Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 772: Disaster Relief (Part 1)

"Wang Zhongshu Ling, read all the disaster reports."

In the Jinluan Palace, at the Great Court Assembly, the Empress on the Dragon Throne spoke with a face as cold as ice, and her words were like frost.

Wang Jin solemnly complied, reading out each of the disaster reports from the six county governments. Each report was not long, but every word was like blood and tears. Beneath the light writings were the pitiful victims of the flood, lives that had been lost or were about to be lost.

The civil and military officials listened breathlessly, each with a grave expression. Suddenly, someone could no longer hold it in and began to cry loudly in the court.

The officials turned to look and saw that the person sobbing was a Minister of the Ministry of Industry. His ancestral home was among the six affected counties, and in this flood, more than half of his family and relatives were drowned.

Even the families of officials could not escape the disaster. The fate of ordinary people can well be imagined.

Jiang Shaohua did not blame the official for losing his composure and only said, "Now is not the time to cry. I don’t have the leisure to hold anyone accountable. The court must do everything possible for immediate disaster relief."

"If any of you have good disaster relief measures, feel free to speak up."

Minister Zhou of the Ministry of Industry appeared gloomy.

Just at the beginning of last year, he personally led a team of officials from the Ministry of Industry to dredge the river channels and build dikes. The court had conscripted nearly ten thousand laborers, spending a massive amount of money and resources, yet this year the Yellow River flooded and broke the dikes. Although it was a natural disaster and not entirely the fault of the Ministry of Industry, he, as the Minister of the Ministry of Industry, was in a difficult position.

The Emperor does not have the time to seek accountability now. Once the disaster relief is over, it will naturally be time to settle accounts.

A multitude of courtiers came forward, passionately advising on how to carry out disaster relief.

There are established practices for disaster relief in the court. In cases of natural disasters like the Yellow River flood, relief and assistance must be given irrespective of cost and manpower. The court would provide as much money and resources as it could, striving to help all affected people.

The reason it’s said "as much as possible" is because disaster relief requires officials to carry out the work. As with any task, there will be those who perform it diligently, and those shameless individuals who seize this golden opportunity to profit from the national disaster.

For example, when the court allocates grain for disaster relief, they must buy and transport grain. In this process, there are many opportunities for manipulating and skimming profits. Furthermore, when the grain arrives locally, the distribution process can also breed corruption, feeding many parasites. Of the massive disaster relief funds and resources allocated by the court, at most only thirty to forty percent actually reach the hands of the disaster victims.

These underhanded dealings are no mystery to the courtiers. It could be said that every time there is a major disaster, it becomes a grand feast where profit is made from top to bottom.

Jiang Shaohua was evidently well aware of these bureaucratic vices.

Her gaze coldly swept across the faces of the courtiers, and she slowly said, "I cannot leave the capital; Chief Historian Chen will go on my behalf to oversee the disaster relief efforts. All government offices and officials will follow Chief Historian Chen’s orders."

"Chief Historian Chen!"

The usually low-profile Chief Historian Chen stepped forward at the Great Court Assembly, responding loudly under the public gaze, "Present."

Jiang Shaohua steadily looked at her most trusted official, "I entrust this matter to you, and I will assign five hundred of the Emperor’s personal guards to you. Should anyone dare to cause trouble, any official below the third rank, you are authorized to execute on the spot."

"For those above the third rank, report to me, and I will execute them."

In just a few short sentences, the murderous intent was palpable.

The courtiers listened with a chilling awe in their hearts.

Chief Historian Chen solemnly accepted the command, "I will not disappoint the Emperor’s trust."

Jiang Shaohua looked around at the courtiers again and pointed out several names, "The Six Ministers and a few generals stay, the rest are dismissed."

Remaining to discuss matters were the Chiefs of Staff of the Six Ministries, along with Great General Bao, General Liu, General Song, and General Sima. Along with Chief Historian Chen and Wang Zhongshu Ling, there were twelve officials in total. Only the Left General stationed in Yu State, quelling the fleeing rebel army, was missing.

Jiang Shaohua wasted no words, nor did she beat around the bush, saying directly, "Put all other affairs aside for now; disaster relief is the priority."

"There are six affected counties, and the court must dispatch six groups for relief. Chief Historian Chen will be the general overseer, with personnel assigned from the Six Ministries, following Chief Historian Chen’s commands."

Minister Dong of the Ministry of Rites, known for his quick response, was the first to speak up, "The Ministry of Rites currently has no urgent tasks and can dispatch ten people."

Minister Yang of the Ministry of Justice said, "The Ministry of Justice can also send ten people."

Minister Ding of the Ministry of War hesitated slightly, "The Ministry of Justice doesn’t have that many personnel, we can send eight officials."

Minister Ji appeared troubled, sighing, "The most crucial part of disaster relief is gathering funds and resources, and the Ministry of Revenue is stretched thin, with each person doing the work of two. We truly have no extra personnel. Perhaps the newly graduated Advanced Scholars, here for observational duties, can be put to work."

Jiang Shaohua said coolly, "How to allocate is the business of the Ministry of Revenue. I care not about these details. Whatever officials you send, if they make mistakes, I will hold you accountable."

Minister Ji, having hit a hard wall, was exceedingly embarrassed and quickly changed his tone, "I will go back and consider carefully, and still send some shrewd and capable officials."

Jiang Shaohua looked toward Minister Zhang.

The Ministry of Personnel had the most plentiful resources. All those pending for appointment and replacement in the court were registered in the books of the Ministry of Personnel. Temporarily allocating manpower was most convenient for them.

Minister Zhang had the bearing fitting of a Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, saying, "The Ministry of Personnel can provide fifteen people."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly and lastly looked toward Minister Zhou.

Minister Zhou wore an expression of guilt and did not have the courage to meet the Emperor’s gaze, lowering his head and saying, "The dikes were breached, and the floods are disastrous; I am truly ashamed before the Emperor."

Jiang Shaohua coldly said, "I said, now is not the time to hold anyone responsible. The urgent matter is immediate disaster relief and resettling the victims."

"Leave a few people in the Ministry of Industry, and let everyone else go to the banks of the breached dikes to re-survey and calculate for building a new dike."

"If this happens again, everyone in the Ministry of Industry will lose their heads."

Minister Zhou bowed his head and accepted the order.

There were also tasks for the generals.

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze swept over the faces of the generals, "After a major disaster, outlaws easily proliferate. To ensure successful disaster relief, the army must accompany."

General Song, in his excitement, volunteered at once, "Emperor, I am willing to lead troops with Chief Historian Chen for disaster relief."

Jiang Shaohua was noncommittal and looked toward General Liu.

General Liu understood immediately, stepping forward and saluting, "Emperor, I volunteer to lead troops there."

Jiang Shaohua nodded, "Good, let General Liu lead twenty thousand soldiers."

General Liu bowed and accepted the command.

General Song, having not secured a task, felt both disappointed and disheartened.

As a military general, the only way to gain meritorious service is to lead troops in battle. Last time during the pacification in Yu State, he couldn’t compete with the Left General, so he let it go. This time, though he was the first to speak, the Emperor still passed him by, choosing General Liu to lead.

It showed how far he had fallen out of favor.

Once, he made one misstep in his career. As a result, that single misstep led to a persistent lag in every subsequent step.