Exile at the start? Milkball filming, hoarding billions of resources

Chapter 80 How can I help my uncle?

The inspector's face turned ashen, and he gave a cold laugh.

"Lord Su is truly a good official who loves his people like his own children."

"Since you are so distressed that the people are not getting enough to eat, why not open the granaries and distribute the grain?"

After the inspector finished speaking, he quietly observed Su Shaoqing's reaction.

Su Shaoqing's lips twitched slightly.

"The Inspector is absolutely right. I will open the granaries and distribute the grain first thing tomorrow morning."

The inspector was quite surprised that Su Shaoqing agreed so quickly.

He glanced at the merchant at the end of the line who had offered him advice.

Seeing this, the merchant hurriedly stepped forward and whispered in the inspector's ear.

"My lord, believe me, there is definitely something wrong with Su Shaoqing. I saw it clearly from behind. When Su Shaoqing heard you say that you were going to open the granary and release grain, his lips trembled with fear."

"Sir, Su Shaoqing agreed so quickly, could he be planning to run away?"

That makes sense.

The inspector slapped his thigh.

"The people are still starving, and you want to wait until tomorrow?"

"Open the granaries and distribute the grain to me right now."

Su Shaoqing glanced at the sky.

"It's getting dark. If we open the granary now, we won't be able to see the people's faces clearly. I'm worried that someone might take advantage of the situation and impersonate someone else."

"Furthermore, all the officials and servants have taken a break."

"Why not open the position first thing tomorrow morning?"

The inspector glared angrily.

"Su Shaoqing, what are you up to with all this stalling and delaying?"

"Could it be that you stole the grain and are afraid to open the granary?"

Su Shaoqing rolled up his sleeves and wiped his forehead.

"My lord... I'm innocent!"

"I work diligently for the people of Guanyang, and I have no ulterior motives."

The inspector snorted coldly.

"If you have no ulterior motives, why aren't you distributing the grain?"

The inspector glanced at his subordinate beside him.

"Send a few people to assist Lord Su in notifying the people, from house to house, of the news that the granaries are being opened and grain is being distributed. There must be no oversight."

The people of Guanyang all praise Su Shaoqing as a good official who loves the people like his own children, right? He is going to expose Su Shaoqing's true colors in front of the people!

Let the people of Guanyang see for themselves how this good official is lining his own pockets.

The subordinate bowed and accepted the order.

"Don't worry, sir, I will definitely notify every household and won't miss a single one."

The inspector exchanged glances with his subordinate and smiled.

Shen Zhaoning felt uneasy and secretly glanced at her brother, Shen Yu.

"Brother, why does Uncle look so scared?"

Shen Yu's expression was rather unpleasant.

"Perhaps my uncle did something wrong."

Shen Yu looked at Hua Zhuyue, whose expression was also somewhat solemn.

"That shouldn't be the case. Based on my understanding of Old Man Su, he is an exceptionally upright person and would never do such a corrupt thing."

"However, I don't really know much about Su Shaoqing."

"The last time I saw him was when he went to the capital to take the imperial examination. At that time, he was still young, looked refined and cultured, and was full of ambition."

Zhu Jingxian spoke softly.

"People's hearts are fickle, and the world is unpredictable. Perhaps Su Shaoqing has already changed."

Yes, people's hearts are fickle.

Besides, it's been so many years since we last met.

Hua Zhuyue sighed.

"No matter what, the Su family is our in-laws, so we should go and visit them."

Shen Zhaoning didn't know what they meant by "something that makes her feel guilty," but seeing everyone's solemn expressions, she felt extremely uneasy.

"What does it mean to lose? Will my maternal grandparents' family end up like us?"

Will my maternal grandfather and uncle die like my paternal grandfather and father?

Hua Zhuyue struggled to speak.

"Grandmother didn't know either."

"It might be that way, or it might just be a false alarm."

"Whether it is or not, we'll find out by going there."

The group quietly followed behind the procession, watching the constables beat drums and gongs and shout along the street, calling on the people to come out and collect their grain.

Upon hearing that there was grain to be received, the people, young and old, left their homes in droves.

The people lined up and spread the news.

"Everyone come out quickly! The prefect is about to distribute grain."

"Hurry, hurry, hurry, or it'll be gone!"

Everyone rushed to the granary, their eyes fixed on Su Shaoqing.

If the Shen family hadn't arrived early, there wouldn't even be a place to stand.

The inspector stood before the granary, torch in hand. The flickering flames illuminated his face, making his already slightly intoxicated complexion appear even redder.

The inspector glanced at Su Shaoqing, who was standing next to him, trembling slightly.

A smug smile curled at the corner of his lips.

"Do you all know why we are opening the granaries and distributing grain today?"

The people responded in twos and threes.

"I don't know."

The inspector proclaimed.

"Of course, it's because of our Lord Su."

"Lord Su loves the people like his own children and cannot bear to see them suffer from hunger, so he opened the granaries to distribute grain."

"Having served in office for many years, this is the first time I have encountered such a good official as Lord Su, who is wholeheartedly devoted to the people and incorruptible. Guanyang is truly blessed to have such a benevolent official as Lord Su!"

As he spoke, he patted Su Shaoqing's shoulder forcefully, causing Su Shaoqing to stumble.

A forced smile appeared on Su Shaoqing's gentle face.

"You flatter me, sir."

He rolled up his sleeve and vigorously wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"It's too late to open a position today."

"How about tomorrow? Tomorrow morning, I will open the granaries and distribute the grain."

The inspector said, slightly drunk.

"Lord Su, the people have already come, and now they're all waiting."

"We can't let the people make a wasted trip, can we?"

The people were getting anxious as the granaries were not opened for a long time, and they began to discuss the matter amongst themselves.

"What's wrong, Lord Su? Didn't you say you'd open the granaries and distribute grain? Why haven't you done so yet?"

"Could there be something special about this granary?"

"A few days ago, a relative of mine came to stay with me and said that they had run out of food long ago. The local officials refused to open the granaries, and many people starved to death. In their anger, everyone forcibly opened the granary doors. Guess what happened?"

"The granary is completely empty; there isn't a single grain of rice in it."

"Could it be that our granaries are also out of rice?"

"It's hard to say. I heard that the new shop in the city is owned by a relative of Lord Su. Maybe they're selling rice from the granary."

The people's emotions instantly surged.

"Don't worry, sir. We will absolutely not take any extra food. We will only take what we are entitled to. Please open the granary."

"Open the granaries! Distribute the grain!"

The inspector's lips were practically stretched to his ears as he looked at Su Shaoqing.

"Lord Su, listen to how fervent the people's voices are."

"Can you bear to refuse?"

Su Shaoqing remained silent.

Upon seeing this, the inspector shouted to his subordinates.

"Lord Su has agreed; the granaries will be opened and grain distributed!"