I'll steal Gao Qiu's life and lead the Song Dynasty to prosperity.

Chapter 118 Let's put on a show for the pacification envoy.

Starting from Bianjing, Zhao Mingcheng and his entourage traveled southwest along the official road.

The group stopped briefly at a post station about 30 li from the border of Ruzhou. Everyone dismounted to stretch their muscles and feed their horses.

Zhao Mingcheng, Cao Fu, and Lu Zhang did not enter the post station, but instead found a clean stone stool under an old locust tree to sit down and rest for a while.

Cao Fu held a scroll in his hand, which was transferred from the Ministry of Revenue, concerning the money, grain, and granary storage of Jingxi North Road and Ruzhou in recent years, and his face was solemn.

He flipped through the scrolls, and finally couldn't help but ask in a deep voice.

"Anfu (Zhao Mingcheng's official title), as I carefully read through these documents, my doubts grew stronger."

Ruzhou and several neighboring prefectures reported that the autumn grain harvest last year and the inventory reports from the Changping Granary, Yi Granary, and Guanghui Granary this spring were all sufficient and properly stored.

But now that the disaster has struck, they've sent an urgent plea for help, claiming that the granaries are low on food and disaster relief is difficult—this is contradictory and full of loopholes!

In order to prepare for famine and disaster relief, the Northern Song Dynasty established three major storage systems.

The first is the "Ever-Normal Granary," which was set up in various prefectures. In years of plenty, grain was purchased at higher prices, and in years of famine, it was sold at lower prices to stabilize grain prices and also to provide relief.

The second type was the "charitable granary," which was also established in prefectures and counties. Grain collected along with the two taxes was stored there and used specifically for disaster relief.

Thirdly, there was the "Guanghui Granary," which was mainly located in important prefectures and cities. It used the income from confiscated government land and land that had been lost to the poor to purchase and store grain for relief to the elderly, children, and the sick.

These three granaries theoretically constituted the backbone of local famine preparedness in the Northern Song Dynasty.

Cao Fu pointed to the numbers on the document, his tone filled with indignation.

"To reassure you, the Ever-Normal Granary in Ruzhou should have 48,000 shi of grain on its books; the Charity Granary should have 20,000 shi of grain; and the Guanghui Granary should have 15,000 shi of grain, totaling more than 80,000 shi!"

According to the regulations of the imperial court, it was enough to support the needs of the disaster victims in the prefecture for several months. Why did they report the severity of the disaster and urgently request the imperial court to allocate funds?

Even more strangely, neighboring prefectures also had considerable grain reserves on paper, yet their reports stated that they were struggling to survive and unable to provide assistance. Had the grain from the three granaries in the Northwest Circuit of the capital all sprouted wings and flown away?

Cao Fu had not been an official for long and had no experience in local government, so he naturally did not understand the intricacies of the system.

Lu Zhang stood to the side, his hand on his waist knife, and upon hearing this, his face also showed anger.

Although he was a warrior and illiterate, he knew that disaster relief grain was a matter of life and death, and if it were embezzled by thieves, it would be tantamount to murder.

Zhao Mingcheng withdrew his gaze from the distance and focused on the document in Cao Fu's hand, then slowly spoke.

"Brother Wenzhong, this grain may not have vanished; perhaps it never existed at all."

Cao Fu was taken aback: "What do you mean by that, Anfu? But the account books clearly show—"

"Account books are inanimate, but people are alive."

Zhao Mingcheng interrupted him, his tone calm.

"The three-warehouse system designed by our dynasty for famine preparedness was originally well-intentioned."

However, it has been barely operating for many years and has accumulated many problems. The capital of the Ever-Normal Granary is often misappropriated for other purposes, especially to subsidize border expenses and fill the military food deficit.

Grain stored in the granaries was either stolen by officials who were in charge of guarding them, or sold privately at high prices to line their own pockets. The accounts were then balanced by using old grain to offset new grain and exaggerating the amount.

The grain stored in the public granaries was nominally a tax surcharge, but in reality, the tax was increased at each level, with more grain collected than stored. Alternatively, the granaries were controlled by collusion with local powerful figures, and the grain was used to lend money to the poor during times of disaster.

The vast granary estates were mostly seized by powerful and influential people, leaving them with no income and empty granaries. The so-called "full books" were nothing more than an illusion maintained year after year by deceiving those above and below and altering the accounts.

Once a severe drought like this year, affecting several states, occurs, this layer of paper that has been pasted up for so many years will no longer be able to conceal the truth; it will break down easily.

Zhao Mingcheng paused, looking at Cao Fu's shocked and enlightened expression, and continued.

"Before I came here, I guessed that this trip would not be simple. There are probably deep-rooted and unspoken rules in this place, such as falsely reporting warehouses, misappropriating money and grain, and reaching out to superiors when disaster strikes."

If they can get the money, they'll split the spoils; if they can't, they'll either incite a popular uprising, blame it on a natural disaster, or find a few scapegoats to settle the matter—this has probably become the norm in the area.

Zhao Mingcheng had learned these facts from his previous studies of Song Dynasty history.

Cao Fu felt a chill run down his spine. He was a newly appointed Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and had always been in the capital, so he knew nothing about the situation in the provinces.

Although I had already guessed that the administration was corrupt, I did not expect that the corruption in local granary administration had reached such a shocking level, and that it seemed to have become a kind of "normal" situation!

Cao Fu's voice was dry.

"So, is our trip just a formality, whereby we'll end up just putting on a show, writing a report back to the capital stating that there's no evidence to support it, that the grain reserves are slightly short due to improper storage, and that rectification has been ordered?"

"Of course not. If I were to do that, why would I have recommended Brother Wenzhong to come along? And why would I have to tell you all this on the way?"

Zhao Mingcheng's gaze was intense as he looked at Cao Fu and then at Lu Zhang, who stood solemnly to the side.

"My lords, the Emperor has granted me the power to make decisions, not to be here to smooth things over."

I've come across this muddy water to pierce this window paper that's been glued on for so many years!

Let's see if there's a single grain of life-saving food left in the granaries of Ruzhou! Let's see how many corrupt officials are hiding beneath these accounts of "abundant supplies year after year"! And let's see if this status quo can be broken!

Zhao Mingcheng stood up, dusted off his robes, and spoke with unwavering resolve.

"Disaster relief is necessary, of course. But before that, we must first find the bowls that hold the food and wash them clean! Otherwise, no matter how much grain we have, it will only feed the rats and won't save the starving people!"

Lu Zhang, whose blood was already boiling from hearing this, suddenly clasped his hands in a fist and said in a deep voice.

"Please be wise! Although I am but a soldier, I know that human life is of paramount importance. Embezzling disaster relief grain is an outrage against all reason!"

"On this mission, I will rely solely on Anfu's orders. I, your humble general, will lead my men to protect Anfu and Judge Cao. Any demons or monsters who dare to obstruct the investigation will be made to taste the might of the imperial law!"

Cao Fu took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, stood up solemnly, and bowed deeply to Zhao Mingcheng.

"I was foolish and almost judged it by common sense. Now, after listening to Anfu's explanation, I realize that this mission is arduous and involves more than just distributing grain and porridge."

"Since I am accompanying you, I will do my utmost, with the meticulousness of a proofreader, to verify the accuracy of the local accounts and finances, and contribute to the peace and stability efforts!"

Looking at his two subordinates, one a civil official and the other a military officer, Zhao Mingcheng felt somewhat reassured.

He helped Cao Fu up and nodded to Lu Zhang, "With the help of Brother Wenzhong and Commander Lu, Mingcheng's confidence has increased even more."

However, the danger of this trip lies not in open warfare, but in the treacherous nature of people's hearts. We must remain outwardly relaxed but inwardly vigilant, and adapt to changing circumstances.

Brother Wenzhong, please record in detail the situation of the disaster victims and the local response along the way. Commander Lu, you must keep your men in check; they must be cautious in all their travels, but when necessary, they must not back down.

"This humble officer understands!"

The two responded in unison.

After a short rest, the group set off again.

At almost the same time, in Ruzhou City, in a side hall with its doors and windows tightly closed in the back hall of the prefectural government office.

Zhou Xu, the prefect of Ruzhou, Wu Ming'an, the vice-prefect, and Wang Qian, the supervisor of the Ever-Normal Granary, were sitting around a black lacquered square table, discussing in hushed tones.

On the table were several copies of private letters from Bianjing, as well as copies of the state's granary ledgers.

The prefect, Zhou Xu, was about fifty years old, with a fair complexion and three long strands of beard. At this moment, however, his brows were deeply furrowed, and his fingers were unconsciously tapping on the table.

He spoke first, his voice sounding somewhat anxious.

"The news from the capital is basically confirmed. The disaster relief and pacification envoy sent by the imperial court to the northwest of the capital is named Zhao Mingcheng. This person—is said to be an old friend of the current emperor when he was a prince."

Prefect Wu Ming'an, over forty years old, with a thin, long face and quick, lively eyes, spoke.

"I have also inquired and found that this pacification commissioner is quite young, said to be in his early twenties. Last year, he was ordered by the late emperor to go to the Hehuang region to pacify and persuade, and made some contributions to the border. After returning to the capital, he was promoted by the current emperor to the position of Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and concurrently served as a member of the Imperial Library."

"Though noble and aristocratic, he has never had any experience in managing a region or handling civil affairs, let alone the complex and multifaceted task of disaster relief."

Wang Qian, the supervisor of the Ever-Normal Granary, was in charge of the Ever-Normal Granary in this region. He was about the same age as Zhou Xu, but he was overweight and had puffy eyes. At this moment, he was stroking his sparse beard and said with certainty.

"From this perspective, the purpose of His Majesty sending this person is quite intriguing."

Firstly, it shows that the disaster was taken seriously by sending a close advisor; secondly, it was probably also to make him go through the motions, to enhance his resume and merits, so that he could be promoted after returning to the capital.

After all, he was a former retainer of the emperor from his time as a prince; he deserved a respectable future.

Zhou Xu nodded slightly, his expression much better. His glasses were already small, and now they were almost invisible.

"What Brother Wang said is similar to what I thought."

This pacification commissioner is so young and has suddenly risen to prominence; lacking practical experience, he likely has limited knowledge of local problems and financial matters. His primary goal here is probably to achieve stability, and then return to the capital to submit a satisfactory report that "the disaster is under control and the people's hearts are gradually at ease."

A glint flashed in Wu Ming'an's eyes as he lowered his voice.

"In that case, our strategy is clear: we must be courteous and make the most of the occasion!"

Your Excellency, I have issued an urgent order for the yamen runners and local militia to drive away all the refugees and starving people gathered inside and outside the city gates and along the main road. They should be driven to remote temples and mountain valleys outside the city for temporary shelter and strictly guarded to prevent them from approaching the main road and causing trouble.

At the same time, he ordered people to clean the streets leading to the prefectural government office overnight, sprinkle water to remove dust, and set up several decent porridge stalls and tea stalls at key intersections along the way.

Then we'll find some people in our yamen to pretend to be disaster victims, and siphon some of the yamen's public grain, so the soup kitchens will look real.

He smiled smugly.

"As long as this Zhao Anfu Envoy's carriage enters the city along the official road, the streets will be clean and orderly."

If he only listens to our reports in the prefectural government office and reviews the account books we've prepared, wouldn't we be the ones deciding the severity and urgency of the disaster?

Wang Qian clapped his hands, a smile spreading across his chubby face.

"Prefect Wu has made proper arrangements! There's no need to worry too much about the granaries; our accounts have been balanced for years."

If the pacification commissioner inquired, he would explain that the grain stored over the years had been temporarily borrowed due to the tight border pay last year, and had not yet been returned; that the sudden drought this spring had led to the opening of granaries for relief, resulting in huge consumption; and that some granaries had suffered slight damage due to rodent infestation and mold.

Then they added the excuse that they were doing their best to count and check, and that they would have a definite number soon to delay the process.

Could a young official in the capital possibly see through the trick? Even if he had suspicions, what could he do without evidence? Did he dare to forcefully open my Ever-Normal Granary for inspection? That requires an imperial decree and approval from the Three Departments!

After listening to the plans of his two subordinates, Zhou Xu felt reassured and finally made the final decision.

"Alright! Let's proceed according to this plan. In short, we must be courteous, say all the right things, and explain our difficulties. But the core principle is to delay and cover up the actual situation of the granaries as much as possible, and use old precedents as an excuse to postpone the inventory."

If this person from the capital is treated with utmost respect and careful service for three to five days, and he sees that "the disaster situation here is under control" and "the officials are diligent," he will naturally have no intention of staying long and will be eager to return to the capital to report back and claim credit.

At that time, we will present him with a generous gift to see him off, and then the matter will be over.

"Your Excellency's insight is brilliant!" Wu Ming'an and Wang Qian echoed in unison, both showing relieved smiles on their faces.

The three of them had already made their plans and then went over the details of the welcoming ceremony, the banquet's specifications, and the speech.

Judging by the time, and estimating that Zhao Mingcheng's entourage was about to arrive, they tidied their clothes and prepared to go to the post station outside the city to welcome this imperial envoy, whom they considered "young and easily bullied" and "just going through the motions."

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