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Henan, Guide Prefecture, Shangqiu County.
Floods overflowed the embankments, and disasters fell from the sky. Refugees from all over the country and villages flocked into the city. Simple shacks were set up everywhere in the streets, alleys, temples, and under the eaves of the city walls. They were piled with wet luggage and crowded. It was full of yellow-faced and hungry refugees.
Shui Rong stood on the arrow tower at the city gate, looking at the refugees pouring into the county from outside the city. Their thin clothes were covered with mud and could not withstand the howling autumn wind in the rain. He frowned and said: "After the refugees enter the city, make arrangements." , we must ensure the safety of the people."
The Shangqiu County Magistrate behind him heard this and said respectfully: "I understand, Your Majesty, please rest assured."
After saying that, the Shangqiu County Magistrate looked hesitant, raised his eyes carefully at the young man, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly. There are already hundreds of thousands of refugees in the city, and the refugees are flooding in. I'm afraid it will be difficult to do anything." Continue."
When Shui Rong heard this, it was clear that there were too many refugees in the city. If the management was not good, the refugees would gather and cause chaos. If it were not for the patrols by the county government soldiers and the nearly 600 elite men who accompanied Shui Rong on his trip, there would be no peace.
But after all, the number of soldiers was too small, and the refugees seemed endless, so I had to be on guard. He groaned and said, "Then build shacks outside the city and give out rice and porridge."
For the refugees, as long as they have a roof over their heads and enough food to eat, the difference between being inside and outside the city is not that big.
The Shangqiu County Magistrate was startled when he heard this, and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, there is not much food in the county."
Shui Rong frowned. Food was the key. If there was no food, the refugees would never be able to be comforted. He shouted, "Then buy food from the rich households in the city."
Wealthy households all have fields. They have a large amount of food, and their food reserves are far more than they imagined. As long as they survive this most difficult period, and when the court's disaster relief food is delivered, everything can be solved.
The Shangqiu County Magistrate was startled by Shui Rong's tone, and hurriedly bowed his body and said: "Your Majesty, I don't know. Now the shops in the city are closed, and the price of food has soared. The sesame cakes that usually only cost one big penny now cost one or two silvers." arrive."
Shui Rong's face darkened when he heard this, as if it were frosty in the twelfth lunar month. It's really hateful that these guys are still thinking about enriching the country during a great disaster.
After a deep groan, Shui Rong Zhanran said: "Go and contact the wealthy households with the largest amount of food in the area and tell them that I want to invite you."
The Shangqiu County Magistrate raised his brows upon hearing this, feeling vaguely bad in his heart. He responded and immediately went down to make arrangements.
Shui Rong looked at the refugees all over the city with a faint look, and ordered: "Ziying, send someone to investigate and find out what the rich locals are doing."
Feng Ziying turned her eyes slightly when she heard this and responded: "I understand."
After Feng Ziying left, Shui Rong twirled his fingers with a serious look in his eyes, hoping that these rich people would know each other better. If they don't, they would just use you to scare the monkeys. Facing these people who are struggling to make a fortune, he will not be merciful. If you and your family cry, they will always It's better than having a city full of people crying.
Chapter 316 Shui Rong: From now on, I will be your father
Yangzhou, Yanzheng Yamen.
The misty rain was hazy, the sky and the earth were vast, and the dark clouds were squeezing the sky, as heavy as if they were about to fall, and so oppressive that the entire Yanyuan Yamen was silent.
In the Xianggui Nuan Pavilion, Daiyu sat on the bed, holding her curled legs with both hands. Her eyebrows, which seemed to be frowning but not frowning, were frozen with sadness and longing. There were two lines hanging on her fair face. The tears that had long since dried up, and the bright eyes that looked like a pool of clear water were now dim and dull, like a dried up mountain spring, staring blankly ahead.
News originally came that Lin Ruhai was seriously ill, and Jia Lian escorted her south to attend to her illness, but Lin Ruhai eventually died of illness. At this moment, Daiyu felt that the sky was falling and the earth was falling.
"boom."
The door of the room was pushed open hard, breaking the dull and sad atmosphere of Xianggui.
When Daiyu heard the noise, she raised her head and looked towards the door, and saw that the person coming was Zicuckoo. There was a smile on her pretty face, and a hint of dissatisfaction and resentment flashed in Daiyu's red and swollen eyes.
Now she was in a state of sadness and hardship. How could this caring sister be so rude and laugh so completely without caring about her sadness at the moment? Fang couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness in her heart, and her already red and swollen eyes were squeezed dryly. A teardrop burst out and slid down her fair face.
Seeing this, Zicuckoo knew that the girl was feeling sad again. However, at this time, she couldn't care less about the relief. She stepped forward excitedly and said in an excited tone: "Girl, guess who is coming?"
Daiyu saw that Zijuan actually had the intention to make fun of her, and shouted angrily in a hoarse voice: "Are you crazy girl today? Who cares who comes, what does it have to do with me? If someone comes from Suzhou, just let Lian Second brother, go and take care of it. What’s so important that I have to go and greet you personally? Do you want to change your master?”
At this time, who else can come, they are just people from my hometown in Gusu. Although they are relatives, they are of high status, and there is no need to think too much about the purpose of coming here, so why bother to pay attention to them.
Zijuan knew that the girl had misunderstood her, so she did not show off and said hurriedly: "My good girl, the prince is here, the prince of Beijing is here."
Daiyu didn't react when she heard Prince Beijing, until she heard Prince Beijing, a bright color flashed in her dim eyes, and a figure quickly appeared in her mind, as gentle as jade, and ripples appeared in the silent lake of her heart.
Is my brother here?
Looking up, I saw an elegant figure standing at the door of the house, like a ray of white light in the morning, passing through the gloomy clouds and drifting in front of my eyes.
The visitor was none other than Shui Rong. He looked at the haggard girl on the embroidered couch. She had lost her original spirituality and was like a puppet without a soul. She felt pity for her and called out in a warm voice: "Zhen'er."
Daiyu stared at the young man, her bright eyes dimmed like smoke and rain, her nose was sour, and a stream of tears burst out of her eyes. She couldn't control herself and jumped down from the embroidered couch. She didn't have time to put on her embroidered shoes and trotted towards the young man's arms. In the middle, her slender hands tightly grasped the boy's robe, as if grasping a life-saving straw, crying: "Brother, I don't have a father anymore."
His voice was hoarse, and his voice was heavily choked.
Shui Rong lowered his eyes and looked at Daiyu, who was crying hoarsely, with a lot of thoughts in his heart. Lin Ruhai's death from illness was mentioned in the original book, but he didn't think of reminding her.
It should be noted that Lin Ruhai was the Yangzhou Salt Patrol Censor appointed by Emperor Yongkang, so it can be seen that he was a confidant of the Emperor. Shui Rong had no intersection with Lin Ruhai, and his sudden interaction with one of the Emperor's confidants did not arouse Emperor Yongkang's suspicion.
Moreover, Shui Rong knew that he knew it, but it was unfounded. It would only make interested people think more about it. He could not be blamed for forming a clique for personal gain or plotting evil, which would be detrimental to himself, so Shui Rong remained silent.
Without any interference from outside forces, Lin Ruhai still reached the ending of the original work.
Shui Rong reached out and gently stroked the girl's head, letting the girl's tears flow wildly in his arms, venting the sadness in his heart.
After a while, Daiyu came to her senses. Her eyes looked at the wetness on the young man's chest. Her fair cheeks warmed slightly. She looked at Shuirong with a pear-shaped face and sobbed: "Brother , I’m sorry, my sister lost her temper.”
She didn't know why, but after seeing her brother, the hole in her heart seemed to be filled, and she couldn't wait to get closer.
Shui Rong knew clearly about Daiyu's gaffe. She was a sensitive person and always felt lonely. Now that Lin Ruhai passed away due to illness, this was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue for Daiyu. She was filled with a sense of sadness. She couldn't think about it for a moment.
And Shui Rong recognized Daiyu as her god-sister and treated her with great love. In Daiyu's heart, she was closer than her biological brother. Daiyu's current behavior was nothing more than seeking comfort from her "relatives", which is human nature. .
Speaking of which, Daiyu's behavior was based on relying on Shui Rong, and she felt a little inexplicable in her heart.
Shui Rong stretched out his hand and gently wiped the remaining tears from the corner of the girl's eyes, and said gently: "Zi'er, if you are embarrassed in front of my brother, I will protect you from the wind and rain from now on."
The sense of security Daiyu lacks at this moment is unparalleled, so Shui Rong, as her godbrother, can fill this sense of security for her. The so-called eldest brother is like a father, and this is not the case.
From now on, I will be your father.
Even though he is not related by blood, he can still be called his godfather.
In fact, if you think about it carefully, Shui Rong does not deny the father-daughter relationship between Lin Ruhai and Daiyu. However, Daiyu was sent to Jia's house by Lin Ruhai since she was a child. Due to her young age and years of alienation, there will always be a lack of emotion.
Perhaps in Daiyu's heart, the bond between father and daughter is deeper, and the sadness of losing her only spiritual sustenance is even stronger.
At this moment, the role of the water solution is to fill that feeling of sustenance, so that Daiyu will not feel that she is alone and helpless, and it can be regarded as a source of comfort and a little light in the darkness.
Upon hearing this, Daiyu's originally dry eyes became hazy again, her tears couldn't stop falling, and the sadness of losing her loved ones was slightly relieved.
No father, but fortunately I have a brother again.
There is a saying that is not good: "The best way to forget a relationship is to enter the next relationship." Regardless of whether it is love or not, it is generally applicable.
Seeing this, Shui Rong gently wiped the wet corners of the young man's eyes again, and comforted him with a gentle voice: "Zhen'er, don't cry anymore, you will go blind if you cry again."
Although it was inappropriate for the time, looking at Daiyu, whose eyes were dry, she could still cry so hard that she couldn't help but let Shui Rong curse in her heart. The daughter made of water really lived up to her name.
At this time, Tan Chun came over from one side, stared at the girl with his beautiful eyes, and his eyebrows were filled with worry, and said softly: "Sister Lin, I'm here to see you too."
Daiyu glanced sideways at Tanchun, who was dressed in a blue shirt. She had a delicate face, sideburns as sharp as a knife, and eyebrows like ink paintings. She looked like an extraordinary and handsome young man. She choked up and said, "Third sister."
Earlier when she was at the Duke's Mansion, Daiyu had heard that Tanchun was on a business trip to Beijing with her brother, and she was secretly envious of him at that time.
Now that I have both my brother and my sister by my side, the blockage in my heart is gradually dissipating a bit.
When Daiyu came back to her senses, she realized that she had lost her composure. Although she was greedy for her brother's heart, she still wanted to leave, but she didn't know how. She felt weak all over, her delicate body swayed, and she was about to fall down.
Seeing this, Shui Rong held the girl's waist and picked her up. He felt that her body was as light as a feather. He couldn't help but frowned and walked towards the embroidered couch.
Daiyu was in the boy's arms, two blushes appeared on her jade cheeks involuntarily, her silent heart jumped "bang bang", and her mind was wandering.
Is she being held by her brother? But this is my brother, so it’s okay.
In a daze, Daiyu had already landed on the embroidered couch. The young man pulled the brocade mattress aside and gently draped it on the girl's body. A gentle whisper came from the crystal ears, saying: "Frown Son, you can rest assured that my brother is here for everything."
Listening to the young man's resounding words of promise, Daiyu's heart warmed slightly, and her spiritual sustenance gradually took root. She stared at the young man in front of her and asked softly: "Why did my brother come to Yangzhou?"
I remember that my brother was suppressing bandits in the Beizhili area. How could such a good person come to Yangzhou?
Shui Rong said softly: "I was ordered to go south to the south of the Yangtze River on official business."
Speaking of this matter, Shui Rong was helpless. He was originally in Shangqiu, Henan, taking care of the local wealthy households and busy with disaster relief. Unexpectedly, a decree came through, asking him to come to Jiangnan to raise funds.
"Stealing" money from others is not a simple matter. When Dang Shuirong knew that this was recommended by King Zhongshun, he was so angry that he cursed his mother.
He doesn't think about good things, but pushes him forward when encountering difficulties. When it comes to cheating his brothers, no one can be better than King Zhongshun.
There was a decree, but water could not resist it, so he went south to the south of the Yangtze River, and Yangzhou was a wealthy place. It was called Guangling in ancient times. It was a place where fish and salt were compatible. Merchants gathered. It was always a famous place in the world. After Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty built the river capital, Yangzhou It is even more prosperous, and there has long been a popular saying of "having a hundred thousand coins tied around your waist, riding a crane to Yangzhou".
In particular, Yangzhou's salt merchants are all wealthy, so coming to the Yanzheng Yamen is a good place to raise funds.
Daiyu nodded slightly when she heard this. She didn't ask what kind of business it was, but for some reason, she felt a little disappointed in her heart. Although it was inappropriate, Daiyu originally hoped that her brother came here specifically for her.
At this moment, there was a noise outside, and Jia Lian walked in, with a look of surprise on his handsome face. He bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Shui Rong looked at Jia Lian and understood roughly what was going on. He thought that just like in the original novel, Jia Lian would escort Daiyu south. He nodded and turned his gaze to the beautiful middle-aged woman on the side. She had a beautiful and dignified appearance and her brows were slightly frowned.
The woman who can enter Daiyu's fragrant boudoir, could this woman be Lin Ruhai's concubine?
Jia Lian saw Shui Rong's doubts and took the initiative to explain: "Your Majesty, this is Aunt Liu, the concubine of Uncle Lin."
"I have met the prince."
Aunt Liu bowed gracefully, her voice carrying the soft words of Wu Nong from the south of the Yangtze River.
Shui Rong remained silent. As he thought, this woman was Lin Ruhai's concubine.
Although Lin Ruhai has not renewed her relationship since Jia Min's death, it does not mean that there are no concubines. The so-called concubines are nothing more than higher-level slaves.
In a wealthy family, if a man has only one wife and no concubines, it will be "unsightly" and a scandal that "can't be tolerated in his face". Therefore, it is normal for Lin Ruhai to have a concubine.
Besides, it's not normal for a big man to have someone who knows how to take care of her. I didn't see that Daiyu didn't look strange, which shows that he doesn't care about an aunt.
It's just that Aunt Liu is from the Lin family. Why would you, a member of the Jia family, introduce her to her? She's overshadowing her.
Shui Rong nodded and ignored him. He stared at Jia Lian, turned his eyes slightly, and said softly: "Although Zhao'er is my sworn sister, I regard her as my biological sister in my heart. Please help me with the Lin family's affairs." Come on, don't let those villains get into trouble."
There are only one orphan left in the Lin family for generations. There are many people who want to take advantage of this. As Daiyu's brother, Shui Rong naturally has to make the decision for her to prevent "outsiders" from bullying her. This is also in front of Daiyu. Show your attitude and put your mind at ease.
When Daiyu heard this, her heart was filled with warmth. She felt that she had a backbone and was no longer as confused as before.
Jia Lian's brows trembled. He had his own little Jiujiu. The words of the prince now made him feel a little guilty. He glanced at Shui Rong cautiously and said, "Don't worry, prince, sister Lin is also my sister. She won't let anyone bully her."
Shui Rong noticed Jia Lian's strangeness and frowned slightly. In the original work, the Lin family's property was annexed by the Jia family, and this matter had to be guarded against. But in front of Daiyu, there was no need for her to know the dirty things involved, so she didn't say much.
After letting Jia Lian and Aunt Liu leave first, Shui Rong's eyes fell on Daiyu, and he saw that her face was pale, her eyebrows looked like smoke and rain, showing a strong look of exhaustion, and her bright eyes were dim and dull. You could tell by looking at her that she hadn't had a good rest for a long time. He stretched out his hand to push away the scattered black hair on the girl's forehead and said, "Zi'er, please go to sleep first. When you wake up, my brother will talk to you."
The young man's closeness made Daiyu's cheeks heat up slightly, but she did not resist in her heart, and even felt a faint warmth. She stared at Shuirong, her eyebrows trembled slightly, and she whispered: "Brother, I'm sleeping." Not."
How could she sleep with something hidden in her heart? She still wanted to talk to her brother at this moment, but she really didn't want to sleep.
At this time, Zicuckoo on the side said: "Girl, since she came to Yangzhou, she has never had a full night's sleep. She often wakes up crying in the middle of the night, and her body is almost exhausted."
Why Zijuan was ecstatic when Shuiluo came was because she knew that in the girl's heart, the prince was her biological brother. At this moment, she couldn't comfort the girl and could only rely on the prince to comfort her personally.
At the moment, the girl's temperament is somewhat gentle, and she is not irritable, which also proves that Zijuan is thinking well. At this time, it is just right to let the girl rest more, otherwise, she will really be in bad shape.