"Report to the Young Master, Mr. Bao left the capital three days ago."
Upon hearing this return, Cao Bin couldn't help but be stunned.
Are you defending yourself? But no matter what the reason, he had to leave as soon as possible.
However, Shandong's situation at this time is already like a powder keg, which may explode at any time.
What if Chang Feng and others were not waiting for him, but Bao Zheng.
I don't know if he will feel desperate because of this, so he will break the pot and leave Bao Zheng in Shandong.
If that were the case, it would be a tragedy.
"Should I save him? Or should I not save him?"
Thinking of this, Cao Bin couldn't help but look strange.
After pondering for a while, Cao Bin immediately ordered: "Uncle Fu, gather your soldiers immediately and prepare the ships. I want to set off for Shandong immediately!"
Although his soldiers have only been trained for two months, they can't compare with the combat effectiveness of ordinary soldiers.
Even if we don't expect them to be of much practical use, they can still be used to bluff people. After all, they are still our own people.
It's just that Cao Bin still underestimated Bao Zheng, who was famous throughout the ages.
After the Kaifeng Prefecture's fleet left Gyeonggi Road, Bao Zheng had already changed into private clothes and quietly entered Shandong with a group of his men.
But all the officials in Shandong were unaware of it.
They turned into merchants along the way, passing through Xinginfu and Guangjijun, and headed towards Jeju.
There is nothing to see around the Guangji River. After a long period of drought, the villages along the river are almost deserted.
But when they passed through Dingtao County, they were surprised.
This is the headquarters of the Guangji Army. Tens of thousands of victims who should have gathered here are busy digging canals, embankments, and city walls.
Seeing this, Gongsun Ce couldn't help but turned to Bao Zheng and smiled: "Sir, it seems that the Guangji Army has done a good job in providing relief through work. The governor here must be a capable person."
Bao Zheng, dressed as a soldier, pondered for a moment and said: "Get off the boat and ask these victims about their specific situation."
After a while, his subordinates found an old man. Bao Zheng showed a rare smile and said:
"Old man, I see you are working very hard. Do you have enough food every day?"
The old man smiled and said, "Are you merchants from the capital?"
Seeing Bao Zheng nod, the old man laughed happily and said, "Then you came at the right time. Now we are short of everything here, except food."
After finishing speaking, he gloated a little: "Now even the 'rich people' in the city have come out to become victims of the disaster."
Bao Zheng asked: "Oh? Why is this?"
The old man smiled and said:
"Food in the city is expensive, but the food distributed to us by the government is distributed according to work, and we will give as much as possible."
"Thanks to Uncle Cao, the imperial envoy. I heard that he was the one who ordered people to buy so much grain."
When Bao Zheng and others heard this, they couldn't help but look at each other. Even if it was a work-for-relief scheme, there was no reason to openly supply food, right?
If this is the case, even if there is an ocean of food, you can’t help but eat like this!
This problem troubled them all the way, and it wasn't until they entered Jeju City that they suddenly realized it.
Because it is close to water and terraces, there is a lot of news available, and even civilians have categorically stated that the price of food will drop.
It turned out that the local grain merchants had already piled up mountains of grain and did not care about the disaster relief grain sent by the imperial envoy.
They even vaguely hope that the victims will waste more. If there is no food relief, will Cao Bin feel the pressure and buy food from them?
This was also thanks to the fact that Cao Bin left an impression on them of being a murderer without batting an eyelid, making them unwilling to risk their lives for some uncertain conjecture.
Otherwise, there might be some fires or something.
After finding a private residence to settle down temporarily, Gongsun Ce exclaimed:
"It turns out that Uncle Cao used high prices to attract grain merchants, so that the local grain backlog would overflow, and grain prices would naturally drop."
"There are only two things I don't understand. How did he make the local grain merchants believe in him?"
"Also, most of his disaster relief food funds have been used to buy high-priced food. Even if local food prices drop sharply, he will not be able to buy enough disaster relief food, right?"
At this moment, Zhan Zhao walked in quickly and handed over his hand to report:
"Master Bao, I have verified clearly that there is indeed a soft red building in the residence of Uncle Zhongjing's imperial envoy."
"The collection contained bribes sent by local officials."
"There are several women from good families among them, and it is true that local officials robbed them from civilians' homes."
"I have found the husband of one of the women, and he has agreed to testify!"
Bao Zheng nodded clearly and said to Gongsun Ce:
"I'm afraid this is a way to make local officials believe in him. By collaborating with him and handing over his handle to others, this will naturally make people convinced."
"What's more, Chang Feng was recommended to the court by Grand Master Pang. They already have mutual trust."
As he said that, he frowned: "As for the second point, I haven't figured it out yet."
Zhan Zhao was a little confused and said: "Uncle Zhongjing built the Soft Red Hall to confuse local corrupt officials?"
Bao Zheng shook his head and said: "It's too early to say this now. Let's see what he does next."
As he said that, he remembered what he saw when he just arrived outside Jeju City.
Neat and sturdy houses for the victims, clean and smooth walking paths, huts and garbage dumps every dozens of steps.
If these houses were not built just outside Jeju City, which new city would they think it was?
This kind of method of rescuing victims has probably never been seen before, not only in this dynasty, but also in all previous dynasties.
At that time, this scene shocked the people in Kaifeng Mansion.
"I hope he can restrain himself and keep his integrity. He is really trying to confuse other officials, otherwise I won't be merciful."
Thinking of this, Bao Zheng couldn't help but sigh and said:
"Judging from the situation outside Jeju City, he has sincerely done something for the victims, and few people have done it..."
Gongsun Ce persuaded:
"My lord, there is no need to feel too sorry. If he has really changed his mind, it will be a blessing to the court."
"If he himself is impure, I don't blame you. After all, you gave him a chance last time."
Bao Zheng waved his hand and said with a bitter smile: "Master Gongsun, there is no need to praise him. Last time, we really couldn't find any evidence..."
Gongsun Ce laughed twice, changed the topic and said:
"I don't know what Mr. Yan is like, but it must not be too bad. After all, Mr. Bao has a keen eye for talent!"
This time Bao Zheng did not refute.
Seeing that they had stopped sighing, Zhan Zhao couldn't wait to ask:
"Then what are we going to do next? Should we put aside our reliance and start investigating the case? Or should Master Bao personally urge them to release grain."
Bao Zheng stroked his beard, shook his head and said:
"The local officials are working together, and the Shandong pacifier also controls the local military. If we reveal our identities and investigate the case, we will definitely alert the snake."
"First, we need to secretly collect evidence and dismantle local forces."
"Secondly, I also want to see Uncle Zhongjing's next plan..."
Gongsun Ce pondered for a while, raised his palms and praised:
"What your Excellency said is absolutely true. If Uncle Cao is loyal, we can let him disrupt the local forces and help us break the situation!"
"If he is a traitor, we can collect evidence and catch them in one fell swoop..."
A few days later, Cao Bin also arrived in Jeju. He stood on the deck with his hands behind his hands, looking at the local officials who came to greet him, his cloak fluttering.
"Bao Heizi didn't show up?"
While Cao Bin was dealing with the greetings of the Jeju governor, he secretly wondered.
"No wonder he was able to stand in the court for decades without falling. He is indeed a figure that has been passed down through the ages."
"It seems that they want to use me as the pioneer... It's a good idea. Let's see how I blow you out."
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but smile proudly.
Seeing this, the prefect of Jeju hurriedly squeezed out a smile and said, "What happy event does uncle have? Why are you so happy?"
Cao Bin smiled and said, "Because I plan to start harvesting grain tomorrow. Wouldn't it be a happy event to be able to continue making money?"
The governor of Jeju was immediately overjoyed and said with the sweat on his forehead:
"Uncle, it's really timely..."
