Quick Transmigration Sweet Story, The White Moonlight Rescue Plan

Xiao Xiao didn't have time to think deeply, because the beginning of spring had already passed, and in a few months it would be time to sow seeds, but the riverbed was still dry, desolate, and lifeless.

Although it had snowed before, even if the snow melted, it couldn't save the land that had been parched for almost half a year.

People in the capital are already going hungry, and in a few days, refugees from the north will arrive in the capital.

The original text states that at first, Zhao Lei, the governor of the capital, remained unmoved and allowed refugees to enter the capital at will. However, he later discovered that the number of refugees was exceeding the capacity of the capital. Therefore, he urgently ordered the soldiers to close the city gates and not allow refugees to enter the capital. Anyone who tried to force their way in would be executed on the spot.

Later, in the suburbs outside the capital, refugees gathered everywhere. When nobles or wealthy merchants passed by, they would initially only rob them of their food, but later they escalated their actions to burning, killing, and looting. In a short time, the suburbs outside the capital became a killing field, with corpses strewn everywhere.

As a result, the strength of the Northern Qi state was weakened, and Nangong Ze led the southern barbarians to invade.

But even a starved camel is bigger than a horse.

The elderly General Jiang personally led his soldiers to fight, and after several major battles, the southern border was quickly defeated.

In addition, the King of Southern Xinjiang fell seriously ill, and the princes fought each other for victory, so he had to retreat to the south of the Luo River. However, he still frequently harassed the border of Northern Qi, making Northern Qi no longer at peace.

It wasn't until the Prime Minister personally went on a mission to the southern border that the power of the third prince, Nangong Cheng, greatly increased, and the fourth prince, Nangong Ze, was too busy to care about the Northern Qi, and things finally settled down.

After suffering this severe blow, the Northern Qi's national strength was greatly diminished.

No matter how Shangguan Jingde governed later, the Northern Qi Dynasty never again saw such prosperity as it does now.

Xue Xiao naturally couldn't stand by and watch his country fall into this predicament.

Thinking of this, Xiaoxiao immediately called Lian'er over.

"Lian'er, how much grain did I ask you to buy last time?" Xiao Xiao asked.

Lian'er thought of how her mistress had started from scratch and made a fortune by running the winery and Jujiu Manor.

I didn't understand why the young lady had used all her money to buy grain before, but now I do.

Now, grain in the city can be bought for one tael of silver per catty, and the grain in Miss's estate is worth at least 500,000 taels!

That's equivalent to several years' worth of the winery's profits!

The young lady can earn that much in just a few months.

Lian'er felt that her young mistress was simply a myth.

Looking at Xiaoxiao with admiration, he said, "A full 500,000 tons, Miss, are you planning to make your move now?"

Many grain merchants are already eyeing Xiaoxiao's batch of grain.

"On the contrary, I have no intention of making a move!"

"Huh?" Lian'er thought for a moment and assumed that Xiao Xiao thought the current grain price could rise further and wanted to wait until the price was high before selling.

"Lian'er, go to the farmland in the suburbs now and find some strong men. Make sure they have three meals a day as their reward."

“Go to the grain depot and take out another 10 tons of grain. Distribute porridge at the South Gate of the capital. Distribute 10 tons every day, one bowl per person, until it is all gone.”

"I'll go and call Aunt Chen to come with you to distribute porridge outside! If anyone asks who's distributing porridge here, just tell the truth!"

Although Lian'er didn't understand Xiao Xiao's intentions, she still obediently went to do the job!

Soon people stopped caring who this newly appointed princess was.

People were more concerned about whether they would have food to eat next, and gradually Liu Shanshan was quickly forgotten, while Xiao Xiao quickly became famous. For a time, everyone called her a great philanthropist and a living bodhisattva!

During this time, Xiao Xiao sent a letter to Shangguan Jingtai.

The letter explained to him the critical situation of the drought and the consequences if it was not taken seriously.

Shangguan Jingtai was also very concerned and submitted a memorial to the court the next day.

Emperor Qixuan was very worried when he heard about this. He ordered his ministers to go back to court that day to find a solution, but to little avail.

Emperor Qixuan flew into a rage during the morning court session today, pointing at the kneeling officials and launching into a tirade of abuse.

Just as everyone was holding their breath, Shangguan Jingde stepped forward and reported, "Your Majesty, I have a plan."

"you say!"

"We can raise money and food donations, mobilize the whole country, and use the donated food to directly help the disaster victims. Everyone who is able should donate materials. If someone does not donate and conceals it, people can report them, and there will be a big reward for the informant!"

The donated money was distributed to local officials, who then implemented relief measures according to the extent of their own disasters. This approach, tailored to local conditions, was the best way to help the victims.

The Emperor has dispatched a personally appointed imperial envoy to supervise the distribution, ensuring that relief supplies are truly delivered to the victims!

Upon hearing Shangguan Jingde's words, the officials present all praised him.

Emperor Qixuan consulted the opinions of the officials present and also thought the method was good. Just as he was about to make a decision, Shangguan Jingtai, who was usually taciturn, suddenly stepped forward and said, "I think this is not advisable!"

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Jingde was furious, feeling that Shangguan Jingtai was targeting him. He stepped forward and argued with him, "Then what does Your Highness think should be done?"

Shangguan Jingtai recalled the plan Xiaoxiao mentioned in her letter. It was fortunate that Xiaoxiao was a woman; if she were a man, she would definitely be an extraordinary fortune teller!

He admires Xiaoxiao even more.

So he slowly and deliberately said, "Your Majesty, I believe there are two reasons:

First: If it's just fundraising without any benefits for the fundraisers, people won't do their best to donate, and those with substantial financial resources certainly won't "give their all." Relying solely on people reporting it won't work.

Second: The Northern Qi is now very powerful, like a tall and majestic tree. A large tree is prone to insect infestation. If we rely solely on local officials to assess the disaster and distribute relief supplies without proper oversight...

Even if the Emperor dispatches a personally appointed imperial envoy to supervise the process, some may succumb to bribery, and officials may protect each other. It's likely that the grain and silver distributed by the state will be subject to layers of exploitation and will not truly reach the disaster victims in need.

Upon hearing this, the officials present felt ashamed, realizing that they had just made a foolish decision.

Emperor Qixuan also became interested: "Do you have any countermeasures?"

Shangguan Jingtai continued, "I believe that the current shortage is of grain. Grain is now more expensive than gold. Someone must be deliberately raising the price of grain. Your Majesty needs to open the granaries immediately and release grain. You should also order the establishment of standards to stabilize the price of grain. Anyone who engages in price gouging will be severely punished!"

The emperor could appoint a special person to register the amount donated by each person, and the emperor could implement corresponding rewards based on the amount donated by each donor.

Any surplus grain and silver raised could be used to replenish the national treasury for unforeseen needs.

The emperor dispatched personally appointed imperial envoys and assigned soldiers to compose eulogies for the donated grain and silver.

After arriving in various places and learning about the situation from local officials, they set up camps in different locations to distribute supplies. Soldiers took turns guarding the camps to ensure the safety of the supplies!

At the same time, the Emperor could secretly send people disguised as disaster victims to investigate whether relief supplies had actually been distributed to the victims, to prevent officials from protecting each other and creating the illusion that the supplies had been distributed, thus deceiving the Emperor!

Emperor Qixuan was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately issued an edict to launch a fundraising campaign.

All those who donate are rewarded.

If someone donates more than 20 tons of grain, the men in their family can directly enter the imperial court as officials.

This is equivalent to buying an official position with grain!

The Northern Qi Dynasty always valued commerce, but merchants were not allowed to become officials. As a result, wealthy merchants were often looked down upon by the nobles. When this policy was implemented, wealthy merchants, upon hearing that they could become officials, actively participated.

His Highness the Crown Prince set an example on the spot and immediately donated 20 tons of grain.

Emperor Qixuan personally appointed Shangguan Jingtai as the chief commander of the disaster relief effort, giving him full responsibility for the relief work. Anyone who disobeyed the order could be executed first and reported later.

Of course, the 20 tons of grain that Shangguan Jingtai gave him was a thank-you gift that Xiaoxiao had prepared for him long ago.

Upon seeing this situation, the officials also began to actively raise funds.

The national treasury quickly became full, even richer than before.

This was a scene Xiaoxiao hadn't expected, but it was perfect!

Besides distributing porridge daily, Xiaoxiao still has 3 tons of grain left, which is more than enough to cover the daily expenses of Jujiu Manor.

Thanks to effective management, the current drought is not as severe as described in the original text.

Xiao Xiao, combined with the reputation she had built up from distributing porridge in the city, received a reward no less than that of Liu Shanshan.

She was given the name Princess Changsheng, a hundred acres of fertile land, and a mansion.

As a result, Shangguan Jingtai won the hearts of the people, and everyone sang his praises. Someone even composed a limerick specifically to praise Shangguan Jingtai.