Lord Gu was stunned, realizing that Mu Changxi was not joking.
A fine layer of sweat broke out on his forehead: "Does the Prince mean... that these silver taels must be used for the disaster victims? But if that's the case, let alone these, even if the Emperor gave more, it would probably not be enough?"
He still wanted to persuade Mu Changxi: "Your Highness, you must know that investing in these disaster victims is endless. It would be better to..."
"Better to what?"
Mu Changxi's gaze grew colder: "Lord Gu, it's best not to continue speaking, otherwise, I fear this Prince will be unable to help but punish you. You, the esteemed magistrate of Haizhou City, saying such words, do you not feel ashamed?! The people of Haizhou City live under your governance, it is truly their utmost misfortune! What, Lord Gu, do you still wish to create more incidents like Xuyuan?"
Lord Gu lowered his head, unsure how to answer Mu Changxi.
Mu Changxi then sneered: "No wonder the people's grievances are boiling after the flood in Haizhou City. If everyone in Haizhou City were officials like Lord Gu, wouldn't the people's grievances truly be widespread?"
Taking this opportunity, Mu Changxi said to Lord Gu: "Lord Gu, since it's still early, go back to your yamen and take a look!"
He extended a palm towards Lord Gu: "You must at least produce this amount for me to pass this hurdle. Otherwise, I will write down every word you said today in the memorial to the Emperor. When the Emperor questions it, Lord Gu should be aware of the consequences."
"This... this cannot be done!"
Upon hearing that the Emperor was to be informed, Lord Gu naturally waved his hands in fear: "Your Highness, please, must this matter be known to the Emperor? It's just that everyone has always done it this way, so your subordinate also did it this way. If the Emperor knows and investigates thoroughly, it will truly be troublesome. Must the Prince offend all the court officials for my petty personal gain?"
He appeared frightened, yet every word he spoke was a threat to Mu Changxi.
It seemed Lord Gu was certain that Mu Changxi would not dare offend others for this.
"Heh—"
His words, Mu Changxi sneered: "This Prince understands Lord Gu's meaning. I fear Lord Gu believes this Prince dares not do what you say?"
Seeing Mu Changxi's "stubbornness," Lord Gu simply stopped pretending.
He scoffed: "Your subordinate did not expect Your Highness to have such a mindset. In fact, Your Highness need not be like this. Such matters are commonplace. Perhaps the Emperor is not unaware. Why should Your Highness offend all the court officials for this small sum of money? If the task is completed and everyone below is happy, isn't that the best outcome?"
Perhaps, the word "furious" could no longer describe Song Chaoyu's mood at this moment.
What about those disaster victims then?
In the eyes of people like Lord Gu, were the lives of the disaster victims so insignificant?
Were they not as practical as the gleaming silver in hand, not as practical as the so-called reputation of an official?
Song Chaoyu looked at Mu Changxi, his eyes also filled with anger.
"Good, good!"
Finally, Mu Changxi nodded repeatedly, the smile on his lips growing colder: "So, the court has reached such a state? Are the lives of the disaster victims like mere weeds in your eyes?"
Lord Gu curled his lips: "That is a natural disaster, not a man-made one! If you must blame someone, you can only blame their unfortunate fate. If they are reborn well in their next life, perhaps there is hope!"
How could he stand there with his back straight and say these words?
Song Chaoyu's fists were clenched at his sides.
"Guards!"
Mu Changxi naturally had no intention of enduring any longer.
He shouted to Ping Jiang outside: "Seize Lord Gu for me! He dared to discuss bribery with this Prince using disaster relief funds, completely disregarding the disaster victims."
Ping Jiang immediately brought people in, and only then did Lord Gu realize that Mu Changxi was "serious"!
A hint of panic appeared in his eyes: "Your Highness, what do you mean by this?! I am, after all, the Prefect of Haizhou City, how can you treat your subordinate like this? If you arrest me, how will you account for it to the Emperor, how will you account for it to the Haizhou City government?"
"Account?"
Mu Changxi sneered: "What you just said to this Prince is enough to have you die ten thousand times over! This Prince believes it is not this Prince who needs to account to anyone, but rather you who needs to account to the disaster-stricken people of Haizhou City!"
He nodded to Ping Jiang: "Go to Haizhou City immediately and, by my order, confiscate Lord Gu's residence."
"No! Your Highness, you cannot treat your subordinate like this!"
More panic appeared in Lord Gu's eyes: "Although I am just a small prefect, I was personally appointed by the Emperor to Haizhou City. How can you arbitrarily search my residence?!"
"This Prince, though also just a small disaster relief envoy, was personally sent by the Emperor."
Mu Changxi, the dignified Prince Chang, was not afraid of a mere prefect: "If this Prince wants to investigate you, then I will investigate you. If my father feels anything is amiss, he will naturally speak to me. Does a small prefect like you have the right to question this Prince's intentions?"
In fact, even Song Chaoyu could see that Lord Gu was panicking to this extent because his residence likely contained many things that could not and should not be found.
"No, this won't do! Your subordinate is unconvinced!"
Lord Gu never expected that today, when he clearly came to "share the money" with Mu Changxi, it would turn out like this.
However, no matter how much he shouted, Mu Changxi's mind was made up, and there was no room for negotiation.
Until Lord Gu was dragged out by Ping Jiang, the disaster victims outside erupted in warm applause.
Who didn't know that the reason the flood in Haizhou City could not be quelled for so long was because of people like Lord Gu?
Mu Changxi's handling of Lord Gu at this moment could only further stabilize the hearts of the disaster victims and increase their trust in Mu Changxi.
Watching Lord Gu's figure slowly disappear, Song Chaoyu also sighed lightly: "Should we return to Haizhou City?"
All things considered, they had been in Ping'an County for quite some time.
Mu Changxi nodded, pushed his wheelchair to Song Chaoyu's side, and then took Song Chaoyu's hand: "Yes, the matters in Ping'an County are mostly resolved. We should also return to Haizhou City to face the real storms."