The regent is determined to get the daughter of a minor official.

Time flies, and a year goes by in a flash.

In the court that day.

The ministers are discussing intensely how to deal with the floods in the south.

The south has always had abundant rainfall and a dense network of rivers.

In addition, the rainfall this year was particularly fierce. The continuous heavy rain caused the water levels of rivers to rise sharply, eventually causing a raging flood.

Rice fields were flooded, no crops were harvested, and countless farmhouses were crumbling in the floods.

Bridges collapsed, roads were washed away, traffic was cut off, and relief supplies were difficult to reach.

The victims left their homes with their families and struggled to survive in makeshift shelters.

Disease began to spread, and hunger and panic enveloped everyone.

The local officials were extremely worried and submitted an urgent memorial:

"Your Majesty, Regent:

The floods in the south were unprecedentedly tragic.

The flood submerged millions of hectares of fertile farmland, destroyed countless houses of the people, and left them with no means of livelihood.

Although we have made every effort to organize flood control and rescue, we are short of manpower and material resources and have achieved little results.

Today, epidemics are rampant in the disaster area, food is in short supply, and the victims are starving.

I implore Your Majesty to swiftly allocate funds and supplies, and dispatch capable officials to oversee disaster relief efforts, so as to reassure the people and save them from this dire situation."

Every word in the memorial seemed to be filled with blood and tears, describing the catastrophe that the southern land was experiencing.

Regent Chu Musheng sat high up on the side, looking stern as he listened to Eunuch Otomo finish reading the urgent memorial.

His eyes were like lightning as he looked at His Highness's civil and military ministers.

That stern face was like an unshakable mountain, exuding awe-inspiring majesty.

The little emperor sat on the dragon throne, his young face full of worry.

He tried hard to listen to the ministers' opinions, but seemed to understand them not quite. His little hands tightly grasped his dragon robe under the dragon table.

The slightly trembling fingers revealed his inner uneasiness and anxiety.

"Your Majesty, Regent, the floods in the south are severe. The most urgent task now is to allocate funds for disaster relief to alleviate the suffering of the people!"

Prime Minister Li was the first to speak, bowing. His neatly trimmed beard trembled slightly as he spoke, and the wrinkles on his face were full of anxiety and worry.

"No!"

The Minister of Revenue immediately stepped forward to refute.

“This happened suddenly, and if we allocate funds hastily, other matters may not be able to continue.

I believe that we should first build water conservancy facilities to prevent future troubles and solve the flood problem fundamentally.

The treasury has not yet collected taxes. If we do not act prudently, there will be another famine in the future and the court will have no money to spend."

"Building water conservancy facilities is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. Right now, it is most important to send capable officials to the disaster area to comfort the people."

Another minister was eager to express his views.

“Only by reassuring the people can we avoid unrest caused by disasters.”

Each party expressed its own opinions, and the atmosphere in the court was tense and serious.

Some of the ministers blushed, some frowned, and the sound of arguments continued.

The little emperor frowned and couldn't help but look at the regent beside him.

The look of help was as if he was expecting the Regent to make a decisive decision.

Chu Musheng glanced at His Highness's ministers and spoke lightly.

"Do you, my fellow officials, have a foolproof plan that can both alleviate the suffering of the victims and prevent future flooding?"

The voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty.

The noisy court was instantly quieted down.

The ministers were silent for a moment, all lowering their heads to think about how to deal with the situation.

Chu Musheng raised his eyes to glance at the sky outside the palace and said in a deep voice:

"This king has ordered that the Ministry of Revenue allocate a portion of its funds for emergency disaster relief, to first address the people's immediate needs and ensure they have food to eat and shelter to live in.

The Ministry of Personnel dispatched capable officials to the disaster area to comfort the people and organize self-rescue, ensuring that order was restored in the disaster area and that the people's hearts were stabilized.

The Ministry of War has allocated manpower and material resources to build water conservancy facilities and must not slack off in the slightest.

This flood is a crisis for our dynasty and also a test for all our officials.

Anyone who neglects their duties or embezzles money will be severely punished! "

"I will obey the prince's order!"

The ministers responded in unison, their voices echoing in the court.

Chu Musheng looked at the little emperor again, and then he remembered that he should give him some respect in terms of status.

He bowed slightly and spoke seriously.

"Your Majesty, all my orders are to relieve the country from danger. I hope Your Majesty will grant my approval."

The little emperor nodded and said in a childish voice.

"Everything will be done as the Regent has instructed. I hope all of you will work together to overcome this difficult time and restore peace to the people of the South."

In the court, the tense atmosphere eased slightly.

The ministers also had a direction in mind and were ready to perform their respective duties in controlling the flood.

A new round of discussion began.

Chu Musheng sat high on the regent throne, but was thinking in his heart.

The princess should have taken Xuan'er to the Empress Dowager's palace by now!

As for the flood in the south, it is indeed a big problem.

Funds are allocated every year to repair river embankments, but floods occur every few years.

This time we must thoroughly investigate whether it is a natural disaster or a man-made disaster.

Anyone who dares to tamper with this disaster relief fund will not be forgiven.

As he thought about it, Chu Musheng's eyes became more fierce.

In the court, the ministers' discussions were heard one after another.

"This flood has affected a very large area, and we need to urgently transport food from surrounding unaffected areas."

"Manpower must be recruited as quickly as possible, and we must ensure that those recruited are able to obey orders and avoid chaos."

At this moment, Prince Ning stepped out and said with a fist salute.

"Your Majesty and the Regent, I am willing to personally travel to the disaster-stricken areas in the south to participate in disaster relief efforts. I will do my utmost to live up to the trust placed in me by the court."

The little emperor sat quietly without saying a word.

Chu Musheng narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Prince Ning with admiration.

Prince Ning had the ambition to serve his country since his early years, but because he married a princess, he endured it for six years.

Now is the time when he is young and promising, and the Ningguo Mansion has been loyal and honest for generations, so he is indeed a good candidate.

Chu Musheng said after a moment.

"Prince Ning's courage is commendable, but this journey to the disaster area is a difficult one. Are you absolutely confident?"

Prince Ning stood straight with a determined look in his eyes.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I am fully prepared and will definitely fulfill my mission."

Chu Musheng nodded.

"Alright! I trust you. Go back and prepare immediately. I will order the necessary supplies and fully support you."

"Thank you, Regent!"

Prince Ning accepted the order and withdrew.

Ministers continued to discuss the details of disaster relief.

The morning court session ended at the end of noon.

After the court was dismissed, Chu Musheng took the little emperor to the Changxin Palace of the Empress Dowager.

"Uncle, is my little brother here today?"

The little emperor followed Chu Musheng, looking up at him with admiration on his face.

Seeing that he was walking too slowly due to his short legs and feet, Chu Musheng picked him up.

"Well, Xuan'er is here, Jing'er will be able to see him soon."

The uncle and nephew arrived at Changxin Palace surrounded by eunuchs and palace maids.

You can hear bursts of laughter coming from inside from outside.

"Grand Empress Dowager, I just saw that Xuan'er has grown taller."

The voice of Princess Rui came.

The little emperor struggled to get out of Chu Musheng's arms.

"Uncle, don't let them see me growing so big and still need you to hold me."

Chu Musheng put him down and touched the little emperor's head.