Steward Li led the disaster victims to buy food everywhere. Because the amount they bought was not small, many people were jealous.
For example, the rice merchants had heard that the imperial court was buying grain for disaster relief and raised the price of their rice. Another example would be an official who suddenly encountered refugees who bought the rice. The word "rebel" would appear in his mind, and many things would happen. There were two major categories in these two places, and the other type was the common people.
It was unknown when the rumor had spread that as long as one entered this grain buying team, one would have one foot in the public house. There were so many disaster victims who wanted food and clothing, so many commoners who wanted a future, and so many idlers who wanted power. Just this kind of evolution of eighteen kinds of wisdom made Steward Li overwhelmed, dazzled, and anxious.
Manager Li wrote a letter to Lin Ming, but the transaction of 18,000 taels of silver was already so complicated. Lin Ming didn't know whether to laugh or cry when he saw it. However, in this critical period, it was like a tiger hunting a rabbit. They could only send Zhao Fusheng, this general, to take over this small business.
Zhao Fusheng returned after two days.
When they reached the hall, Lin Ming took two steps forward and said happily,""Teacher, you've worked hard. Did you have a smooth journey?”
"Everything is in order." Zhao Fusheng bowed.”
The servant girl served tea and food. After the two of them chatted, Zhao Fusheng told them about the purchase of rice in detail.
It was said that it was a disaster now, and everyone was not stable. The government was the easiest to deal with. Whoever showed up only needed the approval of his boss. The merchants were also easy to deal with. There were only threats and promises. There were also two families who took the initiative to donate rice. However, the commoners were full of tricks and were the most troublesome. He also said a few tricks to seek an official position, which was very funny.
"In every year of disaster, when the people have no way to make a living, in order to fill their stomachs, there are all kinds of things. Those who became bandits in the grass or in the water were mostly doing it to survive. If the next year was good, most of the bandits would disperse.”
They didn't dare to say that their feelings were forgivable. The two of them sighed again.
"The water poured in from below the pass," Lin Ming said."How are the people?"”
Zhao Fusheng sighed." This place is close to the prosperous area of Yangzhou. Although there are many beggars here, there aren't many casualties. The other counties…sigh." I've already instructed Steward Li to distribute the grain to the heavily affected counties and let the people know that the Imperial Court is providing disaster relief to stabilize the people. It's just that our grain is limited, and with the rice merchants 'donations, it's just a drop in the bucket. "Now that things are going smoothly, we still have to ask the imperial court to increase our grace and expand the disaster relief. Otherwise, if the refugees rebel, our efforts will be in vain. But time is of the essence…"
Lin Ming thought for a moment and said," That's right. I thought about it for a long time last night. The turmoil has continued and consumed a lot of the national treasury. I'm afraid that the court won't be able to approve it immediately. We have to buy some time and collect food from various places to relieve the disaster.”
"There are so many of them. Where should we recruit them?"
"I already have a way." Just as Lin Ming was about to explain in detail, a report came from outside saying that he had arrived in time and invited the girl to accept the gift.
"Accept the gift? What gift?" Zhao Fusheng was confused. Lin Ming shook his head and helplessly said goodbye to Zhao Fusheng before leaving.
The servant girl opened the curtain. There were already more than ten decent servant girls standing obediently by the courtyard. Each of them was holding a red tray and was happily calling Lin Ming "Miss" when they saw him.
"Young Lady, please accept the red seals of the other Young Ladies and Master. Old Master said that there was no banquet, no clan etiquette, and no need to serve tea to greet her. He would just treat her as if she had returned home. If you need anything or lack anything, you can only ask the steward.”
Lin Mingxiao nodded in agreement and told them to put the red invitation cards on the hall. The servant girls put them on and left one after another.
Zhao Fusheng untied the red silk and flipped open a red-sealed invitation. He saw the words " Zhang Xiangqi ", followed by his birth date and birth characters.”He closed the invitation. "This is your plan? Who does he think he is? You actually…"
"Sir, don't be anxious!" Lin Ming smiled and waved his hand. He moved Zhang Xiangqi's red invitation card away and opened the next one. The next one wrote " Zhang Chunxin " again, followed by her teeth and birthday. "Teacher is too anxious. Let's not talk about the Zhang family, how could I use that stupid move and destroy my own great wall?”
After pacifying Zhao Fusheng, Lin Ming told him about the god-marriage with the Zhang family.
When Zhao Fusheng heard this, his face turned ashen, but he was still so angry that he paced back and forth.""This condition is extremely absurd. Why did you agree to that dung beetle? The descendant of a loyal minister and a good general, the daughter of a noble family. How could she not lose her status by marrying into such a god-family? Moreover, if you acknowledge him as your father, won't your reputation be affected in the future?!”
"I'm not unaware of that," Lin Ming said frankly."There's also a reason for acknowledging this god-relative." During the negotiations that day, he agreed to ship the ship and donate 100,000 kilograms of grain. He only made this request. On one hand, it was for the lives of the people, and on the other hand, it was for my personal reputation. It was always a good idea to exchange something for something good. Sir, you should sit down and rest for a while.”
Zhao Fusheng didn't sit down. He paced back and forth, blaming Lin Er for ruining his future. At this moment, another kid ran over to report that the water transport had already started. Ten large ships carrying grain had already left the port one after another.
After all, things had settled down and it was not the worst. Hearing this report, the two of them heaved a sigh of relief. The disaster victims finally had a chance to live.
The food was already there. Food, clothing, medicine, house reconstruction, livestock purchase, grain, seeds, and plants had to be submitted to the court first before they could prepare. Lin Er and Zhao Fusheng didn't care about why Zhang Cao wanted to acknowledge them as relatives, nor did they care about the pros and cons of acknowledging them as relatives in the future. They changed the hot tea and started to deal with the rest of the matters.
After calculating the auspicious time of the day, Lin Ming and the Zhang family replied. Although it was a simple matter, they also bowed and greeted each other. This time, there was no big event for the family recognition ceremony. There was no banquet. Only a family of women had set up a table and changed the way they addressed each other.
According to the date of his birthday, Lin Ming was ranked third. In front of him was the eldest young master, Zhang Xiangqi, and the second young mistress, Zhang Chunxin. There were also a few younger sisters behind him. The young ladies of the Zhang family were the happiest and called her sister.
That night, after dinner, Lin Ming asked Madam Zhang to hold him back. Madam Zhang said aggrievedly,"My son, this is a joyous occasion. The family should have been happy and lively. However, it was fine if the old master said that it was not convenient to do it on a grand scale. However, your godbrother was not around. It was not easy to reunite today, but he was the only one missing.”After saying that, she cried and wiped her tears, but her eyes kept looking at Lin Ming.
Lin Ming knew that she had something to say, so he comforted her, saying that since they were family, he didn't care if they could meet today or not. It would be the same if they met in the past.
When Mrs. Zhang heard this, she actually started wailing. She cried,"I actually don't know if I can see that bastard again in my lifetime. It's been many years since I last saw him. Only I, as his mother, can't let go of him and still miss him.”Mrs. Zhang wailed, causing the few young ladies to wipe their tears one after another. The room was completely devoid of the laughter and joy from before, and it was exceptionally desolate.
Lin Ming had no choice but to pretend that he didn't know and asked,""Godmother, why do you have to say that? I actually forgot that I haven't seen Big Brother in the past few days. Godmother was worried that something might happen to him if he met the disaster victims. Although there were many disaster victims, it was good that he kept a low profile and was not afraid of trouble. He only needed to get a letter to send him back immediately.”
Madam Zhang shook her head and said," I'm not worried about that. Your brother has liked to wield knives and sticks since he was young. He has a stubborn temper and is not afraid of a few refugees. There's just one thing you don't know. I originally had no choice but to do it. Fortunately, you came.”
"If there's anything I can help you with, Godmother, please tell me." Lin Ming said hurriedly.”
Mrs. Zhang nodded and explained everything. It turned out that as early as a year ago, the eldest son, Zhang Xiangqi, went to the three academies to study. It was fine when he was in the academy, but unexpectedly, he had a conflict with a young master who was touring the mountains and rivers when he came down from the mountain. He had a bad temper since he was young. He immediately fought with others and alarmed the city patrol. He was imprisoned and has not been released until now.
Lin Ming asked curiously," Although the city patrol was alarmed by the military action in the city, he was temporarily detained. If brother had revealed his identity, he would have been released in a day or two. Why is he locked up until now?"”
Madam Zhang shook her head and sobbed." He deserves it. He caused trouble and still won't stop. The official who detained him sent a letter to the late master and told him to keep him locked up to grind his temper. Now that the late master has passed away, the old master doesn't even mention letting him go. He even missed such a good day. Wouldn't it make my heart ache?"”
Lin Ming said," It's like this. I think Master has just taken over the water transport and encountered a great disaster at the pass. There are many complicated things, so he forgot about it for a moment."”
Madam Zhang nodded." That's right. If Old Master hadn't forgotten, he wouldn't have waited until now." Son, you don't know how bitter my life is. That evil creature doesn't have the knowledge and rationality of his younger sisters at all. For so many years, I've worried so much for that evil creature. When the old master left, the old master wrote to the magistrate to ask him to let him go back. Unexpectedly, the magistrate had already been transferred elsewhere. However, the successor was strange and refused to let him go. He even said that he had been disrespectful in prison and wanted to re-sentence him severely.”
Mrs. Zhang pounded her chest in frustration.
Lin Ming understood and said,"Godmother, don't worry. Mr. Zhao, who accompanied me this time, is very close to my uncle. He also knows some things in the officialdom. How about..."" Mister Zhao just said that things have been settled here. He will be going down the river to inspect the disaster relief situation in a few days. The three academies are also on the way. Godma, why don't you leave this matter to me? When Mister Zhao and I reach the three academies, we will think of a way to ask brother to come back first. The disaster along the way is more serious than Yangzhou. I'm just afraid that something might happen. I have to tell Godma not to worry.”
Madam Zhang grabbed Lin Ming's hand and said,""My son, you're a capable person. I know that I can only rest assured if I entrust this matter to you. "Moreover, that evil creature has been a demon king since he was young. If there's anything he doesn't do well, don't take it to heart. Teach him a little and take care of him. Just treat it as Godmother begging you.”
After acknowledging her god-relative, Mrs. Zhang treated her like her own daughter. However, in her case, she was asking this goddaughter of an official to absolve her own son from the lawsuit.
It turned out that Zhang Xianglin, the only son of the Zhang family, had been studying in three academies. One year ago, he had offended some powerful person and was locked in prison. No matter how much money was given, he could not get it out. There had been no other way. In the past, with the old man around, it was better to have a favor. However, he said that he would continue to lock him up and make him remember. Now that the old man was dead, there was no other way. It was until he got a god-relative of a noble family's daughter. He had a lot of power and knew many powerful people. Madam Zhang could not bear to let his son go to prison.
Lin Ming went to talk to Zhang Caotou about this, and Zhang Caotou also said,""That's right. Go and fish that brat out and let him follow you to see the world. It's enough for him to learn your bearing.”
When Zhao Fusheng heard this, he couldn't help but laugh bitterly. He could only say that the Zhang family had such a good plan. He had acknowledged a goddaughter who had mixed in with the officialdom, and he had used all his wealth in one fell swoop. He even asked his bastard son to learn from him. In terms of family and reason, he really did not suffer any losses. He did not know which expert had come up with this idea. d
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。