Chapter 70: Fight to the bottom
Hearing this, Mr. An sighed deeply, but did not continue on this topic, and instead became concerned about the situation in Yushu Village.
That day Shen Qi and Shan Dajun came back and reported to him the casualties in Yushu Village, which really surprised him.
Now he wanted to hear what Lu Chengjing and Shang Wanhui had to say.
Shang Wan was impatient to talk so much, so he let Lu Chengjing do all the talking.
Lu Chengjing's narrative was appropriately detailed, highlighting what should be highlighted and concealing what should be concealed, and he took advantage of the situation to bring the topic to disaster relief food.
When Mr. An heard this, he frowned and said in a deep voice: "In recent years, there have been constant frictions at the border between our country and Xia Kingdom, and domestic disasters have occurred frequently, resulting in an empty national treasury. Only Qingyang Mansion was affected by the disaster this time, and many people in the DPRK and China were affected. I thought the disaster was not serious, and the Ministry of Household Affairs only allocated 10,000 taels of relief funds, and this was sent along the way..."
Before he finished speaking, he picked up the tea cup and gently moved it with the tea lid.
Lu Chengjing's eyes darkened slightly.
Ten thousand taels of disaster relief money were sent from the capital. After layers of exploitation, how much was left in Dongning County?
His expression changed, and his brows became a little more anxious.
"Sir, the houses in the village have been seriously damaged. The food in many people's homes has been soaked by the rain, and the grain seeds have also been damaged. The wheat seedlings in the fields have been damaged a lot, which will inevitably affect this summer's harvest."
"Spring started early this year, and most people have already planted millet. If the ground is shaken, I don't know if it will be affected. It will be April soon, and millet will be sown, and a good harvest will not be until autumn. If there is no food to eat How can the villagers have the energy to work in the fields if they don’t have enough food?”
"This is the case in Yushu Village. The situation in Liushu Village will only get worse. The situation in other disaster-stricken villages and counties is not far behind. There are still three months until the summer harvest. Without the disaster relief food from the court, we may not be able to survive until then."
Millet is millet, and millet is yellow rice. The rice that people in the village usually eat is stewed with home-grown yellow rice. If you are willing to spend money, you can also go to the rice shop to buy some rice from the south and mix it with the rice.
What Lu Chengjing said was learned from Father Wu and others. Although these words were meant to show off in front of Mr. An, they were also the true situation in the village.
He looked worried, and Mr. An's expression became more and more serious.
Shang Wan secretly clicked his tongue, these two pretending to be confused and pretending to understand, are they competing here for their acting skills?
Master An held the tea cup and looked at Lu Chengjing, "You know a lot about farming in the countryside."
"Most of them I heard from the elders in the village." Lu Chengjing heard the overtones of the words and said truthfully, "I also read some miscellaneous books on agriculture in my spare time, so I know a little bit about it."
Mr. An nodded, seemed to ask casually, and continued to talk about the food relief.
"No need to worry too much. I have sent people to Ping'an Prefecture and Yan'an Prefecture to borrow grain, and also asked the gentry in the prefecture and county to raise food funds. The results will be available in the next two days, which should be enough to deal with the disaster."
His words undoubtedly gave Lu Chengjing reassurance.
With him here, even if the court's disaster relief food funds cannot be released, the food funds he raises can be delivered to the villages and counties in time.
"Being under your rule is a blessing to the people." Lu Chengjing looked grateful. "When I was still at home, my father always taught my three brothers to do more good deeds. My father also set an example and opened porridge every time there was a disaster. Sheds to help victims.”
"After years of accumulation, the family has a small amount of food. Now that there is a major disaster, my father must be very anxious and wants to contribute his small amount to the people affected by the disaster. If you want to raise food funds, you might as well consider the Lu family."
Mr. An's eyes twitched and he looked at Lu Chengjing secretly. This was the first time he had seen someone cheating on his own father like this.
However, thinking that Lu Chengjing had been expelled from the Lu family and was framed by the shopkeeper of the Lu family's rice shop, it made sense for him to feel angry and take the opportunity to trick the Lu family.
Mr. An coughed twice and said in a deep voice: "I have written it down. It will never be cold because of my father's kindness in helping the poor."
Lu Chengjing smiled, "Four years ago, there was a flood. My father led the squires to raise a large amount of food, which was highly praised by the former county magistrate. If you are relieved, you might as well leave this matter to my father. My father will definitely be able to take care of your worries."
Mr. An: Is this a son cheating on his father, right to the end?
After he was promoted to Qingyang Mansion, he checked the account books and records of previous years. Being in officialdom, I am naturally aware of some of the tricks.
Now that Lu Chengjing specifically mentioned the flood disaster four years ago, his thoughts suddenly changed. The sadness in his heart dissipated a little, and he praised Lu Chengjing for his filial piety.
Shang Wan was teasing Yuanyuan while listening to the two chatting, and was so bored that he wanted to yawn.
Gradually, the topic between the two finally came to Tian Sheng, who committed suicide by taking poison.
"I checked all the suspicious people and found out a servant who was responsible for serving food." Mr. An said, "The servant took Mrs. Tian's money and helped her pass a message to Tian Sheng that night."
Shang Wan finally heard something interesting and asked, "What are you talking about?"
"The general idea is that my son has a high fever."
Shang Wan: "That's it?"
Mr. An nodded, "The officer thought it was not a big deal to get two taels of silver just by passing the message, so he agreed to help."
Lu Chengjing asked: "Sir, can you send someone to ask Mrs. Tian?"
"Of course." Mr. An said, "However, when Guard Shen came to the door, Mrs. Tian and the two children had disappeared. Most of the servants at home had dispersed, and the remaining old servants had no idea where the three of them were."
Shang Wan frowned and guessed, "Could he be harmed?"
After all, Tian Sheng is dead. If the person behind the scenes wants to eradicate the situation, there is no reason to let Mrs. Tian and the two children go.
Mr. An was not sure, so he only said: "The officers and soldiers guarding the city never saw the three people leaving the city, and no one was found in the city."
No one is seen alive, no body is seen dead. I am afraid only the three of them know the situation of the three of them.
Lu Chengjing lowered his eyes and thought.
Mr. An mentioned another matter, "The court documents have been issued, and the new county magistrate will arrive in a few days. As soon as the new county magistrate arrives, I will return to the city. Madam Shang, if you can make a new medicine, you can Send a letter and I'll send someone to pick it up."
Shang Wan wanted to say that there was no need to bother, she could just have someone take her to Fucheng. But before the words came out, Lu Chengjing suddenly nodded imperceptibly towards her.
Shang Wan's words turned around and turned into "yes".
After saying goodbye and leaving the county office, Shang Wan asked Lu Chengjing, "Why did you agree?"
Lu Chengjing wiped off Yuanyuan's saliva and said slowly: "Your Majesty has such a kind offer, why do you want me to refuse?"
Kind intention?
Shang Wan blinked, "Be specific."
"This is not the place to talk." Lu Chengjing glanced at the passers-by and said, "I'll talk to you in detail when I go back."
Shang Wan leaned forward and stared at Lu Chengjing's profile, "What did you call me?"
"Madam." Lu Chengjing turned away slightly and asked calmly, "You and I are husband and wife, what's wrong with this title?"
"That's fine." Shang Wan straightened up and continued to push the wheelchair forward, "That's what I'll say from now on."
The corners of Lu Chengjing's lips raised slightly, and the smile fell before it even appeared in his eyes. His dark eyes stared at the red-painted carriage passing beside him.
The curtain was lifted by the wind, revealing the familiar face in the carriage.
(End of chapter)