After the disaster, there was a shortage of food, medicinal materials and other food, but fortunately, it was summer, and there was no problem even if it was sleeping on the streets. If it is winter, hunger and cold, and all kinds of diseases are attacking, I am afraid that the entire Hangzhou government will be empty.

Those wealthy households, grain merchants, and medicinal herb shops took the opportunity to make a fortune and maliciously raised prices, and some people in the government also took the opportunity to make a windfall.

In the end, it was the common people who suffered. Every day, people die of hunger or disease on the streets. In order to prevent the outbreak of the epidemic, there are also special teams in various towns to dispose of corpses, and those who fall to the ground are all pulled outside the city to be buried or burned.

As an official in Hangzhou, Meng Hao was also disappointed by the capital's decision.

Hundreds of thousands of people were displaced, but they couldn't wait for the relief and comfort of the imperial court, and all they were waiting for was to pray for blessings, which was very chilling.

Meng Hao watched the people of Lin'an cursing the court and insulting the government, but he was helpless. After all, if you do something wrong, you can't stop the people from telling it.

However, Du Liang, the county magistrate, took a very radical approach, throwing the leaders of the insults into prison and torturing them every day, hoping to deter those troublemakers with such means.

For these, although Meng Hao wanted to stop it, he had no actual ability, so he had to be depressed in his heart.

Regarding these current situations, Meng Hao put the original idea of resigning after the autumn to the back of his mind, and only thought about helping the people get out of the predicament as soon as possible, resume production as soon as possible, and build a new home.

It was not until the end of July that the imperial court issued a decree and sent an official from the household department to Hangzhou to provide disaster relief. At the same time, there was also relief food from the imperial court.

For the imperial court's afterthought, it angered the people of Hangzhou even more.

Some people with bad intentions have taken advantage of the opportunity to make trouble, spread rumors, and even burglary, murder and arson, and criminal incidents have occurred from time to time.

Everyone was terrified. The entire Hangzhou government is in a state of nervous alert. Every day, the government yamen was guarded in turn, and the people hid in their homes, closing their doors and windows.

On this day, in the Lin'an Yamen, everyone gathered.

The county Cheng Du Liang sat faintly on the main seat, and the county magistrate Meng Hao just sat in the corner of the room, quietly watching everyone.

The county lieutenant Zhong Hui said: "Now these Diao people know that they are making trouble, and they curse at us every day. Hmph, it's not my fault, why should it be like this!"

Du Liang, the county magistrate, continued: "These people should all be sent to prison and severely punished, so that they know that the law is strict." Du Liang was full of murderous spirit, and he couldn't wait to kill all the people who made trouble.

"The people are not at fault, but they are inevitably angry in the disaster and have done some radical things, so why bother with them?" Meng Hao said from the corner.

"Yo, Lord Zhixian is so open-minded. "The county Cheng Du Liang deliberately bit the second son of the 'Zhixian' very hard, and then said very contemptuously: "What does it matter to me whether you live or die? Do you also think that the decisions of Your Majesty and the ministers of the DPRK and China are wrong?"

Knowing that Du Liang was digging a pit, Meng Hao couldn't help but jump in and said loudly: "Yes, I'm disappointed." When His Majesty and the ministers learned of the disaster, they did not immediately issue an order to provide relief and comfort the people, but went to worship the heavens and pray for blessings. Such a major social event, it is not the blessing of the people to ask only about ghosts and gods, not about the common people. ”

"Bold Meng Hao, dare to criticize Your Majesty, dare to question the princes of the court. In the coming day, I will explain everything to the state government yamen and cure you of the sin of disrespect. Du Liang's face was serious, very angry, and he looked loyal and patriotic, but the smile on the corner of his mouth revealed the rampant smugness in his heart.

"Listen to me. I, Meng Hao, have been bright and upright all my life, and I am not afraid. Even when I came to the court, I said the same thing. Meng Hao held his head high, full of righteousness.

"Okay, okay, I just hope that Lord Meng won't retreat on the spot, and say that I am framing you. Du Liang was full of pride, and then looked at the people present.

Everyone nodded one after another, saying that they would do their part to prove that this Meng Hao was a villain who despised the emperor and ignored the law and discipline.

Meng Hao was not afraid, threw off his sleeves and went home.

After returning home, Meng Hao was in a very bad mood.

"Master, what's wrong with you?

"Well..."

"Master, it's better to take this opportunity and resign. No matter how to be idle at home, it is better than being idle in that yamen. Why bother?" said Mrs. Meng.

"You know, I originally planned to resign after the autumn, but now that the people of this city have just been flooded, I have left it alone, and I am always uneasy. Meng Hao was very entangled.

"The court does things like this, why do you want to be mixed with it? Now, those people outside hate the officials in the capital and scold you too. Our family is not short of this bit of money, so why should we bear this infamy?" Mrs. Meng sighed, very worried.

"Hey, I'm afraid I'm going to have a hard time getting out of it now. Meng Hao's brows tightened, and the wrinkles on his forehead increased a few times.

"Master, what happened?" asked Mrs. Meng.

Meng Hao told him what happened in the yamen just now, and then said what he had said and Du Liang's reaction, and said with some regret: "I knew it was a trap at the time, but I still stepped into it with one foot, it was really too impulsive." In the future, if this is a cause for you, I will never forgive my sins. ”

Mrs. Meng hurriedly covered Meng Hao's mouth with her hand, "Bah, what can't you die." Our family will be long and beautiful, and we will watch Ran'er marry a wife and have children, and we will bring him grandchildren. ”

Meng Hao sighed, not knowing how to answer. Mrs. Meng just took his hand and held it gently, "Don't worry, everything will be fine." So many years of wind and waves have passed, let alone this little thing. ”

Meng Hao nodded and sighed: "Brother Qi is right, I'm really not suitable for officialdom. Before, I was not convinced, but now, I am convinced. ”

"Okay, let's not talk about that, stay at home with peace of mind, and stop thinking about those troubles that you don't have. Mrs. Meng reached out and wiped her husband's frowning brow.

For a few days after that, Meng Hao just drank tea and read books in his house, and spent his days leisurely.

originally thought that this matter would pass like this, until the fifth day of the eighth month, the porter came to report, saying that someone from the yamen was looking for him, and there was an urgent matter for Meng Hao to go over.

Meng Hao didn't think much about it, went out of the mansion, and returned to the yamen with the miscellaneous servants.

Walking to the door of the yamen, Meng Hao felt a solemn atmosphere, and he understood a little in his heart.

When I entered the door, I saw that the people of the yamen were all there, surrounded by two strange faces, one tall and one short.

Seeing the person coming, the tallest of the two people asked, "Excuse me, is the person from Meng Hao Mengzhi County?"

"It's Meng Hao, I don't know who the two are?" Meng Hao saluted, and then asked.

"The two of us are officials of the state government. A few days ago, the prefect received a report from Lord Cheng Du of Lin'an County, saying that Meng Zhi County was discussing the government and criticizing His Majesty.

Meng Hao looked around, everyone saw Meng Hao's gaze scanning, most of them immediately lowered their heads, not daring to look at Meng Hao, only a few eyes were for tat with Meng Hao, including Du Liang.

Meng Hao looked around and said, "I did say it below." ”

The short man snorted coldly, "Good, good. The prefect had an order, and Meng Hao suspended his post as the county magistrate, thought about it behind closed doors at home, and was not allowed to leave the city within the time limit. Everything awaits the will of the court. ”

Although Meng Hao knew that there would be some bad consequences, he never thought that it would be such a simple and decisive decision. Meng Hao tugged at the corners of his mouth and said yes with a smile. He stopped caring about the reactions of everyone present and went home.

Not to mention the scene of Meng Hao talking to his family after returning home, only to say the reaction of everyone in the yamen at this time.

I saw the tall and short people of the yamen of the state capital, and said to Du Liang in unison: "Lord Du, fortunately, I am not dishonored." In the future, where there is a place for the two of us, we will do our best. ”

Du Liang lazily walked up to the two, smiled, and said, "Don't worry, when I turn around, I will definitely say a few good words for the two in front of the prefect." ”

The two were overjoyed and couldn't stop thanking them.

Du Liang waved his hand impatiently, and the two of them took their leave, left the yamen, and went straight out of the city.

After the two left, the people of the Yamen of Lin'an County hurriedly congratulated Du Liang, "Congratulations to Lord Du, Lord Du has made a meritorious report this time, and the court will definitely promote Lord Du in the future. ”

Du Liang looked arrogant and rude, ignored everyone, and sat straight on the main seat. Everyone's expressions were a little sneering, but the sycophants on their mouths never stopped.

On the other hand, after Meng Hao returned home, he told his wife directly, and after Mrs. Meng heard it, she said warmly: "It's okay, no matter what happens, we will bear it together as a family." As long as we are together, there is no hurdle that we can't get over. ”

Meng Hao was greatly moved.

In the blink of an eye, Meng Hao had been at home for more than half a month, and the time gradually came from midsummer to early autumn. Meng Hao also gradually got used to this leisurely life, but many times, he still felt bored. Probably because he was busy before, now that he has no official business to deal with, and there is nothing serious to do, Meng Hao will always feel bored. Mrs. Meng is happy to see her husband Meng Hao bored, after all, she always wanted him to accompany her before, Meng Hao has never had time, it is rare that she is so free now, she can accompany herself every day.

In general, Meng Hao still enjoys everything boring, walking around every day, reading idle books, occasionally practicing calligraphy, and thinking about some messy things in his mind.

Compared with Meng Hao's leisure, Mrs. Meng seemed very busy. I do daily housework, take care of the children, and manage the accounts.

Overall, it was a very good day of relaxation.