Chapter 1996: Cui Xinghe

Wu Zhao's eyes carried a hint of expectation.

Cui Xinghe was suddenly stunned.

Looking at Wu Zhao's expectant eyes, he couldn't say a word.

In his mind, this question also echoed.

Can he, Cui Xinghe, withstand it?

In the Jin Luandian, he couldn't even withstand Murong Fu, that vicious dog, and was almost humiliated to the point of his Dao heart collapsing, let alone having a bout with Chen Ping.

But right now.

The Emperor's expectant eyes were right before him.

The officials' gazes were also gathered on him.

Cui Xinghe took a deep breath and said heavily, "Your Majesty can rest assured, I can withstand it!"

Even if he can't, he has to!

Wu Zhao looked gratified.

The officials also looked respectful.

Just then.

"Report!"

An Embroidered Uniform Guard, covered in dust and looking haggard, walked quickly into the hall and knelt on one knee.

"Your Majesty, report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

"It is cold this year, and grain harvests in all parts of Guanzhong have failed, and it has turned cold very early, causing a surge in refugees in Guanzhong, who are... dragging their families and, regardless of everything... migrating toward Changancheng!"

"Although the prefectures and counties along the way are trying their best to appease them, it is a drop in the bucket. At this rate, when the cold winter arrives, I fear tens of thousands of refugees will enter the city. I ask Your Majesty... to make a decision quickly!"

Boom!

As soon as this news came out, the officials were all horrified.

"What?"

"Tens of thousands of refugees?"

Although Wu Zhao knew that the weather had turned cold earlier this year, she never expected that there would be so many refugees before winter had even arrived!

When the weather turns cold, the refugees will have no clothes to cover their bodies and no food to fill their stomachs; how many people will die by then?

And with so many refugees, chaos will surely arise, and all kinds of cases will soar!

Since ancient times, this has been a thorny problem.

Wu Zhao took a deep breath, looked at Cui Xinghe, and asked, "Cui Aiqing, refugees are surging, and it is cold this year. The prices of charcoal and firewood will surely soar, and I fear the common people will find it difficult to bear. Do you have a method to resolve this?"

Swish, swish, swish!

In an instant.

All gazes gathered on Cui Xinghe again, just like before.

The monarch with expectation.

The colleagues with hope.

Cui Xinghe took a deep breath, feeling a chill rush from the soles of his feet to his crown, his hands trembling.

Freezing cold, lack of food and clothing, leading to a surge in refugees, plus it turned cold early this year—the price of firewood and charcoal will surely soar, which is adding frost to snow!

Withstand?

What is he supposed to withstand this with?

He only felt a mountain pressing on his shoulders, making it hard for him to breathe.

He thought of Gao Yang resigning, and himself, who stood proudly and confidently before Cui Jian, declaring that the era belonging to him, Cui Xinghe, was coming.

If he could do it all over again, he would definitely slap himself twice.