Golden Branch

The seventh year of Yuanzhen was destined to be an unusual year.

On New Year's Day, at the beginning of the new year, an earthquake occurred in Yin County, 200 miles away from the capital.

The earth shook, houses collapsed, and countless people died.

Because it is close to the capital, the capital also felt the tremors when the earthquake occurred.

The Baiqi Division of Yin County, the secret agents of the big families, etc., sent out the news immediately.

Therefore, when the earthquake occurred that night, the capital city learned about the general situation the next day.

During the court meeting, the Saint and the Crown Prince, the supreme father and son, both looked a little solemn.

"Yesterday at midnight, Yin County experienced an earthquake, causing mountains to collapse and rivers to break. Hundreds of people were affected, and the disaster was extremely severe!"

As the deputy commander of the Hundred Cavalry Division and a new noble favored by the emperor, Zhou Jiming was the first to step forward and report.

All the civil and military officials had green eyes, with worry in their eyes.

Everyone felt the earthquake last night.

Some people were even frightened and wanted to escape from the capital and seek refuge outside the city.

If it weren't too late and the gates to the streets and city had already been closed, these nobles would have rushed out.

Even so, riots still broke out in some neighborhoods.

Countless people, on cold winter days, dare not go back into their houses, and stay in the yard or on the streets, feeling anxious and unable to sleep all night.

After staying awake all night with their eyes wide open and their hearts hanging in the air, the officials who were qualified to attend court entered the palace as soon as possible.

At this moment, after listening to Zhou Jiming's report on the specific situation of the disaster, everyone first understood, and then felt relieved.

Fortunately, it’s not in Beijing.

It is more than 200 miles away from the capital, and the capital was only affected.

I think that even if there are aftershocks, the capital will not be greatly affected.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, reassured that they and their families would be safe, and some court officials were able to resume their normal thinking.

When an earthquake occurs, we should provide disaster relief and help the people.

Lou Yu walked out holding a tablet.

Last night in the yard, he wasn't just sitting there guarding his family.

His brain was working rapidly as he went through all the specific data from the Ministry of Revenue and the National Treasury that had been sorted out during this period.

Last year was relatively peaceful.

The weather was good and the harvest was abundant. The collected money and grain filled the national treasury.

Although wars were still going on in the border towns of the northwest, southwest, and northeast, the prince raised additional funds for these expenses and did not use the national treasury.

But Dayu is too big and there are too many places that need money and food.

Several chief officials of the Ministry of Revenue counted accounts every day, and their heads were almost bald. They were so fat that they could hardly hold a hairpin!

That is to say, Lou Yu, who had just arrived and had not yet been completely tortured by the heavy work of the Ministry of Revenue, so he still had thick black hair.

Uh, we've gone off topic.

Back to the story, Lou Yu did not sleep last night, and made a rough estimate in his mind of the money, food, cloth, medicine and other supplies needed for this disaster relief.

Lou Yu also formulated a series of disaster relief proposals based on his personal experience at the disaster relief site during the southwest earthquake.

After daybreak, he entered the palace. As he walked along the palace road, he quickly wrote down groups of data and a dozen key words on the tablet!

At this moment, standing in the main hall, Lou Yu, holding the tablet, began to report in an orderly manner.

After hearing Lou Yu's clear and detailed report, a hint of satisfaction flashed across the stern faces of the Saint and the Crown Prince.

As expected of Lou Hanzhang, he is reliable!

Whether it was marching and fighting, or national economy and people's livelihood, he could plan and complete them excellently.

Lou Yu proposed an effective disaster relief plan, which was also agreed by other officials.

Especially some senior and older court officials, their eyes looking at Lou Yu were very complicated.

There is admiration and regret——

Alas, it is true that talented people emerge in every generation.

Lou Hanzhang is only in his twenties and still a young boy, but he has grown so well.

This young talent, a child of destiny, lives up to his reputation!

The Lou family is so lucky to have such outstanding descendants.

As a result, Lou Jin, who was almost becoming a transparent person in recent years, was looked upon with envy and jealousy by civil and military officials because of Lou Yu's relationship.

Lou Jin: ...Lou Yu is indeed outstanding, but unfortunately, he is no longer his son.

Lou Jin couldn't say whether he regretted what happened back then or not.

He only knew that he had completely lost his son Lou Yu.

The only thing to be thankful for is that although Lou Yu is indifferent to his biological parents, he still values ​​his family to some extent.

Whether it was his cousins ​​Lou Piao and Lou Yao, or his brother Lou Lang, who had the same father and mother as him, Lou Yu was willing to provide help.

Although the Anguo Mansion has lost its power, the new generation of the Lou family is already growing up.

Although the Lou family army is gone, the descendants of the Lou family will still stand tall in the court.

Thinking of this, the entanglement and unwillingness in Lou Jin's heart seemed to be smoothed out.

Let the father and son become alienated, as long as the Lou family is rich and prosperous, he, Lou Jin, will still be a meritorious official of the Lou family!

The court began to become lively.

Lou Yu's suggestion set an example, and other officials in the Ministry of Revenue began to "check for leaks and fill in the gaps". Officials from other offices in the six ministries also vied with each other to submit memorials.

After some discussion, a more specific and feasible disaster relief plan was put forward.

The saint and the prince watched silently and finally made the decision: Yes!

A disaster relief plan was drawn up and the relevant government offices became busy.

In the afternoon, the head of the Ministry of Revenue, appointed by the sage, served as the imperial envoy for disaster relief. Under the escort of the Qianniu Guards, he headed to Yin County with carts of food and other supplies.

……

The state machinery began to move, and the people also responded!

"Ajiu, should we also organize a rescue team and go to the disaster area?"

After a whole morning of settling down everyone in the mansion, Wang Mian had a simple meal and then ran to find Wang Heng.

The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility.

Although Wang Mian failed to change the world, he successfully crossed the class barrier, became a powerful person, and controlled countless resources.

However, she is not a true aristocrat. Deep down, she is still a time-traveling woman who advocates freedom and democracy and respects life.

The people were suffering from the disaster and the court quickly provided support, and she also wanted to contribute.

"Yes! I have already ordered people to prepare some food, as well as emergency medicine and other supplies."

Wang Heng is worthy of being Wang Mian’s eldest daughter. Her ideas are highly consistent with Wang Mian’s.

"And cotton-padded clothes and quilts!"

Wang Mian saw that Di Zhanggui shared the same idea, so he quickly added, "It's freezing outside. We can't let the people in the disaster area suffer a second round of harm!"

Wang Mian has stockpiled a large amount of cotton in recent years.

This disaster relief fund can be used to help the victims.

"And the doctor!"

Li Mingtang stepped in and said in a deep voice, "Princess, I remember that the medical school of Lishan Academy has enrolled and trained nearly a hundred medical students."

"They not only learn traditional medical skills, but also new medical skills such as surgery and suturing."

"Princess, I would like to lead a team to Yin County. If you agree, could you organize some medical students to go with me?"

When Li Mingtang was in the southwest, he also led a team to Shu and personally experienced the disaster rescue work.

She has medical skills and more experience.

Wang Heng has money, food, and people!

Last time in the southwest, Li Mingtang had a very pleasant collaboration with Wang Heng and Lou Yu.

This time when she went to Yin County, she wanted to "do the same thing."

"If you don't volunteer, I'd still like to go to the Taoist temple and ask for your help!"

"The medical school has organized a medical team that is on standby and can go directly to the disaster area."

Experience is a plus. While Wang Heng was stabilizing the Duke's Mansion, he also sent people to the Lishan Academy to make arrangements.

The farms and medicinal fields under her name also raised a large amount of food and medicinal materials at the first opportunity.

Now that Doctor Li has volunteered, Wang Heng's men can set off immediately.

"...Princess, Amian, and me too!"

Zheng Shisan also hurried over.

She was not as wealthy as Wang Mian, but she also had a generous dowry.

Not to mention, she had been in charge of the household affairs in Prince Rui's Palace for two or three years and also controlled a lot of industries.

She will not embezzle her husband's assets, but she can "borrow chickens to lay eggs" -

The property still belongs to the Rui Wang Mansion, but the "interest" can be pocketed by Zheng Shisan.

She had followed Wang Heng and Wang Mian for these years, and even though she was a little stupid, she had learned the art of "management".

Zheng Shisan is now absolutely wealthy and powerful.

To her, these few relief supplies were just a drop in the bucket.

But it allows her to follow in the princess's footsteps, gain a good reputation, and accumulate merits!

Not only Zheng Shisan, but also his study companions such as Jiang Si and Zheng Shiliu came one after another.

Several women sat together and discussed it, and they raised a large amount of supplies and came up with a more comprehensive disaster relief plan.

……

Not only Wang Heng, but other noble ladies in the capital also donated money and effort to disaster relief.

Official and private convoys continued to head to the disaster area.

After Yin County experienced an earthquake, there were several aftershocks in succession, which caused serious property losses and casualties among the people.

Fortunately, it is close to the capital, the court responded quickly, and there is a lot of support from the people.

In the midst of ice and snow, and beneath the ruins of broken walls and ruins, people were rescued one by one.

The rescuers, together with local officials and servants, set up tents and built fires in open areas.

The medical team headed by Li Mingtang arrived in Yin County with cartloads of medicinal materials, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc., and immediately started to rescue people.

Yin County did suffer a natural disaster, and the people were wailing and despairing!

However, the rescue from the imperial court and the treatment by the miracle doctor reduced their suffering to the greatest extent.

Soon, the disaster in Yin County was under control, without any expansion or riots.

Although the atmosphere above Yin County was still gloomy and sad, there was hope!

The disaster has been brought under control, and everything in the disaster area is moving in a positive direction.

Then, there was a new change.

"An epidemic broke out in Yang County, over a hundred miles from the capital?"

"The Yang County Magistrate acted decisively, immediately closing the city gates and blocking the nearby official roads?"

Only one month had passed since the earthquake in Yin County, and the local area was still undergoing reconstruction, when Wang Heng heard the "bad news" again.

She couldn't help but blanched. "Epidemic? Are you sure?"

This is a deadly epidemic. It is easily contagious and has an extremely high mortality rate.

The key is that it is too close to the capital.

Not to mention a few people infected with the disease running away, even a few cats and dogs that slipped out could spread the disease.

Wang Heng was thankful again that it was winter and there were no mosquitoes, flies or insects.

Otherwise, locking down the city would be useless. Those flying mosquitoes and flies can carry the virus everywhere.

"Confirmed! It's definitely an epidemic!"

Lou Yu said in a deep voice, pinching the Jingming acupoint with his hand.

He was exhausted. In the past month, he not only had to help allocate food and other disaster relief supplies, but also had to continue to sort out the taxes and finances of the Ministry of Revenue.

In addition, the saint has not given up the idea of ​​an eastern expedition.

Once an expedition is launched to the east, it will be necessary to prepare food, wages, weapons, horses and other supplies for tens of thousands of troops.

Just thinking about it gave Lou Yu a headache.

Just at this time, an epidemic broke out in Yang County, which was only a hundred miles away from the capital.

Fortunately, the county magistrate was wise and decisive. After discovering the epidemic, he quickly closed the city gates.

If we are stupid, indecisive, and allow the epidemic to spread, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Even so, the saint, the prince and others were very worried.

Some of the bigwigs in the council hall even suggested that the sage and the prince should go to Mount Li or a palace farther away to avoid disaster.

It's not that they are making a fuss, it's just that the epidemic is too terrible.

Once it spreads to the capital, a large number of people will die!

This not only concerns their personal safety, but also the stability of the dynasty and peace in the world!

"Li Mingtang has already departed from Yin County, and the Saint has also selected several doctors from the Imperial Hospital..."

However, the epidemic is not like an earthquake. Even if the court does not give up, it will be difficult to rescue successfully.

"Alas, Yang County, with over 1,200 households, I'm afraid this time—"

Lou Yu is indeed dark-hearted and ruthless in his actions.

He has never been a soft-hearted person, let alone a soft-hearted person.

However, this is a city and the lives of thousands of people, and Lou Yu cannot completely ignore it.

He sighed softly, but would not intervene forcefully.

The death of a few thousand people is better than more people being affected.

Especially in the capital, the epidemic must not spread.

Wang Heng was also in a very low mood.

She was silent for a long time before she slowly said, "How about I prepare some more herbs?"

"Well, our anti-inflammatory medicine should have some effect."

"Before in Nanzhou, and during the earthquake in Yin County, anti-inflammatory drugs played a significant role!"

"Perhaps, anti-inflammatory drugs can also fight against epidemic diseases!"

Wang Heng always felt that it was a bit cruel to abandon the people of a city.

She still wanted to save it. Even if it was useless in the end, at least she had tried and she had a clear conscience!

"Yeah! Okay!"

Lou Yu has always supported his little girl's outburst of kindness!

Just seek peace of mind!

"...This year is truly a turbulent time!"

Lou Yu sighed silently.

I don’t know whether his words revealed a secret or came true.

Sure enough, there were more disasters that followed.

In January, an earthquake occurred in Yin County!

In February, Yang County had an epidemic!

In April, drought struck Jizhou, Qizhou, Zhongzhou and other areas.

In May, there was a locust plague.

In June, there was a flood in the south of the Yangtze River.

Lou Yu was getting busier every month. Faced with these disasters one after another, he became a little numb.

However, the flood in Jiangnan still made the court worried.

Floods are not just the ravages of rivers, but also the epidemics that follow.

This isn't just one city or one place, but it can spread to dozens of counties on both sides of the strait...