"Replying to your lord, I am stepping up my supervision of the construction. However, the materials and manpower are still insufficient, so the progress is a bit slow. But don't worry, your lord, it will be completed as soon as possible." An official bowed and replied.
Zhong Zhong nodded and said: "Very good. The resettlement of the victims must be done properly. The emperor has already asked about it at the meeting. Several adults in the cabinet are also very concerned about this. Our Ministry of Household Affairs is responsible for relief, and the Ministry of Works has sent people to coordinate. The Ministry of Works has
Where is Mr. Xu, Yuanwailang?"
A thin, dark official in his forties came out in response. He had his sleeves rolled up and was covered in mud from injuries. His official uniform was also wrinkled and stained with mud and snow. One of the wings of his hat was crooked, and he looked very ugly.
To be sloppy.
The official cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, Xu Gao is here."
Zhong Zhong glanced at him and said in a deep voice: "Mr. Xu, Mr. Zeng, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, has sent you to assist our Ministry of Husbandry in the relief work. This shanty building matter needs to be dealt with. Just now, Mr. Li said that there is a lack of materials. This is your Ministry of Works.
Things need to be coordinated quickly."
Xu Gao said: "Sir, your Majesty, I have already ordered people to rush the warehouse to deliver materials. Even if you stay up late tonight, we must build shacks to shelter the people. Sir, please rest assured. We are short of manpower, so I have already gone to the battle in person."
."
Zhong Zhong nodded and said: "Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Xu. There is a sudden natural disaster and the people are suffering. We have to act quickly. Even if I work harder, I can't live up to the emperor's expectations and live up to the court's trust in helping the people."
Everyone said one after another: "Your Majesty said that, please keep this in mind."
Zhong Zhong was about to say something more when he suddenly heard a noise coming from the crowd gathering in front. Someone seemed to be fighting. Zhong Zhong frowned and said, "What's going on there? What are the victims gathering on the west side of the square for?"
An official hurriedly said: "Reporting to your lord, it was Zhang Yanling, the Marquis of Jianchang, who had set up a porridge shed and was putting out porridge and rice to help the people."
"Jianchang Marquis Zhang Yanling? Why is he here to join in the fun?" Zhong Zhong frowned.
"This...he brought the people here without saying a word. I can't say anything, after all..."
"That's all, let's go take a look." Zhong Zhong interrupted.
A group of people gathered around Zhong Zhong and headed to the west side of the square. Several government officials in front kept scolding the people who were squatting in the snow and drinking porridge to get out of the way. The people were so shocked that they ran away.
Zhang Yanling, who was standing in the shed, saw the group of people coming, frowned and stepped forward and shouted: "What are you doing? The people are eating well, why are you driving them away? Stop."
"Master Zhang, I am polite." Zhong Zhong stepped forward slowly and said in a deep voice. He said he was polite, but Zhong didn't even raise his hand.
Zhang Yanling knew Ji Zhong's name, but had never seen him. But seeing that he was wearing the clothes of a second-grade civil servant, he guessed that it was Ji Zhong. So he smiled and said: "It's polite, is it Mr. Ji, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue? Come in person.
He came to inspect the relief work, he is really a good official who cares about the suffering of the people."
Zhong Zhong said in a deep voice: "This is my job. But Mr. Zhang, what are you doing?"
Zhang Yanling said: "Giving porridge. Didn't you see? The people were hungry and cold, so I came to build this porridge shed to provide relief. It was just a small contribution, so you don't need to praise me. Hahaha."
Zhong Zhong laughed, this guy was really talking to himself, why did he want to praise him?
"Master Zhang, relief is a matter for the court. You should not get involved personally, otherwise it will cause chaos and chaos. Marquis Jianchang's willingness to share the worries of the court and help the people is worthy of praise, but this group of people is making a lot of noise.
What's the point of being surrounded here? It's better to accept it. The imperial court will take care of everything."
Zhang Yanling frowned and said, "I don't like to hear what you are saying, Mr. Ji. I am so hot on the cheek but cold on the bottom, right? I bring my own food and help the people, but am I causing trouble for the court?"
Zhong Zhongdao: "The imperial court has its own arrangements and coordination for relief work. Unless the imperial court allows it, individuals getting involved will of course cause chaos. This does not mean that Jianchang Hou did something wrong."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "What did Master Ji have for lunch today?"
Zhong Zhong frowned and said, "Why do you ask this?"
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "I guess Mr. Ji ate hot white rice, meat, and maybe drank some wine."
Zhong Zhong said in a deep voice: "Marquis Jianchang, this is not the time for joking. I don't want to talk to you about such gossip."
"Joking? Gossip? When you are drinking wine and eating meat, do you know what these people are eating? When I came in the morning, a group of people were standing in the snow, shivering from the cold, and couldn't even drink hot water. Everyone is drinking from the northwest wind. Many people's houses collapsed in the middle of the night, and the whole family escaped and stood hungry in the ice and snow. How to withstand the severe cold? I naturally believe that the court will make arrangements, but in the afternoon , the situation is still the same, you didn’t even prepare porridge or rice, is this the relief arrangement of your household department? Look at these people, how hard it is to eat and feel hot, and the adults say that I am here to cause trouble? It is really unreasonable. You high-minded adults, don’t you know that disaster relief is like putting out fires? If you don’t eat or drink for a day, people will die in this weather. At best, you are neglecting your official duties, but at worst, you are disregarding human life. ." Zhang Yanling said in a deep and cold voice.
"Mr. Zhang, even if you are the Marquis of the Ming Dynasty, you cannot talk to us like this, Mr. Ji. Mr. Ji is the current Minister of Household Affairs. Mr. Zhang, please respect yourself." Someone shouted next to Mr. Zhong.
Zhang Yanling shouted: "I just said it, what's going on? You bunch of destitute people don't care about the life and death of the people at all. Matters that matter to human life are just like shit in your eyes. Relief, relief, if the people starve to death and freeze to death, this is called relief." What? I don’t want to cause trouble, I just want to do my part. Otherwise, I have to go to the palace to report to the emperor and see how you officials provide relief."
Zhong Zhong yelled and scolded: "You are the one who wants to banish me for important matters in the imperial court? Zhang Yanling, don't be so presumptuous. Don't use the emperor to frighten us. How could the current emperor, a wise emperor, believe a few slanderous words from you?"
Zhang Yanling sneered and said: "I'm not qualified to criticize you, am I? Then ask these people what they think in their hearts."
Zhang Yanling turned to the common people and shouted: "Folks, the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs did not allow me to set up a porridge shed here to provide relief, saying that the court would take care of you. So I have no choice but to remove the porridge shed. Everyone Don't blame me. These officials are of high authority and I can't afford to offend them. Just accept them."
The common people had long heard and seen the conversation between the two people. At this moment, they could no longer hold back. Some people shouted loudly: "Do you want us to die, you official? If you don't do anything, Mr. Zhang will come to rescue us." It’s not allowed yet. What’s the point of this?”
"That is, is there any humanity left? They are all beasts."
"If you don't let us live, we will fight with you."
In the excitement of the crowd, someone picked up snowballs from the ground and threw them at Zhong Zhong. The soldiers and government officials who were guarding yelled loudly, and drew out their weapons to kill the person. This time, the crowd was even more excited. Snowballs were falling like raindrops. It flew towards him. Although Zhong Zhong was blocked by his followers, he still received a few blows on his black gauze hat. Snow powder fell from his neck and made him tremble with ice.
"Are you rebelling? Is this a rebellion? Zhang Yanling, are you so bold to incite the victims to rebel?" Zhong Zhong shouted angrily.
Zhang Yanling raised her hands and shouted loudly: "Folks, don't be impulsive, don't be like this. If you make a fuss like this, I will be charged with inciting you to make trouble later."
The common people stopped after hearing this, as they did not want to implicate Mr. Zhang.
He shook the snow powder on his clothes like a dog, and said with an ashen face: "Zhang Yanling, I must report this matter to the court. Is this okay?"