As the weather grew colder, reports of houses collapsing under heavy snow came in, especially from villages nestled against the mountains, many of which were crushed, with people killed and left homeless.
The most severe situation was in the Henan region, where avalanches blocked official roads, and swift messengers continuously delivered urgent notices to the palace, while many refugees poured into the capital seeking shelter.
As the disaster situations increased, the Court was compelled to establish relief stations in multiple locations, and dispatched local stationed troops to clear roads and assist the affected populace.
Upon hearing of the disastrous heavy snowfall across the land, Emperor Chu’s expression was grim. They say a timely snow promises a good harvest, but excess leads to calamity.
No emperor, regardless of dynasty, likes hearing about disasters, fearing the people’s complaints, their unsustainable lives, and being accused of lacking virtue to match their position.
Of course, incompetent emperors are exceptions; they can disregard all voices for self-protection.
But Emperor Chu was not one of them. He was ambitious to establish a prosperous era of Great Qing, with many plans yet to be implemented. He definitely didn’t want to hear accusations of unworthy virtue.
"Allocate the disaster relief silver immediately. Assign an imperial envoy. In areas where relief is inadequate, anyone daring to embezzle the funds or seize relief grain shall be executed." Emperor Chu coldly addressed his ministers.
Song Zhiyuan: "Which imperial envoy does the Emperor intend to send?"
Being an imperial envoy... Doing it well earns you merit; doing it badly costs your life. Not because the Emperor would execute you, but because local officials might harm you unless you collude with them.
"Lu Ming, the Princely Heir of the Marquis of Jing’an."
The assembly was stunned. The Princely Heir of Jing’an, it’s said, was a young genius, loyal and brave, with a strong sense of justice, but lost an arm in a battle and fell into a period of depression, rarely seen since.
But now, to be an imperial envoy?
The Emperor plans to employ him, despite having only one arm?
"Emperor, with Lu Ming’s disability, might it hinder his duties?" Prime Minister Fan hesitated to say.
Emperor Chu glanced over indifferently and replied, "So what if he has only one arm? He surpasses many others. I use him because I trust his abilities. Is Prime Minister Fan questioning my judgment?"
Prime Minister Fan’s heart jolted, and he hurriedly knelt to plead: "Your servant wouldn’t dare."
Emperor Chu did not immediately let him rise. Only after a few moments, he said, "Stand up, Prime Minister Fan. I am concerned for the people, not intending to make difficulties for the Prime Minister."
Prime Minister Fan stood up shakily, saying, "You’ve overburdened your servant, Emperor."
Emperor Chu didn’t pursue the matter further, but turned his gaze to Minister Qian, the Minister of Revenue, saying, "Minister Qian, the relief funds must reach promptly."
"Emperor, the National Treasury is currently depleted. The heavy snow besieges us, the Ministry of War is pressing for military pay, and there is a need for logistical replacements. This..." Minister Qian lamented as usual.
Emperor Chu, with a headache, said, "I don’t want to hear it. I just want the relief funds quickly allocated so that the affected populace can safely get through the winter. Do you understand?"
Minister Qian: "..." Official source is novel·fire.net
He didn’t want to understand; he only knew the purse strings would need to be loosened, with the little money inside flowing out like water.
And, Emperor, are you acting recklessly, like an incompetent ruler? And not listening!
Minister Qian was about to resolutely defend the purse, but Emperor Chu spoke again: "Allocate ten thousand taels from my private treasury, the rest supplemented by the Ministry of Revenue."
Well, that’s acceptable.
Minister Qian immediately knelt and shouted long live three times.
As Prime Minister Fan was about to express himself, Prime Minister Song then said, "Emperor, my household has already prepared to set up porridge stations to assist the disaster victims. I wish to ten thousand taels this time to express my sentiment to the people."
Prime Minister Fan: "..."
Damn, Prime Minister Song, that rascal, beat him to it again!