Chapter 129

Chapter 129: Compassion for the Suffering of the People (Part 2)

Inside the Imperial Study, everyone remained silent, awaiting the decree of the Emperor.

Walking to the window, Si Cang Qing stood with his hands behind his back. After a long while, he slowly spoke: 

"Liu Yi, Hong Hengzheng, you will go ahead with the physicians to Chaojiang County to investigate the plague 

and appease the people;" 

Turning to Qiu Ping Tian, he said, "Qiu, you will depart immediately to gather intelligence on the Phoenix Temple 

with Wuxin; Bi, you will come with me, disguised, to the plague-stricken area; Lan, you will stay in Luyang, 

Nanjun, with Anping, awaiting orders. If things go wrong, lead troops directly to Chaojiang."

“Your Majesty,” Liu Yi immediately objected as soon as Si Cang Qing issued the order, “As the supreme ruler, 

how can you personally go to the epidemic area and risk your life? The people in the court are in a state of panic, 

and they need your presence to calm them down!”

Si Cang Qing ignored him, coldly stating, "After I leave the capital, the Supreme Emperor will act as regent. 

Liu Yi, Hong Hengzheng, Anping, you all must prepare immediately and head south," he said, turning to Feng Lan,

 "and you too."

"Bi, give a few people some medicine as a precaution," Si Cang Qing said calmly, looking at Feng Lan and the 

others. "The plague is vicious; all of you must wear light armor and leather armor, take precautions, and proceed 

with caution to avoid contracting the plague."

Seeing that Si Cang Qing had made up his mind, the others stopped trying to persuade him and all agreed.

Looking at Qiu Ping Tian, Si Cang Qing said, "Qiu, the matters of food and medicine are entirely up to you. 

Quickly search for some experienced old doctors and send them to the plague-stricken areas to treat the patients."

"Yes, QingDi."

Si Cang Qing stood silently by the window, watching Feng Lan and Liu Yi leave with Cheng Tian Bi.

“QingDi,” Qiu Ping Tian approached him from behind, saying worriedly, “Such a risky trip to the plague-stricken 

area… I’m afraid it’s not quite appropriate, especially since those going are all high-ranking officials.”

Si Cang Qing replied calmly, “If the court doesn’t act soon, the people will riot before the plague even spreads.” 

The plague is terrible, but it can at least be prevented to save lives; if the people riot, they will lose faith in 

the royal family and the court, and that will be a terrible disaster.

The Phoenix Flower Goddess…

Just looking at Ke Wengui, one can get a glimpse of what kind of temple that resembles a missionary. Ke Wengui 

isn’t an ignorant or foolish person; he was completely brainwashed in just a few days. And consider this: people 

living in constant fear because of the plague, facing this natural disaster, often can only rely on so-called gods and 

spirits.

Never having seen Si Cang Qing with such a solemn expression, Qiu Ping Tian sighed softly, "QingDi, don't 

worry, things will be resolved."

Si Cang Qing nodded slightly. He wasn't truly worried about the Canghuan Royal Family being overthrown, but… 

the war had just ended, and the people's livelihoods in various regions were already severely damaged. The former 

Hongcheng region was still unstable, and many forces in the former Guangyu were eyeing it covetously. If chaos 

erupted, the only option would be to suppress it by force, and recovery would likely take more than a day or two. 

Furthermore, if the people's hearts were in turmoil, the nation would be difficult to survive—this was an immutable

law throughout history.

The assassin that day targeted the sacrificial ceremony, uttering those horrifying words; the people of the land were 

likely already gripped by fear.

The mastermind behind it all—their methods so vicious, their schemes so meticulously laid out—was far beyond 

what Liu Yi and his men could possibly handle. 

“Qiu,” Si Cang Qing suddenly said, “Send someone to Hongdu immediately and order Yang to return…” Several 

high-ranking officials had left. Although the officials were now carefully selected, Si Cang Qing couldn't fully trust 

them with the court. His father, the Supreme Emperor, was in poor health, and despite Liu Ziwen's help, he still 

felt uneasy. Moreover, most of the court's resources were focused on the plague and unrest. If Cheng Tian Yang 

returned, his subordinates, the Fengying, could secretly monitor the officials to prevent any unrest.

…Now, the people are in chaos; the court cannot afford any more problems. And his departure would mean at 

least several months without his return.

Qiu Ping Tian chuckled, "QingDi and Tianyang are truly of one mind!"

"What do you mean?" Si Cang Qing turned to look at this person, slightly puzzled.

“Heh,” Qiu Ping Tian chuckled softly, “Just a few days ago, my spies brought news that Tianyang has already set 

off for the capital!”

Si Cang Qing was slightly surprised, but Qiu Ping Tian continued, “The Fengying people received news of the 

burning of the people in Hongke Township earlier and reported it to Tianyang… However, the Fengying people 

completely ignored worldly affairs, only obeying Tian Yang's orders, so they didn't inform you. When Tian Yang 

received the news, he sent someone to inform you… but it was still too late.”

Sighing, Qiu Ping Tian's expression darkened slightly, “This time, it was my dereliction of duty.”

Si Cang Qing said indifferently, “It has nothing to do with you.” This was a trap set long ago; he was only waiting 

to get to this point before being trapped. The Surveillance Bureau, Dongying Tower, and Qiu Ping Tian's spies 

were all caught in the scheme… It seems that person thought Cheng Tian Yang had left, and therefore overlooked 

Fengying!

For a moment, both of them fell silent, and the study returned to quiet.

After a long while…

“Brother,” Qiu Ping Tian broke the tense atmosphere again, “since ancient times, plagues have been incurable… 

If,” he began with difficulty, “if this time is no different, what will you do…”

During the previous dynasty, a large-scale plague broke out. The doctors were helpless, and more and more people 

were infected. Later… just as Magistrate Zhao Guangyu of Chaojiang County had done, the court issued a 

massacre order. It was a truly horrific tragedy; many healthy people died needlessly, leading to widespread 

resentment among the people. This was one of the main reasons for the previous dynasty's downfall.

Now, Canghuan is also in a dilemma, facing the same difficulties as the previous dynasty once again.

◇Cang◇Huan◇Seven◇Palaces◇

Just when Qiu Ping Tian thought he wouldn't get an answer, Si Cang Qing suddenly spoke: "Canghuan is no 

longer the previous dynasty, and I am no longer the emperor of the previous dynasty!"

Qiu Ping Tian was taken aback, then understood, saying, "I was overthinking it. Brother Qing, I'll go ahead and 

meet up with Wuxin." He hugged Si Cang Qing's neck, kissed him, and whispered, "Be careful on this journey."

"Yes, you too."

That day, Liu Yi and Hong Hengzheng, leading about a hundred physicians, headed to Chaojiang. Si Cang Qing 

then issued an imperial edict to the people, saying:

"Traitors have wreaked havoc, attempting to destroy Canghuan and ruin the foundation of this prosperous age. 

Using witchcraft and curses, they have inflicted divine punishment upon the people, transforming themselves 

into evil beings, creating the Phoenix Temple, falsely claiming the name of the royal family, inciting unrest among 

the people to achieve their own ends. They have even poisoned the Chaojiang County government, burning two 

thousand two hundred and thirty-two lives of my Canghuan. This heinous act is unbearable even for animals!” 

“This sinister plot is utterly devoid of conscience! The plague has indeed caused our court to fail in its duties, 

resulting in the suffering of the people. We dare not shirk our responsibility. Therefore, we dispatch Prime 

Minister Liu Yi, Grand Censor Hong Hengzheng, and twelve other high-ranking officials, along with three 

hundred and eighteen skilled physicians, to the twelve affected villages. Anyone found negligent will be exiled to 

the desolate wilderness, never to return to the court. Details of the plague will be announced by the court in a 

proclamation. We urge all the people of the land not to be deceived by these rebels. Now that the nation is in peril,

we hope that everyone will unite as one to help the people overcome this calamity…”

The proclamation first meticulously detailed all the Phoenix Temple's 'conspiracy' and 'evidence,' then frankly 

stated the court's responsibility and treatment measures, and finally announced various methods for preventing 

the plague. Furthermore, the Southern Prefecture mobilized local troops to set up checkpoints in the 

affected areas, strictly prohibiting unauthorized entry and exit. Meanwhile, the imperial court, appealing to reason 

and empathy, and using Qiu Ji, the wealthiest man in the land, as a model, called upon all shops to donate cloth and 

rice.

The imperial edict was issued, and the whole country sighed in admiration.

"Esteemed guests, this way please!" the waiter called out enthusiastically, leading Si Cang Qing and Cheng Tian 

Bi into the inn. Seeing the two looking travel-worn, he asked curiously, "Are you two heading towards Chaojiang?"

Cheng Tian Bi glanced at Si Cang Qing, then smiled at the waiter, "Yes."

"Oh, gentlemen, don't you know there's a plague there? You can't go and risk your lives. Besides, the government 

has banned entry and exit; you can't get there anyway. It would be better to take a detour."

Hearing this, Cheng Tian Bi asked doubtfully, "We're not far from Chaojiang. Do you know the current situation 

in the plague-stricken area, waiter?"

Upon hearing this question, the guests who had been listening to the two's conversation also began to chatter 

amongst themselves. Upon hearing this, Cheng Tian Bi realized that most of the people here were young and 

strong, who said they had all responded to the imperial court's call to rush to Nanjun Prefecture to deliver grain, 

cloth, and medicine to the suffering people.

They were all incredibly passionate, speaking with fervor, indignantly denouncing the Phoenix Temple's heinous 

acts while praising the emperor's wise policies. Their words, whether general or not, were vividly portrayed.

Finding a quiet corner, after the waiter left, Cheng Tian Bi chuckled softly, "Qing, now I can finally relax a little. 

The court's proclamations every few days have indeed, as you predicted, won over most people's hearts."

Si Cang Qing simply nodded slightly. Yes, the so-called imperial proclamations were primarily meant to appease 

the people and… brainwash them; since the Phoenix Temple was using the guise of divine punishment to mislead 

the populace, he could also turn the tables. As the most revered monarch in the history of Canghuan Kingdom, 

Si Cang Qing's words easily won over the hearts of the people. Not only did he take responsibility, but he also used 

their own methods against them, directly blaming the plague on the Phoenix Temple.

“However…” Cheng Tian Bi hesitated, “Most of the people in the Chaojiang area have already been bewitched 

by the Phoenix Temple.”

“It’s alright,” Si Cang Qing replied calmly. Compared to a country, Chaojiang was just a small county. If unrest 

were to occur, as a last resort, military suppression would be the only option, though that was the last thing he 

wanted to see. In any case, he needed to first understand the situation in Chaojiang.

“How confident are you in dealing with the plague?” Si Cang Qing countered.

Cheng Tian Bi sighed softly, saying with some worry, "If it's truly the same plague as in the previous dynasty, 

then there's really nothing to worry about." He had already given the antidote and treatment methods to the going 

physicians, at least enough to control the epidemic. "However... judging from the news, this plague is much more 

virulent than the last one. I'm worried it won't be so easy... we can only be completely certain once we get there."

"Hmm," Si Cang Qing pushed the food towards him, "Don't worry too much." What's meant to happen, must be 

faced; worry or anger are useless.

"You're right, I shouldn't be so impatient." Smiling at the other's indifferent face, Cheng Tian Bi breathed a sigh 

of relief, "These past few days you've looked so serious, I thought... ha, compared to you, I'm really not calm 

enough."

Without commenting, Si Cang Qing simply picked up his bowl, "Let’s Eat."

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