The strategists more or less had some opinions about Pang Xiao's decision. After all, no matter who it was, they had spent so much effort to obtain the treasure. Wang Fei had even taken a warship out to sea. In the end, they did not spend a single penny on their soldiers. No matter how they thought about it, they would feel that they had suffered a loss.
But they were all sensible people. Wang Ye was so benevolent to the people. Everything he did was the opposite of Li Qitian. The difference in character between the two was obvious. Thinking about it this way, everyone felt that they had not chosen the wrong person. After all, no one wanted to follow a lord who treated human lives like grass. Even if such a person ascended to the throne, what good fate would they have if they became cabinet ministers?
As a result, everyone made a decision in their hearts. Those who could not accept it before could now accept it.
Seeing that no one had any more objections, Pang Xiao still had a calm smile on his face, but he was secretly relieved. The strategists in front of him were the elites that Pang Xiao valued after painstakingly managing them over the years.
Their approval was very important to Pang Xiao.
If he could not obtain the support of the people he trusted, his actions in the future might be full of loopholes. For example, Tao Hanshan had tried to assassinate Qin Yining because he did not agree with his ideas. He felt that a woman like Qin Yining had interfered too much in the previous matters. If it was not for Sakurai, Qin Yining would have been long gone.
Pang Xiao absolutely did not want such a thing to happen again. The accident that happened in the past already showed his mistakes and incompetence. Now, they were walking on the edge of a knife. If he could not even control the internal problems, how could he eliminate the external problems?
After making up his mind, Pang Xiao discussed with everyone in a low voice. In the end, they decided to send out two groups of people. One group would go to the deserted island and quietly transport the treasure in batches and place it in different areas. The other group would go to different areas to investigate. If they found that there were rich merchants storing grain or people profiting from the national disaster and selling grain, they would secretly record it so that Pang Xiao could target and purchase grain in the future.
The island where the treasure was located was near Golden Harbor, so it wouldn't take much effort to transport a portion of it. Pang Xiao also ordered people to check if anyone in Golden Harbor had any grain. After the decision was made, Pang Xiao's mood improved a lot.
However, everything he did had to be done in secret. He could not reveal any details to Magistrate Chen.
Pang Xiao saw how Magistrate Chen looked like he wanted to say something but stopped himself every time he saw him. He was so anxious that he scratched his head and didn't know what to do. Pang Xiao thought for a moment and wrote another memorial, ordering someone to send it to the capital as fast as possible.
Magistrate Chen had mixed feelings when he saw that Pang Xiao had sent a letter to him again.
The capital wasn't far from Golden Harbor, so it shouldn't have been three or four days without any news. In just a few days, Wang Ye had submitted several memorials requesting Your Majesty to send food and aid, but Your Majesty did not do anything.
Although Magistrate Chen was straightforward, he wasn't a fool. Your Majesty's way of doing things was completely different from the way Magistrate Chen imagined an Emperor to be. The enormous difference and the resources he had been waiting for were slowly wearing away at this loyal official's patience and hope.
"How many innocent people have starved to death before the food arrives? Why hasn't Your Majesty made any arrangements? "
"Don't be impatient. Your Majesty is also gathering food. He must have thought of a way. We need to hold fast."
Pang Xiao hadn't had time to shave in the past two days. He was casually wearing a blue cotton robe with arrow sleeves and a jade belt buckle at his waist. It could be seen that he had lost a lot of weight.
Everyone had been eating thin porridge these days. Magistrate Chen definitely wouldn't give all the food to Pang Xiao and Qin Yining just because they were of high status. At the beginning, Magistrate Chen's trusted aides had tried to persuade him. Even Furen Chen had secretly urged Magistrate Chen to at least send some dried food and fish to Wang Fei. They shouldn't be too harsh on nobles.
But Magistrate Chen had a stubborn temper and didn't listen to them.
Time reveals a person's heart. Wang Ye and Wang Fei weren't the kind of nobles who lived like princes. They would eat thin porridge and help out at the porridge stall. They weren't like those noble children who were high up in the air.
Now, Pang Xiao's image in Magistrate Chen's mind had changed greatly. Therefore, Magistrate Chen was very convinced by Pang Xiao's words.
"Wang Ye is right. No matter what, His Majesty wouldn't leave us with nothing. "
But reality proved that Magistrate Chen was still too naive.
They waited for another three days. The time they waited added up was enough for the food to be transported from the capital and back. There was still no movement from Li Qitian. Not only was there no food, there wasn't even a reply.
Magistrate Chen only felt disheartened.
"The last bit of food in the city has been taken out. Together with the dried fish, it's just enough to let the people survive for a day or two." As Magistrate Chen spoke, he drank a large bowl of warm water to resist the hunger in the residence. "Wang Ye, why hasn't Your Majesty sent any news? The weather is cold and there's no food. This official is really scared. "
Jingang was located in the north. The weather at the end of October was already autumn. But in such a mature season like autumn, they didn't harvest a single grain.
It was a season full of hope, but they were starving and waiting for death.
The person who should be saving them the most didn't do anything.
Pang Xiao also drank a bowl of warm water. Seeing County Magistrate Chen, who was full of righteousness and always seemed to have inexhaustible energy, at this moment he looked like a frosted eggplant, Pang Xiao could not help but sympathize. Such a good official who was in charge of such an important hub town like Jingang didn't have a good position.
And such a responsible person naturally cared about the lives of the people the most. It could be said that the death of every ordinary person was a thorn in Magistrate Chen's heart. The more people died, the more holes his heart was riddled with. Pang Xiao couldn't bear to see such a righteous person break down.
Thinking about the letters he had received in the past few days and counting the days, Pang Xiao suddenly stood up and said, "Lord Chen, why don't you go with This King?"
"Go? Where does Wang Ye plan to go? "Magistrate Chen didn't understand Pang Xiao's meaning.
Pang Xiao's eyes were full of the domineering aura of a person who had been in power for a long time and the ruthlessness of a person who would do anything to achieve his goals. He turned to look at Magistrate Chen and said, "I remember there's a place called Minhui Village near Jingang. There's a rich man living there? People call him Squire Liu? "
Lord Chen's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. He nervously stammered, "Wang Ye, why are you asking this? Don't take it too hard. Your reputation will be ruined by robbing the rich to help the poor! "
Robbing the rich to help the poor?
"Do you think This King is a bandit? Do you think he'll rush in and rob him? "Pang Xiao was amused and laughed.
Seeing Pang Xiao like this, Lord Chen thought for a moment and felt that his words were a little stupid. He couldn't help but smile awkwardly, "Wang Ye, please don't blame me. I'm a straightforward official and am full of nonsense."
Pang Xiao waved his hand and interrupted Lord Chen's words. He smiled and said, "This King won't rob the rich to help the poor. The people are starving to death. I believe that these rich men also want to do something for the people, but they don't have the connections. This King has to visit them now, so that the kind-hearted people won't have a place to donate. Don't you think so? "
Lord Chen was stunned when he heard this. He was almost stunned by Pang Xiao's words.
Wasn't this "robbing the rich to help the poor"? It was just a more euphemistic way of saying it.
They couldn't wait for the relief supplies, and Your Majesty refused to give them. As a prince, Pang Xiao had no choice but to think of such an unorthodox way.
Lord Chen even had a disrespectful thought for a moment: Your Majesty couldn't be purposely delaying the supply of food to force Wang Ye to do such a thing and take advantage of the opportunity to punish him, right?
As soon as the thought appeared, Lord Chen shook his head and denied it. Your Majesty is the ruler of a country, so he shouldn't be so afraid of a meritorious official, right? If he doesn't even have the magnanimity to forgive others, how can the people have a good life in the future?
Pang Xiao saw that Lord Chen was lost in thought and couldn't help but smile and shake his head. This Lord Chen was one of the few officials that Pang Xiao had seen in recent years who was so naive.
After making up his mind, Pang Xiao's face immediately darkened. He called for Huzi to come in.
"Go, pick a hundred guards. We're going to Minhui Village to pay a visit to Squire Liu."
Huzi immediately complied and quickly went to make the arrangements.
Pang Xiao also strode out of the room.
Magistrate Chen was stunned for a moment, but then he quickly chased after him. "Wang Ye, this official will go with you."
Pang Xiao smiled and shook his head. He patted Magistrate Chen's shoulder and said, "There's no need. Magistrate Chen still needs to oversee Golden Harbor. No matter what happens in the future, This King believes that as long as Lord Chen is here, the people of Golden Harbor will have hope of survival. "
He spoke as if Pang Xiao was going to a dragon's lair or a tiger's den.
Lord Chen said anxiously, "Wang Ye, this won't do. We were the ones who came up with the idea, but you're the only one who's going to take the lead at this critical moment. What kind of person am I? Don't worry, even if Your Majesty blames me, this official will shoulder the blame with you. I definitely won't let you take the blame. "
Pang Xiao cherished Lord Chen's sincerity even more after hearing his words. He smiled and persuaded, "Lord Chen, This King is Your Majesty's special envoy for disaster relief. This King is the one who should take the lead. You're the pillar of support for the people of Golden Harbor. At this time, Golden Harbor must not fall into chaos. So you and I should go our separate ways. "
"Wang Ye …" Lord Chen was moved and his eyes reddened.
Pang Xiao smiled and said, "Don't worry, Lord Chen. This King knows his limits and won't harm innocent people. This King won't use force this time either. He's just trying to be polite before resorting to force. "
In fact, the guards of the Prince's Mansion were all experts. How could an ordinary country squire resist the elites of Jinghu Wei? Pang Xiao brought few but elite guards with him. Their imposing manner was enough to overwhelm anyone. There was no need to be afraid of violence.
Pang Xiao sent someone to inform Qin Yining and then brought Huzi and the others to Hui Min Village.
When Qin Yining heard that Pang Xiao brought people to Hui Min Village, he couldn't help but sigh, "I guessed that he would find a way to solve the famine. But this trip will be very dangerous. It will be easy for people to talk about it. "
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