Chapter 42 Departing for Disaster Relief

Chapter 42 Setting Off for Disaster Relief

The dull thunder rumbled continuously, and the room was pitch black.

Chu Jiubian’s heart pounded heavily and rapidly.

The embankment had collapsed—the embankment in Hexi Commandery had collapsed!

Was it truly impossible to avoid the flood disaster described in the original work?

He quickly shook off the chaotic thoughts and asked, “How many areas were flooded?”

In the darkness, Qin Xiao’s deep eyes resembled bottomless, icy pools, and his voice carried a chilling intensity. “Two counties, ten thousand *mu* (over 1,600 acres) of fertile farmland.”

Hexi Commandery was a prosperous region, comprising thirteen subordinate counties. Five of these counties bordered the Ning River and were historically the most flood-prone areas.

Among these riverside counties, even the smallest had a population of twenty thousand.

Two counties—that meant nearly fifty thousand people!

“Have messages been sent to the others?” Chu Jiubian asked.

Qin Xiao replied, “All officials ranked second-level or higher have already been summoned to the palace for discussions.”

“What about Prince Jiannan…”

“Qin Lie is personally overseeing him.”

Qin Zhaoyang had just returned in the rain earlier that morning. Chu Jiubian had originally planned to deal with the governors of Guizhou and Guangxi the next day, but he never expected such a disaster to occur today.

The construction of the embankment in Hexi Commandery had been entirely supervised by Prince Jiannan. Previously, the prince had boasted about his achievements and gained public support, enjoying the spotlight.

Now that disaster had struck, it was yet to be seen how he would react.

“Let’s go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation,” Chu Jiubian said, stepping forward to leave.

Qin Xiao grabbed him. “Get dressed.”

Only then did Chu Jiubian realize he was only wearing inner garments and hadn’t even put on shoes. He hurried back to the inner room and quickly got fully dressed.

Xiao Xiangzi and the others had also been alerted. Several of them were already waiting in the outer hall, holding straw cloaks and hand stoves.

In such heavy wind and rain, umbrellas were useless.

Chu Jiubian put on the straw cloak, took the hand stove, and left the courtyard with Qin Xiao, heading quickly toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

They had taken this path many times, but never with such heaviness as now.

Chu Jiubian followed beside Qin Xiao, his mind in turmoil.

From the beginning of the embankment repairs, Qin Xiao had people monitoring the progress. Due to the influence of Vice Minister of Works Xiao Wendao, the workers did not dare to be negligent. All materials used were of high quality, the craftsmen were well-provided for, and the work proceeded smoothly.

After the embankment was completed, Qin Xiao had even ordered a thorough inspection to ensure every potential weak point was adequately fortified.

Prince Jiannan’s task had indeed been carried out impeccably.

Yet, the embankment had still collapsed. Chu Jiubian found it hard to believe that a structure built with such high-quality materials could fail to withstand a few days of heavy rain.

This was not a natural disaster—it was human-made!

Moreover, the recent extensive acclaim of Prince Jiannan’s achievements among the people likely involved not only the Xiao family but also orchestrated efforts by interested parties. Their goal was to raise Baili Hai to great heights, only to bring him down harshly.

The higher the climb, the harder the fall.

Who was targeting Prince Jiannan?

Or rather, who in the capital had become restless and decided to target the Xiao family?

Two counties, tens of thousands of people, ten thousand *mu* of fertile farmland—the perpetrator behind this was truly ruthless.

A sense of suffocation tightened in Chu Jiubian’s chest, making it hard to breathe.

Suddenly, he stumbled, splattering mud everywhere.

Qin Xiao immediately caught him. Chu Jiubian regained his footing and continued walking without pause, while Qin Xiao did not let go of his arm.

Meanwhile, lights came on in the mansions and compounds throughout the capital.

The Imperial Guards went door to door, informing officials of the second rank and above to gather at the palace for discussions.

The ministers and vice ministers had already put on their official robes and straw cloaks, waiting only for the summons to depart by carriage. Officials like Xiao Huaiguan and Xiao Wendao of the Xiao family were even already seated in their carriages.

Upon receiving the summons, everyone made their way quickly to the imperial palace.

Xiao Family Main Residence.

A servant carefully assisted Xiao Yao into his inner garments, while servants took away the water he had used for washing.

The flickering lamp light in the room cast shifting shadows across Xiao Yao’s pale, sickly face.

His once handsome features had grown emaciated in just a few days, with dark shadows under his eyes.

His body had also noticeably thinned, every part of him showing signs of illness.

The house doctor nearby put away his silver needles and said respectfully, “Master, the toxicity of the datura cannot be eliminated quickly. However, you are no longer as dependent on it as before. If you can endure the withdrawal pains two more times, you should be largely rid of it.”

There was no antidote for datura, but the physician had tested methods on the three surviving dancers. He found that by enduring the agony of withdrawal repeatedly, one could gradually overcome dependence.

But whether the toxins could be completely eliminated from the system remained uncertain.

Moreover, the toxicity of datura was potent. Even if one managed to overcome dependence, there was a high risk of relapse and falling back into addiction.

Xiao Yao responded indifferently. After the physician and maids had left, a shadowy figure appeared in the room, kneeling on one knee.

“Has Prince Jiannan been notified?” Xiao Yao asked.

The shadow guard replied, “He has been notified. The prince will head to the palace immediately.”

Although Prince Jiannan remained in the capital, he did not reside in the palace but in a mansion granted by the previous emperor.

The area surrounding his residence was not only home to the Prince of Jiannan’s mansion but also twenty to thirty other estates. Seven of these belonged to the seven vassal princes currently in their fiefdoms, while the rest were leased by officials such as the Chief Justice.

The Prince of Jiannan’s mansion was well-lit, with people moving hurriedly through the courtyards—clear signs that news of the embankment collapse had already reached them.

Qin Zhaoyang and one of his shadow guards crouched in the darkness, monitoring the main courtyard where Baili Hai resided.

The main courtyard’s bedchamber, which had been dimly lit, was now brightly lit.

Maids and servants hurried back and forth in a flurry of activity.

A quarter of an hour later, the door to the sleeping quarters finally opened.

But the first to emerge were not Baili Hai, but two attendants and a young, fair-faced eunuch.

The eunuch, his expression cold, directed the two attendants to leave through a side gate at the rear. One of the attendants carried something wrapped in a straw mat over his shoulder.

It was a person!

Qin Zhaoyang’s face tightened slightly. He turned to his subordinate and said, “Follow them. I’ll catch up with you later.”

The shadow guard acknowledged the order and vanished into the night in the blink of an eye, tailing the two attendants.

Qin Zhaoyang waited another quarter of an hour before finally seeing Baili Hai emerge.

Dressed in a rain cloak and bamboo hat, his pale, gloomy face flashed by as he boarded the carriage.

Qin Zhaoyang moved swiftly and silently, following closely as they headed toward the imperial palace.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation in the imperial palace:

The young emperor, still drowsy, had been roused by Eunuch Hong Fu and was now seated in the main chair of the assembly hall.

Eunuch Hong Fu stood beside him. On either side of the hall, Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao sat facing each other.

The Ministers of the Six Ministries and Vice Ministers stood in two rows opposite one another.

“Your Majesty,” Wang Zhiyuan, the Minister of Rites, stepped forward first and said, “The repair of the embankment in Hexi Prefecture was entirely entrusted to His Highness Prince Jiannan and the Ministry of Works. Now that such a major failure has occurred, I believe His Highness Prince Jiannan and the Ministry of Works should be held fully responsible.”

“Minister Wang speaks too lightly,” retorted Xiao Wendao, the Vice Minister of Works. “When His Highness Prince Jiannan was repairing the embankment, he worked diligently, sparing no effort. The materials used were not only up to the court’s standards but even better and more expensive. Moreover, every batch of bricks and materials was documented and archived, with absolutely no room for error. The breach of the embankment must have been caused by sabotage.”

“Sabotage?” Su Sheng, the Minister of Revenue, sneered coldly. “Is Vice Minister Xiao suggesting that His Highness Prince Jiannan and the Ministry of Works did not embezzle funds, and that the flood in Hexi Prefecture was merely a natural disaster?”

“The breach in Hexi Prefecture was not a natural disaster but a man-made calamity,” Xiao Wendao said firmly, his brows furrowed. “Your Majesty, my lords, I believe someone must have deliberately sabotaged the embankment to frame His Highness Prince Jiannan.”

“What evidence do you have?” Su Sheng glanced sideways at him, his gaze icy. “Every year, the court allocates funds for embankment repairs, yet Hexi Prefecture suffers from floods year after year. This is because the Ministry of Works is insatiably greedy, embezzling too much, which leads to shoddy repairs and now a complete breach! The facts are clear to everyone.”

“Indeed, they are clear. The Ministry of Works has been diligent and dedicated. For the embankment repairs, our entire ministry went without proper rest for over half a month,” Xiao Wendao retorted coldly, glaring at Su Sheng. “Meanwhile, the Ministry of Revenue delayed the release of funds repeatedly. If His Highness Prince Jiannan hadn’t used his own money to fill the gap, the embankment might never have been repaired.”

Su Sheng neither denied nor admitted to intentionally causing difficulties. Instead, he said, “If the embankment couldn’t withstand two days of heavy rain, it’s doubtful that the Ministry of Works and His Highness Prince Jiannan contributed much extra silver. It’s more likely they embezzled funds and used substandard materials.”

“With accusations so baseless, Minister Su seems determined to pin the blame on the Ministry of Works.”

“If that’s not the case, how else could such a flimsy embankment have been built?”

Xiao Wendao bowed toward the emperor and said solemnly, “Your Majesty, the embankment breach is fraught with doubts. There must be villains behind it. Minister Su’s eagerness to blame the Ministry of Works makes me wonder if he fears some truth might come to light.”

This was an attempt to cast suspicion on Su Sheng.

“The truth is clear to everyone,” Su Sheng replied calmly, showing no sign of panic. “His Highness Prince Jiannan sought both fame and profit, treating the embankment project as a trivial matter. It’s no surprise things turned out this way.”

In defending his own innocence, he flung mud back at His Highness Prince Jiannan.

Chu Jiubian watched the exchanges coldly, his heart unmoved, finding it all ridiculous.

Two counties in Hexi Prefecture were flooded, leaving tens of thousands of people displaced. Yet these powerful figures were still using the opportunity to attack political rivals and vie for more benefits.

His gaze swept over each person, as if trying to see into their hearts.

Who could be the mastermind behind the destruction of the embankment?

Outside, a young eunuch brought in the latest news.

Qin Xiao took the letter and read the few lines detailing the number of people affected by the flood and the areas impacted.

The numbers were staggering.

He passed the letter around, and it eventually reached Chu Jiubian.

Chu Jiubian read it carefully, his brow furrowing.

Behind each cold number was a living, breathing life.

Just then, the young eunuch returned. Eunuch Hong Fu stepped out to speak with him briefly before returning to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

“Your Majesty, my lords,” he said with a slight bow, “His Highness Prince Jiannan is waiting outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation. He claims that although the embankment breach was not his fault, he is willing to go to Hexi Prefecture personally to oversee disaster relief.”

Given the scale of the disaster, regardless of how the embankment failed, His Highness Prince Jiannan couldn’t escape responsibility.

The common people knew nothing of the court’s intrigues; they only knew that His Highness Prince Jiannan had repaired the embankment, which now couldn’t even withstand a heavy rain.

The praise he had previously received would now turn into backlash.

Thus, Baili Hai had to show a proactive attitude and take responsibility—to atone for his faults by performing meritorious deeds.

After Eunuch Hong Fu’s report, everyone in the hall understood the situation. Their probing gazes fell upon Qin Xiao.

Chu Jiubian also glanced at him.

The man’s expression was calm, his sharp features looking even more imposing under the flickering lamplight, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.

Xiao Wendao spoke again, “Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Jiannan is benevolent. Although the embankment breach was not his fault, he is willing to take responsibility. Why not assign him to lead the disaster relief efforts in Hexi Prefecture?”

“Is His Highness Prince Jiannan, after profiting from the embankment repairs, now eyeing the disaster relief funds?” Wang Pengyi, the Vice Minister of Revenue, remarked coolly.

“That’s slander!” Xiao Wendao retorted angrily. “His Highness clearly intends to atone for his mistakes!”

As soon as he spoke, he realized he had misspoken in his agitation and glanced nervously at Xiao Huaiguan, the Minister of Personnel.

Wang Pengyi seized the opportunity and immediately countered, “Is Vice Minister Xiao admitting that His Highness Prince Jiannan is indeed at fault?”

“Vice Minister Wang needn’t fixate on a single word,” Xiao Huaiguan said, covering his mouth as he coughed lightly. “Since His Highness Prince Jiannan is willing to take responsibility, why not give him a chance?”

He raised his eyes slightly, his cloudy gaze turning toward Baili Hong on the throne. “What does Your Majesty think?”

Baili Hong had listened to the discussions all evening and understood what had happened.

His small face was scrunched up in confusion. Seeing that his uncle and teacher remained silent, he said, “After all this talk, why has no one mentioned how to provide disaster relief?”

Shouldn’t the urgent matter at hand be discussing relief efforts?

The child’s innocent tone, filled with genuine puzzlement, left everyone in the hall speechless.

Suddenly, a soft laugh broke the silence.

Everyone turned to look at Qin Xiao.

Chu Jiubian did the same.

Qin Xiao raised his hand and placed the teacup on the table.

With a crisp sound, the porcelain cup was instantly covered with cracks, yet it didn't shatter completely.

Beneath the teacup, the redwood table split open with spiderweb cracks, as if the slightest touch would cause it to crumble entirely.

"Did you hear that?" Qin Xiao lifted his gaze, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips, yet it sent chills down everyone's spines.

Everyone except Chu Jiubian looked down silently, unwilling to speak.

Only then did they finally remember that their purpose today was to devise a solution, not to plot against the Xiao family or find ways for Prince Jiannan to redeem himself.

Qin Xiao didn’t expect them to respond.

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over those present. "Tens of thousands of people in two counties have been displaced. His Majesty demands answers—what have you been doing?"

"Blaming each other, attacking one another, arguing over who’s right and who’s wrong." Qin Xiao’s tone was calm, yet it carried an icy edge.

He spoke slowly, emphasizing each word: "Is this court meant to serve your four great families?"

His words caused the expressions of those present to change slightly.

Qin Xiao was accusing them of controlling the court, caring only for their own interests, not the people.

If such remarks spread, their reputations would be destroyed.

Wang Pengyi wanted to say something, but Qin Xiao continued, "The Ministry of Revenue must immediately allocate 400,000 taels of silver for disaster relief. The Ministry of Works shall send people to build temporary dams to hold back the floodwaters."

"Sir, the Ministry of Revenue has no funds..." Su Sheng began, but Qin Xiao cut him off. "Didn’t the fine salt agreements with the four great families include hundreds of thousands of taels yet to be collected? Go after those who owe you."

According to the fine salt agreements with the four great families, an initial payment was required, with dividends to be distributed later.

However, after the agreements were signed, the great families delayed their payments, and the funds had yet to be fully collected.

Su Sheng bowed his head in acknowledgment.

Xiao Wendao wanted to raise the matter of sending Prince Jiannan to Hexi County, but Jian Hongzhuo, the normally inconspicuous Minister of Works and his superior, unexpectedly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Sir, I am willing to personally oversee the construction of the temporary dams."

The hall fell silent.

All eyes turned to him, yet he seemed completely unfazed.

Qin Xiao looked at him for a moment before replying, "Approved."

Xiao Wendao glanced at Jian Hongzhuo’s back, his eyes darkening.

Xiao Huaiguan shot him a look, and when he didn’t move, stepped forward himself with a bow. "Sir, this flood has caused extensive damage and poses a serious threat. It likely requires someone of high authority to supervise."

They knew how well the dams had been built, so they were confident they could clear Prince Jiannan of suspicion of corruption.

But they also needed to secure the disaster relief assignment for Prince Jiannan. If handled well, it would be another major accomplishment.

"I will personally oversee it," Qin Xiao declared, causing everyone’s expressions to change.

If Qin Xiao didn’t go, they could easily cover up any incriminating evidence, blaming the dam failure solely on natural disasters.

Even if human error was involved, they could simply scapegoat some craftsmen or local officials.

But if Qin Xiao went, it would be much harder for them to control the situation.

Yet they also knew that once Qin Xiao made a decision, he would follow through.

It seemed this matter would not be easily resolved.

Chu Jiubian’s gaze swept over the faces of those present, noting the glimmers of murderous intent and determination in their eyes.

Sacrificing pawns to protect the king—it seemed many scapegoats would soon emerge.

"We depart at dawn tomorrow," Qin Xiao ordered. "The Ministry of Revenue must deliver the silver to me before mao hour (5-7 a.m.). Officials from the Ministry of Works shall assemble outside the imperial city before mao hour. The Ministry of Personnel..."

He turned to Chu Jiubian. "The Ministry of Personnel shall also send someone to organize officials from nearby counties to assist in disaster relief."

From the beginning, aside from Baili Hong, only Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao were seated near Baili Hong.

Even after others arrived, Chu Jiubian remained seated.

As a Grand Tutor of the First Rank, he had the right to sit there.

But now, Chu Jiubian stood up, accepting the assignment in his capacity as Vice Minister of Personnel.

He would accompany Qin Xiao to Hexi County for disaster relief.

Not only because he was the Vice Minister of Personnel, but also because he had authority over grain supplies.

Four hundred thousand taels of silver sounded like a lot, but in practice, expenses would accumulate quickly. The immediate priority was to build temporary dams to prevent more counties from flooding.

This alone would incur significant costs. Later, they would need to set up shelters for the displaced, provide compensation to families of the deceased, distribute daily food, and procure medicines for disease prevention—all of which would likely quickly deplete the funds.

They likely wouldn’t be gone for long, and with An Wuji in the palace and Hong Fu already in power, there was no need to worry about Baili Hong.

Outside, heavy rain poured down. The officials, having received their orders, hurriedly left the Hall of Mental Cultivation to make preparations.

Time was tight, and the task was heavy—everyone needed to act quickly.

Outside the main courtyard of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Prince Jiannan Baili Hai stood in the rain, without an umbrella or raincoat, his frail figure swaying unsteadily, putting on a convincing display of remorse and vulnerability.

When he saw the others emerge, Baili Hai finally staggered as if he could no longer stand and fell to his knees.

Xiao Wendao rushed forward to support him, while the others offered perfunctory words of concern before urging him to leave.

"So many people in Hexi County have suffered because of me... I truly..." Baili Hai’s voice choked with emotion.

Wang Pengyi, standing at the back of the crowd, nearly rolled his eyes in disdain.

Xiao Huaiguan said sympathetically, "Your Highness, how can this be blamed on you? You are simply too compassionate."

As they spoke, a palanquin borne by eight men appeared at the end of the palace pathway. Seated inside was the dignified yet anxious and worried Grand Empress Dowager Xiao Ruohan.

The officials bowed and quickly took their leave, leaving the grandmother and grandson to weep together until Baili Hai fainted and was taken to the Cining Palace to see the imperial physician.

Inside the hall, Qin Zhaoyang appeared from somewhere, his clothing covered in mud.

Hong Fu had already taken Baili Hong to the bedchamber, but the child, now wide awake, pestered Hong Fu to explain the hidden meanings behind what everyone had said that night.

Hong Fu patiently explained and instructed him as requested.

Thus, only Qin Xiao, Chu Jiubian, and the recently returned Qin Zhaoyang remained in the meeting hall of the eastern courtyard, sitting opposite each other.

Qin Zhaoyang placed a straw mat he had been carrying on the ground and unrolled it, revealing a corpse.

Chu Jiubian’s brow furrowed slightly.

"Why is it a child?" he asked.

A boy, wrapped in a straw mat, around ten years old, with no outer clothing on, just this single straw mat.

As the mat was opened, the horrifying scars on the child's body were fully exposed.

Qin Zhaoyang's expression was also grim. "This child was carried out of Prince Jiannan’s bedchamber," he said.

With just that one sentence, Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao immediately understood the implication.

"I've sent someone to investigate. The child's name is Sun Xiaotian, from a farming family," Qin Zhaoyang said, looking at the two. "His mother once sold silk flowers on Bianmin Street."

Silk flowers?

Chu Jiubian recalled that when Baili Hai returned from building the embankment, he had paid a high price for a silk flower on Bianmin Street, which led to people praising him as compassionate and caring toward the people.

What a benevolent and caring Prince Jiannan!

Qin Xiao's dark gaze fell on the child's head.

The child's hair had been deliberately cut short, so short that it resembled...

"Take him away and bury him properly," he said.

Qin Zhaoyang acknowledged the order, rewrapped the child, and carried him away.

Only Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian remained in the room.

A heavy silence fell, while outside, the storm grew fiercer.

"That child reminds me of my own past," Chu Jiubian suddenly said.

Almost simultaneously, the cracked tea table beside Qin Xiao gave way with a crash, and the teacup fell to the ground, shattering.

Chu Jiubian looked at Qin Xiao's stormy expression and slowly blinked.

"Go get ready. We depart at Mao hour," Qin Xiao said, standing up and striding out of the room.

Before Mao hour arrived, the disaster relief team led by Qin Xiao set out through the heavy rain toward Hexi County.