Communication was too backward, and by the time Xie Yun's letter reached Shu, a long time had passed, especially during this period of constant warfare.
With the war in full swing, Wei Tingsi and Zhao Shu temporarily put aside the imperial decree of marriage, not taking it too seriously, deciding to deal with everything when they returned to the capital.
When it comes to war, many people may only think of words like corpses strewn across the fields, rivers of blood, and displacement. They use very little language, but the impact is profound.
After disguising themselves, Zhao Shu and Wei Tingsi went out onto the street, only to find that the shops were closed, the streets were deserted, agriculture was abandoned, commerce was stagnant, and everyone was hiding at home or in the countryside, with no one daring to go out and wander around.
However, the Shu region had just suffered from floods. After the floods, there was an urgent need to prevent and control diseases, as well as famine and war. The Shu region could only be described as hell.
For the first time, Zhao Shu felt that war was disgusting. Many times she thought that if a vassal king disobeyed, she would send troops to destroy him; if someone was annoying, she would send troops to pacify them. Violence was the most effective way to solve problems, but not the best way.
"Actually, it would be better to assassinate him," she muttered to herself.
Wei Tingsi nodded in agreement, but said nothing.
After walking for a while, we gradually discovered refugees begging on the street. They would rush over to anyone they saw, holding a broken bowl, saying, "Kind people, please give me some food. I haven't eaten for three days."
"Give us some, the child is starving."
They were refugees, their faces and bodies filthy, their eyes looking at Zhao Shu and the others with hope.
“Master, these refugees are so pitiful,” Chu Chun said.
Refugees? What an unpleasant word. But what else could they be but refugees? They were barely clothed, penniless, and desperately awaiting the government's disaster relief funds. He nodded and said, "Buy them some food."
After saying this, he gestured to Xiao Guozi, who understood and deliberately asked, "Has the imperial court not sent any disaster relief grain?"
“They used to send supplies, but ever since the King of Shu blocked the roads, they haven’t been able to deliver them. Lord Luo, who was in charge of disaster relief, was also injured and is wanted by the King of Shu’s government. We don’t know where he’s been taken,” a refugee replied.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Shu gave him a deep look. Xiao Guozi then asked, "Didn't the Prince of Shu's mansion open its granaries to distribute grain?"
"Now that the King of Shu has become emperor, he wants to wage war. Where will he get any food for us? They'd rather we all die so we won't get in their way," the same man replied.
His words resonated with others, and other refugees voiced their support.
Zhao Shu's heart stirred, and she gestured to Xiao Guozi again. Xiao Guozi had followed Zhao Shu for many years and naturally understood her plan. He immediately muttered to himself, "Alas, I wonder when I can go home. My parents must be worried. Brother, do you know any other way out of Shu?"
"No, the King of Shu has already sealed it off. Many merchant caravans that came to Shu to do business can't go back. I envy you, you still have a home to return to."
Xiao Guozi said with a hint of pride, "Of course. My home is in the capital, where everything has always been peaceful. Before I left, I thought the whole world was as peaceful as the capital. I never expected that Sichuan would be so unsettled. I've really learned something new."
“The capital is the imperial city, protected by the emperor, so it is naturally peaceful. How can it be compared to the local areas? The King of Shu is stupid. Why didn’t he wait for the court to send the disaster relief grain before rebelling? Isn’t that just harming us common people?” Chu Chun chimed in.
As they were talking, they led the people to Yipinju Restaurant, pretending to pay for the food and medicine prepared for the refugees.
That evening, Xiao Guozi brought the refugee who had spoken to Zhao Shu. Upon seeing Zhao Shu, the man immediately knelt down, brushed aside his dirty, tangled black hair, and burst into tears. "Princess, I've finally found you! If you hadn't appeared, I fear I would have starved to death here."
Zhao Shu looked closely and was surprised to see it was the Imperial Academy Judge. She helped him up, "Imperial Academy Judge, where is my teacher?"
"Lord Luo is organizing the people to rise up against the Shu King's regime. He sent me here to contact the princess. I haven't eaten for three days." He recalled the difficult time of evading the Shu army and encountering bandits, and his eyes welled up with tears.
"I was wronged by Your Highness before, and I hope the Princess will not take offense. If I am able to return alive, I will personally go to Prince Yong's mansion to apologize." He wept as he confessed, showing none of the arrogance he had shown when he looked down on Prince Yong's mansion.
Naturally, Zhao Shu would not forgive him easily, but with the country in peril, personal grudges were no longer important. It was not too late to settle scores after the war had subsided.
"We'll discuss this matter another day. Please let me know the teacher's plan so I can arrange for someone to cooperate." Zhao Shu instructed someone to help him sit down. After all, he was quite old and had experienced turmoil, so he was no longer as robust as before.
The judge sat down, wiped away his tears, and said, "Lord Luo cannot bear to see the people suffer from the war. He is organizing the people to resist the Shu army and working with the national army from within and without to try to quell the war in Shu with fewer casualties."
Wei Tingsi nodded. "As long as Lord Luo can do it, I will have my subordinates cooperate to minimize casualties."
The judge was so excited he almost cried. He never wanted to experience the taste of war again, never wanted to be homeless again. His home in the capital was the best. The world was so big, but he didn't want to see it at all. He missed his home, where he was surrounded by warm jade.
The idea of working together from within and without was a good one. Wei Tingsi didn't think about it for long before sending the order to Wang Jiyang. Meanwhile, Luo Hu, who was still persuading the people, was giving a passionate speech.
"Now that I have come here today, some people may report me to the Shu King's mansion for wealth and glory, or for food and clothing. They may have the Shu army come to arrest me. But since I am standing here, I am not afraid of the Shu army, nor am I afraid of evil."
Every village has an ancestral hall or altar for worship. At this time, he would stand next to the altar and give a passionate speech, while villagers gathered below the altar one after another.
"I came to Shu to manage the floods, bringing disaster relief funds and grain. However, I have been wanted and persecuted by the Shu King's Palace for no reason. The Shu King is ambitious and wants to become emperor. He has succeeded, but what does it have to do with you? Will you gain wealth and honor if he becomes emperor? Will you be able to eat and dress warmly? No, you will not. It will only bring war, greater famine, and greater disaster. In the face of natural disasters and man-made calamities, only the imperial court will put itself in your shoes and send you silver and grain."
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