Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1086: For the People

Chapter 1086: Chapter 1086: For the People

It had been over half a month, half a month without rain and continual high temperatures. The capital was already rife with talk of a severe drought, and grain prices had risen somewhat. If economic control hadn’t been tightened, the prices would have increased even more.

Zhulan’s foot had improved, the swelling had gone down, but she still couldn’t walk. There was ice in the room, keeping the indoor temperature reasonably low.

Xue Han, heavily pregnant, complained, "The weather is too hot, uncomfortably so."

Zhulan cautioned, "Stay away from the ice, you are pregnant!"

Xue Han, uncomfortable from the heat, said, "Being pregnant only makes me hotter. I sweat with any movement. Mother, will we still celebrate father’s birthday?"

Zhulan set down her fan, "Your father and I have discussed it, and we’ve decided not to celebrate this year. Firstly, because our family has faced many disasters this year, and secondly, because the weather is too abnormal. Both the Emperor and the Crown Prince have been in poor spirits these days, so we won’t hold the celebration."

Xue Han frowned, "The farms and fields of Hou Residence depend on manual labor for watering. If it weren’t for the substantial rains in the spring that accumulated some water, we wouldn’t have enough water for the fields now."

Even so, the water level in the river had also dropped somewhat.

Zhulan knew well, as they also owned quite a bit of farmland, "I have already asked your elder brother to look for someone to find water veins and dig wells. You should make arrangements as well."

Xue Han took note, "Mmm."

In the palace, Zhou Shuren was accounting at a desk. Aware of the abnormal weather, he wasn’t just waiting idly; he needed to calculate the costs for digging wells and purchasing grain.

He regretted that he only remembered the Little Ice Age from history; he had never quite remembered any droughts, only the more recent three-year period.

The Emperor reviewed the Zhezi from various regions. Dongbei was also lacking rain but was in a better state than the capital. Dongbei had had two rains recently, mainly around the capital and the Northwest. The South had a break from rain before, but in these seven days, it was as if the sky had a leak; the heavy rains hadn’t stopped, in stark contrast to the continuous heating up in the north.

Zhou Shuren handed the calculated amount of silver to the Emperor and the Crown Prince, "This is the amount with minimized costs. Your subject must also reserve some Silver to deal with the potential breaking of dams in the South."

His heart bled as he spoke. It was only with difficulty that the dams had been rebuilt, and with the South’s incessant rain—he had seen quite a few Zhezi from there—the quilts had just dried from the spring rain only to be soaked again, and the medical facilities were overwhelmed with patients.

Zhou Shuren could still recall the scenes of droughts and floods he had seen on television. Modern technology was so advanced, yet still so insignificant in the face of nature.

The ancient era had none of the modern methods, and he could barely imagine the scenes in the southern medical facilities. Yet his heart remained clenched, fearing the uncontrolled spread of diseases should a flood occur. This year was truly disheartening.

The Emperor, after reviewing the amount, stated, "This amount of Silver need not go through the state treasury; it will come from my private funds."

Over these years, thanks to the properties Shi Qing had contributed and the surge of maritime trade, which foreigners greatly fancied, these properties had brought considerable revenue, enabling him to build Rongyuan.

Now, aside from the allowance for his younger son, his private funds were depleted by this withdrawal of Silver.

Zhou Shuren glanced at his calculated figures; there was no mistake. The Emperor really did have Silver—that was Six hundred thousand taels of Silver, rounded to whole numbers by him. Had he known, he wouldn’t have rounded it off!

Digging wells didn’t cost much Silver. Manpower could be provided by each village, along with some Silver to help with the well-digging.

The main expense of Six hundred thousand taels was for grain. This time, it was obtained through merchant convoys purchasing grain abroad, escorted by the Navy.

Zhou Shuren thought of the possible illnesses caused by the flood, "I would like to allocate this Silver in several parts."

The Emperor felt relieved that Zhou Shuren kept the people in his heart, and at this moment, didn’t keep anything to himself, "Speak."

Zhou Shuren said, "One part of the Silver, I would like used to purchase medicinal materials from foreign merchant caravans; the second part, I would like to organize some folk doctors; and the third part as a salary for these doctors."

The Crown Prince leaned closer, "Could Mr. Zhou explain further?"

Zhou Shuren explained, "I am concerned that continuous rainfall in the South may lead to flooding. The medical clinics there are now packed with patients. I remember that in the late previous dynasty, a major epidemic had erupted, killing an entire city; hence, I want the medicinal materials prepared to prevent situations without available medicine."

The Crown Prince and the Emperor winced—they were more concerned with the drought situation around the capital. The South has its rainy season every year and even if there’s heavy rain, in terms of urgency and severity, the South could wait.

The Emperor urged with some anxiety, "Find the Zhezi from the South."

The Crown Prince quickly found it, and indeed, the Zhezi described the medical situation in the South.

The Emperor looked at Zhou Shuren, "You only read it once and remembered the key points so well. I am very relieved. Continue, Shuren."

Zhou Shuren continued, "The folk doctors also have their traditions and some are very skilled. The Imperial Hospital has a limited number of Imperial Physicians, and I think we can enlist the folk doctors for the Imperial court’s use. They can still operate their own clinics, but when the court needs people, they should be deployed uniformly; and finally, the salary will be given to them. Only those doctors who pass the examinations will receive a monthly salary, and there is also an examination once a year. Those who fail the examination will have their salary withdrawn."

The Emperor and the Crown Prince listened very intently. The Emperor held the world in his palm, and the Crown Prince was in charge of managing the Imperial court and looked even broader.

Zhou Shuren saw the Emperor looking at him, "These doctors’ exams will rank them, and the Imperial court will issue plaques. Those who rank in the top few can even receive subsidies from the Imperial court and have the chance to study further in the Imperial Hospital."

The Crown Prince’s eyes sparkled, "By having control over the doctors nationwide, whenever there is need in the future, the court will have capable doctors available. Moreover, assessments and studies will enable these folk doctors to continuously research and improve their medical skills—a good idea, indeed."

The Emperor thought even more deeply, if this could indeed be realized, the Royal family’s understanding of the populace would be more direct and could prevent local officials from fabricating reports. The court does not pay much, yet the benefits to be gained were substantial.

Zhou Shuren and his wife had no choice, in ancient times too much emphasis was placed on inheritance; between master and apprentice like parent and child, what he hoped more for was the hospital, but unfortunately, that was not feasible. In order to avoid conflicts over power in the end, this approach was more suitable; the clinics would still be individual entities, easier to manage, avoiding disputes.

The Emperor signaled the Crown Prince to organize what they had just heard, then said with a smile, "Shuren’s brain is indeed a treasure."

Zhou Shuren felt guilty as this idea was discussed with his wife, and it wasn’t his own, "I am undeserving."

He had the advantage of having his wife—a perk others didn’t have!

The Emperor said, "I approve of the use of this Silver."

Zhou Shuren twitched the corner of his mouth, "Your Majesty, I am the Vice Minister of Revenue. While it’s appropriate for me to handle Silver, handling this task is not."

He did not want to burden himself further nor continue to be too conspicuous; the more conspicuous he became, the more danger he faced—keep a low profile, he thought, and besides, the scholars were becoming increasingly disapproving of him.

The Emperor felt disappointed internally; Zhou Shuren was highly capable, but currently, the Ministry of Revenue needed him more, "I will not forget your accomplishments. I have noted them all down."

This time Zhou Shuren didn’t feel shortchanged, this was not a trade for benefits; he didn’t want to see bones scattered everywhere nor hear the cries of lost souls. This time, the couple worked solely for the people.