This incident was a major fault in the late emperor's achievements. Because of this, Dazhao's vitality was severely damaged. The emperor's foundation was unstable when he succeeded to the throne, and he was forced to be held hostage by the Cao family.
Therefore, the emperor learned from the experience and would never allow history to repeat itself.
"Is there anyone among you who would like to go?" the emperor asked Shen Shen.
All civil and military officials in the court looked at each other in shock, but no one responded.
If this kind of errand is done well, it is your duty. If it is not done well, the life of the whole family will be at risk.
Silence fell in the palace, and the emperor pinched his brows impatiently and said: "We will discuss this matter later. Let's raise money and food first."
Things have priorities, and ordinary people would not trust this burden.
"Yes." All the ministers responded with a sigh of relief.
After the dynasty ended, Yu Zheng and others went to the imperial study room again.
Two days later, the first batch of money and grain was raised, and Yu Cheng took the initiative to request an order to escort it.
For the people of Duanzhou, this first batch of money and food is crucial. They are waiting to be saved and cannot make any mistakes.
Yu Cheng thought about it for a few days and felt that it would be most reassuring to come in person, and his presence in person could also stabilize people's hearts, killing two birds with one stone.
Cao Qian was shocked, and immediately raised his hands and said: "Your Highness, think twice, the disaster relief is a big task and it will not take a few days. The government affairs of the court still need to be discussed and handled by Your Highness."
After hearing such an excuse, the emperor looked coldly: "According to what Cao Qing said, if the prince is away from the court, nothing can be done and nothing can be done?"
Does he think Yu Cheng is too useful, or does he think he, the emperor, is too incompetent?
Cao Qian heard the deep meaning of the emperor's words and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, please calm down. This is not what I meant."
"Hmph!" The emperor snorted coldly: "The prince can't go, so who does Cao Qing think can go?"
Cao Qian glanced at Yu Zheng seemingly unintentionally.
The emperor knew what he was planning and sneered in his heart.
"The first batch of money and grain was escorted by the prince, the second batch of money and grain was escorted by Zhou Boxu, and the third batch..."
The emperor's eyes scanned the ministers.
All the officials in the court lowered their heads, not daring to express their anger for fear of being hit.
"I am willing to go." Shen Changze spoke out, which was particularly loud in the silent hall.
Although the errand is difficult, as long as it is done well, it is also an achievement.
In the past two years, although Shen Changze had been appreciated by Yu Cheng, he had not had many opportunities and was not promoted, making his situation very embarrassing.
This time when Yu Cheng went there in person, he would be more careful and run the errands well, so that even if he couldn't be promoted immediately, he could still leave a mark on Yu Cheng.
The emperor followed the sound and saw Shen Changze's eyes light up and his expression softened.
Shen Changze is loyal and brave, so I feel relieved to have him escort the money and food.
"That's right," the emperor said in final words.
After the disaster relief matters were decided, Yu Cheng set off that afternoon.
Although Cao Qian didn't support it, he couldn't change it.
After being busy for a few days, Yu Zheng finally had some free time.
At night, he went to a remote alley in the west of the city.
Both Zhang Li and Li Xu were placed here.
"Your Majesty." Seeing Yu Zheng, Li Xuqiang got out of bed despite his injuries and saluted.
Yu Zheng looked on coldly and did not ask Li Xu to get up, leaving him to kneel.
"How? Has your master ever let you down?"
Li Xu's face turned pale, he raised his eyes and looked at Yu Zheng and said, "Can you really help me save my family?"
Yu Zheng's words that day still ring in my ears.
At first, Li Xu was dubious, but the first person to arrive at Cao Qian gave him a death order.
Cao Qian said that execution after the fall and committing suicide for fear of crime are both death, but committing suicide for fear of crime can make him feel at ease and his family will be safe.
Li Xu had no choice but to commit suicide out of fear of crime.
He took the turtle breath medicine given to him by Yu Zheng's order, and then according to the date chosen by Cao Qian, he threw the bowl and stabbed himself in the chest with the pieces.
The fragments penetrated deeply, and neither the autopsy nor the personal examination by Cao Qian's men revealed any clues. Coupled with the effect of the Turtle Breathing Medicine, everyone thought he was really dead.
Xiang Maoyan and Yu Zheng's people cooperated internally and externally to move his 'body'. As soon as the turtle breath medicine wore off, Li Xu was 'resurrected from the dead'.
Although he faked his death, Li Xu was indeed seriously injured and has not fully recovered after several days of recovery.
"What? Up to now, you are still questioning me?" Yu Zheng narrowed his dark eyes, very dissatisfied with Li Xu's attitude.
Li Xu heard something was wrong in the voice and hurriedly said: "I don't dare. As long as the prince can help me save my family, my life will belong to the prince from now on, but I will not fail to obey orders."
Yu Zheng corrected him coldly: "Your life belongs to Sun Hechuan, but before you die, the mastermind behind the scenes must be brought to justice to comfort the loyal spirit."
Yu Zheng never wanted to keep Li Xu alive, but just wanted him to die a worthy death.
When Li Xu heard this, his heart suddenly sank.
No one wants to die, but he has no choice. The only blame is that he was with the wrong master.
After thinking for a moment, Li Xuyou asked: "I am willing to obey the prince's orders, and I am willing to pay for my life with my life when the matter is accomplished, but... can my family really be safe?"
After one incident, Li Xu became suspicious. He was afraid that Yu Zheng would be like Cao Qian and kill them all.
Yu Zheng looked at him coldly and said, "Your master silenced you because your family knew something they shouldn't have known. What does this king have to do with them?"
"They are the people of Jokhang. As long as they abide by their duties and do not do anything illegal, they will be safe."
Yes, there is no reason or need for Yu Zheng to keep silent.
Thinking of this, Li Xu finally felt relieved.
"Tell me about it, your master, Cao Qian." Yu Zheng knocked on several tables, his patience exhausted.
Li Xu was shocked when he heard Yu Zheng spit out the word "Cao Qian".
It turned out that Yu Zheng had known about it for a long time.
Also, with Yu Zheng's intelligence, how could he know nothing.
The lives of his family were in Yu Zheng's hands. Li Xu didn't dare to hide anything anymore and told everything he knew.
As Yu Zheng expected, Cao Qian killed Sun Hechuan and helped Li Xu succeed him as minister of Dali Temple. He wanted to take advantage of his position to imprison some important officials and replace them with his own people.
Then, it is self-evident what Cao Qian wants to do.
Li Xu has been lurking in Dali Temple for many years. He holds an important position and is an important chess piece of Cao Qian. He has done many things for Cao Qian and also knows many things about Cao Qian.
Of course, he also had backup options.
"Where is the evidence?" Yu Zheng asked.
Li Xu said: "In my courtyard... Gongfang has a secret cell."
Yu Zheng: "..."
His eyebrows furrowed in disgust, and Yu Zheng ordered the secret guard to look for him as Li Xu said.
As the night fell, Yu Zheng stood up and said, "Hurry up and recover. After your family leaves Beijing, immediately start collecting the remaining evidence of Cao Qian's crimes."
"Yes." Li Xu agreed and watched Yu Zheng leave.
At this point, Li Xu also wanted to kill Cao Qian as soon as possible. In this way, his family can live openly and without fear.
On the tenth day of the Western lunar month, Jiang Shu returned to Jiang's house.
After checking the account books of each shop with Jiang's father, we discussed the matters surrounding the shop.
Jiang Shu said calmly: "Everything affects the whole body. Natural disasters have occurred one after another this year, and all walks of life will be affected. In addition to grain, oil, cloth and other storable goods, it is better to stock up on more."
The shopkeepers said: "We have stocked up a batch in various places according to the boss's instructions."
Jiang Shu said: "It's not enough, keep stocking up and collecting more."
"How much is appropriate to store?" the shopkeepers asked.
Jiang Shu pursed her lips: "The more, the better."
The shopkeepers looked at Father Jiang.
Jiang Ji has been in business for many years, and there have been precedents of stocking up during disaster years, but he only stocked up appropriately, unlike this year where there is no lower limit.
Hoarding a large amount of goods requires a large amount of money. Once there is a loss, Jiang Ji will suffer heavy losses, which is very risky.
