Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

The next few days were sunny, which greatly facilitated the government's disaster relief efforts.

The eldest prince and Song Zhiyao traveled back and forth between various prefectures and counties to supervise the distribution of relief supplies; Cang Shuyue and Yin Wu recruited unemployed able-bodied men to lead villagers in dredging waterways and rebuilding houses through a work-for-relief program; Xu Ruohuai and the Ministry of Works continued to patrol the waterways and surrounding mountains to prevent new disasters from occurring.

The disaster relief efforts are proceeding in an orderly manner, and everything is moving in a positive direction. The gloom that has been hanging over Xiangyang Prefecture for days is finally dissipating somewhat.

Everyone is busy, including the deer.

On the first day, he accompanied the eldest prince to Junzhou City to distribute relief.

Junzhou City is located on the north bank of the Han River, in the foothills of Wudang Mountain. The mountains are high and the streams are rapid. There are a large number of water storage projects such as weirs, ponds, dams and dams built in the city. The floods in Junzhou were caused by the breaching of the water storage projects after days of heavy rain.

Compared to Nanzhang, the casualties in Junzhou were not as severe, but the affected area was larger.

When Youlu and the First Prince arrived at the relief center set up in Junzhou City, a large number of haggard and emaciated disaster victims had already gathered outside.

Each disaster victim held a relief ticket in their hand, craning their necks to watch the yamen runners calling out names. When their names were called, they immediately raised their hands in response, eagerly making their way through the crowd to the table, and handed the relief ticket tightly clutched in their hands to the registrar distributing the silver.

Relief coupons were issued per household, in duplicate, one copy for the government and one for the disaster victim. Each coupon recorded information such as the head of household, number of people, level of disaster, and the amount of silver and rice due. After verification, the head of household could use the coupon to collect a month's worth of food and expenses for their family. The silver and grain were counted in person, then the coupons were stamped, and finally, a public register was created and submitted to the Ministry of Revenue for verification.

With deer watching nearby, every disaster victim who received silver and grain wore a smile on their face—the joy of seeing life.

He couldn't help but feel happy, but along with his happiness came some doubts.

"The farmland is all flooded; this year's harvest is probably gone. Is this little bit of silver and grain enough?"

The eldest prince explained with a smile, "This is an emergency relief effort. We'll provide a month's worth of silver and rice to stabilize the situation. Once things are stable, we'll increase the relief and extend the distribution period based on the actual circumstances. There will also be tax reductions and exemptions, as well as policies to postpone the collection of silver and grain. These will all depend on the situation."

"I see." Youlu suddenly realized and laughed, "Eldest brother knows so much. It seems you've put in a lot of effort."

"Those in positions of power should fulfill their duties. We are supported by the people, so it is only right that we serve them. This is what I should do." The eldest prince patted his head and smiled gently. "Your elder brother's abilities are limited, and I cannot help you much. So I can only do what I can and try not to hold you back."

Youlu's eyes welled up with tears from his sincere gaze. She sniffed and laughed, "Big Brother didn't hold us back at all! Big Brother is awesome!"

The eldest prince smiled shyly.

Pixiu couldn't help but sigh: "If the eldest prince were emperor, he would definitely be a benevolent ruler. Unfortunately, even a benevolent ruler can't save Dayong."

"Don't be so pessimistic. Even if things go wrong, Father Emperor can live for another thirty or forty years. That's plenty of time for my eldest brother to grow up." Youlu was optimistic, patting her chest. "Besides, there's always me! Watch me help him grow faster!"

The Pixiu smacked its lips. "I've thought about it. Your method is good, but it's a bit difficult to implement."

[Where are the difficulties?] You Lu was unconvinced; his plan was flawless and perfect!

Pixiu scratched his head, offering a vague reminder without explicitly stating it: "Your plan is a bit risky. I don't think Cang Shuyue will let you go."

"Would you?" Youlu tilted her head and thought for a moment. "Then I just won't tell him."

brave troops:【……】

Never mind, the beast didn't say anything.

After the relief distribution in Junzhou City was completed, Youlu and the eldest prince accompanied the Junzhou officials to distribute relief in the villages under Junzhou's jurisdiction. Coincidentally, on the way, Youlu saw a familiar face.

He was a short, stocky man with a black birthmark on his left cheek and small, shrewd eyes. He peeked around among the disaster victims, clearly not there to collect relief food.

This person had seen a deer in the Third Prince's future.

According to the original plan, after the Third Prince embezzled disaster relief funds, which aroused public anger, this person would incite the disaster victims to rebel, and then lead the rebels to join the ranks of river pirates, making a living by robbing passing ships, causing the people in the Xiangyang area to suffer.

Later, the Third Prince volunteered to suppress the bandits, but in reality, he secretly colluded with the river pirates. He embezzled the military pay allocated by the court and helped the river pirates rob merchant ships for huge profits. In the end, it was Cang Shuyue who stepped forward and completely wiped out the river pirates, bringing down the Third Prince. However, Dayong also suffered heavy losses as a result.

Now that fate has changed and no one is corrupt anymore, this person still appeared. It seems that the rebellion was not accidental, but a conspiracy to take advantage of the situation.

A deer patted the Pixiu's round bottom. "Baby, do you see that man with the birthmark on his face? Keep an eye on him for me."

The Pixiu made an OK sign with its chubby paws, then darted off his shoulder and floated to the top of the short man's head.

Just as You Lu had predicted, the man hadn't come to collect relief food, but rather to gather intelligence. Seeing that the disaster victims had all received enough silver and grain, he looked disappointed and quickly squeezed out of the crowd and disappeared at the end of the path.

Pixiu swaggered after it.

You Lu remained calm and continued to supervise the distribution of relief funds with the eldest prince.

As evening approached, the Pixiu floated back looking anxious. A deer quickly asked, "How did it go?"

Pixiu patted his chest and exclaimed, "[That scared me to death! I thought he was just a petty thief, but I didn't expect him to be a notorious bandit. No wonder he was so cautious, circling around outside for ages before returning to his lair.]"

"As expected," a deer said, a look of understanding on its face.

All the talk about being forced into banditry is a lie; this man was originally a river bandit.

However, this time he had no excuse to incite the disaster victims to rebel, and the bandits could no longer grow stronger.

Even so, this gang of pirates cannot be allowed to live.

The Han River has always been hailed as the "golden waterway" and the "lifeline of dynasties," serving as a vital artery for north-south water transport. It holds an extremely important position in economic, military, and political spheres. Xiangyang, as the core hub of the Han River, was of paramount importance. If Xiangyang fell into the hands of bandits, it would mean the severing of the north-south waterway, and Dayong would be doomed.

The existence of the water bandits is like a malignant tumor, which could threaten Dayong at any time. Now that this tumor has not yet grown, it is the perfect time to remove it.

Youlu asked Pixiu a few more questions, such as the location of the bandits' lair, how many bandits were in it, and what weapons they had. Pixiu, eager to return and report, hadn't investigated the situation thoroughly. Upon hearing this, he left with the words: "Don't move from here. I'll be right back!"

Then he plunged into the afterglow of the setting sun and once again infiltrated the bandits' hideout to investigate.

When it returned, Pixiu not only brought back specific information about the bandit's hideout, but also found out what color underwear the bandit leader liked to wear.

"We have the intelligence, so who should we ask to suppress the bandits?" A deer, chin in hand, met the Pixiu's round eyes, and the two blurted out, "Cang Shuyue!"