After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1286: Chapter 1253: Warning Sign

The time at which the solar eclipse was seen in each place was different, and in the vast majority of places it could not be seen at all.

Chen County was not far from Luoyang, so they could see it as well, though what they saw was only a partial eclipse; the sun was never completely obscured.

Even so, it was the first time Zhao Ming had seen a solar eclipse, and the shock it dealt to the human heart was beyond description.

The city was in an uproar. Zhao Ming had already dispatched Soldiers to guard against disturbances, fearing that civil unrest might arise, but the commoners did not riot. Just like the people of Luoyang, after their initial panic they still could not help banging on things—by pounding on objects they vented the fear in their hearts, drove away the celestial hound, and everyone grew cheerful.

Standing atop the city tower, Zhao Ming lowered his eyes to look at the cheering, jubilant commoners, then once again could not help lifting his head to gaze at the sky. His tightly clenched fists slowly relaxed. "When Heaven grants yet one does not take, one only incurs blame!"

Zhao Ming turned and walked down from the city tower, and began to marshal the troops and await news from the Capital City.

Within the Imperial Palace all was solemn and grave.

The eclipse had long since passed, yet the Observatory was still shrouded in silence; no one dared to speak.

The civil and military officials all lowered their heads, anxiously waiting for the people upon the platform to open their mouths.

The Little Emperor swallowed, opening his mouth several times intending to speak, but no sound would come out.

Everyone was thinking: is it today?

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze swept over the officials below who had gone from sitting to kneeling, and she asked faintly, "Why are you all silent? As for this solar eclipse, is there nothing you wish to say?"

Yuan Li’s eyes flickered. He very much wanted to step out and petition Zhao Hanzhang to depose the emperor and ascend the throne directly, thereby dispelling Heaven’s calamity, but remembering Zhao Hanzhang’s instructions, he did not dare to step forward.

Since he did not, Zhao Shen, who had received no special guidance, did. He said, "The sun is the image of the ruler. At this time a solar eclipse appears—clearly the sovereign is muddle‑headed and Heaven is greatly displeased. I beg Your Majesty to issue a self‑admonitory edict to accord with Heaven’s will."

A mere self‑admonitory edict is enough to appease Heaven?

Is it not necessary to kill him as an offering to Heaven?

The Little Emperor’s lips turned white as he looked toward Zhao Hanzhang, pleading in his eyes.

Zhao Hanzhang remained unmoving as a mountain, and asked in a deep voice, "Anyone else?"

When she spoke, the courtiers who agreed with Zhao Shen stood out one after another, accounting for nearly half the court; all believed that there needed to be someone to bear the guilt.

Xun Fan grew anxious and hastily said, "Great General, this is not Your Majesty’s fault. Since his accession he has been diligent and eager to learn. At this time Heaven sends down punishment; I fear it is the fault of those who came before."

If there is guilt, it is the error of those elders who brought about the Rebellion of the Eight Princes; what has it to do with the Little Emperor?

Zu Ti gave a cold laugh. "Having enjoyed the lingering blessings of the ancestors, one must also bear the calamities they left behind. Such is the balance of power and responsibility."

Xun Zu said angrily, "It may not necessarily be Your Majesty’s calamity. Perhaps it is that the world is benighted, and so Heaven uses the eclipse as a warning. Eliminate the petty men, and the disaster can be averted."

"Oh?" Zhao Hanzhang asked him with a half‑smile, "And who, pray, are these petty men?"

Xun Zu very much wanted to say the three characters "Zhao Hanzhang," but under her gaze he did not dare speak them aloud. His eyes slid aside and fell upon King Langya, who was quietly kneeling to one side.

Following his line of sight, the crowd looked over and suddenly woke with a start. This candidate... was not impossible.

King Langya sensed the gazes falling upon him growing ever sharper and more numerous. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead and dripped down; his body began to tremble slightly.

Even Zhao Hanzhang herself had not anticipated this development.

Her gaze followed and also fell on King Langya. Seeing him drenched in cold sweat in such frigid weather, and the Little Emperor beside him looking pale as well, she would no longer allow them to play this out at will.

Zhao Hanzhang said coolly, "You all deem this to be a man‑made calamity; I, however, believe it is Heaven’s warning of disaster. With catastrophe about to descend, Heaven cannot bear to see the commoners once more driven from their homes and the realm plunged back into chaos, and so uses the eclipse as an admonition."

The officials were stunned. Clearly they had not imagined that Zhao Hanzhang would forgo such an excellent opportunity. Yet... what disaster was there now?

A jolt ran through their hearts, followed by a chill. Could there truly be a calamity?

The long‑silent Ji Yuan finally spoke. "What disaster, might I ask?"

Zhao Hanzhang turned her gaze upon Guo Pu.

Guo Pu hesitated, his heart tugging at itself, but still followed Zhao Hanzhang’s instructions. "This spring has been much plagued by rains. Along the Yellow River’s banks I fear there will be floods."

Ji Yuan said, "The dredging of the Yellow River has only just been completed. The laborers and Soldiers from various places have been returning home one after another, and Minister Fu will also be returning to the Capital City within days. The flood should be controllable."

Guo Pu shook his head. "It will only lessen the calamity; that is all. Gentlemen, you had best make preparations early for dealing with the disaster."

At Guo Pu’s words, everyone grew deeply uneasy.

After the matter of the eclipse, no one any longer questioned his abilities. So how great would this flood be?

Last year, right after the autumn harvest, Zhao Hanzhang had, in defiance of opposition, conscripted large numbers of corvée laborers and Soldiers to dredge the Yellow River. Had she already calculated this eclipse and the subsequent flood back then?

While the crowd was re‑examining matters in their hearts, King Langya, who had escaped a calamity, cautiously wiped the sweat from his brow. Zhao Hanzhang said, "Spring ploughing is imminent, and wheat cannot withstand flooding. Therefore this year those commoners living near the Yellow River’s banks should be urged to plant more flood‑tolerant grains such as sorghum and millet, while at the same time paying attention to clearing ditches and waterways and repairing their houses, so that a natural disaster does not become a man‑made one. This matter requires someone to take overall charge. Who is willing to go?"

The ever‑silent Ming Yu said, "This minister is willing to go."

Zu Ti also said, "This minister is likewise willing to go."

One after another, officials stepped forward to volunteer.

Zhao Hanzhang pondered a moment and then named Ming Yu. "Let Ming Zhongshu take overall charge of this matter. Zu Ti, Zhao Shen, Xun Fan—you three shall assist Ming Yu. You must stabilize the situation and not allow the people to be displaced once more."

The four bowed in acceptance.

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang turn her head to look at the emperor. "Does Your Majesty have any further instructions?"

The Little Emperor came back to himself and said hurriedly, "N‑no, nothing more."

"Then this minister will escort Your Majesty back to the hall."

The Little Emperor nodded, quietly let out a breath of relief, and, taking Zhao Hanzhang’s hand for support, rose and departed.

The civil and military officials followed behind in silence.

Watching the Little Emperor and Zhao Hanzhang walking side by side, the officials could not help speculating in their hearts: did Zhao Hanzhang truly harbor the intention to take his place or not?

If she did, what an excellent opportunity today was. With such a celestial sign, and Zhao Family Army all around, why did she not rally everyone with a single cry?

Even if there were voices of opposition, with her abilities she could have completely suppressed them. Why did she not seize the moment?

Once they had left the Imperial Palace, Ji Yuan asked her the same. "Great General, had you resolved yourself today, we ministers would certainly have followed. You have kept Zu Ti in the Capital City all this time—was it not precisely for this?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "You yourself have said that I can rally all with a single word. Since I possess such prestige and ability, why must I be impatient for this one moment?"

"When dynasties change, death is inevitable. And if the change occurs now, not only will people die within this palace, but outside as well the commoners along the Yellow River’s banks will die in greater numbers," Zhao Hanzhang said. "I dredged the Yellow River in order to save their lives. If I now place the blade once more upon their necks, what sense would that make?"

"I do not mind waiting a while longer. I also ask you, sir, to be patient for a time." She spoke softly. "I know what I am doing. I also ask you, for the moment, to shift your gaze away from the Imperial Palace and look upon those outside the palace. The people are the foundation of the state; each one of them is a living, breathing life."