Chapter 1656: Chapter 1656: Drought in Both North and South

The southern region?

The south is experiencing a drought, earlier than the north; it hasn’t rained since the end of May, and the summer crops there have already died of drought.

What’s more serious is that, initially, the local officials regarded it as a minor drought and did not report it upwards. When the drought worsened significantly, they hoped it would rain soon and chose to conceal the situation.

The result of this cover-up led to widespread disaster, with refugees everywhere and public discontent soaring. Some wealthy estates were forcefully broken into by refugees, who stole food and even violated their wives and maidservants, an extremely vile occurrence.

Unable to hide the disaster any longer, the reports finally reached the Emperor, handed over by a Deputy Magistrate from Guiyang, Yan Zisheng.

Yan Zisheng is Song Zhiyuan’s student, who has been building his experience outside over the years and now serves as a Deputy Magistrate in Guiyang. His willingness to withstand pressure and report the disaster reflects his character.

In fact, Yan Zisheng had submitted warnings before, but his superiors ignored them, suppressed the reports, and even threatened him not to speak up, resulting in the disaster’s spread.

Currently, with the disaster so severe, Emperor Chu was naturally furious, demoting several related officials immediately, and appointed an imperial envoy to rush to the south to provide disaster relief, soothe public grievances, and ferret out corrupt officials who neglected their duties.

This is the southern region, while the northern region faces similar issues, though still under control and not yet widespread. However, some refugees have already left their homes and are heading to Shangjing.

This drought is just beginning, and no one knows how long it will last. Shangjing is where most of the high-ranking officials are, right under the Emperor’s feet. Either way, they may as well come here to find a bite to eat before dying.

Song Zhiyuan stayed in the palace until near the time when the Palace Gate was about to be locked before he returned to the mansion, looking exhausted.

Madam Song organized water for washing and a meal.

"Just some simple food will suffice; I need to go to the council hall and discuss matters with the elders." Song Zhiyuan remarked wearily, "Since there’s no rain, disasters have erupted everywhere, with the southern region being more severe. You need to stay vigilant and manage the family affairs well."

Madam Song’s hand trembled, "The south has erupted as well?"

Song Zhiyuan nodded.

"What about Qi’er?"

"Qi’er is in Jiangnan Prefecture City and close to the Governor’s Mansion, so it should not be affected. You don’t have to worry too much." Song Zhiyuan rubbed his brow.

Madam Song breathed a sigh of relief, "Mother mentioned today that this drought seems very severe and may last a long time. She summoned us to talk and urged early preparations. Now it’s true, everything she said is coming to pass."

"Oh?" Song Zhiyuan paused, "Mother said it would last a long time?"

Madam Song nodded, furrowing her brows, "Mother went to the Water Pavilion today to cool off and noticed that the water level in our house’s lake has dropped by a finger’s length."

Song Zhiyuan’s breath caught; he had been busy in the palace lately and hadn’t noticed such minor details as water levels. No one in the court had reported it either.

If the water level is dropping everywhere and it doesn’t rain, the wells will eventually dry up, then the situation would be worse than just refugees everywhere, it would mean countless dead bodies.

People can go without food for a few days, no problem, but try going without water?

Water is what’s most important.

Thinking of this, Song Zhiyuan couldn’t sit still and said, "I’m going to the council hall."

"Not going to have a bit to eat first?"

"Tell them to send the food to the council hall." He hurriedly walked out.

Madam Song couldn’t stop him, and could only instruct the servants to send the meal to the council hall. She sat on the Arhat bed, frowning deeply; what a situation this is.

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