Chapter 463: Chapter 459: After Floods and Droughts, a Great Plague Always Follows

The rain had unknowingly lightened. The morning light of the hour of Mao spread over the wet eaves, intermittently dripping the leftover echoes of the night rain, and vibrant green moss emerged from the cracks in the stone slabs.

The wind that hit the face carried the fresh scent of pine needles.

Last night’s sudden rain had collected on the official road into copper mirrors, reflecting the hastily crushed cloud shadows of Ying Yin.

From afar, one could see many people standing outside the emperor’s sleeping quarters.

Civil servants stood on the left side of the hall door, and military generals on the right.

There weren’t many people, but they were all important ministers of the court.

The civil servants were whispering about something, and the most rule-abiding Gu Fuju merely glanced sideways, causing them all to fall silent.

Minister Yang watched this with cold indifference.

He had long disapproved of Gu Fuju’s manner, as if all the civil servants had to look to him for guidance.

Yet, he was helpless against Gu Fuju’s established reputation.

The side of the civil servants became very quiet.

But the side of the military generals had little order.

Even Wei Zhao, in his wheelchair, didn’t mind.

"What’s going on? It’s one thing for the Holy Emperor to summon us, but why even bring in General Wei, who’s supposed to be recuperating?"

"I don’t know. The eunuch who summoned us is tight-lipped and won’t reveal anything. Could it be that the Holy Emperor’s headache is getting worse?"

"I happen to know some inside information."

Duke Zhongyong had a grave expression.

When he spoke, a few generals looked over and saluted.

"Please enlighten us, Your Grace, so we may know our positions and avoid speaking out of turn and offending the Holy Emperor."

There was nothing to hide.

Duke Zhongyong said, "Last night, Daoist Bao Pu observed the celestial phenomena and spoke before the Holy Emperor. He said there has been prolonged rain in many areas of Da Jin, especially in remote places, fearing that rivers might flood, fields may be submerged, resulting in a flood disaster. The Holy Emperor is likely seeking to discuss countermeasures with us."

"Flood disaster?"

The military side exploded, and even the civil side was uneasy.

Some generals did not believe in gods or Buddha.

"Nonsense, how can you believe the words of a charlatan?"

Minister Yao of the Ministry of Justice found it amusing.

"It’s almost the plum rain season, and frequent rain in various places is normal, it happens every year. Therefore, the Jiangnan water towns and cities along the river often experience flooding during the flood season. But the worst is the breaching of dikes, damage to fields, and water accumulation on roads."

The common people aren’t foolish enough to run towards the river or water. It’s rare for someone to be swept away.

"The term ’flood disaster’ is simply alarmist talk."

But some officials believed in being prepared, even if it seemed unlikely.

"Whether or not the statements are false, we must take preventive measures, always putting the people first."

Minister Yao’s face was cold: "How do we prevent it? Mr. Zhu, your words are really laughable. Do you know how many places in Da Jin are experiencing rain? Is the court expected to exhaust all financial, material, and human resources to help relocate those living by the river?"

As the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, he often dealt with difficult people.

He knew well that the lower the people were, the harder they were to communicate with, plagued by poverty and often more extreme.

"Would the people be willing to leave their ancestral graves and move? How much effort would it take?"

"After relocation, then what? The state treasury is depleted, where would they live? What would they live on after that? If something really happens, these efforts would be worthwhile, but if after all this trouble, everything is calm and orderly, then this Daoist would have made a mockery of everyone from the emperor to the commoners in Da Jin. How many times would his head need to be chopped off?"

As he spoke, he flicked his sleeves with a cold laugh.

His posture was very authoritative.

Many people thought he made sense and nodded in agreement.

At that moment, Ying Yin stepped closer.

As everyone prepared to salute, the hall door opened.

Only to see Emperor Ying being pushed out by Fourth Prince Ying Cheng, followed by Second Prince Ying Zhi.

Many people’s thoughts raced.

The Fourth Prince had completely turned the tables.

Not having been out of the hall for a long time, even though the light wasn’t too glaring, Emperor Ying still seemed slightly unaccustomed.

Officials who had not seen the emperor for a long time hastily concealed their astonishment.

Emperor Ying had lost much weight, appearing several years older. The areas of exposed burns were swollen and even suppurating.

Where Wei Zhao, who had previously been unresponsive, now showed displeasure.

Because Emperor Ying was also in a wheelchair.

That damned emperor was copying him?

The wheelchair Wei Zhao used was personally made by Wei Shouzhong back in Ze County.

During Wei Zhao’s use, he discovered many inconveniences, leading to numerous modifications.

Though made from ordinary wood, the wheelchair suited Wei Zhao very well, and he remembered the favor. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought it all the way from Ze County to Shangjing.

But the emperor’s wheelchair was made of golden nanmu.

It instantly made his own wheelchair seem ordinary.

Tsk.

Wei Zhao’s gaze was distant.

He was displeased.

Emperor Ying waived the salutes and scanned the room with his gaze.

"Is everyone here?"

Emperor Ying said, "I could hear you discussing just now while I was inside the hall."

His gaze finally paused on Lord Yao for a moment.

"Elder Five."

Suddenly, he called upon Ying Yin.

"What do you think of Minister Yao’s statement?"

This was interesting.

Everyone knew Minister Yao was the Second Prince’s father-in-law.

When Ying Zhi’s legs were in poor condition, Yao promptly grew close to Ying Yin, even sending his second daughter to serve him.

Ying Yin quickly replied respectfully, "This..."

As soon as he uttered a word, Emperor Ying interrupted.

"Fourth, you say."

Ying Yin maintained a respectful posture, showing no other emotions.

But Ying Cheng was flustered.

Minister Yang eagerly awaited his prospective son-in-law to say something.

But nothing came.

Ying Cheng was simply a lost cause.

"Your son doesn’t know."

Ying Cheng was at a loss, even stuttering as he spoke: "I... I deserve to die."

If it were another prince, they would have been scolded long ago.

But Emperor Ying didn’t chastise Ying Cheng.

After all, Ying Cheng had grown up neglected in the Imperial Palace, and if he could say something profound, it would have been a miracle.

Pushing one’s limits isn’t easy.

"Knowing is knowing, not knowing is not knowing. You are at least honest."

Praised, Ying Cheng: ...

Ying Yin was displeased after being bypassed by the emperor, while Ying Zhi couldn’t be happy either.

Because the emperor was not bothering with him at all.

He was utterly ignored.

But Ying Zhi had arrived earlier and heard Emperor Ying instruct his people inside the hall to invite Bao Pu and prepare talisman paper and vermillion.

Now the emperor had specifically come out of the hall.

He knew that today’s focus was likely not just the flood disaster.

Emperor Ying looked at Gu Fuju.

Gu Fuju, who hadn’t spoken all this time, stepped forward, cupped his hands in respect.

He didn’t say whether he agreed with Bao Pu’s prediction.

Nor did he respond to whether he agreed with Minister Yao’s words.

He only spoke about what would happen if a flood disaster occurred.

"With continuous rain, the world seems submerged. Seedlings soaked for long cause roots to rot, wet wheat heads mold and decay, and no new grain enters the granaries while old grain gradually depletes."

"Even if the court intends to open the granaries for relief, muddy roads make it difficult for carts and horses to travel, starving people trapped in one place, wailing across the fields, wanderers and bandits emerging everywhere."

"Violent floods not only harm agriculture but also damage the nation’s foundation. I believe they are more severe than drought."

Drought?

"This..."

Someone whispered, "It’s not that serious, is it?"

"Indeed."

But these words come from the Grand Tutor.

Is there any doubt about the Grand Tutor’s learning and ability?

"General Wei."

Someone thought of the highly skilled and knowledgeable Wei Zhao and spoke out: "What do you think of this matter?"

Wei Zhao, giving face, finally spoke.

"When fields are completely submerged, corpses and filth float in a yellow soup, drifting with the waves."

He said, "After floods and droughts, there will inevitably be a great plague."