Mrs. Prime Minister

Chapter 231 The Disaster Is Serious (2)
This time Feng Lanjin did not refute Zhao Qian's face, everyone drank for a while, and after drinking for three rounds, some officials showed their true colors.

Feng Lanjin took this opportunity to ask some questions about the disaster.

"Master Zhao, how did the people react to the locust plague this time?"

Zhao Qian suddenly had a bitter face, "The people went to the rice fields to catch locusts during the day, but it didn't do much. They all worried about this year's harvest with sad faces. Master, you don't know, the locust plague in the south of the Yangtze River has been going on for many years. Yes, it’s just that this time it’s serious enough to alarm the capital, and the people’s harvests in previous years have been very low. The officials saw it in their eyes and were anxious, but there was nothing they could do, so they could only ask the capital for help..."

Feng Lanjin didn't want to hear a word of what he said.

Feng Lanjin frowned involuntarily, and her eyes suddenly became sharper.Zhao Qian has been paying attention to Feng Lanjin's facial expression, and when he sees it, his heart skips a beat, thinking that no matter how easy-going the person in front of him looks, he is still the prime minister of a country, and he is not something he can fool casually.He hurriedly stopped the original conversation, and said remedially, "The people have nothing to do now, they can only place their hopes on the imperial court, hoping that the imperial court can come up with a solution to the problem."

"What is the price of grain in Jiangnan today?"

"Nowadays the price of rice has risen slightly, and a catty of ordinary rice is between ten and fifteen renminbi..." Zhao Qian didn't expect that Feng Lanjin would ask about the price of the grain the first day he came here, and he was a little apprehensive, so he answered Some hesitation but dare not hide it, let alone cheating, Feng Lanjin is here now, if he lied, he will be able to find out tomorrow on the street...

After hearing this, Feng Lanjin glanced at him lightly, her eyes were very calm, but there was a hint of majesty in them, which made Zhao Qian's head sweat more and more.

The county magistrates and prefects present also looked at their superiors helplessly, with obvious worries in their eyes.

Feng Lanjin and Yunqing Jiang Mo looked at each other, and there was a hint of predation in their eyes.

Both Feng Lanjin and Jiang Mo had stayed in Jiangnan, so they naturally knew the price of grain in Jiangnan. In the past, a catty of rice was about five Wen, but now it has doubled or tripled.

A normal family of three only earns between ten taels of silver and 12 taels of silver a year, and one tael of silver is exchanged for one thousand Wen. Even 12 taels of silver is not enough to feed a family for a year, and the income of 12 taels is considered a good income for ordinary people. Such people cannot afford rice, let alone other poor families.And it's just rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea, and some daily necessities, which is not enough for the expenses at all.

The price of rice is so expensive that ordinary people cannot afford it at all.

Feng Lanjin's expression was a little heavy.

I don't know how many people are starving now, and their eyes... glanced over a group of parents and officials. The situation has reached such an unmanageable point that they don't even have the slightest sense of crisis.Not only let them be greeted at the gate of the common people's district, but also spend so much time trying to curry favor with him.

The severity of the disaster was beyond Feng Lanjin's imagination. Since the price of rice has risen, all food and edible things must have also risen. These people are still acting as if nothing happened, and did not report him as soon as he arrived...

Feng Lanjin's eyes became darker and darker.

Did they think that the imperial court sent people to relieve the disaster, which meant that the disaster would be brought under control?His Majesty only gave him 50 taels of silver this time. There is a large population in the south of the Yangtze River, and 50 taels is not enough.Or do they think that they can shirk all responsibilities by coming to someone who can take charge, and they can be their own parents with peace of mind?
Thinking of Mr. Wang Miao's paintings and calligraphy deliberately hung by Zhao Qian in his room, Feng Lanjin's eyes suddenly froze.

The atmosphere in the garden froze suddenly.

"Master, now is not the time to talk about these things. The most important thing now is how to minimize the losses of the common people. As for those businessmen who deliberately raise the price of food in an attempt to make huge profits..." Yun Qing smiled coldly, her face pale With her eyes as bright as a raging fire, she coldly glanced at a group of officials who lowered their heads and said nothing, and snorted coldly, "Such a businessman who disregards the life and death of the people and only cares about his own interests is really hateful. The Prime Minister might as well order Jiangnan The merchants in the city will restore grain prices within three days, if the merchants still don’t know how to repent and try to hoard grain...then they might as well report to the imperial court, what is the purpose of hoarding grain, and save it for military supplies in future rebellion?"

rebellion!

The backs of the officials in the garden were all wet.

Who can bear the charge of treason?Since ancient times, officials and businessmen have colluded, and those businessmen hoarding food have come to greet their parents and officials in advance, and have given them a pretty good bribe. This is a win-win situation for officials and businessmen.So speaking of it, the soaring price of food is inextricably linked to their parents and officials.

But now, the man in front of him, who was said to be Mr. Yun, dressed in simple blue clothes, actually made such a suggestion.

This is clearly warning them that if they don't do what he said, they will all be charged with treason.

Since His Majesty sent a country's prime minister to come to rescue the disaster, it shows that he attaches great importance to the disaster situation. If he knows that they are colluding with businessmen to deliberately raise food prices to profit from the common people...

Everyone shuddered in unison.

Conspiracy... This crime is to punish the nine clans.

When Jiang Mo heard Yun Qing's words, he looked at him in surprise.There was a hint of admiration in his eyes.

"Master Xiang, I see that Mr. Yun's method is very ingenious. Grain and salt are originally huge profits. Merchants can't get any profits, but they can't go too far. Originally, rice was only five cents per catty. Five cents. Merchants can take profits from it. Now it has risen to fifteen yuan, which has doubled and tripled. Let the rice price return to the original price, so that the merchants can still earn profits, but if they don't know how to flatter and insist on going against the court, then His Majesty will never tolerate them."

A smile flashed across Feng Lanjin's eyes.

"Master Zhao, what do you think of Young Master Yun and Master Jiang's proposal?"

"The lower official thinks... this idea is very good."

They used His Majesty as a shield in every sentence, who would dare to disagree? !Zhao Qian's mouth was bitter, and he took a deep breath, thinking about how to deal with those difficult businessmen.

"Okay, since Mr. Zhao also thinks this is a good idea, then I will leave this matter to Mr. Zhao." Feng Lanjin held the wine glass with a smile and did not drink it. He just put it in his hand and played with it. The parents who didn't dare to breathe had a stern look in their eyes.But he said with a smile, "Lord Zhao, just do this job with peace of mind. If anyone disagrees and wants to make trouble, just ask them to come to me! At that time, Master Zhao can just go to the homes of those troublemakers to search the house. If something happens, I will help you You carry it."

"Yes! The next officer takes orders."

Hearing Zhao Qian's answer, Feng Lanjin smiled again, and regained his gentle appearance. He raised his wine glass and smiled at the crowd, "There is no need to rush this matter. Jiangnan is such a big place. Let everyone handle it quickly at this time." It’s unavoidable that it’s difficult for others to force others. I think it’s not as good as this. I’ll give you three days to negotiate with the merchants. Do you feel rushed in three days? If you’re in a hurry, I can give you a few more days..."

"Enough is enough!"

Feng Lanjin smiled lightly, but her eyes became serious. "Everyone, have you thought about it? Now that you have enough time, if you can't handle the errands by then, I won't show mercy to you!"

"The subordinate takes orders."

Yun Qing, who was at the bottom, almost laughed out loud when she heard this. Feng Lanjin was obviously worried that these officials would be obedient and disobedient, so she pretended to be tolerant and gave a three-day deadline. Since they agreed to Feng Lanjin's three-day agreement If they can't do it by then, Feng Lanjin's punishment is definitely not something they can afford.

If it is light, you will lose your official position, if it is serious, you will lose your life!
As the prime minister of a country, Feng Lanjin ordered the dismissal of which officials was a trivial matter, not to mention that they did not do practical things for the people.It's good for such a person to be an official, so as not to harm one party in the future.

Seeing the sweaty officials one by one, Yun Qing had no sympathy in his heart, only infinite carefreeness. If he dared to hack people's money, he should have the awareness of being hacked like this.

The first thing these parents and officials will do after the banquet is over is to go back to the counties and cities where they work to gather businessmen to discuss...

Hmm... It is estimated that the price of food will drop in the past few days. When the time comes, I will take Feng Lanjin to the streets to visit. I can't let these people fool me!

(End of this chapter)