Hu Maoshen immediately understood and raised his glass and said loudly: "This time I have been ordered to assist Mr. Gu in handling disaster relief matters. I will ask you all to help me in the future! I would like to toast you all and thank you in advance!"
Everyone hurriedly said, "Don't dare! Don't dare!" Then they stood up one after another, raised their wine glasses, and offered a toast.
"Everyone, I am the officer in charge of this disaster relief. I will rely on you for many things in the future. If I ask for help from you in the future, you can't shirk it! Come on, I'll give you a drink. I'll do it first as a courtesy!
"
Gu Chengyu smiled, raised the wine glass, and took a drink first.
When everyone saw this, they had no choice but to stand up and offer a toast in return, saying they were polite.
Even though the faces of these wealthy businessmen are flushed with alcohol, they actually know very well that the real host of today’s banquet has arrived!
As soon as Gu Chengyu sat down, the smile on his face disappeared and was replaced by a frown.
He continued: "This flood in Changtian Mansion killed and injured more than 10,000 people. This is a tragic event that has never happened since the beginning of the dynasty. Even the emperor was heartbroken. Those people who died are really pitiful. Alas! Natural disasters are very rare.
Human power can reverse it. It’s really heartbreaking, but there’s nothing you can do about it!”
Gu Chengyu wiped the corners of his eyes with the handkerchief on the table, his expression so heavy that everyone present put down their wine glasses.
There was silence in the hall at this moment, and everyone's expressions changed from red faces to mournful mourning!
Hu Maoshen's mouth twitched. These people's faces changed faster than those of the actors.
"We are deeply saddened by the death of so many people. Sir, please don't be too upset. Take care of yourself and make arrangements for disaster relief!"
At this time, someone needs to answer the question, and this candidate is naturally the shopkeeper Zhan of Juxianglou.
"What Shopkeeper Zhan said is absolutely true. I will definitely resettle the victims, and we will not leave them homeless, hungry, and sick. However, the imperial court also has its own difficulties, and the disaster relief funds have not yet been allocated.
, but the victims can’t wait any longer.”
Gu Chengyu spoke sincerely, but frowned, obviously worried about the disaster relief.
"I visit the victims every day and find that they have already removed all the turf within a ten-mile radius. They are all so hungry that their faces are sallow and lifeless. I still remember their numb eyes, which is a painful complaint to me.
The official is so incompetent!"
Gu Chengyu's words showed his true feelings. He added a glass of wine for himself and drank it down, as if this could alleviate the guilt in his heart. In the eyes of others, this was a way of venting his own incompetence.
"How can this be Mr. Gu's incompetence? No one wants to think about natural disasters! The court does not allocate money, and you are a clever woman who cannot make a meal without rice! Don't blame yourself too much!"
Li Yuhuan, who was sitting in the other corner, saw that Gu Chengyu was so lonely, and he couldn't help but give some advice.
At this moment, he felt that Lord Gu was still new to the world and was a good official who cared about the people.
When Gu Chengyu heard this, he thought, eh! This Li Yuhuan is quite sensible, so he answered the question well.
"Gu Shaoqing, there are more and more victims, and the court can't allocate money. We have to find a way on our own! Although some of the victims have been sent to Yingnan Mansion before, and they are still on the way now, even if they go to Yingnan Mansion, what's the point?
Do they also need food? We can’t just ignore it, right? Besides, I don’t know if that little food can support them until they reach Yingnan Mansion, ugh!”
Hu Maoshen stroked his beard and sighed again!
"So, aren't we here to invite you to make suggestions? Everyone, do you have any good suggestions?" Gu Chengyu asked everyone with a bitter face.
The veins on the foreheads of the merchants present jumped. What does this disaster relief have to do with them?
If they don't take advantage of this opportunity to make a fortune, they have done their best. Isn't this the business of your court? Otherwise, what does the court do to support officials like you?
A smile of flesh-and-blood separation appeared on Xia Hongji's face. He could tell that the imperial envoy wanted to ask them to provide money for disaster relief, right?
What a beautiful idea! Why do they give out money for disaster relief? No one’s money comes from the strong wind. Only a fool would agree to such a stupid thing where money is paid but no good things can be obtained.
Besides, Gu Chengyu is always against the chief minister of his family. Why should he help an enemy who always brings troubles to the family? His mind is still clear and he is not confused!
The other wealthy businessmen were not stupid, and they naturally saw it. Suddenly, they all felt that the nectar they drank before immediately became bitter, and they also suffered from heartburn.
How much money do we need for disaster relief? It’s not a small number! It’s at least a hundred thousand taels, after all, there are so many victims!
Everyone in the room was a little restless, and the stools under their buttocks seemed to be pricked with needles. Some people tried their best to shrink to the side so that the Imperial Envoy could not see them.
Gu Chengyu naturally expected this situation. How could it be so easy to get money from these shrewd merchants?
If you just ask for money in vain, how can someone give it to you? Since a businessman is very profitable, he will naturally have to give you enough benefits.
"The Hangtianfu river embankment is leaking recently, have you heard about it?" Gu Chengyu suddenly became serious and talked about the river embankment leaking.
"Didn't you hear that it has been made up?" Mr. Wang asked doubtfully.
Gu Chengyu shook his head, and then pointed at Duan Zhijie, "This is Mr. Duan, a doctor from the Ministry of Industry. He is specially ordered by the emperor to inspect the river embankment. He knows the power of this, so let him analyze it carefully for everyone."
Duan Zhijie nodded, "Yes! Sir!"
"As you know, the material of the river embankment in Hangtian Mansion is the same as that in Changtian Mansion. Water leaked in the past few days. If Master Yang had not led the people in the city to repair the river embankment spontaneously, Hangtian Mansion would have followed in the footsteps of Changtian Mansion.
Well, this is all the credit of Mr. Yang and the people in the city! After the two imperial envoys negotiated with officials from our Ministry of Industry, Mr. Gu proposed that the downstream river water must be diverted and part of it diverted, otherwise the river embankment of Hangtianfu will definitely
It cannot withstand the current erosion of the river."
Duan Zhijie praised all the adults, and then said: "Master Gu has proposed a plan to change the route. After discussion with all the adults, I think it is very feasible. But to this day, the construction has not started yet. Why?"
"But there's no money?" Shopkeeper Zhan rolled his eyes. His chance to show off had come, and he quickly answered.
Gu Chengyu glanced at him with approval, expressing that he was very satisfied with Shopkeeper Zhan's cooperation.
"Exactly! It's just because there is no money. In fact, this diversion is for the people of Hangtian Mansion, and you will be the ones who will benefit from it in the future. You all know whether the imperial court's taxes are harsh every year. It's just because the imperial court is soft-hearted and can't bear to raise taxes.
, that’s why the finances are so stretched. Everyone, now that Hangtian Mansion is in crisis, I believe that you will do your part for the sake of the court and your homeland."
Gu Chengyu saw that the opportunity had come, why didn't he quickly pick up the conversation?
As soon as he finished saying this, the table fell completely silent.