Chapter 1033: Chapter 669: You Can’t Have Both Fish and Bear’s Paw

Gu Chengyu’s capable people were few. As his rank rose, some things would no longer be suitable for Ming Mo and the others to handle.

Choosing this person was actually an act of helplessness. The number of people in the government office was limited, and he had brought even fewer with him.

Gathering disaster victims to repair the river works would waste a lot of manpower. Choosing this person was partly to avoid wasting the manpower of the government office and partly because he valued this person’s talent, giving him an opportunity.

Xue Miao was stunned upon hearing this, he looked up at Gu Chengyu in astonishment.

Who would have thought that Lord Imperial Envoy called him over to entrust him with such an important matter.

"This? I’m afraid I’m not up to the task! Such a major matter should be entrusted to another person. I’m just a commoner, it’s hard for me to undertake such a great responsibility!"

Upon hearing this news unexpectedly, his heart was undeniably excited. He had been idling in River Village for so many years, and had no place to wield his abilities.

Gradually, he had accustomed himself to this leisurely pastoral life, not expecting to receive such an important task today.

If he could handle this matter well, it was possible that Lord Imperial Envoy might keep him by his side.

However, he soon thought that it was still inappropriate for him to show his face, so he could only regretfully refuse.

"I’m not asking you to be fully responsible for this matter. Each village’s chief will select the strong laborers, and you will be responsible for reviewing them to see if they are acting selfishly. Finally, this officer will appoint an official to fully handle this matter, you just need to carry out your part. As for the number of river workers, let’s tentatively set it at around four thousand people."

Gu Chengyu finished speaking and didn’t wait for Xue Miao to refuse, he rode away swiftly and disappeared in a blink.

When Xue Miao looked up, Gu Chengyu’s figure was already gone.

He frowned and contemplated for a moment, understanding Lord Imperial Envoy’s intention. It was simply to have him conduct an initial review, with the final decision still in the hands of the lord.

Gu Chengyu rode a distance and saw Ming Yan catching up from behind, he immediately instructed: "Go investigate this person’s background, and then send someone from the Ding Generation to assist him."

It’s impossible for disaster victims to trust Xue Miao just on empty words. Someone must be sent to keep watch and show some stance.

As for investigating Xue Miao, Gu Chengyu always felt that this person had many secrets.

"Yes!" Ming Yan turned his horse and galloped away.

Gu Chengyu hurriedly arrived at the government office with members of the Ding Generation because Hu Maoshen and the others had already left, so Yang Chaoying was already waiting at the gate of the government office.

Gu Chengyu glanced and found that only Duan Zhijie and Yang Chaoying were present, Min Feng and the others had not appeared yet.

His face sunk, even though Min Feng might not know that he came to Jiangnan as an imperial envoy, Hu Maoshen came here with Min Feng, yet Min Feng also dared not to come out and greet him?

Moreover, other officials from the Ministry of Industry also hadn’t appeared, which was quite unreasonable.

Yang Chaoying and the others had returned to the government office, logically, Min Feng and the others should have received the news.

"I heard that officials from the Ministry of Industry and the River Patrol Imperial Censor appointed by the Emperor have arrived at Hangtian Prefecture, why don’t we see them anywhere?"

Gu Chengyu dismounted, his expression remained amiable, but Yang Chaoying still caught the chilling undertone in his words.

Truthfully, he also resented Min Feng and others’ act of fleeing the scene.

At that time, his own peripheral vision had indeed swept over Min Feng and the others following up, but when the disaster victims rioted, in the blink of an eye, Min Feng and the others disappeared without a trace.

It’s conceivable that these people saw the imposing manner in which the disaster victims approached and didn’t even dare to reprimand them, instantly fleeing without a trace.

And until now, they still hadn’t appeared, showing they were scared out of their wits.

So, where was Min Feng at this moment? Actually, he was also quite anxious, the Ministry of Industry’s Duan Zhijie had gone out for quite a while and still hadn’t returned, meaning the situation was largely unfavorable.

He and several officials from the Ministry of Industry had already packed their belongings, preparing to find a place to hide.

But if even the government office was not safe, what place in the entire Prefecture would be safe?

Actually, they had already packed everything, but none dared to leave the government office.

They all gathered in an unused guest room, bolted the door tightly, not daring to step outside.

"Cough! Shouldn’t we go have a look? Do those disaster victims really have such audacity, to dare to kidnap Lord Yang? Are they not afraid of the court’s wrath? Moreover, there are so many Government Officials here, and their skills are not weak, it’s unreasonable that they can’t defeat these disaster victims!"

The speaker was Ministry of Industry Mr. Rui Shijie, and he had already calmed down by this time.

"Mr. Rui’s words are reasonable, but just trying to fight like this, those disaster victims are surely no match for the Government Officials. However, Lord Yang is still in their hands, they threaten with Lord Yang’s life, causing the Government Officials to be tied up and unable to act harshly against the disaster victims!"

A Chief from the Ministry of Industry chimed in, there were only five people in this room, with three Chiefs from the Ministry of Industry.

They were dispatched to patrol the river embankment simply because they were not valued in the government office.

They were different from Min Feng, who came here to earn merit and prepare for promotion.

It’s always good to have strong backing, that’s a timeless truth in the officialdom.

With Chief Minister Xia aiding with planning, Min Feng had no worries about his prospects?

They originally intended to take advantage of this opportunity to curry favor with Min Feng.

During the first few days in Yingnan Mansion, they did enjoy some benefits, following Min Feng to feast in Yingnan Mansion and even received some perks.

They were quite satisfied, believing it was a wise decision to latch onto Min Feng.

Who would have thought that the good days wouldn’t last a few days, and they would almost pay with their lives.

"If only we knew this earlier, we should have gone to Hangtian Prefecture sooner, otherwise we would have now reached other Prefectures. Who would have thought to encounter the disaster victims’ rebellion, what was Lord Yang thinking, failing to properly settle these disaster victims, and this time he’s hurt himself too!"

Min Feng remained silent, he glanced at the faces of those seated and sneered inwardly.

These people were like leeches sticking when there were benefits to be gained.

Now with trouble in Hangtian Prefecture, all they expressed in their words was blaming him for taking too long in Yingnan Mansion.

As if they hadn’t indulged with those women, or seen those Silver.

After the earlier panic, Min Feng’s heart had calmed down.

There’s no place to run to, the Prefecture is only so big, there are so many disaster victims, searching for them would still be relatively easy.

So now, there is only one way, to act fiercely to intimidate those disaster victims.

However, Yang Chaoying is still in their hands, if ordering the archers to shoot arrows, Yang Chaoying’s life would be in grave danger!

Yet, my teacher said that sometimes one cannot have both fish and bear’s paw! This comes down to one’s choice.

But would the people choose fish? He believed most would choose bear’s paw, wouldn’t they? How precious is bear’s paw? Sell it, and how much fish can be obtained?