Shao Chengzhang immediately knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, you mustn't! The dikes in Qizhou have already breached!"
Upon hearing Shao Chengzhang's words, the ministers realized that the dikes in Qizhou had actually breached, and they were all shocked. No wonder the emperor looked so terrible.
"Xu Churen, make these arrangements for me immediately!"
Xu Churen said, "Your Majesty, floods are raging everywhere. If this were to trigger a popular uprising, things would be very bad. I am willing to go for Your Majesty!"
"Minister Xu, you are overthinking it. Marquis Yongwu will accompany me!"
Zhao Huan was not worried about anyone taking the opportunity to cause trouble; what he was worried about was that someone on the front lines would take the opportunity to make money, disregarding the lives of countless people.
In that case, all 80,000 soldiers died in vain!
The emperor cannot sit in the palace like a god every day; at crucial moments, the emperor should set an example.
The prime ministers said, "Your Majesty, we are willing to accompany you on this journey!"
"If you leave, who will govern the country for me? You are not allowed to go. Each of you should perform your duties. That is the best way to show your loyalty to me!"
After saying this, Zhao Huan turned and left, leaving the ministers with an unquestionable silhouette.
At this time, both JD.com and Hebei Province must be filled with anxiety.
In ancient times, wars were determined by human will, and with human will determined, people could still live in peace.
However, natural disasters are often seen as divine wrath or the misconduct of those in power, making them easy targets for malicious individuals to exploit and incite riots among disaster victims.
Right now, the only way to stop the damage in the shortest time is for the emperor to personally go to the front lines to stabilize the morale of the army and the people.
Zhao Huan believed that everything would be alright, and he encouraged himself internally.
China has faced many disasters and hardships throughout history, but we've always survived them!
The rain intensified, enveloping the entire city of Tokyo.
The rain gradually stopped by evening of the second day, and the western sky was ablaze with magnificent fiery clouds.
Along the official road, the emperor's entourage headed northeast, escorted by the Imperial Guards of Marquis Han Shizhong.
Once we entered Jingdong Road, the number of disaster victims had noticeably increased.
You can see a woman carrying her child, with a bag on her back, walking on the road, completely soaked.
Some people were even dragging their own pigs away, yelling, "Get out of here! I've raised you for a year! You can't let the water wash you away!"
There was also a little girl who had lost both parents walking with the crowd, crying and calling for her parents.
Zhao Huan parted the carriage curtain with his hand and saw a soldier from the local militia jog over, grab the little girl, and stuff a steamed bun into her mouth. They were talking about something, and after a while, the little girl began to eat the bun.
Zhao Huan kept a low profile, riding in a carriage that looked quite ordinary. Along the way, there were many carriages coming and going, as well as many officials of all ranks, but people didn't find it strange.
Zhao Huan also saw a troop of Xiang Army soldiers jogging over from behind. Each of them carried a small bag containing dry rations such as steamed buns.
Behind them, there were more than a dozen vehicles carrying food.
The fleeing crowd immediately rushed over and stopped the vehicles.
A commander shouted, "Don't fight over it, everyone gets a share!"
Zhao Huan glanced at the faces of the soldiers of the Xiang Army. They were all young men of eighteen or nineteen, with a youthful and immature look in their eyes.
However, everyone possesses a strong will.
This batch of Xiang Army soldiers were newly selected talents after Han Shizhong swept through the Jingdong Road a few years ago.
Judging from their performance, the role played by the Control Yuan, which was transferred from the Political and Publicity Department, in the past two years cannot be ignored.
Since they enlisted, each of them has undergone rigorous ideological education, and loyalty to the emperor, love for the country, and care for the people are indispensable ideological imprints.
Zhao Huan beckoned Han Shizhong over: "Send someone to scout out the situation ahead."
Han Shizhong gestured for Huyan Tong to walk towards the crowd at the front. He loudly proclaimed, "I am Huyan Tong, the Commander of the Second Army of the Imperial Guards. May I ask your name?"
Upon hearing the name Huyan announced, the commander immediately bowed and said, "This humble officer is Tian Cuo, commander of the 7th Battalion of the 3rd Army stationed in Yunzhou! Greetings, Lord Huyan!"
In the army of Yunzhou, everyone knew Hu Yantong.
Back then, the Imperial Guards of Jingdong Road were wiped out by Han Shizhong, and Huyan Tong was one of Han Shizhong's generals.
"No need for formalities. I'd like to ask you, what is the current situation in Yunzhou?"
"Reporting to my superior, yesterday morning, the dike in Puyang breached, and the river water poured northward. Yunzhou is temporarily unharmed, but the imperial court has issued an order to relocate people south. The people of Yunzhou have already begun to move south, divided into two groups: one heading towards the capital region, and the other towards Yingtian Prefecture."
"Do you know anything about Qizhou?"
When Qizhou was mentioned, Tian Cuo's expression turned serious: "I heard that all nine counties were flooded, and the flood is still spreading and cannot be stopped. No one knows the specific casualties."
"Where is Zong Ze, the Pacification Commissioner of Hebei?"
"I heard that Prime Minister Zong is currently in Tai'an City, Yanzhou. The main force of the Central Army has retreated to Yanzhou, and all the disaster victims in the vicinity have retreated to Tai'an. Another group has crossed the river and is heading towards Hebei Road."
Huyan Tong bowed to Tian Cuo: "Thank you very much!"
"You're too kind, Huyan Shangguan."
Hu Yantong turned and walked toward Han Shizhong. Tian Cuo seemed to have something to say, but in the end he didn't say it.
Upon learning the news, Zhao Huan headed towards Tai'an.
Although Yanzhou borders Qizhou, Tai'an City is located south of Mount Tai. Even if a great flood were to occur, it would be impossible for the floodwaters to cross Mount Tai and enter Tai'an City. It is the most ideal place of refuge.
However, before going to Tai'an, Zhao Huan passed through Yunzhou.
Since Han Shizhong's great battle against the Imperial Guards here a few years ago, the city walls of Yunzhou have been renovated and appropriately expanded under the policy of the imperial court.
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