I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 271 Nanjing Losers' Alliance! Face-Saving Jobs and Tough Duties
Just as Shen Shixing, Hai Rui, Shen Nian and others were discussing how to appease the people and use the misappropriated disaster relief funds for the benefit of the people again.

The officials in Nanjing heard one after another that the imperial envoy had arrived in Nanjing and that Duke Xu Bangrui of Wei, Wang Yue, Sun Long, and the prefects of the three disaster-stricken prefectures had all been arrested and taken to the Nanjing garrison.

After learning that Hai Rui had been secretly investigating in Nanjing for several days, and that the court had even dispatched Shen Shixing, Feng Bao, and Shen Nian to Nanjing, Zhang Siwei guessed that the matter of the disaster relief funds must have been leaked.

At first, he was anxious, worried that he would be exposed.

after all--

It was his idea to deceive the court by claiming that the grain reserves in the Ever-Normal Granaries of the three affected prefectures had been destroyed by the flood, thereby defrauding the court of disaster relief funds, and to instruct the Imperial Textile Bureau to embezzle 80,000 taels of silver.

But he quickly calmed down and realized that the chances of him being implicated were slim.

First of all, he was merely the one who came up with the idea, not the one who orchestrated the series of events. Confessing to him would not benefit Wang Yue and the others much, as they would still be considered the main culprits.

Secondly, the fact that he was not implicated made it possible for Wang Yue and others to have their sentences reduced.

The latter, who are nearly in dire straits, need someone like Zhang Siwei, a highly respected figure in Southern Zhili, to speak on their behalf.

Furthermore, even if he were implicated, Zhang Siwei left no written evidence, did not profit from it, had very little contact with them, and was busy with disaster relief efforts, making it difficult for him to be convicted.

Zhang Siwei's only worry was that his secret order to spread the message that "the floods were caused by the new policies and Zhang Juzheng's lack of virtue" might be discovered by the meticulous Hai Rui.

After careful consideration, Zhang Siwei decided to take the initiative and personally visit the Nanjing Garrison Command with a group of ministers.

If they don't step forward when such a significant event occurs in Southern Zhili, they will be seen as having something to hide.

……

The temporary council chamber of the Nanjing Garrison Command.

Shen Nian, holding a document presented by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, said, "Currently, of the 80,000 taels of disaster relief funds that were diverted to the royal textile workshops, there are still over 50,000 taels remaining in cash. The grain reserves in the granaries of the three affected prefectures are negligible. I suggest allocating 20,000 taels each to Songjiang Prefecture and Suzhou Prefecture, and 10,000 taels to Yingtian Prefecture. Based on the disaster situation in the three places, determine the amount of grain to be purchased and the amount of silver to be used to build soup kitchens and shelters for disaster victims! As for the construction of the dikes, we need to apply to the court for another 50,000 taels of silver. This matter can be put off until after the disaster relief efforts are completed."

Currently, the biggest difficulties faced by the disaster victims are the lack of food and homelessness.

This is the biggest factor causing the unrest.

Setting up shelters and soup kitchens for disaster victims not only helped the people, but also prevented them from rioting and committing arson, murder, and looting in their struggle for survival.

Shen Nian paused for a moment, then continued, "Furthermore, I suggest that the people who were forcibly conscripted for river work or imprisoned due to the flood be released immediately. After this is done, the matter of the local government misappropriating disaster relief funds and the dismissal of the Jiangnan Textile Commissioner should be announced to the whole city at the same time, so that the people can see our attitude and restore some of the government's credibility!"

"agree!"

Shen Shixing nodded, then frowned and said, "Now that public resentment has risen, if we set up soup kitchens and disaster relief shelters in the counties and townships, and also deliver grain, I'm afraid some local people will scramble for it, and there might even be arson, murder, and looting. How can we resolve this?"

Due to the flood, many villagers and their families were killed or injured, and those who survived were starving.

In addition, with the three prefectural governors suspended from their posts, the local government's supervisory capacity is limited. When the government delivers grain to appease the people, there is a high possibility that unrest will occur due to issues such as the order of delivery, unequal distribution, local bullies causing trouble, and clerks abusing their power.

“When the three prefectures distribute grain and set up tents, I will take a tour of the counties and townships of the three prefectures. The people should be able to trust me,” Hai Rui said.

Shen Shixing shook his head slightly.

"No, it's impossible for one person to travel to the counties and townships of three prefectures to comfort the people in just a few days. Even an iron body can't withstand that. Vice Minister Hai is already old and shouldn't be so overworked!"

Shen Nian nodded.

"Elder Hai, Elder Shen is right. We can't let you travel like this. If there's any unrest in any county or township, I'll go and help!"

Beside him, Feng Bao sat on a chair like a timid wife, without saying a word.

He couldn't get a word in edgewise.

Many of the villagers were illiterate; they did not recognize the "Great Ming Code," but only the good officials that their fellow villagers had spoken of by word of mouth.

When Hai Rui and Shen Nian, two highly respected officials among the people, were mentioned, the vast majority of the populace would listen to them.

Feng Baoruo then announced his name.

If the common people knew that this was the superior of Sun Long, the eunuch in charge of textile production in Suzhou and Hangzhou who had wreaked havoc on the entire Jiangnan region, they would slap him into a pulp.

Feng Bao knew his reputation was bad, and he would never dare to go to the countryside without the protection of hundreds of guards.

at this time.

A member of the Imperial Guard strode in, holding a visiting card in his hand.

"Grand Secretary Shen, Zhang Siwei, the Minister of Rites in Nanjing, along with several ministerial officials from Southern Zhili, requests an audience!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Nian's eyes lit up.

"Grand Secretary Shen, Elder Hai, what do you think about sending these high-ranking officials to the countryside to oversee disaster relief and comfort the people?"

Shen Shixing and Hai Rui immediately smiled.

Shen Nian's idea is excellent!

Although these ministers were semi-retired in Southern Zhili, they still had the responsibility of supervising the military, political and civil affairs of Southern Zhili, and they were quite familiar with these places.

The fact that such a scandal occurred in Southern Zhili shows that they also bear responsibility for inadequate supervision. If they are asked to make amends, they will certainly do their best.

Furthermore, sending them to the countryside would facilitate the subsequent investigation into whether the three prefectures' granaries had enough grain when the floods occurred, as well as the assassination of Cao Zheng, the Imperial Inspector of Southern Zhili.

This can be described as killing multiple birds with one stone.

As a cabinet minister, Shen Shixing could not command Zhang Siwei and others, but as an imperial envoy, all officials in Southern Zhili had to obey his orders.

"Sending them to the countryside to supervise would be excellent, but what if they find excuses to shirk their duties? So many people have been injured or killed in the villages, and public resentment is boiling over. There might be danger!"

Shen Nian smiled slightly and said, "Elder Shen, they have no choice but to go, whether they want to or not!"

If Yin Zhengmao were the chief imperial envoy, he would never have said such a thing. Instead, he would have directly ordered all officials to go to the countryside, and those who refused would be impeached.

"I suspect that once Lord Fengpan and his entourage arrive in the hall and learn of the enormous problems with the disaster relief efforts in Southern Zhili, they will admit their oversight shortcomings and pledge their full support to us as long as the disaster victims can be appeased. Once they say this, they will have no choice but to make our request. What does it matter if they are scolded or beaten by the people for the sake of appeasing the people and preventing local riots? It's all merit. Some of them are even thinking of returning to the capital. Aren't we helping them gain merit?"

"Makes sense!"

Shen Shixing immediately had no more worries. He knew how to deal with these old actors who only talked the talk but didn't walk the walk, and who always did nothing but put on a show. "Please come in, gentlemen!" Shen Shixing said.

Shen Shixing, Shen Nian, Hai Rui, and Feng Bao were all imperial envoys representing the emperor. There was no need for them to come out to greet these first- or second-rank officials.

After a while.

Zhang Siwei, Minister of Rites in Nanjing, arrived at the front hall with seven ministerial officials, including Zhao Jin, Minister of Justice in Nanjing, Song Yiwang, Minister of Justice in Nanjing, and Tu Yiying, Minister of Ceremonies in Nanjing.

Upon seeing Shen Shixing and his three companions, Zhang Siwei, who was in the lead, immediately strode over to them.

"Grand Secretary Shen, Eunuch Feng, Vice Director Hai, Ziheng, what exactly happened in Southern Zhili? How... how come so many officials have been arrested all at once, and you've all been alerted!" Zhang Siwei asked, looking puzzled.

The other officials also looked puzzled, trying to prove that they had nothing to do with the disaster relief funds.

Shen Shixing immediately revealed that local officials had misappropriated disaster relief funds.

Afterwards, Shi Qing read aloud the imperial edict issued by Emperor Wanli ordering the four imperial envoys to investigate the case.

"Of the 100,000 taels of disaster relief funds, only 3,000 taels were actually used for the victims. This... this is unbelievable! I never imagined that the Duke of Wei and his ilk would be so heartless!"

"These people deserve to die. Fortunately, the Imperial Censor Hai Qianyuan saw through their schemes and prevented them from succeeding. Otherwise, the people would have suffered greatly!"

"Grand Secretary Shen, we are guilty of negligence! We never expected such a disgraceful act of embezzling disaster relief funds to occur right under our noses. We have failed His Majesty's trust. We are guilty, we are guilty!"

……

These well-read, white-bearded officials, their eyes reddening, angrily denounced Wang Yue and Sun Long for their shamelessness, while simultaneously feeling sorry for the people and admitting their own negligence.

In this case, negligence is the least serious charge, or rather, the charge that can prove one's innocence.

Shen Shixing, Hai Rui, Shen Nian, and Feng Bao watched these people perform quietly.

Half an hour later, the sound gradually subsided.

Zhang Siwei looked at Shen Nian and the other three, cupped his hands and said, "Four imperial envoys, if there is anything we can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask. For the sake of the disaster victims and to atone for our sins, we are willing to do our best to assist you and give the disaster victims an explanation."

"Grand Secretary Shen, do you need the assistance of the Nanjing Ministry of Justice in handling this case? All the clerks in the yamen, including myself, are at your beck and call!" Zhao Jin, Minister of Justice of Nanjing, said, puffing out his chest.

His willingness to help was genuine, and his desire to understand the specifics was also genuine.

"Lord Shen, the Nanjing Dali Temple is also willing to assist in the investigation and strive to get to the bottom of this matter as soon as possible, so as to bring justice to the disaster victims!" Song Yiwang, the Minister of the Nanjing Dali Temple, also spoke up.

……

All the ministers and officials made high-profile statements expressing their willingness to fully assist the imperial envoy in handling the case.

Shen Shixing paused for a moment, then said with a moved expression, "It is a blessing for the court that everyone attaches such importance to this matter. However, the evidence has been basically verified by the Haiqianyuan, and all that is needed now is for the criminal to confess."

"However, there is indeed something I need to trouble you all with."

"Because the prefects of the three prefectures have been arrested due to the disaster, the distribution of grain and relief to the people in the countryside will be subject to insufficient supervision, which may lead to civil unrest. I hope that you gentlemen can go to the countryside to pacify the people. You are all highly respected officials in Southern Zhili, and you will certainly be able to appease the people better than us newcomers. I wonder if you are willing to go to the countryside to pacify the people?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Siwei and other officials were stunned.

They were just expressing their opinions and saying polite words, but they didn't expect to actually be assigned a task, and a difficult one at that.

Going to the countryside to comfort the people now could be life-threatening.

Furthermore, given their status and position, they had absolutely no close contact with the disaster victims.

But at this moment, Shen Shixing was an imperial envoy, and they had just made a solemn promise to give the disaster victims an explanation.

It was simply impossible to refuse.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall became awkward.

At this moment, Shen Nian cupped his hands towards Zhang Siwei, who was at the head of the group, and said, "Lord Fengpan, I'm entrusting this to you!"

Helpless, Zhang Siwei could only straighten his chest and say, "Rest assured, Your Excellencies, we will take care of this matter."

The officials behind them could only say in unison, "Leave this to us."

"Gentlemen, there's no need to rush off today. We can set off tomorrow morning!" Hai Rui added from the side.

Hai Rui knew that these old foxes were good at delaying, so he set a time limit for them directly.

“No problem! No problem!” Zhang Siwei said.

After a while.

Zhang Siwei and other high-ranking officials left the Nanjing Garrison with forced smiles.

……

Early the next morning.

Zhang Siwei and other high-ranking officials, accompanied by the Embroidered Uniform Guards dispatched by Shen Shixing, all chose their destinations and headed to their hometowns.

at the same time.

Working until the early hours of this morning, Shen Nian and Hai Rui confirmed that people in Yingtian Prefecture who had been forcibly conscripted for labor or imprisoned due to flooding were released from prison and regained their freedom.

The other two prefectures will also complete this task before dusk today.

Near noon.

Shen Shixing, in his capacity as imperial envoy, ordered the posting of a notice announcing that Xu Bangrui, the Duke of Wei and garrison commander of Nanjing, along with the eunuch Wang Yue, had embezzled disaster relief funds. He promised that the funds would be redistributed and that he would leave Nanjing only after the disaster victims had been appeased and the officials had been punished.

In addition, citing the severe floods and the hardship suffered by the people, all royal textile production tasks in Jiangnan were temporarily suspended, allowing the people to rest and recuperate.

The people of Nanjing, who had already heard rumors, were very excited when they saw the proclamation, especially when they saw the names of Hai Rui and Shen Nian.

Many people who had been cursing the court and Zhang Juzheng for days, and some even had plans to become outlaws, have regained their faith in the court.

(End of this chapter)