mountain and river oath

After the two of them had eaten, they cleaned up properly, and Zhao Jing led a group of attendants on horseback to the Rongyang garrison.

"Ask your commander-in-chief to come out and meet me." Zhao Jing took out his token and walked into the army.

"The last general, Chen Hansheng, joined His Royal Highness Prince Jing," Chen Hansheng, the general of the Rongyang Garrison, knelt down and said.

"Exemption," Zhao Jing said as he dismounted.

When Chen Hansheng saw Shu Zilan beside Zhao Jing, he cupped his fists and said, "Mr. Shu"

"Chen Zongbing" Shu Zilan looked at Chen Hansheng and said indifferently.

"I don't know why your Highness is not in Rongyang for disaster relief, why did you take the time to come here?" Chen Hansheng asked humanely when he saw Zhao Jing and his party.

"Ask Mr. Chen for some people to do something," Zhao Jing said.

"I wonder how much Your Highness wants? What's the matter?" Chen Hansheng asked hesitantly.

"Rongyang was severely affected by the disaster. Too many people's houses collapsed. Only the government servants repaired it. There was not enough manpower. I hope Mr. Chen can lend a helping hand and help me and the people of Rongyang to solve this urgent need," said Zhao Jing.

"The general cannot obey His Highness's orders. As the commander-in-chief of the Rongyang garrison, the general is responsible for safeguarding the safety of Rongyang. The soldiers in this garrison cannot be transferred outside," Chen Hansheng said.

After hearing Chen Hansheng's refusal, Zhao Jing said angrily, "Good Chen Hansheng, you really think I don't know the details of the Rongyang garrison."

"Your Highness" Chen Hansheng didn't dare to look at Zhao Jing.

"Is it because you can't or you don't want to?" Zhao Jing said.

"Your Highness, it's not that the last general won't help you, it's just that the imperial court clearly stipulates that the garrison troops are only used to defend Rongyang in the event of a war, and cannot be transferred to other uses." Chen Hansheng's face was full of doubts.

"Don't tell me about the court regulations, you just don't want to," Zhao Jing looked at Chen Hansheng and said coldly.

Chen Hansheng didn't dare to answer.

"During the reign of Emperor Wu, there was a flood in Hanyang. Emperor Wu dispatched Hanyang garrison troops to participate in disaster relief. Now that Hanyang is in disaster, the garrison commander must lead the army to participate. Is this true?" Zhao Jing looked at Chen Hansheng and asked.

"This..." Chen Hansheng didn't dare to answer.

"Do you want me to play to the emperor in order to mobilize your Rongyang garrison?" Zhao Jing said.

"The last general can't," Chen Hansheng said.

"Okay, okay, Rongyang was hit by a disaster. As the garrison commander of a place, you keep the place safe, but you watch the people in Rongyang suffer. What kind of garrison commander are you?" Zhao Jing looked at Chen Hansheng and asked.

Chen Hansheng was covered in cold sweat.

"Do you think that I am a prince with no power and cannot use you?" Zhao Jing said angrily.

Chen Hansheng didn't speak.

"Come here, tie him up for me," Zhao Jing ordered.

"Your Highness" Shu Zilan came out, frowned and looked at Zhao Jingdao.

"Mr. Shu, don't stop me. I just ask you, can I transfer this Rongyang garrison?" Zhao Jing looked at Shu Zilan, the anger in his eyes hurt Shu Zilan's heart, these people, at this moment , They have to look at the people who order the food, regardless of the death of the people, and are selfish.

"It's just that you may have made a big mistake by arbitrarily mobilizing the local garrison," Shu Zilan said worriedly.

"Hehe..." Zhao Jing looked at Shu Zilan and laughed, with a desolate face, "Mr. Shu, are you worried about me?"

"Let's change the way," Shu Zilan said.

"Which way? Seeing that the heavy rain is coming, the people of Rongyang are displaced and mourning everywhere. They can't wait for a minute. If the emperor wants to punish me, let him punish me. I have nothing anyway," Zhao Jing said indifferently. .

Shu Zilan looked at Zhao Jing, moved by the sincerity in his eyes, and suddenly felt a turmoil in her heart, why should a person care about gains and losses all the time, calculate right and wrong, and be impulsive once in a while, for his own ideals and beliefs, even if he is punished, he will be punished. have what.

"If you make a mistake, we will bear it together, and I will never abandon you," Shu Zilan said.

When Zhao Jing heard this, the corners of his eyes were filled with tears. He turned around to hide his emotion, and said with a smile, "Okay, come on, Mr. Chen is the protector of one party, but he is not doing anything as an official. He was tied up and his leader was released." Soldiers seal," Zhao Jing said.

"What are you going to do? I want to play the Emperor?" Chen Hansheng shouted, struggling, but Zhao Jing's attendants were quick-witted, and Chen Hansheng's tricks were completely unworthy in their eyes, so they tied him up with a rope at once. Strong, tied into rice dumplings still on the ground.

"Who else doesn't want to go, stand up," Zhao Jing said, looking at the soldiers around him.

"Your Highness, we want to go," a soldier stood up and said.

"Oh" Zhao Jing looked at the soldiers and said.

The soldier said shyly, "We are all from Rongyang, and the victims there are our parents and brothers. We wanted to go back a long time ago, but the commander-in-chief didn't allow it. Now that His Highness is here, we must follow His Highness and go back to rescue the disaster."

"Okay, good man," Zhao Jing praised.

"Let's go" Zhao Jing rode in front, and Shu Zilan followed behind, looking at Zhao Jing riding on the horse, with a relieved smile on his face, and a complicated heart. Among the princes, he only saw in Zhao Jing that the other princes had long since lost their will to make progress in the midst of wealth and honor. They were intriguing all day long and had a narrow structure. They could sacrifice the people of the world for their own self-interest.

Zhao Jing led the [-] garrison troops back, and immediately planned the location to disperse everyone. The progress of disaster relief has been accelerated a lot. Zhao Jing patrols outside every day, and he is satisfied with what he sees, but his anxiety has not diminished in the slightest.

He came back from the night, got off his horse and walked into the back hall. Shu Zilan read the account book quietly under the light. The warm candles shone on his fair face, showing a bit of peace and tranquility over the years. Zhao Jing was restless. His heart suddenly calmed down, he went straight to Shu Zilan and sat down.

Shu Zilan noticed the movement, but did not move, still looking at the ledger, Zhao Jing finished the tea on the table,

"It's still raining outside?" Shu Zilan put down the ledger in her hand and said.

"Yeah..." Zhao Jing poured another glass after drinking it.

"Although the rain is small, it will add up to a lot." Shu Zilan said worriedly, "Someone came to report today that the Yongjia River in Hongcheng is about to overflow its embankment. Have you gone to see it?"

"En" Zhao Jing said.

"The reason why Rongyang has become the granary of the world is due to the Yongjia River. The Yongjia River originates from the Tianshan Mountains and runs from east to west. Several tributaries along the road converge in Hongcheng to form today's Yongjia River. The terrain of Rongyang is flat. The land is rich. In order to better irrigate the land, the imperial court built a dam in Hongcheng to intercept the water flow and also set up a flood discharge device. However, the flood discharge device has been in disrepair for a long time, and the flood discharge capacity has gradually decreased. Fortunately, Rongyang has had good weather every year in recent years. , there was no large-scale flood disaster, and the Yongjia River did not break its embankment. However, this year, Rongyang suffered a once-in-a-century flood. The embankment broke, but now it is rainy every day and the water volume is rising, the river may overflow the embankment, so we have to prepare early," Shu Zilan said worriedly.

"Right now, the county magistrate of Hongcheng is organizing the people to build high dams at the mouth of the Yongjia River day and night, as long as" Zhao Jing didn't say what was behind him.

Shu Zilan looked at the flickering candles, feeling worried. He understood that Zhao Jing hadn't finished speaking, as long as it wasn't raining, but depending on the weather, it was rainy every day and it wouldn't stop in a short time.

The two were silent, and a knock on the door broke the silence in the room.

"My lord, let's eat." Wang Lu took the food box, arranged the food, turned and retreated.

Rongyang was hit by a disaster and food was scarce. Zhao Jing told the food to be simple, so there were only two vegetarian dishes and a soup on the table, but there was an exquisite pastry and a pot of fragrant tea on the table.

"Eat something," Zhao Jing said.

"I can't eat." Shu Zilan said, he had some things in his heart and he had no appetite.

Zhao Jing looked at Shu Zilan, he worked day and night in the mansion, coordinating disaster relief matters, he was very busy, his plump cheeks gradually became thinner in Beijing, and the shirt on his body looked loose, wrapping his thin body.

"Eat some." Zhao Jing picked up a piece of emerald green pastry and handed it to Shu Zilan, saying, "You have lost a lot of weight, eat more to replenish your body."

"It's okay," Shu Zilan said indifferently.

"Don't worry, the matter will be resolved, I'll go and have a look tomorrow," Zhao Jing comforted.

Shu Zilan couldn't eat any more, so she was dazed with the pastry.

Zhao Jing put the pastry in Shu Zilan's palm and said, "Tomorrow I will transfer some of the soldiers stationed there to rush to repair the embankment, don't worry."

Shu Zilan looked at Zhao Jing, took the pastry, put it in his mouth and took a bite, Zhao Jing poured a cup of tea and handed it to Shu Zilan, Shu Zilan took it and drank it in small sips.

Zhao Jing hadn't eaten all day, he finished the food delivered, and lay down on the side with his eyes closed, resting his mind.

The rain was pattering down, the house was silent, and the sound of the rain came into the house.Shu Zilan looked at the ledger, Zhao Jing opened his eyes, feeling inexplicable anxiety in his heart.

"Your Highness, it's too bad, the Yongjia River is about to burst its embankment," a guard stumbled in and said.

Zhao Jing immediately got up from the couch and put on his cloak, Shu Zilan hurriedly followed, all the servants in the government office went out together,

"Go and invite Master Duan to come over," Zhao Jing ordered.

"Your Highness, Master Duan has caught a cold and is lying on the bed unable to move," said an attendant.

"That's all," Zhao Jing said.

"You go back," Zhao Jing looked at Shu Zilan and said.

Shu Zilan shook her head, her brows were determined, Zhao Jing knew that Shu Zilan couldn't be persuaded, and said, "Let's go."

A group of people hurried through the night, the attendants led the way with lamps in front, Zhao Jing and Shu Zilan walked behind, the rain seemed to be getting heavier and heavier, hitting everyone on the body, even though they were carrying The bamboo hat was covered with a coir raincoat, and the clothes inside were still soaked by the rain, and the rain flowed down his cheeks, blurring his eyes. Zhao Jing wiped off the rain on his face, saw Shu Zilan behind him, and stretched out his hand to hold Shu Zilan's hand , Shu Zilan wanted to break free, but Zhao Jing's hand was too strong to break free. He looked at Zhao Jing, but Zhao Jing didn't seem to notice. He took Shu Zilan's hand and walked forward quickly. Shu Zilan also knew This is the only situation at this time. He usually stays in the government office to deal with disaster relief matters, and Zhao Jing often goes out to inspect the disaster situation and knows the terrain of Rongyang well. Now it is late at night and it is dark. Dragging down the marching itinerary.

On rainy days, the road was slippery and muddy. From time to time, people fell down and then got up, covered in mud, but no one dared to cry out for pain or tiredness. After half an hour, a group of people rushed to Heti, Yongjia River, and Meng Qinghe, magistrate of Hongcheng County, He was on the embankment directing the people to raise the embankment, when he saw Zhao Jing and his party coming over in the rain, he hurried over and saluted, "Your Highness"

"How's it going?" Zhao Jing asked.

"It can withstand it for a while," Meng Qinghe said.

"Have the people in the lower reaches of the Yongjia River been notified to take refuge elsewhere?" Zhao Jing said.

"It was notified two days ago," Meng Qinghe said.

"Okay," Zhao Jing said appreciatively.

"Go and do your work," Zhao Jing said.

Meng Qinghe left in a hurry and continued to direct the people to raise the dam.

"He's a good official." Shu Zilan said looking at the busy figure of Meng Qinghe not far away.

"Yes, it's just that I worked under Duan Zhenli and was always suppressed and ignored," Zhao Jing said.

Shu Zilan looked at the magnificent river in the night, overflowing the sky, small ripples moved wave after wave, impacting the fragile embankment, occasionally there were some waves, overflowing the embankment, but retreating from the embankment, Shu Zilan's His heart was rippling with the ripples, and his heart was tense all the time. He prayed to heaven in his heart, don't break the embankment, otherwise how many people in the downstream will be affected, the country's harvest this year is not good, and the financial Weakness and damage to the national situation will inevitably cause the surrounding countries to move around and intend to invade the Great Wei. At that time, the Great Wei is in danger.

A cold hand grabbed Shu Zilan's hand and held it tightly. Shu Zilan didn't struggle. At this moment, Zhao Jing was holding him, making him feel at ease.

"Is there any way?" Shu Zilan looked at Zhao Jing and said, his eyes were helpless, like a child asking an adult an unknown question.

Zhao Jing shook his head.

Shu Zilan's heart sank.

The two stood on the side of the embankment, watching a group of people struggling to raise the embankment.

"The rain is getting heavier and heavier," Shu Zilan said looking at the densely woven rain curtain.

"Hmm," Zhao Jing replied, his brows were tightly furrowed, and his voice was serious.

"Now I can only pray to God, let the people in this land be spared," Zhao Jing said.

Shu Zilan looked at Zhao Jing and remained silent for a long time.

"However, Duan Zhenli's death is inevitable," said Zhao Jing. "He served as the magistrate of Rongyang for 12 years. He knew that there was a problem with the flood discharge device of the Yongjia River, but he deliberately avoided it. Rongyang has no money to repair the dam and flood discharge device of the Yongjia River."

"He died alone, but how many people were scattered by him, who will take the lives of these people?" Shu Zilan said angrily.

Zhao Jing looked silent.

It was gray and bright in the early morning, and the garrison who came to help joined the team raising the embankment. Figures hurriedly walked on the embankment, and bags of soil were thrown into the river embankment, and the river water easily overflowed. Still falling, the river gradually rose, and gradually overflowed the dam.

"Quick back!" Zhao Jing yelled.

People still busy on the dam suddenly dropped sandbags and ran towards the flat place. A wave of river water rushed up to break through the dam, and another wave came up to break through the dam. The ferocious beast that came out of the cage roared and broke through the obstacles, the earth shook and the mountains shook, and the sound shook the sky, and it flowed downstream with a roar, instantly overflowing the land on both sides, covering everything.