Discussing The Correct Posture To Enjoy Dog Food论食用狗粮的正确姿势[快穿]

Ch53 - Honey Tangerine Flavored Shadow Guard Gong (11)

Who said this loyal dog didn’t know how to flirt? His heartbeat had nearly been played broken by him 〃w〃

Translator: KunLin

Editors: Vex, Blarghette 

The tremors in Yan Fief were violent and carried on for thousands of miles, causing the entire country to be in a state of panic.

After three days, the earth dragon’s wrath finally faded, but rumors began springing up from all corners.

Heaven had sent a sign and no one dared to overlook it. For what reason were the deities angered?

The more knowledgeable people didn’t dare to carelessly comment in front of the influence of the imperial clan, but the common citizens were different—they may be more uneducated but they were also more direct. Compared to the Emperor who felt so distant to them, they were more fearful of the transcendent deities. They took turns guessing how the Emperor had angered the Heaven. Maybe it was because the monarch wasn’t benevolent enough or was it because loyal officials had been wronged, perhaps the deities’ wrath wasn’t over yet and the next calamity will happen on their head? 

The Emperor couldn’t possibly block everyone’s mouths, but he was also unwilling to block his own ears. Plus he knew preventing the common people from talking was like preventing a river from flowing. Although he was reluctant in his heart, after the earthquake, he immediately led a hundred officials to visit Huguo Temple to offer incense and worship the Heaven while presenting a report to confess his sins.

He specially had people read the imperial bulletin aloud everyday throughout every street of the country so the citizens would learn of it, thus changing the mass’s opinion.

“…Zhen loathes that he cannot do more. During the three days of the calamity, Zhen was immersed in incense while praying day and night in the palace for the Heaven’s benevolence, and for them to protect our citizens. Zhen did not dare to eat a single grain or drink a single sip. Zhen hated that he couldn’t be with the people of Yan and be subjected to the disaster in their stead. Thankfully we had received the QinTian supervisor’s prediction beforehand and had sent the Third Prince to lead soldiers and provide aid, successfully evacuating the citizens in time. Heaven is fair to all life and bestowed a warning, allowing Zhen to save our citizens from this plight. Because Heaven is fair, the lives of the ten million citizens in Yan Fief were protected. But although Zhen tried his utmost, casualties still numbered in the thousands. In regards to this Zhen cannot feel more remorseful. Today Zhen makes an offering to the Heaven and will lay out all sins for judgement, may the Heaven be merciful…”

Reading up to here, Gou Liang lost all desire to continue.

“Indeed that old man Emperor is shrewd. Tch, tch, not eating or drinking for three days and nights to pray for the common people’s wellbeing, proclaiming while beating it a gong, such fanfare, it is enough to fool people.”

Gou Liang set the imperial bulletin aside, the corner of his mouth forming a cold smile.

It’s just that, no matter how much the Emperor shifted the responsibility, in the end a scapegoat was needed to bear Heaven’s wrath and pacify the citizens’ hearts. The scapegoat’s identity and status cannot be too shabby, he wondered who the Emperor would pick.

Gou Liang thought back to the former Crown Prince who had been confined and hidden away, and many thoughts flashed through his head. He then thought of Li Yan. 

The disaster in Yan Fief was calamitous, but Gou Liang’s people had prepared the heaviest hit provinces in advance. His men went to the core officials of these provinces and, by coercion or advice, persuaded them to evacuate citizens, even without the Emperor’s command. This helped keep casualties to a minimum.