Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Acting as Heaven's Envoy in Jiangdong Prefecture (Part 1)

Floods, regardless of the dynasty, have always been a thorny issue, much like the ancient Chinese Yellow River, 

which was a constant source of concern due to its seven major breaches and redirections. Similarly, the Nanjiang, 

the largest river on this continent, also suffers from severe flooding, with its main stream running through 

the heart of the vast expanse. Throughout history, emperors have been at their wits' end due to the floods of 

the Nanjiang.

In mid-June, a hurricane swept across the Nanjiang River Basin. Heavy rains continued for days, and the water 

level of the Nanjiang River rose rapidly.

Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.

Si Cang Qing stood in front of the window. Strong wind and rain blew into the room from time to time, making 

the surrounding ground wet. Outside, the rain curtain formed a vast expanse, and the earth-shattering sound of 

rain made people feel a little frightened.

"Master," Feng Lan walked in from outside and saw Si Cang Qing standing by the window getting drenched in 

the rain. He hurried over, reached out to close the window, and said, "The rain and wind are heavy, your clothes 

are all soaked." 

While speaking, he picked up a clean robe, intending to change Si Cang Qing's clothes.

"Lan, has there been any news from the Shadow Guards?" Si Cang Qing asked calmly.

With his hands never stopping, Feng Lan wiped the rainwater off Si Cang Qing while saying, "The rain on 

the road is too heavy, and the shadow guards we sent were temporarily blocked. Master, I'm afraid..."

He knows a thing or two about the historical floods in the Nanjiang River. It's just that in recent years, the 

weather has been favorable, and during the rainy season, as long as someone is sent to prevent flooding, 

there haven't been any major disasters. But the weather in the capital these past few days is truly worrisome.

"Pack your things tomorrow," Si Cang Qing walked to the desk, picked up a brush, "In a few days, we will 

head to Jiangdong Prefecture." 

Looking at the weather these past few days, Si Cang Qing had some plans in mind. If this continued, the heavily 

rainy area of Nanjiang would likely face a flood disaster, and at that time, millions of people in Jiangdong 

would probably suffer from the calamity of floods.

"Master thinks..." Feng Lan was startled.

"Mm," Si Cang Qing nodded, no longer saying much, and picked up his pen to draft some arrangements 

for after leaving the palace. 

Watching Si Cang Qing busying himself again, Feng Lan sighed softly, walked to the door, and looked 

outside with worried eyes at the lightning, thunder, and the raging storm. After a long while, he gently closed 

the door.

……

"Qing'er," a flurry of hurried footsteps approached, and the emperor impatiently waved off the announcing 

eunuch, hastily pushing open Si Cang Qing's study door, "I heard that the riverbanks in the Jiangdongjin area 

of the South River have collapsed. Is it true?"

Si Cang Jue Tian breathed rapidly, his face pale. 

Si Cang Qing raised his eyes to look at him, "Father, please sit down first." Then, turning his head to look at 

Liu Yi, who stood to the side with a solemn expression, "Liu Yi, you speak!"

"Replying to the Emperor, this morning I received a courier report that at the confluence of the Jin and Liu 

rivers, the embankment of the Nanjiang River collapsed for hundreds of zhang. Thousands of laborers who were 

originally guarding the embankment to prevent flooding perished in the water. Now the flood is advancing into 

inlands, affecting several nearby counties, with the flooded area extending hundreds of miles."

Upon hearing this, Si Cang Jue Tian's face turned deathly pale, and he began to cough violently. Si Cang Qing, 

who had arrived by his side at some point, said calmly, "Father, the matter is settled, no need to worry. Your son 

will handle it well, you should focus on resting."

"Qing'er," covering his chest, Si Cang Juetian's expression was filled with sorrow, "How can I have any mind 

to rest and recuperate now? In the Jiangdong flood zone, there are countless common people suffering from 

the flood disaster. How can I be at ease? The embankment of the South River actually collapsed and broke 

during my reign..."

"Father, don't blame yourself," Si Cang Qing said in a calm tone, "it's not your fault."

Yes, ever since Si Cang Jue Tian ascended the throne, he has been urging the governors and officials of the 

two rivers to repair the levees. This time, if the continuous heavy rain is considered an external cause of the flood, 

the fundamental reason for the levee breach is still due to the collusion between the Qin family's unscrupulous 

officials and workers over the past decade. They cut corners and embezzled wages, resulting in levees that did 

not meet the required standards.

"Qing'er..." After all, he was a generation's emperor. Si Cang Jue Tian quickly regained his composure and 

looked at the other person, "What do you plan to do?" 

Si Cang Qing looked at Feng Lan, who then took out the plan he had prepared in advance and handed it to 

Si Cang Jue Tian.

"Father, you should go back to court and issue an edict appointing Minister of Household Affairs Liu Yi as an 

imperial envoy to oversee the Jiangdong Prefecture." 

Nodding, Si Cang Juetian also felt that it was time to send court officials to inspect and supervise the flood areas, 

but then he had some doubts, "If I go to court, then you..."

"I'll go ahead," Si Cang Qing looked at Liu Yi and said, "It will take about half a month to get from here to Jinliu. 

Lan and I will go there first to understand the situation." 

Even sending imperial envoys to inspect is often seen as a way to deceive higher-ups and mislead lower-level 

officials.

“Qing'er, are you going there in person?" Si Cang JueTian looked at Si Cang Qing in astonishment.

"Um, Father," Si Cang Qing glanced at the people in front of him—Emperor, Feng Lan, Liu Yi, and Mo Zhiyan 

who was standing aside—and said calmly: "Chen Jiufan, the governor of Jiangdong, was the magistrate of Jin 

County back then. He colluded with officials at all levels, deceived the emperor, embezzled funds meant for 

repairing the river embankment, and filled his own pockets, leading to this flood disaster that affected millions."

"This heinous act deserves to implicate the nine clans; as for the officials involved, from the highest ministers 

to the local gentry and landlords," Si Cang Qing said with a cold expression, "This palace will thoroughly 

investigate this case, and those implicated will be executed without mercy!"

Upon hearing this, the others trembled, and Liu Yi looked at Si Cang Qing in astonishment, "Your Highness, 

do you intend to use this opportunity to eradicate the Qin family?"

With a slight nod, Si Cang Qing returned to his seat, his tone indifferent, "Once this matter comes to light, it 

reveals the many accumulated ills within the court. It is necessary to purge all officials and reform the court 

system!"

After a long while, Si Cang Jue Tian finally recovered from the shock, his expression grave and his tone worried, 

"Qing'er, this move could shake the entire court..."

"Hmm," Si Cang Qing said nonchalantly, "Father, there's no need to worry. I have it all under control. The 

priority now is to settle the refugees."

Regarding the concerns of a few people, he didn't take them to heart at all; being timid was never his style. As 

the saying goes, if the people do not fight with the officials, how can the officials fight with the emperor?

What if the officials are in turmoil? Those ministers can be dismissed! Moreover, the arrangements for this 

year have been made perfectly.

Looking at Si Cang Qing's calm demeanor, still as indifferent as ever, the few people who were originally 

worried finally relaxed. Over this period of time, they had unknowingly come to fully trust Si Cang Qing's words; 

as long as it was something he decided to do, there was no doubt it would succeed.

◇Cang Huan◇Seven Palaces◇

"Liu Yi is determined to do everything in his power to assist His Majesty and the Crown Prince in reforming 

the court system!" Liu Yi said, his expression slightly agitated, as he immediately knelt down and spoke in a 

deep voice. 

Following him, Feng Lan and Mo Zhiyan also knelt down, pledging their determination.

"Mm," Si Cang Qing looked at the emperor and said, "Father, you should go back and rest." The days to come 

would likely be anything but peaceful. 

Understanding the other's intentions, Si Cangjuetian no longer declined, stood up, and left, no longer in the 

previous state of panic.

"Fourteen," Si Cang Qing looked at Mo Zhiyan and said, "Before This palace returns, you should study the 

laws thoroughly. Those things this palace has given you might be useful."

Mo Zhiyan, like Feng Lan, was also born into an official family. Since childhood, he had a thorough 

understanding of the law. After this return, the reform of the dynasty system would inevitably require the revision 

of the laws.

After thinking for a moment, Si Cang Qing added, "When this palace returns to the capital, I will deal with those 

officials, including the Minister of Justice, Qu Qianqiu. At that time, you will be in charge of the Ministry of 

Justice and will preside over the dam construction case."

"Master, don't worry, this subordinates will do their best." 

"Hmm," Si Cang Qing nodded and said, "You all may leave now!" He had said everything that needed to be 

said, and all arrangements had been made.

…… 

Ten days later, outside Zhaoyang City.

Dressed in simple black clothes, with a hood covering the heavenly mark on his forehead, Si Cang Qing watched 

the crowded refugees from a distance. Outside the city gate, a large number of soldiers were holding spears, 

preventing the refugees from entering the city.

"Master, Zhaoyang City is sealed off now, and we can't get in either," Feng Lan said with a worried expression, 

looking at the chaotic and tragic scene before him, unable to hide his reluctance. 

"No worries," Si Cang Qing replied casually, "We'll stay outside the city tonight and gather some information 

from the refugees."

All the way here, everywhere are displaced refugees, the entire Jiangdong Prefecture is filled with the sounds 

of mourning, it is truly tragic.

On the way here, the shadow guards reported that most of the refugees were flocking to the capital, Zhaoyang 

City, not far from the flooded area. This even caused quite a bit of unrest, and the governor of Jiangdong, Chen 

Jiufan, captured many of the leaders of the unrest and imprisoned them in the dungeons. A few days later, they 

were publicly executed at Caishikou.

Therefore, Si Cang Qing changed his mind and informed Liu Yi, who was arriving later, to first come to the 

capital of Jiangdong Prefecture, and then go to inspect the flood areas.

In the dilapidated earthen house, Feng Lan whispered the news brought by the shadow guard: "It is said that 

the dozens of people who led the turmoil came from various disaster-stricken counties, and they had good 

conduct. They just saw many refugees starving to death, while the prices of rice in the markets soared, and 

the government was unwilling to release grain. So they organized together to rally the refugees and rob the 

government granaries."

"Mm." Si Cang Qing replied lightly, glanced at the gradually darkening sky outside, and said, "Rest well tonight, 

we'll sneak into the city tomorrow morning." That not-so-tall city wall was of no use to them.

"Yes, Master." Feng Lan smiled knowingly, then took out some dry rations from the bundle. "Master, have 

something to eat!"

At that moment, suddenly there was thunder and lightning outside, and a fierce wind began to blow.

"Is it raining again?" Feng Lan looked worriedly out the door. These days, the rain had gradually stopped, but 

occasionally a sudden downpour would come. Thinking of those homeless refugees, unable to fill their stomachs, 

unable to find shelter, and even having no place to escape the wind and rain, Feng Lan's throat choked slightly.

Lost in thought, the rain suddenly started pouring down. 

"Ah," suddenly drenched, Feng Lan hurriedly stood up, "Master, it's leaking here."

Looking around, this dilapidated house had almost no place that wasn't leaking. After much effort, the two of 

them finally found a slightly clean spot to sit down, but just as they did, a large number of refugees surged in 

from outside the door.

They were all in tattered clothes, hurriedly scrambling to get inside, all looking for a good place to avoid 

the rain—although it leaked inside, it was still better than being outside.

Before long, the shabby and cramped little house was packed with people.

Rainwater seeped through the damaged roof, pattering on everyone, but they seemed to feel nothing, merely 

huddling together, shivering.

Seeing the crowd in front of him, Feng Lan felt a pang in his heart. He turned his head and saw a mother and 

daughter huddled nearby. "Come here," he said. After speaking, he stood up and moved towards the refugees, 

getting drenched by the rain.

The mother and daughter were full of gratitude and carefully took their seats in Feng Lan's place. The other 

refugees had long noticed Si Cang Qing and his companion, but they were all somewhat intimidated by the aura 

emanating from him, so they didn't dare to snatch.

"Lan," Si Cang Qing, who was sitting still without any movement, glanced at Feng Lan, "come here." He knew 

that although Feng Lan had been trained by the Shadow Guards since childhood, he still had the demeanor of a 

scholar and a very soft heart.

"Master..." Feng Lan hesitated, slowly making his way to Si Cang Qing's side. Even here, there was only enough 

space for one person to avoid the rain, and they were occasionally hit by raindrops. 

Just as he squeezed next to Si Cang Qing, he was suddenly pulled down by a strong force, letting out a soft 

exclamation, "Ah..."

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