if it is issued ten times or a hundred times, so what?"

"But, Dong Qing's family, have you ever thought about the consequences if you fail to find the correct fault and issue an edict rashly?"

Who in the whole government least hopes for a natural disaster?

That was undoubtedly Emperor Hongwen himself. He worked hard for ten years to bring peace to the world in Dongzhou and fill the national treasury.

He still wanted to use this opportunity to rectify the noble clan, but now?

The severe drought in the world has accumulated over the years, and half of it has been removed so far. We still don’t know how much it will cost in the future.

The chips in his hand have been greatly reduced. In a short period of time, he may not be able to influence the nobles at all.

"What your Majesty said is true. I am too anxious. I beg your Majesty to punish me."

Master Dong, who had already been put on the back foot by Wen Songtao, now heard Emperor Hongwen's words and did not dare to grit his teeth any further.

Admit your mistake honestly.

"I'm very happy that Dong Qing's family has this kind of heart. Why should I punish you?"

Mr. Dong was very grateful, said some words of praise, and returned to the queue honestly.

Seeing this, Emperor Hongwen looked much better.

However, at the next moment, another minister walked out of the queue.

Taking a closer look at the minister who came out, Emperor Hongwen's softened expression just now turned even uglier than when he first heard that he was being asked to issue a sinful edict.

At the same time, the moment the ministers below saw this minister coming out, their eyes were wide open, and some ministers even started to murmur.

"What is he doing out now?"

"What else can you do?"

"Just watch, I think Your Majesty will definitely be attacked again."

What kind of minister is so awesome?

This man's name is Geng Chen. He entered the court as an official seven or eight years ago and has always stayed at the Yushitai. He is a very trouble-making master.

He was upright and had a very stubborn temper. He had impeached countless people and things. The most ruthless thing was that he even impeached Emperor Hongwen many times.

He was the kind of tough-minded guy who was not afraid of death. Emperor Hongwen hated and loved him.

Of course, what I hate is that he often makes trouble for the emperor. What I love is of course his integrity. He does not belong to any faction and is a pure minister who is only loyal to the country.

In recent years, because of his existence, all the ministers in the court have been very honest. Even if they dare to do bad things, they will do it secretly. If Geng Chen finds out, he will definitely not give up until he bows his head and accepts punishment.

As the emperor, he was in the palace all year round and had more or less understanding of outside affairs. Therefore, Emperor Hongwen liked Geng Chen very much, who could help him supervise officials.
Chapter completed!