This meant that for at least the next six months, the number of refugees in the southwest region would only increase.
If they couldn't get enough to eat, they would naturally cause trouble. Since that was the case, it would be better to spread the news far and wide, so that the merchants who heard about it would continuously send grain there.
With profit to be made, their methods and motivation would be much stronger.
As for the profits the Min family would gain from this matter, they would naturally be returned to the refugees in the southwest in other ways, just not at this moment.
After Xu Lin understood this, he immediately went to make arrangements.
Xiao Tingyi stood up and looked in the direction of the southwest, without a word.
"Does Your Highness wish to make a trip to the southwest?"
Feng Jinyao's voice sounded from behind. Xiao Tingyi was somewhat surprised.
"Ayao, why can you always see through this Prince's thoughts?"
Feng Jinyao remained silent. In fact, it wasn't that she understood Prince Ding so well, but rather that she understood that someone who could fight seventy thousand troops of Southern Yue for the Great Jin and not allow their territory to be trampled upon could not possibly be indifferent to displaced refugees.
Therefore, he was bound to go on this trip to the southwest.
And Feng Jinyao was also waiting for this opportunity. She needed to make Qiao Shanwei's return to the Bai family smoother.
"Your Highness, if I say I wish to accompany you to the southwest, is that permissible?"
Xiao Tingyi raised an eyebrow. He had originally been wondering how to take Feng Jinyao away. After all, their relationship had only just begun to progress a little. If they were to be separated for several months abruptly, he feared everything would return to zero.
Feng Jinyao's heart was not so easily opened, and he naturally did not want to give up like this.
"So, what is Ayao's purpose for this trip?"
"The Bai family needs a legitimate heir, otherwise, they will be consumed in the power struggles."
"So, you want to pave the way for Qiao Shanwei?"
Feng Jinyao was startled. He had investigated so thoroughly that he even knew about Qiao Shanwei's affairs.
"Mm."
However, she did not deny it.
Feng Jinyao had to admit that lying to Xiao Tingyi seemed much harder than telling the truth.
Xiao Tingyi had investigated everyone around Feng Jinyao one by one.
Therefore, he had known Qiao Shanwei's identity for a long time, but he did not know the purpose of Feng Jinyao and her brother bringing him here this time.
Now that the matter had come up, he realized that it was preparation for his cousin's return to the Bai family.
Although the starting point made him a little unhappy, being able to go together was a reason that eased his emotions.
"We depart tomorrow. Does Ayao feel it is a bit rushed?"
"Everything is as Your Highness arranges!"
The luggage she had brought was not much, and it had only gradually been added after settling in this small courtyard.
This time, they were going to the southwest, where floods were rampant, and who knew what other dangers there might be. Therefore, simplicity was best!
Yun Xu was meticulous but did not know martial arts. Hehuan knew martial arts, but her mind was not as delicate as Yun Xu's.
Therefore, the two followed Feng Jinyao, complementing each other. Thus, they would not be left behind on this trip to the southwest.
When Qiao Shanwei learned that he would be accompanying Feng Jinyao to the southwest, he vaguely guessed the purpose of her previous instruction for him to read more books on water management.
So, he shared some of his insights, summarized over many days, with Feng Jinyao.
The more he listened, the more satisfied he became. Some people were naturally much smarter than others. Such people only needed a little guidance to understand what to do.
Qiao Shanwei was such a person.
On the contrary, Feng Jinlin strongly disagreed when he learned that Feng Jinyao intended to bring Qiao Shanwei along with Prince Ding.
"No one can say for sure what the situation is in the southwest right now. I promised Mother to bring you out for sightseeing, not for you to go to the southwest for disaster relief. Shanwei will follow the Prince and naturally achieve great things, but you should stay in Jinling City to avoid danger."
Xu Mingyue, who was beside them, also nodded. "If you stay here, we sisters can keep each other company. If you go to the southwest, who knows when you'll return. Si Ruo is also in the capital. Won't the three of us be separated by vast distances?"
Feng Jinyao smiled and comforted them.
"Second Brother, there's no need to worry. I'm just accompanying them and won't be charging into battle. Where could there be danger? Besides, Great嫂's maternal family is in Shuzhou. If I go along, perhaps I can help Uncle Wen. Otherwise, His Majesty will surely find someone to blame for this flood. Isn't the position of Prefect of Shuzhou the best shield?"
Hearing this, Feng Jinlin also fell silent.
Although he had only recently entered the court, it did not mean he knew nothing.
Historically, such natural disasters were more terrifying than wars. Emperors always felt that they might have failed in their virtue, and thus heaven was warning them.
But how many emperors would sincerely repent and instead push the blame onto a local official to bear their wrath?
At best, they would be dismissed from office; at worst, their families would be ruined.
If such a thing truly happened to the Wen family, they would also be implicated.
He was willing to handle some of it, but he couldn't leave Jinling City at all.
Thus, he reluctantly agreed. Xu Mingyue, after hearing her explanation, also found it difficult to delay her departure.
She could only keep reminding her to pay close attention to her safety. As she spoke, she suddenly realized that with Prince Ding accompanying them, Ayao would naturally be fine, so she relaxed her mind and also comforted Feng Jinlin.
"The Prince is there, don't worry."
Feng Jinlin felt slightly relieved upon hearing this.
He dared not say anything else, but given the Prince's feelings for Ayao, he would definitely protect her.
With that said, he turned and left. Feng Jinyao and Xu Mingyue were both somewhat bewildered. Why was he leaving in such a hurry?
When Feng Jinlin found Xiao Tingyi, he was making arrangements for Jinling City.
Su Cheng would stay behind and, together with Feng Jinlin, oversee everything in Jinling City. In particular, they were to secretly boost the prestige of the Cao family. This matter must be leaked to Duke Wei's ears before Zhu Hong arrived in the capital.
They did not know his plans for the time being.
However, if it was related to Duke Wei, Feng Jinlin became very spirited.
After the incidents with the Zhu and Sun families, he hated Duke Wei's corruption through the Grand Canal Administration to the point of extreme loathing. Therefore, he was willing to go all out when dealing with Duke Wei.
As for Yang Zhao and Xu Lin, they would accompany him to the southwest. Xu Lin, in particular, was directly assigned to Feng Jinyao to ensure her safety.
Xu Lin's martial arts skills were the best among them, so with him guarding Ayao, Feng Jinlin felt more at ease.
The next morning, a group of people disguised as ordinary individuals quietly left the gates of Jinling City in a carriage.
Inside sat Feng Jinyao, naturally, along with her two maids.
Xiao Tingyi had disguised himself and changed his clothes, riding a horse outside alongside Xu Lin.
When the wind blew through the curtain, it lifted a corner slightly. Feng Jinyao looked at Xiao Tingyi's back and felt extremely at peace.
Qiao Shanwei was not a fool. When he saw the direction of Feng Jinyao's gaze, his brows slightly furrowed.