Chapter 106 Natural and Man-made Disaster

Hundreds of riders in this line are full of people and horses. Jiangzhou is six or seven hundred miles away from Chang'an. With the speed of these good horses, they can generally arrive in three or four days if they are not in a hurry. However, Li Ke was obviously a little anxious and fierce. He ordered to travel day and night, and be sure to get to Jiangzhou within two days.

It doesn't matter to Qin Mubai. With the foot strength of the fire, if the weather is not too bad and the road is too rough, it is no problem to run 600 miles a day. Although the ancients said that a good horse " travels thousands of miles a day" is an imaginary number, it is not difficult to convert it into the current five or six hundred miles.

Jiangzhou is very close to Taiyuan, the place where Li Tangfa's family originated. During the Wude period, Jiangzhou General Administration was set up under the jurisdiction of more than ten prefectures and counties, including Taiyuan, Jinzhou. Later, Taiyuan was changed into a prefecture and became the northern capital of the Tang Dynasty, and Jiangzhou was reduced to a state. There are five counties under its jurisdiction, but it is still an important state and county in the land of Jin, which is valued by people.

The more serious disaster this time is Jishan County under the rule of Jiangzhou.

Qin Mubai and others were in a hurry. When they entered Jiangzhou, they obviously felt the difference in the weather. From time to time, you can often see many people moving in groups to help the old and the young. A sad and wail is like a mess of soldiers and horses, and they have become exiled.

Zhenguan Tang has always been a peaceful and prosperous people's livelihood, which is very rare. Li Ke, Quan Wanji and others were shocked. Stopping the team, they stopped several people to question. Seeing that their clothes were luxurious and extraordinary and carrying soldiers, those exiles naturally understood that they were official family members, so they cried bitterly and complained that Zhu Chengwen, the county magistrate of Jishan County, forced them out of the house, and they had no choice but to wander out to find another place to live. But the house and land are gone, and I don't know how to live in the future.

Li Ke asked again how the flood was going over there. The exiles replied that in the two days the day before yesterday and tomorrow, nearly 10,000 soldiers from Jiangzhou Prefecture and nearby government troops rushed to the house one after another, and the flood has been temporarily lifted. However, there were piles of disaster victims who had no place at all. More than a hundred soldiers and horses had no food to eat, so they came to rob the people's only grain, and even the seeds and cattle in the coming year.

Now, the whole Jiangzhou has become a mess, just like a mess in troubled times. Officials did not act and were busy sirking their responsibilities and leading soldiers to condone the soldiers and horses to plunder the people. Among them, the situation in Jishan County is the most serious.

Li Ke and Quan Wanji were furious after hearing these words. Li Ke didn't say a word and turned over his horse: "Let's go to Jishan!"

Qin Mubai has been with Li Ke without saying anything. Under the public situation, he understands his identity and responsibilities - Li Ke's disaster relief. He is responsible for protecting Li Ke and impeaching those local officials and generals.

When running out of the horse for a while, Qin Mubai saw that Li Ke's anger had calmed down and said, "Your Highness, the situation in Jishan County is more strange."

"What do you say?"

"Now that the flood has been lifted, the county magistrate should cooperate with the state officials and government soldiers to start to appease the people and settle the lives of these disaster victims. However, instead of doing so, the county magistrate drove the people away. Don't you think it's abnormal?"

"That Zhu Chengwen is probably tired of living." Li Ke snorted coldly, "If you abuse the people like this, aren't you afraid that the emperor's power will come to pieces?"

Qin Mubai shook his head and said, "If I were Zhu Chengwen, I would definitely understand this truth. But why do I have to do this?"

Li Ke was slightly stunned and turned his head to ask, "Why?"

"That's because I must have unspeakable difficulties." Qin Mubai said, "I would rather risk being punished by the rule of law than drive away the people of Jishan and move them away from this place."

Li Ke's eyebrows shrugged, and he was silent for a moment thoughtfully, and said, "So you mean that Jishan County is still very dangerous now?"

"It's possible." Qin Mubai said, "Your Highness, think about it, since the flood has been eliminated, it is time to quickly rescue the people, build houses and rectify farmland. But Zhu Chengwen didn't do this. He drove the people away - pay attention, it's rushing, not moving! That is to say, it must have forcibly expelled all the people without the consent and arrangement of the state government at the next higher level. Why is this? Isn't it true that Zhu Chengwen is not afraid of a big disaster if he not only violates the royal law but also disobeys the superior official's ideas?

"Listen to what you said, things in Jishan County are really a little strange. Thank you for your reminder. I was angry for a moment just now, but I was a little careless. Li Ke nodded and said, "Okay, you will know when you arrive. Let's hurry up!"

Soon after, Qin Mubai and his party entered Jishan County.

Far away, everyone smelled a strong smell of muddy water. The wall of the county has obviously been soaked, and you can see the traces of water fading from the wall a few feet high. Countless houses were washed away, and the whole city was full of wolfies. O Obi time, drowned cattle, sheep, pigs and dogs could be seen, and a pungent smell of floating corpses.

A big county is like a dead place!

"It seems that the disaster is more serious than I thought." Li Ke's eyebrows were tight, "Why can't there be a state and county official or a government soldier here to help the disaster?"

"It's probably all on the outskirts of the city, right?" Quan Wanji said, "The flood started from the large lake on the outskirts of the city. The low terrain in the county was affected, but the flood has slowed down here. Therefore, the real disaster is in the farmland in the suburbs.

"Then let's not go into the city and go straight to the country lake!" Li Ke said.

"Your Highness, be careful!" Quan Wanji said, "After the flood, it is prone to plague. There is a dead silence in Jishan County. The residents in the city must have escaped from the plague. The top priority now is to find Zhu Chengwen, the magistrate of Jishan County, and make a final determination after asking about the situation here.

"Needless to say. I was ordered to come to the disaster, should I be afraid of the plague? Li Ke said firmly, "Go to the countryside! I don't force anyone to stay who is afraid of the plague!"

"Your Highness is not afraid, what are you afraid of?" Quan Wanji said righteously, "There is danger, and I must be reminded. Since Your Highness is not afraid, even if you go through fire and water, Quan Wanji will follow you!"

"Go--"

Hundreds of people marched on the muddy road and ran to the country lake. After walking for more than ten miles, I finally saw the smoke.

"That's the army, right? Buried in a pot to make rice?" Li Ke raised his eyes and said, "So they are stationed here!"

"Your Highness, Rong will go forward first!" At this time, it was Qin Mubai's turn to play. Li Ke nodded and agreed, and Qin Mubai took hundreds of cavalry and soldiers forward first.

There are many troops stationed here, at least 3,000 people. The camp is obviously newly pulled up, relatively simple and rough, but there are many patrolling horses and soldiers guarding the village, which are well-orderly and heavily guarded, like the situation in front of the enemy.

Qin Mubai and others were stopped by a team of probes not far ahead.

"Hight!" The other party's primary school shouted, "Who is coming? Military aircraft are not allowed to break in!"

The commander-in-chief beside Qin Mubai shouted: "Bold! Don't you recognize the flag of the Royal Guard? General Qin, a hundred riders, is here. Get off the horse quickly and welcome him!"

"The royal guard leads a hundred riders?!" The little colonel and the sergeants were stunned - this kind of thing was as far away as a phoenix in the sky for them, but now it suddenly appeared in front of them!

A group of military cademies hurriedly turned over and got off to welcome them. Qin Mubai said, "It's free of courtesy. He went in and reported that His Royal Highness the King of Wu led his generals to visit the army under the escort of Baiqi. Your chief general, please come out to welcome!"

"Yes!"

The sergeants hurriedly turned around and ran away. Not long after, the horn sounded in the whole barracks. The people and horses gathered quickly, and the cooking smoke from the army was also extinguished. The banners fluttered, and the men and horses were quickly laid out and opened the door to welcome Li Ke.

Li Ke looked at this scene from afar and couldn't help smiling and said to Quan Wanji, "Jian Changshi, it's really easy to do things with a hundred horses. You and I are not familiar with the army, and we will be a little unfamiliar with soldiers. However, Qin Mubai has unique advantages in this regard. He is a hundred horsemen. Although his official character is not high, he is the leader of the personal guard beside His Majesty the Emperor. He came out to do business, and the emperor was standing behind him! No matter how arrogant and arrogant the general is, he dare not give your majesty face!"

"Your Highness said it very well." Quan Wanji said, "Everything is born with one thing. Your Highness is noble and proficient in officialdom, which is more than enough to deal with those state and county officials. However, these government military schools have never been restrained by your highness and have their own rules of conduct. They may not pay attention to your highness. I'm afraid it's difficult to put an end to the things that violate. Your Majesty sent a hundred knights who are familiar with the military and have a special status to help you, which is a wonderful trick!"

"Indeed." Li Ke nodded and smiled, thinking that you Quan Wanji only knew one thing and didn't know the other. If you want to send a military person, it is enough to send a general with twelve guards directly. Xingshi Dongzhong sent a hundred riders, which is not just such a simple reason...

The government soldiers and soldiers had already lined up to welcome them. Three people came out of the row, one wearing armor, one wearing a robe and an official uniform, and the other wearing a green official uniform. According to the official uniform of the Tang Dynasty, more than five grades wear crimson official robes, and five grades are green.

Qin Mubai rode on the horse and led the soldiers to open a word array, and Li Ke rode forward. The three people bowed head-on.

"The governor of Jiangzhou, Cheng Songnian, the governor of Jiangzhou, Ma Kun, and Liao Lirong, the county lieutenant of Jishan County - Welcome to His Royal Highness the King of Wu!"

Li Ke got off his horse and walked to them. He raised his hand and said, "Get up! In extraordinary times, there is no need to be so polite.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" All three of them got up. Li Ke pointed to Qin Mubai and said, "This one, Baiqi made Qin Mubai."

The three of them looked at Qin Mubai neatly and hurriedly bowed their heads and arched their hands: "I've seen General Qin!"

"Don't be polite." Qin Mubai returned the salute and thought to himself, why did the governor of Jiangzhou come here with the county lieutenant of Jishan County? - Why is it the county lieutenant, not the county magistrate?

The county lieutenant is the assistant officer of a county order, who is in charge of military affairs, which is equivalent to the deputy county magistrate, and his function is the minister of a county armed forces department.

Li Ke obviously thought of this point. After the introduction of greetings, he asked, "Being an assassin, why is the county magistrate of Jishan County?"

"He..." Cheng Songnian was slightly stunned. He looked at Ma Kun and Liao Lirong from left and right with an embarrassed face. He bowed his head and arched his hand and said, "Zhu Chengwen, the county magistrate of Jishan County, has committed suicide today!"

"What?"