Chapter 25: Dredging the Canal and Welcome the Concubine (3)
"Master Wei, please wait."
Wei Chong turned around and saw the Minister of Industry smiling attentively.
"What's the matter?" Wei Chong asked.
"This treasury of silver is really my lifeblood. I have neither power nor power. I usually hope to use this money to provide it to the prince so that I can find a backer. If Ye Yongjia embezzles it, at least I will
It’s more than half of the cost that I can’t explain to the county prince, and I’m sure he won’t be willing to give it to me. In this case, not only will I not get any benefit, but I will also have to pay from my pocket.”
"That's your own business!" Wei Chong listened to him nagging for a long time, but in the end, just because of this, he flung his sleeves angrily and strode into the Yamen.
The minister hurried forward, grabbed his arm, and said with a smile: "Master Wei, this flood control matter is not only related to the Ministry of Works. If you don't hide it from Magistrate Ye, he will definitely lead to a lot of troubles if he decides to control the flood."
Come, I'm afraid I can involve the county prince in it, so..."
Wei Chong frowned and thought deeply for a while. Suddenly he slapped his forehead and suddenly realized: "Yes, yes..."
He slowly looked at the Minister of the Ministry of Industry and said seriously: "As soon as you mentioned it, I also remembered that incident. The situation is indeed not good for the prince. I will do as you say."
"Then thank you Master Wei." Shangshu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Master Ye, the Qinhuai River has caused flooding due to heavy rain these days, but I think it's not important. We only need to send troops to calm the people, and it will be fine after a while." Wei Chong knelt in front of the case,
He reported calmly.
"This matter only concerns the Ministry of Industry, and you don't need to point fingers." Ye Yongjia glanced at the Minister of the Ministry of Industry standing aside and said categorically.
"Yes, yes..." Shangshu bowed and said, "But the situation is exactly as Wei Chong said."
"As he said? Exactly? Then did you go there in person?"
Shangshu pinched his nose and swallowed nervously, "Not yet..."
"Not only have you never been there, but the government hasn't even figured out how many people drowned! How can you deceive me with your nonsense?"
The Lord Chancellor had long heard that Ye Yongjia had changed his temperament, but when he suddenly saw the usually peaceful and docile Magistrate Ye, he became furious. He was caught off guard and had to kneel down quickly.
After Ye Yongjia's anger subsided, Shangshu dared to say: "This is the villain's fault. I hope you can forgive me..."
Ye Yongjia knew very well what Wan Heshun meant and did not dare to sincerely accuse him. Seeing that he had admitted his wrongdoing, he said: "I will never forgive you if you do it again next time!"
"Yes, yes..." Shangshu wiped the cold sweat with his sleeve.
"Wei Chong," Ye Yongjia said, "Tomorrow you will follow this minister to open a warehouse to help the people. First, resettle the homeless people, and then investigate the disaster situation and report it to the Yamen."
…
"Who would have thought that this guy would be so unreasonable? I have to find out..."
Wei Chong, together with the Minister of Works, the Minister and other officials, were escorted by about a dozen officers and soldiers. They walked into a temple and saw that there were all long cowhide tents set up outside the temple. There were several men holding cattail fans inside, staring at them.
There was a large pot with gruel being cooked inside, and hot white steam was coming out.
The Minister of Industry walked in front and asked, "What are you doing here?"
After hearing this, those people hurriedly came out of the shed and bowed their heads: "We are all invited by the Lord to help the victims."
The minister nodded, and surrounded by everyone, he picked up the wooden spoon placed next to the pot and scooped out the porridge. Seeing that the porridge was extremely clean, he said with satisfaction: "Okay, okay... That's it, you guys can watch it."
Pot, I won’t bother you anymore.”
The Minister of the Ministry of Industry left here and walked forward again. He saw a few doctors who were making medicine and asked a few more words, all of which were insignificant greetings.
"Where else can we put this relief place?" Shangshu turned around and asked the minister.
"Cai Xianqing gave up Laolang Nunnery for the victims to stay temporarily, and there are also about three temples, all set up for relief."
"Where does the money for disaster relief come from?" Wei Chong asked.
"Of course Ku Yin." Shangshu shook his head helplessly.
"How much will this cost?"
"Let me think about it..." Shangshu scratched his head, "About six or seventy taels. This is not a lot of money. If we dredge the inland river again in the future, I can't say no..."
"As few as a thousand taels, and as many as five, six or seven thousand taels." Before the minister could make a detailed calculation, the minister blurted out.
"Such a lot of money comes from the hard work of your Ministry of Industry." Wei Chong sighed.
Everyone walked into the temple and asked, "How light is the water on the other side of the Qinhuai River?" Shangshu asked.
"The river is overflowing, and it was possible to go boating on land some time ago. Although it is better now, the water is still about a foot deep, so there is no need for you to go there for the time being."
Shangshu let out a 'hmm' sound in his nose.
As soon as he crossed the threshold, he saw a man running over like crazy regardless of the obstruction. The officers and soldiers were a little unable to react in time. Fortunately, they were clever and stretched out their legs to trip, causing him to slip and roll to the feet of the minister.
But the man didn't say anything, and just grabbed the minister's trouser legs with his muddy hands and held on for a long time.
"What are you doing! Damn it! Get out of here!" Wei Chong cursed with his eyes wide open in panic.
"Sigh." Shangshu patted the mud marks on his legs, "Don't be rude. This common man must have something to tell you. Please help him up and let him talk properly."
"This is a gift from the Lord... Get up quickly!"
"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!" The common man looked solemnly, stood up, and clasped his fists vigorously: "Sir, I am just a commoner, and I have nowhere to tell you the truth in my heart. I am so lucky to see the minister come here in person!"
"Stop being so long-winded!" Wei Chong shouted loudly.
"Sir, the Qinhuai River is not only clogged, but the water downstream is also filthy and undrinkable! Did you know that the dyeing shop of the wealthy businessman there floats silk on the bridge upstream regardless of the season, making the water extremely poisonous? I didn't know it at first.
Because of his love, his wife and children at home and even in the streets all suffered from poisonous diseases and could not survive for a long time. It stands to reason that the government defined that workers in the dye house must go to the dock for rinsing or go out of the city, and would not harm the people. But he wanted to save convenience.
, actually floating silk in the place where water is collected... It is really unreasonable!"
"I was going to bring a complaint to sue him, but he sent someone to beat me so severely that I almost lost my life!" He dragged one leg and burst into tears: "Please punish the Fang Family Dyeing Shop!"
After hearing what he said, the furious Wei Chong's face turned pale and his legs became weak.
"Um..." Shangshu scratched his clothes nervously, "This matter still needs to be discussed and discussed."
"Go back, ah, go back!" Wei Chong grabbed the Minister of Industry and hurriedly dodged out of the crowd.
"Damn it, what nonsense did that guy say!" Wei Chong was trembling with anger.
"These words must not reach Ye Yongjia's ears!" Shangshu said through gritted teeth, "If it is revealed, we will probably die without a burial place!"