But Huang Qiong, who was standing in front of him, didn't think about the complicated thoughts in Mr. Lu's heart at this moment. After pondering for a long time, he said: "In this case, since we have been arguing for a long time and neither Mr. Lu nor the widow can convince the other, how about we find a compromise? Two thousand households is really too few, and even one Tongxin County is not enough. And now Ningxia Prefecture , but there is a lack of human habitation for hundreds of miles, and manpower is urgently needed to fill it."
"You, Mr. Lu, and I will each make concessions. Before August this year, 3,000 refugee families will be relocated to Ningxia. This number must not be lowered. As for those bachelors, their wives have run away with others, or they have already left in order to survive. Single men who are sold can be counted as one household as long as they are willing to go. When they arrive in Ningxia Prefecture, cattle, seeds, and farm tools will be loaned to them by the government."
"Also tell the refugees that the party members in Ningxia Prefecture rebelled last year, and a large number of men were killed and injured. They left behind a large number of helpless orphans and widows. If they go, the government can find marriages for them. If you want They took their original wives with them, as long as they can find them, where is the wife they sold now, even if she was sold to a brothel by them."
"Or all the royal palaces and noble families will all be redeemed by the government and handed over to them to take away. This money and silk will be allocated by me from the inner treasury, so the user's money and food should not be touched. But this premise, You can only enjoy it in the first year of this year. If you want to move to Ningxia Mansion next year, there will be no such care. If you want to take away the wife they sold, you have to spend money to redeem it yourself. "
Hearing Huang Qiong's words, Lu Mengzheng couldn't help but laugh and cry. But I have to admit that this is a good idea. A few days ago, he followed the prince's orders. Accompanying Mr. Zhang Qixian and Mr. Zhang, we went to visit the so-called low-class tile alleys in the refugee gathering areas. I also saw that among the refugees, many men pawned their wives and daughters in order to survive and provide food for their families.
Many of them were sold to wealthy families as servants, but even more were sold to brothels and alleys for the flesh trade. Especially inside and outside the city, the lowest-grade tile alleys are now almost all refugee women. Of course, there are two people between him and Zhang Xianqi, one is the deputy prime minister who is involved in political affairs, and the other is the minister of the Ministry of household affairs. As a high official in the imperial court, it is impossible for him to really lower his status and go visit the kind of low-class brothel that he falls into.
But on the premise that he did not dare to violate the Crown Prince Jun's order, he wandered around the refugee settlement for a few days. The situation in the refugee gathering place was so shocking that the two officials did not dare to think about it again. As soon as the two people entered, they were swarmed by a half-open door and begging children, and their clothes were almost torn clean. If it weren't for the yamen from Jingzhao Mansion accompanying them, the two of them almost didn't come out.
Even so, the two of them were stunned by the number of people there, the number of open and semi-open prostitutes, and the number of people who had no food and clothing. After watching it for several days, Zhang Qixian, who had always been firmly opposed and did not change his original intention even when he was punished to kneel, fell silent. Both of them knew that the refugees in Jingzhao Mansion were now in a state where nothing could be done without dealing with them.
If you don't find a way to solve it, something big will happen sooner or later. But today's imperial court really can't come up with the corresponding money and food. Maybe moving them to Ningxia is the best way. The stubborn Mr. Zhang changed his previous stubbornness and remained silent during the debate this morning. Although he has not publicly expressed his support, he has also expressed his acquiescence.
Now this man has come up with such an idea. Although it sounds a bit ugly, it is actually a good idea. As long as he is not full of food or is obsessed with a certain religious belief, which man in this world is willing to be a bachelor for the rest of his life? As long as there is food to eat, who is willing to let his wife and daughter do that kind of dirty business? Or work as a servant?
With this method, I am afraid that many people will take the initiative to sign up to go to Ningxia, even if they just want to save their wives and daughters from suffering. Even if only 3,000 people went in the first batch, as long as they got off to a good start, it would be much easier in the future. As for whether Ningxia Mansion is really that rich, Lu Mengzheng still has a good idea. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Yellow River's many dangers are arbitraged.
Moreover, instead of correcting himself for the collision, this master now took the initiative to take a step back. The money required is not yet spent by the user, but is allocated from the palace treasury. If I didn't just go down the slope, I would be pushing the envelope a bit. Thinking of this, Huang Qiong finally chose to nod and approve of this fishing-like idea and this number.
To be honest, today's understanding has somewhat subverted Lu Mengzheng's previous impression of this Lord. He had never thought before that this Lord's belly was really big. When I first transferred to the capital, the comments I heard about this chief were all bad comments, except for the two advantages of being smart, capable and not easy to fool. If you are narrow-minded, your flaws will be reported, but cruelty is even worse.
If something bad happens to him, he will be dismissed from office and serve the people at last. As for the officials who fell into his hands, beheaded and had their homes confiscated, there were not a few. Last year, he suppressed the rebellion in Longyou. Not only did he behead the governor of Longyou who was unlucky in the battle, but also his son, and he also passed the news to the front of the army. It was also because the Jiedushi envoy was recommended by the Privy Council envoy. The Privy Councilor and his family were also involved in having their homes confiscated and dismissed from office.
Except for the old wife and young son at home, all the other Dingkou were sent to Qianzhong Road. I originally thought that this Lord who did not rub sand out of his eyes was a fault-finding Lord who was difficult to serve. But he didn't expect that this Lord's mind was far beyond his imagination. As long as what you say is right, he can still be quite tolerant. Just now I sprayed spit on his face, which even ordinary people couldn't stand.
This Lord didn't even get angry at all. Not only did he not get angry, but he also at least partially accepted his own opinion. This is completely different from what I heard about this master when he first came to Beijing. As long as your opinions are correct and in line with his thoughts. To be precise, it is in line with his concept of governance. His belly is really unusually large, and he looks like a holy master.
At this time, Lu Mengzheng, who was the Deputy Minister of Political Affairs, looked at the new master in front of him, who was a stranger to him, an official transferred from other places to Beijing, and his thoughts were very complicated. Let's say this Lord is a benevolent king. He has killed so many officials and has never shown any mercy. It can be said that he was a cruel king, and his thoughts were all on governing the country. This master’s temperament needs to be well-characterized by himself.
After the matter was settled, Huang Qiong walked up to Lu Mengzheng and said: "You should take the lead in doing the errands. If you have any trouble, you can come to me at any time. If the prince's palace or that noble family won't let him go, just come to me directly." Of course, if those women who were sold by them really don’t want to go with them or have children, don’t force them. Just go to Ningxia Mansion and arrange for marriage.”
Speaking of this, Huang Qiong suddenly remembered something. Looking at Lu Mengzheng, he smiled lightly and said: "Master Zhang, I don't know how many times he has slept in these days. Has he really figured it out in his head? If he hasn't figured it out, then he has to go to the homeless area. But. , that guy came to the morning court today and didn’t say a word, which was a bit unexpected. It seems that it is better to see it once than to say it ten thousand times. "
When Huang Qiong mentioned that incident, Lu Mengzheng, who had always been steady and even a little mature, couldn't help but smile bitterly. My colleague has been tortured by this prince these past few days. As the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, how could he be willing to go to such a place even if he wanted to resign? On the first day, it was this prince who was forced to go there by the guards he sent.
When I got there, I was overwhelmed by the prostitutes and beggars who came up to me. Nearly got stripped naked in the street. Just like this, after returning to the mansion on the first day, the robe on his body was torn into strips. Although seeing the hardships of refugee life, my old colleague couldn't help but sigh. But he still stubbornly believed that this prince's behavior was really degrading to his gentleness.
Today's name is Xiaoqi, the reason why I signed in to go to court on time. It was only after some persuasion yesterday that I reluctantly gave up the idea of resigning. Thinking of Mr. Zhang, when I went to his house yesterday, although he had obviously surrendered in his heart, on the surface he was still bragging and staring. Lu Mengzheng shook his head and smiled bitterly. That old guy was really a duck in a meat pot. The meat was rotten but his mouth was not rotten.
Now that the matter was settled, Huang Qiong did not keep Mr. Lu any longer. As for Princess Ji who was waiting in Dengchun Pavilion, he had long forgotten about it. Until he was a little hungry after criticizing the dumplings and asked the eunuch to get him some snacks. Only after being reminded by the eunuch, did he remember that there was someone waiting for him. Thinking of the fourth sister-in-law's purpose, Huang Qiong had a headache.
After hesitating for a long time between seeing and not seeing, Huang Qiong finally stood up. It was only when Huang Qiong walked outside the Dengchun Pavilion and looked at the plaque on the Dengchun Pavilion that Huang Qiong realized that the meeting place she had chosen unintentionally was somewhat strange. Huang Qiong, who was discussing things with Lu Mengzheng, was a little impatient with the arrival of his fourth sister-in-law, especially the threats.
He casually pointed to a small hall near Wende Hall, but he didn't expect the name of this hall. It's really not suitable for the person I want to meet today. Moreover, this Dengchun Pavilion is the place where the old man chooses to take a short break when he feels tired. There are not only tables and chairs inside, but also beds and other things, and even bedding and incense are all complete.
The back hall of Wende Hall was often used as a sleeping hall by the old man. But there, after all, it’s hard to feel truly relaxed. Therefore, when the old man takes a temporary break, he usually chooses this small attic, which is very close to Wende Hall. It is somewhat inappropriate to meet my sister-in-law here. It's just that I'm here now, and it's too late to change temporarily.
What's more, Huang Qiong didn't want to meet the female family members of the clan in a place like Wende Hall where government affairs were handled and where memorials were piled everywhere. Therefore, despite having a headache, Huang Qiong still bit the bullet and stepped into Dengchun Pavilion. And they have been waiting for him in the palace for most of the day. Let alone eating, no one even poured me a glass of water. She was the only one in the palace, there was no eunuch or maid.
It was obvious that she had been left out. No matter how gentle she was originally, Princess Ji now felt a little angry in her heart. Seeing this Lord, he finally came over. Although he stood up, he didn't even do the proper courtesy, he just bowed slightly. Not even a word of greeting came out of his mouth. But there were no eunuchs or maids in the palace, and there was not even a cup of tea on the small table beside Princess Ji.
Knowing that this was the eunuchs and maids in the palace, they didn't pay attention to Princess Ji at all, otherwise they wouldn't have even had a glass of water. Huang Qiong, who was also a little careless and forgot to send the eunuch around him to serve him, did not pursue the crime of disrespect. After raising his hand to signal Princess Ji to sit down, Huang Qiong said straight to the point: "I wonder why my fourth sister-in-law wants to see me today?"
