"Don't think you can fool us common folks just because we haven't read many books. Everyone in the Great Yan knows that the court has always been under the control of Grand Tutor Wang and the Queen Mother. It's like a one - man show!
Now, there's a flood and chaos in Jiangzhou. The relief funds keep having problems. The displaced people are forced to eat tree bark and Guanyin soil. They leave their hometowns just to survive and seek justice. Aren't they crying out in despair, believing in the justice of heaven?"
"Folks, look at this poor brother and sister. They used to have a happy family of four. But a flood washed away their houses, chickens, and geese. As long as people are alive, there's a future. But who would have thought that the heartless Wang family would even embezzle the relief silver!
Countless innocent people who could have survived like the parents of these two children lost their lives, became homeless, and died in strange lands. It's truly heart - wrenching!
Who can guarantee that they won't encounter natural disasters or misfortunes in their lives? If we could have survived, but end up with our families broken and loved ones separated because of corrupt officials, should we just silently accept such a fate?"
After these words, the common people, who had witnessed the miserable conditions of the displaced people from Jiangzhou in recent days, were filled with indignation. It was as if the flame deep in their hearts had been ignited.
Looking at the skinny brother and sister, their expressions numb with grief as they knelt in front of the two corpses covered with straw mats, the simple - minded but kind - hearted people couldn't help but think that if one day it were their own children...
They felt as if there was a fire burning in their chests. Long oppressed and exploited by the powerful aristocratic families, a crack had been pried open under the instigation of some scheming people.
The imperial power was weak, while the aristocratic families were like tyrants on every inch of land, exploiting the people and making their lives miserable.
Even though the power of the aristocratic families had been reduced since the founding of the Great Yan Dynasty.
Unfortunately, since the previous emperor's reign, the people who had finally lived in peace were once again plunged into dire straits with the rise of the Langya Wang family and other aristocratic families.
It wasn't just hard; it was a hopeless situation with no end in sight.
The people seemed to have gotten used to being oppressed and exploited. Even when there were starving people on the roadside, they were so numb that they never thought of resistance.
Until this moment, someone stood up to awaken them and made them stop being silent!
It was not only for the poor displaced people but also for themselves.
They hoped for a peaceful and prosperous world, where they could have enough to eat, wear warm clothes, and the land tax could be reduced to a level they could afford. Only then could they save some food and money, and life would be worth looking forward to.
In this small city, behind the walls were the bustling and luxurious lives of the rich and noble who knew nothing about the sufferings of the common people, while in front were the poor and miserable people and displaced people who had tasted all the hardships of the world.
Just "a wall apart", there was a world of difference.
This show was specially arranged by Jun Wuyuan. Usually, those who played crucial roles were either glib - tongued people or low - ranking officials from poor families.
But none of them shocked him as much as these simple - looking but genuinely emotional common people.
They might be illiterate, never having entered a school, or even touched a book.
They didn't know any grand and eloquent truths, but their kind hearts were more precious than any well - read and high - ranking officials.
This was the various aspects of people's livelihood that those sitting high in the imperial city on the dragon throne could never see.
It was also just a tip of the iceberg of the sufferings of the common people that Jun Wuyuan had never witnessed.
If in the past, Jun Wuyuan wanted to ascend the throne and eradicate the Queen Mother Wang and Grand Tutor Wang's party for his own sake, now there was a different purpose in his heart.
Ling Shan was shocked. She glanced at Jun Wuyuan in surprise.
She never thought...
Jun Wuyuan could have such a normal and down - to - earth dream!
Those in high positions often couldn't see the common people struggling at the bottom.
Even though Jun Wuyuan had once struggled to survive in the cold palace, he was still different from the poor people.
But he could see the big picture from small things and think so much...
Ling Shan's eyes became hot, and a redness gradually appeared at the corners of her eyes.
Just as the common people were emotionally excited, from empathizing with the situation to awakening and uniting, they not only wanted to beat the drum of grievances for the displaced people to appeal to the emperor but also wanted to contribute some money. Even though they were poor, the money they pooled together could at least let the dead rest in peace.
Ling Shan took out a handkerchief. She randomly chose a young man who was too involved in the performance and with red eyes,
"Sir, is what you said true? Are the people in Jiangzhou really in such dire straits? It's so pitiful..."
The young man turned around and saw a beautiful face with tears streaming down. He was slightly dazed.
But the next moment, he felt a sharp and icy look from the side. He felt as if there were thorns on his back and quickly lowered his head, not daring to look anymore.
He replied politely, "My lady, every word I said is true. I wouldn't dare to deceive you with a single false word."
So close! He almost lost his head by offending the noble person beside the emperor.
The common people around didn't know that this pair of seemingly immortal - like man and woman were the current emperor and his favored concubine. But judging from their demeanor and clothing, they could tell that their identities were either rich or noble.
Seeing the beautiful woman's sympathetic expression, they thought maybe they were lucky enough to meet some noble people?
Sure enough, the next moment, the common people heard the noble woman's voice like a heavenly melody.
"It's really sinful! Embezzling the life - saving food is so crazy. It's extremely evil and they don't deserve to be human. The innocent people have suffered so much. I can't stand corrupt officials oppressing the common people!
Folks, don't worry. Heaven is just, and good and evil will eventually be rewarded. If you're willing to trust me and my husband and stand up to testify about the corruption in Jiangzhou, my husband will surely make decisions for you. He will appeal to the emperor and ask for an order to help the people in Jiangzhou!"
After her words, some of the common people were touched, but they still had some concerns in their hearts.
Ling Shan wasn't in a hurry. She waited for everyone to discuss. She asked Liang Jiusi to take care of the skinny brother and sister and let the deceased rest first.
"Yue Bai thanks the noble person for your great kindness!"
The thin woman, leading a more emaciated and sallow - faced child, knelt in front of Ling Shan. Her voice was weak but full of determination.
"Although Yue Bai is just a woman with little influence, I believe in the noble person. I'm willing to swear with my life to testify for the innocent people in Jiangzhou. I beg the noble person to make decisions for me and all the innocent people!"
With Yue Bai, a thin woman, taking the lead, the common people and scattered displaced people around also pleaded one after another.
"Since you trust us so much, my husband will surely not let you down. He will do his best to seek justice for you!
You don't need to worry. No matter what the result is, my husband will guarantee your safety."
"Thank you, noble person!"
"We will never forget the great kindness of the noble person!"