Chapter 70: Pitted To The End
Hearing this, Lord An let out a heavy sigh but did not continue on the topic. Instead, he turned to inquire about the situation in Elm Tree Village.
That day, Shen Qi and Dan Dajun returned and reported the casualties in Elm Tree Village to him, which truly shocked him.
Now he wanted to hear what Lu Chengjing and Shang Wan had to say.
Shang Wan was impatient to say so many words and left it all to Lu Chengjing.
Lu Chengjing’s narration was detailed where it should be and concise where appropriate, highlighting what needed to be emphasized and concealing what needed to be hidden, and he smoothly steered the topic toward the disaster relief grain.
Lord An’s brows furrowed as soon as he heard it, and he said gravely, “In recent years, there has been constant friction between our country and Xia State at the border, and domestic disasters have occurred frequently, leading to an empty national treasury. This time only Qingyang Prefecture was affected, and many in the Imperial Court think the disaster is not serious. The Ministry of Revenue has only allocated ten thousand taels of disaster relief funds, and sending it all the way here…”
He did not finish his words but picked up the tea cup and gently stirred it with the lid.
Lu Chengjing’s eyes darkened slightly.
Ten thousand taels of disaster relief silver, sent from the Capital City, how much would be left after layers of skimming when it reached Dongning County?
His expression changed, with a bit more anxiety between his brows.
“Lord, the houses in the village are badly damaged. Much of the grain in many households has been soaked rotten by rainwater, and the grain seed has also been affected. The wheat seedlings in the fields have suffered considerable damage, which will inevitably affect this summer’s harvest.”
“This spring came early, and most households have already planted millet. With this earthquake, it’s unknown if it will be affected. April is almost here, and proso millet should be sown soon, with a good harvest only coming in autumn. If the villagers can’t eat their fill without grain, how will they have the strength to work in the fields?”
“Elm Tree Village is like this, the situation in Willow Tree Village can only be worse, and the conditions in other affected villages and counties are no better. There are still three months until the summer harvest. Without disaster relief grain from the Imperial Court, everyone may not hold out until then.”
Millet is proso millet, while proso millet is yellow millet. The rice eaten by ordinary villagers is yellow millet steamed at home. If they are willing to spend money, they can also buy some southern rice from the rice shop to mix and cook.
What Lu Chengjing said was all learned from Old Man Wu and the others. Although these words were to play up the misery in front of Lord An, they were also the real situation in the village.
He looked worried, and Lord An’s expression grew increasingly grave.
Shang Wan secretly clicked her tongue. These two were pretending to be oblivious while fully understanding, competing in acting skills here?
Lord An held the tea cup and looked at Lu Chengjing. “You know quite a lot about rural farming.”
“Most of it I heard from the village elders.” Lu Chengjing caught the implication and said truthfully, “In my spare time, I’ve also read some miscellaneous books on agriculture and know a little.”
Lord An nodded, as if it was just a casual question, and continued speaking about the disaster relief grain.
“No need to worry too much. I have already sent people to borrow grain from Ping’an Prefecture and Yan’an Prefecture, and also asked the gentry in various prefectural and county townships to raise grain funds. There will be results in these two days, which should be enough to cope with the disaster.”
His words undoubtedly gave Lu Chengjing a reassuring pill.
With him there, even if the Imperial Court’s disaster relief grain and funds did not come down, the grain funds he raised could be delivered to each village and county in time.
“Being under your rule is the villagers’ fortune.” Lu Chengjing showed gratitude on his face. “When I was still at home, my father often taught my three brothers and me to do more good deeds, and he led by example, setting up porridge sheds to help disaster victims every time there was a disaster year.”
“After years of accumulation, the family has some stored grain. Now facing a major disaster, my father must be anxious and wants to do his humble part for the affected people. If you are raising grain funds, Lord, why not consider the Lu Family more.”
The corner of Lord An’s eye twitched as he secretly sized up Lu Chengjing. It was the first time he had seen someone pit his own father like this.
However, thinking that Lu Chengjing had already been expelled from the Lu Family clan, and today he had been framed by the shopkeeper of the Lu Family rice shop, it was reasonable for him to hold a grudge and take the opportunity to pit the Lu Family.
Lord An coughed lightly twice and said gravely, “This official has noted it and will certainly not disappoint your father’s kind heart for helping the poor.”
Lu Chengjing smiled. “Four years ago, there was a sudden flood disaster, and my father led the gentry to raise a large sum of grain funds, which was highly praised by the previous county magistrate. If you trust him, Lord, you might as well entrust this matter to my father. He will surely share your worries.”
Lord An: This son pitting his father, all the way to the end?
After his promotion to Qingyang Prefecture, he had checked the account books and records from previous years. Being in officialdom, he naturally knew some of the tricks involved.
Now hearing Lu Chengjing specially mention the flood disaster four years ago, a thought struck him and he had an idea.
The worry in his heart eased a bit, and he praised Lu Chengjing for his filial piety.
Shang Wan played with Yuan Yuan while listening to the two exchange pleasantries, bored enough to yawn.
Gradually, their topic finally turned to Tian Sheng, who had poisoned himself to death.
“This official has investigated all suspicious persons and caught a runner in charge of serving meals,” Lord An said. “That runner took silver from Madam Tian and passed a message to Tian Sheng for her that night.”
Shang Wan finally heard something interesting and followed up, “What message?”
“The gist was that the son had a high fever.”
Shang Wan: “Just that one sentence?”
Lord An nodded. “That runner felt that passing a message for two taels of silver was no big deal, so he agreed to help.”
Lu Chengjing asked, “Have you sent someone to ask Madam Tian, Lord?”
“Of course.” Lord An said, “However, when Shen Guard went to the door, Madam Tian and her two children were already gone, most of the servants in the household had dispersed, and the remaining old servants did not know where the three had gone.”
Shang Wan frowned and guessed, “Could they have been harmed by someone?”
After all, Tian Sheng was dead. If the person behind it wanted to eliminate them completely, there was no reason to let Madam Tian and the two children go.
Lord An was also uncertain and only said, “The soldiers guarding the city did not see the three leave the city, and no one was found after searching the city.”
No sign of them alive, no corpse if dead—the situation of the three probably only they themselves knew.
Lu Chengjing lowered his eyes in thought.
Lord An mentioned another matter. “The Imperial Court’s official document has been issued, and the new county magistrate will arrive in a few days. Once the new county magistrate arrives, I will return to the prefectural city. Lady Shang, if you make the new medicine, send a letter, and I will send someone to get it.”
Shang Wan wanted to say no need for the trouble, she would have someone deliver it to the prefectural city. But before the words were out, Lu Chengjing subtly nodded at her.
The refusal on Shang Wan’s lips turned into agreement.
After bidding farewell and leaving the county yamen, Shang Wan asked Lu Chengjing, “Why agree?”
Lu Chengjing wiped the drool from Yuan Yuan’s mouth and said slowly, “It’s the Lord’s good intention, why refuse it, Niangzi?”
Good intention?
Shang Wan blinked. “Be more specific.”
“This is not the place to talk.” Lu Chengjing glanced at the passersby beside them. “I’ll explain in detail to you when we get back, Niangzi.”
Shang Wan leaned down and stared at Lu Chengjing’s profile. “What did you call me?”
“Niangzi.” Lu Chengjing turned his face slightly away and pretended to be calm as he countered, “We are husband and wife. Is there anything wrong with this form of address?”
“It’s quite proper.” Shang Wan straightened up and continued pushing the wheelchair forward. “Call me that from now on.”
The corner of Lu Chengjing’s lips curved up slightly, but the amusement in his eyes faded before it surfaced as his dark gaze fixed on the red-lacquered carriage passing by his side.
The carriage curtain was lifted by the wind, revealing a familiar face inside the carriage.
