Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

How swift was the Chu state's action after the empress came to power?

In just ten days, three million shi of relief grain were distributed from the Jinling granary and escorted by the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War.

Another half month later, the disaster relief grain was successfully transported to the border of Wu, a full eight days ahead of schedule.

After the handover was completed, the Chu officials didn't say much, just gave a few polite instructions, and then headed back home.

Meanwhile, news of the Chu state sending disaster relief grain spread rapidly throughout the Wu state through the secret operations of the Jingwei Bureau.

Upon hearing the news, hope finally returned to the eyes of the disaster-stricken people.

However, given the corruption within the Wu court, could they really get their hands on this grain?

Inside the Sanqing Hall, Wu Ji still sat upright on the altar, his posture as if he had "cultivated a crane-like physique."

Below, Xu Qian and Zhu Neng are ready to be deployed at any time.

"Has the disaster relief grain from Chu arrived?"

Wu Ji asked casually, and Xu Qian immediately replied.

"Your Majesty, news came from the border the day before yesterday that the three million shi of relief grain from Chu has been successfully delivered."

Wu Ji smirked: "Look at the State of Chu, they can still spare so much grain for disaster relief."

Why can't you all learn from others and come to me every day to complain about being poor?

Just as Xu Qian and Zhu Neng were about to chime in, Wu Ji abruptly changed the subject.

"Tell me, how do you plan to distribute this batch of grain?"

The grain and fodder were clearly meant to provide relief to disaster victims, yet now they're talking about "distribution"—this is coming from the mouth of a monarch, which makes it all the more abstract.

Xu Qian replied in a low voice, "This time, the Chu Kingdom has provided a disaster relief grain of three million shi (a unit of dry measure). After careful calculation by this old minister..."

"If just one million bushels of grain were taken out, it would be enough to sustain the 600,000 most severely affected disaster victims until the following spring for planting."

Wu Ji remained silent and listened to him continue.

"The remaining 300,000 shi can be allocated to Hu Ruzhen to train a new army, and at the same time, it can also appease the soldiers and civilians in the three towns who are in turmoil."

"If another 200,000 shi (a unit of dry measure) are released into the rice market, the price of grain can be stabilized, so that people can eat rice at low prices and not have to worry about making a living."

As Xu Qian slowly explained, Wu Ji's expression gradually turned ugly.

He quickly realized that half of the three million shi of grain had just disappeared.

Xu Qian added, "The salaries of officials in various regions have been in arrears for many years. We will release another 500,000 shi (a unit of dry measure) to allow government offices to operate normally."

Wu Ji suddenly spoke up: "What, are the local government officials going to use this disaster relief grain to pay their salaries? Without this disaster relief grain, they can't operate normally?"

Xu Qian lowered his head and remained silent. In fact, more than 80% of the local government offices in the Great Wu region had long lost their effectiveness, and it was even possible to not find a single county government office for hundreds of miles.

However, Xu Qian would never dare to mention these things in front of Wu Ji, even if this sage might already know the situation.

"Hmph, a bunch of useless things. They're supposed to be subjects of the Great Wu, yet they can't even handle such a small matter. How can we expect them to contribute to the country?"

"If they had taken precautions at the beginning of the flood, they wouldn't be in this predicament. They have failed me, failed the emperor's grace, and failed the country!"

Seeing Wu Ji's anger, Xu Qian could only lower his head and say, "Yes, the Sage's reprimand is correct. These people have failed the Sage's grace."

Wu Ji waved his hand and said, "No need for further explanation. Just answer me directly: after disregarding all this messy data transfer and allocation, how much data can be stored for future use?"

Xu Qian hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, there are still 500,000 shi of grain that can be stored in the granary!"

"Five hundred thousand? Ha!"

Wu Ji opened his eyes wide and let out a cold laugh.

"Of the three million bushels of grain, only five hundred thousand were left for me?"

After he finished speaking, his eyes gradually turned cold.

Xu Qian hurriedly replied, "If His Majesty is dissatisfied, this old minister will reconsider later."

"No need to discuss it further."

Wu Ji stood up and stepped down from the altar.

"After much deliberation, we realize we can't save much rice. Let's take it all – for disaster relief, for military supplies, and for salaries."

In short, there's no need to worry about me. I am a celestial being, so going hungry for a few meals is no big deal. As long as you are satisfied, I will be satisfied too!

After all, the people's will is paramount. I must carefully appease them; I'd rather suffer myself than offend them!

Upon hearing this, Xu Qian and Zhu Neng immediately knelt on the ground.

Clearly, both of them could tell that Wu Ji was extremely dissatisfied with the way the grain was being distributed.

She even started to throw a tantrum.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I have just calculated carefully and found that we can still divert one million shi of grain into the granary."

Upon hearing this, Wu Ji's expression improved slightly.

He raised his hand, signaling the two to stand up, and then sat back down on the altar.

"Leave me a million, so that the world won't laugh at me for competing with the people for profit?"

Xu Qian: "The sage is overthinking it. All the people under heaven are concerned about the sage, so how could they ridicule the sage?"

Wu Ji flicked his Taoist robe and said, "Remember, the people and the nation are of utmost importance. Only when the people are well can I concentrate on cultivating the Tao. Remember, you must not embezzle the disaster relief grain given to the people."

"The Emperor's compassion for the people and his concern for their well-being truly move this old minister."

As Xu Qian spoke, a few tears fell from his eyes.

A barely perceptible smile flickered across Wu Ji's lips as he closed his eyes again.

"Zhu Neng, how is the construction of the Ziwei Palace progressing?"

Zhu Neng immediately replied, "Your Majesty, please rest assured that the Ziwei Palace will be completed on schedule in two more months."

"Yes, all of you may leave. I wish to discuss the Dao with the Three Pure Ones."

"I'm waiting to retire."

Xu Qian and Zhu Neng quietly left the Sanqing Hall.

……

In front of Yuezhou City, in the Kingdom of Wu.

Large numbers of refugees crowded in front of the tightly closed city gates, and faced with the fully armed Wu soldiers, they all raised their voices and questioned them sharply.

"Why won't they let us into the city!"

"We are disaster victims from Haizhou. Please have mercy and let us in, Your Excellency."

The long line of refugees numbered in the tens of thousands, all of them emaciated from hunger, and upon closer inspection, not a single healthy face could be found.

At this moment, a county magistrate, holding a purple clay teapot, stood on the city wall and shouted loudly at them from a high vantage point.

"How dare you unruly commoners trespass into Yuezhou Prefecture? Don't you all value your lives?!"

Upon hearing this, a refugee immediately stepped forward and said, "Sir, I am the village head of Xiahe Village in Haizhou."

These are all people from Haizhou who suffered from the disaster. They heard that relief grain was being distributed in Yuezhou City.

"We've rushed here just now, please, sir, spare our lives!"

The county magistrate smacked his lips, took a sip of tea, and said coldly, "Recently, many petty criminals and bandits have been posing as disaster victims and entering the city."

As the county magistrate of this city, I have no choice but to take precautions. Furthermore, Yuezhou city will not accept disaster victims; you should go elsewhere!

Upon hearing this, the village headman became anxious and hurriedly pulled out a document: "Sir, this is a document from Haizhou City County, which clearly states that one can seek refuge in Yuezhou City."

The county magistrate laughed: "That's right, Yuezhou City did receive the official document to accept disaster victims. The problem is, how can you prove that these people are all disaster victims? What if they are bandits?"

The village head was dumbfounded. He turned around and looked at the devastated refugees, saying, "Sir, is there any need to look? Bandits don't live like this."

"Do you think bandits would wear their identities on their sleeves? In any case, without proof of being a disaster victim, no one is allowed to set foot in Yuezhou City!"

The village headman said in a trembling voice, "Disaster victims, do they need proof?"

County Magistrate: "That's for sure. Nowadays, there are countless troublemakers pretending to be disaster victims. In order to prevent the disaster relief grain from falling into the hands of these troublemakers, you must provide proof that you are a disaster victim."

"How do I obtain the certificate?"

County Magistrate: "If you continue north for another hundred or two hundred li, you will reach the territory of Yangzhou Prefecture."

That's where they issue your disaster relief certificates. Just return with your disaster relief certificates, and I will allow you into the city."

Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in an uproar.

They never imagined that one day, when fleeing famine, they would have to show their status as disaster victims.

Seeing that they could not enter the city, the village head could only encourage everyone to persevere and continue their journey towards Yangzhou Prefecture.