Time Travel: The Useless Prince, First Destroy the Princess

The sides of the path were flooded, but the drainage system of this house must be good and the water did not reach the house.

But Liu Zhao knew that the situation outside must be bad!

Sure enough, when I opened the door, I saw that the alley in front of the door had already turned into a river.

"What should we do? We can't go back!"

Seeing that there was no place to step, Chu Lan was a little panicked.

"It's okay, let's go for a walk!"

Liu Zhao knew that he definitely couldn't go back at this time.

I must find out what the situation is outside. When I go back, if Liu Yan asks me, I can report the truth.

Of course, now I can only tell the truth at best. As for how to send people, that is Liu Yan’s business!

I must not interrupt, otherwise I will arouse Liu Yan's suspicion, which will bring me great trouble even if I am his only son who can inherit the throne!

This is called political stance! Do not overstep your bounds, do not misplace your position!

It was still drizzling outside, and Liu Zhao pulled Chu Lan out of the alley.

In Taiji Hall, Liu Yan heard about the rainstorm disaster as soon as he arrived at the court.

This rainstorm affected not only Hongnong County, but also several counties near Luojing.

The area covered and the severity of the disaster are unprecedented in a century.

"Your Majesty, Henan County was hit by a torrential rain last night, and none of the twelve counties were spared. Many dikes collapsed, causing devastating floods. Fields were submerged, houses overturned, and people and livestock were displaced. I humbly hope Your Majesty will issue an imperial decree quickly to save the people!"

Chen Xie, the chief of the Dushui Station and the Dushui envoy, reported the situation briefly.

The data is relatively detailed. A landslide in a certain place washed away several villages.

The county seat of a certain county was flooded and many people were drowned.

The crops in a certain place were washed away by floods and the losses are difficult to estimate.

Chen Xie held a thick booklet and reported one by one.

It seems that Chen Xie is doing a very good job in the position of Du Shui Envoy.

It only took a few hours from the rainstorm to the work report.

Liu Yan frowned, and after listening to the report, he said, "Xu Zhi, this matter is of great importance. Tell me! What are you going to do?"

Liu Yan never made decisions on his own. He would first raise the issue, let his ministers discuss it, and then he would make the final decision.

The advantage of this is that it forces the ministers to figure out what you mean.

Easy to control the situation!

Xu Zhi was the highest administrative officer of Sizhou, and the areas affected by the disaster were all within the jurisdiction of Sizhou.

So Liu Yan asked for his opinion first!

Xu Zhi quietly stepped out, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, this torrential rain has affected all twelve counties in Henan County, one of the administrative areas of Sizhou. Every county has been affected, and the losses are incalculable. I believe this matter is beyond the Sizhou's control and should be decided by the court!"

Liu Yan nodded, what Xu Zhi said made sense.

The affected area is so large that it is indeed difficult to handle it relying solely on the officials and finances of the prefecture.

"Duke Qi, what do you think?"

Although Ma Yu was executed and his brother-in-law was demoted, he still had a son.

He knew that if he wanted to survive, he had to be loyal and find a good future for his son.

Liu Yan wanted to use him, so he didn't dare to have any second thoughts.

But I dare not refuse!

"I think what Lord Xu said makes sense!"

Sima Bei's tone was very gentle.

"My Lords, what do you think? Will the imperial court provide unified disaster relief for the flood in Henan County?"

"We all thought that the imperial court would be responsible for all disaster relief efforts!"

The ministers answered in unison.

"Well, the victims are suffering. I am deeply concerned. The court will do everything in its power to help them recover their homes as soon as possible!"

"Your Majesty!"

Of course, there was a chorus of praise from the audience.

"Duke Qi, please first tell me about disaster relief. How should we handle it?"

Liu Yan looked at Sima Bei again.

Sima Bei understood what he meant. This was an opportunity for him to show his loyalty!

"Your Majesty, I believe that your benevolent heart will surely save the people from dire straits! This is truly a blessing for all mankind!"

First of all, of course, I have to praise it.

Everyone's eyes were on Sima Bei.

The emperor has killed your daughter and forced your son-in-law away, yet you are still so devoted and loyal!

Is this patience?

Still scared?

There are people I admire!

There are also many people who despise it!

Everyone knows it, but no one says it out loud!

But many people know in their hearts that Sima Bei is no longer a trustworthy person in the emperor's mind!

The reason why the emperor allowed him to continue attending court was to let his ministers know that the emperor was clear about rewards and punishments, but the bottom line could not be touched.

Sima Bei himself certainly knew this, but for the sake of his son and himself, he still had to give it a try.

"Therefore, I boldly propose the following: First, quickly release the national treasury to provide relief to the victims of the disaster, so that they no longer fear hunger and cold; second, mobilize craftsmen to repair the dikes and embankments to prevent future disasters; third, reduce or exempt taxes in the disaster-stricken areas to alleviate the people's suffering; fourth, open the granaries to release grain, stabilize prices, and reassure the people."

Sima Bei finished speaking, bowed and left.

Don't care at all what others think.

There is only one boss in this place, and that is the emperor.

Liu Yan nodded. "Sima Qing has given it thorough consideration. I deeply agree with you. Who do you think is capable of taking on this important task?"

"I believe that the Minister of the Central Secretariat Song Xian is capable of taking on this important task!"

Sima Bei is very smart. It is Liu Yan's final say on who to use.

At this time, you cannot only use people with whom you have good relationships, and you cannot use people with whom you have bad relationships.

Song Xian has been working in the local area for a long time, is familiar with the local area, and is very capable. Now he is the Minister of the Central Secretariat and is always by the emperor's side.

When my son enters the government, he will inevitably have to ask for help from others.

Moreover, Song Xian is obviously not from the queen's line or the royal family. In terms of relationship, he is closer to himself.

Liu Yan nodded and asked his father-in-law Liu Jun, "Liu Qing, what do you think?"

Liu Jun stepped forward, bowed, and said, "I think Chang Shi Zhang is not suitable!"

"Oh?"

Liu Yan was a little surprised. Song Xian was not Sima Bei's man, and Liu Jun didn't agree?

"I believe that natural disasters are minor matters, far less serious than matters at court. Attendant Zhang should serve Your Majesty, always paying attention to state affairs and conveying His Majesty's will. Disaster relief is a minor matter; the key lies in how to employ people, ensuring that the victims benefit and that the people are grateful for Your Majesty's kindness. Therefore, disaster relief can be handled by someone else!"

"Then who do you think is suitable?" Liu Yan asked with a smile.

What Liu Jun said makes sense.

Song Xian is the most trustworthy person around him, and he should indeed stay by his side to offer advice.

Disaster relief is a big deal, but will anyone take advantage of the disaster to cause trouble?

Whether the ethnic minorities in the border areas will take the opportunity to cause chaos or whether there will be a civil uprising are all things that need to be paid special attention to!

"I believe that the Minister of Personnel Shan Hai can take on this important task!"

The people Liu Jun selected were similar to those Sima Bei selected, and they were also very capable.

His position is similar to Song Xian's. He is neither a member of Sima Bei, nor a member of the royal family, nor a member of the later lineage.

It’s just that my stance is usually more inclined towards the latter!

Liu Yan was very clear in his mind. On the surface, this seemed to be all for the public good, but in fact, both sides had their own calculations.

Sima Bei wanted to win over Song Xian, most likely wanting to use him because when his son becomes an official in the future, Song Xian would be his direct superior.

Since Liu Jun's daughter had not been in the palace for long, he had few of his own people in the court. Shanhai was the Minister of Rites, so winning over Shanhai would make it easier to cultivate his own people in the future.

But on the surface, everyone speaks in a high-sounding manner.

And it seems to be true!

In fact, there is some truth to it.