The sixth year of Qianyou was indeed a disaster year for the Han Dynasty, especially floods, which were huge in scale and violent. The territory of the Han Dynasty stretched from Qing and Xu in the east, to Dan and Ci in the west, to An, Fu, and North in the south. As far as Heng and Cang, there are floods.
In the disaster-stricken area, there were 14 prefectures and more than 60 counties, with hundreds of thousands of victims. As far as Zheng and Hua reported, it was not enough to be happy that the fortress was breached. Just as Liu Chengyou expected during his inspection of the Huazhou River Seal, Huazhou The embankments within the territory were well repaired and no breaches were seen, but floods occurred frequently within the four territories, which made him quite distressed.
The focus of the Han Dynasty court has basically fallen into the water since the Mid-Autumn Festival. It focused on mobilizing money and food for relief and fortification. As for the conquest of Shu, it naturally took a back seat.
Originally, according to the considerations of the Northern Han monarchs, the attack would be launched immediately after the autumn harvest. However, in the case of a major national disaster, the priority could only be changed.
"Your Majesty, the disaster situation in Danzhou and Daning Prefecture has eased. The government has arranged for the affected people to return and rebuild their homes. The areas are poor and the relief work has exhausted all the government offices. The governments of the two places have asked Tokyo to coordinate three thousand shi of food and money. 20,000 yuan, please also allocate grain seeds, farm tools, and cattle for the coming year..." In the Guangzheng Hall, Prime Minister Li Tao reported to Liu Chengyou.
"This place has never been rich, and it is indeed unfortunate that it has suffered a great disaster. The imperial court should provide assistance. After verifying the request, the Central Committee and the Third Division can allocate it as appropriate!" Liu Chengyou gave instructions.
"Yes!" Li Tao took out another memorial and said: "Xing Guogong memorialized that Xiang, An, and other prefectures were restored. Autumn rains continued, and floods were still severe. Soldiers and 20,000 people had been mobilized to repair the river fortress and provide relief to the affected people. The treasury's grain and cloth have consumed more than half of the ten thousand and are almost exhausted!"
"How does Zhongshu plan to respond?" Liu Chengyou asked.
Li Tao said: "We will first observe the development of the disaster. If it continues to worsen, we will use the grain stored in Dengzhou's official warehouses to distribute and transfer support southward. Xiangzhou and other places will be in peace for several years, and the accumulated grain should be able to sustain it for another period of time. .”
Seeing Liu Chengyou nod his head, he added: "Zhending Prefecture, Cang, Ying, Moji Prefecture, through transshipment sent Li Gu to go north in person to mobilize money and food, and coordinate disaster control matters."
"With Li Gu here, I have no worries!" Liu Chengyou said.
"Li Shijun of Qingzhou reported that Wang Xun, the governor of Dengzhou, and his officials, embezzled relief funds, lived in their own city, and left the victims alone. They have been in charge of them. They have also appointed Jiedu magistrates to temporarily take charge of their affairs. Please make a resolution to the court! "Li Tao reported some bad news.
Sure enough, Liu Chengyou was furious when he heard about it: "Although natural disasters are merciless, man-made disasters are especially hateful. During this national crisis, everyone is working together to tide over the difficulties, but there are such ruthless people!"
"Ask Li Hongwei to escort all the officials who have violated the law to Tokyo. The Three Law Divisions will strictly judge and impose severe punishments to serve as a warning to others!" Liu Chengyou said coldly.
"yes!"
After saying this, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh. Things like going to the state are inevitable, and people will inevitably break the law and take advantage of the chaos, causing harm to the country and the people!
After thinking about it, Liu Chengyou ordered: "The imperial court should inform the world about the visit to the prefecture to warn the officials. Another edict was issued to all prefectural governments to encourage local governments to carry out disaster relief without delay. All the censors should strictly supervise and correct those who are illegal or negligent!
Regarding the flood relief, the performance of officials from all over the country should be recorded in the record, and later used as a reference for the imperial court to promote, punish, and demote!"
"yes!"
"How is the disaster situation in Xuzhou?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"Compared with other areas, the situation is good. The government and the people are working hard and it is under control!" Li Tao replied.
It was good news after frequent disaster reports. Liu Chengyou breathed a sigh of relief subconsciously, but still did not forget to be vigilant: "I have issued an order to Xuzhou Prefecture to make persistent efforts and not to relax!"
"During this period, please trouble Li Qing and the ministers and work harder!" Liu Chengyou looked at Li Tao and said, "Reports from various places should be carefully scrutinized and paid attention to. Those who need to coordinate aid must be approved and processed quickly. In short, everyone in the imperial court should go all out to tide over the difficulties!"
"As you command!"
"There is another matter. Zhao Kuangzan, King of Yan, has submitted a memorial to ask the court to allocate money and food to support the Liao Dynasty due to the water conditions in Youzhou to deal with disasters and prepare for Liao Dynasty!" Li Tao said again, with a little dissatisfaction in his tone.
Upon hearing this, Liu Chengyou was not surprised. After all, King Yan's daily operations asked: "How much does Zhao Kuangzan ask from the court this time?"
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"One hundred thousand coins of money, fifty thousand shi of grain, three thousand bolts of cloth, and thousands more medicinal materials, salt, tea, and iron..." Li Tao said.
Listening to his words, Liu Chengyou knew where Li Tao's dissatisfaction came from. According to the past few years, as long as Youzhou's request to the court was accepted, the court would delete it as appropriate in reply. But this time, Zhao Kuangzan simply Ask for more.
"What do you think?" Liu Chengyou looked at Li Tao.
When asked, Li Tao expressed his thoughts directly: "Your Majesty, last year when there was a flood in Youzhou, the imperial court sent money, food and materials to support it. This year, Zhao Kuangzan asked again. How can it happen again and again?"
After considering his words, Li Tao continued: "Furthermore, the request to the imperial court in order to prepare for the Liao Dynasty is a false request. Since the Han Dynasty negotiated peace with the Khitan in the fourth year of Qianyou, there have been few affairs in northern Xinjiang. This reason is not worthy of trust. As for the three prefectures of Lulong and Lulong, they have been recuperating and developing over the past two years. With their savings, they will not be able to survive even one flood!"
"You didn't take into account the nearly 20,000 soldiers and horses in Youzhou! There are only 200,000 soldiers in the three states, and it is quite difficult to raise them!" Liu Chengyou said.
"This is what I am most worried about!" Li Tao handed over his hand and said to Liu Chengyou: "I think that King Yan wants to use the flood as an excuse to invite money and food from the court, but in fact it is to support his troops and strengthen his strength! I am worried that if things continue like this, the tail will not fall off, something unexpected will happen, and it will be a disaster for the imperial court..."
He glanced at Li Tao and asked, "Do all the ministers and workers think this way?"
Li Tao said respectfully: "For the sake of the country, I have to think more carefully! Youzhou's strength should be suppressed..."
In the past two years, there were people in the court from time to time praising Zhao Kuang for his achievements in guarding the border and guarding the Liao Dynasty, and praising the emperor's wise decision-making. Now that the world has changed, he, the emperor, has not yet become suspicious of Youzhou, but the princes in the court are suspicious. Got it!
Putting away the strange feeling in his heart, Liu Chengyou said, "Do you know what the floods are like in Youzhou?"
There was obviously some investigation into this, but he didn't dare to lie about it. Li Tao said: "The flood broke out and spread for tens of miles. It is indeed true!"
"Youzhou also belongs to the Han Dynasty, and its common people are also my ministers and servants. How can we treat them differently? Since they have suffered disasters, they should provide assistance!" Liu Chengyou thought for a while and said.
Li Tao was obviously a little confused about Liu Chengyou's decision. He didn't know why the emperor was partial to Youzhou. He thought about it and said: "Your Majesty, due to the great flood in the country, in addition to the various state capitals, the imperial court has increased the amount of money. Ten thousand yuan, two hundred thousand dan of grain, the waste is huge, and I am afraid that I will not be able to satisfy Zhao Kuangzan’s request!”
Liu Chengyou looked calmly at Li Tao: "Squeeze and move around, there is always something! Moreover, follow the previous example, cut some, and transfer it to Youzhou. The imperial court will not be so strapped!"
Seeing that the emperor had made up his mind, Li Tao did not dare to argue too much, so he had no choice but to bow his head and obey: "Yes!"
Liu Chengyou started to pace, and suddenly turned to Li Tao: "Listen to what you said, the court seems to have some criticism of Youzhou and the King of Yan! This trend must not rise, it must be restrained, and I have decreed that in the future, there will be no Those who dispute Youzhou and belittle King Yan will be severely punished!"
Seeing Liu Chengyou issuing such an order, Li Tao's expression was not very good. Looking at the serious look on the emperor's face, while agreeing, he couldn't help but said to him: "Your Majesty, your concerns are not without purpose. I hope that your Majesty will have some answers." Be wary!"
Seeing Li Tao's aggrieved look, Liu Chengyou thought for a while and said: "The King of Yan has been in Youzhou for these years and has defended the court against the Khitan invasion. This is a real achievement. Now, as always, people are obedient to the court. How can the imperial court cast suspicion?"
After pondering for a while, Liu Chengyou said again: "I can understand the concerns of you and others about loyalty. However, I have one thing to say, King Yan will fulfill his loyal duties and I will never let him down!"
The emperor said so, and Li Tao could only say helplessly: "Yes!"
Of course, Liu Chengyou's real thoughts in his heart are not enough to tell Li Tao. Right now, he has no time to suspect Zhao Kuangzan, that will happen in the future...