Traveling to an ancient peasant family: I got rich by doing business

Li Yuyuan wanted to sell some rice dumplings at hotpot and barbecue restaurants during the Dragon Boat Festival.

However, the situation does not allow it.

The heavy rain on the afternoon of the fourth day of the New Year did not stop until the fifth day and continued until the evening of the sixth day.

According to the usual practice in the capital city in previous years, the weather would become increasingly hotter as the Dragon Boat Festival arrived, but because of the rain, the capital city was incredibly cool for the next few days.

The people of the capital city especially cherish this rare good weather and go out of their homes, some even bring their families and go out of the city for a picnic.

Li Yu also planned to go on an outing before the weather got too hot, so she chose Han Zheng's day off to go out. However, just as they were about to leave the house that day, Han Zheng was called away.

Emperor Tianyuan held an emergency court meeting, and Han Zheng had to rush over to attend.

Li Yu looked at the sky. It was already the end of the Chen hour, but Emperor Tianyuan suddenly called a court meeting. This didn't seem like a good thing.

*

In the Imperial Palace, Fengtian Hall.

The ministers spoke in low voices.

They all had no idea what Emperor Tianyuan meant and couldn't help but make various guesses.

"Your Majesty has been in poor health recently. Do you want the Crown Prince to take charge of government affairs temporarily?"

"It doesn't look like that. Although His Majesty caught a cold a few days ago, he is now well. Did you see any signs of illness on His Majesty's face during the court meeting yesterday?"

"No, Your Majesty is in good health and there is no problem in supervising government affairs."

"So what's going on today?"

The ministers shook their heads, unable to find any clues.

Just as they were about to move on to other places, they heard a eunuch shouting that Emperor Tianyuan had arrived.

*

Emperor Tianyuan sat on the dragon throne and got straight to the point: "Have you heard the news about Nanzhou Prefecture?"

The ministers looked at each other and shook their heads.

Emperor Tianyuan casually threw down a memorial, "There has been a flood in Nanzhou Prefecture, and several counties have been affected."

The ministers were surprised, and the prince standing in the front immediately stepped forward and picked up the letter.

After reading the contents, he fell to his knees and said, "Father, I have not received any news. I..."

"Get up." Emperor Tianyuan waved his hand. "Nanzhou Prefecture has just suffered a flood. It is normal that you have not received the news yet."

The prince paused and slowly stood up.

Emperor Tianyuan glanced at all the ministers and said, "Although Nanzhou Prefecture is not the richest prefecture in Dayu, it is indeed a strategic location in Dayu. The farmland tax paid there every year accounts for more than 20% of all farmland taxes. Now that something has happened to it, the impact is huge. What do you think we should do?"

Huang Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue had been ignored by Emperor Tianyuan for several months. Now that he had the opportunity to show off, he immediately said, "I think we should immediately send people to Nanzhou Prefecture to provide disaster relief and comfort the people."

The matter was of great importance, so Emperor Tianyuan did not care who said this, but asked, "Among the ministers, are there any willing to go to Nanzhou Prefecture to provide disaster relief?"

Minister Huang stood up without saying a word: "Your Majesty, I am willing."

Emperor Tianyuan glanced at him, hummed, then looked at the others and asked, "Is there anyone else going?"

At this time, the prince stood up and said, "Father, I am willing to go!"

*

Several officials from the Prince's Party became anxious when they heard this.

Your Majesty is in poor health this year and something could happen in the capital at any time. The Crown Prince must not go out at this time.

However, disaster relief could not be entrusted to Shangshu Huang and his men. Everyone in the capital knew that Shangshu Huang was a tyrant who would accept any gold, silver, or treasure. If he were to be sent to provide disaster relief, the money and grain allocated by the court to the local areas would probably be less than 30% by the time they reached the local areas.

For the sake of the people affected by the disaster, this matter must not be handed over to any officials of the Huijun Prince Party, including Minister Huang.

Several officials from the Prince's Party immediately stepped forward and volunteered to provide disaster relief.

The officials of Prince Hui's party were afraid that the prince would stand out, so they quickly said they were willing.

For a moment, voices of "yes" were heard one after another in the hall, which was quite encouraging.

*

Emperor Tianyuan had been the emperor for many years, and he knew that many of these people were not sincere. He thought for a moment and looked to the lower right, "Lord Jiang, are you willing to provide disaster relief?"

Master Jiang didn't expect that Emperor Tianyuan would choose him. He was stunned for a moment before he reacted, "I am willing!"

"Then let Lord Jiang go." Emperor Tianyuan thought for a while and said, "There is also Lord Pei."

The so-called Pei Aiqing is Pei Yang, the Minister of Justice. However, he will be called Pei Shangshu soon. The original Minister of Justice is about to retire and return to his hometown, and the position of Minister of Justice will be taken by Pei Shilang in the future.

Speaking of Minister Pei, Emperor Tianyuan thought of Han Zheng and said, "I remember that Han Aiqing is from Nanzhou Prefecture. Now that something happened in his hometown, let him go with us."

Moreover, Han Aiqing and Pei Aiqing had investigated the Donghaizhou case together, and they had a tacit understanding.

*

Outside the Fengtian Hall, Han Zheng's heart beat faster when he heard the eunuch calling his name.

He stepped out of the line and slowly walked into the hall.

Stand still, salute, and kneel down in one go.

Sitting on the dragon throne, Emperor Tianyuan looked at Han Zheng quietly for a while, and then explained his meaning.

Han Zheng would never refuse Emperor Tianyuan. When he heard that something happened in Nanzhou Prefecture, he agreed without hesitation.

Emperor Tianyuan was very satisfied with his attitude. Three years ago, he sent Han Zheng and Pei Yang to investigate the case together, and they completed the task successfully.

He originally wanted to promote him to a higher position, but he didn't want him to become a thorn in the eyes of others at such a young age, so he only gave him some other rewards. It was not until last year that he was promoted to the fifth rank of Imperial Tutor.

If he completes the task as successfully as he did three years ago, he will be promoted again. If there is no position in the Hanlin Academy, he can go to the Six Ministries.

*

The matter was settled.

Because disaster relief was urgent, Minister Pei left first, while Imperial Tutor Jiang, Han Zheng and others from the Ministry of Revenue set off after preparing the money and grain.

Time was urgent, so after the court session, Han Zheng did not go to the Hanlin Academy and went straight home to pack his things.

Li Yu didn't expect that something happened in Nanzhou Prefecture, and immediately decided to go back with Han Zheng.

According to the memorial, the four counties in Nanzhou Prefecture that were affected by the disaster were Jiangfu County, Jiangming County, Huaiting County, and Huai'an County. Although Jiangyang County was not affected, Jiangfu County was right next to Jiangyang County, so she was worried.

Han Xiaomei also wanted to go back, but Li Yu didn't let her.

"Although there are Nanny Tian and Madam Yan in the store, there are bound to be problems in the capital. You have to help me keep an eye on it. And if I need food in the future, you have to use my private seal to buy it."

Han Xiaomei immediately understood what she meant. Although she was reluctant, she still said, "Then I will stay as you wish, but Brother Lu Xuan and Si'er must go back with you. It will be enough for Miao Da and Miao Er to stay at home."

Li Yu nodded.

*

Because regulations prohibit disaster relief officials from bringing their families, Li Yu changed into men's clothes and pretended to be Han Zheng's bodyguard together with Si'er and Lu Xuan.

This naturally could not be hidden from Master Jiang, who had met Li Yu many times, but he said nothing.

A day later, the money and food were prepared, and the group drove to Nanzhou Prefecture.