Soon, the imperial court issued an edict appointing Wei Zheng as the disaster relief minister. With this edict, all six departments of the imperial court were under Wei Zheng's command, with the Ministry of Revenue being the first to be mobilized.
After the Minister of Revenue, Tang Jian, left the palace, he immediately arranged for the promised 10,000 dan of grain to be prepared in a convoy, ready to be sent to the affected counties at any time.
When Wei Zheng came out of the palace, he did not go to the Ministry of Revenue. Instead, he went to the Ministry of Works!
Then, the Ministry of Works immediately mobilized all the carriages that could be transported in Chang 'an City and gathered outside Chang' an City.
After a morning of fishing, the people in Chang 'an knew that there was a frost and snow disaster all over the pass, and the streets were full of discussions.
Seeing the series of actions taken by the government, everyone could tell that they were going to the disaster relief area.
When the commoners heard that the government was publicly raising relief food, they were not surprised.
Even so, no one donated money or food.
It wasn't that the commoners didn't have compassion, but that they were also affected by the disaster. It was already good enough to have food to eat, let alone surplus food.
Fortunately, the government had also put up a notice that did not require ordinary people to donate money and food. Instead, it called on the aristocrats to actively donate!
When they saw the official notice, many aristocrats in Chang 'an could not help but laugh.
In their opinion, only a fool would donate money and food.
At this moment, Wei Zheng walked out of the official sedan and looked up at the plaque of the Zheng Manor. The two stone lions in front of the door were magnificent.
Wei Zheng walked forward, and the Zheng Manor's steward immediately came out to welcome him.
"This lowly one greets Lord Wei. Please wait a moment, Lord Wei. This lowly one will immediately send someone to inform our old master…"
Wei Zheng glanced at the steward in front of him. Although his tone was respectful, the expression on his face was disapproving.
Although Wei Zheng was a powerful official in the court, the owner of the mansion in front of him had a high status.
The Zheng family of Xingyang was one of the five surnames and seven Wangs. They had a long history and a high reputation.
The owner of this mansion was a direct descendant of the Zheng family of Xingyang.
Even if he did not have any achievements, his status as a direct descendant of the Zheng family of Xingyang was enough to be on equal footing with Wei Zheng, a minister of the imperial court.
This was the prestige and status of the aristocratic families among the people, and it was also their family's powerful voice to the outside world.
Even the iron-headed Wei Zheng did not dare to offend such a person easily.
Not long after, a servant came to invite Wei Zheng into the mansion.
Along the way, they passed through pavilions and long corridors. There were fake mountains and flowing water on both sides, duckweed all over the ground, and red walls and yellow tiles around them. It was a magnificent sight!
Wei Zheng's heart skipped a beat when he saw this. He could not help but curse in his heart.
Thinking about his own mansion, it was simply incomparable.
Soon, the steward led Wei Zheng to the central hall. A middle-aged man walked towards him with a smile.
"Lord Wei is really a rare guest!"
"I've long heard of Lord Wei's great name, but I have never had the chance to meet you. I didn't expect Lord Wei to personally visit. The small courtyard is honored to see you…"
The middle-aged man was the owner of this mansion and a direct descendant of the Zheng family of Xingyang.
Wei Zheng quickly waved his hand.
"How dare I? How dare I? The Zheng family head is the one who has opened my eyes!”
The two of them laughed and walked into the main room. They sat down in order of importance. Immediately, a servant brought tea. The lid of the cup was emitting traces of steam. One could already smell the fragrance. It was obviously a high-quality tea!
Wei Zheng did not look at the teacup at the side. His gaze fell on the man surnamed Zheng. He did not beat around the bush and said straightforwardly.
"Master Zheng, I believe you have already heard that the frost and snow disaster has caused disasters in various parts of the pass. The people are short of clothes and food…"
Hearing this, the man surnamed Zheng nodded his head and said in deep agreement.
"This one has indeed heard of it and is extremely heartbroken.”
Hearing the other party's words, Wei Zheng raised his eyebrows. He thought that the other party's character was not bad. The next thing might be much easier to handle.
Wei Zheng didn't think too much about it and continued.
"Currently, the Imperial Court has issued an edict that I will be in charge of all matters related to disaster relief!”
" Due to the large scale of the disaster and the large number of people, food relief is urgently needed…"
"I can only thicken my skin and come to your door. I hope that the Zheng family head will not be stingy with food and lend a helping hand…"
"I thank Master Zheng on behalf of the people who were affected by the disaster!”
......
After Wei Zheng finished speaking, he looked at Zheng expectantly.
He thought that the other party would fall for it, but who knew…
The moment he heard that he had to donate money and food, Zheng's expression instantly changed.
He put away his original affability and put on a stern face, as if he had changed into a different person.
"Lord Wei, you also know that the Zheng family's foundation is not something that can be easily built. Moreover, this snowstorm has damaged a lot of the fields under our family. Many livestock, cattle, and sheep have also been injured or killed…"
"There are still many servants in the residence that need to be fed. I really can't take out excess money and food to help the disaster victims…"
These words were just to deceive a three-year-old child.
Of course, Wei Zheng understood what the other party meant. His expression also became very ugly. He did not expect the other party to change his expression faster than flipping a book.
The man surnamed Zheng saw Wei Zheng's expression change, but he didn't care. However, he still said it on the surface.
"Of course, since you, Lord Wei Zheng, have personally come to pay a visit, it is not appropriate for me to reject you…"
"How about this, my Zheng Manor has decided to donate 1,000 catties of food for Lord Wei to bring back to help the victims!”
"There's no need to thank me…"
As soon as the man surnamed Zheng finished speaking, Wei Zheng could no longer hold it in. He stood up and glared at the man surnamed Zheng before leaving without saying a word.
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