Rong Fei is not honored

Chapter 727 Earth Dragon Turns Over

Under the blazing July sun, people felt like they were melting. Those with power and status were better off, as they could build shelters for themselves, but ordinary people could only endure it through sheer willpower.

Not only was it hot and sunny, but each day they were only provided with a bowl of thin porridge that was so clear that people were so hungry that they saw stars and didn't even have the energy to make a fuss.

Of course, even if they had the strength, they didn't dare to cause trouble. Just looking at those soldiers with weapons made them tremble with fear. And thinking about those who had escaped and never been seen again, everyone completely gave up on any idea.

He comforted himself: the grain is provided by the imperial court, and it's already good enough that he can drink rice porridge. Anyway, he only has to sit and do nothing all day long, so at least he won't starve to death.

They even tried to find a bit of humor in their misery, thinking that maybe by tomorrow, the emperor would get bored and stop playing tricks on them, and then they could go home.

However, before "tomorrow" arrived, natural disaster struck first.

At first, he thought he was just dizzy from the heat and starving, until the person next to him fell and bumped into him. He was about to demand justice, but when he saw people around him falling one after another, he realized something was wrong.

"The earth... the earth dragon has really turned the tables!"

"God is angry!"

"It's an earthquake! Everyone run!"

The officials, who had initially taken it lightly, came to their senses, suppressed the turmoil in their hearts, remembered the orders from above, and tried their best to steady themselves, shouting, "Don't move, lie down!"

However, in the chaotic environment, the officials' voices were quickly drowned out. Faced with the fear of death, no one could remain rational; they all scurried around like headless flies, desperately trying to find a place of absolute safety.

"What should we do? If this continues, things will get really messy!"

The mother, clutching her child, tried to curl up, hoping to support her child's life with her frail body. But she was too weak, and under the trampling of countless people, she soon could not hold on any longer, and the space left in her arms was gradually squeezed.

Just then, a cavalry captain staggered forward, drew his sword, and slashed down, splattering blood everywhere. He didn't even look at it, expressionlessly lifting the lifeless body to reveal a mother and child breathing weakly underneath.

"Everyone lie down on the ground and don't move! Anyone who dares to run away will be killed on sight!"

With someone taking the lead, the elite cavalry followed closely behind. As one person after another lost their breath, many more were given hope of survival.

One fear was overwhelmed by another, and the situation was quickly brought under control.

The people lay trembling on the ground, wanting to escape, to cry, to shout, to drive away the fear that was driving them mad. But they couldn't; they didn't want to die now, so they could only lie there.

Amid the deafening roar of the earthquake, several heart-wrenching screams rang out. What had happened?

It wasn't that they could still feel curiosity at this point; they were simply afraid—afraid that they would be next. Fortunately, the number of people wailing didn't increase.

After an unknown amount of time, the earth calmed down. Some people mustered up their courage, looked up, and, upon realizing they had truly survived, wept bitterly before heading off to search for their families.

"I survived, I really survived."

"Mother, where are you?"

"My little girl, where is my little girl?"

"My face, my face!"

"Son, my son, you died such a terrible death!"

"The earthquake was real; God was truly angry!"

The officials composed themselves and then stepped forward to maintain order, saying, "The Three Feudatories have angered Heaven, causing this calamity in the capital. Fortunately, His Majesty is the true Son of Heaven, who foresaw the natural disaster and saved everyone's lives."

He paused deliberately to give the people enough time to react before continuing, "However, the traitors are not giving up and have planted spies among you."

Previously, some people spread rumors and incited everyone to flee back to the city. But you have just witnessed the power of the earthquake. If you really go back to the city, will you even survive?

Just now, everyone was clearly fine as long as they stayed quietly in the open space, but someone took the opportunity to cause trouble and incited you to run around! Look around you, those innocent people who were trampled to death!

I know that many of you have had relatives and friends killed, but if they hadn't died, even more people would have died!

Don't be unconvinced. Think about it carefully. In the moment of the earthquake, when they were scrambling around, did they take you with them? They probably not only forgot about you, but they wouldn't even react if they trampled you underfoot.

The group of people who had been wailing and throwing themselves on their murdered relatives fell silent instantly. After sensing the reactions of those around them who were trying to avoid them, their faces turned pale.

"Of course, I'm not saying that all those who were killed were spies or rebels. I just want to remind you that it's inevitable to feel sad when family and friends die, but don't hate the wrong people. It wasn't the court or the soldiers who killed them, but the rebels!"

"Yes, yes, my son is an extremely kind person who has never argued with anyone. If he hadn't been instigated, how could he have trampled someone into mincemeat? He must have been framed."

"Yes, my family is too..."

Seeing the fresh bits of flesh on their loved ones' feet, in order not to let the dead bear a bad reputation, they all chimed in, pushing all the blame onto the despicable rebels.

The officials, seeing this, were finally satisfied. They estimated that their work would become much easier from now on.

"The learned officials in the court have said that there will be aftershocks after the earthquake, so you can't go back for the time being. But don't worry, the court will not abandon you."

Even if he hadn't said that, the people who were terrified by the earthquake wouldn't have dared to return to the city.

Aside from those who truly cared about them, no one remembered those who had fled back to the city. No, perhaps it wasn't that everyone had forgotten, but rather that they all understood that those who had been abandoned would not survive.

An earthquake struck... The emperor decreed that it would be too difficult for unarmed civilians to survive.

How are things on your end?

"Not bad, they're all scared, they'll do whatever they're told. Why do you look like that? What, do these officials actually dare to disobey imperial orders?" That shouldn't be the case, aren't they afraid of being reported later?

"Don't even mention it. They're all precious masters. Although they don't dare to run around, they still cause all sorts of trouble. One minute they're saying they're missing this, the next they're saying the place is too small and they want us to move it around."

We wouldn't dare to help them get what they're missing right now. Besides, there's only so much space; how can we move things? Who can we ask to move them? Who are we going to offend?

After much persuasion, they managed to calm the people down, but they acted as if they were on vacation and refused to pack their things. As a result, several female family members were injured by their belongings.