Chapter 696: Taking action on the Li family

"Is there anything strange about this? We are blessed by God. Didn't we still have the sacred well given by the old god from Xuanji Mountain during the last war? This drought has not spread to our northern Hubei. It must have been the old god who cast a spell. .”

"Not to mention, it might be true. That well disappeared out of thin air after we withdrew our troops..."

The discussion gradually faded away, but the sun hanging high in the sky remained unmoved, still emitting its abnormal heat and evaporating the water vapor on the earth bit by bit.

Last year's unusual weather happened just after the autumn harvest, but this year it was just after spring plowing. In some places, crops were not even planted. It can be said that this year's drought is many times more severe than last year.

Above the imperial court, more and more ministers petitioned for disaster relief.

Sheng Zhan was reluctant to open a warehouse to store grain easily before, and even wanted to unite with the Jun tribe to raid northern Hubei, but at this time he could only give it up temporarily due to the widespread drought.

"Your Majesty, our spies outside the customs have come to report that the tribes outside the customs have also suffered from drought this year. Chengji of the Jiayu tribe has led his tribe to Tianxue Mountain a month ago."

At the meeting that day, a minister reported.

As soon as this statement came out, all the ministers were in an uproar.

"The natural disaster is so serious that even the grasslands are not spared. Your Majesty, you must not hesitate any longer!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, it's not yet the autumn harvest, and the people have not done anything for the time being, but if we wait until the autumn harvest, it will be too late!"

"If the officials below still collect taxes according to the standards of previous years, it is one thing whether the people can hand it over. I am afraid that someone will cause trouble. If the people below cannot suppress it, then something will be wrong!"

"..."

Sheng Zhan was upset when he heard what these people said. Didn't he know that he had to quickly formulate a plan to deal with the natural disaster? In addition to paying lip service, can't these ministers come up with practical countermeasures?

For a moment, Sheng Zhan even had a feeling that he shouldn't take the throne.

What would happen to Shengze if he were sitting in this position?

Thinking of this, Sheng Zhan glanced at the ministers below and said, "Farming and mulberry trees are the foundation of the country. Drought has a great impact on this. Dear sirs, do you have any countermeasures?"

There was no water or rain. What could he do? Spreading money all the time is not an option. The key is that he doesn't have any money to throw around.

"I believe that this year's situation is special, and I can already foresee that the harvest in the fields will definitely not be good. If the emperor can order the reduction of taxes this year, it will definitely reduce the possibility of chaos among the people."

"In my humble opinion, when the drought is so serious, it is even more important to build canals to connect waterways across the country and lay a solid foundation for the Jin Dynasty's century-old prosperity..."

Several ambitious young ministers stood up and made impassioned speeches. However, Sheng Zhan's face became increasingly ugly.

If taxes are reduced or reduced, what will he fight for? If Shengze doesn't die, he won't have peace of mind.

By building canals, people can farm and irrigate their fields, but where will the money come from?

"Li Aiqing, I heard that a branch of the Li family is the richest man in the Jin Dynasty. Is this true?" Sheng Zhan suddenly called Li Junyi, the Minister of Household Affairs, to come forward and reply.

Li Junyi was Shen Qingman's ex-father-in-law. After the Shen family was exiled, he was promoted several levels from a small head of the household department to the position of minister of the household department.

Hearing Sheng Zhan's question, Li Junyi, who had tried hard to reduce his presence a moment ago, had no choice but to trot forward and said, "Back to the emperor, the rumors in the market are not credible."

It's over, it's over, the emperor is going to operate on the Li family branch!