It’s no wonder the imperial court’s efficiency is so poor.
Situ Yan’s memorial had long since reached the capital. Everyone knew that treating the plague required four hundred thousand taels of silver, and even the ingredients for the remedy had been announced to the world.
Unfortunately, the court remained silent until the money and supplies from Jiangnan and Shanxi finally arrived in Zhanxian City.
The regent Crown Prince was too busy impeaching his political rivals and suppressing the Rui King’s consort, who had raised six hundred thousand taels.
The representative from Jiangnan, hailing from Yangzhou, spoke emotionally about Situ Yan: "If it weren't for the Rui King in those years, our merchant ships would have been plundered by Japanese pirates with nowhere to seek justice. Our Yangzhou would have fallen countless times by now. We deeply remember the Rui King’s great kindness. Now that the Rui King is in Huang He for disaster relief, it's only natural that we contribute our humble efforts."
The representative of Shanxi’s mine owners, rather boorishly and with great wealth, declared: "The Rui King helped eliminate bandits, allowing us to earn large sums of money with peace of mind. This mere one million taels can be considered a token of our gratitude to the Rui King."
The wealthiest regions of the Great Yin generously opened their coffers. Not only was the plague situation resolved, but there was enough left for post-disaster reconstruction.
Situ Yan almost laughed his teeth out and ordered a banquet to be held for these representatives.
All the civil and military officials were dumbfounded. Even Emperor Changwu had not expected that Situ Yan, so far away in Zhanxian City, could still have merchants from Jiangnan and Shanxi voluntarily sending him money.
The Crown Prince almost gnashed his teeth to dust. He recalled how, back then, when these wealthy individuals heard about donations, they would all cry poverty with all their might. This was the first time anyone had willingly offered money.
The Rui King’s reputation had soared to such heights that the Crown Prince could not feel pleased. Even though the Ministry of Revenue had saved on disaster relief funds, he couldn't manage a smile. It was a pity that Situ Yan remained in Zhanxian City, and his men couldn't find an opportunity to make a move.
What further infuriated him was that Lu Nianfu, at this very moment, listed the accounts for the six hundred thousand taels of relief funds that had been raised.
Apart from medicinal ingredients, everything else was converted into grain, and even the transportation was provided free of charge by the Huwei Escort Agency.
With the momentum set by the wealthy individuals from the two regions, Lu Nianfu’s reputation was not only cleared but also adorned with many words of praise. The common people lauded the couple to the heavens.
The affluent Situ Yan no longer held back. With the medicinal ingredients, the plague was quickly brought under control. The once lifeless Zhanxian City regained its vitality, and the continuous two-month downpour finally ceased.
The Yellow River flowed on, and the next step was post-disaster reconstruction.
Situ Yan had little experience with this and requested his third brother to come over. The Third Prince, Situ Feng, was in the capital with Xing Qian researching how to increase grain production. Upon receiving the imperial edict, he had no choice but to hand over all his current tasks to Xing Qian and rushed over.
Finally able to return to the capital, Situ Yan happily handed over his duties to Situ Feng and set off on his journey back with a contented heart.
However, before he could even leave the city, he heard from Song Ming that several places had simultaneously broken out with the plague, and the symptoms were identical to those in Zhanxian City. Someone had also discovered a stone by the Yellow River, three times the height of a person, inscribed with eight large characters.
Overstepping one's bounds invites divine retribution.
Situ Yan was somewhat confused. It was just discovering a stone, what was the big deal? A three-person-tall stone, let alone eight characters, could be carved with eighty thousand words.
Meng Changdong's expression was hard to describe: "Your Highness, it's likely someone is using this disaster to talk about divine retribution. This stone serves as a warning, and the stone itself is probably not ordinary."
Song Ming gave a thumbs-up: "As expected of the strategist! That stone looks like meteorite iron, and who knows where it was found. Your Highness, I've heard that weapons made from celestial meteorite iron are incredibly sharp, capable of cutting through iron like mud and splitting hair. If we could get our hands on it and forge a long sword, it might become a rare treasure."
Situ Yan's interest was immediately piqued: "I'm not particularly fond of swords. Let's forge a saber, or a spear would do."
Meng Changdong rubbed his forehead: "Can we discuss the main matter first? Song Ming, besides those eight characters, were there any other rumors?"
"Ah, yes, yes." Song Ming was immediately indignant: "Those scoundrels are saying that the Eldest Brother is overstepping his bounds, that the Crown Prince is still alive, and he's meddling in politics without authorization, thus incurring divine retribution, leading to this flood and plague. Damn, they can really make things up! For years, the Yellow River hasn't been without its breaches. Floods followed by plagues are common occurrences, aren't they? And they can connect this to Eldest Brother? Hmph."
Compared to the rumors, Situ Yan was clearly more interested in the celestial meteorite iron.
He immediately turned his horse around to go and see the stone.
As for the rumors...
Alas, let them talk. It didn't cost him anything.
He didn't care, but the people did: "Who is the Crown Prince? Has he ever done anything beneficial to the country and the people? We've never heard of it."
"Exactly, the Rui King has done so much for us commoners, fighting battles and suppressing bandits. He clearly appears more virtuous than the Crown Prince. Why can't he be the Crown Prince?"
"The Emperor appointed the Rui King to oversee the state affairs precisely because he values the Rui King's talent."
"It must be that the Crown Prince is without virtue and competence, otherwise why would the Emperor insist on having the Rui King oversee the state affairs?"
In an instant, there were even rumors of deposing the Crown Prince and elevating the Rui King. Why had Heaven sent down divine retribution? It was because the wrong heir apparent had been chosen.
The direction of events was completely contrary to the Crown Prince’s imagination. As for the widespread plague, everyone knew the preventive methods and cures, so what was there to fear? Before the rumors could subside, the afflicted people had already recovered.