Chapter 1301 - 1261:
For this reason, she specifically met with individuals like Gu Rong and He Xun to ask for their help in disaster relief.
"In Jiangbei, the wealthy grain merchants led by Zhao Hu have agreed to stabilize grain prices. However, the disaster affects a wide range, and apart from the Sichuan region and Guangzhou, grain prices have risen everywhere else. For the impoverished people, every one cent increase in grain prices at this time takes away a part of their livelihood. I know that the three gentlemen are well-respected in Jiangnan, so I can only seek assistance from you three."
Gu Rong and the others exchanged glances and asked, "Mao Hong and Xuan Pei..."
Mao Hong is the courtesy name of Wang Dao, and Xuan Pei is the courtesy name of Zhou Qi. The two of them are currently managing Yangzhou, one civil and one military.
"They are already engaged in disaster relief, but the Northern Noble Family has not yet established a stable foundation in Jiangnan. Their ability to help is limited. Jiangnan is not only the court’s Jiangnan but also the Jiangnan of its people," Zhao Hanzhang got up, made a deep bow, and said, "I implore you, sirs, to assist me."
Gu Rong opened his mouth but turned his head to look at He Xun.
Zhao Hanzhang said "assist me" instead of "assist the court." If they agreed, it would mean choosing to stand by her side.
He Xun carefully looked at Zhao Hanzhang and then nodded gently, agreeing, "Alright."
Gu Rong looked at him in surprise.
Once they were out of the General’s Mansion, Gu Rong and Ji Zhan kept sneaking glances at He Xun.
He Xun sighed, "If you’re going to look, do it openly. Why sneak around? I’m not Wei Jie, no need to be so cautious."
Ji Zhan asked him, "Why did you choose her so quickly?"
He Xun asked, "Is there a better choice than her?"
Ji Zhan and Gu Rong shook their heads together. At present, there wasn’t, but... "Weren’t we going to observe a bit longer?"
"It’s enough," He Xun said. "This year’s recruitment examination in Jiangnan accepted 120 people. By autumn, they will come to Luoyang to take exams, and if they succeed, scholars from Jiangnan can join the political ranks with Jiangbei scholars. Finally, we Wu people are not excluded from politics."
"For many years, the court has not only excluded our Jiangnan aristocracy but also treated Jiangnan as a granary and treasury. Besides paying a heavy tax, we have to offer many things annually, like pearls, corals, and silk. Yet, whenever there is a disaster, the court finds reasons not to aid or aids little."
"This time, during the flood, although Jiangnan also suffered significant damage, even before Wang Maohong petitioned for relief, the national treasury was already preparing. I heard it was Zhao Hanzhang who personally initiated it, and the officials in court treated everyone equally without making excuses because Jiangnan is Jiangnan," He Xun said softly. "She even personally is willing to use her assets to stabilize grain prices at high costs, which is the most we can do, isn’t it?"
Gu Rong and Ji Zhan nodded.
"So, she does not discriminate; what she has done for Jiangnan is no less than any Jiangnan person. Looking at the empire, who else can do this?" The Sima Family was first excluded.
Not to mention the Little Emperor who cannot currently rule, even the leniently reputed King Langya initially had to rely on the Jiangnan aristocracy when he came to Jiangnan. Didn’t he only have a brief honeymoon period, then he leaned more on Jiangbei people, suppressing the Jiangnan aristocracy everywhere?
Now, Zhao Hanzhang has nearly taken nothing from Jiangnan and offered something first; compared to the court’s actions over the past few decades, this can be said to be remarkable.
Thus, He Xun made his decision.
He told Gu Rong and Ji Zhan, "Our family’s financial status is average, so we must turn to Xuan Pei and others for help. Disasters don’t wait. Let’s go back and start writing letters now."
Gu Rong agreed.
Zhou Qi is a secondary option. After all, he is a court official and inherently possesses a chivalrous and righteous spirit. Even if they didn’t mention it, he would also work to stabilize grain prices. The main issue lies with other families like the Lu Family and the Jiang Family. These families are also wealthy but may not be willing to harm their interests, so we can only persuade them and hope it works.
He Xun underestimated himself. As the leader of Jiangnan’s four distinguished gentlemen and renowned for being part of the Confucian Sect, his prestige is not below that of Zhou Qi, who holds military power.
If Jiangnan’s aristocracy follows Zhou Qi due to his power, then following He Xun is due to his reputation.
So, as soon as He Xun’s letter arrived in Jiangnan, the recipients immediately went to persuade their families, saying, "If Jiangnan people do not save Jiangnan, who will want to save Jiangnan in the future? Mr. He has already taken the first step; we cannot lag too far behind."
The He Family greatly respected He Xun’s words, and upon receiving the letter, they immediately took out a considerable amount of grain to sell at lower prices and were even willing to lend grain to their neighbors for free to get through the crisis.
Then there were Gu Rong’s Gu Family and the Zhou Family. Ji Zhan’s Ji Family is not included because he is genuinely poor.
Ji Zhan is generous and enjoys elegant pursuits such as music, books, and paintings.