nucmednet Chapter 185 Gu Chang'an is about to break
Chapter 185 Gu Chang'an is about to break
When pressed for an explanation, the scholar continued, "Half a month ago, the high tide flooded coastal cities and villages, causing many people to be displaced. The censor and the local governor dared not report this to the higher authorities, so they instead comforted the refugees and repaired the river mouth to lessen their punishment."
As a result, not only were the riverbanks not repaired, but a plague broke out due to the summer heat. The people, unwilling to wait to die, rose in rebellion, and the truth could no longer be concealed.
"Fools, how could you think you could keep this a secret?" Dean Ge exclaimed indignantly upon hearing this. "What can these incompetent officials do besides exploiting the people and whitewashing the truth?"
Shen Li closed her eyes. She hadn't expected things to turn out the same way as in her previous life. Even though she had managed to get the censor and the official in charge of the Ministry of Works to go to the local areas for supervision, something still went wrong.
Is this court rotten to the core? Or is there something else going on?
"His Majesty is furious and has ordered an imperial envoy to be dispatched to assess the disaster relief and river repair efforts, but a suitable candidate has not yet been selected," the scholar continued.
Shen Li remembered that in her previous life, it was the Crown Prince who went to assist Zhou Zhen, because besides the Emperor, the Crown Prince was the most important person at this event.
But that's impossible now, because although the Crown Prince can get out of bed, that's all he can do; he hasn't fully recovered.
The Prince of Yi would probably try, but it's unlikely. After all, the controversy over his enfeoffment had just been suppressed by the emperor. If he were to act in a high-profile manner, the civil service group would definitely rebel collectively.
These two are not suitable, so the heavy responsibility will probably fall on the shoulders of the Ninth Prince, now Prince Rui, Li Rui, and he will be given an important minister to assist him.
Li Rui is a suitable candidate, but if we split the forces into several groups, there might not be suitable people for each group.
In the previous life, this campaign to quell the rebellion and provide disaster relief lasted for a long time.
"Our dynasty has been stable for a long time, but we cannot find any officials or generals with experience in suppressing rebellions. Your Majesty is in a difficult position," a Hanlin scholar said.
After thinking it over and over, Shen Li took out a blank folding book and started writing.
The memorials from Hanlin scholars could reach the Emperor directly. Almost that very night, the Director of the Imperial Household Department presented them to the Emperor. The Emperor was in the process of selecting candidates, and his gaze immediately sharpened when he saw Shen Li's memorial.
When Shen Li returned home that day, Gu Chang'an had not yet arrived.
"Lianqiao and Shaoyao, help me pack my personal clothes and necessities. We're probably going out," she instructed.
"Go out?" Peony asked, puzzled. "Isn't the summer retreat supposed to wait until the height of summer? There's still more than a month to go, Miss."
"Just pack whatever you need, but don't bring too much stuff. Bring plenty of banknotes," Shen Li added.
"Yes." Although the two were puzzled, they did as instructed.
When Gu Chang'an returned, Shen Li had already packed her several small bundles.
"Ah Li, what's wrong with you?" Gu Chang'an had a bad feeling. He guessed it at a glance, but he was reluctant to believe it.
“I’ve been on the battlefield and have experience in suppressing rebellions, so I think I can handle leading a troop.” Shen Li held his hand: “Don’t worry, they can’t hurt me.”
“But the plague is no joke. Even if A-Li is strong, she may not be able to withstand it.” Gu Chang’an’s eyes were red with anxiety as he held her hand tightly. “No, I won’t let you go.”
Seeing him like this, Shen Li felt a little guilty, and her voice softened: "I'm sorry, my husband. I made the decision without considering your feelings. It was a bit impulsive."
"You submitted a memorial?" Gu Chang'an knew from her words that it was difficult to salvage the situation.
Ah Li has always been a person with her own ideas, and she will not easily change her mind.
Shen Li nodded weakly.
Gu Chang'an closed his eyes, said nothing, and simply held her in his arms.
He knew he shouldn't stop Ah Li from doing what she wanted, but he was really afraid of losing her. He knew clearly what the world would be like without her.
"I'm sorry." Shen Li sensed his vulnerability and gently patted his back to comfort him, "I'll be alright, I promise."
Gu Chang'an barely spoke all night, only telling her not to feel sorry and that she should do what she wanted to do. Apart from these few words, he just silently held her.
That night he was unusually proactive, holding Shen Li in his arms the whole time, unwilling to let go for even a moment.
"At this time, human nature is most vulnerable to the test, and all evil will be brought out. Ah Li can be compassionate, but remember not to trust anyone. Often, the most skillful killer is the one who can win your sympathy."
The next morning, Gu Chang'an gave her his final instructions as he put the crown on her head.
Shen Li looked at Gu Chang'an in the bronze mirror. There was a hint of melancholy between his brows, and his slightly pale lips showed that he hadn't slept well last night.
“I know, I won’t let strangers get close easily.” Shen Li said, then reassured him, “Besides, I’ve already put on the soft armor, so even if someone tries to assassinate me, they won’t be able to hurt my vitals.”
Gu Chang'an nodded, as if trying to convince himself: "I believe in A-Li."
This day is a grand court assembly, attended by everyone from the Grand Secretary to minor officials of the seventh rank, both civil and military, and the meeting place is outside the Hall of Diligent Governance.
Three other princes participated: the Crown Prince, Prince Yi, and Prince Rui.
When the ministers saw the Prince Rui, who was not yet eighteen years old, appear at the court meeting for the first time, they had a general idea of what was going on.
Shen Li spotted Lin Wan'er among the military officers; she was still dressed in silver helmet and armor, looking dashing and heroic.
Their eyes met briefly in the air before separating. One was aloof and arrogant, the other calm and composed, showing no emotional fluctuations whatsoever, as if they were strangers.
"With the Yellow River breached, suppressing the rebellion and providing disaster relief are urgent matters. I have decided to send three groups of troops to the rebellious prefectures simultaneously, with provisions to be dispatched by the Ministry of Revenue from the nearest locations," Emperor Cheng said in a deep voice.
He simply couldn't muster the energy; one problem after another left him with no strength left to even get angry.
"Rui'er, you will lead ten thousand men to Jizhou, with Vice Minister Wu Yong accompanying you."
Li Rui had already been informed, and immediately stepped forward to receive the order: "Your subject obeys the decree and will certainly not fail the Emperor's trust."
The Crown Prince and the Prince of Yi looked at their younger brother, who was not yet of age for his coming-of-age ceremony, and found him to be increasingly threatening.
He inexplicably gained military merit last time, and now he's reaping another huge benefit.
"The Vice Censor-in-Chief Li Jia will go to Tongzhou, and the Deputy Commander of the Divine Machine Battalion Lin Wan'er will lead 5,000 men to assist in suppressing the rebellion," Emperor Cheng issued another decree.
"Yes."
An elderly man in his fifties stepped forward with Lin Wan'er.
No one in the group was surprised. Li Jia was a third-rank official and a veteran minister. He had inspected various places and was very familiar with local customs and traditions, so he could quickly assess the situation.
Lin Wan'er is a rising star among military generals, capable of defending cities and capturing enemy leaders on the battlefield. Her ability to lead troops and fight is beyond question.
Now only one group of generals and officials remains to be sent to Xuzhou.
Xuzhou is relatively smaller, and it is said that the disaster and rebellion were not as severe there.
"I hereby appoint Shen Li as an Imperial Censor and send him to Xuzhou. You may choose your own general from among the troops, and you are permitted to lead three thousand men," Emperor Cheng said again.
These words shocked the court. Shen Li? Did they know about that Shen Li?