Volume Two: An Abundance of Blossoms Always Feels Lonely
Natural Disasters and Human Calamities
Someone wants to rebel! Just wait for death, then.
Beneath the city gate of Zhou Jinan, thousands of disaster victims gathered, placing their hope on this last lifeline. Some impatient victims began begging northward, while Qin Junlan and others, led by Jiang Wei, entered through the north gate.
Jiang Wei conveyed Qin Junlan’s intentions to Lord Lin of the Zhouji government office. He was skeptical until he saw the token and dared to open the city gate.
Although Zhouji County belongs to Yuzhou, it often aligns more closely with Wei County. Aside from basic taxes, it is independently managed on a daily basis and is a relatively stable small city; the people have never faced issues with food and clothing.
County official Lord Lin, regarded as a parental figure, saw the influx of disaster victims into the city and felt willing but powerless.
The entire city established ten porridge distribution points to accommodate the disaster victims. Besides cooked food, each person also received a portion of raw rice.
Under a clear sky stretching for miles, the scorching sun was overhead. The closer they got to the Nancheng, the more intense the heat felt, and rain was rarely seen. Although this area still had abundant water resources, they could not benefit Yuzhuo City.
Disaster relief aid was never a long-term solution; a proper strategy needed to be devised.
Qin Junlan stood at the high point of the city wall, watching the people crowd together to receive grain, her heart heavy with sorrow. Although she had always been deeply involved with the people, she had never seen such suffering. She believed that her governed country, at least, lived in peace and happiness—not seeking nationwide wealth and nobility, but at least avoiding poverty and disaster. Now, everywhere she looked, there were only suffering people, as if watching her own children in distress.
Li Yue received the latest secret report and hurried over, “Master, the Shadow Guard has received the latest news: the official silver entered Yuzhou City but never went into storage; it was secretly transported away that night.”
“Someone actually dares to embezzle disaster relief silver…” Qin Junlan clenched her fists, still unable to believe it. Every checkpoint was strictly inspected, and the court personally dispatched an escort official to supervise, yet such a thing could still happen.
“The stranger thing is that the escort official, along with the official silver, disappeared without a trace. We haven’t found the reason or how they transported these two hundred thousand taels, as if they vanished into thin air.”
“Once again, vanished into thin air. The missing portion of Luo Kingdom’s tribute silver hasn’t been recovered, and now it’s the official silver again. Who is the escort official?”
“It is Lord Liu from the Ministry of Revenue.”
“He is the Prime Minister’s disciple…” Qin Junlan pondered, understanding in her heart, “Hehe, my own uncle…”
“Master, there is one more thing: the military grain is already in preparation, but this way…” Li Yue hesitated, knowing what she wanted to say, Qin Junlan waved her hand, and Li Yue did not continue.
Her use of military grain in such a large action would instantly be transmitted back to Jidu. This way, her journey south could no longer be concealed, and how the court situation would change became difficult to predict.
Her graceful posture stood proudly atop the city wall, her eyes filled with the people, her heart embracing the world. Liu Qianxun stood not far away, feeling that the sovereign’s demeanor was in harmony with heaven and earth. Her heart was so vast, how much of it was reserved for one person? Her tall stature exuded the full aura of an empress, as if she was born to be so high and above.
At this moment, Liu Qianxun felt that Qin Junlan was very distant, almost elusive. Despite beauty schemes, self-harm schemes, and whatever plans, all were hard to approach.
Her mission was to strategize against the world’s most skilled in scheming and the highest status empress. This ongoing confrontation already felt strenuous for her. Despite turning danger into safety many times, it still did not make Qin Junlan lower her guard.
Liu Qianxun finally understood why the arrogant and cunning Ling Yu, skilled in intrigue and using any means necessary, would painstakingly consider her a worthy opponent.
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Know your enemy and yourself, and you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles. If not, how could Ling Yu be willing to send her beloved to Qin Junlan’s side, enduring so much patience, reluctance, and suffering to make this move? But Liu Qianxun will never know Ling Yu’s pain.
Taking advantage of Bai Ruoxi mingling with the disaster victims, Ye Ming secretly slipped away to a special marked spot, where she saw the Shura Sect’s secret code and obtained new orders and information.
She quickly browsed through the content and then destroyed the letter. She furrowed her brows; this order’s timing was terrible, and she really couldn’t understand what the sect leader was thinking.
On one hand, the tower master was instructed to painstakingly approach the empress, yet on the other hand… Ye Ming dared not delay for a moment and hurriedly went to the city tower.
From afar, she glanced at Liu Qianxun and saw her lost in thought facing Qin Junlan. She had never noticed that someone was always watching her from behind; but even so, it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, since in Ye Ming’s eyes, not many people were worthy of Liu Qianxun.
“Tower Master…” Ye Ming whispered, and Liu Qianxun’s expression instantly returned to the coldness typical of a tower master, knowing Ye Ming had news, she stepped aside a few paces, trying to distance herself from Qin Junlan.
“Speak.”
“The Sect Leader will arrive in Wei County in two days and wants you to meet. There is an important matter to discuss.”
“Is she crazy?” Liu Qianxun furrowed her brows tightly, “How can I possibly spare myself at a time like this?”
“Tower Master, calm your anger, perhaps the Sect Leader truly has some urgent matter.”
“Got it.” Liu Qianxun was not accustomed to showing too much emotion in front of her subordinates, yet she was puzzled by Ling Yu’s repeated appearances.
Wasn’t she supposed to use the beauty trap? Yet, Ling Yu occasionally came over personally, as if having people follow and monitor wasn’t enough; she had to come herself. Liu Qianxun found it both infuriating and laughable. Did Ling Yu not trust her, or was she afraid that something might really happen between her and Qin Junlan?
What could be so urgent that Ling Yu needed to come personally, when a secret order would reach her instantly? Now, being with Qin Junlan daily, she had no time, and if she were to disappear inexplicably, it would only deepen Qin Junlan’s suspicions.
But Ling Yu was always meticulous and couldn’t possibly overlook these things.
She must have another plan or know certain things, possibly related to the missing official silver.
Ling Yu’s unfathomable depth is frightening; no one can guess what she truly wants to do or will do. Unconsciously, her brows furrowed deeper, and her aura expanded, causing Ye Ming to step back two steps.
Only the sect leader could stir such big waves in her. Caring leads to emotions, or so Ye Ming always thought.
Suddenly, she felt the air flow as someone approached, a presence very familiar and close. Liu Qianxun instantly retracted her aura, turning gentle. This cold-to-warm switch seemed instinctual, already a formed habit and ability.
“Xun’er, why are you furrowing your brows?” Qin Junlan noticed from afar her expression slightly change, just not expecting her transition to be so quick.
“Ye Ming said more disaster victims are entering the city, fearing it’s already spread that Zhouji has grain, and disaster victims from Yuzhou are coming over.” Liu Qianxun successfully shifted the attention to the disaster victims.
“This is an unavoidable matter; I will go find Lord Lin to discuss it.” Qin Junlan’s expression slightly changed, and while hurrying, she didn’t forget to pull Liu Qianxun’s hand, holding her as they walked down the city tower together.
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“Be careful, Xun’er.” Qin Junlan walked down the steps, carefully supporting her as she ascended.
The bluestone-paved city wall steps seemed to have warmth, and Liu Qianxun laughed lightly, squeezing her hand and touching her palm, a warmth surged in her heart.
“I’m not that delicate.” Liu Qianxun smiled faintly, facing the summer wind like floating flower leaves, maintaining elegance while touching hearts.
“Holding you, I feel at ease.” Qin Junlan, with a gentlemanly demeanor, had brows and eyes that carried extraordinary grace; no matter how one looked, she appeared either rich or noble.
Zhouji’s Lord Lin is known for his keen perception. Although he has never entered the court, he recognizes the dragon token. Without a decree personally issued by the emperor, who could possess such a supreme token? Thus, the Lord Yan before him most likely represents the emperor’s intent, and he naturally dares not neglect him.
“Lord Yan, the people of Yuzhou are now scattered everywhere, and the prefecture lord is missing,” Lord Lin said, stroking his long beard, worried. “I once petitioned the prefecture lord to have the city’s merchants donate money and grain, but in the end, all efforts sank like a stone in the sea.”
“Zhouji’s grain reserves are limited, providing only emergency relief for now. Once the military grain arrives, I will go to Yuzhou to check the disaster silver’s whereabouts; otherwise, the consequences are unimaginable.” Qin Junlan’s presence was naturally imposing. She knew that without the military grain, she could not leave. If she did not guard here and someone acted rashly again, the disaster situation would become uncontrollable.
What identity did Qin Junlan reveal to make Lord Lin so respectful? She would never easily disclose her identity, as it would cost her many opportunities to see the truth. Liu Qianxun thought that after this disaster, the entire Yuzhou might see a change, with over ten officials not only losing their positions but possibly implicating their entire clans.
She wanted to see how Qin Junlan would deal with those corrupt officials, what she would look like when making decisive judgments, otherwise, she feared being blinded by Qin Junlan’s gentleness.
Just as several people were discussing the matter of the disaster victims in the city, Lady Ying, the wife of Lord Ying from Yuzhou, arrived here. She brought her dowry and money, claiming she wanted to donate them to Zhouji. In Yuzhou City, taking advantage of Lord Ying’s absence, she had already opened the government warehouse to release grain and brought out her own grain for the disaster victims to eat.
“Lady Ying truly cares for the people, and I, on behalf of the people, thank you, madam,” said the lower official.
Lady Ying, not remarkable in appearance, seemed just like an ordinary official’s wife, yet she possessed extraordinary courage, daring to conceal her actions from her husband to do good and accumulate virtue, which was truly not easy.
“A common woman pays respect to the imperial envoy!” Lady Ying suddenly knelt before Qin Junlan and actually began to sob. For her, only by contacting someone in power within the court could she voice her request.
“Lady Ying, please stand up and speak. I am not any imperial envoy; just call me Young Master Yan,” Qin Junlan said, raising her hand with considerable dignity, which greatly reassured Lady Ying. It seemed this person, though young, must be from a noble official family, possibly even high in rank and power to possess such presence.
“Young Master Yan, you may not know, but the disaster relief silver was taken by that group of people as soon as it arrived at the government office. My lord had no choice and was forced to deceive detained officials up to the mountain. Embezzling life-saving money will bring divine retribution, and as a woman, I absolutely cannot bear to see such things happen. Ignoring the life and death of the people is something I truly cannot do,” Lady Ying declared, leaving everyone in shock.
“Lady Ying, are you speaking of the bandits on Qionglong Mountain?” Lord Lin seemed to recall something.
“What bandits? Are there bandits in Yuzhou City?” Li Yue asked.
“I have heard, on Qionglong Mountain, there is a group of bandits, but since they did not rob homes, it wasn’t taken seriously. I was also puzzled why these bandits occupied the mountains for so long. I heard that occasionally grain and weapons are transported to the mountain, and to prevent these bandits from harming the people, the ten cities of Yuzhou once united, set up city defenses, and strengthened patrols. But for many years, there was no action, and later the matter of Qionglong Mountain was gradually forgotten.”
“Lord Lin, you do not know, the bandits of Qionglong Mountain are not inactive but have been extracting silver from the Yuzhou government for years. They threaten my lord with the lives of the people, and every year, large amounts of silver are sent to Qionglong Mountain, and this time the disaster relief silver was no exception. To hide this from the court, the number of disaster victims was falsely reported; in reality, only forty thousand people were affected,” Lady Ying revealed shocking inside information.
Qin Junlan’s face slightly changed, and her expression instantly sank, yet she maintained a composed posture as if unaffected by the collapse of Mount Tai. She remained silent, but Li Yue understood her thoughts and asked, “So the Yuzhou government embezzled a lot of money every year and sent it to the bandit nest?”
Lady Ying nodded helplessly. She was determined to save her husband from this fire pit and saw the imperial envoy as a lifeline.
“The bandits are too outrageous! But why didn’t the lord report to the court or petition Her Majesty?” Jiang Wei, indignant, clenched his fists, ready to rush up the mountain to exterminate them.
“The bandits are too numerous, and the nearby stationed troops are only ten thousand, needing military token allocation. The lord did petition the court, but never received Her Majesty’s order to exterminate the bandits,” Lady Ying explained with a tone full of helplessness.
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This means someone deliberately blocked the memorial. Qin Junlan had never seen such a memorial and was unaware that such a large organization existed among the people.
“Our dynasty’s Red Armor Army is strong enough for one to fight ten; how many bandits must there be to swallow such large amounts of money?” Liu Qianxun calmly analyzed, hitting the key point.
“Lady Ying, did you ever hear the lord mention this?” Li Yue asked again, feeling vaguely uneasy and thinking of something that startled her.
“The lord always said they were more than the stationed troops, estimated to be around twenty thousand people…”
“The Iron Guard Army!” Qin Junlan and Li Yue thought almost simultaneously, and the two exchanged a look.
Could the ten thousand Iron Guard Army that disappeared ten years ago now be the bandits occupying the mountain? Over the years, the force has expanded to twenty thousand people.
What kind of number is this? Twenty thousand people, according to the current Red Armor Army organization, are enough to guard a border city.
Unexpectedly, the disaster relief journey uncovered this earth-shattering secret, providing the perfect opportunity to eliminate these tumors once and for all!