Chapter 993: Chapter 829: Tender-Faced, Black-Hearted

After pondering for a long time, Hu Maoshen finally said, "Changtian Prefecture has been flooded, submerging more than a dozen villages, but some villages on higher ground remain unaffected. We must rush to Changtian Prefecture to pacify those surviving citizens, or there might be chaos."

Min Feng agreed upon hearing this. No wonder the teacher said that Hu Maoshen was very capable and advised him to always heed Mr. Hu’s advice.

At this moment, Min Feng realized that in the political arena, to grow rapidly, one must go through experiences.

How could one encounter such major governmental affairs by simply staying in the Hanlin Academy compiling books and histories?

However, just as they arrived in Jiangnan, they heard about the embankment failure in Changtian Prefecture again. It’s just so unfortunate, and it is uncertain if the Emperor will hold them accountable then.

"As the River Patrol Imperial Censor, you must inspect the river embankments in each state. This time, officials from the Ministry of Industry will accompany you. Whatever you don’t understand, just ask them. We are currently in Yingnan Prefecture, and I will introduce you to the Yingnan Prefecture Magistrate Li Taixing, who will arrange the matters for your patrol."

Although Min Feng was young and somewhat reckless, he was a disciple of Grand Secretary Xia Qing. Even if one doesn’t consider the monk’s face, one should respect the Buddha’s face; Hu Maoshen’s arrangements were already quite considerate.

"Mr. Hu! Aren’t you coming with me?" Min Feng’s face couldn’t help but show panic; before he came, his teacher had said to follow Hu Maoshen’s orders in everything.

But now, from Hu Maoshen’s words, it seemed that he intended to act separately from him.

"Your primary duty is to inspect the river embankments and ensure that no further collapses occur in other prefectures. As an imperial envoy, I cannot accompany you; I still have many tasks to complete."

Hu Maoshen’s brows furrowed. Not only must he now head off to comfort the disaster victims, but he must immediately locate the Changtian Prefecture Magistrate Qian Hui Chun.

Earlier, when he sent people to investigate the news, no one knew whether Qian Hui Chun was currently dead or alive.

No matter how incompetent the other party is, they must first verify the number of victims to report the relief silver taels and grain to the court.

The Changtian Prefecture government office has already been flooded, and the household archives are likely gone. Currently, Qian Hui Chun is the one most familiar with Changtian Prefecture.

Moreover, this matter is of great importance; Qian Hui Chun cannot die now. They must locate him and then await the Emperor’s decision.

Furthermore, after a flood, not everyone perishes. The placement of those disaster victims is a problem.

Throughout history, post-flood epidemics have been rampant. It has been raining these last few days, and the weather is not very hot.

If it gets hotter, people might fall ill; this is an ancient lesson that Hu Maoshen cannot afford to ignore!

Min Feng was somewhat flustered, but he also knew that Hu Maoshen had significant responsibilities and could not accompany him to inspect the embankments.

"Please be careful, sir. I will do everything possible to fulfill this duty and not let down the Emperor and your expectations," Min Feng said, taking a deep breath to steel himself.

Hu Maoshen nodded; although Min Feng couldn’t compare to Gu Chengyu’s appearance of being tender but cunning and sagacious, he showed some courage.

"After inspecting the Yingnan Prefecture, take the officials from the Ministry of Industry and immediately head to Changtian Prefecture. Investigate whether the untouched river embankments in Changtian Prefecture have issues. When you return to the capital, the Emperor will surely inquire."

Knowing that Min Feng lacked experience, Hu Maoshen feared that he might not handle the task well, dragging him into it, so he gave some advice.

"Then should we just let the Changtian Prefecture embankments be? What if they collapse again?"

Min Feng thought of the villages in Changtian Prefecture that hadn’t been submerged; if collapse happened again, would the remaining citizens not be doomed to die in the river waters?

"What else can we do but let it be? With so many already collapsed, even incrementing manpower to rebuild is unfeasible. I will quickly arrange for the remaining citizens to evacuate; there’s no time for anything else!"

Hu Maoshen thought, there are too many things to do. Glancing outside, he found it was already late afternoon.

They’ve been traveling day and night for days; even an iron body couldn’t bear this. Yet, he was particularly anxious, fearing something irreversible might occur.

When they were still on the road, the embankment failure in Changtian Prefecture, the deaths and injuries of citizens, had nothing to do with them.

But since they’ve now arrived in Yingnan Prefecture, logically, they should rush to Changtian Prefecture to take charge as soon as possible.

Thinking like this, he couldn’t sit still. Hence, he stood up and said, "I will immediately head to Changtian Prefecture. I should still make it before night falls."

"Sir, you just mentioned introducing me to the Yingnan Prefecture Magistrate..." Min Feng said eagerly.

Feeling a trace of impatience, Hu Maoshen knew that as an Imperial Censor, Min Feng naturally carried an Imperial Censor Token with him.

With the Token shown, would Li Taixing dare to oppose?

"Very well! I studied with Li Taixing back in the day; I will write a letter for you now. He will likely arrange things for you considering our connection."

Hu Maoshen sighed; were Gu Chengyu here, this wouldn’t have been so troublesome. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

But the Emperor assigned this greenhorn Min Feng to handle the matter, forcing him to make decisions and even lay the groundwork for him. Isn’t this adding chaos?

Who knows if Min Feng can handle the inspection of the river embankments satisfactorily? Can Min Feng contend with those local officials?

Hu Maoshen shook his head, feeling that Min Feng was somewhat unreliable.

But then he thought of a follower beside Min Feng, a talented adviser from Xia Qing’s mansion, as it’s said.

Since Xia Qing had already made arrangements for Min Feng, he decided to wash his hands off the matter.

"Miss! Our lord has been promoted!" Qing Dai’s joyful voice approached from afar, causing Yao Mengxian, who was embroidering, to frown.

"Qing Dai, Miss is still unmarried. Where does the ’lord’ come from? They are only betrothed, how can you call him lord?"

Lianxin, holding a jeweled coral bat hairpin, nearly dropped it upon Qing Dai’s loud callout.

She patted her chest to steady herself.

The hairpin was a New Year’s gift from Mr. Gu last year. Though the miss said she didn’t care, she treasured it in her heart!

If it broke, wouldn’t the miss be heartbroken to death?

Qing Dai was becoming increasingly audacious. Even though Mr. Gu and the miss were betrothed, it couldn’t be too forward.

If the people in the mansion heard that, wouldn’t they ridicule the miss as desperate and shameless?

Lianxin, having only heard Qing Dai call him lord, quickly reprimanded her, not catching what Qing Dai said after.

Qing Dai was somewhat discontent with Lianxin’s reprimand; without her ability to gather news in this mansion, how would the miss know many things?

Yao Mengxian was focused on the promotion of Gu Chengyu. She asked seriously, "What happened?"

Seeing the miss inquire, a smile couldn’t help but appear on Qing Dai’s face again.

"Today, in court, the Emperor summoned Mr. Gu for an audience. Now all the officials know, Mr. Gu has been promoted three ranks, becoming the Right Minister of the Ministry of Justice."

Qing Dai’s voice was as lively as a magpie, chirping busily and cheerfully.