Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 80: The Arson Case at the Imperial Palace!
Not long after the plan was completed at the Qin Prince's Mansion.

The various propaganda campaigns and rumors of offering land that had been prepared quickly spread throughout the prefectural city.

Meanwhile, another royal guard, whose weakness had been exploited, disguised himself and arrived outside the government office.

The drum for appealing for justice was struck loudly.

Within just a few days, the grievance drum sounded again.

This caused the already fervent crowd to quickly gather together.

Last time.

The man who beat the drum filed a complaint against the Qin King's mansion, and as a result, he died that very day.

What will be the fate of the person who beats the drum this time?
As more and more people gathered, the Imperial Guards on duty inside the government office also came to the person beating the drum, and asked:

"What is the purpose of your beating of the drums?"

Upon hearing this, the man immediately burst into tears, heartbroken.

“I am not here to beat the drum because I have no grievances. I am a native of Yan’an Prefecture.”

“The disaster in Yan’an Prefecture was too severe a few days ago, and the crops failed completely. That’s why I fled all the way to Xi’an Prefecture.”

"After His Majesty came to Shaanxi, he carried out a great deal of relief work. After receiving the grain, I also returned to my hometown."

"But the disaster in Yan'an Prefecture was too severe. When I returned, I found that the officials in Yan'an Prefecture were still not doing a good job in relief, and the disaster situation in various places was still shocking."

"I'm afraid only His Majesty's personal presence can truly alleviate the disaster in Yan'an Prefecture."

"Furthermore, the elders and folks of my hometown, having heard of Your Majesty's virtuous rule, specifically entrusted me to come to the prefectural city to find Your Majesty and truthfully report the severity of the disaster in Yan'an Prefecture."

"Therefore, I have mustered up the courage to come here and beat the drum, begging Your Majesty to come to Yan'an Prefecture to relieve the disaster and save the people from suffering."

After speaking, the man who beat the drum knelt down and kowtowed three times to the Imperial Guard in front of him.

After completing this entire process, it was truly a moment of great enthusiasm and passion.

But the Imperial Guard narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at the man.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards, being from the capital, were used to seeing various factions fighting amongst themselves, so they naturally knew that this person was definitely acting under someone else's orders.

Putting everything else aside, this kind of conversation is something that ordinary vagrants could never possess.

However, the common people watching from within the city didn't think about it that much.

I heard that this person came for the sake of his fellow villagers.

At first, everyone respected him as a man of great courage, and then they felt a deep and simple sympathy for the disaster-stricken people in Yan'an Prefecture.

Many people have never been to Yan'an Prefecture in person.

However, during this period, there was a continuous influx of refugees into Xi'an Prefecture.

Everyone has a vivid memory of those emaciated disaster victims who looked as if a gust of wind could blow them over.

Therefore, upon hearing that the people in Yan'an Prefecture were still living in dire straits, the residents of the prefecture could not help but feel saddened.

Some individuals might gloat over this.

But at this moment, countless people gathered in the city.

Some of these feelings are simply sympathy between people from the same lower class, with one side feeling sorry for the other.

Therefore, after listening to the drummer's story, everyone looked towards the government office with anticipation, because His Majesty was inside.

Will His Majesty go to Yan'an Prefecture to save those poor, thousands of people?
Everyone knows the answer is yes.

His Majesty came to Shaanxi to save these people.

Their lives have improved significantly, and they hope that the people of Yan'an Prefecture, which was the hardest hit by the disaster, will also recover as soon as possible.

But the thought that His Majesty would leave them if he went to Yan'an Prefecture for disaster relief was too much to bear.

The countless people in the city couldn't help but feel a great sense of reluctance to part with it.

The emperor had only been in the prefectural city for a few days.

But those few short days will be unforgettable for countless people.

The only pity.

It's just that His Majesty failed to eliminate the Qin Prince's Mansion, this huge cancer, before he passed away.

Over the past few days, there have been various other voices from the public.

However, everyone was already inclined to believe that the person who had previously filed a complaint with the emperor was killed by the King of Qin.

after all.

Everyone knows perfectly well what the people in the Qin Prince's mansion have been doing all these years.

Naturally, everyone was furious. But the people also understood that His Majesty ultimately had his own reasons.

No matter what, the King of Qin is still a blood relative of His Majesty, and it is common knowledge that he keeps thousands of armored soldiers in his residence.
now.

A myriad of complex emotions intertwined in the hearts of the people, ultimately evolving into just one thought.

If only I could do something for His Majesty before he departs.
Even just preparing more food for His Majesty to take with him would be good.

at the same time.

After handling the population cleanup in the counties of Xi'an Prefecture, Sun Chuanting followed the emperor's footsteps to the prefectural city without stopping.

These days.

He was in a neighboring county near the prefectural city.

Sun Chuanting heard all sorts of rumors flying around.

The story includes tales of the King of Qin arbitrarily killing those who filed complaints against him, and various scandals within the King of Qin's household.
He then knew that His Majesty was planning to incite public opinion to get rid of the King of Qin.

But as they got closer and closer to the prefectural city...

Public opinion has begun to reverse dramatically again.

The claims that the royal family and relatives cannot be disturbed, that someone is falsely accusing the King of Qin, and that the King of Qin is offering land to aid Your Majesty, all suggest that the King of Qin and Your Majesty are in cahoots.
He didn't know what had happened in Xi'an in the past few days, but he was aware that if these rumors really spread.

Then it might not be so easy to take down the King of Qin.

If public opinion begins to waver again, then dealing with the King of Qin will become extremely difficult.

Therefore, in a great hurry, Sun Chuanting also spurred his horse and rushed to the government office.

However, they only made it halfway there.

Their path was blocked by a large crowd of people blocking their way.

Without any choice.

Sun Chuanting had no choice but to turn his horse around and enter through a side gate of the government office.

But what Sun Chuanting didn't expect was...

Upon entering the government office, he saw a man dressed in light armor sitting in a room with his eyes closed, resting.

Why is Your Majesty wearing armor for no apparent reason?!

Just as Sun Chuanting was about to ask a question, he was interrupted by a eunuch who came in to report.

"Your Majesty, just now someone outside was beating a drum, mentioning the disaster situation in Yan'an Prefecture."

"The implication is that the disaster relief efforts in Yan'an Prefecture are inadequate, and Your Majesty needs to personally go to Yan'an Prefecture to provide disaster relief and rescue the people."

Upon hearing this, Sun Chuanting interrupted somewhat rudely, saying, "Your Majesty! The person who beat the drum must be acting on the orders of the Prince of Qin!"

"When I entered the city just now, I heard several rumors that were favorable to the Prince of Qin's residence."

"The King of Qin's actions are a manipulation of public opinion to force the Emperor to Yan'an Prefecture; his intentions deserve to be punished!"

Zhu Youjian glanced at Sun Chuanting, who had lost weight in just a few days.

He waved his hand and said, "Go and rest first. There's a good show to watch tonight."

Sun Chuanting wanted to ask something more, but His Majesty had already closed his eyes to rest again.

Left with no other choice, Sun Chuanting had to retreat.

Not long after.

The onlookers outside also heard the news that His Majesty would be leaving for Yan'an Prefecture the next day.

Although everyone was prepared, they couldn't help but feel disappointed.

Even an emperor who treated them so well would eventually have to leave.

I wonder if the people of the Prince of Qin's mansion, who have finally managed to stay indoors these past few days, will continue to humiliate them as before after His Majesty leaves.
With various thoughts swirling in their minds, the crowd quickly dispersed.

His Majesty will be leaving Xi'an tomorrow.

Preparing some extra provisions for His Majesty might be the last thing they could do.
That night.

On a dark and windy night.

Suddenly, a burst of flames shot into the sky from the government office where the emperor was staying.

The entire city was terrified.

In a very short time, they rushed to the front of the government office to try to rescue the emperor.

As for why the heavily guarded imperial palace suddenly caught fire...
Don't ask, it's definitely ignited.

(End of this chapter)