Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 107

Chapter 107 Natural And Man-Made Disaster
This line of hundreds of cavalry was filled with food and light armor. Jiangzhou was six or seven hundred kilometers away from Chang’an. With the speed of these good horses, they could usually arrive in three or four days if they weren’t in a hurry. However, Li Ke was obviously a little anxious and ruthless, ordering him to travel day and night to Jiangzhou within two days.

Qin Mubai didn’t care anymore. With the strength of the Fire Cloud Horse, if the weather wasn’t too bad and the road too rough, it wouldn’t be a problem to run six hundred miles a day. The ancients said that a good horse traveling a thousand miles a day was an imaginary number, but it was not difficult to convert it into the current five or six hundred miles.

Jiangzhou was very close to Taiyuan, where Li Tang’s wealth originated. During the reign of Wu De, there was the Jiangzhou Governor-General’s Mansion, under which there were more than ten prefectures and counties, including Jinzhou Taiyuan. Later on, Taiyuan became the northern capital of the Great Tang Dynasty, and Jiangzhou became a prefecture. There were five counties under its jurisdiction, but it was still an important prefecture and county in the Land of Jin and Bing, which was valued by people.

This time, the disaster was more serious in Jishan County under the rule of Jiangzhou.

Qin Mubai and the others hurried on with lightning speed. When they stepped into Jiangzhou, they could clearly feel that the weather was different. From time to time, many people could be seen moving in groups on the official roads, caring for the old and the young. A sorrowful howl resembled a war in chaos, becoming refugees.

The Zhenguan Great Tang had always enjoyed a peaceful and prosperous life, and such a scene was extremely rare. Li Ke, Quan Wanji, and the others were shocked. They stopped the group and called for a few refugees to ask questions. Seeing their luxurious clothes and armies, the refugees naturally understood that they were from the Guan Clan. They wept bitterly and said that the county magistrate of Jishan County, Zhu Chengwen, had forced them out of their homes. They had no choice but to wander out to find another place to live. But the house and the land are gone, and I don’t know how to live in the future.

Li Ke asked again, how was the flood over there now. The refugees replied that the day before yesterday and the day after tomorrow, nearly 10,000 soldiers from Jiangzhou Prefecture and the nearby prefecture had arrived one after another, and the flood had been temporarily relieved. But the victims were piled up without anyone to settle them. More than a hundred warhorses had no food to eat, so they came to rob the people of their only grain reserves. Even the seeds and cattle for the coming year would not be spared.

Right now, the entire Jiangzhou was in chaos, as if a chaotic era had descended on the land of war and chaos. Officials are not busy shirking their responsibilities, leading troops to connive at the private plundering of the people. Among them, Jishan County is the most serious.

After hearing these words, Li Ke and Quan Wanji were filled with rage. “Let’s go to Mount Ji!” Li Ke got on his horse without a word.

Qin Mubai had always been silent beside Li Ke. In public, he understood his identity and duty-Li Ke was in charge of disaster relief, and he was responsible for protecting Li Ke and impeaching those local officials and generals.

Qin Mubai saw that Li Ke’s anger had subsided and said, “Your Highness, the situation in Jishan County is rather strange.”

“What do you mean?”

“Since the flood has been lifted, the county magistrate should cooperate with the state officials and government soldiers to start comforting the people and settling down the lives of these victims. But instead of doing so, the county magistrate chased the people away. Don’t you think this is abnormal?”

“That Zhu Chengwen is probably tired of living.” Li Ke snorted coldly, “Aren’t you afraid that imperial might will descend and shatter your bones if you abuse the people like this?”

Qin Mubai shook her head, “If I were Zhu Chengwen, I would definitely understand this. But why would I do this?”

Li Ke was stunned for a moment and turned his head to ask, “Why?”

“That’s because I must have some unspeakable difficulties.” Qin Mubai said, “I would rather risk being punished by Wang Fanzhi than drive away the people of Jishan and move out of this place.”

Li Ke raised his brows and pondered for a moment before saying, “So you mean that Jishan County is still very dangerous?”

“It’s possible.” Qin Mubai said, “Your Highness, think about it. Since the flood has been eliminated, we should quickly help the people and rebuild houses to reorganize the farmland.” However, Zhu Chengwen did not do so. He drove the people away-be careful, it was to drive them away, not to move! In other words, without the consent and arrangement of the higher-level prefecture government, they had forcefully driven away all the citizens. Why? Is that Zhu Chengwen really not afraid of catastrophe because he has both violated the law and disobeyed Shangguan’s orders? ”

“There is something strange about Jishan County after hearing what you said. Thank you for your reminder. I was a little angry just now, so I was a little unaware.” Li Ke nodded and said, “Alright, we’ll know when we get there. Let’s hurry up!”

Not long after, Qin Mubai and the others entered Jishan County.

From afar, everyone could smell a thick aura of mud. The walls of the county had clearly been bathed in water, and one could see traces of water fading from the walls that were several feet tall. Countless houses were washed away, and the entire city was in a mess. Occasionally, drowned cattle, sheep, pigs, and dogs could be seen, and a pungent stench of floating corpses could be smelled.

It was like a large county, like a death realm!

“Looks like the disaster is more serious than I thought.” Li Ke’s thick eyebrows knitted tightly. “Why isn’t there a county official or a government soldier here to provide disaster relief?”

“They probably went to the outskirts of the city, right?” “The flooding started in a large lake on the outskirts of the city,” Quan Wanji said. “The lower terrain in the county was affected, but the flooding has slowed down. So the real disaster is in the countryside.”

“Then we won’t enter the city for now. Let’s go straight to the lake in the countryside!” Li Ke said.

“Your Highness, be careful!” Quan Wanji said, “After the flood, there will be plague. I see that Jishan County is deathly quiet. The residents of the city must have escaped from the plague. The most urgent matter now is to find the county magistrate of Jishan County, Zhu Chengwen, and make a decision after asking about the situation here.”

“There’s no need to say. This king has come here on orders to provide relief. Are you afraid of the plague?” Li Ke said resolutely, “Go to the countryside! This king will not force anyone who fears the plague to stay!”

“Your Highness is fearless. What fear do I have?!” Quan Wanji said seriously, “I must remind you of the dangers. Since Your Highness is not afraid, even if you go through fire and water, Quan Wanji will definitely follow!”

“Let’s go–”

A group of hundreds of people stepped on the muddy road and ran towards the countryside lake. After walking for more than ten li, he finally saw the smoke floating up.

“Is that the army? Is it cooking in a pot?” Li Ke looked up and said, “So they are stationed here!”

“Your Highness, let me go first!” At this time, it was Qin Mubai’s turn to go on stage. Li Ke nodded in agreement, and Qin Mubai led the soldiers of the Hundred Cavalries forward.

There were quite a few troops stationed here, at least three thousand troops. The camp was obviously newly erected. It was relatively simple and crude, but there were quite a few soldiers patrolling and guarding the camp. They were heavily guarded in an orderly manner, as if they were in a situation when facing the enemy.

Qin Mubai and the others didn’t go far when they were stopped by a group of scouts.

“Stop!” “Who are they? Military planes are not allowed to intrude!” The other party’s small school shouted.

The brigade marshal beside Qin Mubai shouted, “How dare you! Don’t you recognize the flag of the Royal Guards leading the Hundred Cavalry? The Hundred Cavalry Messenger General Qin is here. Quickly dismount and greet him!”

“The Imperial Guards led a hundred cavalry messengers?!” The little school and the soldiers were stunned-to them, this kind of thing was as far away as a phoenix in the sky, but now it suddenly appeared in front of them!

A group of military academies hurriedly dismounted from their horses to greet them. Qin Mubai said, “No need for courtesy. Go in and report that His Highness Prince King Wu is leading his men to scout the army under the protection of Baiji. Please come out and greet your commander-in-chief, General!”

“Yes!”

The soldiers hurriedly turned around and ran. Not long after, the entire barracks blew a horn. The troops quickly gathered, and the smoke in the army also extinguished. Banners fluttered and horns fluttered to greet the sky. The troops and horses quickly set up the formation and opened the Yuanmen Gate to welcome Li Ke.

Looking at this scene from afar, Li Ke couldn’t help but smile at Quan Wanji and say, “Chief Quan, it’s really easy to have Baiji with you.” You and I are not familiar with the army, so we are a bit unfamiliar with dealing with the soldiers. But Qin Mubai had a unique advantage in this aspect. He was Baiji. Although his official rank was not high, he was the commander of the personal guard beside His Majesty the Emperor. When he came out to do business, the one standing behind him was the Emperor! No matter how tyrannical an arrogant general is, he wouldn’t dare not give His Majesty face! ”

“Your Highness is absolutely right.” Quan Wanji said, “Everything is born, everything descends.” His Highness is distinguished and proficient in official circles, so he is more than enough to deal with those state and county officials. However, these military academies had always been unrestrained by His Highness and had their own rules of conduct. They might not put His Highness in their eyes, and it would probably be difficult to put an end to things that were flaunting and disobeying his Highness. “Your Majesty has sent a Baiji who knows the military well and has a special status to help you. This is a wonderful move!”

“Indeed.” Li Ke nodded and smiled, thinking that you, Quan Wanji, only know one thing and don’t know the other. It was enough to send a general who understood the military and directly sent a general of twelve guards. He sent out Baiji to stir up the crowd, how could it be such a simple reason …

The soldiers lined up and walked out. Three people walked out, one wearing armor, one wearing a silk robe, and the other a green robe. According to the rules of the Tang Dynasty, officials wore crimson robes above the fifth grade and green under the fifth grade.

Qin Mubai rode on his horse and led the soldiers of the Hundred Cavalry to set up a word formation. Behind him, Li Ke rode his horse forward. The three of them bowed down head-on.

“This lowly position is Jiang Prefecture Governor Cheng Songnian, Commandant Ma Kun of Jiang Prefecture, Commandant Liao Lirong of Jishan County-respectfully welcome His Highness King Wu!”

Li Ke got off his horse and walked in front of them. He raised his hand and said, “All of you, get up! There is no need to be so courteous in such an extraordinary time.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!” The three of them stood up. Li Ke pointed to Qin Mubai and said, “This one is the Hundred Cavalry Envoy Qin Mubai.”

The three of them looked at Qin Mubai neatly and hurriedly bowed their heads and cupped their fists, “Greetings, General Qin!”

“There’s no need to be too polite.” Qin Mubai returned the greeting and wondered why the Jiangzhou Governor and the County Commandant of Jishan County had come here together? Why a county captain, not a county magistrate?

A county commandant was an adjutant officer of a county magistrate. He was in charge of martial affairs, equivalent to a deputy county magistrate, and his function was to be the minister of a county’s armed forces department.

Li Ke apparently thought of this as well, and after introducing them to each other, he asked, “Cheng Cishi, why is the county magistrate of Jishan County here?”

“He” Cheng Songnian was stunned for a moment. He looked at Ma Kun and Liao Lirong with an ugly expression on his face. He lowered his head and cupped his hands, saying, “County Magistrate Zhu Chengwen of Jishan County has committed suicide for fear of sin today!”

“What?!”