Chapter 9: This Is the Magnitude Befitting a Great Emperor!

The imperial court was deathly silent.

The civil officials, clutching their ivory tablets, wished they could disappear into the cracks of the floor.

Though Hu Weiyong harbored resentment deep within, the brilliance displayed by Qin Feng was undeniable.

The reactions of the grand scholars from the various halls revealed that Qin Feng's knowledge far surpassed theirs.

Gritting his teeth, Hu Weiyong cursed silently, “A bunch of useless gluttons!”

Old Zhu scanned the ministers gathered below the dais. Seeing no one dared to utter a word, he felt an unparalleled sense of satisfaction.

In the past, he had endured countless humiliations at the hands of these civil officials in the court.

No matter what he said, he could never outargue them, yet he still had to keep them to serve the realm.

Now, witnessing their defeat was more joyous than winning a battle.

At last, Qin Feng’s position as the Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor had passed the scrutiny of the ministers.

If anyone dared to question his status again, Old Zhu vowed he would show no mercy.

Observing that the officials had finally learned to keep their tails tucked, Old Zhu declared in a commanding tone, “Mr. Qin is the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, personally appointed by me. If any of you have objections, bring them directly to me.”

Such an imposing and authoritative statement immediately made the officials shrink back in submission.

Even the stubborn Hu Weiyong dared not rashly confront Old Zhu over Qin Feng anymore.

With the emperor’s favor, which official would dare openly challenge Qin Feng?

At this moment, Qin Feng, riding high on his triumph, cheekily raised his middle finger at Hu Weiyong.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the hall.

A scout, covered in mud and panting fiercely, stormed into the chamber, clutching an urgent memorial, shouting, “Report! Your Majesty, urgent news from eight hundred miles away! The Yellow River has breached its banks!”

The entire court was shaken to its core.

The Yellow River, like a fierce dragon, would flood disastrously every summer and autumn during the flood season.

Since ancient times, it had been a persistent and vexing issue, with successive dynasties appointing officials to manage its waters.

A breach of the Yellow River meant the people living along its banks would be ravaged by floods.

Not only that, but homes and fields on both sides would be submerged, turning into wasteland and ruin!

“Bring the memorial forward!”

Wang Jinghong hurried over to receive the report from the scout and promptly handed it to Old Zhu.

Old Zhu’s steady gaze turned icy as he glanced at the document.

He slammed the memorial onto the floor, roaring in fury, “If the Yellow River is not calm, the people of the Great Ming will never know peace! Every year the court allocates vast sums to build dikes, yet why can we still not stop the river’s devastation?”

Zhu Biao looked down at the document on the ground, picked it up, and spoke calmly, “Father, please calm your anger. River management is a matter spanning centuries, not something that can be resolved overnight. We must proceed step by step.”

“Step by step? Ask the people along the riverbanks if they can wait! Every flood season, the people are caught between fire and water! Read the report aloud and tell us if the people of Great Ming can afford to wait patiently!”

Zhu Biao slowly unfolded the memorial and began to read:

“Disaster strikes Huai West, floods ravage the land, no grain or wheat, no vegetables or fruits. Official granaries empty, people’s stores exhausted, markets deserted, rice worth a thousand coins per dou.”

“The poor starve, the rich starve, the old starve, the strong starve, women and children starve, even livestock perish. Selling fields, houses, carts, farming tools, kitchenware, and clothing.”

“Eating paper, mud, stone powder, silk floss, tree bark, even human flesh; travelers devour each other… Those who eat die, those who endure hunger die, disease claims lives, corpses line the roads, bones cover the fields…”

By the end, Zhu Biao was weeping uncontrollably, his voice choked with emotion.

The horrific scenes following the flood breach were truly chilling.

All the ministers remained silent, none daring to upset Old Zhu during such a calamity, lest they invoke his wrath and meet their doom.

Old Zhu thundered, “I demand that within three days you resolve the havoc caused by the Yellow River breach, or all officials responsible for river management will bring their heads before me!”

Hu Weiyong immediately knelt, trembling with tears, “Your Majesty, I am guilty! I failed to dispatch inspectors to survey the river, leading to this catastrophe and the suffering of millions. I deserve death!”

The civil officials quickly followed, pleading for clemency on Hu Weiyong’s behalf.

“Your Majesty, please do not bring more death upon us. Yesterday’s ninefold thunderclap was a heavenly omen—surely a warning from the heavens to Great Ming.”

“Please select an auspicious day to hold a ritual to the heavens, to comfort the souls of the millions lost along the Yellow River.”

“Your Majesty should grant a general amnesty and pray that no more disasters befall us.”

Qin Feng rolled his eyes at the officials standing in the court.

If rituals were truly effective, why would so many disasters still occur in the world?

Old Zhu’s face was pale as paper. He seemed genuinely intimidated by the officials’ dire warnings.

He reflected on whether the bloodshed he had caused since founding the dynasty had been so great that heaven now sent such calamities as a reprimand.

Moreover, this disaster striking his ancestral home in Huai West felt like a deliberate sign.

He gave himself these psychological assurances and gradually accepted that the sudden flood was indeed a warning for his past sins.

Taking a deep breath, he declared solemnly, “Order the Ministry of Rites to select an auspicious day. I shall hold a grand ritual to the heavens. The court is adjourned!”

After the morning court session ended and all officials had left the hall, Old Zhu quickly called out to Qin Feng.

“Mr. Qin, please stay!”

Qin Feng was about to return to his grand residence to check on the maid that Wang Jinghong had arranged for him.

Could it be that the emperor wanted to question him about the Yellow River disaster?

Was he asking Qin Feng to predict natural calamities?

“Your Majesty summoned me to inquire about the Yellow River breach? Though I am from over six centuries in the future, I am but an ordinary man.”

Old Zhu’s expression turned serious. “Are there no historical records of this year’s Yellow River flood in your chronicles?”

Qin Feng smiled wryly. “As I said, many historical records are unverifiable. Besides, such disasters are frequent, and the chronicles mention them only sparingly.”

“Though I have knowledge spanning six centuries, I am no prophet. I cannot foresee natural disasters or human calamities.”

“If you want advice on managing the river, I might share some thoughts. But asking me to predict disaster is beyond me.”

Suddenly, Old Zhu’s eyes brightened, a look of delight spreading across his face.

“Do you mean, sir, that you have wise strategies for river management?”

He implored Qin Feng with clasped hands, “I earnestly request your counsel, so that the Yellow River may flow peacefully once more and save the people of Great Ming from fire and flood!”

Is this still the cold, ruthless iron-blooded emperor recorded in history?

Or is this the true grandeur that a great ruler must embody?