The Prodigal Son of Zhenguan

"For so many years, the villagers in Zhuangzi have always gotten through this kind of difficulties. This time, with the help of Langjun, you don't need to worry too much. They can get through it on their own." Zhang Huan said, "The main thing is that the farmers in Zhuangzi only started to earn money last year and have been busy all year round. They haven't had time to repair their houses. Now this has made the houses, which were not strong to begin with, even more fragile."

"If you want to repair the house, you have to wait a few days until the weather is good."

Li Fu listened to Zhang Huan's words and nodded slightly.

"The workshop is simpler. Because of the rain, the work has not started. After cleaning up the construction site, we went to help with the work. There is no loss. Go back and settle down, drink some hot soup, and rest more." Yan Lide said: "But the people on the construction site are all from the surrounding villages. It has rained so hard that they can't go back. They are all worried about their families. I thought, otherwise, they will not work for the next two days. I don't know what the weather will be like in the next two days. It's better to let them go home."

"That's right. They helped a lot in the village this time." Li Fu said: "How about this, Old Yan, you notify everyone who comes from other places on the construction site. After these two days, an extra three coins will be given as a reward."

"In this way, even if those people have losses at home, they can make up for it with the money. After all, they are helping us defend the river embankment and canals in our village."

Yan Lide looked at Li Fu with a little more admiration.

Having been an official for many years, I have seen many rich people who are unkind, but Li Fu is really willing to spend money.

Willing to spend money.

"The follow-up matters of Zhuangzi still need to be dealt with." Li Fu looked at everyone: "Especially you, Zhang Huan, you have always been in charge of the external affairs of Zhuangzi. In the future, the farmers will resume their normal lives. What help do you need? Please worry about it."

"Yes, my lord." Zhang Huan responded.

"Count the losses of Zhuangzi as soon as possible, write an account book, and show it to me." Li Fu reminded again.

"Don't worry, my lord, I know."

"Okay, we have been busy for so long today, and we are all worried. Go back and rest quickly. If there is anything, we will talk about it tomorrow. It is late and it is not convenient to do things." Li Fu stood up.

The others in the room also stood up and bowed to Li Fu.

Li Fu also returned the greeting, and then they dispersed in the study.

Chang'an Imperial City, Taiji Palace, Liangyi Hall

The messenger rode into the palace at full speed, dismounted at the gate, threw the reins to the Jinwu Guards on duty, and ran to the Liangyi Hall in a hurry.

"Your Majesty! Urgent news!"

"Speak." Li Shimin looked up at the messenger.

"Continuous rainfall in Guanzhong has caused floods, crops in the fields have been damaged, and the people have suffered."

The eunuch beside Li Shimin hurriedly took the letter from the messenger and handed it to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin hurriedly opened it.

The victims had no way to survive, and began to move towards Chang'an City. A large number of victims were seen on the road, and even the victims had begun to sell their daughters to survive.

"Retreat." Li Shimin waved his hand.

The messenger was taken out by the eunuch.

"Come here, let Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Gao Shilian, Wei Zheng... come to Liangyi Hall to discuss matters as soon as possible." Li Shimin issued an imperial decree with a serious face and summoned a group of court officials.

"Yes." The eunuch responded and hurried to call people.

Soon, these ministers came to Liangyi Hall.

After Li Shimin asked them to sit down, he got straight to the point without saying anything.

"Just now, the Guanzhong area has suffered from floods due to continuous rainfall." Li Shimin said: "The crops have been flooded, and the affected people have no way to survive. They have begun to gather in Chang'an."

"After the beginning of autumn this year, the rain has indeed increased. Not to mention other places, there are also many places near Chang'an that have suffered from floods, but they are not so serious. The local government can still deal with it on its own, and the losses caused are not so serious." Changsun Wuji said.

"It's almost harvest time, but something like this happened. The people have worked in vain for the whole year, and life is difficult. Your Majesty, you should quickly send officials to the disaster-stricken areas to check on the people's conditions, and the court should allocate food to provide disaster relief on the spot." Fang Xuanling said, "It would be best to persuade the people along the way to return to Chang'an. If they can be settled on the spot, then they should be settled."

The journey to Chang'an is long, and there are too many uncertainties on the way. After a long journey, I'm afraid that many people will die on the way due to lack of food and clothing.

If the court's response is fast enough, the victims can wait a little longer, and they can avoid the pain of a long journey.

Fang Xuanling sighed.

As long as there is a way to survive, who would leave their hometown?Township.

"What Fang Xiang said is right. The court must send officials with relief food to the disaster-stricken areas." Du Ruhui said, "But who will take on this task?"

Li Shimin was also thinking about this.

He had not thought about who to send, so he had to call these people to discuss.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to go." Gao Shilian bowed his hands and asked.

Li Shimin thought about it, then nodded in response.

"Alright." Li Shimin said, "But Guanzhong is a vast area, and you may not be able to handle it alone. When the time comes, other places will still need Chang'an to send other officials to go with you. Does Gao Shixin have other candidates in mind?"

"I also want to ask Your Majesty to send a general." Gao Shilian said.

Everyone nodded in response.

It is indeed appropriate to send a general with troops to accompany him.

"Then let Zhang Shigui go together." Li Shimin said, "Pei Ju."

"I am here." Pei Ju bowed his hands and responded.

"The Ministry of Revenue should allocate money and grain as soon as possible for disaster relief." Li Shimin said.

"I obey your order."

"The Ministry of Shangshu drafted the emperor's edict." Li Shimin said loudly: "The Ministry of Revenue issued it, and the officials of various local governments should do their best to rescue the disaster, open the warehouses and release grain, so as to protect the people."

"Yes."

After the emperor's edict was issued, the court officials also began to get busy.

The disasters in Guanzhong were big and small, and there were many miscellaneous matters that the local government could not handle well and reported to Chang'an, so they had to discuss and decide in the court.

However, the court responded in time. Gao Shilian was worried that there would be changes if he was late. After discussing with Zhang Shigui, he gathered his men and horses the next day and set off from Chang'an.

Pei Ju was also in the Ministry of Revenue, and he was busy with the officials of the Ministry of Revenue to allocate money and grain.

In the evening, Li Shimin returned to Lizheng Hall, exhausted.

Seeing this, Empress Changsun personally massaged his shoulders.

"There was a flood in Guanzhong, the people were displaced, and the grain fields were destroyed." Li Shimin said slowly.