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

Chapter 120 I gave you all a chance

The men Lu Zhang sent out returned quietly late at night.

Upon hearing the news, Lu Zhang immediately knocked on Zhao Mingcheng's door and entered with a grim face.

"Please him, Judge Cao!"

Lu Zhang's voice was very low, trembling slightly with excitement.

"The brothers have returned from their scouts! The situation—is worse than expected!"

Zhao Mingcheng and Cao Fu exchanged a glance. Cao Fu put down his pen, his expression grave. Zhao Mingcheng said in a deep voice, "Speak."

"Following the pacification order, the brothers searched west and north of the city. They discovered many refugees in an abandoned mountain god temple about five miles from the city, and further north in several long-abandoned brick and charcoal kilns!"

Lu Zhang spoke rapidly, his voice filled with barely suppressed anger.

"A rough estimate suggests that the mountain god temple alone crammed with no fewer than five or six hundred people! Men, women, and children were all there, most of them barely clothed, emaciated, squeezed into the drafty, dilapidated temple, where there were hardly any straws left on the ground! Many had fallen ill, their coughs and groans incessant. By the moonlight, the brothers observed from afar and saw several people lying haphazardly in the open space outside the temple—lifeless! No one had collected them, they were just left there exposed!"

He took a deep breath and continued.

The brothers risked their lives to approach several government-run soup kitchens in the north of the city to observe, and discovered that the disaster victims who had been queuing during the day were now heading towards...

The prefectural government office is gone. The large pots at the soup kitchen have long been removed, and the ground is spotless—it hardly looks like the place where soup was distributed daily.

A few children who were really starving tried to pick up the rice grains that might have been spilled during the day, but they were scolded and driven away by the guards!

The real disaster victims don't receive a single grain of food!

Cao Fu was not good at maintaining his composure. He turned pale as he listened, his fingers gripping the edge of the table so tightly that his nails almost dug into the wood.

"They drive the people into the wilderness, leaving them to freeze and starve to death! They set up soup kitchens and put on a show to deceive the imperial envoy! This—this is no better than an official who governs the people than a man-eating wolf! Zhou Xu, Wu Ming'an, and Wang Qian, who appeared so righteous in front of the pacification commissioner during the day, were actually engaged in such heinous acts of disregarding human life!"

Zhao Mingcheng stood quietly by the window. After listening to the report, he remained silent for a long time, only his slightly heaving chest revealing the turmoil in his heart.

The news Lu Zhang brought back confirmed his worst suspicions, and was even worse.

This is not a simple case of official corruption or inadequate disaster relief; it is an organized and premeditated act of deceiving superiors and concealing the truth.

"understood."

After a long silence, Zhao Mingcheng spoke slowly, his voice eerily calm.

"Commander Lu, the brothers have worked hard. Let them rest well. Keep this matter quiet for now."

"Yes!" Lu Zhang clasped his hands in a fist salute, his eyes still filled with resentment. "But to appease them... do we just let them go—"

"Of course not."

Zhao Mingcheng turned around, the candlelight illuminating half of his face, his eyes sharp as knives.

"To expose them, it must be done in broad daylight, in full view of everyone, and we must not give them any more chances to put on a show. Only by cutting off their supposed escape routes will they obediently submit."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhang and Cao Fu were invigorated, knowing that Zhao Mingcheng already had a plan.

The following morning, in the main hall of the prefectural government, the official desk was set up high, and the ceremonial guards were imposing.

Zhao Mingcheng sat in the main seat, with Cao Fu and Lu Zhang on his left and right respectively.

Below the hall, prefect Zhou Xu was the head, along with vice-prefect Wu Ming'an, supervisor of the Ever-Normal Granary Wang Qian, and a host of officials of rank from the prefectural government, all of whom had arrived and stood solemnly in their respective ranks.

After a "peaceful" night, Zhou Xu and the others looked increasingly calm, even somewhat confident.

They thought to themselves that today's meeting was just a formality, a chance to hear some reports, and then the imperial envoy could return to the capital to report back.

Zhou Xu stepped forward first, bowed to Zhao Mingcheng, and then began his carefully prepared work report.

"I, Zhou Xu, the Prefect of Ruzhou, hereby report to the Pacification Commissioner. Since last winter there was little snow, and this spring there has been a severe drought."

"Thanks to the imperial court's great favor, the Empress Dowager's benevolent instructions, and the Emperor's wise consideration, I, along with all my colleagues in the prefecture, have worked tirelessly day and night to provide disaster relief. Currently, the disaster situation is under control, and the people's hearts are gradually calming down."

He paused, stealing a glance at Zhao Mingcheng's expression. Seeing that the young pacification commissioner above him had a calm expression and seemed to be listening, he felt more at ease and continued to speak eloquently.

"First, regarding relief efforts. The prefectural government has set up seventeen soup kitchens, distributed along the main roads of the city and in the surrounding countryside, distributing soup twice a day. Although we cannot say that it will be enough to fill everyone's stomachs, it will certainly prevent the disaster victims from starving to death. People are sent to patrol and clean the streets of the city every day to prevent the spread of the epidemic and keep the people at ease. The order is well maintained, and all the refugees have been settled without any disturbances or troublemakers."

"Secondly, regarding the granaries." Zhou Xu's tone turned "heavy."

"The grain reserves stored over the years were temporarily borrowed last year to raise funds for border defense, and have not yet been returned. This is an old practice of the imperial court, and it is not unique to Ruzhou."

This spring's sudden drought and the subsequent opening of granaries for relief have been extremely costly. However, the Changping, Yicang, and Guanghui granaries in the prefecture still have sufficient reserves accumulated over the years. The Yicang granaries, in particular, received adequate autumn grain supplements last year, and their reserves are sufficient. With just a single order from the Pacification Commissioner, I will immediately order the granaries opened and the relief efforts intensified, ensuring that the disaster-stricken people can receive even greater blessings from the Emperor!

Prefect Wu Ming'an immediately stepped forward to add to the list, his tone filled with earnest concern for the country and its people.

"Yes, Your Excellency. Although the people are suffering, they are grateful for the Emperor's grace and are reluctant to leave their homeland. There has been no large-scale exodus. Occasionally, there are transactions in the city's markets, which shows that the people's hearts are not broken and there is still hope for life. As long as we can get through this lean season, and wait for the summer harvest—well, wait for the rains from heaven, we will surely recover."

Wang Qian, the official in charge of the Ever-Normal Granaries, also moved his obese body forward and patted his chest to guarantee it.

"The granary system is complete, the accounts are clear, and there have never been any irregularities! I guarantee with my life that the grain stored in the three granaries is all documented in the accounts and verifiable in the granaries! There is absolutely no falsehood!"

He spoke with absolute certainty, as if the claim of "moldy and slightly damaged" from yesterday had never existed.

The three of them, working in unison, painted a flawless picture of "the disaster under control," "sufficient grain reserves," "peaceful people," and "clean governance."

The other officials in the hall echoed this sentiment, nodding in agreement, creating a false impression of "unity in the face of adversity."

They all harbored the same thought:

This Zhao Anfu from the capital was young, having come from the imperial family's former residence, and had no experience in local affairs. His primary goals upon arrival were to "stabilize" and "achieve merit."

As long as they make enough of a show of politeness, downplay the "difficulties," highlight the "achievements," and hint at the "benefits" that can be manipulated (such as the falsely reported amount of relief or the subsequent government funding that can be "shared"), they can achieve this.

For the sake of their own future and to make their reports to the capital look good, the other party would most likely go along with it and even reach some kind of tacit agreement with them.

Although imperial envoys were authorized to inspect granaries, none of the previous imperial envoys had done so. For local officials, this was a difficult task.

A surface-level process is the norm.

After all, a complete falling out would benefit no one, especially for this close advisor to the emperor who needed "political achievements."

These local officials were betting on Zhao Mingcheng's youth, his status as a Beijing official, and his close advisor to the prince. They valued his reputation and, more importantly, the successful completion of this "gilding" mission.

As long as things look good on the surface, the data looks good, and the process is smooth, Zhao Mingcheng can return to Beijing to report his success and claim credit. Why bother to investigate further, cause trouble for himself, and completely break ties with local officials?

Everyone knew the unspoken agreement.

Let's just muddle through and live our own lives peacefully, wouldn't that be wonderful?

They even prepared contingency plans:

If Zhao Mingcheng asks to see the accounts, then produce the fake accounts that have already been balanced.

If he wants to inspect the soup kitchens, take him to the ones that were set up yesterday;

Furthermore, if he insists on opening a position—

Then find another excuse to delay, or imply difficulties such as "losses" or "stale grain".

They believed that the appeaser would understand the "steps to back" they were offering.

However, Zhao Mingcheng listened quietly, with a faint smile on his face. He waited until they finished speaking before speaking slowly, his tone still gentle.

"Prefect Zhou, Vice Prefect Wu, Wang Changping, and all of you, thank you for your hard work. I am very pleased to hear what you have said. I am sure His Majesty and the Empress Dowager will also be delighted to hear this."

Zhou Xu and the others felt much more at ease, and their smiles grew even wider.

Sure enough, young people are easy to fool.

However, Zhao Mingcheng subtly changed the subject, his face still bearing that "easy-going" and even somewhat "embarrassed" expression.

His smile.

"However, since I am here on imperial orders to appease the people, I must take something back with me so that His Majesty and the Empress Dowager can more directly feel the results and determination of the officials and people of Ruzhou in uniting to fight against the natural disaster."

Zhao Mingcheng paused, and under the slightly puzzled gazes of Zhou Xu and the others, he spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Well then, I have a small, perhaps impolite, request. It may be against the rules, but I'm sure you'll all understand."

"Please give your orders, Envoy!"

Zhou Xu hurriedly replied, but a sense of foreboding rose in his heart.

"It's nothing serious," Zhao Mingcheng said with a smile, his tone as relaxed as if he were discussing the weather.

"I would like to ask—Prefect Zhou, or Wang Changping, to send someone, and then have my people accompany them."

Go to the Changping Granary now, or the Yicang or Guanghui Granary will also do; go to whichever is most convenient. You don't need much; just take ten dou of rice from the "full" grain reserves. It doesn't matter if it's old or new grain, as long as it's edible.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Zhou Xu's smile froze, Wu Ming'an's eyes flickered, and Wang Qian's chubby face instantly lost all color.

Zhao Mingcheng seemed oblivious to their odd behavior and explained with a smile to himself.

"I was thinking that when I return to the capital to meet the Emperor, I will present these ten bushels of disaster relief grain from Ruzhou to him."

The Emperor will surely be overjoyed upon seeing this!

Look, this is the grain stored in the granaries of Ruzhou, which the officials protected for the court and the people during this severe drought! Its significance is extraordinary! When the time comes, I will have even more confidence to recommend you all for commendation, won't I? What do you all think of my idea?

how is it?

Zhou Xu and the others felt a chill run from the soles of their feet straight to the top of their heads!

Take ten bushels of rice? Now? In front of you?

From which warehouse? Changping Warehouse? Yicang Warehouse? Guanghui Warehouse?

Which granary still has ten bushels of grain that can be retrieved on the spot?!

Let alone ten bushels, even managing to gather a single bushel of clean, edible food is as difficult as climbing to heaven!

The books show full amount, but the warehouse is empty!

This Zhao Mingcheng is not "naive" or "concerned about face" at all. His casual, smiling remark is like a poisoned dagger, piercing straight into their hearts!

This request, however, was perfectly reasonable, and could even be described as a "kind intention" to "share the burden of the officials" and "reward colleagues."

Zhao Mingcheng's words left them with no reason to refuse!

"This—this—" Wang Qian was sweating profusely, his tongue tied in knots, and he looked at Zhou Xu for help.

Zhou Xu felt a chill run down his spine, but forced a smile.

"Pacifying Envoy—this matter—seems—seems to be against etiquette, doesn't it? The granary is an important place with its own regulations. Taking grain out of the granary requires a complete document process and verification by the granary officials. How can it be taken away just like that?"

Moreover, although ten bushels of rice is not much, moving grain from the granary without reporting to the authorities might—it might arouse public criticism!

Wu Ming'an also said anxiously.

"Yes, Your Excellency! Why not check the accounts and verify everything before taking the grain? Or—I could immediately order the best fresh rice to be prepared, and your men can wait a moment; there's no need to trouble you?"

Wu Ming'an wanted to use "other preparations" to deceive Zhao Mingcheng and prevent his men from following along.

Zhao Mingcheng's smile slowly faded, but his tone remained calm.

"Oh? According to Prefect Zhou and Magistrate Wu, it is against the rules for me, the Pacification Commissioner who was ordered to provide disaster relief, to even take a look at or a handful of grain from the Ruzhou Ever-Normal Granary, which is in full stock. It requires multiple reports and a long process."

Or is it that the grain in this granary is something that can't be shown to anyone, or perhaps there simply isn't ten bushels of rice to be taken?

"Absolutely not!" Zhou Xu vehemently denied, his face flushed. "There is indeed grain stored in the granary! But—but that's the rule, and we officials have no choice but to abide by it! Your Excellency, please understand!"

"Rules?" Zhao Mingcheng repeated softly, his gaze growing cold as he swept over the officials below.

"Before I set out, His Majesty personally granted me the authority to act independently, allowing me to handle matters on the spot and coordinate funds and provisions. Is the rule given by the Emperor not more important than the rule of Ruzhou?"

Zhou Xu and the others were speechless, their faces turning pale.

Zhao Mingcheng stopped looking at them and turned his gaze directly to a middle-aged man standing not far behind Wang Qian, dressed in a light blue official's uniform and with a similarly ashen face.

This man is Chen Huan, the head of the granary officials at Changping Granary.

"You must be in charge of the Ever-Normal Granary, right?" Zhao Mingcheng asked.

Chen Huan's legs went weak, and he almost knelt down, his voice trembling.

"Yes—yes, Pacification Commissioner, this humble one is Chen Huan."

"Alright, Chen Huan." Zhao Mingcheng pointed at him. "I now order you to go to the Changping Granary immediately and fetch ten dou of rice. Do not fail. Imperial Guard Li San, go with him."

"Yes! Soothe them!" Li San received the order.

"I—I—"

Chen Huan was already somewhat terrified. He turned to look at his superior, Wang Qian, and then at Zhou Xu beside him, his eyes filled with pleading.

Zhou Xu gritted his teeth, knowing that he absolutely could not admit to having no food at this moment. He could only take a gamble and hope that Chen Huan would be clever enough to come up with another way to delay or evade the issue.

Zhou Xu gave Chen Huan a stern look and said in a deep voice.

"Chen Huan, since this is the pacification envoy's order, you must go immediately! Inspect carefully and bring back the best grain!"

Upon receiving this vague instruction, Chen Huan inwardly groaned, but dared not disobey, and could only bow and reply, "Yes—this humble servant obeys—"

After saying that, Li San followed Chen Huan out of the courtroom.

A deathly silence fell over the hall.

Zhou Xu, Wu Ming'an, Wang Qian, and the others felt like they were sitting on pins and needles, their clothes soaked with sweat, their eyes constantly glancing outside the hall, praying in their hearts for a miracle to happen.

Time passed slowly, each breath feeling like an eternity.

After a few moments, Chen Huan returned, panting and sweating profusely, with no one behind him.

He knelt down in front of the hall with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly, his voice trembling with sobs.

"I hereby report to the Pacification Commissioner! My lords! I have been ordered to retrieve grain from the Ever-Normal Granary, but—but the large lock on the granary door, for some reason, is rusted from years of use, and the key—no matter what I do, I can't open it!"

I went to look for the spare key, but the clerk in charge of the keys had taken leave to go back to his hometown, and I couldn't find it for a while! I deserve to die! I've failed in my duty!

He fabricated a series of flimsy excuses, his face pale and his whole body trembling like a leaf.

"Oh? The lock is rusted? You've lost the key?"

Zhao Mingcheng slowly repeated, the last trace of a gentle smile disappearing from his face.

He slowly stood up, looking down at Chen Huan kneeling on the ground, and then slowly swept his gaze over Zhou Xu and the others, who were all pale.

"I have given you a chance."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was like an icicle, piercing everyone's ears.

"Yesterday, during the welcoming ceremony, you painted a rosy picture; today, in court, you sing grand tunes; just now, I only asked for ten bushels of rice to prove the truth, and you made excuses and told lies after lies. Now, even the granary gate is perfectly positioned—'Rusty and dead?'"

He stopped looking at the local officials, turned around, and clearly and coldly issued his order to Lu Zhang, who stood with his hand on his sword.

"Lu Zhang!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

Lu Zhang could no longer contain himself, and his voice boomed like a bell.

"Gather your men, take my imperial insignia, and proceed immediately to the state granary!" Zhao Mingcheng said, each word deliberate and resolute. "Any obstruction will be punished as disobeying an imperial decree! Break the locks! Open the granary!"

"Understood!" Lu Zhang's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He clasped his hands in a fist, turned around, and strode out of the courtroom, shouting sternly.

"My lads! Follow me!"

>