Hearing this, Emperor Yu could not help but fall into deep thought:
In previous years, dealing with disasters in various places was the responsibility of the Ministry of Revenue. In particular, Xia Yunqing, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, had dealt with many disasters and was very experienced in this matter.
But now, he has taken over the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites and been sent to Annan to resolve the civil strife. Whether it is to urgently transfer him back to Beijing or send someone to send a letter, I am afraid it will be too late.
After pondering for a while, Emperor Yu said in a deep voice: "Xu Daocheng, then you should hurry up and arrange the ceremony to pray for rain. The sooner the better! There is no need to delay this matter!"
"Yes, but..." Xu Daocheng clasped his fists in Tai Chi and said calmly: "This drought is a natural disaster. If you want to ask for rain, you need the emperor to personally ask for rain before it can come true!"
Hearing this, Emperor Yu couldn't help but frown, looking a little reluctant.
Mei Qing once again took advantage of the opportunity to persuade: "If the emperor can go to pray for rain in person, it will not only show the emperor's grace to the people, but also establish prestige to the neighboring countries."
Emperor Yu thought about it again and again, and then said helplessly: "Okay! Just go ahead and prepare the ritual ceremony! On the day of praying for rain, I will take all the civil and military officials to the altar to pray for rain in person!"
Xu Daocheng bowed deeply and said excitedly: "Your Highness has such sincerity, it will surely move the heavens and the earth! On the day of the ceremony, God will surely send you rain!"
Emperor Yu was unmoved by these words. He turned his gaze to Eunuch Shuangxi and ordered: "Gather everyone to the Zichen Palace to discuss disaster relief."
"Yes." Eunuch Shuangxi smiled and bowed to exit.
Soon, everyone gathered in the Zichen Palace, and even King Yi, who always avoided court affairs, came dressed in court clothes.
Emperor Yu first told everyone about praying for rain at the altar. When they heard that they were going to the altar on foot, everyone showed embarrassment on their faces.
It’s no wonder that these scholars, whose average age is about fifty years old, usually go out by horseback or by car. The longest walk on weekdays is from Xuandemen to Wansui Store.
Walking such a long way is indeed a challenge for them!
But since it was the emperor who spoke, no one dared to refuse, they could only accept it happily!
The next step was to arrange disaster relief officials, but Emperor Yu suddenly felt a little embarrassed after sweeping away the civil and military officials of the dynasty:
Logically speaking, Xia Yunqing, who has a clear mind and rich experience, is naturally the most suitable candidate.
But if Xia Yunqing is urgently transferred to provide disaster relief, the Annan incident may fall on Liu Bingwen, who has accomplished nothing. By then, the civil strife will not be quelled, and trouble may arise again!
If the disaster relief work is left to other officials. Looking at the government, there are very few honest officials. I am afraid that the disaster relief funds allocated by the court will pass through many hands and by the time they reach the people, there will be very little left.
"His Majesty!"
When Emperor Yu was in trouble, Man Tingfang suddenly came out and said with cupped hands: "Your Majesty, I heard that His Highness King Yi is currently studying how to help the people rebuild their homes after the disaster. I think it is better to let King Yi
Your Highness went to provide disaster relief."
Yu Fengjin stood silently in the crowd, with no expression on her face.
When Emperor Yu heard this, he only glanced at King Yi lightly, but remained silent without any response.
The whole court was looking at the appearance, but they immediately retreated quietly.
Unexpectedly, Liu Rong walked out, cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I am willing to go to provide disaster relief. I hope I can make up for my fault!"
Emperor Yu looked at him suspiciously and pondered for a long time: Although Liu Rong didn't have much ability, he was not as greedy as Wang and his son.
Now that Liu Bingwen has been demoted and placed in a claustrophobic position, he is determined to show off his meritorious service, so why not give him a chance?
Thinking of this, Emperor Yu nodded slightly and said in a deep voice: "Okay, since you have this intention, I will appoint you as the imperial envoy to go to Lingnan to provide disaster relief."
"yes!"
Liu Rong immediately said sternly: "I will definitely fulfill my duties loyally and never betray the emperor's trust!"
Hearing this, Mei Qing looked at Man Tingfang, and both of them looked worried:
It is very disturbing that Emperor Yu treated the drought so carelessly and sent the incompetent Liu Rong to supervise the situation.
Without thinking, Mei Qingzai
The first time he raised his hand to refute Emperor Yu's will, Emperor Yu waved his hand tiredly and ordered everyone to retreat.
——Candidate——
The civil and military officials in the Zichen Palace gradually dispersed, but Mei Qing still stood there, staring at the dragon chair in a daze. For a long time, he sighed and shook his head.
A hand suddenly reached out from behind and patted his shoulder. Mei Qing turned around suddenly and met Man Tingfang's worried eyes.
"Sir, the Emperor insists on this, so don't be too anxious!" Man Tingfang knew his state of mind at this time, so she could only persuade him with gentle words.
Mei Qing sighed and said bitterly: "Beiyu has suffered from floods and droughts in recent years. The emperor should have taken preventive measures long ago, which is a long-term solution! But instead of being indifferent, the emperor actually sent incompetent people like Liu Rong to go there.
Disaster relief! Isn’t it just a shame to hand over the relief funds to him?”
Man Tingfang made a show of covering his mouth and winked at him.
Then she took his hand and left the hall, and walked forward for a long time before Man Tingfang let go of his hand: "Master Mei, if the emperor heard this, it would be a big taboo! If you want to stay here for a long time,
, you still need to be careful in your words and deeds!”
Pulled by Man Tingfang, Mei Qing felt indignant and walked out with a long sigh. Although Man Tingfang tried to persuade him all the way, he still couldn't let go.
Through chattering along the way, Man Tingfang learned that Mei Qing's parents died in a flood, and he was raised by his aunt alone.
When he grew up, he learned that the reason why so many people died in those years was not a natural disaster, but caused by corrupt officials who did not manage well and only focused on filling their own pockets without caring about the lives of the people.
From then on, Mei Qing made up his mind to study hard and become a good and honest official when he grows up and obtains fame!
This time he received a memorial about the disaster, and as the past events flooded his mind, he immediately came to Tongbing without caring much about it. He wanted to strive for the greatest welfare for the people affected by the disaster!
But I didn’t expect that it would end miserably!
Because the source of everything is not the corrupt officials, but the ruler! This is what he changed rudely!
After hearing this story, Man Tingfang suddenly saw Xia Yunqing's figure on Mei Qing's body, and couldn't help but smile knowingly.
As soon as they left Xuandemen, they saw a man who was mostly a scholar, kneeling in front of Wang Su, begging with a sad expression.
The two of them walked forward without knowing why.
I saw the scholar pleading eagerly: "The student wants to take a month's leave. I hope my teacher can grant the leave!"
The reason why he knelt down to Wang Su was because Wang Su was the examiner of this scientific examination.
Wang Su glanced at the person before he recognized his identity: "Chen Yu? Aren't you preparing for the exam? If you want to take leave now, do you want to give up the exam?"
Chen Yu bowed deeply and said sadly: "Teacher, there is a letter from my family. My father accidentally got into a lawsuit. He is currently being held in the Jinglong Mansion Prison and will be executed soon. The student is worried about his father, so he wants to go home to help him.
Father's justice!"
Wang Su, however, had a straight face and said coldly: "Chen Yu, if you give up the exam for personal reasons, it will also be very detrimental to your future exams. You have to think clearly!"
"Exams are of course important! Han Chuang has studied hard for decades just for today! But I can't stand by and watch my father in trouble!" Chen Yu lowered his head and burst into tears as he spoke.
Gu Zhili, who was standing aside, raised his eyebrows and said in a sinister tone: "I'm afraid you came to see Mr. Chief Assistant not just to ask for leave, but to ask him to help you exonerate your father!"
"Students don't dare!" Chen Yu immediately bowed and said in a neither humble nor condescending manner: "Everyone knows something, my father has always been honest and rarely gets into grudges with others. The whole story is told in the family letter. My father is
He accidentally hurt someone, and it was not his fault. But because his family was in a tight situation and could not bribe the prefect of Jinglong Prefecture, he was sentenced to death."
Wang Su narrowed his eyes slightly and suddenly smiled coldly: "The state-owned legal family has family rules. Even if you give up the exam and go home, I'm afraid you won't be able to change anything."
"The students should also give it a try!" Chen Yu insisted.
"Then you can take care of yourself. If within a month
If you can come back in time, I will let you continue taking the exam. If you can't come back, then I can only deprive you of the qualification to take the exam!" Wang Su looked at him without looking at him, leaving these words and walked away.
When the others saw Chen Yu, they shook their heads and dispersed.
Chen Yu kowtowed deeply at Wang Su's back and shouted loudly: "Student, thank you teacher for your understanding!"
"Since you know that the prefect is a greedy person, have you thought of how to avenge your father?" Man Tingfang walked over and helped Chen Yu up from the ground.
Chen Yu dusted off the dust on his body and insisted: "The student has no other choice but to go to court with him. Even if my father still has to die in the end, the student has tried his best. I can't just watch my father die unjustly.
But I am still fighting for fame..."
Man Tingfang and Mei Qing looked at each other and sighed - the prefect Wang of Jinglong Prefecture is a relative of Wang Su, and they must not be much different in terms of corruption and bribery.
Chen Yu's trip this time is probably going to be in vain. It shows that he has such filial piety that no one can bear to persuade him.
Mei Qing took out a bag of broken silver from his sleeve, put it in Chen Yu's hand, and said angrily: "At the same time, poor boy, I can understand your mood and situation. I don't have much silver when I go out today, you take these first
Now, although I can’t bribe that corrupt official, I can still buy a fast horse and go home as soon as possible!”
"This...this..." Chen Yu held the silver coins in his hands and looked at the two of them at a loss.
"Just take it!" Man Tingfang smiled gently and said, "Chen Yu, I appreciate you very much, and I really like you among the candidates of this year. I understand your filial piety, and I don't force you to stay here.
.I just hope you will go back early and don’t miss this exam!”
Chen Yu's eyes suddenly filled with tears, and he saluted repeatedly: "Thank you two adults for your help. I will definitely leave early and come back early, and I will never let down your expectations!"
After saying that, he took a deep look at the two of them again, then turned around and strode away.
Looking at Chen Yu's urgent figure, Man Tingfang couldn't help but sigh: "This young man... has a bright future!"