The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

The next morning, the rising sun shone again.

The warm sunlight shone down on the earth, illuminating the anxious city of Chang'an.

"Open the granaries and distribute the grain!"

Neither Chen Huai'an nor Pei Ju attended court today. As soon as the city gates opened in the morning, Pei Ju immediately issued this order.

In the blink of an eye, officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works mobilized in droves, and notices announcing the opening of granaries and the distribution of grain were posted all over the streets and alleys.

During this time, Pei Ju was not idle. Chen Huai'an only gave a general plan, and he was responsible for perfecting all the details.

Moreover, this matter was primarily led by the Ministry of Revenue.

As the Minister of Revenue, he naturally had no choice but to take on the role.

"Minister Chen," Pei Ju said, his eyes filled with deep weariness, "I have done everything I was supposed to do according to your plan."

"But I must tell you that we can only provide 50,000 shi of relief grain. The rest of the grain must be used to support the implementation of the work-for-relief program."

"Fifty thousand shi... It sounds like a lot, but it won't last long when faced with countless disaster victims. If your plan fails, these fifty thousand shi of grain will be practically wasted."

"If the grain merchants do not lower prices or sell grain before the 50,000 shi of grain have been distributed, my Ministry of Revenue... will not be able to provide any more grain."

"I understand." Chen Huai'an nodded. "I've learned a lot about the Ministry of Revenue during this time, and I understand your concerns."

"However, Minister Pei, please trust me this once."

"Okay." Pei Ju nodded. Now that things had come to this, he could only trust Chen Huai'an.

"Minister Chen, how about we go for a walk together?" he suddenly said.

Chen Huai'an gave him a strange look, but did not refuse: "If Minister Pei has such an interest, it would be too disappointing if I did not agree."

Pei Ju smiled, gestured for them to proceed, and walked out of the Ministry of Revenue side by side with Chen Huai'an.

Early in the morning, thanks to notices posted by officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works, the people already knew that the imperial court was opening its granaries to distribute grain.

Countless people, unable to make a living, anxiously went to the relief points set up by the Ministry of Revenue.

Soon, the first person to receive the disaster relief grain appeared.

It was the aunt who had cried in front of the grain shop that day. Holding the relief grain in her hands, she wept with joy: "Thank you, thank you, sir! My grandson has food! My grandson finally has food!"

The official distributing the disaster relief grain was named Xu Zhang. Upon hearing this, he smiled and said, "No need to thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank His Majesty and the two ministers."

"If it weren't for them, you wouldn't have been able to get relief food."

Seeing that Xu Zhang was different from other officials who looked down on people, and that he had a very good attitude, Aunt Wu, who had received the disaster relief grain, tentatively asked, "Sir, how long will this disaster relief grain last?"

"It hasn't rained yet, and our harvest has failed completely..."

Before she finished speaking, Xu Zhang understood what she meant. Seeing the people around him looking at him with hope, he said gently, "Disaster relief grain... will only be distributed to those who really can't survive. We will verify this, so if any of you are trying to take advantage of this, don't come."

"I have a list here. I know who can get it and who can't."

"Also, regarding how long we can receive the disaster relief food..." Xu Zhang said with a smile, "I can tell everyone very clearly, it won't be for very long!"

"ah?!"

This statement immediately caused an uproar, with voices of doubt, confusion, and pleading filling the air.

"Why?" Aunt Wu asked, unable to hide her disappointment. "The crops we planted withered and died due to the drought. There was no harvest this year. Those unscrupulous grain merchants raised the price of grain to 250 coins per dou (a unit of dry measure), which we simply cannot afford."

"Now... now your government only provides relief grain for a limited time, how are we supposed to survive!"

This statement resonated with many, and the people who came to receive disaster relief supplies were already somewhat desperate.

They couldn't afford the grain from the grain shops, and the government's disaster relief grain was only distributed for a limited time. How were they supposed to survive?

"Everyone, please calm down and listen to me, let me finish!" Xu Zhang shouted.

The crowd then quieted down.

"That's right, although the imperial court is providing disaster relief..."

"Minister Pei, Minister Chen!" Xu Zhang hadn't finished speaking when he suddenly saw two people walking over, and he was so startled that he quickly bowed.

His words and actions also frightened the people around him.

Shangshu?

In the entire world, there are only six people who can be called Shangshu (尚书).

Those who knew the inside story hurriedly and quietly explained to the people around them who did not understand the meaning of the words "Minister," fearing that someone might offend the two ministers.

Pei Ju stepped forward with a smile and waved his hands, "No need to be nervous, no need to be nervous, I heard your questions."

"I am the Minister of Revenue, and I have many responsibilities. Disaster relief is within my scope of duties. Today, I can say in front of everyone that the court does not abandon people's lives."

"The imperial court already has a comprehensive disaster relief plan!"

"We've been preparing food supplies, and now we have enough to ensure everyone can get through this drought safely."

The group exchanged glances, hesitant to speak, but their expressions clearly showed their disbelief.

After all, everyone says that disaster relief food will not be distributed for too long, so how can we ensure that they get through this drought?

However, they could still muster the courage to ask Xu Zhang, but they dared not ask these two high-ranking ministers.

Even if one of them looks like an ordinary old man, and the other looks like a handsome young man.

Pei Ju patiently explained, "I know you may not believe it, but did you know that during this time, the Ministry of Works of the Imperial Court has been hiring people to reclaim wasteland and repair water conservancy projects in the Guanzhong region?"

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Of course, it's not about conscripting laborers, but about hiring. You don't need to bring your own food; the court provides meals and wages."

Upon hearing this, many people in the crowd stirred. Aunt Wu whispered, "My neighbor was hired a few months ago. I heard he's going to work for the imperial court."

"I thought it was corvée labor, but it turned out to be employment. No wonder that even though food prices have soared recently, his wife and children have been able to eat their fill, even though life has been tough."

"A few days ago, she lent me some food."

Pei Ju nodded: "That's right, they were hired away. Right now, the Ministry of Works is short-handed. If each of your households sends one adult male to work for the court, it will be enough to support your family."

"Your Excellency, what you said... is it true?" Aunt Wu asked cautiously.

"Of course it's true." Pei Ju pointed to Chen Huai'an beside him, "This is the Duke of Anguo, Minister of Works, and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, Minister Chen."

"It was he who proposed the work-for-relief program!"

"If you don't believe me, you might as well ask him."

"..."