Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Jizhou.

In the past two days, a folk song suddenly spread widely in the Jizhou region.

When the governors of various commanderies in Jizhou learned of the lyrics, they broke out in a cold sweat.

Without delay, they wrote memorials overnight and sent them to the Capital.

When these memorials reached the Capital City Bianliang,

it was already the thirty-ninth day of the great turmoil.

Chen Mo returned to the Chen Mansion from Jingru Palace. Not long after, he bathed and changed, and went to court.

The atmosphere at the morning court today was very unusual.

Zhao Ji sat on the dragon throne, his face ashen.

Standing behind Xiao Teng, Chen Mo whispered, ”Marshal Xiao, what happened?”

Xiao Teng lowered his voice, ”The Yellow River has breached, and the floodwaters have invaded the Grand Canal and the salt fields of the two commanderies in Jizhou, causing a flood disaster.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo opened his mouth. From what he understood, the Yellow River breaching was not a one-time occurrence. It was an ancient problem that has existed for over a thousand years and still hasn’t been solved.

Once the Yellow River breaches, countless refugees will be left homeless.

Chen Mo suddenly recalled that in the simulation, on the fortieth day, Jizhou lost control, likely due to the Yellow River breach causing a flood.

If this leads to a rebellion, it would be far more severe than the Rebel Army in Nanyang, considering the Yellow River flows through over a dozen commanderies with so many people living on both banks.

Soon, a minister announced the situation in the court.

”Your Majesty, there have been days of continuous torrential rain, turning the area around Julu and Tianze into a vast expanse of water. Countless refugees are homeless, so I propose that the unaffected commanderies nearby assist the refugees, open the granaries for disaster relief, to alleviate the dire situation,” a minister reported.

Then another minister stepped forward, ”Your Majesty, in my opinion, the urgent matter is to mobilize laborers to repair the river, to redirect the Yellow River’s waters back to its old course.”

Subsequently, including Cai Si and the Grand Commandant, many ministers also put forth their views.

However, the National Treasury has long been depleted. It was the Emperor who used the money from the Inner Treasury to suppress the Nanyang rebellion.

Now with the Yellow River flood disaster, the Inner Treasury is also out of funds.

Recently, the construction of Ganyue Temple has been accelerated, consuming the silver from the Inner Treasury like running water, leaving no money for disaster relief.

Yet this isn’t the only reason Zhao Ji’s face was extremely dark. His gaze swept over the ministers below, then he spoke deeply, ”Have any of you heard about the folk song spreading in Jizhou?”

”This humble servant does not know.”

”The folk song mentions, ’The stone man has one eye, stirring the Yellow River to incite the world to rebel.’ Zhao Ji said slowly.

Boom!

With these words, the officials below all changed their expressions.

This folk song was indeed laden with rebellion.

A sycophant stepped forward, ”Your Majesty, these are acts of disloyalty, harboring strong rebellious intentions. I urge Your Majesty to order a thorough investigation and punish those involved severely, even to the ninth level of their kin.”

”Your Majesty, the spread of this folk song is closely related to the current breach of the Yellow River. There must be someone manipulating behind the scenes. According to my opinion, we must send capable ministers to Jizhou to manage the Yellow River flood disaster and calm the people’s hearts, to prevent the recurrence of the Nanyang event and let the plot of the ambitious behind the scene succeed,” Cai Si said.

”Does the Prime Minister have any recommendations?” Zhao Ji asked.

Cai Si nodded, ”I...”

Listening to Cai Si speak at length, Chen Mo sighed inwardly. As expected of the incumbent Prime Minister, even at this moment, still placing his own people...

Indeed, the person recommended by Cai Si belonged to his faction.

If successful in flood control, this achievement would not be lesser than suppressing the Nanyang rebellion.

Cai Si is a civil servant, not skilled in leading battles, but he does have capable officials for flood control under him.

Soon, the matter concerning Jizhou was preliminarily settled.

Mobilize three hundred thousand laborers to repair the river...

Exiting Taihe Palace.

As Chen Mo walked towards the palace gates, matters of disaster governance are not something a Military General like him could offer input on, even the Grand Commandant was merely echoing sentiments.

However, Xiao Teng caught up at this moment, giving Chen Mo a pat on the shoulder.

”Marshal Xiao.” Seeing who it was, Chen Mo cupped his hands in salute.

”We are like one family, no need to be so courteous,” Xiao Teng smiled.

Chen Mo smirked, ”Marshal Xiao, do you need something from me?”

”Indeed, there’s something,” Xiao Teng chuckled.

Chen Mo nodded.

After they exited the palace, they found a small tavern, ordered a pot of wine and some small plates of snacks. Once they confirmed no one was around and no one was eavesdropping, Xiao Teng said, ”Chen Hong, I have a lucrative assignment for you.”

”Please speak, Marshal Xiao,” Chen Mo said.

”Have you heard of Hong Qianyan?” Xiao Teng tossed a peanut into his mouth.

Having served at court, Chen Mo had intentionally familiarized himself with the key ministers, nodding, ”Hong Qianyan, Director of the Tuntian Bureau of the Ministry of Works, Senior Fifth Grade. He’s the uncle of my concubine, and also one of the top merchants in Bianliang.”

”This afternoon, you will lead people to confiscate his family.” Xiao Teng said calmly.

Chen Mo almost spat out the wine he just drank, then said, ”Marshal Xiao, isn’t confiscation usually done by the Imperial City Department? Besides, Hong Qianyan is associated with Cai Si, isn’t it inappropriate for us to act against him, not to mention the Emperor...”

”Rest assured, everything is arranged,” Xiao Teng grinned, ”The Imperial City Department is short on manpower, requiring assistance. As for his connection to Cai Si, we have evidence of his crimes. His uncle was smuggling private salt, and Hong Qianyan was involved as well.

That’s a capital offense, Cai Si wouldn’t dare protect him. Who knows if Cai Si hasn’t taken bribes himself, he can’t clear himself fast enough. As for the Emperor, isn’t the National Treasury out of money...”

Xiao Teng chuckled sinisterly.

Chen Mo felt a chill up his back.

It’s likely that the Xiao Family already had evidence of Hong Qianyan’s crimes, now using the Yellow River breach and the treasury issue to remove obstacles and place their own people.

The Great Song has decayed to its very core.

And the task of confiscation is indeed quite lucrative.

Why doesn’t Xiao Teng do it himself?

Because such tasks of confiscation and extermination are, to put it bluntly, dirty work.

As the legitimate eldest son of the Xiao Family, how could Xiao Teng dirty his own hands with such matters?

It’s handed to subordinates.

The benefits remain.

Chen Mo nodded and said, ”Then why wait until the afternoon, aren’t you afraid he’ll get wind and run?”

”He’s already a chess piece, there’s no escaping. As for waiting till afternoon, the proper procedures still have to be observed,” Xiao Teng smiled, then patted Chen Mo’s shoulder, saying:

”By the way, in this confiscation, you have to measure carefully. At least half of the Hong Family’s assets must be submitted to the National Treasury, and as for the Hong Family members, you can dispose of them at your discretion.”

Goodness.

Half to the National Treasury, what about the other half?

Such a voracious appetite!

How many would benefit from this...

The depths of officialdom are truly daunting.

If it weren’t for his own robustness, who knows how many times he would have died by now.

Chen Mo picked up his wine cup, brought it to his lips, drank the cup dry, and then said, ”Marshal Xiao, I understand.”

ps: Thanks to everyone for your rewards and monthly tickets!