The wives of the concubines are empresses

Shangguan Wanjun rarely listened to Liu Cheng talk about his hometown. Seeing that the emperor was listening with great interest, Liu Cheng continued to talk.

"Ordinary people usually don't have anything at home, especially high-quality and medium-quality firewood, unless some better-off families buy some."

"That won't be enough. This cold weather will last until March or April at least."

Liu Cheng nodded: "That's true, but money is limited after all. Men with little labor in their families are even more annoyed."

Shangguan Wanjun was stunned. "No labor force? You mean those widows?"

"There are also families with only daughters, or families with only elderly people."

For women of this era, it is really difficult to survive.

"Oh, there are so many things to do." There are countless poor people in the world.

Seeing the emperor sigh, Liu Cheng felt relieved.

"Your Majesty, you have done enough." To the late emperor and Taizu, their emperor was indeed governing the country seriously, and every decree was extremely good for the people.

"I wonder if there are many beggars in the capital because of the civil unrest." Beggars are also very sad every winter.

A eunuch glanced at the two of them and saw that he seemed to want to say something but hesitated. Shangguan Wanjun looked straight at him.

"You have something to say?"

"Your Majesty, dozens of beggars die every year due to civil unrest in the capital. I heard that a few more died some time ago." He heard this from the eunuchs who had left the palace.

Shangguan Wanjun was shocked: "Ah, who are the dead people?"

The eunuch said, "There are children, women, and old people, but few men."

After hearing what he said, Shangguan Wanjun understood. It was probably the law of the jungle, otherwise why only children, women and the elderly died.

"Well, I still have a shop, and business isn't very good. Tomorrow, send someone to put all the beggars in the shop to live, and have them clean the shop and work to pay for their living expenses. Then tell them that this is my order.

Then go to the quilt shop and buy them some medium-quality quilts and clothes."

Liu Cheng said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Shangguan Wanjun thought of Eunuch Lin. He was also an old man, and she didn't know if he could survive this winter.

"Couple."

"The servant is here."

"Tomorrow, send two carts of firewood and two carts of charcoal to Eunuch Lin's residence. Make sure Eunuch Lin has enough."

Ouhe bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Thinking of something, Shangguan Wanjun gave Liu Cheng another instruction.

"Bring a clerk from the Imperial Hospital with you tomorrow."

What was there for Liu Cheng not to understand? The emperor was concerned about the beggars' health.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Late at night, outside the Ming Mansion, dozens of refugees stopped and sat at the door.

The guards opened the gate the next day and found everyone there stunned.

"What's going on?"

"I don't know."

"We must report this to the Lord and Butler Fang immediately."

Housekeeper Fang had not gotten up yet. She was stunned for a moment when she heard the maid's words. She hurriedly put on her thick cotton coat, opened the door and went out.

At the gate of Ming Mansion, some refugees had frozen to death. When Nanny Fang arrived, she heard constant wailing.

"Dad, wake up."

"Mom, wake up."

"My daughter, please open your eyes and look at your mother."

……

Nanny Fang frowned. It was really unlucky to see someone die at the gate of the mansion so early in the morning.

The servants were all scared to death. There were several corpses in an instant. When they saw Butler Fang coming, they hurried to report.

"Butler Fang, we don't know when they got here. As soon as we opened the door, we saw people everywhere."

Some families were hugging each other for warmth. When they saw the person in charge coming, they looked at Nanny Fang in fear.

At this time, Yan'er and Xinling also rushed over and were stunned by the scene before them.

"Butler Fang, what's going on?" There were also wailing sounds, and I was afraid that the person was dead.

Nanny Fang looked at Yan'er and said, "Hurry up and get some food over. Also get some hot water so everyone can wipe their faces and hands."

Yan'er bowed and said, "Yes, I'll take my leave."

Xinling looked at Nanny Fang and said, "Housekeeper Fang, what can I do?"

"Bring some bedding."

"Yes."

When faced with the food, everyone took it and started to gobble it up, which made the servants of the Ming Mansion feel uncomfortable.

"The hot water is coming."

There was a knock at the Jingzhao Yin's government office. Youfufeng Nian Shanghua was late in handling official business yesterday and stayed at the Jingzhao Yin's office.

While the man was still asleep, the door was suddenly knocked.

"Sir, something happened."

"what's up?"

"Several bodies of refugees appeared at the gate of Ming Mansion."

Youfufeng Nian Shanghua was shocked, "Ming Prefect?"

"Which Mingfu?"

"It is the residence of that Master Minglan."

Youfufengnian Shang Huateng got out of bed, dressed, and quickly opened the door.

"Go and have a look."

Minglan was stunned when she saw this scene at the gate of the mansion.

"What's going on?" How could someone die out of the blue?

Nanny Fang quickly explained, "Sir, the servants opened the gate and found many refugees arriving. I'm afraid some of them have starved to death or frozen to death."

Shangguan Wanjun had already arrived outside the Golden Palace, but she didn't see Minglan coming, so she frowned slightly.

What's wrong with Minglan today?

This has never happened in the past few months.

Liu Cheng and Ouhe were sent out of the palace by her, and only Cheng Gu, Lianhua, Muxiang, Su Yude and others were left by her side.

"Go to court."

Everyone bent their bodies slightly, and Shangguan Wanjun raised her feet and walked towards the Golden Palace.

"Your Majesty, long live the Emperor."

"Everyone loves you."

The court officials were obviously stunned when they did not see Eunuch Liu and Lord Ming. Why were Eunuch Liu and Lord Ming not there?

When the minister was halfway through reporting the matter, Minglan came hurriedly.

"Your Majesty, I am late. Please punish me."

Shangguan Wanjun looked at her deeply: "Why are you late?"

She felt that Minglan was not such a tactless person.

"Something happened in my family."

"Hmm? What happened?"

"When the servants opened the door, they saw dozens of refugees at the gate, some of whom were elderly and children and had not yet breathed."

Upon hearing this, the entire court was shocked, and Shangguan Wanjun was stunned.

"What? Refugees are at your doorstep, and several of them died?"

Minglan bowed, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Taifu Yun asked, "Did Lord Ming report this to the authorities?"

"Yes, someone should have arrived at the mansion by now."

"Minglan, when you entered the palace, did you ask someone to wait outside the palace gate to inform you?"

Minglan nodded heavily: "Yes."

"Who among you has the quickest feet? Send someone to check at the palace gate."

General Xuanwei bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I will go."

"Okay, thank you, General Xuanwei."

Jingzhao Yin's Concubine Lu - Liu Haiming and Concubine Xuan - Song Xuanyi were shocked. Someone died before they even started their shift.

Concubine Lu - Liu Haiming thought for a moment, stepped out of the group and bowed, "Your Majesty, I would like to go and take care of this matter. I will let Lord Song attend the court meeting."

Shangguan Wanjun waved her hand and said, "My dear, please stand still. Jingzhao Yin has many things to do and many cases to deal with. It is impossible for you to personally oversee every one of them. You should also give You Fufeng plenty of opportunities to practice."

Concubine Lu Liu Haiming bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

General Xuanwei brought the servants of the Ming Mansion to the court meeting. The servant was so frightened that his legs went limp when he saw them.

"Um... General, please really... really go in." Ouch, his legs were so weak that he couldn't walk.

General Xuanwei nodded, carrying the servant and walked into the hall.