As the New Year passed, spring arrived, and the weather was exceptionally good. Day after day, it was clear and sunny. Many nobles in Luoyang invited each other to go out and enjoy the spring scenery. However, some people were happy while others worried. The officials in charge of agriculture in the court looked at the sunshine every day and were worried sick. Last winter there was little snow, and now it still hasnt rained. If this continues, this years crops will not be good to plant. Farmers are even more worried, everyone looking up at the sky with a gloomy expression on their faces.

  It finally rained for once, but it stopped before half a day was over. The sun came out and the water vapor evaporated quickly, leaving the earth dry again.

  "This year is probably going to be a disastrous one"

  The signs of drought are beginning to appear in various places, and the imperial court has finally started to take notice. However, effective countermeasures are scarce. Every few years, there will be such a disastrous year, with constant calamities, ultimately suffering the ordinary people.

  Liao Tingyan was in the center of the highest power in this era, surrounded by flowers and brocade, a scene of peace and prosperity. The suffering of the people was far, far away from her. If she were like others, unaware of everything, an ordinary person, then she could be like these beauties in the harem, laughing and chatting, even if there were worries, they would only be worries that this palace could contain. But she wasnt, she knew a drought was coming, and if it wasnt handled well, many people would die, and later on, plagues would surely break out continuously like in the original story.

  Thus, Sima Jiao discovered that on a sunny spring day, his noble consort had inexplicably become worried again.

  By early summer, all the flesh she had grown earlier had thinned out again except for her chest.

  Simar Jiao could no longer bear it, and with a furious face, he scolded in the court. When he returned, he pinched Liao Tingyans chin and asked: "What are you worried about?"

  Liao Tingyan frankly said: "Worrying about drought." It is also worrying about the loss of ones country.

  Simar Jiao: "So I asked you why youre worried about the drought, its clearly none of her business." Simar Jiao couldnt understand this kind of worry, because for him, this world was his, and only his, just like the useless treasures in the inner warehouse. From childhood to adulthood, he had never cared about how common people lived, or rather, he had never cared about how others lived, what did it have to do with him?

  Liao Tingyans presence made him feel at ease, and he wanted to see her carefree and relaxed by his side, just like before. However, she was now worried about the drought, which reminded him of the previous flood incident.

  She is worried about the country and the people, Sima Jiao feels that it is not so, she is usually very lazy, only in specific things will be so tense, as if hiding something. This is what really makes Sima Jiao feel uncomfortable.

  There was a mind to force a few questions, but Liao Tingyan didnt seem like those who would say everything after being scared. Sima Jiao wanted to get angry with her, but she came over and coquettishly asked for hugs and kisses, so Sima Jiao couldnt get angry.

  The result is getting angrier and angrier.

  "Youre not allowed to lose weight anymore." Sima Jiao ordered.

  Liao Tingyan: "This is not something she can control, autumn and winter are naturally fat, spring and summer will naturally be thin. She has said before that when summer comes, she will lose weight, its not just because of the drought, but also due to the weather."

  Rainfall is scarce, and several states have drought this year, with urgent reports coming one after another. Because Liao Tingyan was worried and had lost weight, Sima Jiao unconsciously took it to heart, and after spending some time looking into it, he ordered local officials to build water conservancy projects. Seeing that the emperor suddenly cared about this matter, the officials below him looked at each other in dismay, and also followed suit, showing concern for this matter.

  Compared to the original work, the current situation is much better. However, as the weather gets hotter and drier for longer periods of time, the crops that were planted with great difficulty in the fields are dying off in large numbers due to insufficient irrigation, even if a whole family works tirelessly from dawn till dusk to take care of them, they cannot withstand the scorching sun above.

  Luojing is still okay, but in the most severe areas, after entering summer, it has become a thousand miles of bare land, large tracts of land have cracked, and wild grass cannot grow.

  "Your Majesty, the disaster in Tu Prefecture is severe and requires immediate attention. I request that you open the Ji Warehouse to distribute grain and provide relief to the victims." Li Si stepped forward with a solemn expression.

  Simazhao did not speak, and the prime minister frowned, categorically refusing: "It is impossible to use the grain warehouse for relief. It was prepared for war, how can it be used for such trivial matters? What if foreign tribes outside the pass take advantage of the opportunity to invade, where will our armys food come from?"

  Li Sikuang said indignantly, "Isnt the life of one provinces people more important than that invisible war? Now, in this prefecture, food is scarce and the official granaries grain can no longer meet demand. In some areas, there have even been cases of selling children for food."

  Dou Xiangguo sneered, "Its just a few deaths, why is Li Siku so tense? I think the drought wont last long, no need to use the Jidi granary..."

  He finished speaking and bowed his head to Prime Minister Sima Jiao, saying loudly: "What does Your Majesty think?"

  Simazhao always followed others, rarely refuting his words. The many ministers had long been accustomed to this, and now seeing the determined look on Sima Guangs face, several ministers including Li Si Kong who were worried about the people of Tu Zhou couldnt help but feel a pang in their hearts. Li Si Kong even called out "Your Majesty" with some despair.

  Simazhao sank his face, silent for a moment, and said: "Open the granary in Kaizhou, move the people from the severely affected areas, and let them return to their hometowns after the disaster is over."

  Unexpectedly, he would make such a decision, Li Sikuangs eyes lit up in an instant, and he immediately knelt down and said: "Your Majesty is wise"

  Everyones expression stiffened, and he stepped forward, "Your Majesty, think thrice, the granary is in a precarious state"

  "Every country is alike." Sima Jiao interrupted him, his face expressionless, a pair of eyes cold and alone, "Gu said open the granary."

  All the countries looked at each others faces, twitched their cheeks, turned black and stood back, without saying another word.

  Simu Jiao pointed to Taifu, who had been low-key in the court since his second son passed away last year and rarely interfered with anything. At this time, Sima Jiao pointed him out and said: "The relief work needs Taifus coordination."

  The various aristocratic families are numerous, with branches in several states. If you want to stabilize the situation, there is nothing more convenient than those families that have taken root locally for a long time. Sima Jiaos intention was to let Duan Taifu take the lead in controlling the local disaster situation, and also to imply that the various big families should provide relief.

  Duan Taifu raised his eyelids and glanced at the emperor, then replied affirmatively. At this time, he was as usual with Dugu Guo, but he felt very strange about Sima Jiaos abnormal behavior.

  The previous flood was almost all handled by Gao Taibao, and the various ministers thought that Shen Shi, who was appointed as a fourth-rank official in charge of waterworks, was released by the Emperor because he had pleaded with Gao Taibao to do so, and then went on to deal with the flood to make up for his past mistakes. No one knew that it was actually ordered by Sima Jiao. Therefore, this time, regarding Sima Jiaos sudden actions, all the ministers couldnt help but think a little more.

  His Majesty, who has not been concerned with state affairs for many years, suddenly changed his attitude. Is it really because of the disaster or did he remember that His Majesty publicly vetoed the prime minister? Everyone thinks that this matter is not simple. When did His Majesty ever care about the suffering of the people? Now, in this case, its likely that handling the drought is a pretense, and being unable to tolerate the prime minister is the truth.

  Even if its just between our two countries, I think so too.

  The next morning, all the officials returned to their respective offices and invited various gate guests and confidants to discuss this matter.

  "Hes getting older this year, Im afraid he cant tolerate me anymore." The Grand Preceptors expression was complex, with a hint of resentment and some melancholy. In the past, when the previous emperor entrusted the young emperor to him, he had also wholeheartedly supported the young emperor. However, people are not immovable rocks, how could they remain unchanged forever? Although he didnt have any treasonous intentions, in the end, because he had held power for many years, he developed some other thoughts and did some things for personal gain.

  For so many years, although Sima Jiao was cruel and violent by nature, he had never opposed any of his decisions. As time passed, the Duke of Guo took it for granted that things should be this way. Today, he was suddenly refuted, and in his heart, he felt shocked and angry, with a thread of inexplicable fear.

  Is it possible that Your Majesty is really going to deal with him? Previously, he was clearly normal, so how did this idea come about?

  One of the guests heard his doubts and turned to say, "Your Majesty has indeed changed somewhat in his actions. The prime minister might as well think carefully, whether Your Majesty became different after that Concubine Liao entered the palace."

  Duke Guo said: "Are you saying that Your Majesty has been bewitched by a woman?"

  "Throughout history, beautiful women have been a source of trouble. Your Majesty is probably being manipulated by someone who wants to drive a wedge between you and the Prime Minister."

  The expressions of all the officials were uncertain, and they hummed in agreement. Another thought occurred to him, "Sima Jiao insisted on opening the granary in Jizhou, its very likely that the matter will be exposed. For now, we can only find a few scapegoats to resolve this matter first."

  "The Premier can rest assured, this matter will be handled properly."

  Duans family, Duan Taifu and his eldest son sat together drinking tea, when a subordinate came to the door asking to see them.

  "How is it that Your Majesty has become so unusual?" asked Duan Taifu.

  The person kneeling below spoke in a flat tone, without raising his head, "According to the palaces scouts, Your Majesty is concerned about the drought because of Consort Liao. It is said that after learning of the disaster, Consort Liao was disheartened and unhappy. Your Majesty couldnt bear to see her like this, so he intervened in the matter to comfort her."

  Duan Taofu: "Im going to die"

  He took a sip of tea, put it down and said: "I thought he was just raising a playful thing, but I didnt expect him to become a romantic person now. For the sake of a beauty, I really cant believe it. Song Xue, what do you think?"

  Duan Taifus eldest son, Duan Songxue, heard his fathers question and replied calmly, "The Sima family has produced many madmen, but also quite a few sentimental ones. Regardless of whether this matter is true or false, we can see it for ourselves. Now the one who should be worried and anxious isnt us."

  "However, that Lao Gui Fei in the palace is indeed a good hand, able to force our emperor to be patient and do such things, not to be underestimated."

  The unsuspecting Empress Liao didnt know what Sima Jiao had done, and she was now holding her head in a daze. Because it was summer, she feared the heat, so ice was used early on in the palace. As an empress who could have whatever she wanted, there was naturally enough ice to go around, and Liao Tingyan unscrupulously placed many ice basins inside the palace. This unrestrained behavior led to her catching a chill and falling ill.

  Its midsummer, and Ive caught a cold again, which is even worse than the one I had last winter.

  Liao Tingyan was drinking bitter medicine painfully, and she couldnt help but think, why did she sleep with Sima Jiao together, but only she got sick, while Sima Jiao was fine. Logically speaking, her body shouldnt be much better than Sima Jiaos, this shouldnt be the case.

  After drinking the medicine, Liao Tingyan swallowed a dried fruit and lay back on the couch, wrapping herself in a brocade quilt.

  Next time cant be greedy for coolness and use so much ice, everything is like that, being greedy has no good outcome.

  In a daze of sleep, Liao Tingyan felt someone sitting beside her, with cool hands touching her forehead. After a while, the person withdrew their hand and walked out.

  Liao Tingyan suddenly came to her senses and heard someone talking outside.

  "Now everyone is guessing about Your Majestys handling of the drought, I didnt understand it before either, but now I know, it was all because of the Imperial Concubine." High General Gao said with a smile.

  Simar Jiaos voice was not very pleasant, "She got sick like this because of this matter, its really troublesome."

  Liao Tingyan: "Shes really not worried about drought and getting sick because of it, but because she used too much ice."