A great drought threw all of Qingshan City into chaos.

With Yuanchuan now surrounded by the Xiang Army, it was impossible for any grain to be brought in from outside.

The Righteous Army was trapped within this small territory of Heaven and Earth, relying on their small remaining stores of old grain to survive.

In Qingshan City, grain prices soared higher and higher these past days, slowly spiraling out of control.

Yan Ruchu looked towards the streets. Compared to usual, there were far fewer people outside. Sometimes a gust of wind would blow, making it feel even more desolate.

His face was grave, and his heart was filled with anxiety.

‘If this continues, Qingshan City is finished…’

This was unexpected; this drought had come far too suddenly.

It shattered all previous plans.

The scholar standing beside Yan Ruchu seemed to see scenes of great suffering unfolding before him, the entire Qingshan City about to be destroyed.

Yan Ruchu asked, “Master Zhu…”

The scholar looked at him and said, “Your Highness.”

Yan Ruchu asked, “What should I, Yan Ruchu, do…”

The scholar fell silent, offering no answer for a long time.

Yan Ruchu understood. He sighed and said, “So it was destined by Heaven.”

The only way out, probably, was to fight a way out.

But escaping through the Chang Guan Pass was difficult; the Righteous Army was like a turtle trapped in a jar, utterly helpless…

“The fields are barren, supplies are low. Panic reigns in Qingshan City.”

For Yan Ruchu, it seemed a hopeless situation no matter how he looked at it.

The scholar glanced at Yan Ruchu. He thought deeply for a long time, wanting to say something, but in the end, kept silent.

Yan Ruchu looked at Master Zhu and asked again, “Is there truly no solution?”

The scholar shook his head, his expression still denying it.

Yan Ruchu’s gaze suddenly met that of the scholar beside him.

The scholar said, “Your Highness, this student truly has no plan.”

After a long silence, Yan Ruchu asked no more questions.

Suddenly, he remembered something and said, “I ask Master Zhu to accompany me on a journey.”

The scholar said, “Your Highness need not stand on ceremony.”

Yan Ruchu took the scholar to Chuanfeng Alley and stopped upon reaching an old courtyard gate.

The large gate in front of them was tightly shut, seemingly devoid of life.

Yan Ruchu struck the door latch, but no answer came for a long time.

He spoke out, “Yan Ruchu has come to pay his respects to the master!”

Yan Ruchu stood respectfully at the gate, yet still, no response came.

He looked back at Master Zhu.

Then he heard the scholar say, “Your Highness, there’s no one inside the courtyard.”

Yan Ruchu couldn’t help but pause.

He thought for a moment, then turned his gaze towards the neighboring house.

He walked up and knocked on the door.

Knock Knock…

The knocking sounded.

Inside the house, Wang Sanniang hid with Ruyi and Ping’an.

“Don’t make a sound,” Wang Sanniang whispered, covering the children’s mouths to prevent any noise.

She had heard people in the city had begun stealing grain and money. Given the situation now, no matter who was outside, she couldn’t open the door.

“Is anyone home?” Yan Ruchu called out.

Seeing there was still no answer, he once again looked back at the scholar behind him.

The scholar just nodded to Yan Ruchu, indicating there were people inside this courtyard.

Upon realizing this, Yan Ruchu called towards the house, “Owner of the house, I mean no harm. I only wish to ask where Mr. Chen from the compound next door has gone.”

Inside the room, Ruyi looked at her mother and whispered, “Mom, are they looking for Uncle Chen?”

Wang Sanniang shushed her and shook her head, “I don’t care if they are! We can’t go out! And don’t reply!”

Ruyi opened her mouth but obediently closed it, not speaking.

Seeing her mother like this, fear crept into her heart too.

Seeing this, Yan Ruchu sighed inwardly. He pulled his hand back and said, “Let’s go, let’s inquire at another household.”

The scholar said nothing and followed behind Yan Ruchu.

Once out of Chuanfeng Alley, Yan Ruchu looked towards the shops outside. Seeing a medicinal shop still open, he went inside.

Doctor Wang, seeing someone enter, put down his book and asked, “What medicine do you need?”

Yan Ruchu said, “Sir, there’s a misunderstanding. I wish to inquire about a person.”

Doctor Wang muttered, “Not here for medicine?”

Yan Ruchu then asked immediately, “Sir, do you know Mr. Chen, who lives in the alley?”

“So you seek Mr. Chen?”

Doctor Wang said, “Unfortunate timing. Mr. Chen has already left.”

Yan Ruchu paused and asked, “Left?”

Doctor Wang nodded, “He left three months ago.”

Yan Ruchu’s heart felt stunned. He asked, “That… Where did Mr. Chen go? Did he say when he would return?”

Doctor Wang shook his head, “I don’t know where he went. But I heard Mr. Chen say he wouldn’t be back for at least three years.”

Yan Ruchu froze. He murmured softly, “Is that so…”

“…Thank you, sir.”

He spoke the words, sounding rather lost in spirit.

The last glimmer of possibility had just been extinguished.

Yan Ruchu sighed. He never imagined one day he would be reduced to such a plight.

He hadn’t lost due to any man’s doing, but to a natural disaster.

Indeed, Heaven wills my destruction.

Yan Ruchu returned to the Prince’s Mansion and sat motionless in the Main Hall all night. After the night passed, he fell ill in bed, as if his entire spirit had departed his body.

…

In Shangjing City.

Zhao Zhen received urgent news from Yuanchuan.

According to reports from spies within Yuanchuan, the severe drought persisted in the Southern Region. Grain prices in Qingshan City were soaring high, and the King of the Southern Region had fallen ill in his mansion.

“Heaven aids me!!”

Zhao Zhen stood up from behind his desk.

Early the next morning, he summoned his most important ministers to discuss matters within the Imperial Study.

“All ministers, read this report.”

The memorial’s contents circulated among the several high-ranking officials.

Zhao Zhen scanned the group and asked, “What thoughts do you have?”

A military officer nearby stepped forward. “Your Majesty, the Rebel Army is already like turtles in a jar. They can be eradicated in an instant. This General is willing to lead the army there and take no prisoners!”

A civil minister then stated, “The General’s words are reasonable. However, caution is still required. From what this humble minister knows, there still remain eighty thousand rebel troops in Yuanchuan. If driven to desperate fury, unforeseen troubles could arise!”

“This minister concurs.”

“This subject also concurs.”

Listening, Zhao Zhen pondered.

Indeed, both sides had valid points.

But what concerned him was not this.

Zhao Zhen’s tone abruptly changed as he spoke. “This King wishes to march our troops to Western Xiao. What are your thoughts?”

The military and civil officials in the Imperial Study froze upon hearing this.

And when Zhao Zhen stopped addressing them as ‘Ministers’, they realized His Majesty had not intended to discuss this with them. No matter what they said, the result would not change.

After a brief silence, one military officer knelt down and declared.

“Your Majesty is wise indeed!”

Following him, the others knelt down one after another, intoning together, “Your Majesty is wise indeed!”

Zhao Zhen laughed heartily.

Now like an old, sagging tree nearing his end, he found a rare moment of pure elation.

That night, in the Imperial Study, he donned his battle armor and performed the Sword of the Son of Heaven dance one more time.

After catching his breath slightly, his gaze fell upon a dry, shriveled green tangerine on the table.

This king has finally awaited this day.