PFC Chapter 623: Palace Fights Are All Scheming
Chapter 623: Palace Fights Are All Scheming
However, if Huzhou has already suffered a disaster, it would be too late even if we start now. We can't just go and raid the Renshi family's house.
It’s not that there is no other way, which is to find a place to put the gold, silver, treasures and food that he had previously taken out of the space.
Just relying on this is not enough, after all, there will be resettlement and reconstruction in the future, so they can sell official positions and titles. This official cannot do it, it is a serious crime, and the money may flow into someone's pocket. But if an imperial decree is issued to legalize it, it will be different.
As long as the money is in place, official positions and titles can be given, but she can put a check on it, and the person's character must also be acceptable. Sometimes such people may not be worse officials than those who have passed the imperial examination or been recommended by aristocratic families.
Amidst the sighs and lamentations of the crowd, Xiao Yun said, "Instead of relying on the meager annual revenue from the national treasury, it would be better to open up new sources of income."
Before anyone else could react, Master Zhang spoke with curiosity, "Your Majesty, please enlighten me."
So Xiao Yun expressed his idea in a tactful way. The two more conservative ministers said that this was inappropriate and that once this door was opened, the court would be in chaos.
Xiao Yun added: "This loophole must not be opened to everyone. We must tell them that it is only valid this time. If they miss this opportunity, they will miss this store and the price they offer will be higher.
Of course, in addition to the highest bidder winning, the character of the person buying the official position must also be examined. Talent is not enough, but character must be up to standard. At least, he cannot be the kind of person who spends 10,000 taels and plans to plunder 100,000 taels in return.
Furthermore, it's not limited to the wealthy and powerful, but common people can also use money or grain to exchange for a plaque such as "A Family of Good Faith" or "A Patriotic Gentleman". With this plaque, they can meet officials without kneeling, and their children and grandchildren can take the imperial examinations without the need for a guarantor..."
After Xiao Yun finished speaking, the adults present began to discuss.
Some adults felt that although this method was risky, it was a good emergency measure as Huzhou was currently suffering from the disaster.
However, other adults still firmly opposed it, believing that this broke the ancestral rules.
After a moment's contemplation, Lord Zhang stepped forward and said, "Although what your Majesty said is controversial, if the disaster in Huzhou has already occurred and time is pressing, and the national treasury is indeed unable to provide sufficient money and grain in time, this method may be able to alleviate the urgent need.
And the Empress also mentioned the importance of checking people's character, which is not without limits. This method can be used as an emergency measure, but the treasury is still empty and there are many places where money can be used. This is not a long-term solution after all."
After hearing this, the others also nodded.
Of course Xiao Yun knew that this was not a long-term solution. This was just a backup plan. There was another plan that could not be told. When the gold, silver and grain appeared, she would rob the unscrupulous officials and wealthy families. This time it would be enough.
While everyone was weighing the pros and cons, Xiao Yun had just placed a batch of things in a dark room in Black Bear Ridge in Linzhou. Before anyone could discover them, the next morning's grand court meeting was met with an express delivery from Huzhou, which had traveled 800 miles.
The disaster in Huzhou came faster and was more severe than expected. Floods raged, countless houses collapsed, and people were displaced and in urgent need of relief supplies.
As soon as this news came out, everyone in the court changed their expressions. But even if those ministers who originally opposed it agreed, it would take time. They thought there was still room for maneuver, but now it is too late.
When several adults invited Xiao Yun to the front hall to discuss, Xiao Yun was too lazy to beat around the bush and directly said that the secret guards he had arranged to go out reported that treasures and food hidden by the remnants of the previous dynasty were found on the mountains in Linzhou, and they could be used as an emergency measure.
Besides, Linzhou is closer to Huzhou than here. Going there can save half the distance and be more effective in emergencies.
When they heard this, they all looked happy and said yes.
Xiao Yun was very pleased to see their expressions. She knew that her vision was very good. The adults she selected were all dedicated to serving the country and the people. It was worth it for her to threaten the Minister of Personnel to give them special promotions.
After that, they discussed the candidates for disaster relief. Xiao Yun didn't care about this. After they made their selection, Xiao Yun took out the 500 secret guards in the space, went to the Ministry of War to make a fake list, and mixed into the team that was going to escort the disaster relief supplies and protect the officials in charge.
She wanted to get more people out, but there were only 1,500 people in total, and she accounted for one-third of them. It would be difficult to handle if there were more.
Everything is arranged and the relief team will set off immediately.
Xiao Yun asked the most skilled secret guard to carry the jade talisman for communication so that he could keep an eye on the situation in the palace. Unexpectedly, her substitution saved the lives of those officials and soldiers.
The journey to Linzhou was safe, and even taking out the gold and silver was smooth. Because they were to be used for disaster relief, Xiao Yun only put in gold, silver and grain, no jewelry.
The accident happened at the junction of Linzhou and Yuzhou. There is a mountain road there. If you take it, you can save a hundred miles and arrive in Huzhou a day or two earlier.
So they took a shortcut and encountered bandits on the mountain road.
No one would have thought that a mountain town with a population of three or four thousand would actually be a den of thieves. They would farm during the busy farming season and rob people on the road during the slack season. Many merchants who passed through this road had fallen victim to their murderous hands.
These people not only seek wealth but also kill people. They all look honest but are extremely ruthless and every move is aimed at taking lives.
The sudden change frightened the leading official so much that he was at a loss. The soldiers had never experienced the battlefield and were temporarily intimidated by the bandits, whose number was twice theirs.
Fortunately, the secret guards acted in time, and with their skills, they were almost one against ten of the bandits, beating them to pieces. In the end, less than half of them escaped.
After receiving the news in the palace, Xiao Yun told them not to pursue and to continue on their way. He then flew a flying vehicle at night and raided the bandits' lair.
Those who had committed murder had their martial arts and limbs crippled. She did not touch the old, weak, women and children who had not committed murder, but she did not leave anything for them. She took away all the edible food.
Those who were not robbed were all born and raised there. Even if they had never robbed or killed anyone, they were still vested interests. It was already merciful enough to let them fend for themselves.
Not to mention the gold, silver and jewelry, just the food stored for thousands of people is a huge number.
Xiao Yun took the opportunity to release the remaining 2,000 people. 1,500 of them were left in Linzhou, Yunzhou, and Yuzhou respectively. The gold, silver, and jewelry were divided into three parts. One part was given to them so that they could obtain identities and buy houses. The other part was given to the 1,000 people who would escort the food and the other gold and silver to Huzhou.
He also told them that if anyone asked about it when they got there, they should say that it was donated anonymously by merchants from Linzhou, Yunzhou and Yuzhou.
After sending them off, some people can stay there and lie dormant instead of coming back, while the rest can be sent to other state capitals, so that they can have their own people watching over them in every state capital.
Of course, for convenience, Xiao Yun also exchanged their jewelry for gold and silver, and some fine grains for coarse grains, so that they could be distributed in larger quantities.