The weather hasn't been very good this year.
Kyoto, the Imperial Palace.
The emperor has been very worried these days, as drought has been reported in many cities in the north since the New Year.
This issue actually started last year. The Agricultural Division was promoting breeding methods and ratooning rice in various regions and was well aware of these changes, so it reported them immediately.
In the second year of his reign, a drought struck, which greatly troubled him; it was not a good omen.
The people are ignorant.
Despite having issued numerous orders beforehand, how could man withstand natural disasters?
As soon as the New Year passed, the drought worsened. Fortunately, thanks to the implementation of breeding methods and ratooning rice last year, a good harvest was achieved, which gave him some hope.
As the months passed, Kyoto grew increasingly hot and humid. In previous years, ice was only needed until the height of summer, but now, in early May, ice chests were already required to cool the city.
Drought has arrived.
The emperor, who had been in complete control, began to panic.
The national treasury is not a bottomless pit; it cannot be inexhaustible. The more severe the drought, the heavier the pressure on the national treasury.
At this critical juncture, several prefectures in the south reported flooding.
This further clouded the emperor's mood.
In previous years, the weather in the south would warm up after the spring rains. But this year, it's been unusually rainy and gloomy.
The rain has been falling for three months straight; the sky is like a funnel, it just won't stop.
Shaoguan County is also a victim in this.
Cao Qian was so worried that he couldn't sleep every day. He had only just taken office when he encountered a natural disaster. His luck was truly terrible.
Pan Jinhua was also uncomfortable. It rained for a month or two, then stopped for a while, then started raining again. Her house was very damp, and she caught a cold without even noticing.
The Li family was extremely nervous, with Liu Yun and Qi Wan attending to them.
Pan Jinhua tried to persuade them several times, saying that Yao Niang would take care of them, before she finally convinced them to leave. However, the two women still insisted on coming to check on them several times a day.
A few days ago, a landslide occurred on a corner of the mountain behind Lijia Village. Fortunately, no one was running there in the weather, so no one was injured.
The weather is not cooperating; this year's harvest is probably ruined. Even if it rains, the land still needs to be planted. The old farmers, looking at the rain, all have worried faces and can't smile.
After only one year of bountiful harvest, even the heavens couldn't stand it anymore, and many old men were so angry that they cursed the heavens in the fields.
If it weren't for the fact that the people harvested more grain last year, the price of grain in Shaoguan County would probably have skyrocketed long ago. However, the price has still risen quite a bit since then.
People in the north pray for rain, while those in the south pray for sunshine.
All this news reached the emperor, who tossed and turned, unable to sleep all night.
"Your Majesty, the drought is urgent and we need disaster relief!"
"Your Majesty, the south has been experiencing continuous rain for three months, which may cause floods and trigger civil unrest. We beseech Your Majesty to make a decision."
"Your Majesty, you should first issue an edict of self-reproach, asking Heaven for forgiveness, so that the people may see Your Majesty's sincerity."
"Absolutely not! What are you thinking? How could you possibly ask the Emperor to issue a decree of self-reproach?!"
"This natural disaster is merciless. If we don't issue an edict of self-reproach now, when will we? If things become irreversible, it will be too late to issue such an edict. Your Majesty, I have a pure heart!"
“You vermin, I am ashamed to associate with you. Stop your noise and confuse the public. The urgent matter at hand is to properly handle the disaster.”
"Indeed, instead of focusing on dealing with the disaster, do they expect that issuing an edict of self-reproach will bring peace to the world?"
The emperor sat on the high platform, his face stern.
He felt extreme disgust upon hearing that he was to be ordered to issue an edict of self-reproach.
If he issues this edict of self-reproach, won't his incompetence be recorded in history? What are these people really up to?
He kept those who wanted him to issue an edict of self-reproach firmly in mind. He didn't have time to bother with them now. He would find fault with them after everything was settled. Humph!
"My ministers, natural disasters are frequent. The most important thing now is how to solve them. What I need now is for you to provide solutions, otherwise what use are you to me?!"
Also hot-tempered, Ying Hao spoke very rudely.
"Minister of Revenue, you will be in charge of preparing the disaster relief supplies, with a focus on the drought situation in the north."
Last year, the south had a good harvest and should have surplus grain. However, there is a fear that too much rain will affect this year's harvest. We should prepare for those prefectures in advance.
In the event of flooding, surrounding prefectures must also take proactive measures, opening granaries and distributing grain, lest the people's hopes be dashed.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Minister of Revenue agreed to this matter; it was simply what the Ministry of Revenue should do.
"I need an imperial envoy to oversee disaster relief. Who dares to step forward and request permission?"
Silence reigned.
"No one dares to answer?"
"Your subject requests to be appointed as Imperial Commissioner."
Ying Hao was already losing his temper when, at that moment, an Imperial Censor from the Censorate stepped forward.
This man was one of his men, and Ying Hao breathed a sigh of relief. He appointed this man as an imperial envoy to be in charge of disaster relief.
"There has been excessive rainfall in the south. The magistrates of all counties have been ordered to pay attention to the flow of rivers and streams and to guard against breaches."
"Promptly appease the people; if the rivers breach their banks, evacuate them as soon as possible. If this incites a civil unrest, I will hold those responsible accountable!"
Subsequently, many more imperial edicts were issued, and the arrangements were finally made.
However, this back-and-forth trip took too long, and Ying Hao could only pray that nothing bad would happen during this time.
Due to the frequent disasters, the Empress also took the lead in initiating a donation drive within the palace. A large amount of gold and silver was collected and distributed to the Ministry of Revenue.
Moreover, everyone in the palace had their allowances reduced, and the attitude was extremely upright.
Ying Hao was very satisfied with this.
With the palace setting an example, the officials naturally couldn't turn a blind eye and had to contribute as well.
In this way, a considerable amount of supplies were collected.
The imperial court's response was relatively timely.
The land under the jurisdiction of several prefectures in the north has already cracked.
Under the organization of the government, the people dug groundwater or dug canals to divert water.
The most terrible thing is the lack of water. The land is parched, and many chickens and ducks die of thirst. The water collection points are crowded with people, and there are many fights over water, but fortunately the local officials have suppressed them.
In the face of disaster, human nature is most unpredictable.
During this period, many incidents occurred, including looting and plundering, and many people were displaced.
The people packed their bags and left their homes, hoping for a glimmer of hope. Vast fields lay barren, and surrounding cities opened their roads wide, waiting for the drought to pass so these people could return home. Given even the slightest chance, they could all make a living.
Li Qingyao and his group were on their way home, but they were held up in Daze Prefecture.
Qingshui County in Daze Prefecture is located on the route the group would take home.
They were originally going to return by boat, but due to months of continuous rain, they switched to land travel halfway through the journey.
The water level is rising higher and higher, and the river water is murky. One wrong move and the boats could be destroyed and people could capsize. Nobody dares to take the risk.
A wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall. According to their original itinerary, they should have arrived home long ago, but now they are trapped in Qingshui County.
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