The White-haired Queen

Bilian compared the donation lists of other concubines and found that everyone donated a lot. Although there was still a big difference between them, according to Bilian's understanding of the concubines, some of them might have donated more than the amount because they were afraid of being embarrassed.

Bilian remembered that there was a concubine named Xiangpin who had a rather cold personality and came from an ordinary family. She was not good at trying to please others, nor did she flatter others. She had an ordinary appearance and was not noticeable in the colorful harem. Yet this time she donated three carts of things.

There was also a talented person named Lian. The word "Lian" was not her surname, but a character given to her by the late emperor. She was selected into the palace and her family was poor, but her feet were particularly small, typical three-inch golden lotus. When she walked, her feet were swaying and her figure was graceful, so she was called "Tairen Lian".

Lian Cairen is a very frugal person who eats only vegetarian food. Her only hobby is embroidery. She basically uses her monthly allowance to buy cloth, silk thread, patterns, etc., and then sells the finished embroidery. Her monthly allowance and the sale of embroidery are her entire source of income, and she has also donated three trucks.

There was also a Concubine Song, whose father was accused of harboring a criminal and his entire family was exiled. If Concubine Song had not entered the palace earlier, she would also have been on the exile list.

When her father was reported, Concubine Song used part of her savings to prepare for the matter. When her entire family was sentenced to exile, she used all her savings to prepare for the matter again.

Because the whole family was exiled instead of the whole clan, she had a distant relative in the capital. But because of the palace wall, it was impossible for the two to meet in the future. All her income came from the monthly salary.

She had no family background and her monthly allowance was meager, but she managed to scrape together a cart of donations. Bilian opened her list and looked at it in detail. It was basically cloth and some food rations.

Oh! There were also a few names of her palace maids under the list, it seems that this car was donated by her and her palace maids.

……

It seems that the seriousness of Concubine Pang and Concubine Zhang stimulated the other concubines, and they also put in their best efforts to donate.

Looking at the lists one by one, Bilian felt indescribably heavy. She was moved by everyone's kindness of "helping each other in times of trouble"; she was moved by everyone's generosity of "giving everything they have"; she was moved by everyone's planning of "leaving every possible means"... Although there was an element of comparison, it was more about action.

Bilian's eyes were moist, and she went back to mobilize other people in Shengde Palace to join in the donation. "Many hands make light work" and "When people are united, they can move mountains." As long as everyone is united, she believes that the flood disaster will be over soon.

Bilian discussed her idea with Wen Lanyue, who was very supportive, but she particularly emphasized that people should do what they can and make donations voluntarily.

At the same time, Wen Lanyue asked Xiao Xizi and Taohua to go to Yong'an Palace to help.

The harem was very busy with donations, and the court was also busy.

Prime Minister Zhang Jinlin and Minister of Revenue Pang Shouzheng advocated and took the lead in donations. They were surprisingly unanimous on the issue of donations.

Ministers from the Zhang faction and ministers from the Pang faction were also competing secretly, and the trend of donations was an undercurrent.

At first, it was a competition of numbers, no one wanted to be outdone, and everyone wanted to outdo the other. But gradually, this competition changed a bit.

The ministers of the Regent Gu Changfeng's faction also wanted to participate, but were persuaded by Gu Changfeng one by one. He asked them to make voluntary donations within their capabilities, with those who have the strength to contribute their strength and those who have the money to contribute money.

But the competition between Zhang's ministers and Pang's ministers became increasingly fierce.

Xu Shengli, one of the Prime Minister Zhang Jinlin's staff, gave Prime Minister Zhang some advice, saying: "If we want to win this donation, in addition to the huge amount of materials, we must also deal a heavy blow to the other party."

Prime Minister Zhang asked: "Then tell me, how can we deal a heavy blow to the other party?"

Xu Shengli said: "If the open approach doesn't work, let's do it secretly."

Prime Minister Zhang asked, "Tell me, how did you do this secretly?"

Xu Shengli walked towards Prime Minister Zhang, leaned forward, put his mouth close, covered his mouth with his hands, looked around, and whispered: "We can burn their supplies."

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Zhang slammed the table in front of him with his right hand and said angrily, "Those are the food rations of the common people and the refugees. They are the foundation for the stability of the disaster area. How can you just burn them down?"

Xu Shengli continued, "Since the Prime Minister disagrees with this plan, I have another plan."

Prime Minister Zhang said with a hint of anger: "They don't even consider harming the interests of the common people or the refugees."

Xu Shengli said: "Don't worry, Prime Minister. I dare not do that."

The prime minister glared at him and said, "Then tell me."

"We can't burn the supplies, but we can intercept them and take them for ourselves, and then our numbers will far exceed theirs," Xu Shengli said.

Prime Minister Zhang thought for a moment and said, "This plan is feasible, so I'll leave it to you to do it."

After hearing this, Xu Shengli said happily: "Don't worry, Prime Minister, I will definitely do a great job."

Prime Minister Zhang repeatedly stressed: "Remember two points: first, do not damage supplies; second, do not hurt others. Otherwise, I will not protect you, and you will bear all the consequences yourself."

Xu Shengli said: "I understand. I will take my leave first."

Prime Minister Zhang repeatedly reminded him: "Remember, do it beautifully and don't let anyone find out, especially the Regent."

Xu Shengli said, "I understand." Then he turned around and left.

At this time, the housekeeper of the Prime Minister's Mansion, Old Man Zhang, came over and reported, "Prime Minister, the Grand Concubine just sent a message asking you to prepare more supplies."

Prime Minister Zhang said, "Okay, I'll take note of that. Did the Grand Concubine say anything else?"

Butler Zhang said, "She also said that at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow, Concubine Pang will bring back a batch of supplies from the West Market, about five carts, and asked you to buy another batch of supplies, and make sure to exceed the quantity of Concubine Pang's batch."

Prime Minister Zhang said, "Just tell Xu Shengli what you just said, and let him take care of the arrangements."

Gongsun Yi, an aide to the Minister of Revenue Pang Shouzheng, also offered the same strategy to Pang - openly competing and secretly robbing.

The so-called open competition is to raise prices in the market and buy at a high price as long as someone is selling.

The so-called secret robbery is to inquire about the opponent's transportation information, secretly trip them up or steal supplies.

Minister Pang repeatedly warned and instructed: 1. Do not damage the property; 2. Do not harm others. After Gongsun Yi's repeated assurances, Minister Pang gave the matter full authority to Gongsun Yi.

The "little ghosts fighting" scene is about to begin.

Due to everyone's active donations recently and the large amount of supplies, Regent Gu Changfeng specially transferred some people from the army and sent them to guard various official roads and outposts to ensure the safety of the entry, exit and storage of supplies.