The Great Han Dynasty: From Feng Lang Juxu to the Eternal Emperor

Chapter 241 The Weak Han Empire

The old Confucians from Shandong come and go as quickly as they come.

No one had ever imagined that this would be the result. They came to Chang'an with the largest array of troops to demand an explanation and justice.

Several people were actually struck to death by lightning.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty keenly seized the opportunity and signaled Zhuang Qingzhai with his eyes.

As the prime minister, Zhuang Qingzhai, if he still doesn't understand what Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty needs from him, he should not sit in this position.

Post a short essay to everyone in the world, so that everyone in the world knows about the strange things that happened in the Qianbu Corridor of Weiyang Palace today.

The remaining old scholars had no shame in staying in Weiyang Palace and left one after another.

The officials still looked at Wei Ning with a strange look, and they didn't believe that Wei Ning was not responsible for what happened today.

Everyone was full of doubts, but Weining was called away by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. This had to be said to be a pity.

Inside the Qilin Hall.

The furnace in the main hall was burning brightly, and Wei Ning was sitting next to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was sitting on the dragon bed futon, holding in his hand a memorial sent by the local government.

This is a request for disaster relief from Shandong.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty said to Weining earnestly: "The heavy snowfall in Shandong in recent days has killed thousands of people."

"The governor of Shandong prayed for the troops stationed in the area to come forward to provide disaster relief, and he impeached the king of Shanyang of Shanyang for annexing the lands of the victims, causing the people to live in dire straits."

Wei Ning really had some doubts. Are the princes and kings of these fiefdoms really not afraid of death?

In the face of a national crisis, they actually have to take care of their own interests?

Were they really not afraid that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty would do something to them after they had just extended the order?

These people really treat the people as pigs and dogs and enslave them! It’s okay not to think about disaster relief at this time, but at least don’t cause trouble. Isn’t this obviously taking advantage of people’s illness and taking their lives?

Weining wanted to say something to express his anger. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty pressed his hands and said: "I have surrendered Shanyang to Shanyang County and deposed Shanyang King Liu Ding from the throne."

"This is not what I want to say to you today. This matter is of no importance. No matter how evil the local princes and kings do, it will not cause substantial harm to the people."

"What worries me is not King Shanyang, but the Kong family of Shandong."

Wei Ning looked at Emperor Wu of Han with some confusion.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty explained to Weining: "The Han Dynasty has now determined a basic development path, governing the country according to law, respecting Confucianism exclusively, and being inspired by heaven and man."

"The most powerful one among them is naturally the last one, which cannot be seen or touched."

"Not long after the death of Kong Anguo, such a big disaster happened in Shandong. If things get serious, the people will think that I have done something immoral."

"Actually, these old scholars from Shandong came to Chang'an this time just to make me compromise and prevent things from developing in the worst direction."

Wei Ning fell into deep thought. After thinking for a while, he gradually began to shudder.

If this rumor is not dispelled in advance, once public opinion becomes fermented, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty will definitely stand up and confess to heaven, admitting that he was unethical and killed Kong Anguo.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty said to Weining happily: "You did a good job today."

"This old scholar from Shandong died well, died well!"

"Zhuang Qingzhai has already started to create public opinion. It won't be long before what happened today will spread to Shandong."

"The natural disasters in the past dynasties are not terrible, but the man-made disasters caused by natural disasters are terrible."

"Simply, the crisis is over."

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty breathed a long sigh of relief, and then curiously asked Wei Ning: "How on earth did you let the thunder hit them impartially?"

Wei Ning said: "This... there is a certain probability. In short, it is best not to erect sharp iron objects outside during thunderstorms."

"To put it bluntly, this kind of thing is actually a lightning rod."

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty: "Lightning rod? Why didn't you avoid the lightning?"

Wei Ning said: "We still need to use an iron chain to guide the lightning into the ground to avoid the lightning. But I omitted this step, so the lightning hit them."

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty: "..."

I knew it was this guy.

However, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty did not say that much. He sighed to himself and said to Weining: "Our country's foundation is still too weak."

"Can't withstand the ravages of any natural disaster." Wei Ning nodded with deep understanding. The snow disaster in Shandong was enough to make the entire Han Dynasty helpless. Human beings will always be so insignificant in the face of natural disasters.

Weining saw a cruel fact from the memorial. Many of the more than a thousand people who died in Shandong were not frozen to death, but... starved to death.

The snow is too heavy and the people do not have enough living materials. If the court fails to provide disaster relief in time, many people will starve to death.

After a snowstorm, there are still beasts like King Shanyang trying to annex the people's assets, forcing them to death.

Natural disasters are accompanied by man-made disasters, and it is not easy for the people of the Central Plains Dynasty to survive.

"The government's disaster relief and next year's Hexi War will almost exhaust the tax revenue in the first half of next year ahead of schedule."

"Hey."

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sighed deeply. It was not easy for him. He was short of money everywhere in governing this huge country.

"How is the business at your post station?" Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty suddenly asked.

Wei Ning: "..."

I knew you had no good intentions!

He was silent for a moment and said honestly: "It's quite impressive."

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty thought for a moment and said, "If I personally ask you to borrow some money, would you be willing?"

Wei Ning thought, "Can I not do it?"

He said helplessly: "I'm quite happy."

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty said: "Be happy and don't be sad. This is a good thing."

Yeah, good thing, can I try not to cry?

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was actually quite ashamed. He really didn't dare to think that one day he would reach out and ask his son to borrow money.

"How much does your Majesty want?"

Wei Ning asked.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty asked: "How much can you borrow?"

Wei Ning said: "I'll see if I can get as much as your Majesty wants."

Both father and son were playing Tai Chi to test each other. In the end, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty couldn't help but said: "One million dollars?"

From the beginning to now, the station has achieved too much profit for Weining. Naturally, he has millions of dollars, and the balance should be higher than this amount.

In addition, there is also income from wine making. As the post stations prosper in the counties in Guanzhong, wine is brought to various places for sale, and the income is even more considerable.

However, Wei Ning still said with a grimace: "It's a bit much!"

"I will try my best to help His Majesty."

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty rolled his eyes at Weining and said, "Why are you so dishonest? I have already calculated the accounts for you. Your current assets are at least five million yuan."

Wei Ning: "..."

You've already made up your mind about me, haven't you?

Wei Ning blinked and pretended to be innocent: "Is there any? I don't know either."

"Okay, a million dollars is a million dollars."

Wei Ning thought for a while and asked tentatively: "Your Majesty, let's not make any excuses like IOUs, right?"

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty laughed angrily, "Who are you talking about?"

Everything I have is yours, and everything you have is mine. What an IOU!

"Do you think I am a person who cannot be trusted?"

Wei Ning said: "Of course not, that's why I said we don't need an IOU, right?"

(End of this chapter)