He should have been sitting high in the heavens, but instead he came to the land of disaster and faced the calamity with everyone else.
What could be more exciting than this?
What could be more empowering than this?
The news spread like a homing pigeon across the land of Jingdong Road, reaching the disaster-stricken areas of Hebei, giving hope to those filled with despair.
Not only did the officials not give up on them, but even the emperor himself came.
All the officials, big and small, in Tai'an City came out of the city to greet the emperor.
Zhao Huan's gaze fell on Sima Qing, but he asked Zong Ying, "Is there enough grain in Tai'an City?"
"Your Majesty, Minister Xu has transported more than two months' worth of grain here, which is more than enough."
"What about the surrounding prefectures and counties? Do you know anything about them?"
"Your Majesty, the message from the Council of State Affairs to me and Chancellor Zong is that every prefecture and county has been allocated sufficient grain and fodder. In addition, with the support of private societies, there will be no food shortage this time."
Zhao Huan smiled and said, "Sima Qing, get out here for me!"
Sima Qing trembled slightly, but immediately regained his composure and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, your subject Sima Qing respectfully wishes Your Majesty good health. Your Majesty's presence at the front lines is a blessing for the people of the Great Song Dynasty. The floods will surely recede swiftly before Your Majesty's presence!"
"Sima Qing, I remember you were also a Jinshi in the second year of the Daguan era (Emperor Huizong's reign)!"
"Your Majesty's remembrance has moved me to tears."
"You are not only a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) of the second year of the Daguan era, but also the prefect of Yunzhou, selected by me and the Council of State Affairs!"
"Your Majesty's grace is something I will never forget. I am willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty without hesitation!"
"You said it!"
Sima Qing was already terrified, and sweat poured down his face.
Zhao Huan asked Zong Ying, "Zong Aiqing, are you going to Liangshanbo?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I will depart for Liangshanbo shortly."
"Very well, take Sima Qing with you, then have someone send him to Yunzhou, tie him to the north bank of the river, and make him use his body to block the floodwaters there for me!"
Zong Ying was slightly taken aback, which startled Sima Qing quite a bit.
He immediately knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, spare my life! I do not know what crime I have committed!"
"What crime have you committed?" Zhao Huan sneered. "As the prefect of Yunzhou, you deserted your post in the face of battle, abandoning the soldiers and civilians in the city, and even privately diverted most of the grain supplies! You say you don't know what crime you've committed!"
Sima Qing had already guessed that the emperor knew about this matter; it was most likely that Zhang Kang who betrayed him.
That ungrateful wretch deserves a terrible death!
Sima Qing cursed inwardly, but said aloud, "Your Majesty, I am innocent. The dike in Qizhou has collapsed, and the disaster victims have all fled to the Tai'an area. I was worried that there would not be enough food here, so I took the initiative to transfer grain to support them!"
"Not enough?" Zhao Huan laughed. "So, this matter is Xu Churen's responsibility, for the unreasonable allocation of grain. Are you saying that you are innocent, and I should execute Xu Churen? Is that right?"
The emperor's words were sharp as knives, and Sima Qing was covered in sweat. This emperor was truly eloquent; he shut Sima Qing up with just a few words.
Who is Xu Churen?
You are the head of the Council of State Affairs, the Prime Minister of the Great Song Dynasty. How dare you, a mere prefect, denounce the Prime Minister before the Emperor without any evidence?
Sima Qing was trembling all over: "I am innocent!"
"Zong Ying! Tie him up!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty! I am innocent! I am innocent!"
The emperor ignored Sima Qing and instead said to Han Shizhong and Zong Ying, "Announce Sima Qing's crimes to the three armies!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
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