Through this investigation, he has no background, no powerful backing, he is just a thug. Because he had some money in hand, he took in those who had nowhere to go. Those people regarded him as a god. However, if the person seen today is truly Qi Ye, then he is not to be underestimated.
Why do you say that? Feng Xie raised his eyebrows, his dark, deep eyes seemed to hold a thousand-year-old pool, calm and unremarkable, yet carrying an unfathomable gloom.
Intuition. That person doesn't seem like someone easy to control. Moreover, at such a young age, he has achieved so much. If he is given time, his strength will likely be immense, not to be underestimated.
Jin Shaoyuan spoke with conviction. You know, Jin Shaoyuan never admits defeat. If he could be convinced by someone, Feng Xie believed that person was definitely not to be underestimated.
Alright, I shall go and meet him. Feng Xie lightly tapped the table, deciding to go and meet this fellow named Qi Ye.
To be so admired at such a young age. If he were to grow up, there would likely be hidden dangers, and he never allowed any hidden dangers to exist.
The two spoke a few more words. Xiao Wanzi rushed in to report, "Your Majesty, Prince Yan is here."
Let him in. Feng Xie waved his hand, signaling Xiao Wanzi. Feng Lie entered without waiting for an announcement. It was late at night, and his imperial brother asking for him must mean something important had happened.
Imperial Brother?
Both of you, sit down. Feng Xie spoke. Feng Lie and Jin Shaoyuan took their seats, Xiao Wanzi served tea and retreated.
A large number of beggars have suddenly appeared in the capital. Does Imperial Brother not know? Feng Xie looked at Feng Lie. His imperial brother had always been swift in his actions. Why was he so slow to react to this matter?
Reporting to Your Majesty, these beggars only started flooding into the capital three to four days ago. Your humble subject has already noticed and sent people to investigate.
Those beggars are from several small counties along the river. Due to continuous heavy rain, they have been displaced. Most importantly, many people have died in this flood.
Furthermore, the local officials have been evading the important issues and exaggerating the minor ones. In reality, the disaster is very severe. Although Your Majesty allocated two million taels of silver, it is said that less than three hundred thousand taels reached the prefecture level, and it was skimmed off at every level of distribution.
Three hundred thousand taels of silver are not enough for those disaster victims to even rebuild their homes, let alone provide relief and distribute food. Your humble subject was planning to submit a memorial to the court tomorrow morning, but I did not expect Your Majesty to know about it today.
As soon as Feng Lie finished speaking, Feng Xie's eyes blazed with fire. These detestable individuals! Two million taels of silver were allocated, and only three hundred thousand taels reached the local level. Where did all the rest go? Who were these man-eating creatures who devoured it?
This is feasting on the flesh and blood of the disaster victims. It is clearly an attempt to destroy my Tian Feng. Such fellows dare to stand on the imperial court openly.
Prince Yan, receive the imperial decree. Feng Xie waved his hand grandly and spoke with a chilling tone. Feng Lie immediately stood up. Your humble subject receives the decree.
Immediately investigate the corrupt officials in this disaster relief effort. Make them disgorge all the silver they have embezzled. For those who are extremely wicked, exterminate their nine generations of kin. His voice was as cold and hard as a bloodthirsty demon from hell, and the cold arrogance surrounding him made the Imperial Study feel chillingly frigid.
Yes, your humble subject obeys the decree. Feng Lie received the decree.
Feng Xie then looked at Jin Shaoyuan. Minister of War, receive the decree.
Jin Shaoyuan immediately knelt down. Your humble subject receives the decree.
Tomorrow morning, go to the Ministry of Revenue and allocate three hundred thousand taels of silver to begin distributing porridge to the beggars. Feng Xie's eyes seemed to see those homeless people extending their skeletal hands to him, making him wish he could help these disaster victims immediately.
Yes, your humble subject receives the decree. Jin Shaoyuan received the emperor's oral decree, stood up, and retreated to the side.
Feng Lie looked up at his imperial brother. He saw him leaning against the imperial couch, his usually arrogant and imposing face now etched with deep self-reproach. He knew his imperial brother cared for his subjects, but the two actions taken now were not enough. He busily and respectfully spoke.
Your Majesty, these two matters are not the most important at present. The most crucial thing is to help these people return to their homes.
However, because Jingzhou's geographical location is too low and the surrounding water levels are too high, several counties have been inundated by floodwaters. All the crops have been drowned. Now, we must find a way to divert the water and ensure that the disaster victims have food to eat. This is a major problem. If these cannot be resolved, relying solely on the imperial court's relief efforts will likely deplete the national treasury soon.
As Feng Lie's words fell, Feng Xie and Jin Shaoyuan snapped back to attention. They had only been angered by the embezzlement of silver and had forgotten the most important corrective measure. This matter would be treated as a priority at tomorrow's morning court.
Good. Both of you may return. At the morning court tomorrow, I will bring this matter up for discussion to find a good plan to thoroughly resolve the issues of these disaster victims.
Your humble subjects take our leave. Feng Lie and Jin Shaoyuan immediately took their leave from the emperor and went out. Xiao Wanzi walked in and saw the emperor leaning on the imperial couch, looking slightly tired. His face remained handsome, but it was now overlaid with an unacknowledged ferocity.
Feng Lie and Jin Shaoyuan walked out of the Imperial Study. On the dimly lit path, both of them were somewhat preoccupied. The focus now was not on the disaster victims; with money, they could be taken care of.
But how to alleviate the floodwaters and provide the disaster victims with a life of abundance? How could their livelihood for the latter half of the year solely depend on government relief?
Their footsteps were heavy. Feng Lie suddenly thought of someone. From the past until now, he had known that person's mind was sharper than others. A surge of excitement filled him, and he turned to look at Jin Shaoyuan.
You may return first. I have something to attend to.
Jin Shaoyuan nodded and left the imperial palace. Feng Lie's figure shifted as he headed towards Huaqing Palace.
In Huaqing Palace, Liu Liu had returned, finished her meal, cleaned herself up, and was reclining on a soft couch, lost in thought. Cui'er was massaging her shoulders behind her, while Caixia and Mingri were rubbing her legs. Apart from the gentle tapping sounds, the hall was silent until a magnetic voice broke the stillness.
Empress, living quite a leisurely life?
Liu Liu knew who had arrived without even opening her eyes. Wasn't it that fellow Feng Lie? Why was he here so late? Did he think this was his marketplace, coming and going as he pleased? Her expression turned displeased as she opened her eyes.
Prince Yan, should you not avoid suspicion? Even if I am not favored, I still hold the title of Empress. This is not putting me in a difficult position, is it? If this falls into the eyes of someone with ill intentions, will I not be punished?
Feng Lie was stunned by Liu Liu's barbed words. He quickly put away his playful expression. If he didn't speak quickly, this woman would kick him out.
Empress, please calm your anger. Your humble subject is here to seek the Empress. Feng Lie cupped his hands. Seeing how clear her boundaries were with him, his expression turned displeased, and his heart felt very frustrated. However, he had important matters to attend to at present.
Alright, speak. And then leave immediately. Liu Liu sat up properly, pulled at her clothes, and spoke indifferently, not looking at him at all. This made Feng Lie feel even more annoyed. Did she truly hate him? Did she no longer consider him a friend?
The Jiangnan region has experienced continuous heavy rain, causing the riverbanks to break and inundate all the villages. The newly planted crops have all been drowned. Therefore, the imperial court must devise a strategy on how to help the disaster victims overcome this crisis. If they cannot live a peaceful life, it will inevitably lead to riots.
Liu Liu already knew about this matter. She was even planning to go out of the palace to distribute porridge tomorrow. However, why was this Prince Yan coming to her about court affairs? Had his brain gone bad?