Chapter 1066: Chapter 902: Selling Sons and Daughters

In this disaster relief effort, without Silver or food, Gu Chengyu could only come up with his own solutions.

To put it bluntly, if it weren’t for Gu Chengyu, Hangtian Prefecture would have been in chaos long ago.

Furthermore, the court has yet to issue any disaster relief Silver Tael, so the daily meals of the disaster victims now rely entirely on Gu Chengyu’s ingenuity to sustain them.

In truth, if carefully considered, Gu Chengyu is a Capital Official, and not a Ministry of Revenue officer, so the economic development in Jiangnan has nothing to do with him.

But who can blame Gu Chengyu for wanting a promotion? These are achievements in governance, after all! So it’s definitely not meddling excessively.

Rubbing his chin, Gu Chengyu pondered that the twenty thousand taels of Silver, after modifying the river embankment, should still leave more than ten thousand taels.

If the court’s disaster relief Silver funds are allocated, the remaining sum would be even larger.

Thinking this way, Gu Chengyu felt that persuading the Emperor to repair the official road had a fairly good chance.

"My lord! A public document from the court has arrived!" Ding Shiliu hurriedly entered the room and reported to Gu Chengyu.

"Oh?" Gu Chengyu’s eyes lit up, it should be news about the disaster relief Silver Tael, at this moment it’s possible those Official Silver funds are already on their way.

"It was delivered by courier from the post station and is currently awaiting in the government office!"

Gu Chengyu strode toward the government office, and upon arrival, found Guo Haoshou already waiting in place.

"Underling greets Mr. Gu, this is Wang Yicheng, who rushed here to deliver the public document."

After imprisoning Li Taixing, Yingnan Mansion was temporarily without a host. Gu Chengyu was too lazy to manage Yingnan Mansion’s affairs, so he appointed Guo Haoshou as acting magistrate.

As soon as the evidence of Li Taixing’s crimes is collected, Gu Chengyu will immediately send a letter to the Emperor. The Emperor will definitely appoint another official to take over the position of Yingnan Prefecture Magistrate.

"Underling greets Mr. Gu!" Wang Yicheng promptly and respectfully saluted.

The Dayan Dynasty post office had urgent relay and transport stations; the urgent relay was used to deliver official documents, relaying day and night, while the transport station conveyed official materials and military necessities.

Of course, grain and weapons urgently needed during wartime couldn’t wait for transport; the court would assign special government officers to escort the materials to the battlefield.

Wang Yicheng retrieved a public document from a pouch on his chest and handed it to Gu Chengyu.

"Take this Mr. Wang down to rest, serve him good food and drink for hospitality, he must be weary from the journey!"

Gu Chengyu smiled at Guo Haoshou as he made arrangements.

Guo Haoshou readily complied, then called a servant to care for the guest.

Since Gu Chengyu caused such a scene last night, Guo Haoshou and other officials have turned into quails before Gu Chengyu.

Who dares to defy Mr. Gu’s will? That Imperial Sword slices iron like mud, not something to take lightly—they certainly don’t consider their necks as hard as iron.

Gu Chengyu returned to the study, quickly opened the public document, and carefully browsed its contents.

Just a moment later, Gu Chengyu felt a headache as big as a bull. Only five thousand taels for disaster relief, and to top it off, someone was sent to deliver it to him.

Is the Emperor displeased that he doesn’t have enough matters to handle? Can’t the Emperor see what happened last time?

Sighing, he placed the document on the desk. Apparently, the Emperor is still somewhat wary of him!

Only giving five thousand taels of Silver, and even sending Lu Chen over, does the Emperor think he would embezzle that meager amount?

Without those five thousand taels, he can still manage the disaster relief smoothly and even create considerable benefits for the court.

The Emperor underestimates him too much; a mere five thousand taels mean nothing to Gu Chengyu.

In this disaster relief effort, he’s donated six thousand taels. All considered, he feels wealthier than the court itself.

Shifting his head, since Lu Chen arrived in Jiangnan, Gu Chengyu’s work wouldn’t be as convenient.

Moreover, considering Lu Chen’s nosiness, would he let go of those beneficial deed opportunities? Gu Chengyu is very troubled by this.

"How is the investigation of Li Taixing’s residence? Are there many pieces of evidence in that steward’s hands?"

The investigation has lasted all night, initially not yielding much evidence. Neither Silver nor letters, nor even ledgers could be found, despite Ding Shiliu and the others’ thorough search that left no stone unturned.

Gu Chengyu doesn’t believe Li Taixing is a clean official—after so many years of governance in Yingnan Mansion, it’s implausible he never engaged in fraudulent activities.

Ultimately, it was Ming Mo who discovered that this person maintained a mistress outside the mansion, residing in an alley not far from the government office. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Gu Chengyu suspects the Silver and evidence might be hidden in the mistress’s home, so he immediately sent people to search there.

"Just now, Ding Shiliu sent someone to report back, saying a substantial amount of Silver was found in the cellar, though the exact quantity hasn’t yet been tallied. Also, other significant findings—when you see them you’ll be shocked."

Ming Mo couldn’t help but reflect on the information narrated by the C Class personage, feeling aflame with enthusiasm.

He felt that as long as their lord ventured anywhere, major corrupt officials could be apprehended—it was incredibly thrilling to follow him.

It’s a pity their lord gets promoted too quickly, wasting each accomplishment one after another.

"Report to the lord! Many disaster victims are selling their children and daughters outside the Prefecture." Suddenly, a C Class guard reported to Gu Chengyu.

Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu frowned, "Let’s go! Accompany me on a trip!"

Even without calamities, some people sell their children and daughters!

So disaster victims selling their children and daughters are not unusual, given there’s no grain to eat, and young ones can’t endure hunger. Without the relief of Silver and grain, they are destined to starve.

As for buyers, it’s generally wealthy families from the city or those brokers.

Some families use the pretense of fearing the children’s starvation to sell their children while they revel luxuriously with Silver.

However, some families truly consider their children, unwilling for them to suffer starvation alongside them.

Outside the city gates, Gu Chengyu was there to help such families. With Silver as of late, he wants to mobilize disaster victims to reroute the river embankment.

As for repairing the official road, Gu Chengyu has to consult the Emperor first. After all, he isn’t the Yingnan Prefecture Magistrate, thus lacks the authority to make such a grand move in Yingnan Mansion.

Gu Chengyu stepped outside the city gate, looking upon the turmoil among the disaster victims. Those little children were treated like livestock, picked and chosen by human traffickers or stewards of wealthy families.

The ragged disaster victims were clinging to their children reluctantly, while others counted Silver gleefully.

"Father, don’t sell me, I am obedient, I eat little, I’m satisfied with just water..."

The man’s eyes reddened as he turned his head away. Without selling his daughter, the entire family would starve. But if she went to a good family, at least she could have enough food and clothing.

At this moment, Gu Chengyu observed life’s multitude of expressions and tasted the bitterness of the human condition.

The cries of children and parents, combined with the rebukes from those stewards and human traffickers, merged into a chaotic scene.

Seeing this scene, Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but feel a sense of compassion, deeply moved.