Chapter 292: Shaobai went to deliver food as he wished, Zhao Bai offered a plan to ask for it back...
Qin Shaobai told Zhao Bai about his experiences in the past ten days.
There has been a severe drought in the past few years, and locusts have eaten away very little of the people's food.
In such a harsh environment, the people began to riot and rob food.
Not only did the government show no sympathy at all, but they regarded these people who looted grain as thieves and suppressed them.
This kind of thing happens all over the country, especially in the Jianghuai area.
Qin Shaobai was sent by Song Ningzong to Jianghuai to inspect the public sentiment.
"The emperor also knows that officials report good news but not bad news. He asked you to inspect Jianghuai this time because he really wants to see the real needs of the people."
"Yes, I returned to the palace overnight last night and reported some things to the emperor."
"What did the Emperor say?"
Zhao Bai asked eagerly.
"The emperor did not comment. He only asked Eunuch An to call the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."
"Your Majesty, are you going to release food?"
Zhao Bai's eyes lit up: "The emperor's release of grain at this time is a great kindness to the people in the disaster area."
"That's what I say, but throughout the ages, too many people have enriched their country and enriched themselves by relying on natural disasters and man-made disasters to line their own pockets. I'm worried that this time..."
"Shaobai, do you know who the grain officer assigned by the emperor this time is?"
Qin Shaobai shook his head.
"This grain officer must not be a member of the Shi Thief, otherwise, it will be a bunch of injustice."
"General Zhao means..."
"Yes, we need to take a preemptive strike. One of you and I should take the initiative to ask to be the grain officer."
Qin Shaobai looked at Zhao Bai.
Zhao Bai's face showed a resolute look. He stood up and said to Qin Shaobai: "Let's go to the palace. Maybe Thief Shi is already waiting for the emperor's summons."
As expected by Zhao Bai, Shi Miyuan had been called in by the emperor.
"Sixth Prince, General, the Emperor is discussing disaster relief with Prime Minister Shi, please wait a moment."
However, Zhao Bai grabbed Eunuch An's lapel and said, "Eunuch An, go and report to the emperor, and say that the sixth emperor brother and I are here just for disaster relief, and that I have a good plan to offer to the emperor."
Not long after Eunuch An left, he heard Song Ningzong shouting in the main hall: "Let the sixth prince and the eldest brother come in."
Zhao Bai pulled Qin Shaobai and walked towards the main hall with his head held high.
Shi Miyuan was standing aside, his face looked very ugly.
Apparently, his opinion should have been refuted by Song Ningzong.
"Shi Aiqing, we'll talk about what you said later. You can go back first."
The muscles on Shi Miyuan's face trembled, and he said slowly: "Then I will leave first."
"First Emperor Brother, Sixth Emperor Brother, did you just say that you have a good way to get rid of this drought and insect pests?"
Zhao Bai did not answer, but asked instead: "Your Majesty, did the Prime Minister also come to talk about this matter? What does he think?"
Song Ningzong's expression changed slightly.
"He said that the natural disasters in recent years were because God couldn't stand the disrespect of the people of the Song Dynasty. He said that he wanted to restore Neo-Confucianism. He also said that he should go to Mount Tai to worship God, so that God could be kind to the people of the Song Dynasty."
"Nonsense, what does Shi Miyuan want to do when he goes to pray to heaven at this time?"
Zhao Bai roared angrily, "Is he really ignorant or pretending not to know about the evil deeds of the bandits in Shandong? Does he want to put the emperor in danger?"
The corner of Song Ningzong's mouth trembled slightly.
"Maybe Shi Aiqing just wants me to move the world."
"Your Majesty, I feel that whether or not we worship God and whether or not we promote Neo-Confucianism is not the most important thing at the moment."
Qin Shaobai finally intervened.
"Yes, when I just came to see the emperor, Shaobai and I discussed it. We felt that the most important thing now is to find a trustworthy official to go to the disaster area to distribute food, so that the people can eat rice first, so as not to starve to death.
"
"Then do you have a suitable candidate?"
Song Ningzong's frown told them that he knew that there were few trustworthy officials in the court who were dedicated to serving the people.
Zhao Bai winked at Qin Shaobai.
Qin Shaobai hurriedly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, the position of this grain officer is not big, but it is very important. Therefore, I am willing to recommend myself to be this grain officer."
When Emperor Ningzong of the Song Dynasty heard this, he was overjoyed and quickly asked Eunuch An to call the Minister of the Ministry of Finance to come again, and he quickly formulated an imperial edict.
The Minister of Hubu originally had some opinions, but when he saw that Song Ningzong looked like he had made up his mind, he did not dare to say anything and welcomed Qin Shaobai into the Hubu to discuss specific matters.
Just as Zhao Baigang was about to leave, Song Ningzong called him again.
"Brother, the First Emperor, have you heard about the recent events in the Kingdom of Jin?"
Zhao Bai pretended not to know and asked: "I have been busy with the security and defense of Lin'an City recently, and I have not heard any unusual movements in the Kingdom of Jin."
Song Ningzong let out a long sigh.
"Brother, do you still hold grudges against me, blaming me for taking away your title of King of Zhennan and making you submit to this little Lin'an Mansion?"
"I don't dare. As long as I can serve the emperor and the Song Dynasty, Zhao Bai will work hard no matter on the battlefield or in the government office."
After a pause, Zhao Bai said again: "The emperor just said that there are changes in the Kingdom of Jin. What happened in the Kingdom of Jin?"
"It is reported that King Wei Shao is unpopular during his time in power. Jin Zhangzong's generals are looking for Princess Jinhua and want to support her to ascend the throne."
"The emperor is saying that a civil war broke out in the Kingdom of Jin?"
Zhao Bai was overjoyed, "This is an excellent opportunity."
"I wonder if the eldest brother has any good ideas?"
"Your Majesty, you don't know. Princess Jinhua is currently in the Sixth Prince's residence. Why don't we use this opportunity to cooperate internally and externally?"
"What the eldest brother means is..."
"What I mean is that we send a mission to send Princess Jinhua back to the Kingdom of Jin, and then join forces with the rest of Jin Zhangzong to rebel against Wanyan Yongji."
Zhao Bai became more and more excited as he spoke, "And we must be fully prepared. When the Jin Kingdom is in chaos, we will send troops northward to catch him off guard."
Song Ningzong was overjoyed when he heard this. He stepped down from the dragon throne and held Zhao Bai's hand: "Brother Emperor, thank you."
Zhao Bai suddenly knelt down, startling Song Ningzong.
"Brother, if you have any requests, feel free to ask for them, but don't do it like this?"
"Your Majesty, Zhao Bai is a man who gallops on the battlefield after all. Therefore, Zhao Bai asks the Emperor to let Zhao Bai train the Zhao Family Army again. When the Song Dynasty needs it, he can lead the Zhao Family Army to kill the enemy and serve the country."
"Okay, I promise you. Tomorrow I will ask the Ministry of War to draw up an order and send you another 10,000 elite soldiers, so that you can train well and wait for the opportunity to regain all the lost land in the Song Dynasty."
"Your Majesty, Zhao Bai would like to ask Your Majesty to prepare an edict immediately and announce it to the world." Zhao Bai still knelt on the ground, raised his head, and stared at Song Ningzong with a pair of eagle-like eyes, "Zhao Bai has one more request, please ask Your Majesty to rectify Zhao Bai's name.