Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!-Chapter 70: Disaster Relief Plan

King Qi looked at his eldest son, who had not spoken, "Lan’er, what do you think?"

Yanlan, also known as the Princely Heir Zhou Yanlan, bowed deeply in respect, "Your son awaits your instruction, Father."

King Qi nodded and turned to his two wayward sons, "Learn well from your elder brother. Show some masculine resolve and responsibility. When faced with difficulties, figure out ways to overcome them, rather than shirking responsibilities."

The Third and Fourth Princes nodded in agreement.

However, their expressions were perfunctory, showing no intention of truly reforming.

King Qi felt a headache coming on.

The third son was cowardly, and the fourth was reckless. Only the eldest and second sons were truly capable. Yet the eldest still appeared weak, his injuries likely not fully healed, and the second son was absent. Disaster was severe, and aid was needed from all sides. Resources were stretched thin, and within the court, there was no one who could oversee the entire situation.

After some thought, he decided to govern together.

Uncut jade cannot become a useful vessel; this would be an opportunity for the third and fourth sons to gain experience.

Providing them no retreat, he ordered directly, "Yan Chun will oversee the fifteen southern counties, Yanjing the ten western counties, and Yanlan the nine northern counties. Each county is allocated ten thousand taels of silver; decide on allocation based on the level of disaster in each township, and determine grain aid after assessing current supplies."

Upon hearing of his need to assist, Zhou Yanjing immediately said, "Father, I’m afraid..."

But seeing his father’s increasingly sullen expression, he dared not continue.

Changing his tone, "I am only concerned about whether I can accomplish the task you entrusted, Father."

King Qi snorted coldly. He knew his son’s tricks well: always the first to offer help during favorable times, proclaiming unwavering loyalty, but never participating whenever there’s trouble.

This incident was grave, and he had no sense of responsibility at all. He needed to be punished.

Standing below, Zhou Yanjing felt a chill down his spine. Why did his father’s expression towards him become increasingly unkind? Hadn’t he already agreed to provide disaster relief!

He could only offer a flattering smile to his father.

Disdaining him, King Qi withdrew his gaze, saying sternly, "The situation is urgent. If anyone shirks responsibility, they will face military action."

No one dared to make a sound, and all responded, "Yes!"

King Qi thought again and felt uneasy, "General Yan Fu, take this order."

"I am present!"

"Dispatch three Deputy Commanders, each leading a thousand troops, to assist them in disaster relief."

Though his sons were lacking, they were still of his blood, precious and noble. The eldest was not yet fully recovered from his injuries and had to travel. He was always uneasy, fearing mishaps. Providing more manpower could offer some suppression and control.

After arranging these matters, King Qi continued, "Capital Commandant Li Moxian, you and General Yan Fu are to investigate the situation along the eastern route. The mountains there are undulating, and the villages along the way are fewer than twenty and not severely affected, so there shouldn’t be major issues."

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

Finance Department’s Lin Xiangao swiftly stepped forward, "Prince, our central treasury doesn’t have that much silver!"

Xu Jiang of the Internal Affairs Department also stepped forward, "Prince, I’m afraid our grain is insufficient."

Elder Li: "Prince, for such a major issue, the court should provide military grain subsidies."

King Qi: "The message has been sent. It’s likely to end without resolution. If the court doesn’t demand tax grain from us, we should be thankful enough, let alone expecting them to offer any."

Elder Li was still unsatisfied, "Prince, although our territory doesn’t surrender tax grain, we offer numerous treasures, antiquities, and artworks yearly, and you have guarded this place for over twenty years, training soldiers and distributing military pay—we need funding for all these tasks. Over these years, we’ve fought at least ten wars. If not for your watch, the cavalry of Great Xia would have long invaded."

King Qi raised his hand to interrupt Elder Li, "I have no regrets before Tianqi, and I owe no debt to this land beneath my feet."

In truth, everyone understood that while the Emperor wished for King Qi to guard the southern border against Great Xia’s incursion, he also feared that King Qi might become too powerful and threaten his throne. Thus, they had been at a stalemate for many years.

"Enough, there’s no point in further words. Proceed as such. Acquire the lacking grain from merchants."

Without money for purchases, Xu Jiang looked distressed, glancing at Lin Sizheng, about to speak...

As if knowing what they were about to say, King Qi spoke before they could, "If insufficient, then seek alternative means! Withdraw some from various private treasuries; I will supplement some as well."

King Qi sighed, fearing that years of management would not conclude easily this time.

Zhou Yanlan’s lips curved into a slightly wicked smile. What a fine father, if he knew his Princess Consort had already drained their coffers, he would wonder at his reaction. And to send those two incompetents for disaster relief, what a joke.

Everyone: "Yes!"

When King Qi returned to his bedroom, the graceful and splendid Princess Consort Qi immediately stepped forward to attend to him, guiding him to lay on the Purple Sandalwood Couch, massaging his temples, "Prince, you have worked hard. Please do not overexert yourself. I have prepared Ginseng Hundred Herbs Soup for you."

The maids on both sides hurriedly fanned him gently with carved floral fans, providing the perfect amount of breeze.

With eyes closed, King Qi held his Princess Consort’s hand, patting it gently, "You are considerate as always, Princess Consort."

"Serving the Prince is my duty," she replied.

As she spoke, she retrieved the White Jade Porcelain Bowl from the maid’s hands and fed the man on the couch with care.

Then, she sat on the low table opposite, placing her hands on the zither strings before her. A melodious tune began to play. Its soothing notes, like a gentle breeze brushing the cheeks, flowed through the deep valleys and mountains, calm and distant. Passing through life’s folds, through the adversities of time, soon lulled King Qi into a peaceful sleep within its tranquil melody.

Princess Consort Qi’s skill in this regard had maintained her imperial favor over the years.

Finishing the melody, she covered King Qi with a soft blanket, signaling the chief attendant outside to attend to him while she withdrew.

Once outside the palace gates, the Princess Consort’s expression turned dark, even malicious, "Has Yu’er still not been found?"

The Chief Palace Maid, Hu Lan, trailing behind, trembled and said, "No, not yet."

Turning around, slap!

A resounding slap landed on Hu Lan’s face, knocking her to the ground.

"Useless!"

Blood dribbled from Hu Lan’s mouth, yet she dared not wipe it. She hurriedly knelt, pleading, "Please, Princess Consort, grant this servant more time. I will surely find the Second Prince."

"Humph! You have three days. If there is still no news, you need not live."

"This servant accepts the order." Her small frame trembled on the ground. Only after the Princess Consort had gone far did she dare to stand.

...

Upon Zhou Yanlan’s return to the residence, Han Yi immediately approached with a report.

"Master, this is a secret message just delivered by the Dark Pavilion." Han Yi offered the letter with both hands.

Zhou Yanlan unfolded the letter, quickly scanning its contents, a sharp frown forming on his brows.

"Go back again. I need precise information."

"Yes!"

Zhou Yanlan, with his slender, fair fingers, rapped lightly on the table, contemplating the next moves. The disaster was not yet resolved, and Great Xia seemed to be stirring. It seemed trouble never comes alone!

"Let’s bring the northern disaster relief operation into the open."

"Expand the range for purchasing medicinal materials and grain."

Han Yi, standing by, obeyed.

The man’s fingers paused, suddenly recalling something, "Instruct the Dark Pavilion’s agents to hide themselves, temporarily refrain from accepting assignments."

Han Yi was taken aback, "Did something go wrong? The last operation concluded cleanly; they can’t trace it back to the Dark Pavilion."

"Better safe than sorry."

"Yes!"