The sixth year of Qianyou was indeed a disaster year for the Han Dynasty, especially floods, which were huge in scale and caused severe disasters. Within the territory of the Han Dynasty, from Qing and Xu in the east, to Dan and Ci in the west, to An and Fu in the south, and to Heng and Cang in the north, there were great floods.
In the disaster-stricken areas, there are 14 state capitals and more than 60 counties, with hundreds of thousands of victims. When it comes to Zheng and Hua's performance, it is not enough to be happy if the solid blockage is broken. As Liu Chengyou expected during his inspection of the Huazhou River Dam, the embankments in Huazhou were well repaired and no breaches were seen. However, floods occurred frequently within the four borders, which made him quite distressed.
The focus of the Han Dynasty court has basically fallen into the water since the Mid-Autumn Festival. It focused on mobilizing money and food for relief and fortification. As for the conquest of Shu, it was naturally put on the back burner.
Originally, according to the considerations of the Northern Han monarchs, the attack would be launched immediately after the autumn harvest. However, in the case of a major national disaster, the priority could only be changed.
"Your Majesty, the disaster situation in Danzhou and Daning Prefecture has eased. The government has arranged for the affected people to return and rebuild their homes. The land is poor and the relief work has exhausted all the government offices. The governments of the two places asked Tokyo to coordinate three thousand shi of food and money. 20,000 yuan, and I also ask for grain seeds, farm tools, and cattle to prepare for the coming year..." In the Guangzheng Hall, Prime Minister Li Tao reported to Liu Chengyou.
"This place has never been rich, and it is indeed unfortunate that it has suffered a great disaster. The imperial court should provide assistance. After verifying the request, the Central Committee and the Third Division can allocate it as appropriate!" Liu Chengyou gave instructions.
"Yes!" Li Tao took out another memorial and said: "The Duke of Xing reported that the autumn rains in Xiang, An, and Fuzhou are still severe, and the floods are still serious. Twenty thousand soldiers and laborers have been mobilized to repair the river fortress. Tens of thousands of people have been rescued to relieve the disaster. Ten thousand, more than half of the food and cloth in the treasury have been consumed, and they are almost exhausted!"
"How does Zhongshu plan to respond?" Liu Chengyou asked.
Li Tao said: "We will first observe the development of the disaster. If it continues to worsen, we will use the grain and cloth stored in Dengzhou's official warehouse to transfer support from the south. Xiangzhou and other places have been in peace for several years, and the accumulated grain should be able to sustain it for another period of time." .”
Seeing Liu Chengyou nodding his head, he added: "Zhending Prefecture, Cang, Ying, and Moji prefectures have sent Li Gu to the north in person to mobilize money and food and coordinate disaster control matters."
"With Li Gu here, I have no worries!" Liu Chengyou said.
"Li Shijun of Qingzhou reported that Wang Xun, the governor of Dengzhou, and his officials, embezzled relief funds, lived in their own city, and left the victims alone. They have been in charge of them. They have appointed a judge to be in charge of their affairs for the time being. Please make a resolution to the court! "Li Tao reported some bad news.
Sure enough, Liu Chengyou was furious when he heard this: "Although natural disasters are merciless, man-made disasters are especially hateful. During this national crisis, everyone is working together to tide over the difficulties, but there are such ruthless people!"
"Let Li Hongxin escort all the officials who broke the law to Tokyo. The Three Law Divisions will strictly judge and impose severe punishments to serve as a warning to others!" Liu Chengyou said coldly.
"yes!"
After saying this, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh. Things like the one in Dengzhou are inevitable after all. It is inevitable that people will know the law and break it, take advantage of the chaos, and bring disaster to the country and the people!
After thinking about it, Liu Chengyou ordered: "The imperial court should inform the world about the visit to the state to warn the officials. Another edict was issued to all prefectures, urging the local governments to carry out disaster relief without delay. All censors and inspectors should strictly supervise and correct those who are illegal and negligent!
Regarding the flood relief, the performance of officials from various places should be recorded in the records, and later used as a reference for the imperial court to promote, punish, or demote! "
"yes!"
"How is the disaster situation in Xuzhou?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"Compared with other areas, the situation is good. The government and the people are working hard and it is under control!" Li Tao replied.
It was good news after frequent disaster reports. Liu Chengyou breathed a sigh of relief subconsciously, but still did not forget to be vigilant: "I have issued an order to Xuzhou Prefecture to continue our efforts and not to relax!"
"During this period, I have to trouble Li Qing and the ministers and work harder!" Liu Chengyou looked at Li Tao and said: "Reports from various places should be carefully reviewed and paid attention to, and those who need to coordinate aid need to be approved and dealt with quickly. In short, everyone in the imperial court should go all out to tide over the difficult times!"
"As you command!"
"There is another matter. Zhao Kuangzan, King of Yan, is asking the imperial court to allocate money and food to support the Liao Dynasty due to the water conditions in Youzhou to deal with disasters and prepare for Liao Dynasty!" Li Tao said again, with a little dissatisfaction in his tone.
Hearing this, Liu Chengyou was not surprised. After all, King Yan's daily operations asked: "How much does Zhao Kuangzan ask from the court this time?"
"One hundred thousand coins of money, fifty thousand shi of grain, three thousand bolts of cloth, and several thousand more medicinal materials, salt, tea, and iron..." Li Tao said.
Listening to his words, Liu Chengyou knew where Li Tao's dissatisfaction came from. According to the past few years, as long as Youzhou's request to the imperial court is accepted, the imperial court will delete it as appropriate to respond. But this time, Zhao Kuangzan simply asked for more.
"What do you think?" Liu Chengyou looked at Li Tao.
When asked, Li Tao expressed his thoughts directly: "Your Majesty, last year when Youzhou was flooded, the imperial court sent money, food and materials to support it. This year, Zhao Kuangzan asked again, how could it happen again and again?"
After considering his words, Li Tao continued: "Furthermore, the request to the imperial court in order to prepare for Liao affairs is even more false. Since the Han Dynasty negotiated peace with the Khitan in the fourth year of Qianyou, there have been few incidents in northern Xinjiang. This reason is not worthy of trust. As for the three prefectures of Lulong and Lulong, after more than two years of rest and development, with their savings, they will not be able to survive even a single flood!"
"You didn't take into account the nearly 20,000 soldiers and horses in Youzhou! There are only 200,000 soldiers in the three states, and it is quite difficult to raise them!" Liu Chengyou said.
"This is what I am most worried about!" Li Tao handed over his hand and said to Liu Chengyou: "I think that King Yan wants to use the flood as an excuse to invite money and food from the court, but in fact it is to support his troops and strengthen his strength! I am worried that if things continue like this, the tail will not fall off, something unexpected will happen, and it will be a disaster for the imperial court..."
He glanced at Li Tao and asked, "Do all my servants think this way?"
Li Tao said respectfully: "For the sake of the country, I have to think more carefully! Youzhou's strength should be suppressed..."
In the past two years, people in the court from time to time expressed praise for Zhao Kuang's contribution to the border control of the Liao Dynasty and the emperor's wise decision-making. Nowadays, the world has changed, and he, the emperor, has not yet become suspicious of Youzhou, but the princes in the court are suspicious!
Putting away the strange feeling in his heart, Liu Chengyou said, "Do you know how the floods in Youzhou are?"
There was obviously some investigation into this, but he didn't dare to lie about it. Li Tao said: "The flood broke out and spread for dozens of miles. It is indeed true!"
"Youzhou also belongs to the Han Dynasty, and its common people are also my ministers and servants. How can we treat them differently? Since they have suffered disasters, we should provide assistance!" Liu Chengyou thought for a while and said.
Li Tao was obviously a little puzzled by Liu Chengyou's decision. He didn't know why the emperor was partial to Youzhou. He thought about it and said: "Your Majesty, due to the great flood in the country, in addition to the various state capitals, the imperial court has increased the amount of money. Ten thousand yuan, two hundred thousand dan of grain, a huge waste, I'm afraid I won't be able to satisfy Zhao Kuangzan's request!"
Liu Chengyou looked calmly at Li Tao: "Squeeze and move, there is always something! Moreover, follow the previous example, cut some, and transfer it to Youzhou. The imperial court will not be so strapped!"
Seeing that the emperor had made up his mind, Li Tao did not dare to argue too much, so he had no choice but to bow his head and obey: "Yes!"
Liu Chengyou started to pace, and suddenly turned to Li Tao: "Listen to what you said, the court seems to have some criticism of Youzhou and King Yan! This trend cannot rise, it should be restrained, and my decree is passed down. In the future, there will be no Those who dispute Youzhou and belittle King Yan will be severely punished!"
Seeing Liu Chengyou issuing such an order, Li Tao's expression was not very good. Looking at the serious look on the emperor's face, while agreeing, he couldn't help but said to him: "Your Majesty, your concerns are not without purpose. I hope your Majesty, Be wary!"
Seeing Li Tao's aggrieved look, Liu Chengyou thought for a while and said: "The King of Yan has been in Youzhou for these years and has defended the court against the Khitan invasion. This is a real achievement. Now, as always, people are obedient to the court. How can the imperial court cast suspicion?"
After pondering for a while, Liu Chengyou said again: "I can understand the concerns of you and your loyalty. However, I have one thing to say, King Yan will fulfill his loyal duties and I will never let him down!"
The emperor said so, and Li Tao could only say helplessly: "Yes!"
Of course, Liu Chengyou's true thoughts were not enough to tell Li Tao. At the moment, he has no time to doubt Zhao Kuangzan, that will happen in the future...
