Chapter 464: Chapter 461: I Can’t Squeeze Myself Dry Anymore

As soon as the words fell, all questioning voices disappeared, plunging into dead silence.

In years of great drought and famine, there was no harvest, the people lived in misery, and corpses lay everywhere.

Back then, even though Shangjing considered it important, it was too far removed from the situation to take action. The emperor and officials had never witnessed the dire scenes where people could not make a living.

Minister Yang was someone close to the emperor.

He also clearly understood that the emperor intended to suppress Ying Yin, suspecting his loyalty was fake because of the rumors about Dragon Energy spreading from his house.

He stepped forward.

Eager to clear his relationship with Ying Yin.

"What Lord Yao said earlier was indeed inappropriate."

He said, "The country is founded on the people. To expend manpower, material resources, and financial resources on precautions—although there are many complaints among the people—when a flood comes, those people will undoubtedly praise the Holy Emperor for His wisdom, won’t they? If there is no flood, with fertile fields untouched and houses intact, isn’t that a good thing? Could it be that we’re hoping for disaster?"

"As for whether the people cooperate or not, that’s not something you should worry about either."

"The lower officials receive salaries; shouldn’t they be working tirelessly for the Holy Emperor, for Da Jin?"

Minister Yao furrowed his brows.

But in the end, he said nothing.

After all, Minister Yang’s official position was higher than his.

Yang Changzheng gave another bow to Ying Yin.

"What I am about to say might offend the Fifth Prince. Please do not take offense."

"But during the famine, too many people died. If it weren’t for Imperial Censor Mr. He noticing something abnormal, re-investigating, re-assessing the situation in the four cities near Ze County, visiting everywhere, then reporting the approximate number of deaths to the Capital, how would we know that the imperial envoy, entrusted by the Holy Emperor to comfort the people’s hearts and your dear uncle, embezzled disaster relief grain and silver, colluded with local officials, and concealed the truth?"

Upon hearing these words of loyalty, Emperor Qian seemed to smirk, his gaze flickering between Yang Changzheng and Ying Yin.

Yang Changzheng: "Back then, we all thought that we had everything under control and that the lives of the common people were back on track."

"Who knew people would die, a plague would break out. Over there, the people couldn’t survive. Anyone feeling unwell, whether it was a common cold or a cough or an epidemic, all living and dead were deported without exception."

"He was ruthless, would rather kill a thousand by mistake than let one slip. Fearing that deep pits for mass burials would affect the water quality, and with the contagion spreading uncontrollably, he resorted to centralized incineration. This was also the reason the epidemic was brought under control at the time."

"After the incident was exposed, although he hanged himself, the crime still stood. The long, countless list of dead sent by He Yushi was already a warning from past mistakes, a blood-soaked lesson."

He spoke loudly.

"I believe it is urgent to prevent it before it happens. It’s better to go through with the preparations, no matter how tiring, and let them go to waste, than to let the tragedy possibly repeat."

Gu Fuju did not respond.

Wei Zhao did not respond.

Intended to watch these people unleash on each other like dogs.

But Duke Zhongyong didn’t want to just watch the show; he jumped out.

He nodded, greatly in agreement: "Changzheng, what you said is very reasonable! No wonder the Holy Emperor has promoted you all the way, saying you are a good official."

Duke Zhongyong: "I used to look down on you, thinking you were particularly hypocritical and sweet talker."

He displayed the impulsiveness of a military general vividly.

"If I remember correctly, when Duke Shun was still around, you were just an insignificant minor official back then. That memorial you wrote was quite good and got you an audience with the Holy Emperor."

Duke Zhongyong chuckled.

"As soon as you entered the hall, you plopped down your knees immediately, saying that meeting the Emperor was like a blessing from your ancestors from the celestial smoke."

"The Holy Emperor allowed you to sit and reply, and the servants below served tea, and after you took a sip, you praised it with all your might, calling it sweet and soothing."

Yang Changzheng looked somewhat displeased.

Duke Zhongyong seemed not to notice.

"I wonder how you managed to lie so easily."

"The tea was indeed good, yet back then the Ninth Princess was still young, with a child’s nature, secretly throwing a handful of salt into it."

"You didn’t find it too salty at all!"

"Holy Emperor’s decree, sweet to your heart, right?"

Duke Zhongyong walked over and patted his shoulder.

"Now I realize, you’re actually not a bad person! Just fond of crooked paths."

Yang Changzheng was furious.

But it was the truth.

He couldn’t refute it.

"Pfft."

Someone laughed.

Ying Cheng quickly covered his mouth, frightened and overwhelmed.

He turned to his prospective father-in-law, trembling as he spoke.

"Sorry... sorry."

"I didn’t mean to make fun of you."

Yang Changzheng: ????

This Fourth Prince really! Not one bit makes him satisfied!!!

What’s wrong with brown-nosing?

If Ying Cheng could, he wouldn’t have remained nameless for so many years!

A Fifth Prince Faction official, disgruntled, couldn’t help but step forward: "Mr. Yang, Qing Tan is Qing Tan, and the Fifth Prince is the Fifth Prince; how could they be conflated? Qing Tan has committed many crimes, yet the Fifth Prince is good. He once knelt for days before the Holy Emperor because of such an uncle and even abstained from eating meat for months, trying to atone for the sins. Why, when you mention the convict, do you have to point out the Fifth Prince?"

"Do you really mean the famine back then was entirely caused by the Fifth Prince?"

These words were more pointed.

Yang Changzheng was not surprised to be targeted, not panicking at all.

The more he was targeted, the more it proved he wasn’t with Ying Yin.

He was about to speak.

But someone beat him to it.

Still, it was Duke Zhongyong.

Duke Zhongyong walked up to the other, patting his shoulder.

"You’re right! Qing Tan’s actions shouldn’t make the Fifth Prince take the blame."

"Yang Changzheng! Your daughter is engaged to the Fourth Prince, so it’s understandable you have personal considerations, but you can’t deliberately criticize the Fifth Prince."

But some officials frowned; apart from personal disagreements, what Yang Changzheng said should serve as a warning.

Clearly discussing flood disasters.

Personal grudges should be put aside.

"Holy Emperor."

Someone respectfully saluted.

"I believe we should call in people from the Astronomical Bureau to discuss this together."

So many places near the river, surely not every one can be hazardous.

How many places have been continuously raining heavily lately? All need to be inspected on-site.

Based on the situations, solutions should be developed.

Someone said.

"I remember Mr. Yang has proposed building water conservancy projects every year, which shows his concern for the people and makes us feel ashamed."

The emperor had no intention of interjecting, just watched the officials, listening to them talking back and forth.

There were those from the Second Prince Faction and the Fifth Prince Faction.

And some who were not part of any factional disputes.

But also...

Emperor Qian’s gaze fell on Gu Fuju and Wei Zhao.

Also made them the most feared.

Could not be ignored.

Someone expressed confusion.

"In past years, dams and ditches were built early; why is there no movement this year?"

As soon as the words fell, someone sighed.

It was Wei Zhao.

"It’s my fault."

Wei Zhao attempted to stand, but tried several times without success. Finally, it was Duke Zhongyong who couldn’t bear it and helped him up.

He was dejected, eyes lowered.

"I am incapable."

Wei Zhao’s legs were weak, his body tilted slantingly.

Lips pale.

"After being injured, unable to dedicate my life to Da Jin anymore, this has haunted my heart."

"In the past, spending money to build water conservancy was the Duke Shun Mansion’s duty, I wouldn’t even blink an eye."

"But..."

"My apologies to all of you."

"The accounts of my mansion can no longer make ends meet, and the mansion’s expenses are not a small amount, barely sustaining a livelihood."

Wei Zhao: "Gui Zhi can no longer squeeze out more from himself."