However, the next second, an even more violent and rapid current of water, mixed with mud and sand and broken tree trunks, rushed down from upstream.
The village chief and his companions were terrified. They didn't even have time to save him and immediately grabbed Shanzi and rushed towards the mountaintop.
Fortunately, someone caught them and quickly pulled them to the top of the mountain, saving them from being swept away by the flood.
Liu the Madman and the two people, one big and one small, who were tightly clinging to the driftwood, had disappeared without a trace.
Everyone stared at the rushing water beneath their feet, speechless for a moment.
Suddenly someone shouted, "Mother, Mother, what's wrong? Wake up, Mother!"
Belatedly, more sobs and cries could be faintly heard from the mountaintop. These were not tears of joy from those who had survived the ordeal, but tears of despair from those who were in excruciating pain.
The flood ravaged every corner of the village, and the once green and plump ears of grain were washed away by the flood, just like every year before.
*
Inside the Golden Palace.
It was pitch black outside, but the inside of the hall was as bright as day.
Under the bright light, the chair with its golden dragon pattern shone even more brilliantly.
The young emperor, dressed in a dragon robe embroidered with gold thread, sat on a high throne, staring coldly at the people below. He could hear the crowd arguing, but he felt a throbbing pain in his scalp.
An aged voice broke the argument. He stepped forward, cupped his hands towards the person in the high position, and said, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, we should immediately send more people to Qingnan for disaster relief."
Since General Wei said that the flood was fierce, he must be telling the truth. As for the fact that there was no news from Qingnan, something must have gone wrong.
This old minister is willing to go to Qingnan to provide disaster relief; I hope Your Majesty will grant him permission.
Upon hearing this, the group of people who had been chattering away were all taken aback.
A middle-aged man immediately stepped forward and respectfully cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, Chief Minister Chen is of advanced age. This flood in Qingnan is so severe that it may be difficult to resolve. I am willing to lead the Censorate to Qingnan to investigate this matter thoroughly."
At this moment, the Vice Minister of Works stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the national treasury is currently empty because of the war a year ago. There is not much money left in the treasury for disaster relief."
Moreover, General Wei's letter only contained speculation, and there was no evidence to prove that the floods in Qingnan were devastating.
In the past, floods occurred in Qingnan every year, so the local officials must have had a comprehensive plan to protect the people.
The imperial court must not make a big show of things and disturb the people's peace at this time!
Many people echoed his words.
Xie Jingxuan listened to everyone's words, but only looked at Xie Yang in the crowd with a blank expression. After thinking for a while, he spoke up: "Regarding the recent flood in Qingnan, I wonder what Chu Qingwang's opinion is?"
Xie Yang cupped his hands toward the person on the dragon throne and said, "Your Majesty, I believe this matter can be either a big deal or a small deal."
If what General Wei said in his letter is true, the fact that the court did not send additional aid for disaster relief would likely further unsettle the people.
Your Majesty, I am willing to donate the wealth of the Prince's Palace for disaster relief, and I humbly request Your Majesty's permission for me to accompany you on this mission.
Upon hearing this, many people exclaimed in amazement, "King Chu Qing is so righteous! If so, I am willing to follow King Chu Qing's example and donate my family fortune to help with disaster relief."
"I am also willing."
Seeing that several officials echoed this sentiment, the others looked at each other in bewilderment and dared not say anything more.
Xie Jingxuan glanced at the people who echoed Xie Yang, sneered inwardly, and said indifferently, "With King Chu Qing and my beloved ministers having such kind hearts, there's no need to worry about the state of Jin not prospering."
Since that's the case, how could I possibly obstruct it and waste your good intentions, my dear minister?
As for going to provide disaster relief, Prince Chuqing has just recovered and is not fit for travel. He should stay in the capital to recuperate and spend more time with the Empress Dowager.
Regarding the matter of Qingnan, the Eldest Princess has already set off. Due to a shortage of manpower, the Censorate will lead the Ministry of Works to handle the flood situation properly.
Court adjourned.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
After Xie Jingxuan left the Golden Palace, the King of Chu glanced at the dragon throne on the high throne, then quickly looked away and left.
However, he had only taken a few steps out of the Golden Palace when a rushing eunuch bumped into him.
Upon seeing this, a palace servant immediately shouted, "How dare you! Which palace do you serve in? How can you be so unruly? What is the punishment for offending the prince? Guards, drag this person away!"
The eunuch was so frightened that he knelt on the ground, trembling all over, and said, "Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare me! I am Xiao Dezi from the Imperial Kitchen. I just wanted to go to the Imperial Hospital to ask the physician to treat Xiao Jinzi from the Imperial Kitchen. In my haste, I offended Your Highness."
"This servant deserves to die! If Your Highness can arrange for someone to treat Xiao Jinzi's illness, this servant will do anything. I beg Your Highness!"
The palace servants standing nearby said sternly, "He was just a lowly servant. He's dead, so be it. How dare he bring him up in front of the prince? What bad luck! You lot, drag this man away!"
Upon hearing this, the palace servants immediately stepped forward to take the young eunuch away.
The King of Chu merely glanced at the man on the ground, his expression gentle, and said casually, "It's nothing, just a small matter. There's no need for such formality. Take him to the Imperial Hospital to find a doctor."
After saying that, he left.
The young eunuch was overjoyed and kowtowed several times on the ground. He breathed a sigh of relief, only glad that he had bumped into the King of Chu today.
Everyone in the palace said that King Chu was the kindest man and would never be harsh on the palace servants. Now it seems that those rumors were true.
Little Gold is saved.
Only after leaving the palace did the King of Chu put away his gentle smile, replacing it with a sinister look.
As soon as he got into the carriage, he disgustedly took off his outer robe and coldly threw it down, saying, "Take it and burn it."
Zhao Cheng was taken aback, then respectfully replied, picked up his robe and tossed it to the person outside the carriage before asking, "Well, has His Majesty agreed to let the Prince go to provide disaster relief?"
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