"Erxi, are there any reports of snow disasters outside?" Qi Zhenzhen asked Erxi.
"In the West Market, houses collapse almost every year. This year is no exception. Currently, there have been no reports of casualties. The commoners whose houses collapsed have been resettled in shelters. Daily necessities are provided by the government, and merchants in the capital also contribute money and goods. The leader among them is the Qian family!" Erxi replied as instructed.
Gu Sinian was not one to joke about such matters, so Qi Zhenzhen did not hesitate. She wrote a letter and sent Erxi to deliver it to Qian Yuanbao.
Qian Yuanbao was currently lost in thought, holding Gu Sinian's letter. When his subordinate delivered Qi Zhenzhen's letter, he opened it and saw that both of them were discussing the same matter.
Gu Sinian had asked him to pay more attention to the situation of the disaster victims. This year, many areas were affected by disasters, and a large number of disaster victims might flock to the capital. If not properly managed in advance, it could lead to chaos.
Qi Zhenzhen's letter asked Qian Yuanbao to inquire about the actual situation of the disaster victims. If money or goods were needed, she was willing to donate all the profits from this winter's preserved cabbage to help resettle them.
Qian Yuanbao rubbed his forehead. These two were really good at finding things for him to do.
Resettling disaster victims was a matter that should have been managed by the Ministry of Revenue, but the Ministry of Revenue was completely inactive.
Never mind. The person in charge upstairs had an inseparable relationship with their Qian family. The disaster victims were also his subjects, so it was not unreasonable for the Qian family to step forward to help resettle them. As for the Ministry of Revenue's inaction, it was probably because the officials below were deliberately concealing it. These people had always been like this, claiming to love the people as their own children. In reality? Heh.
Qian Yuanbao took the letters to his own old madam. After a brief explanation, the old madam agreed to the Qian family's involvement in resettlement. The Qian family was not lacking in money.
"Regarding the Emperor, Grandmother should go into the palace and inform him. As Ah Nian said, this snow disaster is more severe than in previous years. I fear that the Qian family alone cannot properly resettle them," Qian Yuanbao said.
"Don't worry, I will go into the palace immediately. Have your people compile statistics on the disaster situation, the more detailed the better," the old madam said.
"Yes."
The Qian family quickly dispatched people, and within half a day, they had a general understanding of the disaster situation.
It was indeed more severe than in previous years.
In previous years, it was mostly collapsed houses and livestock losses, with few casualties.
This year was different. There were many casualties, and many disaster victims were ill.
The Qian family's servants who went out to investigate found that the disaster victims had contracted the flu.
The capital was densely populated. If a large number of disaster victims flooded into the capital, there was a fear of a widespread flu outbreak, which would be difficult to control. Severe flu could also be fatal.
Fortunately, he had experience in this area. He calmly instructed his subordinates and then sent invitations to several major merchants in the capital. It was a joke to think that disaster relief should only be funded by their family.
After everything was prepared, Qian Yuanbao wrote a reply to Qi Zhenzhen, praising her, expressing his gratitude for her generosity, and finally inquiring about Li Nuan, reminding them to stay well in the Marquis's mansion during the cold weather.
After receiving Qian Yuanbao's reply, Qi Zhenzhen went to Chaohui Hall and informed the Old Madam about the severity of this year's snow disaster.
"The snow falls one after another; it's strange if it doesn't cause a disaster. Currently, there are no measures taken in the capital, probably because the lower officials are still concealing it. Those people always think they know best, always believing that after this snowfall, there won't be any more, and it won't cause a disaster. In the end, it's the common people who suffer when it can no longer be hidden," the Old Madam frowned. "These people, year after year, show no improvement."
"When we were in the countryside, we also suffered from snow disasters. We lacked food and drink, and warm clothing, and our lives were very difficult. Therefore, after receiving news from the Heir Apparent, I sent someone to the Qian family to inquire and expressed my willingness to contribute to the disaster victims," Qi Zhenzhen said.
The Old Madam looked at her with admiration. "You did well!"
Qi Zhenzhen breathed a sigh of relief, most afraid that the Old Madam would accuse her of acting without authorization.
She was willing to donate the profits from this season's preserved cabbage not only out of pity for the disaster victims but also with a personal motive.
The Qian family had decreed that Tang shi be elevated to the status of a co-wife for Li Nuan's dignity. As for her desire for Yun shi to become a co-wife, besides making contributions that would attract the attention of the court, she currently had no other way. After all, Yi ge'er was still young, and it would be a long time before he could earn a noble title for Yun shi.
Qi Zhenzhen could not wait.
She was to be married on the third day of the third month. Although the Old Madam was willing to help look after Yun shi, there would still be times when she could not.
Compared to concubines, a co-wife who had received a noble title would clearly be more valued by the people in the mansion. At that time, even if Xiao Qin shi wanted to do anything, she would have to consider it carefully.
"Don't take out all your private savings. The public funds will contribute some," the Old Madam said.
Qi Zhenzhen hesitated for a moment and then stated her plan.
The Old Madam looked at her deeply and finally said nothing, implicitly agreeing to what she had said.
After Qi Zhenzhen left, the Old Madam asked Fang Momo what she thought of the matter and of Qi Zhenzhen.
"The Old Madam ultimately agreed to the second young lady's request. Is there anything else to ask this old servant? You agree with the second young lady's actions in your heart. At such a young age, she is far-sighted and compassionate. Such character is not even possessed by the legitimate daughters of noble families," Fang Momo analyzed carefully. "There might be one point: when the second young lady receives praise in the future, she will also bear slander."
The Old Madam nodded. "That is what I worry about."
"The second young lady will not put herself in such a situation. Besides, next year, after the Heir Apparent returns and they are married, with the support of the Protectorate Duke's mansion, those insignificant people will not be able to make any waves. I think the Heir Apparent is a responsible person, and no matter what happens, he will definitely protect our second young lady," Fang Momo said.
"This child has suffered a lot. I hope her future will be smooth."
Meanwhile, the Qian family's old madam went into the palace to see the Emperor and speak about the disaster victims. Emperor Chongwen was furious that the Ministry of Revenue had not reported anything. He immediately summoned the Minister of Revenue and the Vice Minister of Revenue into the palace.
Qi Tianming met his immediate superior at the palace gate. He unreservedly told the Minister of Revenue what the Old Madam had told him in the mansion earlier.
The Minister of Revenue was greatly alarmed and immediately dispatched his confidants to find Qian Yuanbao, seeking to cooperate with the Qian family in resettling the disaster victims. This way, he would be able to speak to the Emperor.
The two entered the imperial study. Before they could even bow, Emperor Chongwen threw an inkstone at them, splashing ink everywhere, staining their clothes.
"Your Majesty, please forgive us. Regarding the disaster victims, we have already dispatched our household staff to assist the Qian family. However, the officials below have not reported the situation, so the Ministry of Revenue has been unable to take action," said the Minister of Revenue, Cheng Shi, cupping his hands.
Qi Tianming also quickly added, "Indeed. Our Marquis's mansion has not only dispatched personnel but is also preparing to procure supplies and is ready to resettle the disaster victims at any time."