novelraw Chapter 204
Chapter 204
Chapter 204: Candidate for Disaster Relief
Emperor Wei and the Prime Minister discussed briefly. After all, the disaster situation was urgent and couldn’t afford lengthy debates. The most discussed topic among the group was whom to send.
Among them, Prime Minister Gongsun Tai and Grand Commandant Du Xing argued the most fiercely.
Gongsun Tai: "This concerns the people. I believe we should dispatch someone experienced. Previously, the Second Highness performed meritoriously in suppressing bandits in Ji Commandery and understands how He An pacifies the people. Besides, His Highness's noble status means sending the Second Highness for disaster relief will reassure the people."
Du Xing: "Your Majesty, I think sending the Second Highness is inappropriate. The flood in Huzhou is severe, sure to cause chaos. Instead of sending the Second Highness, I believe it’s better to send the Eldest Highness."
Gongsun Tai: "The Eldest Highness is straightforward and stern in character, but disaster relief requires gentle diplomacy. Sending the Eldest Highness might not be suitable."
Du Xing: "The Second Highness isn’t as skilled in martial arts as the Eldest Highness."
Gongsun Tai: "The Second Highness is better."
Du Xing: "The Eldest Highness."
The others by the side: "…" Their argument was so fierce that no one else could get a word in.
Finally, Emperor Wei grew annoyed and told them to shut up.
"Enough, you two stop arguing."
Emperor Wei looked at the others. "Besides the Eldest Highness and the Second Highness, do any of you have other recommendations?"
He was clearly dissatisfied with what Gongsun Tai and Du Xing suggested.
The others were silent, thinking carefully about who would be suitable to recommend.
After all, recommending someone for disaster relief isn’t an easy task.
Disaster relief depends heavily on the person. If the official sends insincere reports, fails to pacify and govern effectively, or even embezzles relief funds for personal gain, it would worsen the disaster and cause social unrest. In that case, the one who recommended them would definitely suffer.
Of course, such situations are rare. Most disaster relief officials are fairly proper. Though corruption exists, it usually does not worsen the disaster; at most, minor errors happen within a small scope.
The only real concern for disaster relief officials in affected areas is their own safety.
Not only from natural calamities but also various pressures from the surroundings.
Gongsun Tai recommended the Second Prince because he hoped the Second Prince could build prestige in Huzhou during this relief effort and earn merit in front of His Majesty.
Du Xing purely thought the physically stronger Eldest Prince was better suited for the task.
Pei Zhi quietly stood aside, not very interested in joining the discussion.
Although flood control belonged to his Ministry of Works, seeing the fierce quarrel between the Prime Minister and the Grand Commandant made Pei Zhi reluctant to get involved.
Anyway, the final decision is His Majesty’s. Even if Pei Zhi did not make a recommendation, His Majesty surely had a clear idea.
Besides worrying about the flood victims, Pei Zhi’s mind was mostly occupied with military rearmament.
Thanks to the Merchants’ Alliance, the National Treasury now had funds, so the previously discussed military rearmament project was back on the agenda. After finishing work on the telescope, the Ministry of Works was now busy with weaponry.
Pei Zhi thought to himself: [Tiring. The Ministry of Works’ workload just keeps increasing. This military project will probably take years—need to find someone to share the burden… I wonder how the ships built by the Ministry of Waterworks are coming along… So, who should be sent to Huzhou?]
Emperor Wei remarked: "You are quite busy."
While Minister Pei Zhi of Ministry of Works was so, Qi Tishou of the Ministry of Revenue was much more troubled.
[Heavens, winter is coming, and Huzhou still suffers floods! Are the Prefects and the three county prefects just useless? They didn’t prepare even though there were continuous heavy rains? Oh, my money!]
Even though his face showed no expression, Emperor Wei could see through his poker face to his tiny heart crying in a storm.
Hmm… Minister Qi, you’ve worked hard.
Seeing that no one else was recommending anyone, Emperor Wei asked again, "How is it? Do none of you have a suitable candidate?"
Wei Yu, standing nearby, slightly lifted his eyelids. Just as he was about to cast his eyes down, he saw the dark-skinned, stern-faced Minister of Justice stand up.
"Your Majesty, I recommend Ninth Highness."
Wei Yu: ???
Wei Yu’s eyes nearly popped out.
After Sun Yikang spoke, everyone looked toward Wei Yu.
Under all these gazes, Wei Yu hurriedly waved his hands, "No, no, Minister Sun is too kind. I am but a weak young man with no strength. I cannot match Second Brother in literature or Eldest Brother in martial arts. I am truly unworthy of Minister Sun’s recommendation!"
Is this Minister of Justice Sun Yikang… Sun Zhao’s father?
Ah?
Is it really Sun Zhao’s dad?!
Why is this Sun Dad suddenly stabbing me in the back?!
I bet he’s planning to drag his son too to Huzhou for some hard times!!!
Seeing Wei Yu so modest, Sun Yikang kept a straight face and righteously said, "Ninth Highness is too humble. Regarding the bandit troubles in Ji Commandery, the Second Highness himself said that if not for the assistance of Ninth Highness, they wouldn’t have resolved it so quickly."
"Although Ninth Highness isn’t well-versed in literature nor outstanding in martial arts…"
Wei Yu felt conflicted.
"But since His Highness dared to face bandits unafraid and dealt with the bandits, that shows courage and strategy…"
Wei Yu frowned, deep in thought.
"Also, Ninth Highness was able to find talented people and establish the Merchants’ Alliance in Ji Commandery, opening new sources of revenue for the National Treasury, and improving the lives of the people, which shows his talent in recognizing and utilizing people…"
Wei Yu silently nodded.
"In short, Your Majesty, I believe Ninth Highness is the better candidate for disaster relief."
One sentence, immersed in a well-deserved compliment, instantly sobered Wei Yu.
He also stepped forward, seriously advising loudly, "Father Emperor, I believe it should not be me!"
Even if this grandfather praise till the sky falls, Wei Yu will not go!
Gongsun Tai quickly said, "Ninth Highness is still young. I think sending Ninth Highness might not be appropriate. Instead…"
"Eldest Highness should go," Du Xing interrupted. "I think Eldest Highness is suitable. If the Prime Minister thinks Eldest Highness is not good enough and insists that Second Highness is better, then might as well send both His Highnesses!"
Huh?
When Du Xing said this, everyone was stunned.
Wei Yu’s eyes suddenly lit up.
Hey, this idea isn’t bad at all.
Emperor Wei thought for a moment, then furrowed his brows.
Old One and Old Two going together won’t work!
Their relationship isn’t good. Even in the Capital, they often fought whenever they met. If they were sent together to the disaster area, wouldn’t they fight like cats and dogs?
If they fight to the death, what about the disaster victims?
Isn’t this a joke!
Emperor Wei rejected this idea. To avoid further quarrels, Emperor Wei directly made the decision.
"The relief mission to Huzhou will be undertaken by Wise King and Tranquil King together."
The Third Brother!
Wei Yu, who was about to hold his chest and collapse, immediately thought of his Third Brother when he heard Tranquil King was also going.
His heart ached even more.
[Oh Dad, what are you doing! Why send Third Brother too? Third Brother is a research-oriented STEM talent; the lab is where he belongs. You sending Third Brother is not as good as letting Eighth Brother accompany me!]
Emperor Wei: ?
A research-oriented STEM talent?
What is that???