What’s even worse is that the problem actually occurred years ago, but it was delayed because local officials concealed the situation and failed to report it.
It dragged on for a whole month, and the people could no longer survive, so they fled further south, where they were discovered.
The accident happened in Dinghe County, Lanzhou, where it almost never snows in winter. At most, there are a few small snowflakes, which is nothing at all.
But this year was different. In December, heavy snow suddenly fell and it lasted for more than ten days.
The local people had never experienced this kind of weather, and many of them froze to death when the first snow fell.
The government was able to cope with the situation at first. They opened their warehouses to release grain and distributed many quilts and clothing. But the situation could not last long.
Many people's houses were collapsed by the snow.
All I can say is that it’s a good thing that it’s already the end of the year and every household has stored food for the New Year, so no one will starve to death.
But with such low temperatures, people would freeze to death.
In order to survive, common people had to move to warmer places with their families.
It was at this time that the magistrate of Dinghe County panicked and had to report to the prefect. Unexpectedly, other counties in Lanzhou had also suffered from the disaster to varying degrees, and the prefect had no way to take care of them all.
At that time, Han Xingke, the governor of Lanzhou, was evaluating his political performance and was preparing to be transferred to Kyoto as an official the following year. He was worried that something unexpected would affect his career, so he was blinded by greed and ordered that the people were not allowed to leave the city.
He wanted to conceal the disaster by himself.
Unexpectedly, there were too many people and Lanzhou had many waterways, so many people left by boat and they were not stopped. In the end, the news leaked and was discovered by the neighboring Shenzhou.
After so many twists and turns, I finally arrived in Kyoto.
When the report came in, it was the fourth day of the New Year. Ning Chen immediately sent his trusted ministers to investigate the disaster.
On the evening of the fifteenth day, the information was sent back.
The total number of casualties among local residents in Lanzhou was nearly 40% of the total population.
It was a good year. Before the New Year, people said that the snow would bring a good harvest, but this year it turned into a disaster.
This is not the worst thing. What is even worse is that there are rumors among the people that it is because the current emperor is not worthy of his position that God has repeatedly sent down disasters to show his injustice.
It is said that there was a flood in Yanzhou in the first year of Ning Chen's reign, a plague in Kyoto in the third year, and this year is the fourth year, and there is another snowstorm. It must be that God is angry.
Such rumors undoubtedly shook the foundation of the country, and also made Ning Chen furious.
He immediately sent people to investigate the source of the rumor, and at the same time arranged for the Ministry of Revenue to allocate grain and the Ministry of War to send personnel to Lanzhou for disaster relief.
Among the large group of people sent was Ye Jun’s cousin Chu Yunhuai.
Thanks to the previous emperor's military prowess, Nanqi had a vast territory and a rich treasury, so it had no problem coping with the snow disaster.
In particular, the imperial merchants newly established last year have played a huge role this year.
The Chu and Feng families immediately cooperated with the court to mobilize resources and sent all the usable items in the shops close to Lanzhou to the disaster area.
This is much faster than transporting it from the treasury to the disaster area.
The Chu family also reacted quickly to this matter. They reported it to the court before the Feng family and reminded Ning Chen that he could use the imperial merchants. The Feng family lagged behind and was notified by the imperial edict.
In this way, the difference is immediately apparent.
Thinking about the income reporting issue last year, Ning Chen felt somewhat dissatisfied with the Feng family.
The Feng family was able to become royal merchants because it was the Duke of England who strongly recommended them, so it was inevitable that they would be suspected.
Thirty percent of the profit is not a small amount, and Ning Chen doesn't believe that the Feng family has pocketed it all.
But now is not the time to check this, the Lanzhou snow disaster is the top priority.
For five consecutive days, Ning Chen hardly slept, and was constantly making arrangements. Only when the people sent from Kyoto arrived did he take time to take a nap.
But he was too tired, and he didn't wake up until night.
When I opened my eyes, I found that it was already dark outside.
"Why didn't you wake me up? Is there any news from the south? If anything is delayed, I will hold you accountable!"
Ning Chen hurriedly got up, put on his boots, pulled off the robe on the rack and put it on, then strode out.
Yuan Jiu bent his waist, took small steps and followed, apologizing repeatedly.
"Your Majesty, I am also worried about your health. You haven't slept for five days. It's rare for you to sleep for such a short while. If you get sick from exhaustion, I will be dead. Don't worry, I will keep an eye on you until there is any letter from the south!"
Ning Chen walked to the desk and saw that there were really no new memorials on the table. His frown relaxed a little.
Turning around, I saw Yuan Jiu already kneeling on the ground.
"Get up. I know my own health. Since you are loyal to me, I will not pursue the matter. Now the disaster situation cannot be delayed. You must not act like this again in the future."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I thank you for your forgiveness and will keep it in mind in the future!"
Yuan Jiu breathed a sigh of relief and slowly got up.
Ning Chen didn't know because he didn't look in the mirror, but Yuan Jiu saw it all.
The bruises under his eyes were so scary, and his eyes were full of red bloodshot, that Yuan Jiu mustered the courage to not wake him up on time and let him sleep a little longer.
"What time is it now?" Ning Chen raised his hand and rubbed his eyebrows, saying in a low voice.
"Your Majesty, it is already past the middle of the You hour." Yuan Jiu said.
According to the usual practice, people should have had dinner by this time. It was indeed very late.
It was just that Ning Chen had just woken up and had no appetite. His mind was blank for a moment and he didn't know what to do, so he simply pulled out a chair and sat down.
Yuan Jiu waved to the little palace maid who was serving tea to come forward and add a cup of hot tea.
There were a few plum petals floating in it, which were dried and preserved by Ye Jun himself in a small stove years ago.
Ning Chen stared at the flower petals in the cup, a little absent-minded.
"The imperial physician said that plum blossom tea has the effect of stimulating appetite and relieving depression. The emperor has been busy with state affairs recently, has a poor appetite, and is depressed. This tea is just the right remedy." Yuan Jiu lowered his eyes slightly and spoke tentatively.
After hearing this, Ning Chen picked up the teacup and took a sip. Finally, he said, "Let's go to Yuxiu Pavilion tonight. Send someone to tell Concubine Ming to prepare dinner."
The woman must have eaten by now, so just prepare some for yourself.
Yuan Jiu responded and immediately made arrangements, and it was Huai'an who was sent to pass on the message.
In Yuxiu Pavilion, Ye Jun had just finished washing and was having her hair wiped by the maids. When she heard that the emperor was coming, she specifically ordered dinner to be prepared, which was also a surprise.
But it was arranged quickly.
It was still very cold at night in the first month of the lunar year, so he ordered people to make a pot with beef bone soup and add a little spicy flavor to it.
The ingredients are slices of braised and cooled meat, which can be eaten after just a quick rinse.
I also ordered a bowl of old duck and radish soup, and the staple food was thin noodles.
Because it was prepared for the emperor, the kitchen was quick to prepare it. As soon as Ning Chen arrived at Yuxiu Pavilion, the meal was immediately served.
Ye Jun's hair was still half dry, so she just put it on. There was a charcoal basin burning in the room, so it was very warm, so she didn't wear thick clothes, but only put on a Xiangfei-colored jacket and skirt over her pajamas.
So when Ning Chen came, he saw the casual and gentle look of this woman.
The candlelight reflected on the girl's fair face, making her look even more delicate and charming.
When Ye Jun saw him, he didn't say anything or greet him. He just walked forward, held Ning Chen's hand, dismissed the servants, and pulled him into the house to sit down.