Chapter 60 Finale "Ah Shu, this time, Jiang...
Urgent reports of natural disasters from all over the country poured into Bian Jing like snowflakes, and the atmosphere in the court was solemn.
The ministers argued endlessly. Some advocated offering sacrifices and praying for blessings, some proposed sending more troops, and some emphasized increasing revenue and reducing expenditure and releasing grain with caution for fear of emptying the national treasury.
Yao Ce and others even implicitly linked the natural disaster to the emperor's "favor" of visitors from Northern Liang and his violation of etiquette, implying that this was a warning from heaven.
Xie Xuanhui, sitting high on the dragon throne, listened to these remarks that were either pedantic, evasive, or innuendo-filled, with anger boiling in his chest. He wanted to kill all the court officials and be done with it. However, after so many years, he knew that he couldn't do it. Apart from anything else, if Ah Shu knew, she would only hate him.
After leaving court, he returned to his bedroom full of resentment, his face so gloomy that water could drip out of it.
Xiao Wangshu had already heard about the situation in the court from the palace people. Seeing him like this, he silently handed him a cup of tea to calm his mind and relieve his heat.
Xie Xuanhui took it, but had no intention of drinking it. He said irritably:
"A bunch of incompetent officials! All they know is empty talk! Those who are dying of drought will die of drought, and those who are dying of floods will die of floods, yet they only care about their own petty interests and the so-called 'will of heaven'!"
Patting Xie Xuanhui's hand, Xiao Wangshu said soothingly:
"Your Majesty, God's will is unpredictable, but human intervention is possible. Our most urgent task is to reassure the people and provide relief to the victims."
He walked to the table, spread out a map of Zhongshan State, and ran his fingertips over several severely affected areas.
"The southern border is suffering from a severe drought. We should immediately dispatch capable officials as imperial envoys to open the granaries and release grain. We should organize the people to dig wells and find water. At the same time, we should severely punish those profiteers who are hoarding goods and driving up prices while the disaster is ravaging the land.
Floods in the north require dredging of rivers, strengthening of embankments, relocation of affected people to higher ground, distribution of tents and medicinal materials, and prevention of epidemics.
Due to the hurricane in the East China Sea, people living along the coast had to move inland to avoid danger, and the court provided them with resettlement.
Regarding the earthquake in the western region, the focus is on rescuing survivors, burying the remains, and rebuilding homes."
His ideas were clear and his measures were specific, as if he had thought them through carefully.
“As for silver, although the national treasury is not abundant, we can still squeeze in some to cope with this natural disaster.
In addition, we can call on wealthy private merchants to donate. The Lou family's business houses are spread all over the country, and they can take the lead in organizing the transportation of materials, which will be more efficient."
Xie Xuanhui looked at his focused and calm profile, and listened to his plans that concerned the people of the world. The nameless anger in his heart gradually died down, and was replaced by a complex emotion.
He recalled how Xiao Wangshu had been like this in his past life, always putting the people first, even arguing with him over this. He had been jealous and resentful, feeling that in Wangshu's heart, those ant-like common people were more important than him.
But after experiencing the pain of loss, searching, and even almost separation, he suddenly figured it out.
He walked behind Xiao Wangshu, gently put his arms around his waist, rested his chin on his shoulder, and said in a muffled voice:
"It's all up to you. If you want to save him, I will save him."
He paused, tightened his arms, and pleaded with a hint of fear in his tone, "But Ah Shu, this time, you can't leave me again, and you can't put yourself in danger again.
You have to promise me that you will stay in a safe place and let the people below do it. If anything happens to you again... I will really go crazy."
His words made Xiao Wangshu's body stiffen slightly. Feeling the undisguised dependence and fear of the person behind him, the last bit of ice in his heart finally melted completely.
He turned around, pulled her into his arms, and said "hmm" softly.
At this moment, the contradiction between them about "who is more important, the people or the emperor" was finally reconciled after experiencing life and death, loss and recovery.
Xie Xuanhui learned to respect and support Xiao Wangshu's beliefs, and Xiao Wangshu also felt the other party's deep cherishment that went beyond possessiveness.
Once the policy was set, Xie Xuanhui implemented it with an iron fist.
He ignored the opposition and, in accordance with Xiao Wangshu's suggestion, selected a group of practical officials as imperial envoys to rush to various places.
When Lou Guanshan received Xiao Wangshu's secret letter, he did not hesitate to mobilize his huge business network to continuously transport food, medicinal materials, cloth and other relief supplies to the disaster area.
Although Xiao Wangshu was stationed in the capital, he provided remote command and coordination through correspondence and secret reports. His experience and wisdom played a crucial role in the disaster relief efforts. Xie Xuanhui offered his full support, providing both personnel and funds to clear any obstacles in his way at court.
At night, candlelight warmed the Nianyue Pavilion. After finishing their heavy workload, the two finally had some time alone. The previous estrangement and struggles vanished, leaving only the gratitude for surviving and the cherishment of regaining what had been lost.
Everything just happened naturally.
The moment the two lips touched, it brought a tremor from the soul.
Disaster relief work was proceeding intensively according to plan. Just when the disaster situation showed signs of improvement, the national teacher Chi Hua asked for a meeting.
He looked older and more haggard than ever, as if his vitality was rapidly fading away.
"Your Majesty, Lord Xiao." His voice was hoarse. "The disasters in various places are not ordinary natural disasters, but the punishment of heaven for those who defy fate. This disaster was caused by me forcibly reversing Lord Xiao's fate, and it is I who should end it."
Xie Xuanhui and Xiao Wangshu were both shocked.
"Why does the Imperial Master say this? Is there any other way?" Xiao Wangshu asked anxiously.
Chi Hua shook his head, his eyes calm and resolute:
"Only by offering the caster's soul, flesh, and blood as a sacrifice to the Heavenly Dao can their wrath be appeased and the mountains and rivers restored to safety. Your Majesty, please immediately order the construction of a nine-tiered altar on a high spot on the outskirts of the city."
"Building an altar? It will be a waste of money and labor at this time and may cause public resentment!" Xie Xuanhui frowned.
"This is the only way to survive. If the disaster is not fundamentally resolved, the subsequent casualties will far exceed the cost of building the altar." Chihua said in a firm tone.
Xiao Wangshu was silent for a moment, then looked at Xie Xuanhui. Through their eye contact, he understood that he had no choice.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to personally supervise and explain the reasons to the people to minimize complaints."
The construction of the altar sparked considerable controversy. However, thanks to Xiao Wangshu's patient explanations and Xie Xuanhui's firm approach, the project moved forward with difficulty. Yao Ce and others, though tempted to use this as an opportunity to criticize the emperor, ultimately hesitated, seeing the disaster gradually subside and the emperor's unquestionable attitude.
After 81 days, the nine-story altar stood tall.
On the day of the Heavenly Sacrifice, dark clouds loomed overhead, and a fierce wind howled. Chi Hua, clad in a black Taoist robe and holding a whisk, stepped up onto the platform. He glanced back at Xie Xuanhui and Xiao Wangshu below, his gaze deep, filled with a hint of entrustment and relief.
He did not recite any lengthy incantations, but simply stood quietly in the center of the altar, with his arms open, as if to embrace the sky whose fate he was trying to change.
Suddenly, a blinding white light erupted from his body, soaring into the sky! The violent wind died down, the dark clouds dispersed, and the long-awaited sunlight shone upon the earth. Meanwhile, urgent reports came from all over: Drought-stricken areas were receiving abundant rain, floods subsided, hurricanes shifted, and earthquakes ceased...
The white light faded, and the altar was empty. Only the whisk gently fell.
The national teacher Chi Hua paid the price of his own soul to buy a respite for Zhongshan Kingdom.
The natural disaster subsided, and the country was restored. After overcoming this difficult time together, the relationship between Xie Xuanhui and Xiao Wangshu became even stronger. Most of the court officials also saw Xiao Wangshu's ability to stabilize the country and his irreplaceable position in the emperor's heart, and the voices of opposition gradually weakened.
Half a year later, on an auspicious day, Zhongshan State held an unprecedented grand ceremony to enthronize the queen.
Xie Xuanhui ignored the opposition and did not choose any woman from aristocratic family. Instead, he officially canonized Xiao Wangshu as the queen for his merits in "pacifying natural disasters and supporting the country", and gave her a high status, equal to that of the emperor.
At the ceremony, Xiao Wangshu, dressed in an elaborate and gorgeous Fengjun formal dress, and Xie Xuanhui, who was dressed in a dragon robe, walked hand in hand up the high white marble steps step by step to accept the worship of all officials and people.
The sun shone brightly, illuminating their clasped hands and the deep affection in their eyes. The Pisces jade pendants, having weathered two lifetimes of hardship, dangled from their waists, gleaming brightly.
Xie Xuanhui looked at the person beside him and whispered in a low voice, his voice filled with endless satisfaction and solemnity: "Ashu, this time, the country is our betrothal gift, and you and I will never be separated."
Xiao Wangshu looked back at him, with a relieved smile and firm tenderness in his eyes, and gently shook his hand back:
"good."
The sound of bells and drums echoed through the heavens. A new chapter began. The Emperor and Empress united in their determination to safeguard this hard-earned era of peace and prosperity.
(End of the book)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com