Shen Xihe's words were like soft knives, stabbing into Xiao Changyan's heart, but he didn't say a word of rebuttal.
He was good at fighting, but he neglected the people's livelihood to this extent. It was indeed a big fault. Shen Xihe was right. If he had decided how much food to supply each person every day, with the food he obtained, he could have at least lasted for ten days or half a month.
It would not have caused the current embarrassing situation of food shortage. If Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe had not come here, he still would not be able to think of a way to make up for the food gap, and the consequences would be disastrous.
It was his own fault. Xiao Changyan restrained his expression and bowed deeply to Shen Xihe: "What the Empress Sister-in-law taught me is true. It is my fault. I cannot escape the blame. I will submit a petition to Your Majesty to repent."
Xiao Changyan admitted his mistake so readily that Shen Xihe raised his eyebrows. He felt it was not right to continue scolding him, but it didn't matter, there would be another one after this one.
"Food will be delivered to the city the day after tomorrow. Your Highness Prince Xin will make some arrangements. We will need a hundred strong men to pick up the food." Shen Xihe said this, without even looking at the two of them, and turned around and left with her men.
Xiao Changyan wanted to ask something, but he thought that he was now guilty of another crime and had no right to ask more questions. Shen Xihe directly instructed Xiao Changqing, and the meaning was obvious, which was to let him reflect on himself and not interfere again.
"Thank you for the trouble, Brother Five." Xiao Changyan said indifferently.
Xiao Changqing smiled gently: "Do your best for the people, it's your duty."
The two looked at each other, no longer pretending, and went their separate ways.
The imperial court had announced the grain collection for Dengzhou to the world, and even the news had been received due to the traffic congestion in Wendeng County. However, due to the inconvenience in communication, no one except Xiao Changyan, Xiao Changqing and the governor knew how the grain was transported. Even Xiao Changqing and others only knew that it was transported by water, but the waterways surrounding the area were all turbulent, and under the heavy rain, it was difficult to tell the direction, so they were not optimistic about this.
Shen Xihe was so sure that the food could be delivered the day after tomorrow that they were really shocked. However, they could only post the notice as Shen Xihe said and select strong men to transport the food with great fanfare.
As soon as the notice was released and followed by a round of gongs and drums, many people came to apply. These people were full of hope, as this was their life!
Xiao Changqing watched Xiao Changyan being criticized in front of Shen Xihe, and personally supervised the selection of personnel. When Shen Xihe asked for a hundred people, he did not ask for any more.
While waiting for food, the person who had the most leisure was Xiao Huayong. He pretended to be sick and trapped in the house. He found flowers and plants, cut them every day, and put them in vases of various colors to decorate the simple house for Shen Xihe.
"I have found out the whereabouts of Xiao Twelve." Xiao Huayong, who was pruning branches, saw Shen Xihe step into the house and told Shen Xihe the news he had just received.
Shen Xihe turned around and walked towards Xiao Huayong: "You want to rescue him?"
With a click, the extra branches were cut off by Xiao Huayong. He didn't say he would not save them, nor did he say he would save them. He worked for a while before looking up and saying, "I will listen to you, Madam."
As he said this, he looked like he was asking for praise.
Shen Xihe told him not to interfere and let her arrange everything, so he didn't interfere at all and just listened to her.
Her bright eyes were like obsidian, emitting a captivating light. She looked at him quietly, and after a moment she actually smiled softly.