Chapter 488: Chapter 485: What Should We Do Now?

The sky was dark and heavy, as if harboring an imminent storm.

Shangjing was enveloped in an eerie undercurrent, the fierce wind tearing through the streets and lanes, scattering fallen branches and leaves. The windows rattled from the vibrations.

Someone’s clothes, forgotten outside, were torn away by the wind, flung high into the air, and fiercely snagged on the old locust tree, looking from a distance like a ghost hanging in midair.

Gu Fuju, dressed in official robes with a jade belt lightly fastened at his waist, walked briskly with a deep, serene gaze as he was summoned into the Imperial Palace.

"Grand Tutor, you have finally arrived."

A young eunuch looked around and quickly approached to lead the way upon seeing him.

Gu Fuju kept walking without pause.

The young eunuch spoke at his side, "All the princes are present, as well as the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers. Oh, and Mr. Zhu from the Hanlin Academy."

Gu Fuju lowered his gaze, hiding his emotions.

Zhu Wei, the head of the Hanlin Academy?

Responsible for drafting confidential edicts.

He was Emperor Ying’s man.

Since Yang Changzheng was imprisoned, Zhu Wei became Emperor Ying’s right-hand man.

Although the head of Hanlin Academy had no fixed rank, their writings could determine the life or death of officials.

If it weren’t for absolute trust, Emperor Ying wouldn’t have placed him in the Hanlin Academy.

However, with Yang Changzheng’s incident, the position of Minister is vacant, and all factions are eyeing it, each wanting to promote their own people to fill the spot.

Emperor Ying certainly wouldn’t comply with their wishes.

Just afraid...

Gu Fuju’s eyes flickered.

In the inner hall, the tense atmosphere was on the verge of explosion.

Ying Yin knelt on the ground, "The court’s urgent release of grain is imminent. The people are in turmoil, and especially in the severely affected areas, officials must be dispatched immediately, first for disaster relief, second to reassure and inform the disaster victims that the court will not abandon them to prevent civil unrest."

"The situation is dire. If conditions permit, allow the disaster victims to temporarily enter the official warehouses to avoid flooding."

"Requisition official offices and set up temples as disaster factories for temporary placement."

Ying Zhi also hurriedly expressed.

"The corpses of those who drowned must be buried within three days; in my view, if officials are to be sent, the Imperial Hospital should also dispatch personnel with medicinal materials like Cangzhu and realgar to cook large pots of soup for plague prevention."

To prevent epidemics.

Emperor Ying’s eyes were dark, pacing back and forth.

His anxiety was apparent.

In the end, he stopped in front of Ying Cheng, who was hanging his head in silence.

"Do you have anything to say?"

Ying Cheng was troubled.

"I am foolish."

Emperor Ying harshly rebuked in disappointment, "The people of Yu State’s four cities in Ji and Zhuo provinces are trapped! Do you know how many people will die?"

"I... I don’t know."

"What do you know! You know nothing about flood control and disaster relief! As a royal descendant, you have no sense of responsibility. I raised you by my side, teaching you personally! Yet you show no improvement! When faced with issues, all you know is to cower like an ignorant fool!"

Just looking at him was infuriating.

Not knowing isn’t the problem; by observing more, and participating more, skills can surely be acquired.

But Emperor Ying was frustrated by Ying Cheng’s lack of competition with his brothers!

Since the Crown Prince’s death, none of his sons had won his favor!

Emperor Ying had clearly forgotten that when the Crown Prince was alive, he didn’t care much about him either.

But since the Crown Prince’s death, and with no benefit entanglements, he started reminiscing about the Crown Prince’s merits.

Even as he shouted with all his might, the dizziness couldn’t be avoided, and a black shadow flickered before his eyes. Yet despite this, he didn’t forget to kick Ying Cheng.

His body staggered backward and was supported by the swift-moving Zhu Wei.

Yet even up close, the decay odor on Emperor Ying’s body, which the incense couldn’t conceal, didn’t faze Zhu Wei, who acted as though he hadn’t detected it.

"Holy Emperor, please calm down and take care of your health."

Ying Cheng was kicked, his body tilting, and he fell to the ground, quickly trembling as he reassumed his kneeling position.

With such conduct, not to mention Emperor Ying’s dissatisfaction, even the several Ministers present shook their heads, not taking him seriously.

"Please, Grand Tutor, enter."

The voice of the eunuch came from outside.

Emperor Ying suppressed his anger and, supported by Zhu Wei, sat back down.

Gu Fuju walked swiftly into the hall from outside, the hem of his robe brushing past the kneeling Ying Cheng, and stepped forward to pay his respects.

"Fuju ah."

Emperor Ying’s voice was laden with sorrow, one hand supporting his forehead, unable to hide his deep fatigue.

"Tell me, what can be done?"

He leaned back, silent, and no one knew what he was contemplating.

But Gu Fuju understood, if Emperor Ying truly cared for the people, many wouldn’t have perished in the year of famine.

He was merely putting on a show for the court ministers and the countless citizens.

Asking what?

The Six Ministers are all summoned; don’t you have a clue?

But Gu Fuju understood Emperor Ying’s intentions.

Gu Fuju bowed, "Previously, to prevent floods, many major officials proposed plans, and several included post-disaster resettlement."

"I have also pondered somewhat and contemplated the archival strategies from previous dynasties. The first step should be drafting disaster relief decrees."

Emperor Ying slightly straightened up, seemingly listening intently.

Gu Fuju’s gaze swept across.

"Minister of Revenue."

"This subordinate is present."

"The Ministry of Revenue is responsible for coordinating the allocation of funds and grain, adjusting relief silver and reducing taxes."

The official did not respond.

Although simply stated, implementation was no easy task.

Gu Fuju then turned to Mr. Zhou, Minister of Ministry of Industry.

"The Ministry of Industry is responsible for quick repairs of river embankments, on-site surveys of post-disaster reconstruction, prioritizing flood diversion to minimize losses."

The Minister of Industry happened to be Zhou Yurou’s father, who listened without speaking.

Gu Fuju’s voice continued to resonate.

"The Ministry of War assists in transporting relief supplies, mobilizing personnel to maintain order, preventing riots among the populace. The Ministry of Justice oversees the distribution of disaster relief funds and grain, investigating corruption. Each Governor’s Office opens soup kitchens."

"Reduce taxes, exempt the severely affected areas from taxes for three years, reduce the neighboring areas. Stabilize grain prices, crack down on hoarding."

"..."

He continued word by word.

Inside the hall, no one responded.

Gu Fuju remained unconcerned.

After he finished the last word, he slightly raised his eyes.

"Does anyone have any objections?"

The Six Ministers exchanged looks, and finally, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Yao, stepped forward.

"Grand Tutor, we should indeed spare no effort, but the national treasury... is barren, with disasters erupting. This disaster relief fund might be difficult..."

Emperor Ying stayed motionless, just watching.

Gu Fuju said, "Transfer funds from the six provinces, cut expenditures."

The six provinces were Da Jin’s wealthy regions.

Expenditures included the Imperial Palace and the salaries of all officials.

He spoke calmly, "Yang Changzheng’s imprisonment and the confiscation of the Yang Family’s assets are not a small amount. It shows that corrupt officials are guarding mines of gold."

He willingly served as the blade in Emperor Ying’s hand.

"Since His Majesty’s accession, hasn’t the treasury been empty, shouldn’t the Six Ministries reflect themselves?"

"Not to mention, the Wei Family Army’s pay is entirely borne by Wei Zhao alone. The Ministry of Revenue is supposed to be the aggregator of the nation’s finances. Why is the delivery of provisions and winter clothing for soldiers always delayed? Has the Ministry of War done anything?"

"Yang Changzheng’s case remains untried; do the Ministries of Personnel and Justice have suspicions of bribery and shielding corrupt officials?"

————

"You mean, the Grand Tutor quarreled with the Six Ministries in the Imperial Palace?"

Yu Tingwan was shocked to learn this from Wei Zhao just after waking from a nap.

"It wasn’t exactly a quarrel."

Wei Zhao brewed tea, holding a silver spoon, he scooped finely ground tea powder into porcelain, the tea soup emerging like new snow, white mist swirling: "The old master, with unwavering composure, used just his words to anger those old folks in the Six Ministries to the point of turning red-faced."