Just like Gong You, Magistrate Li had misunderstood Pang Xiao's actions because of his bad reputation.
But now, after hearing such an explanation and hearing that Pang Xiao's family and Minister Qin from the Ministry of Rites were willing to sell their family property to buy rice for the people in the disaster area. Moreover, they were ordered not to publicize it. Magistrate Li was so touched that his eyes started to water.
Nobody who mingled in the officialdom was a fool. Everybody had a scale in their heart. Pang Xiao donated the money, but he did not make it public. He did not sound the gongs or drums to announce it to the world.
Yang County was so close to the old capital. If Magistrate Gong did not mention it, he would not know about it, let alone the Emperor who was far away in the capital.
Therefore, Pang Xiao was purely doing things for the people in silence. He did not want to show off his achievements and was willing to hide behind the scenes and contribute silently.
This method was much better than some people who announced that they were going to help the people in the disaster area with great fanfare but no one came. It was also much better than sending rice!
Who would be willing to harm themselves to help others? Everyone present was well aware of the reason why they were silently contributing.
Magistrate Li sniffed. When he faced Pang Xiao and Qin Yining again, his expression became more serious.
"Wang Ye, don't worry. This official promises you that every penny you give will be used wisely. I will try my best to ensure that more people will survive!"
Magistrate Li's voice was loud and clear like thunder. It was enough to express his determination.
Pang Xiao was affected by his emotions and was moved for a moment. He nodded and said, "I believe that if we work together, we will definitely be able to save more people."
Magistrate Gong and Magistrate Li's blood was boiling. They nodded heavily at the same time, "Definitely!"
The sky was already dark. Everyone rested in the government office for the time being.
There were many mosquitoes. Pang Xiao was worried that Qin Yining would get a fever from being stung by poisonous mosquitoes. He did not sleep much that night. From time to time, he would get up to help Qin Yining get rid of the mosquitoes.
The next morning, Pang Xiao still looked refreshed. No one could tell anything was wrong with him. After Qin Yining served him well, he got up and accompanied Pang Xiao to patrol outside.
The disaster in Yang County was slightly lighter than the old capital. Perhaps it was because it was no longer the center of the earthquake, and there were not many tall buildings and brick houses, so the number of casualties was much lower.
They patrolled the city and found a few big families. The walls had been repaired, and one family had even raised the walls a little.
Doing so was like revealing three hundred taels of silver here. It wasn't hard to guess that they must have stored grain in their residence.
Magistrate Gong asked Magistrate Li, "Are the grain prices of the Ding and Pei families still the same?"
County Magistrate Li nodded bitterly. "Not only did he refuse to lower the price, but he also asked a few more times. He even had the intention of raising the price."
Gnashing his teeth, Magistrate Gong cursed under his breath, "These filthy rich bastards! They used to exploit the people in Dayan, and now they even dare to eat the flesh of the people! "
"I think they just want to demand an exorbitant price from the government. They want to get some money from the disaster! If the government can't take out the money, they will have a reason to say that Your Majesty doesn't want to give the people food! " Pang Xiao's deep voice was full of anger. It was not hard to see his anger from the bulging veins on his forehead.
"Wang Ye's analysis is right. These filthy rich bastards don't deserve to be human. We should teach them a lesson! "County Magistrate Li was young, so he was more impulsive.
Pang Xiao was domineering and straightforward. His thoughts were the same as County Magistrate Li's. Hearing this, he said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, This King will go and talk to them later."
He was on an expedition. If he was serious, he could intimidate people with just a glare.
Seeing this, County Magistrate Li and Magistrate Gong became more confident. As long as Pang Xiao was willing to work hard, they believed that the people's food problem would be solved.
For a moment, the two of them felt that Pang Xiao had a backbone after he arrived.
When Pang Xiao, Magistrate Gong, and County Magistrate Li were patrolling with Private Advisor Lu and the others, Qin Yining was also moving alone with the people around him. They were looking around the city for possible signals left by the Qingtian Alliance.
Since Your Majesty said that the treasure might be in Yang County, if the treasure was not taken by the Silver Mask Secret Agent, then the Qingtian Alliance would definitely take it.
If the Qingtian Alliance completely betrayed her and did not care about facing the crazy revenge of Qin Yining and Pang Xiao, then it would be another matter. Otherwise, the Qingtian Alliance would definitely contact her.
Qin Yining.
The group moved separately and finally found the three signals left by the Qingtian Alliance.
"Madam, look, these signals mean that they want you to go to the mountain in the north. It's the mountain we passed by yesterday. "
Qin Yining nodded and said, "Destroy all the signals. It's fine as long as we know it in our hearts."
"Yes." Young Man immediately accepted the order and quietly destroyed all the markings.
Ji Yun and Bing Tang whispered, "Madam, do you plan to go?"
Bing Tang anxiously advised, "Madam, it's best if you don't go. They changed their mind at the last minute and didn't tell you where they put the things. Now that they suddenly appear and want to lead you to this kind of worrisome mountain road, they don't have good intentions at all!"
"Yes, Madam, I also think it's suspicious." Da Han also said, "You should be more careful and make a decision after discussing with Master. Don't go alone and fall into their trap. "
Qin Yining knew their good intentions, and she also felt that this matter was not something she could solve alone.
Therefore, after the inspection that day, Qin Yining returned to the magistrate office and hid in the room with Pang Xiao to whisper to each other.
Pang Xiao hugged Qin Yining's waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. He whispered in her ear, "Did you really find the signals?"
"Yes, but I didn't dare to go alone." Qin Yining also raised her head and whispered in his ear, "I don't think it's that simple."
"Fortunately, you didn't go. Today, I received a secret report from the capital. Didn't I leave someone by father-in-law's side? It was Father-in-law who ordered him to deliver the news. "
Pang Xiao lowered his voice even more, and his hot breath blew on Qin Yining's ear, "Your Majesty has secretly come to Yang County. Our movements are all under surveillance. If we act rashly, I'm afraid that Your Majesty will know sooner or later. When that time comes, we won't be able to explain ourselves. "
Qin Yining's body stiffened when she heard this, and she couldn't help but feel scared.
Fortunately, she had developed a habit of relying on Pang Xiao. She liked to discuss with Pang Xiao whenever something happened. If she still made decisions on her own like before, she was afraid that this time, she would have really failed miserably and implicated Pang Xiao. It was also possible that the people from the Qingtian Alliance and the two families in the capital would be exposed.
"Fortunately, I didn't go." Qin Yining heaved a long sigh of relief.
"Yes." Pang Xiao kissed her forehead, and said, "From now on, we only need to focus on disaster relief. Don't worry about the treasure and the contact between the Qingtian Alliance and the others. We can't expose ourselves in any way. Otherwise, our families in the capital will be in danger."
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