Chapter 628: Sun Fuja: Why Didn

"I oppose!"

Ma Zhou immediately stepped forward, and Du Gou and the others voiced their opposition.

Han Zhongliang went further, saying directly: "These days, the anti‑Buddhist campaign has caused endless disputes among officials, the flood disaster in Luoyang is worsening, and grain prices are soaring; the prime ministers must be swamped with state affairs and should not be troubled further."

Sun Fuja, after hearing that, was stunned and looked incredulously at the people of the Ministry of Revenue.

Isn't that so?

Do you know what you're saying?

What's the situation with Chen Yan? Who in the entire court, civil or military, doesn't know?

So, didn't he just go in for a few days and then come out bouncing around a couple of days later?

After coming out, isn't he still the Minister of Revenue?

I never said to recommend anyone to replace the Minister of Revenue; I only suggested that a few prime ministers act temporarily.

Isn't this a common occurrence in the Tang dynasty?

Moreover, given the relationship between the prime ministers and Chen Yan, does it need further explanation?

Who could fully take Chen Yan's place?

Damn it, you actually said that.

What are you trying to do?

Aren't you causing trouble for Chen Yan?

What's the matter, is the Ministry of Revenue trying to go independent? Can't you heed other officials' advice or His Majesty's orders?

Without bothering the prime ministers, are you—what the heck—Chen Yan's trained death soldiers?

Sure enough, Li Shimin's face darkened a bit when he heard that, but unlike Han Zhongliang, he didn't share his insight and realized that this fellow's mind was a bit off today.

So he put the blame on Chen Yan.

"Why are you opposing?" Sun Fuja asked, full of question marks. "Now Luoyang is facing floods, the Minister of Revenue has been locked in Dali Temple Prison, the Ministry of Revenue must have someone who can make decisions, right?"

"Having a few prime ministers act temporarily fits the rules and the current situation from any angle, doesn't it?"

Ma Zhou spoke firmly: "In fact, before the Grand Secretary left, he was already aware of the Luoyang floods and had drafted a preliminary list of supplies the Ministry of Revenue needs to provide."

"As soon as the prime ministers and His Majesty give the final approval, the supplies can be mobilized to Luoyang for disaster relief."

"Moreover, privately, the Grand Secretary had already arranged for the Money Shop to bring a large amount of supplies to Luoyang, both to aid relief and to control local grain prices."

"Lord Han's words weren't finished, because Minister Chen has already made all preparations; he only needs a nod from the prime ministers and His Majesty to proceed at any time."

Sun Fuja: "......"

"……Chen Yan, how did he know about the Luoyang floods? He was locked up yesterday, and His Majesty only received the news last night."

Ma Zhou said gravely: "Did you forget what His Majesty said? Refugees from Luoyang have already arrived at Weinan County; don't forget what the Grand Secretary used to do."

"If that's the case, why didn't you say it earlier?"

"You never asked me."

Sun Fuja: "......"

"Alright, let's set that aside for now. Since the Ministry of Revenue has already drafted the relief supplies, let's discuss who will go for the relief." Li Shimin rubbed his forehead, unwilling to linger on the topic.

He just wanted to pick the candidates for the Luoyang relief quickly and resolve the matter as soon as possible.

After all, even Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng had, after seeing Chen Yan yesterday, rushed to Luoyang with their men.

"Esteemed ministers, do you have suitable candidates to recommend?"

Wei Zheng replied without hesitation: "Your Majesty, I believe Right Guard Grand General Chai Shao is the best candidate for the relief mission."

Chai Shao, who originally had nothing to do with the matter, looked up suddenly upon hearing this.

What? Still coming?

Li Shimin was taken aback, then nodded: "Tell me the reasons."

"First, of course, because of General Chai's own status… If he goes for relief, it will demonstrate His Majesty's concern for the people of Luoyang."

Wei Zheng continued slowly: "Secondly, during the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, General Chai handled a flood disaster; for similar matters, he has ample experience."

"In the Zhenguan fourth year flood, didn't General Chai manage it well? Although the flood's magnitude caused considerable property loss, that was unavoidable."

"Thanks to General Chai's efforts, the people along the middle and lower Yellow River were not in mortal danger, and the post‑disaster handling of the victims was a model for disaster relief."

"Therefore, I think no one in the court is more suitable than General Chai for this task."

"Good!" Li Shimin immediately gave his order: "General Chai, Wei Zheng recommends you to go for relief; do you have any objections?"

"I—"

Chai Shao opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but seeing Li Shimin's unchallengeable gaze, he swallowed his words, bowed, and said:

"I obey the decree."

He felt bitter inside.

During the Zhenguan fourth year flood, he was nearly exhausted to death by the Yellow River.

He spent every day wading in mud, racing against the flood and the victims for time, and only after great effort managed to stabilize the situation.

After returning, he lay in bed for three days before regaining his strength.

Now it's happening again?

But he also understood that Wei Zheng was right.

For such matters, indeed no one in the court knows it better than him.

If someone else went and something went wrong, the hundreds of thousands of people in Luoyang could not wait.

"General Chai."

At that moment, Ma Zhou suddenly spoke, stepped forward, and pulled a thick document from his sleeve: "This is the relief strategy the Grand Secretary left before departing; it details the batches of supply allocations, transport routes, steps for victim resettlement, and specific methods for the Money Shop to cooperate in stabilizing grain prices."

"Take this with you; it will serve as a reference when you reach Luoyang."

Chai Shao took the document, gave it a quick glance, and a flash of surprise flickered in his eyes.

What is this, some preliminary draft?

From selecting sites for disaster‑victim resettlement, to the precise calculation of daily grain for the porridge factories, from stockpiling medicinal herbs to prevent epidemics, to the specific labor assignments under Replace Disaster with Labor.

No detail is overlooked; everything is orderly!

It even lists possible problems and their countermeasures, all written crystal‑clear.

"Is… is this all prepared in advance by Grand Secretary Chen?"

"Yes." Ma Zhou nodded, "Grand Secretary said that matters of the Ministry of Revenue cannot wait for an imperial edict to start preparations; what needs to be thought of must be thought of in advance."

Chai Shao fell silent for a moment, and a genuine admiration for Chen Yan welled up in his heart.

This young man… is truly remarkable.

If he remembers correctly, in the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, he had foreseen the impending flood of the Yellow River, which is why he led ten thousand troops to make thorough preparations in advance.

It was also he who, using a scheme, managed to forcibly extract a large sum of money from the noble families despite there being no funds for disaster relief, thereby gathering the necessary supplies and saving countless civilians.

Now… having received the news only a day or two ago, he has produced such a detailed disaster‑relief plan again…

How could one not be impressed?

"......"