Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Two carriages slowly drove towards the outer city, almost reaching the edge of the inner city.

Guo Tianyang frowned, peering through the carriage window.

After several days of heavy rain, all the neighborhoods had some amount of standing water, and the edge of the inner city was already poorly managed, with the water starting to deepen.

If they reached the outer city, the situation would likely be even worse.

However, before they even entered the outer city, something worse happened: a drizzle began to fall from the sky.

Guo Tianyang couldn't help but feel a bit fortunate that he had brought several extra umbrellas.

His Majesty would surely have to get out of the carriage soon, and it wouldn't do for him to get wet.

Emperor Jing also heard the sound of raindrops falling on the roof of the carriage, glanced out the window, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes, and then closed his eyes to feign sleep.

After arriving in the outer city, Guo Tianyang's worries finally came true.

Thunder began to rumble in the sky, and the rain became even heavier.

The severity of the standing water in the outer city was far from the understated descriptions in the memorials.

The water had even begun to submerge nearly half of the wheels.

The outer city had been built hastily, and the drainage system was not carefully designed. Coupled with the usual lack of maintenance, its function was mostly damaged, making it virtually useless in the face of such heavy rain.

Even more terrifying now was that the standing water was scattered with household garbage, and even human and animal waste, creating an unbearable stench.

Emperor Jing heard the thunder and slowly opened his eyes, stunned by what he saw outside the carriage.

His eyes were met with a watery expanse, and in addition to the garbage, there were even things like wooden planks and stools floating on the surface.

Looking into the distance, Emperor Jing felt like he vaguely saw a group of people through the rain. He could also faintly hear shouts and cries, so he instructed, "Find someone to see what that is."

A guard accompanying the carriage, sitting outside, received the order and jumped out of the carriage, wading towards that location.

Before long, the guard returned, his face crestfallen. "Your Majesty, the heavy rain has collapsed a row of old houses, and some people are missing. They say they are looking for the elderly and children, but... the neighbors have already been searching for half an hour. I'm afraid..."

The thunder in the sky continued to rumble, and Emperor Jing felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

The elderly... children, just drowned like that?

Guo Tianyang also felt a lump in his throat. No one in the palace understood Emperor Jing better than him.

In recent years, as he aged, His Majesty's heart had become softer and softer, and he must be feeling very distressed, especially seeing such a scene.

The three Grand Secretaries in the rear carriage leaned out of the windows and saw the busy figures in the distance.

They all fell silent. It was supposed to be a time of peace and prosperity, yet such a tragedy had openly occurred in the capital.

The three men couldn't help but sigh deeply in the carriage.

"In recent years, I have often seen reports of deaths from heavy rain in the memorials, but I never imagined I would witness it firsthand today... it's actually..." Zhang Dongxiang couldn't continue speaking.

The words "heart-wrenching" were stuck in his throat.

Zheng Qiao sighed, "Natural disasters are beyond human control... life and death are determined by fate. This must be destiny."

Zhang Dongxiang suddenly flushed red, his emotions somewhat agitated. "This is not a natural disaster, it is simply the negligence of officials! The palace and the nearby outer city can be free of standing water, so why can't it be here?"

Li Yansong closed his eyes and feigned sleep, constantly thinking in his mind.

The tragedy had already happened, and there was no point in arguing about it now. It would be better to think about what could be done to solve the problem.

At this time, there were still some people on the street, some holding children, some carrying packages, perhaps because their houses had also collapsed, and they were trying to find a way out.

The carriage became more and more difficult to move as it headed towards the outer city, now moving at a snail's pace.

The coachman didn't dare to speed up, fearing that there might be a large stone or a large pit underneath, which could overturn the entire carriage.

Emperor Jing couldn't sit still any longer and asked, "How much further is it to Dengjin Ward?"

Guo Tianyang quickly replied, "We're here, it's just ahead, Your Majesty. The situation ahead is likely to be even worse. Please wait here for a moment, and this old servant will first go into the ward to see if there are any people to meet us."

Emperor Jing looked at the situation outside, and then at the thin layer of water that had seeped into the carriage, and could only helplessly nod.

Unexpectedly, just as Guo Tianyang stuck his head out, he suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Ah, Your Majesty! There's a small boat coming over there! But it seems to be having some problems."

"Drive the carriage over there and see if we can help them."

Not far away, there was a small boat stuck in place. Several young men in brocade robes were sitting on the boat, with servants holding umbrellas beside them.

Two men, who appeared to be guards, were wading in the water, trying hard to push the boat.

The carriage struggled to move towards the small boat. Finally, when it reached the vicinity of the small boat, Emperor Jing lifted the curtain and was immediately stunned.

The guards under the boat were pushing the boat with all their might, but the young men on the boat were laughing and chatting, seemingly discussing poetry.

And not far away, there were several commoners standing in the rain.

There were old people and women carrying children, their weak bodies shivering from the cold.

Emperor Jing got out of the carriage and shouted loudly towards the boat, "What happened? Do you need help?"

When one of the young men on the boat saw someone coming to help, his eyes immediately lit up. He cupped his fist and said, "Thank you, sir. Our boat is stuck and we need help. I wonder if sir could have your servants lend a hand? We will surely reward you handsomely!"

Emperor Jing gave a look, and the guard immediately swam down to push the boat.

Both sides exerted their strength together, but the boat still didn't budge!

The young masters on the boat became anxious. Why wasn't the boat moving? They couldn't be stuck here forever, could they?

Thinking this, their eyes turned to the commoners not far away and shouted, "You people over there! Come and help this young master push the boat. If you get it out, you will all be handsomely rewarded!"

The young master had spoken, and the honest and poorly dressed commoners dared not disobey.

They came tremblingly to help push the boat.

However, due to their weak bodies, they couldn't add much strength, especially since one of the women was carrying a child in her arms.

Emperor Jing felt a bit of anger in his heart and questioned loudly, "These people have no strength left from standing in the water. Let them come on board to rest."

Hearing Emperor Jing speak like this, the young men were somewhat surprised.

They looked at each other, a hint of a smile in their eyes.

Before they could speak, the servant holding the umbrella spoke up first, displeased, "This boat was sent by Lord Yan Guoan to provide disaster relief. How can lowly commoners be allowed on it? They will push the boat, and we will reward them. Don't interfere!"

The woman standing in the water tried hard to lower her head, pushing the boat with all her might, while also fearing that the child in her arms would be drenched by the rain. But there was no way to stop it, and both she and the child were soaked through.

The child cried loudly in the woman's arms, and the woman could only shed tears and comfort him in a low voice.

The anger in Emperor Jing's heart suddenly rose, and he jumped out of the carriage!

The three Grand Secretaries were shocked to see this and quickly waded into the water from the carriage, accompanying Emperor Jing.

Guo Tianyang was stunned for a moment, first taking two umbrellas from the carriage, and then jumping into the water.

He held one over Emperor Jing and handed the other to the woman.

Emperor Jing walked to the small boat, his heart full of anger, and was about to speak when the servant who had spoken before leaned over.

Looking down, he said with a mocking expression, "I was wondering who the good Samaritan was. Do you also want to ride the boat?"

Emperor Jing's heart was full of anger and he was about to speak when he suddenly heard a crisp "slap" sound.

He saw the young master next to the servant slap him heavily in the face, and the servant covered his face in fear.

The young master looked at the aggrieved servant and scolded, "You dog slave! People are here to help us, don't you have any manners?"

Seeing this, Emperor Jing's expression softened slightly.

Although these people didn't have much kindness, at least they were reasonable.

Just as he was thinking this, the young master pointed at the commoners pushing the boat and asked with a smile, "Sir, you want them to come on board, right? It's not impossible. Why don't you help push the boat together? When the boat moves, we'll take them with us, how about that?"

The three Grand Secretaries immediately glared at him!

Guo Tianyang's chest rose and fell rapidly, and he finally couldn't help but raise his voice, baring his teeth and brandishing his claws as he rushed forward and cursed, "You bastard! How dare you let my master... ah!!"

Before he could finish speaking, the servant who had been slapped earlier kicked him into the water.

He fell directly into the water, gurgling a few bubbles, and then was pulled up again.

But he had choked on a lot of dirty water, and couldn't speak for a moment, only coughing incessantly in place.

Li Yansong quickly patted him on the back upon seeing this.

The servant's loyal dog attributes were activated, and he cursed again, "Old thing! I gave you face, didn't I! Do you have the right to speak here? If you say another dirty word, I'll break your legs!"

The young master didn't scold the servant at this moment, but just had a contemptuous smile on his face.

He said mockingly, "Oh dear! How did it become like this? Have you thought about it? Are you going to push this boat or not...?"

Seeing him so arrogant, Zhang Dongxiang's fiery temper couldn't bear it any longer, and he rolled up his sleeves and was about to go fight.

Guo Tianyang desperately grabbed him. Going up now would just be asking for a beating. That dog thing was very strong just now, and he was looking down from above. An old man like you would probably be kicked to death directly.

It wouldn't be long before His Majesty gave the order. At that time, none of the people inside would be able to leave!

Emperor Jing looked at the commoners who were still pushing the boat hard in the rain and placed his hand on the boat, saying as cold as ice, "Push, but you better keep your promise."

As soon as Emperor Jing finished speaking, the servant actually crossed his arms and laughed, "Old thing, you have some guts. The person sitting inside is my young master, the famous Su Rongxuan, a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, and a guest of Lord Yan. His words are naturally as good as gold. How dare you question him? Who do you think you are?!"