The Marquise: I Earn My Own Worship

“How many people will die…”

Song Shengfu sighed deeply, and Duan Jingzong and others were also startled when they heard it. Lu comforted Song Shengfu and told her to relax.

"Yes, mother, don't worry, the officials will handle these matters. The emperor is kind and will certainly not sit idly by."

It’s hard to say, Song Shengfu thought to herself.

Anyway, in the dream, that is, in the previous life, this matter had never been resolved. It was not until the spring of the following year, when most of the refugees outside the city had died, that the officers and soldiers took them away to bury them.

It took more than a month just to bury the bodies, which shows how many people died.

Not only the capital, but Nanyang was even more tragic.

"I hope so. There's not much else we can do at home, but we can't stop making porridge every day. It doesn't need to be cooked too elaborately, but it will definitely fill our stomachs."

"My daughter-in-law knows. Mother, please don't worry too much. Old Xu said that you must take good care of your health."

Song Shengfu patted Xuan Ge'er's head and stopped thinking too much. It would be better to start taking action. Their family was not strong enough, but didn't they still have these relatives?

……

"Trash, all of them are trash."

The Emperor of Chu was so angry at the court meeting that he slammed the dragon table and almost dropped the dragon jade talisman on the table. Eunuch Xiao came forward to calm the Emperor down but was pushed aside by him.

"My people of Great Chu are now stranded in the capital, begging for food. What are you doing with this bunch of useless people receiving state salaries?! Now I ask you to come up with a solution, but you are all speechless?"

The King of Chu looked at the officials kneeling on the ground, furious. Now he, the emperor, was blinded and blinded. He even reported the refugees only after the outer city had no more room.

"Minister Tian, ​​you speak."

Tian Zhi, the Minister of Personnel, felt bitter when he was named. What was going on? His Majesty was already furious. Wasn't he just being scolded for nothing?

Tian Zhi walked forward tremblingly, and his strong body of forty-three years old actually walked with the gait of an old man in his seventies.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the main problem in dealing with, or rather, resettling refugees is food and clothing. As for food, the wealthy families now have porridge stalls outside the city, which can still be dealt with. The main issue is housing, housing, housing..."

Tian Zhi stammered and could not continue. The more the King of Chu listened, the darker his expression became. Looking at the inexperienced Tian Zhi, he felt a little annoyed. There is no capable person in my Great Chu.

The former Minister of Personnel was on the side of the eldest prince. He was arrested along with the eldest prince, and his property was confiscated and beheaded. The one promoted now is really not up to the task.

"Nonsense, get out of here."

Tian Zhi was so scared that his legs were so weak that he couldn't stand up straight. He struggled to walk back, and his legs couldn't stop shaking.

His Majesty's expression was so frightening that the others were afraid they would be the next to be called.

The Emperor of Chu looked around and saw everyone's heads facing him. Why are they all showing me their hair?

Just as the King of Chu was about to lose his temper, the Left Prime Minister stepped forward and spoke.

"I have a plan"

As soon as these words were spoken, they rang in everyone's ears like the sound of nature. The Emperor of Chu also relaxed his expression a little, and looked at Huang Fengding, whom he had promoted, with a softer tone.

"Say"

Huang Fengding remembered a casual remark his wife made yesterday, which gave him inspiration. Now that he was in this situation, it would be okay for him to give it a try.

"I believe that the excessive number of refugees gathered outside the city has seriously affected the normal travel in the capital. As Minister Tian said, the biggest problem now is still food and clothing."

"Food and clothing are the most important thing, especially now that the weather is getting colder. Refugees don't have enough food to eat and lack the ability to keep warm. They may have a hard time surviving this winter."

Everyone's heart tightened at the thought of these words. Winter was already tough, especially with the air conditioning arriving over a month earlier this year. Normally, they wouldn't even want to leave their homes, let alone these half-naked refugees.

Huang Fengding continued, "The people of Great Chu are in trouble now. Your Majesty is benevolent and cannot bear to see them suffer. I suggest you count the origins of the refugees outside the city. Now that the flood in Nanyang has subsided, those who wish to return home can be given money and food based on their population."

"This way, we can send some people back, leaving fewer people in the outer city, and it will also reduce our pressure."

"The rest of the people, as Minister Tian said, will remain in the outer city. However, we can open the warehouse and distribute porridge every day in the name of the Great Chu. Combined with the porridge tents provided by the officials, it should be enough to help the refugees survive this winter."

Huang Fengding has a good idea and the plan is feasible, but this year is not the warm winter like last year.

None of them knew how cold it was this year. Ordinary people had frozen to death, not to mention the refugees in the outer city who had no shelter from the wind and rain.

The Emperor of Chu nodded, waved his hand to let Huang Fengding leave, and turned to look at other people.

"Since the Left Prime Minister has this plan, does anyone have any additional ideas?"

Everyone looked at each other, and no one dared to step forward.

Ding Haimo pondered for a long time and then stepped forward to speak.

"I think the idea of ​​distributing silver and grain as the Left Prime Minister suggests is feasible. However, we can send people to count the remaining people and distribute them to the surrounding villages. There are many villages with vacant houses, especially in Beiyang. If anyone is willing to go, we can send officers and soldiers to escort them. This will not only ensure the safety of the refugees, but also prevent scoundrels from stealing the silver and grain."

As soon as these words came out, the officials' minds were instantly opened. Yes, the refugees could be diverted, which would reduce the pressure on the capital and provide them with a good resettlement.

Beiyang has a lot of land, but because the land is relatively barren, the population is very small, so this has also expanded the population of Beiyang.

At this point, all the officials submitted their reports, constantly improving their methods. As officials, each of them was a man of great talent, and they all racked their brains, trying to come up with a perfect solution to show the Emperor of Chu.

When the King of Chu saw that everyone started discussing with each other, his expression became much better. These people were indeed useful.

Someone brought up the issue of the cost of providing free porridge, and these people started arguing with each other.

"I believe that minced meat should be mixed into the porridge. This way the refugees can eat their fill and it will also demonstrate your majesty's benevolence in loving the people like your own children."

One of them stroked his beard and spoke with a smug look on his face, feeling that he had made a good suggestion and was able to flatter His Majesty.

"You fart you"

Someone from the Ministry of Household Affairs started to criticize.

"You're talking without any hesitation. Most of the money in the national treasury has been sent to Nanyang. This year's harvest hasn't come in yet, and the national treasury is almost out of money."

"They've all fled the famine and become refugees. Why are they still eating minced meat porridge? It's good enough to have something to eat. Not to mention we have to pay them resettlement fees and open warehouses to deliver food. How can all of this not cost money?!"

"So, according to you, these refugees don't deserve to eat meat? It's so cold today, how can they survive without eating something to warm their stomachs? I don't think you treat these refugees as human beings at all."

The other person immediately retorted, and the person from the Ministry of Revenue was a little speechless.

"Lord Li, that's not what I meant. Lord Fu, you misunderstood. We didn't treat them as human beings. We just wanted them to be full. The cost of minced meat is too high, and the treasury doesn't have enough money. Will you pay for it, Lord Fu? If so, I thank you for your kindness on behalf of the refugees outside the city."

The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue spoke with a smile, his words hitting the nail on the head. When the topic of silver came up, everyone fell silent, and the one who had spoken, Lord Fu, felt like crawling into a crack in the floor, fearing that he would be asked for the silver.

Duan Jing'an had been listening and had something to say in his mind, but he was just a small official of the sixth rank and was afraid that he would be punished for his words and actions.

But now that it was time to share the country's worries, he could no longer hold back. He had already had some thoughts in his mind, but he just didn't dare to say them out loud.

The Emperor of Chu had noticed Duan Jing'an a long time ago. He was the only one from the Duan family in the court. He had promised Concubine Ning before that he was not trying to fool her.

He likes this young man.

Nowadays, the government is controlled by old ministers. There are too few young officials and there is no fresh blood and vitality in the court.

Seeing Duan Jing'an's hesitation and awkward expression, Emperor Chu suddenly wanted to see what this young man was thinking.

"The one over there, Duan Si from the Duan family, do you have anything to say?"