Chapter 169 2/3

“The Record of Grievances” is an invaluable book. Through reading it, they’ve gained a wealth of knowledge. Now, with this “Record of Escaping Disaster,” they definitely must buy it!

Previously, in order to encourage more people to purchase “The Record of Grievances,” King Jin had lowered its price significantly. Now, with this “Record of Escaping Disaster,” it’s also being sold at a very cheap price.

Most of the scholars in the capital can afford it, and after purchasing it, people start reading it.

The “Record of Escaping Disaster” shares the same style as “The Record of Grievances,” so they quickly become engrossed. Once they start reading, their mood becomes heavy.

Was Yuxi Prefecture like this six years ago? Were the common people truly so miserable back then?

In a certain bookstore, a scholar from Yuxi Prefecture burst into tears in front of everyone.

Most people start by reading “The Record of Escaping Disaster,” but there are also some who begin with “Strategies for Water Management.”

For those who read “Strategies for Water Management” first, they are astonished by its contents.

They choose to read “Strategies for Water Management” first because they are interested in this aspect, but now…

“This is an extraordinary book!”

“This book is truly well-written!”

“Who is this Li Zhao?”

“Was this compiled by the recluse based on the manuscripts left by Li Zhao? Has Li Zhao already passed away?”

…

More and more people are reading these two books, “The Record of Escaping Disaster” and “Strategies for Water Management.” At this time, the king is listening to someone read “The Record of Escaping Disaster” while holding the original manuscript of “Strategies for Water Management” in his hand.

His eyesight is not very good, but he is not completely blind… The recluse’s handwriting is exceptionally good!

That kind of bold and free style is something he has never seen before.

But what he values most is not the recluse’s handwriting, but the contents of “Strategies for Water Management.”

After King Jin brought these two books into the palace and explained the situation to him, he had someone read “Strategies for Water Management” first.

This book was brought to the capital by Zhang Zhiru, and Zhang Zhiru should attach great importance to it… He wanted to know what was so special about “Strategies for Water Management.”

And after he finished listening… the king asked for the original manuscript of “Strategies for Water Management” and his voice trembled: “Li Zhao died six years ago?”

After King Jin confirmed this, he didn’t say much, but instructed someone to start reading “The Record of Escaping Disaster.”

When the water disaster occurred in Yuxi Prefecture six years ago, the king was extremely ill to the point where he was unable to manage state affairs.

And by the time he got a little better several months later, the matter had already ended.

At that time, King Jin was angry because the relief funds disappeared, and the people of Yuxi Prefecture did not receive timely assistance. He reprimanded the envoy who had gone to provide relief, but did not investigate further.

Most of the relief funds were probably embezzled by King Jin.

He was afraid that if he pursued it further, King Jin would be furious, to the point that after his death, he would vent his anger on those around him.

Who would have thought that the envoy at the time would end up causing the death of someone!

After the current king was enthroned as the crown prince, the late king’s queen was very angry and constantly antagonized him.

To avoid conflict with the queen, the late king always sent him out of the capital to provide relief.

He had witnessed the flood and the aftermath of the flood, the dire situation of the people.

This “Strategies for Water Management” was very useful.

Unfortunately, the person who wrote this book was already dead. King Jin’s love for money was one thing, but his actions were truly ruthless!

The king once again felt that King Jin was not a good choice.

But… could he really let an infant who couldn’t even walk yet ascend the throne?

His father, the late king, had been so fond of the queen, but for the sake of the country, he did not choose the infant Prince of Yan in the swaddling clothes, but chose him…

“The Record of Escaping Disaster” is just as tragic as “The Record of Grievances.”

This book also has many details just like “The Record of Grievances.”

The king couldn’t help but say, “This recluse, back then, was probably really in Yuxi Prefecture.” “Your Majesty, this old servant also thinks so!” Lü Qingxi said, “The hometown of this old servant is exactly as he wrote! The recluse wrote it too truthfully!

“Zhang Zhiru, he was determined to oppose King Jin, huh…” The king sighed again.

Lü Qingxi didn’t say anything.

This book was sent to the capital by Zhang Zhiru, and it has nothing to do with him!

Recently, King Jin and Lü Qingxi have been in fierce competition, so naturally, King Jin pays close attention to Lü Qingxi.

Therefore, as soon as “The Record of Escaping Disaster” came out, officials from King Jin’s faction bought the book to read, and some even sent the book directly to King Jin.

After a certain minister who had always supported King Jin briefly glanced through the book, he threw it away.

He was very angry, but he didn’t know if he was angry at the book or at King Jin.

He supported King Jin because he thought King Jin would be the next king.

But now… could he really let such a person become king?

During the incident in Linhu County, King Jin was indeed unaware, so although he was annoyed, he did not leave King Jin.

But now… the water disaster in Yuxi Prefecture six years ago was so severe, yet King Jin only thought about making money!

Did he really want to pledge allegiance to such a person?

But it was impossible for him to turn to Lü Qingxi instead…

He picked up the book again and continued reading, suddenly thinking of someone—Prince of Yan.

Many officials were not very familiar with the situation in Yuxi Prefecture.

Yuxi Prefecture is quite far from the capital city, and the vast majority of them have never been there. The events of six years ago are just a flood in a place in Da Qi for them.

Such incidents are not uncommon.

But now… “The Record of Escaping Disaster” portrays the people of Yuxi Prefecture too miserably.

And the County Magistrate of Yuxi County also suffered greatly.

He hadn’t done anything wrong, but his entire family was executed…

Some officials, after reading the book and thinking about this incident, felt a chill down their spines.

Several months ago, Zhang, the governor, killed the County Magistrate of Linhu County, but he didn’t harm the family members of the County Magistrate!

The Lou family is the same. Zhang, the governor, dealt with all the criminals in the Lou family, but he didn’t harm the women and children of the Lou family. The women of the Lou family even came all the way to the capital with their children to file

a complaint.

Prince Jin?

Did he not instruct that envoy to do this?

Encountering a disaster, it’s normal to give officials heavier sentences, but knowing that they’re innocent and still killing them all… Is this to eradicate the roots?

Regardless, after seeing what happened to Li Zhao, more and more officials feel that King Jin is not suitable to be emperor.

For ministers, it’s not a problem if the emperor is a bit foolish or ignorant, but if the emperor is ruthless… then they’re the ones who suffer!

King Jin’s Mansion.

King Jin had already read part of “The Record of Escaping Disaster,” cursing the recluse as he read.

One of King Jin’s trusted aides said, “Your Highness, the most urgent matter is to deal with this matter…”

“This is Lü Qingxi deliberately tarnishing my reputation! Zhang Zhiru has indeed joined forces with Lü Qingxi! Neither of them are good people, they are all despicable characters…”

“Your Highness, tell me about what happened back then,” the aide said.

The aide was quite tired in his heart.

If he hadn’t already been tied to King Jin’s boat and wouldn’t survive if King Jin fell, he would have long stopped caring about King Jin!

King Jin said, “What’s written in this book is all fake. That Li Zhao, he embezzled the silver coins! A batch of silver coins went missing, and they were probably hidden by him, but unfortunately they were never found!”

King Jin had a deep impression of what happened six years ago.

After all, that time, he was tricked.

After the flood in Yuxi Prefecture, he did have thoughts of profiting from it.

He didn’t like Lü Qingxi, and Yuxi Prefecture was Lü Qingxi’s hometown…

He thought that as long as some relief efforts were made, the most important thing was to make money.