"Yes, my lord."
The Prefect acknowledged the order. Shangguan Lin frowned and called to him, "Tell them to start distributing the grain on the mountain."
He believed this suggestion would be more persuasive than any words, as he had already noticed everyone was hungry.
"Mu Li, lead the men with the silver to the nearby counties to purchase rice and some tents. Tonight, everyone will retreat to the mountain to spend the night."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Mu Li and the Prefect acknowledged their orders and departed. Soon, bronze gongs and basins sounded throughout the city, anything that could make noise was brought out and used to form strange processions. However, no one paid attention to that, as shouts erupted.
"By imperial decree, His Majesty has sent Prince Lin to oversee disaster relief. Everyone is to transfer to the mountain now, distribute grain to aid the disaster, everyone is to transfer to the mountain now, distribute grain to aid the disaster."
These shouts, amidst the continuous drizzle, were undoubtedly like sounds from heaven. The disaster victims cried out excitedly, "Quick, transfer to the mountain, quick, there's food!"
Everyone scrambled down from higher ground, and figures gradually appeared on the streets, moving towards the city gates. Seeing this, Shangguan Lin breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at the Lingnan Prefect.
The Prefect, around fifty years old, had a dignified appearance and seemed like an upright person. His steadfastness in the county during this flood, not abandoning his people, showed he was worthy of commendation. If his own future were not uncertain, such talent would certainly be put to good use.
"Let's go. How many people have died in this county and its two affiliated districts?"
Shangguan Lin's voice was somewhat cold, damp and chilling amidst the rain.
Hearing his question, the Lingnan Prefect's heart grew heavy. He respectfully replied, "It is due to my incompetence. Several hundred people have died in the county and its two districts."
"Several hundred people?"
Shangguan Lin knew that the Lingnan Prefect had done his best. Given the severity of the flood and the lack of food, only a few hundred deaths indicated that the Prefect had managed the situation well. Otherwise, with food riots and fighting, the casualties would likely not have been less than a thousand.
"Tell me about the situation within the county and its districts."
"Yes, Your Highness," the two men said, leading a few subordinates as they walked out. The others had joined the rescue efforts.
"This Lingnan region consists of one county and two districts. Although adjacent, they are connected. Due to continuous heavy rainfall, this is an area in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. The dams in the upper and middle reaches were not properly constructed, causing them to collapse. The floodwaters poured into our area. Currently, the water level in the Yangtze River is higher than within our county and districts, making it impossible to drain. If we were to breach the dams, we could release the floodwaters. However, this would inevitably damage the downstream counties, leading to the loss of several counties."
As Shangguan Lin listened, he felt a sense of profound respect for the Lingnan Prefect. This man was capable and, if possible, should be entrusted with a significant responsibility.
"You have worked hard."
Shangguan Lin spoke calmly. The Lingnan Prefect was somewhat moved. This was the warmest sentence he had heard in days, and he was too emotional to speak.
In fact, his subordinates had insisted on breaching the dams, but he had refused, waiting for relief from the imperial court. This way, only their county and two districts suffered damage, while other areas were spared.
If the dams were breached again, even though Lingnan County would be safe, other villages would be submerged. This would create a vicious cycle. The flooding in Qin this year would be severe, and the grave disaster would inevitably affect the nation's overall prosperity.
"This is what this subordinate should do."
As the two men spoke, they walked out of Lingnan County City.
Outside the city, more and more people were visible. Water was everywhere, crops and ditches submerged. Only the distant mountain peaks, lush with green trees, rose far above the water level. Some people had already reached the foot of the peaks and were climbing up.
The relocation continued until nightfall. All the people were transferred to the mountain, where dozens of tents were erected. In the drizzling rain, wisps of smoke rose, and the aroma of boiled rice porridge permeated the mountainside.
At this moment, everyone felt this was the most fragrant smell in the world. In front of the tents, hungry faces crowded, their eyes half-closed, allowing the raindrops to trace paths across their faces, their sallow complexions showing a glimmer of life.
Until someone shouted, "The porridge is ready!"
This shout was like thunder from the sky. People surged out, heedless of the rain. From afar, the mixed sounds of voices could be heard.
"Don't push, stand in line, come one by one, or no one will get any."
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd quieted down considerably. Long queues formed, and people moved forward in an orderly fashion. Despite their hunger, they did not rush or shove. Since they had endured for so many days, they could wait a little longer.
A single candle flickered in the tent. Shangguan Lin sat at the table, his brow furrowed as he gazed at the neatly laid-out maps of the county and districts. He now had to find a way to drain the floodwaters, to rescue Lingnan County and its two adjacent districts as quickly as possible.
Otherwise, no matter how much grain the imperial court provided, it would not last long. They could not rely on relief forever.
Mu Li and Qiao Chu brought in porridge. In such a place, even a prince had to make do.
"Your Highness, please have something to eat."
Shangguan Lin raised his eyebrows, glanced at them, and gestured for Mu Li and Qiao Chu to place the porridge on the table. He remained lost in thought over the maps, truly unable to devise a feasible solution.
Mu Li and Qiao Chu dared not disturb His Highness. Watching the prince lose weight, his exhaustion from days of travel, poor eating and sleeping, and now the worry for the disaster victims of Lingnan, they wondered how he could endure this.
Though their hearts ached, they were powerless. They walked out of the tent and stood by the entrance. The drizzle had lessened slightly, like a light mist pervading the entire mountain. No human figures were visible in the distance.
After eating, the disaster victims, exhausted from days of labor, had fallen asleep. Only a few soldiers from the Prefect's office patrolled the surroundings, along with their elite troops. They dared not relax their vigilance and spread out around the perimeter.
These were ordinary people, and any misfortune befalling them would be troublesome.
The night deepened, but the light in Shangguan Lin's tent remained on. Mu Li and Qiao Chu had also left. They sat on either side of the tent, dozing off.
The sky was dark. The rain had stopped. The glass lamps lit around the tents cast a faint, dim glow.
The earth lay in profound silence. At this moment, several dark figures crept closer, silently, like phantoms, like night specters, slowly approaching Shangguan Lin's tent.
The leader of the group slightly lifted a corner of the tent and gazed at the person slumped on the table, asleep from exhaustion. His dark eyes flickered a few times, and with a swift motion, he threw a flying dagger. A piece of paper was stuck to the tip of the blade. The man then turned to leave.
However, Shangguan Lin had experienced a series of events and was no longer the same person as before. He had become much more reserved and steady. Upon hearing the sound, he didn't look at the knife pinned to the pillar but instead leaped out of the tent.
In the distance, several figures flashed by rapidly, disappearing into the dense mountain forest.
Shangguan Lin sprang up and pursued relentlessly, keeping a steady distance with a few leaps. He was unable to get any closer.
However, it was also impossible for those figures to shake him off. Mu Li and Qiao Chu were also alerted. Raising their heads, they found that their prince was no longer in the tent. Instead, dark figures were moving in the distance. With a start, they immediately sprang up and gave chase.