novelkee Chapter 532 Asking for orders
Chapter 532 Asking for orders
Although Jiang Chao was eager for his master to overthrow the incompetent and tyrannical emperor as soon as possible, so that the people could escape their suffering and live a peaceful and prosperous life.
But he knew in his heart that his master must have his reasons for not taking action for so long.
"My subordinates will do it now."
Jiang Chao accepted the order and led his men outside the mansion. There they saw a large group of people kneeling on the ground, all of them emaciated, disheveled, and dressed in rags.
Their shoes were all worn out, and their soles were bloody and mangled.
It is evident how much hardship and suffering the people endured when they fled from their hometowns to Yuncheng.
He cursed the Northern Qi emperor in his heart once again.
"You all go ahead."
When Jiang Chao came out of the mansion, he saw a ray of light in the eyes of the people, which were originally lifeless and filled with despair and pain. Suddenly, they had a glimmer of hope for life, as if they had seen a living bodhisattva who could pull them out of the sea of suffering.
It felt as if a heavy boulder was pressing on his chest, making it difficult to even breathe.
“Your Highness understands your difficult situation, but he has not received any conclusive information as to whether His Majesty is imprisoned or whether the Right Pillar of State harbors treasonous intentions.” Jiang Chao said solemnly, “This matter concerns the very foundation of the nation. His Highness has already sent people to the capital to inquire about the situation. If the facts are true, he will surely give you justice.”
The fact that the Prince of Guangling was wholeheartedly devoted to the people was something every citizen of Northern Qi knew. They placed their hopes on the Prince of Guangling, believing in their hearts that only he could save them.
With this belief, they trekked through mountains and rivers, gritting their teeth and persevering until they reached Yuncheng.
They thought that the Prince of Guangling would stand up for them after hearing about their plight.
But things didn't go as planned.
The Prince of Guangling did not believe at all that the treacherous ministers had imprisoned the Northern Qi emperor, seized control of the court, and brought disaster to the people.
The glimmer of hope in the eyes of the common people was extinguished, and they stared blankly at the Prince's Palace.
Their beliefs collapsed, their only way out was cut off, and they didn't know what to do.
"His Highness's only wish is for peace throughout the land, for the people to live in harmony and prosperity, and for them not to be forced to leave their homes and wander from place to place due to war. If the court is controlled by treacherous officials, you will not need to petition him; he will seek justice for you." Jiang Chao advised, "However, His Highness's background is special, and he also faces many difficulties. His actions must be reasonable and justified, with a legitimate cause. Otherwise, if he falls into the trap of treacherous people, not only will he not be able to seek justice for you, but he himself will also be in danger. I hope you can understand and wait a few more days."
The common people didn't understand these profound principles and wholeheartedly regarded Zhao Yi as a living bodhisattva who saved them from suffering.
Regardless of whether their words were true or false, they stubbornly insisted, "We won't leave. We'll wait here until His Highness receives the news and gives us an explanation."
Jiang Chao was at his wits' end, but he understood the people's feelings and could only patiently persuade them.
The woman, heartbroken for her child and unwilling to let him go hungry, listened to the advice and followed the people from the Prince's Mansion to the charitable estate established by the gentry of Yuncheng Township.
When Zhao Yi learned that the people were selling their belongings and moving to Yuncheng and Panshicheng, he anticipated that there would be refugees coming here for refuge. Therefore, he discussed with the manager of the charitable estate in advance to settle the refugees in the charitable estate, with the Guangling Prince's Mansion providing money and food.
The head of the charitable estate refused to accept the royal family's money and provisions, saying that the Prince of Guangling had stopped Consort Shu's brother from burning down the city, saving the entire population and thus incurring their great kindness. Now that Northern Qi was facing a great calamity, they were willing to contribute their efforts and help the Prince of Guangling overcome the difficulties together.
As for the people without children, they remained unmoved and knelt on the spot.
Because they didn't believe Jiang Chao's words at all, and were convinced that the King of Guangling didn't care about their lives, they insisted on staying, hoping that their sincere pleas would move the King of Guangling.
Jiang Chao had no choice but to order people to carry food and distribute it to them one by one.
This measure did give the people a glimmer of hope.
The fact that the King of Guangling sent people to feed them shows that he cares about these people and doesn't disregard their lives.
Those words probably weren't just excuses to appease them; there must be real difficulties involved.
They can wait here for a few days.
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The court officials, whose influence extended to various regions, received reports from all over the country and only then realized the seriousness of the matter, and could no longer contain themselves.
As a result, officials, led by the Minister of Personnel, flocked to his office to seek his advice.
The Minister of Personnel looked worried: "Ever since news of the uprisings among the people in various places reached His Majesty's ears, His Majesty summoned the Right Pillar of State overnight, and then fell ill."
"This matter is truly strange. His Majesty has always been in good health. Despite the heavy blow of losing his son, he still insists on governing the country."
"How could he have collapsed without any warning?"
"When we ministers went to report on state affairs, we were all stopped by Eunuch Liu, who said that His Majesty was seriously ill and unconscious."
"If His Majesty is unconscious, why would he be willing to see the Right Pillar of State?"
The ministers were all shrewd and intelligent, and upon hearing this, they each had their own thoughts.
The Northern Qi emperor valued his regime highly and tried his best to be a wise ruler. He did everything himself and never delegated anything to others.
If any official commits a serious crime, he will be severely punished without exception.
The Right Pillar of State colluded with the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, deceiving their superiors and subordinates, which led to great chaos in the Northern Qi Dynasty.
For such a serious crime, the Emperor of Northern Qi should have beheaded the Right Pillar General long ago.
However, contrary to his usual behavior, the Northern Qi emperor not only did not punish the Right Pillar General, but also, after falling seriously ill, only agreed to see the Right Pillar General.
Isn't it obvious that there's a problem with the Right Pillar State?
After all, the last person the Northern Qi emperor saw was the Right Pillar of State.
The rumors might be true.
The ministers exchanged glances and spoke with one another: "Minister, His Majesty's edict has not been effective. The people in various regions are still rioting, and they are all requesting the Prince of Guangling to 'remove the corrupt officials from the court.' This is a matter of great importance. We should all go to the palace together to see His Majesty and report the situation."
The Minister of Personnel, in accordance with the wishes of the other ministers, also invited the Grand Secretary to enter the palace.
Standing at the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Eunuch Liu said to the ministers, "His Majesty is unwell and unable to see you. Please leave."
Just as the Grand Secretary was about to say something, the Right Pillar of State emerged from the Hall of Mental Cultivation with the imperial physician.
The expressions of the ministers immediately changed.
Seeing this, the Right Pillar General also had no way to express his suffering.
He was well aware of the rumors circulating about him, and no one was more anxious than him.
However, the Northern Qi emperor was unconscious and unable to intervene to seek justice for him.
Eunuch Liu relayed a message to him, saying that before the Northern Qi Emperor fell into a coma, he personally told Eunuch Liu that among all the civil and military officials, he only trusted him. He also specifically instructed that whenever the imperial physician treated the Northern Qi Emperor, he must accompany him to prevent any treacherous person from taking the opportunity to usurp the throne.
The Right Pillar of State naturally wouldn't betray the Northern Qi Emperor's trust, and he even hoped to clear his name once the emperor woke up, so he would visit the Hall of Mental Cultivation every day. However, he didn't expect that this action would, in the eyes of everyone, actually confirm the rumors.
He knew that someone was deliberately interfering, so he didn't explain further, nor could he explain, and simply waited for the Northern Qi emperor to wake up.
The Right Pillar of State glanced at the assembled officials and left with the imperial physician.
Seeing this, the Grand Secretary slowly said, "A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Now that Northern Qi is in great chaos, someone is needed to take charge of the overall situation. Since His Majesty is seriously ill and unable to govern the country, we invite the Prince of Guangling to return and act as regent."
The officials had no objections and earnestly requested the Grand Secretary to send someone to the fiefdom to invite Zhao Yi back to court.
When the people sent by the Grand Secretary arrived in Yuncheng, they found the Prince's Mansion engulfed in flames.