These three brothers are all unreliable.
Thinking of how Song Yue had ruined her years of meticulous planning, Xu Lingqing felt a surge of anger rising within her, wishing she could tear Song Yue to pieces.
Xu Lingqing secretly vowed in her heart, "From this day forward, I would rather die than live in dishonor. If I can't have you, Song Yue, you can't have me either!"
The position of Empress can only belong to her.
A few more days passed, and the heavy snow continued unabated. More and more disaster victims poured into the capital city, and sheds were built one after another in the empty spaces.
Unfortunately, there were too many people, and quite a few were still left homeless.
“Your Highness, water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. I have a suggestion.” Xu Lingqing tugged at Zhao Zhiyan’s sleeve: “The palace covers a vast area and has at least ten thousand empty rooms. If we could open the palace gates and take in these people, it would surely reduce the losses.”
"Nonsense!" Zhao Zhiyan refused without even thinking: "How can the palace accept disaster victims? Wouldn't that create chaos?"
Xu Lingqing added, "If Your Highness sets an example for all the people, you will surely win their hearts and become famous in one battle. I have calculated that if the front courtyard is cleared out, it will be enough to accommodate two hundred people."
Under Xu Lingqing's persuasion, Zhao Zhiyan's brows gradually relaxed.
"It seems even the heavens are helping the prince win over the hearts of the people."
Zhao Zhiyan's eyes gradually darkened: "How many people died in this heavy snow in my past life?"
"About 30,000, after the heavy snow came an epidemic, resulting in countless deaths and injuries. Many officials fled with their families, and the capital city was like a living hell. It wasn't until several years later that the prince led his troops back to the capital city, and it took five years to restore the capital city to its original state."
"Where is the Crown Princess?"
"Dead."
Zhao Zhiyan's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, and his brows furrowed.
Xu Lingqing held Zhao Zhiyan's hand and said, "I have prepared enough rice, charcoal, clothing and silver notes for Your Highness. As long as Your Highness can ascend to the throne, I am willing to give everything I have."
During this time, she realized that instead of relying on others, she should do her best to support Zhao Zhiyan to ascend to the throne, after all, he was the one who sent his own memorial tablet to the Empress's throne in his previous life.
With Xu Lingqing's support, Zhao Zhiyan took the lead in opening the gates of the Eighth Prince's Mansion and leading two hundred people into the mansion.
At the same time, Zhao Zhiyan submitted a memorial to the imperial court.
"The once-in-a-century blizzard in Kyoto has destroyed people's homes, causing many to flee their homes in fear. The court cannot turn a blind eye to this. I propose that the palace gates be opened and women, children, and young kids be allowed to enter the palace for refuge."
Upon hearing this, all the civil and military officials turned to look at Zhao Zhiyan.
There were subtle emotions in his eyes.
"This is not appropriate, not appropriate. Once the palace gates are opened, the consequences are unpredictable."
"No one can avoid natural disasters and man-made calamities. We can't just stand by and watch people become homeless and starve to death on the streets while we hide in the palace and turn a blind eye!" Zhao Zhiyan said with a solemn face.
"Has the Eighth Prince ever considered what it would mean if the palace were to fall? A riot! It would definitely be a riot!" A minister was so angry that he jumped up and down, accusing Zhao Zhiyan of being selfish and disregarding the safety of the palace for the sake of his reputation.
Zhao Zhiyan frowned, his gaze falling on the Crown Prince: "What's wrong with taking from the people and using it for the people? What does the Crown Prince think?"
The tone was full of oppressive force.
The Crown Prince's lips curled slightly: "The people of Northern Chu are all subjects, and we cannot favor one over the other. If there are other natural disasters in the future, and everyone rushes to the capital, will the palace have to open its doors to them at any time?"
"You disagree?" Zhao Zhiyan raised an eyebrow, his face full of displeasure: "How can you be so selfish! You were born into nobility, which means you should love and respect your people, not indulge in pleasure."
The Crown Prince took a deep breath and looked at the civil and military officials: "Do you all think that the Eighth Prince's words make sense?"
All the civil and military officials remained silent.
The Crown Prince said, "Since the Eighth Prince has set an example, I cannot back down. I will vacate the Guangjia Prince's Mansion to accommodate the people. In addition, each family should accommodate the corresponding number of people according to their official rank."
As soon as he finished speaking, the civil and military officials were in an uproar.
"Your Highness, you mustn't!"
"Shut up!" the Crown Prince roared. "As your officials, shouldn't you consider the people's welfare? From today onwards, I will send people to your residences to check the rosters. Not a single person can be missing! As for the palace, if the Eighth Prince can bear the consequences and live up to the ancestors of the Zhao family, I have no objection."
Zhao Zhiyan smiled faintly: "This king..."
"But I have already said that on the day the people enter the city, the Eighth Prince's crime of being an unfilial son and grandson will be confirmed. In order to maintain the dignity of the royal family, I will personally execute the Eighth Prince and his descendants. Only in this way can the people be allowed to enter the palace for refuge. It all depends on whether the Eighth Prince can put himself aside for the sake of others."
After saying this, the crown prince strode away.
The smile on Zhao Zhiyan's face disappeared, and he fell into deep thought as he watched the Crown Prince's departing figure.
"Eighth Prince, what exactly are you planning?"
"The Eighth Prince's move pleases the people, but puts us on the fire to roast. Anyone who doesn't open the door is tantamount to watching us die."
It is rare for civil and military officials to have such an opportunity.
Who would be willing to open their doorway to disaster victims?
This opinion was clearly unexpected.
Back to the Eighth Prince's Mansion
Zhao Zhiyan looked at the chaotic scene of people in the courtyard. The ground was littered with fruit scraps, children were crying loudly, and women were greedily touching the jade carvings on the ground.
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