Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

An official in charge of supplies stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Don't worry, Your Highness. We have prepared enough food, clothing, medicine and other disaster relief supplies according to the plan. The checkpoints along the way have also been opened to ensure smooth transportation."

Zhu Biao nodded in satisfaction: "Very good, material support is the top priority of disaster relief work. We must ensure that every piece of material can be delivered to the affected people in a timely and accurate manner."

Another official in charge of water conservancy added: "Your Highness, regarding the flood problem in Jiangnan, we have organized water conservancy experts to conduct a preliminary survey. Preliminary judgment shows that the frequent floods are closely related to the siltation of the river and the disrepair of the embankment. We suggest that forces be organized as soon as possible to carry out river siltation and embankment reinforcement work."

Zhu Biao frowned when he heard this: "The work of dredging the river and reinforcing the embankment cannot be delayed. We must formulate a detailed engineering plan as soon as possible and mobilize sufficient manpower and material resources to implement it."

The water conservancy official bowed and responded: "Your Highness, rest assured, I will do my best to ensure the smooth progress of the project and will never let down the expectations of the court and the people."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly and turned his gaze to another minister who was accompanying him: "Lord Li, I still need you to take care of the allocation of materials. You must ensure that every batch of disaster relief materials can be delivered to the disaster area accurately without any mistakes."

Lord Li bowed and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I have made all the arrangements. All the checkpoints along the way have been cleared, and the transport team is working day and night. We will definitely be able to deliver the supplies to the victims as soon as possible."

Zhu Biao nodded, feeling a little relieved, but then he thought of another urgent matter: "Many people's homes were destroyed and they were left homeless in this flood. We need to build temporary shelters as soon as possible to provide them with shelter."

An official in charge of civil affairs stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highness is wise. I have ordered people to find a suitable location near the disaster area to build temporary tents and simple houses. At the same time, we will mobilize local residents who have not been affected by the disaster to help resettle the affected people."

Zhu Biao nodded in approval: "This is a very good plan. We must ensure that the resettlement work is carried out in an orderly manner so that the affected people can feel the care and warmth of the court."

The discussion was settled, and although Zhu Biao had a lot of thoughts in his mind, he remained calm.

He stood up, his eyes swept over every official present, and his tone was firm and powerful: "My Lords, the flood in Jiangnan is the tragedy of our Ming Dynasty. As officials appointed by the court, we have an obligation to do our part. I hope you can work together to overcome the difficulties and ensure that the disaster relief work goes smoothly, so that the affected people can rebuild their homes as soon as possible."

All the officials stood up, bowed, and responded in unison: "We will do our best to live up to your highness's expectations."

Zhu Biao nodded with satisfaction, and then told everyone to prepare, while he stayed in the tent and continued to review the latest intelligence from the disaster area. In the dead of night, the flickering candlelight reflected his resolute and worried face.

The next morning, the convoy continued to move forward, and all they saw along the way were disaster scenes. Villages were destroyed by floods, farmland was submerged, and people were displaced, a desolate scene. Zhu Biao felt even more heavy-hearted, and he kept urging the convoy to speed up, hoping to reach the disaster area as soon as possible and deliver life-saving supplies to the people.

One afternoon, the convoy reached a relatively open flat land. Zhu Biao decided to take a short break there and called together the officials to discuss the next disaster relief strategy. He stood on a temporary high platform, looking at the flood-ravaged village in the distance, and said in a deep voice: "My lords, the disaster ahead is even more serious. We must speed up our pace and not slack off at all."

Zhu Biao stood on the high platform, looking firmly at the village ravaged by the flood in the distance, his tone full of worry and determination: "My Lords, the disaster ahead is far more serious than we imagined. We must race against time to deliver every piece of disaster relief supplies to the victims in a timely manner, and at the same time speed up the pace of rebuilding our homes."

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Zhang, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highness is right. I have ordered people to prepare materials as soon as possible to ensure a continuous supply. However, the disaster area is so large that the distribution of materials needs to be carefully planned to avoid shortages or waste."

Zhu Biao nodded in agreement, and then turned to Lord Li who was in charge of transportation: "Lord Li, are there any difficulties in transportation? We need to ensure that all materials can be delivered to the disaster areas safely and quickly."

Lord Li bowed and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. All the checkpoints along the way have been cleared, and I have arranged multiple transport teams to act separately to maximize efficiency. However, the heavy rains in recent days have caused the roads to be muddy, so we need to strengthen road condition monitoring to prevent accidents."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly, thinking about countermeasures in his heart. At this time, a young water conservancy expert who was accompanying him came forward and reported solemnly: "Your Highness, after preliminary investigation, many rivers in Jiangnan are seriously silted up. If they are not cleared in time, future floods may be difficult to contain. I suggest that manpower and material resources should be organized immediately to carry out large-scale river dredging projects."

Zhu Biao heard this, his eyes flashed with determination: "Okay! This matter concerns the long-term well-being of the people in Jiangnan, and it cannot be delayed. You immediately draft a detailed plan, including the required manpower, material resources and estimated construction period, and I will fully support you."

The water conservancy expert was so grateful that he immediately withdrew. Zhu Biao then turned to the officials in charge of civil affairs and said, "In terms of civil affairs, you need to pay close attention to the resettlement of disaster victims and ensure that they have clothes to wear, food to eat, and houses to live in. At the same time, you need to strengthen health and epidemic prevention to prevent the spread of epidemics after the disaster."

The civil affairs official bowed and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I have arranged for local officials to work with local gentry to jointly take charge of the resettlement of disaster victims. At the same time, I have also mobilized medical officers and medicinal materials to prepare for possible epidemics."

Zhu Biao nodded, feeling a little relieved, but then he warned: "Make sure that every piece of relief supplies is distributed to the victims fairly and transparently, and there must not be any corruption. I will personally supervise it, and if anyone is found to have embezzled money, they will be severely punished!"

When the officials heard this, they all showed awe and expressed that they would fulfill their duties and live up to His Highness's high expectations. Zhu Biao looked around and saw that everyone had accepted the order, so he waved his hand to indicate that the rest was over and the convoy continued to move deeper into the disaster area.

As the convoy went deeper, the disaster became more serious. All they saw along the way were the desolate scenes of collapsed houses and flooded farmland. Zhu Biao was filled with sympathy and concern for the suffering of the people, but he also knew that he had a heavy responsibility on his shoulders and had to remain calm and firm.

One evening, the convoy arrived at a village that was particularly hard hit. Almost all the houses in the village collapsed, and the surviving people could only live in makeshift sheds. Seeing this, Zhu Biao felt sad and quickly ordered the convoy to stop. He personally led the accompanying officials into the village to comfort the victims.

"Fellow villagers, the court has not forgotten you!" Zhu Biao's voice echoed in the village, full of warmth and strength. "We have brought food, clothing and medicinal materials, hoping to help you overcome the difficulties."

The villagers were all moved to tears when they saw the crown prince coming in person. An elderly man trembled and knelt on the ground: "Your Highness, your kindness and virtue will be unforgettable to me and the villagers!"

Zhu Biao quickly helped the old man up and comforted him gently: "Please stand up, old man. This is the responsibility of the court. Don't worry, we will do our best to help you rebuild your home." Afterwards, Zhu Biao and his entourage visited the village to express their condolences and learn about the needs and difficulties of the victims in detail. He personally distributed food and clothing to families in need and asked for their opinions and suggestions on post-disaster reconstruction.

As night fell, Zhu Biao held an emergency meeting in a makeshift command tent. He said to the accompanying officials with a serious look: "We must work out a more detailed disaster relief and reconstruction plan tonight. Every moment of delay may lead to more loss of life."

The officials nodded in agreement and immediately started a heated discussion. They conducted in-depth discussions on material distribution, resettlement of disaster victims, health and epidemic prevention, river dredging, and other aspects, striving to develop the most practical and feasible plan.

After a night of intense work, a detailed disaster relief and reconstruction plan was finally produced. After reviewing it, Zhu Biao nodded with satisfaction: "Very good! This plan is both comprehensive and specific, and fully considers the actual situation in the disaster area and the needs of the people. We will immediately split up and implement the plan in the shortest possible time."

After that, Zhu Biao personally led several core staff members to make final confirmation and adjustments to every detail of the plan.

"Sir Zhang, the distribution of food and clothing must be fair and reasonable, especially for the elderly and children who have lost their parents. We must pay more attention to them." Zhu Biao instructed the Minister of Revenue, Sir Zhang, with an unquestionable firmness in his tone.

Lord Zhang bowed and responded, "Your Highness, rest assured. I will personally supervise and ensure that every grain of food and every piece of clothing can be delivered to the people who need it most."

"Lord Li, when it comes to building temporary shelters, we must not only consider the quantity, but also pay attention to quality and safety. We cannot allow the victims to be harmed again in the process of rebuilding their homes." Zhu Biao turned to Lord Li, who was in charge of civil affairs, his eyes full of concern.

Lord Li nodded and said, "Your Highness is right. I have arranged for craftsmen to check the construction site first to ensure that the foundation is stable. At the same time, stronger materials will be used to resist possible secondary disasters."

At this time, a young water conservancy expert stepped forward, looking a little nervous: "Your Highness, although we have made a detailed plan for the river dredging project, we are still short of manpower and materials. Can we mobilize more labor from nearby counties and prefectures?"

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment, his eyes firm: "Lack of manpower is indeed a problem, but we cannot delay because of it. You immediately draft a transfer order, and after I sign it, you personally go to each state and county to coordinate, and make sure to gather enough manpower and material resources in the shortest possible time."

Upon hearing this, the water conservancy expert's eyes flashed with gratitude: "Thank you for your support, Your Highness. I will definitely live up to your trust."

After the discussion, Zhu Biao personally went to several severely affected villages to inspect the distribution of relief supplies and had cordial conversations with the victims to understand their actual needs.

"Although we have made some progress today, the disaster situation is still severe and we cannot afford to relax at all." Zhu Biao's voice sounded tired, but still firm and powerful. "Tomorrow, we will continue to speed up the distribution of disaster relief supplies and start the river dredging project to lay the foundation for long-term flood control."

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Zhang, added: "Your Highness, regarding the issue of funds for post-disaster reconstruction, I have urgently submitted a petition to the court, requesting additional silver. I believe there will be a response soon."

Zhu Biao nodded: "Very good, funds are the key to reconstruction. At the same time, we must also actively mobilize local forces, encourage gentry and wealthy businessmen to donate, and jointly help the victims overcome difficulties."

The meeting lasted until late at night, and Zhu Biao dragged his tired body back to the temporary resting place. He lay on the bed, but his mind was still replaying every detail of the day.

The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight broke through the clouds, Zhu Biao was ready to go. Standing on a temporary platform, he looked at the busy disaster relief site, his heart filled with strength and hope.

"Dear colleagues, a new day has begun. Let us work hand in hand and continue to bring hope and warmth to the disaster victims in Jiangnan." Zhu Biao's voice resounded throughout the venue, inspiring everyone.

Officials responded one after another, and morale was high. Zhu Biao personally led several teams to different disaster areas to personally supervise the disaster relief work and ensure that every plan could be effectively implemented.

Zhu Biao's busy figure can be seen in every corner of the disaster area. He lives and eats with the victims and faces difficulties and challenges together. His tenacity and determination have infected everyone, filling the disaster area with a positive atmosphere.

As the relief work progressed, the disaster in Jiangnan was gradually brought under control, and with the joint efforts of the court and local governments, the victims began to rebuild their homes.

Zhu Biao stood under the newly built eaves, his eyes gently swept over the busy and hopeful faces of the disaster victims, and a warm current surged in his heart. He turned to the Minister of Finance Zhang beside him and said: "Master Zhang, I am very comforted to see that the disaster victims are gradually settling down. But the road to reconstruction is still long, and we still need to redouble our efforts."

Lord Zhang bowed and responded with a tone full of respect: "Your Highness's kindness and medical skills are a blessing to our Ming Dynasty. I will do my best to ensure that every piece of disaster relief supplies can be used effectively and live up to the trust of Your Highness and the court."

At this time, a young local official came hurriedly, with a somewhat anxious look on his face: "Your Highness, I have an urgent matter to report. Although the court has provided relief in recent days, some victims have lost their main labor force, so rebuilding their homes is particularly difficult."

Zhu Biao frowned when he heard this, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "This matter really needs to be taken seriously. We cannot just stop at providing material assistance, but we must also pay attention to their long-term livelihoods."

Lord Zhang nodded quickly: "Your Highness, your opinion is correct. I will arrange it immediately."

Upon hearing this, the young official's eyes flashed with gratitude: "Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness. I will do my best to ensure that every household of the disaster victims can receive the care they deserve."

Afterwards, Zhu Biao walked over to several craftsmen who were guiding the villagers to build temporary houses and had a cordial conversation with them: "Thank you for your hard work, masters. On behalf of the court, I thank you for your efforts. How is the quality of these temporary houses? Can they withstand wind and rain?" (End of this chapter)