In ancient times, communication was not well-developed, and people did not know much about natural disasters such as earthquakes.
The people in the capital region felt the ground tremble, and in some places, even tiles fell off.
Some people suspected that it was an earth dragon turning over.
However, there is no clear conclusion among the public regarding the specific location and nature of the disaster.
It is precisely this "unknown" that has given some ambitious individuals the opportunity to spread rumors.
"When a sage is not benevolent, Heaven will send down calamities."
"Excessive military spending and the wanton killing of innocent people." (Reading in the dark)
"A hen crowing at dawn, the world turned upside down!"
"..."
Various rumors, both reliable and unreliable, are rampant.
As expected, the flames of war reached Helian Jue and Xie Yuan.
It was as if the earth-shaking tremors were caused by the Emperor and Empress.
Xie Yuan: ...Thank you so much!
Such a huge, black, and round pot was dumped directly on our heads.
"Fortunately, Your Majesty the Empress was prepared!"
Luo Peiyu ran over to report, and after telling him about the public opinion outside, she said with some relief.
"The news has already been released?"
Xie Yuan suddenly realized this at the moment the earthquake struck: when natural disasters strike suddenly, in ancient times when information was scarce, it is easy for people to take advantage of them.
Although Helian Jue and Xie Yuan had repeatedly investigated and dealt with the situation, the "hostile forces" in the capital had disappeared.
But, no matter the era, there will never be a shortage of ambitious people.
In the past, they couldn't find a suitable opportunity, but now that a natural disaster has occurred, they can easily pin the blame on the emperor and empress.
To curb rumors, instead of resorting to brute force, one should create a more legendary "story".
At most, the jokes fabricated by Xie Yuan's men were entirely true and contained no fabrication.
"Your Majesty, I have carried out the instructions as you commanded."
Luo Peiyu replied respectfully, and sincerely admired, "Your Majesty, your method is truly excellent."
By simply having some beggars or storytellers in teahouses and taverns tell a story, the rumors that slandered the emperor and empress were effectively suppressed.
Xie Yuan: ...Throughout history, news with a gossipy element has always been the most attractive to ordinary people.
Ordinary people may not care about politics, but they certainly love to hear stories!
This is similar to how, in later generations, celebrities in the entertainment industry have far greater national recognition than scientists and politicians.
...
Zhaixing Tower, main hall.
On the stage right in the center, a storyteller was earnestly telling his tale—
"You all felt the earthquake yesterday, didn't you?"
"Does anyone know exactly where the earth dragon has turned over?"
"Where the earth dragon turned over, and where did this earthquake occur? You probably can't even imagine it."
The storyteller kept the audience in suspense until they grew impatient and began to urge him on. Then, he said mysteriously, "Speaking of this matter, there is a strange tale from the palace."
anecdote?
Does it also involve the royal family?
Such high-end gossip is incredibly exciting and sure to get the nerves of ordinary gossip lovers.
"What exactly happened?"
"That's right, Blind Liu, hurry up and tell us!"
"Hiss~ This involves the royal family, so we must be careful not to do anything taboo."
"Exactly! Never let your words cause trouble!"
Everyone said these things, but no one actually left because they were afraid of the trouble.
People became even more curious.
"This is a long story. It started half a year ago when the Turkic princess came to the capital, claiming she wanted to see the Empress Dowager, but she harbored malicious intentions—"
This storyteller knew the tricks of storytelling, and he began by saying, "It's a long story."
The onlookers grew impatient and urged, "Then just get to the point!"
"That's right, we've heard about the Turks poisoning Empress Dowager Ashina long ago!"
"Isn't the Emperor's expedition this time to avenge the Empress Dowager?"
Seeing the audience's eagerness, the storyteller "quickly" answered and told the prequel to the story.
He couldn't keep them in suspense any longer, so he chuckled and said, "Alright! So you all knew!"
"Alright! Then I won't waste any more words! As you all know, the Turks harmed the Empress Dowager, and the Emperor personally led the expedition to avenge his mother."
“A month ago, the sage, far away on the northwestern front, had a dream.”
"In my dream, the late emperor, who passed away last year, appeared in my dream to warn me—"
The storyteller controlled the pace, telling a simple dream story with twists and turns, full of ups and downs.
The late emperor said: "On the fourth day of the eighth month, there will be an earthquake in the southwest!"
At this point, the onlookers all exclaimed "Ah!"
They instantly connected the story with reality!
"Blind Liu, are you saying that yesterday's earthquake didn't occur in the capital region, but rather sometime in the far southwest?"
"No way! It sounds so far-fetched!"
"Of course it's mysterious! It was a warning from the late emperor in a dream."
"Heavens! There's no earth dragon turning over here, the ground is shaking, and my thatched hut outside the city has collapsed. What must that Liangzhou in the southwest be like?"
The common people may be gossiping, but they are kind at heart.
Furthermore, whenever there are natural disasters or man-made calamities, it is always the ordinary people who ultimately suffer.
I wouldn't say I completely empathize, but I do feel a certain degree of empathy.
In the past, the southwestern region was part of the territory of the Southern Dynasties.
But now that the Great Zhou has unified the world, they are all on our side.
The people of the capital region also felt sorry for the disaster in the southwest.
"Please rest assured, everyone. Our sage is the most wise and filial. Although the idea of a dream is too fantastical, the matter involves the late emperor, and out of filial piety, the sage has taken the late emperor's prophecy as a serious matter."
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