Volume One: The Young Monk Returns to the Secular World Chapter Sixty-Four: Aftermath
From the main gate of the Huang family came the creaking sounds of doors opening. Carriages one after another were transporting grain to the Disaster Relief Hall. Chen Bufan stepped out, bowed in gratitude to the Huang family, and hurried off—perhaps to the next great household, persuading them to donate grain as well.
…
“What a hero among heroes, righteous and selfless for the nation and the people… Hah… What a blundering ally!” On the quiet street, Xiao Yan’s cold voice echoed once more. This time, no one dared to retort.
The wind howled as the sky grew sullen, and soon a fine, persistent rain began to fall…
“My lady, let us return…” The old guard gently nudged Qin Xuanxuan, who was deep in thought.
“Wait… hold on…”
Qin Xuanxuan snapped out of her reverie, just in time to see the small monk and the little girl slowly disappearing into the rain.
“Xiao Yan?” Only then did the name strike a familiar chord. She turned to the old man in puzzlement. “Uncle Hua, did the little girl call that young monk Xiao Yan?”
The old guard nodded. “I believe so.”
Xiao Yan? A monk?
Qin Xuanxuan fell silent again, feeling as if something in her heart was stirring…
“My lady, we must hurry, or you’ll catch a chill in this rain.”
…
The rain fell for a long time, its gentle patter muffling the cries of anguish on the street.
Some gnawed on branches, eyes wide, breaths stilled forever…
Some, desperate, rushed into the mansions to beg for food, only to be beaten to death by house guards and their bodies discarded by the roadside…
Some died, while others, weeping, gnawed mouthful by mouthful on the dead—unaware that the one they consumed was their own son…
The rain did not cease. In the backyard of the Huang family’s grand estate, rainwater washed over everything as the old matron instructed servants to bury the leftover dog meat from the previous night beneath the pear tree in the yard.
She claimed such fertilizer would make the tree flourish.
…
It was not until midday the next day that the drizzle finally stopped. People, trembling, emerged onto the road, searching even for dead rats to eat…
…
Booklets sent from the Ministry of Revenue’s study soon landed in the hands of the lower officials.
“Hm? Strange… Why did this booklet arrive without the minister’s approval or seal?”
“Must have been an oversight. If it wasn’t meant to be distributed, it wouldn’t be here.”
“Yes, true… But isn’t this a newly drafted disaster relief manual?”
“Is it? Let me see… It appears so. Who’d have thought the minister would revise the relief strategy again…”
“All right, enough chatter. Instruct the clerks to copy a dozen or so and distribute them to the relevant officials! If this relief plan is delayed, we’ll be in for a scolding from the minister…”
“Agreed. I’ll arrange it right away.”
Several days later…
It was only then that Minister Qin Shirong realized the booklet Elder Huiren had brought him was missing. He ordered the servants to search the study thoroughly, but it was nowhere to be found.
At that moment, an official who had come to collect approved documents entered and asked, “Minister, have you lost something important?”
“Oh, nothing too significant, just a booklet with some novel ideas. A pity it’s gone…” Qin Shirong shook his head with a smile. “The approved files are over there—take them, and have Lord Li report on the relief efforts when he arrives.”
“Yes, Minister.” The official nodded, feeling as if he had forgotten something, but after pondering, he could not recall what it was and took his leave.
…
Shortly after, Qin Xuanxuan entered, her expression troubled.
“Xuanxuan, my precious daughter, what weighs upon you?” Qin Shirong asked, puzzled. Ever since her outing a few days ago, she had been this way, and as her father, he was worried.
“Father… Actually, there’s something I’ve been pondering lately…” With a furrowed brow, Qin Xuanxuan spoke softly.
“Oh? What is it? Tell me—I’ll help you think it through…” Qin Shirong smiled gently.
“Father, do you think what Hero Chen has been doing lately is right or wrong?”
“Haha, my dear daughter, so that’s what has been troubling you? Hero Chen is indeed a true champion of justice… What fault could there be in that?”
“But…”
…
Just as Qin Xuanxuan was about to continue, a servant entered to announce that Lord Li had arrived and was waiting in the assembly hall.
“All right, Xuanxuan, let’s discuss this after I return. Come, let’s hear from your Uncle Li whether the disaster relief has borne fruit,” Qin Shirong said with a smile.
In the assembly hall, Lord Li was sipping tea. At Qin Shirong’s arrival, he immediately stood and paid his respects.
“No need for formalities, Lord Li. You know well what worries me most these days,” said Qin Shirong, quickly helping Lord Li Guo to his feet.
“Minister Qin, I bring great news! The booklet you sent down a few days ago—we implemented it at once, and the results have been remarkable!” Lord Li’s face shone with delight as he produced a small notebook to report.
His excitement was palpable.
Yet Qin Shirong’s brow furrowed as he blinked thoughtfully. “Which booklet?”
“Heh, Minister, have you forgotten with all your work? The newly drafted disaster relief plan!” Lord Li replied, brimming with excitement.
Before Qin Shirong could respond, Lord Li eagerly reported, “Good news! Since adopting this new plan, we’ve organized and sheltered over two hundred thousand refugees, and the number is still rising. But, as the booklet advised, each measure has been implemented meticulously. Order prevails, no epidemic has broken out, and all subsequent tasks are well arranged… This is, without doubt, the most successful relief operation we have ever witnessed…”
When Lord Li finished, Qin Shirong said, “But I never drafted any new relief strategy…”
“How… how could that be…”
Just then, the official who had taken the approval files from the study burst in, panting, and stammered breathlessly, “R-report… Minister… I am at fault! I deserve a thousand deaths!”
“What happened?” Qin Shirong asked quickly.
“T-the booklet you lost, I took and gave it to Lord Li… Yes, Lord Li—the disaster relief plan…”
Lord Li looked at the official, then at Qin Shirong’s peculiar expression, and asked, “So this booklet was never approved? Then who was its author?”