After being reborn in the Mass Grave, she overturned her predecessor's power

"boom!"

Xiao Linfeng threw the teacup in his hand to the ground with a cold face, splashing water everywhere. The ministers immediately knelt down, "Your Majesty, calm down!"

"Besides eating dry food and quarreling, what else can you do?" he said sternly, "If you have no money and no food, then find a way. Can you make a quarrel here?"

The court finally ordered an increase in taxes and grain collection, which caused widespread complaints from the people. This move also affected the interests of some powerful people, especially the forced donation of silver, which caused great dissatisfaction among the powerful and wealthy businessmen.

Yunyang was in complete chaos. The people had nothing to eat and were almost out of water. The refugees who fled famine clashed with the government officials, and some even took the opportunity to revolt.

Soon Yunyang was completely out of control, with starving people everywhere. The people were displaced and walked on the roads in despair, not knowing where to go.

The worst thing was that some people took advantage of the situation and started a rebellion. The rebels quickly occupied Yunyang Prefecture, and more and more people joined them, some even wanting to go north to Shengjing.

By the time Xiao Linfeng received the message to hurry up, the northern region was already in complete chaos. Various forces rose up in rebellion and took the opportunity to engage in a melee.

"That's great! They all want to sit on this throne!" He said angrily, "Send troops to suppress them immediately."

Instantly, the focus shifted from disaster relief to war, and the imperial court quickly assembled 200,000 troops and marched south. Seeing that the situation was getting out of control, various forces were ready to take action.

Troubled times have arrived, with all parties fighting to seize territory.

No one cares about the lives of the people anymore. The weather is getting hotter and hotter, and people are dying and crying every day.

Even young and middle-aged people who were unlucky would be forced to join the army. Gradually, everyone became numb and desperate. There was war in the north, and they couldn't get through because of the war in the south and Shengjing.

Just when everyone accepted their fate, a piece of news spread among the refugees.

"Go to Xiangchu. The King of Xiangchu has ordered that as long as there are refugees who are willing to settle down in Xiangchu, they will be given land and houses, and they only need to pay off the rent within five years."

Someone asked in disbelief, "Is it really such a good thing?"

"Of course it's true. I heard from merchants from Xiangchu that notices have been posted. And there are hot porridge to eat and doctors to see doctors."

Everyone was eager to try what they heard, but Xiangchu was a place that was far away and unfamiliar to ordinary people.

"Is the King of Xiangchu really that kind and will he really take care of us?"

"Have you heard of the Gu family? The Gu family that has defended Xiling for generations. I heard that the King of Xiangchu is a daughter of the Gu family."

A desperate mother hugged her dying daughter and said, "I want to go to Xiangchu. There is no way to survive here anyway."

"It's already like this, it can't get any worse."

Such things happened everywhere, and soon the news of the distribution of land and houses in Hunan and Chu spread among the refugees.

Many refugees fled to Hunan and Chu in groups, and the imperial court and other people had no energy to take care of them.

The victims went to Hunan and Chu, and they were displaced along the way, and many of them died.

They had no choice but to move forward with the last glimmer of hope and regard Xiangchu as their last straw.

Natural disasters and man-made disasters plunged the north into chaos. Shengjing, however, remained prosperous and peaceful, except for the tense atmosphere in the court.

The prosperous Shengjing is the center of power and also the most glorious and cruel place in Xiling.

Rather than worrying about the disaster, Xiao Linfeng was busy mobilizing troops to quell the rebellion in order to stabilize the situation and secure his seat on the throne.

Xiao Linglong, who had always lived in seclusion in the harem, stepped forward and held the largest banquet since she became queen.

She personally sent out invitations, inviting the wives of prominent families and the wives of wealthy merchants.

The banquet was held in the Hundred Flowers Garden. It was neither lively nor grand, but even very simple.

Only snacks were served on each table, and the ladies of each family knew the purpose of her holding this banquet.

Some people were reluctant, but still attended the banquet reluctantly for the sake of the queen's face.

There were also a few people who simply excused themselves from coming, citing illness as an excuse.

Most of them came with banknotes ready to contribute for various reasons.

"The Queen is here!"

All the ladies stood up and saluted. Xiao Linglong stood at the main seat and said, "Everyone, please stand up. No need to be so polite."

Everyone then realized that although she was the queen, she was wearing plain white clothes today, with almost no makeup and no expensive jewelry.

Xiao Linglong glanced at the crowd, "It is said that every man has a share of responsibility for the fate of his country. Now the situation is turbulent and the people in Yunyang are losing their homes and families. As women, we should also do our part."

The maid beside her opened the wooden box that the eunuch had brought up, and she said, "This is the 200,000 taels of silver notes that I collected from all my dowry and jewelry, and I donated them all to disaster relief."

The ladies below were shocked. Although they had guessed the purpose of today's banquet, they did not expect that she would spend almost everything she had.

A white-haired old lady stood up and said, "The so-called noble family enjoys wealth and splendor. In times of crisis, they should also stand up and take responsibility. On behalf of the Pei family, I will donate 180,000 taels."

It turned out that this person was the old lady of the Pei family, the head of the four great families in Shengjing.

"The Qi family donated 150,000 taels."

"The Sheng family donated 150,000 taels."

"The Ye family donated 150,000 taels."

The four great families expressed their opinions one after another, demonstrating their character and heritage at this moment.

Apart from the four great families, the most generous people are the wives of wealthy merchants. They have no shortage of money, and they are also inspired by the atmosphere to donate generously, and they can also earn a good reputation.

More than two million taels were donated just for this banquet.

Xiao Linglong stood up and half bowed, "On behalf of the people of the North and Yunyang, I would like to thank all the ladies for your generosity in saving them from the dire situation."

"This is what we should do. We don't deserve such a great gift from the Queen."

"Ladies, you are so righteous, you deserve it!"

When leaving the palace, Madam Sheng said with deep emotion, "Good shoots come out of bad bamboos. The Xiao family has given birth to a good daughter with a kind heart, who deserves the position of queen."

"Humph, the men are busy fighting for power and profit, who remembers the disaster victims?"

Madam Pei's eyes gleamed, "The world is different now, who dares to look down on a woman!"

Everyone understood what she meant by this sentence.

Madam Ye said, "The old man has already instructed that the Ye family will not be involved in this matter. The only thing the Ye family has to do is to provide disaster relief to the best of their ability."

"So is our family."

The four great families have always been united in spirit. In a sense, their attitude this time also reflects their disappointment with Emperor Xiao Linfeng.

Not participating and not taking action is already a silent protest. Once they express their stance, other families will also see which way the wind blows.

As for the aristocratic families, Xiao Linfeng did nothing and has lost the support of the people.

Maybe it's because he didn't do anything.

Madam Pei whispered, "Just wait, the turmoil and natural and man-made disasters will all pass, and dawn will always come."

Xiao Linglong's move also left a significant mark in the history of Xiling.

Starting with her, more and more ladies and girls have contributed their efforts to disaster relief.