"Reporting to your Majesty, even the humble ministers don't know, those refugees got in from nowhere, and before the humble ministers noticed it, they sealed the door."
Lan Yuan was very frustrated. The emperor had just handed over the defense of the capital to him, but this happened, which made him feel shameless.
"Your Majesty, those who are fleeing should be from Guangdong and Guangxi. Frequent floods in Guangdong and Guangxi, coupled with the disasters caused by pirates, make the people miserable. On behalf of hundreds of people from Guangdong and Guangxi, I would like to ask the emperor to allocate a sum of money to help the victims."
"We, on the orders of the people of Guangdong and Guangxi, request the emperor to allocate a sum of money to provide relief to the victims."
A group of people shouted, which surprised him. When he looked back, he saw that Zeng Xiangguo and all his officials were kneeling on the ground.
When he saw those officials, he immediately knew where those refugees came from.
"Look, it's the Emperor. The Emperor is here. The Emperor wants to seek justice for us. The Emperor wants to seek justice for us. The Emperor is seeking justice for us." There was a refugee with good eyesight who saw what he was standing on. Chen Nan on the city wall also knelt down.
Chen Nan sneered in his heart, those refugees were just ordinary people, and they might not be able to see the emperor in their lifetime. It was really rare to be able to see him at a glance.
But he didn't care so much at this time. Seeing that the other party recognized him, he stopped thinking about it and quickly climbed up the city wall and waved to the group of refugees.
"Everyone, please raise your head." Chen Nan shouted, and everyone looked up at Chen Nan on the city wall.
"Everyone has worked hard because of my incompetence. I hereby swear that I will never let you suffer like this again in the future."
This was the first time for Chen Nan to see so many people, and he had never seen an emperor speaking like this to these refugees. He felt uneasy in his heart and said everything he was thinking.
The refugees looked at Chen Nan who was speaking in confusion. Chen Nan also noticed this scene, but he had no choice because it was too difficult to communicate with ancient people using modern methods.
Chen Nan was thinking about how to send the refugees away. At this time, a woman walked out of the team and lifted her child up. The child had a yellow face and thin skin, and had obviously been starved for many days.
"Can you give me some food?" Although the woman's words were not loud, they were clearly heard by everyone present.
"Wen Yao, aren't you going to make porridge today?"
"Your Majesty, the treasury is now empty and all the food stores have been sold out. We are simply unable to take care of so many people." Wen Yao looked worried.
"So, you are planning to let those people starve?"
"Your Majesty, the ministers really have no choice. Moreover, these people are lowly civilians. General Xiao can directly expel them." Wen Yao did not notice the anger in Chen Nan's eyes, nor did she notice that in her eyes , those refugees are not adults.
"Haha, Minister Wen, if you find it troublesome, I also have a way to solve the problem of food and clothing for the refugees. I just need to borrow something from Wen Aiqing."
Chen Nan's voice suddenly became friendly, and he even patted his shoulder.
"If I can share some of it with you, I will never have any objections to my little life. It's just that there is not much food left at home."
"Don't worry, I won't ask for your food. You come with me." Chen Nan smiled and brought Wen Yao to the city wall.
"Everyone, let me introduce you to this. This is our Liang Guo Si Nong eunuch. He is in charge of money and food all over the country. If you want to eat, you have to rely on him."
Wen Yao's face darkened, and everyone around her looked at Wen Yao. Wen Yao could feel their anger. If glances could kill her, she would have been tortured to death long ago.
"I didn't..." Just as Wen Yao was about to retort, Chen Nan pinched her throat and she could no longer speak.
"Everyone, have you ever thought about why there is not enough food? He is the one who stuffed all the disaster relief money and food distributed by the court into his pocket. Do you think this kind of person should die?"
"Kill him."
"kill him."
Chen Nan's words completely aroused the anger of these refugees. They all raised their little hands and clamored to kill Wen Yao.
"Wen Aiqing, you heard just now that everyone wanted me to kill you with the sword. You swore that even if it cost you your life, you had no objection, right? Then, I will kill you with my sword. I’ll lend you my head!”
Wen Yao opened her eyes wide and wanted to struggle, but she was no match for Chen Nan and was dragged off the city wall by Chen Nan.
"kill him."
Wen Yao was frightened and rushed forward desperately, trying to pin her down. Even if she could escape, she would definitely die.
"Lan Yuan, send the troops out and let them eat porridge outside the palace in two hours." Lan Yuan said and hurried downstairs.
"Yes, but-"
"What?" Chen Nan paused and looked back at Lan Yuan.
"Your Majesty, I don't have that much food in my hands. Even the food and grass in the camp were gone this morning, and the officers and soldiers' pay has been in arrears for more than half a year." Lan Yuan simply gave up and explained all his difficulties.
"What? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Chen Nan said angrily. Withholding military pay would cause a mutiny.
The troops he has now are only the 100,000 soldiers and horses of Zuoying. If the soldiers and horses rebel, he will be thankful to be able to save his life, let alone regain his strength.
"For the record, Your Majesty, I have already taken the discount, but——"
Lan Yuan did not continue, but he also understood what he wanted to say - he did not go to court just now, presumably because he was blocked by Zeng Xiangguo and the others.
"Okay, you take out one hundred thousand taels of silver from the treasury and use it to buy food to make the people feel at ease. I will think of other things."
"Is there something wrong with you?" After listening to Chen Nan's words, Lan Yuan remained motionless with a confused look on his face.
"Your Majesty, the food and grass in the city have been sold out. We will be able to buy it in two weeks."
"You are really stupid. I'll tell you a place where you can definitely find something to eat." Chen Nan approached Lan Yuan and whispered.
Lan Yuan's expression changed from shock at first to surprise later. He hurriedly led the people away without even saying hello. Watching Lan Yuan leave, he shook his head.
Lan Yuan can play as a forward, but he is by no means a good coach who leads troops into battle. He wants to revive the main force, but there are not enough people around him.
"Your Majesty, where are we going?" Mr. Yun looked at his leaving figure and asked doubtfully.
Zeng Xiangguo and a group of ministers looked in disbelief after Chen Nan left. A dignified third-rank minister was abandoned like this.
"Prime Minister, what are you..." Zeng Xiangguo slipped and fell directly to the ground. A group of officials quickly stepped forward to help him.
"It's nothing, seniors, let's leave quickly." After Zeng Xiangguo said that, he ran out of the tower without waiting for anyone else to make any move, fearing that he would be kicked out by Chen Nan.
