"Emperor, there is Xiaoyaojin in front of him. It was the battlefield during the Three Kingdoms period. Zhang Liao's battle against Xiaoyaojin was one of the rare battles in history. Xiaoyaojin not only made Zhang Liao famous in one battle but also completely changed the military layout of the Eastern Wu. It is rumored that children in Jiangnan cried and cried as soon as they mentioned Zhang Liao's name...!" Zhu Youlang rode a horse next to Emperor Hongguang and told the story of Xiaoyaojin for Emperor Hongguang.

I am not unfamiliar with Zhang Liao's name. Zhang Liao is a famous general in the Three Kingdoms. I didn't expect that today he would stand in the place where Zhang Liao became famous in the battle, and the protagonist was replaced by Zhang Liao. After escaping to Xiaoyaojin, more than 7,000 people from Liu Liangzuo were surrounded by the main force led by me. I think even Zhang Liao could not change the situation in the battlefield in front of him. Liu Liangzuo was destined to be unable to escape and die. Being able to die in the Feng Shui treasure land of Xiaoyaojin is also his fortune.

Liu Liangzuo's tired army could not resist the imperial army, which was several times his strength and morale. After a little resistance, the troops fled. Liu Liangzuo was stabbed to death by Jin Shenghuan in the chaos and seized his head.

I looked at Liu Liangzuo's bloody head and knew that the uprising of the victims who had been in trouble for nearly two months had finally come to an end. Originally, this killing could have been avoided, but the root cause was caused by the unfavorable disaster relief. With this idea, I did not return to the court, but led my army to continue north to rush to the Huaihe River Basin. The destination was in the Huai'an area of ​​Fengyang, Shouzhou. I heard that the flood had receded long ago, but the disaster was the most serious. It is necessary for me to check it out myself.

During the march, I saw a scene that shocked my heart. It was the eighth day after leaving Xiaoyaojin. Zhu Youlang and I went to Fengyang Ming Imperial Tomb under the protection of Ji Xian and hundreds of guards. When we were about to arrive at the imperial tomb, we heard crying sounds coming from the roadside. I heard it heartbroken, so I strangled the horses to see what happened.

It was a woman in her fifties, with a black pot in front of her, as if she was cooking something. The old woman was very sad, and she was crying while adding firewood under the pot. When I came closer, I couldn't help but feel angry. There was a child under the pot. I was pressing my sword in my hand and was stopped by Zhu Youlang who rushed over.

"The emperor calms down. Historical books record that in the years of major disasters, there is often a change of children and eats. Please wait for me to ask!" Zhu Youlang said and walked to the old woman to ask about the love.

I listened to the old woman's narration and the stomach became more and more sore and convulsive. The old woman cooked in the pot and turned out to be her own grandson. The child's parents had starved to death a month ago. The grandparents and grandchildren were unable to withstand hunger, so they cooked the child's parents and ate it. A few days ago, the child could not escape the death disaster. The old woman hugged her grandson and cried bitterly for a few days. Today, she had to cook her grandson. The pain was beyond the understanding of outsiders.

The tears in my eyes slid down my cheeks one by one, and my hand holding the sword trembled, "Yin Shixun, Lu Zhenfei deserves to die!" I invested a large amount of silver and food in the disaster area, and I could still see this scene. I had to murderous intent on Yin Shixun and Lu Zhenfei. After Ji Xian and others left the dry food they carried with me to the old woman, I no longer had the intention to worship the imperial tomb. On the way back, the old woman's sad face kept stimulating my nerves. After understanding the disaster situation and the disaster relief situation, I felt aroused in my heart.

"Zhao Ting, how long is the food and grass still enough for the army?" After returning to the camp, I found Zhao Ting, who was in charge of logistics, to ask about the military's supply situation.

Zhao Ting made a brief calculation, "Go back to the emperor, it will be enough for half a month to use the military food and grass, but a general from the Wuhan University of Yangzhou has raised the subsequent food and grass and will be transported soon."

"Zheng Sen, Gao Kuicong, you two will lead your army back to the court immediately. I will only take Gao Di's troops to Huai'an, and the saved military rations will be handed over to Zhao Ting here to provide disaster relief. If one person dies of hunger, I will chop your head."

The generals had learned from Ji Xian why Emperor Hongguang was so angry. They knew that Emperor Hongguang was angry and did not dare to say anything. They all knew that Yin Shixun and Lu Zhenfei, who were in charge of disaster relief, were going to be unlucky. Judging from the current appearance of Emperor Hongguang, they could save their lives, even if the ancestors had accumulated virtue!

Zheng Sen, Gao Kuicong, led his army to the next halfway and met the subsequent food and supplies of Wuhan University who were escorted, so that he could save enough 40,000 people to eat nearly a month's food in Fengyang, which was more than enough for disaster relief.

Huai'an is located on the banks of the Grand Canal River in Beijing and Hangzhou, with abundant resources and rich transportation. It has been a strategic center that must be fought for by military strategists since ancient times. After the flood, Huai'an recovered the fastest. After arriving in Huai'an in the evening, 20,000 troops were stationed outside the city. Gao Di and Jixian and Guards, and I entered the city to find Yin Shixun and Lu Zhenfei to settle the accounts. The bustling streets could not tell that this place had been ravaged by floods. The singing and dancing in front of me were in sharp contrast with the crying old woman. I restrained my anger for many days and rose again.

Yin Shixun and Lu Zhenfei were also in a state of great trouble during this period. A large amount of silver and large amounts of food flowed out of their hands but no significant results were seen. Except for Huai'an, the prices of other affected areas soared. The people were in trouble and there was no way to start post-disaster reconstruction. Both of them felt that behind the devastated devastation was manipulated by invisible forces. Although there were doubts, they were powerless. Seven or eight officials who were unfavorable and corrupt officials who were corrupt were killed. Not only did they fail to work, but they made everyone in the Huai River in danger. The officials handled official duties with the intention of not seeking merit but without any mistakes, and the disaster relief results were greatly reduced.

Yin Shixun and Lu Zhenfei were discussing the matter in the government office and heard that Emperor Hongguang was coming. The two looked at each other in surprise and quickly stood up to greet each other. As soon as they knelt down to attend the ceremony, they were tied to the ground by Emperor Hongguang's close guards.

I looked at Yin Shixun and Lu Zhenfei tied to the ground with a cold face. "Come on, hit these two useless staff fifty first to eliminate my hatred."

"I am wronged... I am guilty of it...ah..." The two of them were dragged down by the guards and beaten up. When they were mentioned in front of Emperor Hongguang again, they were pale and could no longer stand.

"Do you know what crime you two have committed?" I looked at the tragic relationship of the two of them and relieved them, "I am wronged? What is the crime? If you don't understand, then beat you fifty again until you both understand."

Yin Shixun grinned in pain, "Your Majesty, I should be beaten if I am not good at disaster relief, but I have a report from my subordinates." Yin Shixun also came up with the reason for being beaten after being beaten. Emperor Hongguang must have arrived in Huaian along the affected area. Yin Shixun also knew about the situation in the disaster area outside Huaian. It is not difficult to guess why Emperor Hongguang beat him and Lu Zhenfei.

"Tell me!" After the exasperation, I calmed down and knew that I was too impatient. Yin Shixun and Lu Zhenfei would definitely not want to handle the disaster relief matters well. But now it has become such a situation. There must be a reason.

Yin Shixun gasped for a few breaths, "Emperor, after arriving in Huai'an, I never forget the emperor's instructions, opened a porridge shop and set up a medical hall to accommodate homeless victims. I dared to guarantee that every grain of food and every penny was delivered to the people. The early disaster relief effect was very obvious. After the disaster situation stabilized, the mood of the victims stabilized, and the matter was discussed with Lord Lu. The matter was on this. I sprinkled out all the silver and food in my hand. I originally thought that everything would get better and better, but who knew that things went against my wishes. Not only did the situation I had won before, but the entire disaster area was lost.

The problem is getting worse and worse. No matter how much silver and grain I invest, it is like a mud cow entering the sea without any results. I have only recently learned about the reasons. I suspect that dozens of wealthy businessmen in Huai'an and other places have connected to control prices and manipulate the market. Most of the grain I put into the hands of the victims was bought by these people at a high price before they could be put into the pot. After they had no grain in my hands, they sold it at a higher price. In this case, the bank and grain in my hands were exhausted and I was no longer able to compete with these unscrupulous merchants. Now, except for Huai'an, every bucket of rice costs more than ten taels, and the court cannot afford it at all!"

I was surprised by Yin Shixun's words. I could basically understand the situation of Yin Shixun and Lu Zhenfei. Financial business cannot be solved by people with power. Merchants have been the most difficult class to deal with since ancient times. When small ones buy and sell, the country is deeply influenced by the rulers! Otherwise, why did every dynasty and every generation in ancient times try to suppress merchants from entering the government? It can be seen that this is not a rule set without reason. According to Yin Shixun, dozens of wealthy businessmen left him helpless. It can be seen that the wealthy business group has very strong financial resources and is as rich as a rival country! This is indeed a headache.

Yin Shixun continued: "I have also thought about using thunder to arrest and detain those profiteers. But after understanding the actual situation, I dare not take action. These wealthy businessmen have a property of more than 100,000 taels and a property of more than 100,000 taels, and the family soldiers and soldiers in their families have a minimum of more than 100,000 taels. The harm is far beyond the reach of a refugee riot...!"

I nodded. Yin Shixun's concern was right. These wealthy businessmen had wealth. If the court took excessive actions, it would be difficult to ensure that they would not resist. With their millions of taels of wealth, they could recruit soldiers and horses to gain power. But they could not let them exploit wealth and make a fortune. It was really difficult to solve it.

I sighed and asked the guards to help the Yinlu two people up, "I blamed the two Qing families by mistake, but the two Qing families are not at all wrong. We failed to predict what might happen in advance and failed to see the opportunity to lead to today's situation, which put the court in a dilemma. The two Qing families' faults."

Gao Di disagreed when he heard the words of Yin Shixun, "Emperor, all the kings are the kings. How can such a tyrant businessman stay and poison the people and harm the court? Finally, he is willing to lead troops to destroy these tyrants who eat people and don't spit bones one by one. Even if they have the power, they will not be more powerful than Zuo Liangyu and his son and Liu Liangzuo! I hope the emperor is right. "Gao Di has become addicted to war, and he is confident that even if these tyrants resist, they are not his opponent.

Yin Shixun and Lu Zhenfei then realized that Emperor Hongguang defeated Zuo Menggeng and Liu Liangzuo, and they were excited. However, dealing with profiteers is different from fighting between the two armies. Once wars meet, it is harmful to the foundation of the court. You should know that these wealthy merchants pay far more taxes than ordinary people. Even if they kill the profiteers in Huai'an, the sequelae are very serious. Merchants in the world are all in harmony, and Jianghuai merchants are even more united and are bound to be sad. Once this most important source of wealth arises, the finances of the court will be very difficult.

I really want Gao Di to send troops to kill all these merchants. The possible riots made me know that this is the worst. It is best to convince these merchants in a harmonious manner under threat. Since ancient times, merchants have been profit-seeking. It is very difficult to spit out the fat meat swallowed in their stomachs, but I must try it, "Yin Aiqing, what kind of business do these merchants do? Someone should take the lead?"

Yin Shixun nodded and said, "Most of these profiteers are the owners of rice merchants and silk shops, and there are also several money shops. Two of them can be said to be the leaders of these profiteers, namely rice merchant Chen Wanqing and money shop owner Mei Shouzu. Among the merchants, these two are rich and worth millions of property. It is rumored that Chen Wanqing's family hoarded more than 100,000 stones of grain, which is comparable to the national warehouse."

"Yin Shixun, send me a invitation to the government office for a banquet in my name. I will treat them well." I want to see how much the people who dare to hack my silver and grain were raped.

Chen Wanqing and Mei Shouzu were drinking and having fun at this time. How could they not be happy after making hundreds of thousands of taels of silver in such a short time? Mei Shouzu also knew that the court would sooner or later find out the inside story, but he was not worried at all. If the court wanted to move them, they had to consider whether they were not wealthy or not a prominent family. Especially Mei Shouzu was even harder. In the past few years, in order to prevent bandits, he invested in the formation of a militia group of up to 2,000 people. Not only were they well-equipped and had good combat power. If the court really forced him to the point of being too weak, he would see who would suffer.

"Master, Huai'an Governor Lu Zhenfeilu sent someone to send an invitation to see it." A man who looked like a housekeeper sent the invitation to Mei Shouzu.

Mei Shouzu curled his lips and pushed the beauty in his arms aside, took the invitation and shook it at Chen Wanqing, "Did Brother Chen see it? I guess Lu Zhenfei has no choice but to beg us..."

Chen Wanqing laughed, "I'm afraid he doesn't know that we are destroying his platform behind his back..." Before Chen Wanqing finished speaking, she found that Mei Shouzu's face looked extremely ugly, and the invitation in her hand also slid down from her hands. He was puzzled and he couldn't help but be surprised when he saw it. He looked like Mei Shouzu. The two of them never thought that the current emperor, Emperor Hongguang, would be invited.

"Brother Mei, this is probably a Hongmen Banquet! How could the emperor come to Huai'an for no reason? Didn't he say he was fighting in Huguang?" The merchant's information was indeed well-versed. After Emperor Hongguang personally left Dangtu, they got the news from the business road.

Mei Shouzu's eyes were circling, "Hongmen Banquet? Hongmen Banquet is also going to the place. You and I, the common people, can be invited by the emperor today, and it can be said that they are extremely glorious! Haha...!"

Chen Wanqing waited for Mei Shouzu to finish laughing, "I'm afraid there is no good banquet!" As he said that, he measured his neck with his palm, "I can't come back!"

Mei Shouzu snorted coldly, "It's okay, I ask Shixin to gather the people from the militia. If there is an accident, it will be better to save you and others..."

Before Mei Shouzu finished speaking, his son Mei Shixin ran in quickly, "Dad, there are a large number of government troops outside the city, and it seems that there are 20,000 to 30,000 people!"
Chapter completed!