Chapter 224 The King of a Lost Country 24

The few people finally reached a consensus and planned to set off for the border in the early spring of next year.

There was not much time left for them, so they did not delay and rested in the other courtyard for a night. They went to their own business early the next morning.

At the same time, the situation in the court became more and more complicated.

At the grand court meeting on December 10, Emperor Yongqing fell from the dragon chair in full view of the public.

After being unconscious for two hours, Emperor Yongqing opened his eyes. But when the imperial physician diagnosed him, he said something wrong, which angered Emperor Yongqing. Emperor Yongqing executed the imperial physician on the spot and imprisoned the other three imperial physicians to await their fate.

The fourth prince and the sixth prince went to attend to the illness.

When serving Emperor Yongqing medicine, the Sixth Prince suddenly smiled. Emperor Yongqing rebuked the Sixth Prince in front of everyone, saying bluntly, "My Sixth Prince has no benevolence and filial piety, and is unfit to be a crown prince." He also dragged out the Sixth Prince's close associates and beat them to death.

The Sixth Prince was frightened and fell ill that night. Then, a few days later, Emperor Yongqing's favorite concubine drowned.

...

The attention of the ministers in the court was focused on the fight between Emperor Yongqing and the Ji family.

The report that many people were frozen to death due to the snow disaster in the north was suppressed by the impeachment reports, and no one paid attention to it.

The news that the border towns were looted by the Di Rong, the people were displaced, and the border troops suffered heavy casualties also did not attract attention.

It was Liang Guangyu who got wind of the news and sent a letter to the other courtyard, so that Nan Liujing and his men knew about it.

Nan Liujing closed the paper in front of him and said to everyone, "We originally wanted to leave after New Year's Eve, but now it seems that we have to spend New Year's Eve on the road."

Now is the time of the year when the snow is the heaviest, which is not suitable for rushing, but the disaster does not wait.

Everyone looked solemn and no one raised any objections.

Nan Liujing quickly arranged the matter.

That afternoon, Qi Mingxu and Jiang Ding took their appointment documents and went to Chang'an County, where the disaster was the most serious.

Nan Liujing and Guisheng waited for two more days until Li Guanqi had collected the first batch of disaster relief supplies. They took the supplies and rushed to Yongning City, where the disaster was the most serious, day and night.

Before leaving Beijing, Nan Liujing did not forget to rescue the three doctors who were innocently implicated.

The North was short of everything at the moment, especially after natural disasters, plagues were very likely to break out, and doctors were in short supply.

It would be a pity for the three doctors to die in the prison, so they should follow him to the North to shine.

After Nan Liujing's coercion, temptation, and emotional and rational manipulation, the three doctors honestly packed their bags and followed Nan Liujing to the North.

***

The name "Yongning" can be traced back to the previous dynasty.

These two words carry the best wishes of the local people, but Yongning City has never ushered in real peace.

Just like Chang'an County has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times.

Yongning City is not a good place, so people with connections are unwilling to come here to be officials. The reason why Zhou County Magistrate of Yongning City was thrown here was because he had no family background and offended his superiors.

This Zhou County Magistrate did not have any great talents, but his heart was not bad.

He did not agree to let the disaster victims enter the city, but he built some shelters outside the city gate so that the disaster victims could have a place to shelter from the wind and rain.

He also hosted a banquet for the rich families in the city and asked them to donate money and materials.

All the measures were implemented, and the disaster situation was indeed alleviated to a certain extent.

But as the blizzard continued to fall, the number of disaster victims increased, and the food was consumed at a rapid rate. The porridge that the disaster victims drank became thinner and thinner, and the surface of the porridge was so thin that you could see your reflection!

But even for such thin porridge, County Magistrate Zhou could not afford to supply it!

What was even more terrifying was that there were signs of plague in the refugee camp.

County Magistrate Zhou had a headache and kept turning his head to ask the master: "How is it, is there any news from the court?"

The master sighed: "Still no news."

County Magistrate Zhou said: "Submit another memorial to the court."

The master shook his head: "It's useless. Sir, it's useless to submit more memorials."

County Magistrate Zhou slammed the table and stood up, angrily said: "Then send a letter to the rich families in the city. This time I will risk my face to beg those rich families, let them find a way to get some more food out. And invite all the doctors in the city."

The master smiled bitterly, hesitated for a moment, and whispered: "Sir, I know a place with food. . "

County Magistrate Zhou asked: "Where?"

The master's lips moved, and under the gaze of County Magistrate Zhou, he whispered: "The grain collected in Yongning City this year is still in the granary. As long as we open the granary to release the grain, the disaster victims can hold on for a longer period of time..." County Magistrate Zhou looked at

the master in shock, and after a moment of silence, County Magistrate Zhou said: "This is grain to be handed over to the court. If one pound is missing, the court will hold you accountable. Without the court's order, I will never open the granary to release the grain. You have followed me for so many years, I will pretend that I didn't hear this, you can go down."

The master's heart was heavy.

In fact, County Magistrate Zhou was right. Without the court's order, who dared to open the granary to release the grain?

This is a capital crime punishable by beheading.

But... County Magistrate Zhou is from another place, but Master Shi is a native of Yongning City. Those who are waiting to die outside are all his fellow villagers.

Master Shi walked out of the main hall without stopping, and directly left the county government office, went out of the city gate, entered the disaster-stricken camp, and found a man named Li Sheng.

Li Sheng was as ordinary as his name, with a purple and weak face caused by long-term hunger: "What did County Magistrate Zhou say? Is he willing to open the warehouse to release grain? My mother, my wife, and my daughter can't hold on any longer."

Master Shi looked at Li Sheng and the group of people around Li Sheng, as well as the elderly, women and children who were surrounded in the middle, and finally made the final decision.

He silently handed over a note: "This is the exact location of the granary."

"Thank you." Li Sheng grabbed the note tightly and said again, "Thank you."

The master reminded: "The guards outside the granary are well-armed, you should be careful."

"It doesn't matter." Li Sheng smiled, "It's death anyway. Rather than starving to death, freezing to death, or dying of illness, it's better to take a chance. If I can grab some food, I will take everyone into the mountains to become bandits."

As soon as Master Li left, Li Sheng immediately organized his men.

He had been a soldier before and had learned some military tactics, so he quickly organized an action plan.

When they left the disaster-stricken camp, Li Sheng saw many people lying beside their tents, half of their bodies buried in the ice and snow, and they had obviously died long ago.

He also saw many people selling their wives and children.

Some wealthy families in the city were selecting their wives and children as if they were selecting goods.

If they met someone they were satisfied with, they would give a small bag of food and take the person away on the spot. Those whose wives and children were bought away would kowtow to express their gratitude.

Occasionally, someone who was really hungry would rush over to fight for food, and was eventually beaten to death in the ice and snow. The wealthy families passing by would spit and say "you deserve it" when they saw it.

Li Sheng raised his head and tried to see the sun, but he only saw the gray sky and heavy snow.

It was what they deserved...

Who told them that they had bad luck and were not born into rich families?

But if their fate was not as good as those of rich families, did they not have the qualifications to live?

"On what?"

Li Sheng asked when he led the disaster victims to charge.

"On what?"

Li Sheng asked when the granary guards shot the disaster victims with arrows and familiar people kept falling down.

"On what!"

When he saw Zhou County Linghe Shiye rushing over, Li Sheng laughed until tears came out, pushed away the corpses that fell on him, and then, with his last bit of strength, pushed open the granary door.

As soon as the door was opened, the corn that filled the granary rushed out, splashing all over Li Sheng, and after being stained with his blood, it rolled to the ground.

In the blink of an eye, most of Li Sheng's body was submerged in the grain.

He swayed and fell on his back under the impact.

Tears and blood blurred his vision, but this time, when he looked up, he saw not dark clouds and heavy snow, but the bright and dazzling sun. The

next moment, a series of neat and powerful horse hoof sounds echoed throughout the streets, and someone shouted loudly, asking everyone to stop.

Then, someone reached out and pulled Li Sheng out of the pile of grain.

Li Sheng blinked hard, trying to wipe away the blood and tears that were blurring his eyes: "Is it an illusion... It seems that the sun has come out..."

The man who pulled Li Sheng up subconsciously looked up at the sky, and then replied to Li Sheng: "It's not an illusion, the sun has really come out."

Li Sheng grinned.

As he laughed, tears flowed like a spring.

"This is the first time I have seen so much food piled up together, like a mountain, really, it is particularly spectacular. But why are there so many grains here, but so many people are starving to death under the city gate two miles away."

"Because this world is sick." The man told Li Sheng with certainty.

Li Sheng was stunned: "Are you a doctor?"

"I'm not a doctor, but I also want to cure the diseases of this world."

Li Sheng raised his hand and wiped his eyes vigorously: "Then who are you?"

Wiping away the blood and tears in front of his eyes, Li Sheng finally saw the situation around him clearly.

The county guards headed by Zhou County Magistrate all laid down their weapons, and the disaster victims who followed Li Sheng did not rush over to rob food.

——Because, in front of them, in front of this granary full of food, there was a team of grain carts that could not be seen at the end. And on the grain carts, they were loaded with food, clothing and medicine that they needed most.

Li Sheng was stunned for a moment, and turned his head to look at the boy standing next to him.

The boy was wearing a gray cloak, with a handsome face and a tall figure. Even the dust did not hide his elegance.

The sun fell on the boy's shoulders, and he smiled brightly.

"My name is Yao Nan."

"We are new here, so to show my friendship, I will treat everyone to a good meal first. As for the granary and the county government, they will be taken over by my people for the time being."

***

The people brought by Nan Liujing are full of martial virtues. Put a knife on the neck of County Magistrate Zhou, and everything can be discussed.

County Magistrate Zhou did not have the integrity to sacrifice his life for the country, so he had to surrender obediently.

The master turned against him on the spot.

With the help of the master, Nan Liujing's people took over the county government of Yongning City smoothly that evening.

Outside the city gate, bags of food were poured into the pot by the impatient disaster victims without being washed, and finally became bowls of fragrant rice.

After they finished their meal, the county soldiers gave each tent a quilt.

Some soldiers even beat gongs and drums to tell everyone that several doctors were treating patients at the city gate, and victims in need could line up for consultation.

Inside the county.

Nan Liujing was in the study of County Magistrate Zhou, looking through County Magistrate Zhou's past documents.

County Magistrate Zhou stood next to Nan Liujing with an apologetic smile on his face. Although he was a prisoner, Nan Liujing did not let anyone tie him up, considering that he had never done anything to oppress the people and had done something in disaster relief.

At this moment, County Magistrate Zhou was asking about Nan Liujing's identity: "Sir, are you here to provide disaster relief under the order of the court?"

Nan Liujing glanced at County Magistrate Zhou with a half-smile: "County Magistrate Zhou, do you think the court would care about Yongning City?"

County Magistrate Zhou heard the implication of Nan Liujing's words: he was here to provide disaster relief, but he was not sent by the court.

After a few seconds of silence, County Magistrate Zhou asked again: "Sir, you look very handsome. I wonder which noble family you are from?"

Nan Liujing asked again: "County Magistrate Zhou, which noble family do you think would care about Yongning City?"

It was a cold day, and County Magistrate Zhou's forehead was covered with cold sweat: "Then...then who is the young master..."

"Oh, me." Nan Liujing pointed at himself and said with a smile, "I am the boss of the nearby stronghold, and now you and the entire county government have been kidnapped by me. I give you a chance to choose, surrender to me, help me fool the court, and let the court discover the wrong power in Yongning City as late as possible."

County Magistrate Zhou tried to force a smile: "Sir, isn't there only one way? How do you want me to choose?"

Nan Liujing looked at County Magistrate Zhou in surprise: "Yes, there is another way. You go and die, don't live to hinder me. Why, you plan to take this road, right?"

As he spoke, Nan Liujing raised his hand and grasped the dagger at his waist.

County Magistrate Zhou's life was ruined by this mouth. He used the fastest speed in his life to press Nan Liujing's hand hard and said in a sad voice: "Sir! Let's talk it over! I choose the first option!"

Nan Liujing sighed, with a hint of reluctance and regret in his tone: "So..."

County Magistrate Zhou thought to himself that it was bad, this wouldn't be a complete murderous intention against him: "Sir, you tell me! How do you want me to help you fool the court? I will grind ink and write a memorial to the court, What do you think? And I know all the rich and gentry in Yongning City. I can help you deal with them and make them behave themselves. They will never hinder your plan! "

Nan Liujing raised his eyebrows: "Okay, if you can't do what you said, then you go and die, just in time to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys for the rich and gentry in the city."

Guisheng and others standing behind Nan Liujing were all laughing and crying. Perhaps only the person involved, Zhou County Magistrate, believed it to be true.

No one knew what Zhou County Magistrate did. Anyway, the rich and gentry in the city were very obedient and did not dare to make any big moves.

Except for the first meal on the first day, the food provided by Nan Liujing later was all thin rice porridge, and the victims could only eat half full.

But this half-fullness has made everyone satisfied.

Sometimes people are so fragile that they can't bear a single blow, and sometimes they are surprisingly tough. Although they were on the verge of starvation not long ago, after a few bowls of rice porridge, the victims recovered at an astonishing speed and regained their strength.

Thanks to the efforts of the three imperial doctors and the doctors of Yongning City, this not-so-serious epidemic was well controlled, and the victims who were suffering from the disease were also well treated.

Nan Liujing did not give blindly. On the fourth day of his arrival in Yongning City, he launched a work-for-relief method to support the victims in using their labor to exchange for more food. For

those who were unwilling to work, he would not force them, and would also provide food.

But this food can only ensure that the victims will not starve to death.

As soon as this notice was posted outside the city gate, the gate of the county government was trampled by the victims.

"Sir, I'll sign up! I'll sign up!"

"And me, sir, this living woman can do it, right!"

"Can old people sign up, sir?" An old man who was obviously over 50 years old tried to straighten his back, "I'm only 40 this year, and I can still do it."

The bailiff didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he had to say: "Okay, okay, everyone can sign up. No matter whether you are male or female, young or old, as long as you can finish the work, we will give you food."

After finally maintaining order, the bailiff asked the old man in the first place: "Which one do you want to sign up for?"

"I want to join the army."

The bailiff suspected that he had heard it wrong: "What did you say?"

"I heard that Young Master Yao Nan is going to form an army to protect Yongning County, and I am here to join this army."

In order to cover up, Nan Liujing took a position in Yongning City, mainly responsible for recruiting soldiers.

Before the yamen runners could say anything, the people in the queue behind the old man were furious: "Old man, Young Master Yao Nan said that he would only recruit 1,000 people in the first batch. You took up the quota. What should we do?"

"That's right. We are here to respond to Young Master Yao Nan's call."

"In Yongning City, I don't recognize any County Magistrate Zhou, I only recognize Young Master Yao Nan! Young Master Yao Nan wants to recruit soldiers, so I will go to serve him!"

"Young Master Yao Nan has already spoken, folks, can we lose face for him? He only recruits 1,000 people, and the people in our disaster relief camp add up to more than 5,000!"

The common people are smart and simple. They

know who is good to them.

Li Sheng, holding his wife and daughter, was in the queue, and suddenly thought of the scene when he first met Young Master Yao Nan that day.

He thought, if it was this young master Yao Nan, maybe he could really cure the world.

And he, a man who should have died, was saved by young master Yao Nan, so he could only repay him with his own life.

While Li Sheng was daydreaming, he finally lined up at the front of the line.

The yamen runner asked while registering: "What's your name? What position do you want to apply for?"

"Mr. Li. I want to join the army."

"Okay, you are number 905. Take this wooden sign and wait over there. There will be screening in a while."

"We still have to screen?"

"In previous years, we couldn't recruit enough people, so naturally we just accepted one by one. Can it be the same this year?"

"Yes, it's different this year."