After hearing this, the two looked at each other and smiled again, but this time they were much more relaxed.
"Let me speak for you," Shangshu Liu Mian stroked his beard and said with a smile, "But are they all here for the purpose of submitting a letter?"
"Exactly." They both replied in unison.
"It is really difficult to submit a report at the end of the year," Liu Mian sat down, "but as long as the three of us can work together, the pressure on the old man will be greatly reduced."
"Does anyone else know?" Jie Wenwu asked.
"I just went to the Yushitai and asked Lord Ding to take action to solve the problem of my staff. He knows." Chen Tongpao immediately accepted his words.
"Okay, a little trouble in one place means a little trouble everywhere," Liu Mian nodded with satisfaction, "I wonder if Mr. Jie has any difficulties?"
Jie Wenwu sighed: "It's just those old problems that can't be hidden. Fortunately, the Ministry of War has the support of the army, so we can barely get through it."
"The three departments of Rites, Work, and Punishment are in peace and without any trouble; only the department has bad luck this year. Bad things happen one after another. Local disasters occur frequently and are extremely difficult to cure. Although the report said that there was no problem at that time, the balance in the account The deficit is obvious and ultimately inescapable.”
"Everyone in the household department is trustworthy by the boss. If you forcefully change a few figures, you can handle it for several months." Jie Wenwu first gave him an idea.
"If the situation is good, next year's autumn grain can save lives," Liu Mian still frowned, "but Henan and Shandong are flooded with refugees, and there is no way to allocate relief funds. If they are not handled properly, they will rush into the capital and even gather to cause chaos. That means the fire can’t be contained by paper.”
"There should be one person who goes to investigate the situation on the spot so that internal and external information can be communicated, so that we will not be tempted to respond hastily." Chen Tongpao said calmly.
"Well, it's a pity that there is only one person missing." Both of them agreed.
"The good prince Guo Xiang has a close relationship with the younger generation. He has no official position. If he is sent out of Beijing for a visit at this time, no one will suspect him." This name immediately appeared in Chen Tongpao's mind.
The two men looked at each other in confusion, their eyes twinkling: "The good prince has already rescued the imperial court from danger before. If we can help each other now, we can ensure that the capital is safe! The minister is invited to come quickly and entrust him with the important task!" "
Tongpao Chen said: "I'll let him come now. But Sixing is still young, and he almost caused trouble because he put too much pressure on him last time."
Jie Wenwu stood up and took pictures: "We will tell him the truth and let him know that we are guarding the capital, so he can go to Henan with peace of mind!"
After receiving the message from Chen Tongpao, the people in Hunan hurried to the Hubu Yamen and asked the three people for details. Liu Mian explained the disaster to him, and said, "The refugees in Henan are especially fleeing. When they arrive, they need to check their national registration, be sure to know their whereabouts, and not let them enter the capital." etc., the Hunan people remembered them one by one. After the discussion was settled, they all dispersed.
The next day, after the people from Hunan packed their luggage at the house, they came to the official department to say goodbye to Chen Tongpao. Chen Tongpao held up a piece of tissue paper and showed it to him: "This is what Mr. Liu handed me this morning. It indicates where the refugees gather and the relief situation in each place. You can act accordingly. We must assist local officials, and it is best to return most of the refugees to their native places."
The Xiang people didn't realize there was any difficulty, so they gently picked up the paper and stuffed it into their arms: "The Xiang people will live up to your expectations!"
Chen Tongpao smiled, then turned to another instruction: "Sixing is not allowed to leave the capital at will. You sit here first, and when the people I arrange arrive, they will escort you out of the capital to avoid the eyes and ears of others."
"Idle person? Which idler can control me!" Xiang people thought that his actions were a bit redundant.
"There are many people who oppose us," Chen Tongpao's tone became serious, "If there are a few people who want to push us out of power, be sure to keep an eye out at the end of this month. How can you let them slip by under your nose so easily? I'm not afraid of Ye Yongjia either, I'm just wary of Cai Xianqing."
"Cai Xianqing...?"
"This man is eager for fame and has great ambitions. He is unwilling to be driven forward and backward, and he will not be willing to stay in the position of leader. I think he should observe the situation these two days and not be plotted by him." The people of Hunan had no choice but to believe him. judgment.
Immediately, a man wearing cloth clothes and a felt hat came in. He first saluted Mr. Chen and said, "I have seen my master."
Chen Tongpao pointed at him and said to the Hunan people: "This is my servant. I have the authority to ask him to pretend to be a coachman and take you out of the city. Don't talk to anyone on the way. When you are far away from the suburbs of Beijing, you can ride on horseback." OK."
The servant took the order and took the Xiang people out. He pulled the cart with a horse and walked slowly into the main road. Because he was walking inconspicuously among the crowd, there was no danger of being watched, which made the driver feel more at ease. He left the capital unhurriedly and walked on the official road for a few miles before reining in his horse and going to call the Hunan people.
The Xiang people were bored in the car, so they quickly agreed to his words, got out of the car and said, "The old man gave me a good ride. It's really hard, so you can just go back and pay the errand."
"Before leaving, Mr. Chen told you many times that if there is any change at your place, you must send someone to report back. Listen to the command and don't mind your own business." The servant still held the bridle and said seriously.
"Thank you, old sir, for reminding me." The Xiang people said goodbye immediately.
Now he is the only one left. For convenience, the people from Hunan went straight to the inn, picked a good horse in the name of a good marquis, then considered the content on the paper, designated a place on the map: Kaocheng, and hurried there.
"Report!"
The Kaocheng County Magistrate was sitting in the inner courtyard of the county government office. He was wrapped in a rough robe. He placed several cups of wine on the stone table and was drinking it dully.
"What's the matter?" He didn't even raise his eyelids.
"Your Majesty," the yamen servant said with cupped hands, "a man claims to be a good prince personally granted by the imperial court, and he came to our city to visit the city to see how the disaster is going."
"Nonsense!" The county magistrate was so angry that he threw the wine bowl and the wine splashed on his sleeves. "The gentlemen from the Ministry of Household Affairs have already said that the disasters in Henan and Shandong provinces will not be dealt with, and will be solved by the locals themselves! One or two pieces of fucking silver Even if you can’t get it out, you can still send someone to visit, what a fart!”
"County Lord, calm down..." the Yamen servant said tremblingly, "That man...that man does have evidence. He has a piece of paper with him, and it has the seal of the Ministry of Household Affairs on it."
The county magistrate had nothing to say. He raised his neck and drank a full bowl of wine: "It's so difficult here, and I still have to deal with these imperial officials... If you bother me any more, my hat will be lifted!... Forget it. , I’ll see you! I’ll go see you!”
The people who passed through Hunan got off their horses and followed the government officials into the city. They saw that there were few people around and there was silence; the ground was littered with soup and rice grains, and it was a mess.
When he was curious, he saw the county magistrate of Kaocheng coming from a distance.
"The presence of a good marquis in person in this humble place really brings light to the officer's face!" The county magistrate's face was not clean, and his eyes were lifeless.
"Don't be polite, why don't you see a single commoner here? Tell me clearly first!"