Chapter 968: The Northern Fortress
Chapter 968: The Northern Fortress
2017-09-25
Beifeng City, Northern Fortress, Fifth Floor.
When the Northern Fortress was built, Lu HaiKong specifically had a conference room constructed, and this was one of the rare occasions when it was put to use.
Around the time Lu HaiKong returned to Beifeng, the civil officials under Lu HaiKong's command rarely held meetings, and the host of this particular conference was none other than Xi Zhi Cai, who was originally supposed to be recuperating in the Medicine Garden.
Inside the conference room, the civil officials under Lu HaiKong's command were gathered, and the reason for their assembly was to discuss the issues in the southern region of Bing Province.
In fact, Lu HaiKong had arranged this matter even before he left, and it was originally Wang Yun's task to resolve it, but after the locust plague occurred, Wang Yun was indeed the first to step up and attempt to address this issue.
However, both Lu HaiKong and Wang Yun underestimated the severity of the locust plague, and Wang Yun especially did not anticipate that the disaster in a single county's land would spread to several counties in the southern region of Bing Province, and even show signs of spreading to the northern region.
For the past several days, Wang Yun had been working hard to resolve the locust plague issue, but after several days, Wang Yun's only achievement was to control the plague and prevent it from spreading to the northern region of Bing Province. As for the issues in the southern region, Wang Yun had yet to find a solution.
In reality, from the moment the locust plague began to spread, Wang Yun secretly knew that the southern region's problem was not merely a 'locust plague' issue, and the underlying problems were quite complex, something he alone seemed unable to handle.
But at this time, Lu HaiKong himself was at the Shi Huang Mausoleum, and Xi Zhi Cai, who was originally supposed to be recuperating in the Northern Fortress, was also unavailable. At this moment, Wang Yun truly didn't know whom to turn to for help.
It should be known that although Lu HaiKong had entrusted Xi Zhi Cai with his work, it was only the intelligence department's tasks that were given to him, and the authority to govern the Northern Fortress, in other words, the military and political power, was not handed over to him.
On one hand, Lu HaiKong had confidence in rescuing Xi Zhi Cai, and on the other hand, although Xun Yu was capable, his experience was slightly lacking.
So, this matter was dragged on until not long ago when bad news came from Shangjun County, and Wang Yun could only bite the bullet and invite Xi Zhi Cai to preside over this conference.
Inside the conference room, Xi Zhi Cai sat in the main seat, his face pale as he listened to Wang Yun's report.
\"This locust plague started in several towns in the southern region of Xihe County and several towns in the southern region of Taiyuan County, and within a short span of ten days, it spread to the southern regions of Xihe, Taiyuan, Shangjun, Shangdang, and even the southern region of Shuofang. The entire southern region of Bing Province was basically enveloped. In just ten days, the crops devoured numbered in the millions of acres, directly causing economic losses in the billions.\"
Wang Yun's face turned slightly pale, especially when mentioning economic losses, Wang Yun's face paled even more, as Lu HaiKong's 'chief steward' was most sensitive to financial losses.
The faces of the civil officials in the room were not looking good either, although they did not feel the economic losses as deeply as Wang Yun, they also understood what this meant for the common people in the southern region of Bing Province.
\"Economic losses aren't the most serious problem!\" Xi Zhi Cai, sitting in the main seat, had a pale face, but his mind was turning, and turning quickly.
\"Right!\" Wang Yun's side, Tian Feng, nodded and took over the conversation.
\"Although we experienced the locust plague, and economic losses in the billions, last year, we comprehensively planted potatoes and sweet potatoes in the northern region of Bing Province, and our food reserves are quite sufficient. Merely the locust plague issue, we can handle it through tax exemptions and the distribution of disaster relief food to stabilize the people's hearts. Although there will be some losses, it's still within the range we can bear. But the real problem lies with those aristocratic families!\"
\"Everyone knows that the governance of the southern region of Bing Province is basically led by the aristocratic families, and it was only last year that we started to gradually place our people in those positions, and since that incident, the aristocratic families in the southern region of Bing Province have been living in fear, worried that one day they would follow in their footsteps, and regarding them, we have mostly been suppressing them, which only further deepened their fears.
Action: >“It's not your fault, it's mine, and it's the lord's fault. We have to understand that.”
>“So, after the locust disaster, these aristocratic families became restless. Not only did they ignore our relief policies, but they also kept making trouble. Either they're trying to impeach us, waiting for an opportunity to attack us, or they're preparing to relocate, and what's even more outrageous is that they're constantly tampering with our relief supplies, and the county governor seems to be planning something...”
>“Cough...”
>Tian Feng's words were cut off as he suddenly coughed, his face turning red and blood spurting from his mouth.
>This unexpected scene shocked Wang Yun and the others, especially Wang Yun, who was more anxious than anyone else in this situation.
>However, just as they were about to stand up and check on Tian Feng, he waved them off, indicating for them to sit back down. Then, he took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
>“Don't worry, everyone. It's nothing serious. Believe in Mr. Tian, he said he still has ten months to live.”
>As he spoke, Tian Feng lowered the handkerchief in his hand, his face slightly complicated: “But I'm quite surprised. I didn't expect you to call me here just for this...”
>“Wait...” Wang Yun started, his face slightly complicated. “Isn't it time to dispatch troops?”
>Wang Yun already had ideas about how to handle the situation, but he needed Tian Feng to issue the orders, which made him more anxious than ever.
>Tian Feng smiled upon hearing Wang Yun's words and was about to explain.
>Just then, the meeting room door suddenly opened.
>“Yo, everyone?”
>A voice filled with dominance echoed, and Lu HaiKong pushed the door open and strode in.
>Upon entering, Lu HaiKong's first glance fell on the bloodstains near Tian Feng, which he had not yet wiped away. His face twitched slightly, then returned to normal.
>Tian Feng, on the other hand, saw Lu HaiKong push open the door and stride in, and he couldn't help but smile. Before he could say anything, Lu HaiKong's eyes darkened, and he passed out...
>(End of Chapter)
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