After Wei Zhong bowed to Bai Qingyan, he obediently retreated behind Nanny Jiang.

Looking at the humble and respectful Wei Zhong, she knew that Grandmother had sent Wei Zhong to demonstrate his capabilities, hoping she would take him into her service.

“Eunuch Wei is quite capable. Having you stay by Grandmother’s side to care for her in the future will give us much peace of mind when we return to Shouyang,” Bai Qingyan said.

Nanny Jiang’s lips moved slightly. The Grand Princess had words she hadn’t yet spoken to Bai Qingyan, but Bai Qingyan had already blocked her words first. Nanny Jiang could only bow with Wei Zhong and take her leave.

“Eldest sister…” Bai Jinzhi was somewhat puzzled and turned to look at Bai Qingyan. “The message Second Sister sent back wasn’t as detailed as what Wei Zhong investigated. Since this person is so capable, why won’t the eldest sister keep him for your use?”

“There’s an old saying: a loyal minister does not serve two masters. Wei Zhong… is loyal. Having him at my side would be useful, but I fear that at crucial moments he might constrain me. It’s better not to leave such an uncertain variable around oneself.” Bai Qingyan lifted her teacup and gently blew on the tender buds floating in it.

Moreover, Little Seven Bai Jinse still had to remain by Grandmother’s side. With someone like Wei Zhong there, Little Seven would have someone to rely on.

Bai Qingyan had no intention of having Bai Jinse do anything that would threaten the Lin imperial house. Staying by Grandmother’s side… she would certainly be safe.

At this moment, what worried her most was the matter of the great famine in Yanwo.

In her previous life, she had never heard of such an event.

The magistrates of four prefectures – Pingyang, Guangling, Luohong, and Hushui – reporting simultaneously showed just how severe the disaster had become. An unknown number of people had starved to death.

The urgent matter now was disaster relief.

But choosing the right person for disaster relief would be difficult. With such a massive disaster, popular uprisings could easily occur. The slightest carelessness could doom whoever was in charge of relief efforts – this was not a coveted assignment.

In the palace, the Emperor pressed an ice towel to his head, listening to reports about the Yanwo disaster. His headache was so severe he could barely open his eyes, and his chest heaved violently with rage.

“From the end of last year until now, there hasn’t been a single day of peace! Not a single day of peace!” The Emperor threw down his ice towel and stood up in fury. “To conceal a disaster for the sake of promotion – detestable! Kill him! Execute Min Zhongsheng by slow slicing!”

Minister of Revenue Chu Zhongxing stepped forward and bowed: “Your Majesty, this subject believes the urgent matter is disaster relief. Your Majesty must decide on the relief personnel. This disaster has caused such a great disturbance that perhaps a member of the imperial family should personally oversee relief efforts to calm the people’s hearts.”

The Crown Prince merely nodded but did not step forward to take on the disaster relief task.

This relief effort was not like previous years, where it could be considered a lucrative assignment.

The Yanwo famine had become too severe, with refugees spreading everywhere. This was disaster relief… but also pacifying the people. The balance required extremely careful and appropriate handling. The slightest mistake… could spark popular uprisings. The Crown Prince dared not shoulder such responsibility.

“Father Emperor, your son believes… we could let Third Imperial Uncle try.” The Crown Prince stepped closer and spoke to the Emperor in a lowered voice. “Third Imperial Uncle has always been honest and benevolent. Facing such great suffering among the people, he would certainly spare no effort in relief work, preventing others from having opportunities for corruption and embezzlement.”

“The Crown Prince speaks reasonably, but this humble subject’s foolish opinion… if His Highness the Crown Prince could personally oversee disaster relief, it would surely inspire the people,” Chu Zhongxing said, then suddenly changed his tone. “However, His Highness the Crown Prince is the nation’s heir apparent. This disaster is too severe – if there’s the slightest carelessness causing popular unrest, it might endanger Your Highness’s safety.”

The Crown Prince’s heart jumped violently, and he quickly said to the Emperor: “Your son is not afraid of endangering himself, but your son lacks experience in disaster relief. This disaster is severe – your son fears being inadequate! Your son believes we should dispatch someone with disaster relief experience to take charge of stability. As Minister Chu said, having a member of the imperial family present would surely inspire the people. Your son is willing to assist whoever is put in charge of relief efforts and go together to share Father Emperor’s burdens.”

This speech expressed to the Emperor both his loyalty in being willing to risk danger for the Emperor, and indicated that he lacked disaster relief experience and would only be a figurehead if he went. Thus, even if things went wrong in the end, it couldn’t be blamed on him. He was truly extremely clever.

The Emperor was particularly susceptible to this approach. He sat down in his chair, accepted the ice towel Gao Demao handed him, pressed it to his head, and said with closed eyes: “The Crown Prince is the nation’s heir apparent, the nation’s foundation – he cannot risk himself in danger!”

Chu Zhongxing pondered for a moment: “This subject does have several candidates for disaster relief, but since Your Sacred Majesty’s ascension, there have been few such great natural disasters. I fear… it may be difficult to achieve perfection.”

In nearly twenty years, the greatest natural disaster was the great epidemic in Jiaozhou. That year… Bai Qishan personally led relief efforts, bringing the Bai family army to seal off Jiaozhou. Bai Suqiu volunteered to enter the city. The Jiaozhou epidemic was alleviated, and the people recovered, but Bai Suqiu remained forever in Jiaozhou.

The Emperor’s eyes suddenly became teary. His originally furious emotions turned to grief. He closed his eyes and said, “In such a vast Great Jin court, can we not select one capable person for disaster relief?”

Originally, the disaster relief personnel could be discussed at tomorrow morning’s court, but with the disaster situation so urgent, every moment of delay… increased the possibility of upheaval.

The Crown Prince suddenly thought of Prince Liang. Prince Xin had already been deposed, and among the Emperor’s adult sons, besides himself, there was only Prince Liang.

“Father Emperor, this disaster relief requires not only someone to oversee it, but also a member of the imperial family to maintain order. Since your son cannot go, I wish to recommend someone to Father Emperor – please do not become angry.” The Crown Prince spoke slowly and carefully. “Prince Liang’s previous attempt to frame the Duke wounded the Father Emperor’s heart, but ultimately, Prince Liang was also deceived by those beneath him. He has been confined to his mansion in self-reflection and even prepared thoughtfully for Father Emperor’s birthday. Please give Prince Liang a chance to redeem himself and let him atone for his crimes through merit.”

The Emperor looked sideways at the Crown Prince kneeling on the ground pleading for Prince Liang. Before he could think it through, Minister of Revenue had already agreed: “The Crown Prince speaks truly. Prince Liang is Your Majesty’s son and would inspire the people’s hearts even more than Third Prince.”

Gao Demao stepped forward to replace the Emperor’s ice towel. The Emperor frowned and nodded: “Then let it be Prince Liang. What about the person in charge? Who is suitable?”

“For the person in charge of disaster relief, this subject believes we need one civil and one military official. The military officer should bring troops for deterrence. Since General Zhang Duanrui has already led troops to Chun Mushan, General Shi Panshan, who has military achievements from the Southern Border war, would be more suitable! As for the civil official… we should choose from ministers who have overseen disaster relief in recent years and performed well.” Chu Zhongxing clenched his fists, lowered his eyes, and said calmly, “This subject believes… the Left Chancellor’s son, Li Mingrui, could be used.”

The Emperor’s head was splitting with pain. He waved his hand: “It’s decided then! Gao Demao… go issue the decree! Summon Concubine Qiu!”

During this period, the Emperor frequently suffered headaches. The imperial physicians prescribed many medicines that were ineffective – only when Concubine Qiu came to massage and knead his pressure points could he find some relief.

The Crown Prince breathed a slight sigh of relief. As long as this assignment didn’t fall to him, anyone else would do.

Soon, the Emperor’s decree was officially issued.