What's wrong with me, a powerful minister, supporting a few female officials?

Chapter 352: Even a slight move was the limit for the cabinet minister.

Su Mo was pondering how to persuade key cabinet officials to issue national bonds to complete the mission.

The Empress suddenly said, "What are you waiting for, Su Lang? Hurry up and come into the palace with me!"

"The six cabinet ministers and the six ministers are currently handling disaster relief matters in the outer court. Mr. Su, please come with me to the Lizheng Hall to discuss matters."

Su Mo was taken aback: "Isn't it a holiday right now?"

Leng Liuxi explained, "With such a major event happening, how can I take a break!"

"Many court officials have returned to their posts and are scheduled to end their holiday on the seventh day of the new year. As usual, all civil and military officials will resume court."

Su Mo looked at Leng Liuxi speechlessly: "Even if the Grand Secretary and the Minister are handling official business in the outer court, I cannot go to the Lizheng Hall at this time."

Leng Liuxi was slightly taken aback: "Why?"

"The disaster situation is severe; we cannot afford to waste any more time."

Su Mo thought for a moment, organized his thoughts, and then said, "The matter of eight million taels is not urgent for now."

"The most urgent task is to open the granaries and release grain, and transport grain to places like Tiannan Road."

"These matters are none of my concern."

"I need to stay at the garrison to oversee the collection of commercial taxes. Such a large sum of money must be kept in close watch. If corruption occurs, the consequences could be severe or minor."

Su Mo paused slightly, then continued, "Your Majesty can first have Chief Minister Xiao and the others handle the fundraising, and I will also have the Gufeng Mountain area print more story magazines to publicize this matter..."

Leng Liuxi listened attentively to Su Mo's advice and finally nodded: "I was indeed a little impatient."

"I will do as you say, my lord!"

She was completely unaware that Su Mo now seemed to be the one truly in charge of the government.

If anyone else had spoken like that, their three clans would probably have already reunited in the underworld!
Seeing that Leng Liuxi was about to leave, Su Mo hesitated for a moment, then called out to the Empress, "Your Majesty, please wait a moment."

Leng Liuxi was taken aback: "Does Su Lang have something else to say?"

Su Mo's expression suddenly turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "I have heard that after a great disaster, there will surely be a great plague!"

Leng Liuxi's expression changed slightly: "Does Su Lang have a solution?"

As an emperor, she naturally knew that Su Mo's words were true.

In fact, Xiao Yuan and others had also reminded Leng Liuxi.

Unfortunately, from ancient times to the present, plagues are something that cannot be prevented and are extremely difficult to cure.

The methods used to deal with plagues were largely the same across different dynasties.

It was nothing more than using isolation measures after an epidemic broke out, sealing off the affected area, and burning the bodies of the dead to prevent the epidemic from spreading.

However, Leng Liuxi knew that given Su Mo's personality, bringing up this matter at this time likely meant he had other ideas.

Su Mo nodded: "I do know some methods to prevent the spread of plague."

Leng Liuxi immediately asked in a deep voice, "What methods does Su Lang have?"

Su Mo: "As far as I know, the spread of epidemics is mostly due to mosquito and lice bites, or the ingestion of raw water."

"Your Majesty needs to make preparations as soon as possible and mobilize various epidemic prevention materials and medicines to the disaster area."

"In addition, quicklime can be sprinkled for disinfection, and mugwort and sulfur can be burned to repel mosquitoes and insects... The water must be boiled before drinking."

“Especially!” Su Mo emphasized, “The bodies of the victims must be buried promptly. If they are already rotting, they must be burned. Furthermore, it is absolutely forbidden to catch rats or other animals to eat them.”

"Once a suspected case is discovered, strict isolation measures will be implemented, and those who have been in close contact with the patient must also be isolated for more than seven days to observe the situation!"

Leng Liuxi was surprised that Su Mo knew even these things, and even pointed out that the epidemic was spread by mosquito bites and untreated water.

She let out a long sigh: "Your words, my lord, are worth more than a thousand pieces of gold!"

"In the past, the imperial court knew that epidemics were harmful, but it did not know how to prevent and control them!"

Leng Liuxi paused slightly, then gave a wry smile: "However, this is easier said than done!"

"If the people have no food, and they catch rats or other animals, how could they not use them to fill their stomachs?"

"Furthermore, firewood is needed to start a fire and boil water, but how can ordinary people have firewood and charcoal to boil water every day!"

She paused, then frowned and said, "The common people believe that burial is the best way to ensure peace. If it weren't for a real epidemic, would they allow others to burn the remains of their deceased relatives?"

Su Mo said coldly without hesitation, "No matter how difficult it is, we have to do it!"

"It's much easier than waiting for a large-scale outbreak of the epidemic before we do it!"

He took a deep breath and said, "Fortunately, the weather is cold now, so the disease is not easy to spread."

"If the weather warms up and spring rains come, I'm afraid no amount of measures will be able to control it!"

The deaths of hundreds of thousands, even millions of people, and the countless bodies buried.

The south is humid, and if the situation is not properly addressed before the weather warms up, it is almost impossible to avoid an outbreak.

Seeing Leng Liuxi deep in thought, Su Mo added, "I will compile a booklet on epidemic prevention and submit it to Your Majesty for review later."

"Your Majesty may order the imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy, as well as renowned doctors from the common people, to observe and study this."

"Of course, what I said may not be entirely correct. The physicians need to make their own judgments, and Your Majesty understands the reasons behind this."

Leng Liuxi understood, of course.

Su Mo's epidemic prevention techniques must have come from that mysterious hometown.

The environment there may not be exactly the same as that in Dawu, so the methods of epidemic prevention must be adapted to local conditions.

Leng Liuxi gazed at Su Mo silently for a long time, and finally sighed, "Only now do I understand what true unity of knowledge and action means!"

"Then I'll trouble you, sir."

He paused, then sighed, "Compared to you, my lord, those court officials are truly incompetent and useless. If only you, my lord, could truly enter the court and assist me!"

Su Mo quickly replied, "Your Majesty is too kind!"

"I am but a clever but unskilled strategist, how can I compare to the ministers of the court?"

"Besides, I think it's quite good now. Even if I don't enter the court, I can still lend Your Majesty a hand."

It's alright to ask him for advice.

If he were to do everything himself, Su Mo would definitely be overwhelmed.

No, my head is already huge.

How many disaster victims die is none of my business.

I really made trouble for myself and offended people.

After returning, I need to write an epidemic prevention manual and have someone print weekly reports, etc.

Perhaps we'll need to build a microscope.

After all, if you want Xiao Lizhuang and the others to understand the relationship between bacteria and epidemics, you can save them a lot of trouble by showing them the bacteria in person.

Of course, even without this incident, Su Mo still planned to build the microscope.

The medical technology here is backward, and he is afraid that he might fall seriously ill one day and not be able to find anyone to treat him.

Hmm, it's a good time to assign the task of making flintlock muskets as well, let Ding Bashi think about it.

Su Mo's head ached more and more as she thought about it.

I increasingly feel that I was transported here to be a beast of burden, not to enjoy a life of luxury.

If the system hadn't suddenly issued the task, he definitely wouldn't have bothered with it.

At worst, I can just give the Empress a heads-up.

Of course, in addition to task rewards, the power of incense offerings is also crucial.

After saving those disaster victims, the incense offerings and prayers will surely flow endlessly. Perhaps in the future, I can even become a terrestrial immortal and live for a thousand years by relying on the power of the incense offerings and prayers!
The empress left in haste.

Su Mo withdrew his gaze, sighed, took out a small notebook from his sleeve, recalled the various epidemic prevention measures in his previous life, and began to write down his thoughts.

...The Empress returned to the palace and immediately summoned Xiao Yuan and the other Grand Secretaries.

Xiao Yuan and the others were naturally taken aback.

They have a lot of work to do.

Disaster relief is not something that can be accomplished simply by talking.

All strategies, material transportation, and grain distribution must be governed by established procedures.

Without wasting words, the Empress got straight to the point and said seriously, "My beloved ministers, I have just returned from the Qinghefang Hundred Household Office!"

"The commander of the Qinghefang Hundred-Household Garrison, Su Hou Su Shi, and the garrison commander Zhang Xuzu, truly surprise me!"

"Qinghefang has already collected nearly one million taels of silver in commercial taxes and fines!"

"Those merchants have become much more obedient and dare not strike or cause trouble!"

Xiao Yuan and the others exchanged glances, wondering what the Empress meant by that.

They already knew that the Qinghefang Hundred Households had collected several hundred thousand taels of silver.

The Empress then looked at Wang Hao: "What you said, Minister Wang, requires at least two million taels of silver for disaster relief, and we are still short about five hundred thousand taels."

"After careful consideration, I believe that the proposal put forward by Grand Secretary Xiao to raise funds from the powerful families in the capital is feasible."

"The shortfall of 500,000 taels of silver will be raised by you, my esteemed ministers. What do you all think?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan was taken aback and quickly said, "Your Majesty, 500,000 taels of silver is an extremely large sum, and we are afraid we will not be able to raise the funds!"

Wang Hao also stepped forward and said, "I think so too."

"Those wealthy and powerful families in the capital certainly have wealth, but it's mostly in the form of shops and land; they probably don't have much cash..."

Before he could finish speaking, Leng Liuxi frowned slightly and interrupted Wang Hao: "When Su Qianhu was only the clerk of Tianchang County, he brought in hundreds of thousands of taels of silver for the court, with silver flowing into the treasury in a steady stream."

"Now we collect over a million taels of silver in commercial taxes from the imperial court."

Her voice deepened slightly: "Are my cabinet ministers all just empty talkers, not even as good as a lowly Jinyiwei commander?"

Xiao Yuan and the others were immediately rendered speechless by the pressure!
Yuan Xingdao, Yang Ji, and others also had strange expressions on their faces!
Honestly, when it comes to making money, they really can't compare to Su Mo!

He secretly began to complain.

If I knew such a way to make money, my family wouldn't be in this state of poverty!
Even the Wang family, with its five surnames and seven prominent clans, seemed prosperous and had a great deal of silver in their coffers. The problem was that this wealth had been accumulated penny by penny over ten or even dozens of generations!
That kid's profits in one year are equivalent to the Wang family's income for ten years!

Isn't that infuriating?!

Seeing the troubled expressions on Xiao Yuan's and the others' faces, the Empress softened her tone slightly: "I know this matter is not easy. I have a method. Would you, my beloved ministers, like to hear it?"

Xiao Yuan and the others immediately said in unison, "Your Majesty, we respectfully listen to your words!"

The Empress said calmly, "The noble families love fame. Since they have done good deeds, it is worth publicizing them so that the world may know their righteousness!"

"Chief Minister Xiao and others may erect a large monument on the banks of the Xima River!"

"Those who generously donate money will have their names engraved on the monument for the people of the capital, passing merchants, and foreign envoys to admire. Their names will be remembered for eternity and praised by future generations!"

"Those who donate more will be ranked higher on the monument, in order to highlight their names."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan and the others all exclaimed "Holy crap!" in their hearts.
What kind of bastard came up with such a vicious method?!

Was it the Empress's own idea?

Do not make jokes!
The story that the Empress took up her sword and slaughtered all the northern barbarians made them believe it even more!
Hmm... His Majesty just went to Qinghefang?

It seems that Su Mo has just returned to Qinghefang Hundred Household Office from Gufeng Mountain.

Just as Xiao Yuan and the others were all in disbelief.

The Empress then added, "The Marquis of Lonely Peak Mountain, Su Mo, has shown compassion for the disaster-stricken people and has pledged to donate five thousand taels of silver to help the court provide relief to the victims. Chief Minister Xiao should take note of this."

"When your name is engraved on the monument in the future, do not forget Lord Su, lest the loyal minister be heartbroken."

Xiao Yuan, Wang Hao, Cui Xuan, and the others were dumbfounded!

The Empress implied that powerful and wealthy families in the capital should donate no less than five thousand taels of silver.

Although the Empress did not say that they were forced to donate this amount.

The problem is, Su Mo has many titles, such as Imperial Tutor and Marquis, but his official official status is Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!
How could Su Mo possibly surpass the five surnames and seven prominent families?
Such a great disaster, and the amount of silver donated is not even as much as that of a single member of the Imperial Guard?
This is hardly a monument that will be remembered for eternity.

This is a monument to shame!

A similar image came to mind for Wang Hao.

A merchant from out of town was traveling to the capital by boat when he saw a huge stele on the riverbank and asked the boatman curiously, "What is this?"

The boatman said, "This is a monument to disaster relief fundraising."

The merchant asked, "Su Mo, who is listed first on the stele, comes from which prominent family, and yet he donated five thousand taels of silver?"

The boatman said, "He is not from a prominent family, but a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the capital."

The merchant was astonished: "The Embroidered Uniform Guard actually donated five thousand taels of silver? What about the powerful families in the capital? I've heard that there are prominent families in the capital such as the Wang, Chen, Cui, and Zheng families..."

The boatman pointed dismissively at the giant monument: "Look, it's down there!"

"The Wang family donated three hundred taels of silver!"

The merchant was astonished: "Five surnames and seven noble families, yet they are not even as good as a single Imperial Guard. Could it be that they are just a family that seeks fame and fortune?"

The boatman grew even more disdainful: "Five surnames and seven prominent families, nothing special. Who in the capital doesn't know them?"

Centuries later, the same scene continues to repeat itself!

……

Wang Hao broke out in a cold sweat!

Do they still care about the Wang family's reputation?

Even if the silver stored in the cellar is dug out, more than five thousand taels must be donated to suppress Su Mo!

damn it!
That's truly insidious; this guy is inhuman!

So ruthless and cunning, yet deeply favored by the Empress, the Wang family would be better off avoiding provoking him in the future!
Since the Cold Su Paper has already been made, and things have come to this point, continuing the fight will only result in mutual destruction.

Furthermore, the Wang family secretly purchased large quantities of cold-pressed paper and transported it to other places, making a hefty profit that was no less than what they earned from making their own paper.

Wang Hao had to admit that the other party's paper was of really good quality and low price, and its competitiveness was far superior to Wang's paper!
Not only was Wang Hao furious at Su Mo's insidious scheme, but Cui Xuan was too!

Yang Ji, Wang Hua, and Yuan Xingdao frowned and pondered how much they should donate.

On the contrary, Xiao Yuan, the chief minister, only smiled bitterly to himself, but did not harbor too much resentment towards Su Mo.

The Xiao family was not a large clan, unlike the Wang and Cui families who had a heavy reputation.

However, I'm afraid I'll have to donate the thousand or so taels of silver.

That's too little; even the Grand Secretary couldn't afford to lose face like that.

Of course, not only would he lose money, but he would also have to bear the infamy, so Xiao Yuan's mood was definitely not good.

They were the ones responsible for fundraising and erecting the monument.

We can't very well say that the Empress was the one who came up with this insidious and terrible idea.

Is it said that Su Mo produced it?
The problem is that the Empress came up with a solution after careful consideration. What does it have to do with Su Mo?
You can't just falsely accuse someone for no reason, can you?

There should always be some logic to doing things, right?
Just as the group of elders were filled with resentment towards Su Mo.

Suddenly, a member of the Imperial Guard rushed into the Lizheng Hall in a panic, urgently saying, "Your Majesty! An urgent report has arrived from Tiannan Circuit!"

"Last night, strange phenomena occurred in the three prefectures of Yiling County: Linshan, Guihe, and Hushan. A fire dragon descended from the sky and burned down all seventeen granaries in the three prefectures, turning 300,000 shi of grain stored inside into ashes!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed drastically inside the Hall of State Affairs!

The Ever-Normal Granary in Tiannan Road was a crucial asset in their disaster relief strategy!
Throughout Tiannan Road, the Ever-Normal Granary held a total of 700,000 to 800,000 shi of rice. However, considering various issues such as losses, Wang Hao ultimately only counted 500,000 shi.

Now, 300,000 shi of grain have been burned in one go?
How can we provide disaster relief under these circumstances?

If the disaster victims find out, wouldn't that cause complete chaos?
(End of this chapter)