amaotonovel Chapter 316 Plague
Chapter 316 Plague
Lan Qingwu naturally knew that something big had happened in the previous dynasty, and all the concubines in the harem who were not stupid stayed quietly in their own palaces and did not even go out.
Ruhan tiptoed into the bedroom. The seventh princess was sleeping soundly and carefree, with a faint smile on her fair and tender face.
Lan Qingwu signaled the wet nurse to take good care of the seventh princess, then got up and left the bedroom.
She casually leaned back on the chaise longue, and Ru Han whispered, "My Lady, I heard that the people of a village have been locked up. There is no food, no herbs, only infectious diseases. Anyone who dares to enter will be killed."
Lan Qingwu couldn't believe it: "A village? There must be thousands of people!"
"I heard there were eight or nine thousand people."
Lan Qingwu frowned tightly: "I'm afraid this matter is not over yet!"
Ru Han said, "What else could it be? His Majesty has already sent more people. Once the remaining people are rescued, everything will... gradually get better, right?"
Lan Qingwu just remained silent and did not answer. How could things be so simple at this point?
Sure enough, things escalated and developed in the worst direction.
Several large cities near Bianyu City that suffered from floods united to conceal the true extent of the disaster and the epidemic. They only locked up the sick people together and left them to fend for themselves. The people's relatives died tragically, and they suffered from natural disasters and the epidemic. With no way to survive, some people raised their arms and rebelled!
The rebel leader quickly assembled a force of 60,000, killed the city's defenders, and occupied Bianyu City. In just a few days, the number of troops increased to over 100,000. Three cities close to Bianyu City were also captured by the rebels without any preparation. The second inspection officer sent by Emperor Shenwu was probably in danger.
In the Qinzheng Palace, the atmosphere was solemn and oppressive. The Shenwu Emperor's expression was even colder. His phoenix eyes beneath his crown swept over the ministers like cold lightning: "What do you think, Master?"
The Grand Master quickly stepped out and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I believe we should send troops to suppress them. Since they have become rebels and are committing such heinous acts, we must not let them off lightly."
The Blue Tree People immediately stepped out to object: "No! They are good citizens, how can we kill them all!"
"So what do you think we should do?"
The civil and military ministers had different opinions. Some said that they must be severely punished, while others said it was inappropriate. After all, these were good citizens. If they were not forced into a desperate situation, who would risk everything and start a rebellion?
Lan Shuren calmed himself down and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I've heard that the so-called 'rebels' can't even write a decent surrender letter. Are they really 'rebels'? Besides, it's said that the rebels have gathered hundreds of thousands of people. Are they going to chop off hundreds of thousands of heads in this prosperous era? Let alone how future generations will judge them, if they did, I'm afraid the Dasheng Dynasty would be plunged into turmoil! I have a plan. Only the main culprits will be held accountable, including their three clans. The rest of the people were simply blind followers. The local officials didn't handle them properly, so the people thought the court had abandoned them. They rebelled just to save their lives! What the court needs to do is to dispel this anger. In this way, these civilians and soldiers will naturally collapse! The problem of the rebellion will be solved!"
There was admiration in the eyes of Emperor Shenwu. Naturally, Master Shi did not ignore the emperor's appreciation. He felt nervous in his heart. This Lan Shuren was really a strong rival. In just a few years, he had become an indispensable figure in the cabinet. The Emperor Shenwu could no longer conceal his intention to use him.
Emperor Shenwu issued an edict: "I order Lan Shuren to go to Bianyu City immediately as an imperial envoy. Ye Feng and Lu Cheng will accompany him! I will grant you the Imperial Sword, as if I were there in person! You can execute first and report later, adapt to the situation, and handle the Bianyu City case on my behalf!"
Lan Shuren's heart trembled, and he quickly knelt on the ground: "I obey your command! I will not let your majesty down!"
In Qingliang Palace, the Sixth Prince hurriedly came to bid farewell to Lan Qingwu. Lan Qingwu's beautiful eyes widened: "Chu Ming, what did you say? Your father asked you to go to Bianyu City with the imperial envoy?"
The Sixth Prince quickly comforted her, "Mother, I'm just staying behind. I'm not doing anything special. I'm just trying to understand the situation in Bianyu City and the suffering of the people. Not only me, but my eldest and second brothers are also going with me! Don't worry, Mother!"
The Sixth Prince said a few words in a hurry and was about to leave. Lan Qingwu didn't care about anything else. He just ordered the palace servants to clean up the mess and selected palace servants to accompany the Sixth Prince to serve him personally. The Sixth Prince did not refuse, otherwise his mother would be even more uneasy.
The situation was urgent, so the next morning, the Sixth Prince and his two companions set out with Lan Shuren and other officials. A general with troops would reunite with them halfway. If the situation got out of control, they had to be fully prepared!
At night, Lan Qingwu was naturally too worried to sleep. It was conceivable that Concubine Jiang and Concubine Wan must be feeling the same as he was.
Emperor Shenwu finally found some free time and went to the bedroom in the rear hall of Qingliang Palace without any delay.
As expected, seeing Lan Qingwu fidgeting, the Emperor Shenwu hurried forward and embraced Lan Qingwu in his arms: "Are you worried? Don't worry, I'm just letting them go out and gain some experience. Just stay in the back, there won't be any risks."
Lan Qingwu understood that the children were grown up and of such status that they could not be tied to the harem forever, but it was impossible for him not to worry. "Brother Heng, I understand, but why did you think of letting the children go?"
Emperor Shenwu said: "I just asked who wants to go and see it, I am not forcing them!"
So the eldest, second, and sixth princes volunteered. As expected by Emperor Shenwu, he immediately agreed with a wave of his hand.
Lan Qingwu was silent. The First and Second Princes were grown enough, naturally eager to contribute to the court, but how could the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Princes remain so impassive? This must be the emperor's first test! It assesses the princes' abilities, character, and so on. The ministers of the previous dynasty must have watched the princes' performance with wide eyes! This was the first tactical battle for the future ministers' alignment and support.
Emperor Shenwu naturally wanted these as well. He was somewhat dissatisfied: "Neither those who pretended to be stupid nor those who pretended to be smart went this time." As a prince, he didn't even have this little courage!
Lan Qingwu: “…”
Shouldn't we say that no one knows a son better than his father? The one pretending to be stupid is the third prince, right? The one pretending to be smart is naturally the fifth prince. So is the fourth prince pretending to be stupid or smart?
Lan Qingwu didn't ask further questions: "Brother Heng, I think Concubine Jiang and Concubine Wan are just as worried!"
Emperor Shenwu directly ordered: "Li Xiang, go and give some rewards to reassure Concubine Jiang and Concubine Wan!"
Li Xiang took the order and left. Lan Qingwu could no longer worry and could only lean into the arms of Emperor Shenwu, hugging his thin waist tightly.
Concubine Jiang and Concubine Wan received the reward from Emperor Shenwu in a state of trepidation, and felt somewhat comforted. They immediately decided to visit the Empress later to inquire about their son's news.
Emperor Shenwu stayed with Lan Qingwu that night, and Lan Qingwu's mood gradually calmed down. Soon he fell asleep in the emperor's arms.