Chapter 1045: Chapter 881: Delivered to Yingnan Mansion

Gu Chengyu frowned upon hearing this; Jiangnan is Xia Qing’s ancestral land. The Xia family has been entrenched in Jiangnan for a long time, already becoming the leader of Jiangnan.

Regardless of whether it’s merchants or local officials, they all revere the Xia family. If he wants to implement his plans, he must first take action against the Xia family.

Therefore, he began meticulous planning a few days ago, writing a secret letter to the Emperor, which he reckons should have reached the Capital by now.

Now it depends on whether the Emperor can understand his intentions, and he must find something for Xia Qing to do to keep Xia Qing’s focus off him, preventing his plans from being hindered.

And who knows when the court’s relief Silver Tael will arrive, the victims can’t wait for long. As the imperial envoy, he also feels suffocated without Silver or food. Upon reaching Jiangnan, there’s a mess waiting for him.

Gu Chengyu frowned; the rising rice prices definitely need curbing, but it’s not the right time yet.

He naturally has ways to make those hoarding rice release it obediently.

"Sir, how should these disaster victims be settled? With more victims, conflicts keep arising. They’re fighting over land and food; we’ve prevented several brawls. Many victims, hearing that some can enter the city to work, are dissatisfied and keep causing trouble daily."

Ming Mo is deeply worried, fearing inequity over scarcity. Everyone is in the same situation, so these people naturally have no hope.

But as victims, some can enter the city for work, not only earning wages but also getting two meals. Seeing themselves and their families about to starve, how can they endure?

Gu Chengyu wasn’t surprised hearing this news; he had anticipated such consequences long ago.

Hangtian Prefecture cannot accommodate so many victims, and of course, not all can enter the city to work as river workers.

"Take my seal and find Yang Chaoying, instruct him to register the victims appropriately, temporarily dividing them into two groups, escort one group to Yingnan Mansion."

Gu Chengyu feels the current number is about right, splitting them was inconvenient before; now, sending half to Yingnan Mansion is more feasible.

"But Sir, will the people be willing to leave? Hasn’t Yingnan Mansion refused to accept victims?"

Ming Mo knitted his brows slightly, wondering if his master might be too optimistic?

Gu Chengyu scoffed, "Refuse? Li Taixing doesn’t get to refuse. What qualifications does he have to refuse? Have Ming Yan and three followers from the Ding Generation accompany the victims to ensure their safe arrival at Yingnan Mansion."

Gu Chengyu calculated that traveling from here to Yingnan Mansion would take three to four days for normal people. But since most victims are the elderly, women, and children, lacking a good meal for a long time, the travel time might need to be extended by two more days.

"I’ll rush over before you reach Yingnan Mansion. Li Taixing is exposed with weakness in my hand, combined with the Imperial Sword I hold; dare he refuse?"

Gu Chengyu harbors no goodwill towards this person, having plotted against him with Prince Jing previously. He hasn’t settled accounts with this person yet! Now that he’s in Jiangnan, shouldn’t previous grievances be settled?

"But the victims now are penniless and haven’t had a full meal for several days; can they reach Yingnan Mansion? What will they eat on the way?"

Ming Mo, meticulous in his affairs, isn’t too concerned about escorting them; let’s see some oblivious bandit try to come forward.

Plus, these victims are obviously refugees, with tattered clothes; bandits wouldn’t be interested in them. Without Silver, who would rob?

"Never mind, go invite Prefect Yang over; I have something to discuss with him."

Gu Chengyu contemplated for a moment and felt it necessary to explain face-to-face with Yang Chaoying, as it’s his Hangtian Prefecture after all.

"Oh! Also invite Mr. Hu to come along!"

Soon, Yang Chaoying arrived at Gu Chengyu’s study.

"Mr. Gu! The victims outside the city are gathering more and more; what to do about this?"

Upon entering, Yang Chaoying wiped the sweat from his forehead.

On his way to Gu Chengyu’s study, he encountered Ming Mo. Upon learning Gu Chengyu sought him, he hurried to the study.

"Lord Yang, don’t rush. Please have some tea and catch your breath first. Wait for Mr. Hu to arrive; then we’ll discuss the victims’ matter together."

Hu Maoshen soon arrived, having been sleepless with worry the past two days. Upon entering, he immediately asked the same question as Yang Chaoying.

After exchanging formalities, Gu Chengyu smiled slightly. Knowing these two men were anxious, he decided not to beat around the bush and directly went to the point.

"I plan to divide the victims into two parts, sending some to Yingnan Mansion, since Hangtian Prefecture now has no room."

Hu Maoshen pondered for a while before furrowing his brows and saying, "Traveling to Yingnan Mansion was our plan from before. But it’s a long journey, and so many people can’t hire carriages. How will the victims eat along the way? Furthermore, the government must ensure their safety, should anything go wrong midway, we can’t bear the consequences."

Lots of victims are expected to go to Yingnan Mansion; estimating from those outside, at least seven to eight thousand. With so many people, they can’t afford mishaps along the way.

"I’ll have four followers accompany them, plus several Government Officials from Lord Yang’s house; safety won’t be a concern. As for food, that’s easily solved. All victims escorted to Yingnan Mansion will receive three buns daily until arrival. And once there, food won’t be a worry."

Gu Chengyu considers these matters manageable; the real hurdle is dealing with Li Taixing.

But he already has strategies in place, so he’s not worried.

"Mr. Gu, dare I ask, how do you plan to solve the food problem?"

Yang Chaoying finds Gu Chengyu too casually resolving the issue, yet the core of the matter remains unsolved!

Even Hu Maoshen looked over, intrigued as well.

"Isn’t there a warehouse? Open the granary and retrieve a portion, there shouldn’t be an issue."

Gu Chengyu lifted his tea bowl, contemplating the wasted grain sitting in storage, molded away without being distributed to victims in urgent need—it’s the court being overly rigid.

Even if planning ahead for rainy days, victims shouldn’t starve while grain in the warehouse feeds mice.

Are humans less precious than mice? These mice are all fed well, yet people are emaciated—it’s absurdly laughable.

Yang Chaoying heard this and was stupefied for a long while, then shook his head like a rattle drum.

"No, no! Without the court’s orders, opening the granary is utterly impossible. Otherwise, should the Emperor blame us, both Mr. Gu and I will face dire consequences!"

Yang Chaoying didn’t expect Gu Chengyu to target the granary; it’s sheer madness.

"It’s just for emergency relief; with such short notice, I can’t arrange food. Borrowing from the granary temporarily, in three days I guarantee repayment."