Fang Congzhe heaved a sigh of relief that Xiao Ruxun didn't ask him to control the insect disaster in Jiangnan.
Based on the preliminary understanding of the current situation, Fang Congzhe realized that it was unrealistic for Xiao Ruxun to ask him to control the disease in Jiangnan within five years. He did not know how many people and how much money would be needed to do it.
But if it was only the three southeastern provinces, there was still a way.
Xiao Ruxun decided to do it step by step after careful consideration. He did not want to bite off more than he could chew, not to mention this disease. Even if the Daqin emptied the national treasury, it would not be able to control the disease in five years. However, it was still possible to protect the three southeastern provinces, which were the country's financial resources and Xiao Ruxun's biggest base.
Stabilizing Guanzhong, the three southeastern provinces, and controlling the plague of locusts and pests within a controllable range would basically guarantee the tax revenue and the logistics base of the northern expedition for Xiao Ruxun. On this basis, he would slowly use a few decades to deal with the biggest disaster of the country. Finally, there would be hope.
In addition, Xiao Ruxun did not dare to say that he could definitely achieve any great goal. Even if he was the emperor, there were things that he could not do.
Therefore, Fang Congzhe felt a little relaxed, a little lucky, and a little happy.
He became an official again. This time, he became an official of the Daqin Empire and held the power of an imperial envoy.
His Majesty seemed to be swift and decisive in his work. He did not doubt the people he used. Now, His Majesty believed that he would do things according to the rules and requirements, so he directly gave him the power and promise.
When leaving, Xiao Ruxun personally saw Fang Congzhe out of his study.
"The people in Jiangnan have been suffering from the pests for a long time. I am very sorry that I cannot relieve their pain in one go. Therefore, I hope you can do your best to relieve the people's pain and control the pests. Don't let me down."
Fang Congzhe knelt on the ground to show his determination to Xiao Ruxun.
"If I cannot control the pests for Your Majesty, I will not go home."
Xiao Ruxun helped Fang Congzhe up and patted his shoulder, encouraging him to do his job well.
Fang Congzhe returned home and told his family about this matter. His family had mixed feelings.
They were happy that their family had been brought into the system. They didn't have to worry about being persecuted and liquidated by Xiao Qin's government all the time. They also didn't have to worry about their family becoming ordinary people because they had no money to spend.
He was worried about whether or not Fang Congzhe would be able to complete the task the Emperor had requested of him. This insect plague sounded quite terrifying, and he didn't know if Fang Congzhe himself would be in danger.
"There is definitely danger. The reason why this matter has been taken seriously by the imperial court is that a county magistrate has fallen ill and left his post. This disease has already infected hundreds of thousands of people in Southern Zhili. It is estimated that in the entire Jiangnan, the number of people infected will exceed one million."
Fang Congzhe's words gave Mrs. Fang quite a scare.
"Master, why don't we not go? There is no insect disaster in the north, and our family doesn't have to worry about food and water. We can farm and study. Isn't our life quite good? Let's not get involved in this mess, okay? Don't leave yourself there without getting anything! "
Fang Congzhe silently shook his head.
"With my skills, if I can't use them on national affairs, what's the use of spending so many years learning? I am afraid, but now the Emperor is supporting me. With the Emperor supporting me, what do I have to be afraid of? This is originally a good thing for the benefit of the country and the people. If I succeed, I will definitely leave a mark in the history books.
Besides, even if I don't think for myself, I have to think for you and the children. I have to leave them some room for advancement. However, the treatment of officials in the Daqin is much better than in the previous dynasty. My salary is enough for you to not worry about food and clothing. The Emperor has also arranged a new official residence for you. "
Saying this, Fang Congzhe began to educate his two sons.
"When I am not here, you have to study hard. Don't forget to farm and serve your mother. You are no longer children. When I come back, I will personally give you the ceremony."
"Yes."
His two sons were very respectful.
"When I am not here, if there is an emergency at home, go to Elder Ye Xianggao. He recommended me to be an official. If you have any problems, go to him. He will definitely help you. However, you must not do anything against the law. The laws of the Daqin are strict. It is not like the previous dynasty."
After giving these instructions to his family, Fang Congzhe was relieved.
Three days later, Fang Congzhe packed his luggage and left Shun Tian Prefecture. He went south along the Grand Canal to Nanjing. After another half a month, the Imperial Court sent someone to take the Fang family to live in the official residence in the capital.
However, according to Fang Congzhe's request, the original residence was also left. His two sons took turns to live in the old house and take care of the family's 300 acres of land.
Fang Congzhe took a boat south from the capital to Nanjing. It took him five days to arrive in Nanjing. After arriving in Nanjing, Du Kangyong, the acting governor of Southern Zhili, and Liu Chuanhai, the person in charge of the Natural Disaster Response Strategy Department in the south, personally came to meet Fang Congzhe and led him into Nanjing.
"His Majesty is very concerned about the insect disaster. Before I went south, His Majesty personally summoned me to ask about countermeasures. I think this is not a trivial matter. What is the specific situation now?"
Fang Congzhe did not attend their welcoming banquet. He directly pulled the two into his official office and asked about this matter.
Du Kangyong and Liu Chuanhai saw that Fang Congzhe was a person who came to do things, so they did not hesitate and told him about the matter.
"460,000?"
Fang Congzhe frowned. "This is the number of people infected in Southern Zhili?"
Du Kangyong nodded. "This is the number of people that we know so far. Most of the areas in Southern Zhili have been checked. Even if there is a deviation, it will not be more than 500,000, less than 400,000. The number of people is shocking and hard to imagine. So, although we have the full support of His Majesty, if we really want to do things, it is really difficult."
Fang Congzhe frowned, thought for a moment, and slowly said, "Before I came here, His Majesty told me to control the insect disaster in Southern Zhili, Zhejiang, and Fujian within five years. This is the whole mission of this old man in the south."
"What else? What about Huguang, Jiangxi, and Sichuan? "
Liu Chuanhai hurriedly asked.
Fang Congzhe shook his head and said, "His Majesty is willing but unable to do so. The imperial court's finances are already supporting too many things. Moreover, it will take decades to deal with such a large area. It is the right way to deal with it first in the three provinces in the Southeast, where the tax is heavy, and to accumulate experience."
"What about the patients in other areas, do we just let them die?"
"His Majesty is also in a difficult position."
Fang Congzhe said, "This is something that can't be helped. It is the lesser of two evils. At present, with the current situation of our Daqin, even if we empty the national treasury, we can't save all the patients. I think what His Majesty is doing is right, and there is no other way."
Liu Chuanhai was silent.
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