Chapter 1693: Chapter 1693: A Great Disaster Approaches

Passing over Song Zhiqing’s death without mention, Song Ci started talking about the disaster situation.

"The days have been clear day after day, but they are not truly clear, and yet no rain falls. August is already half over, and I see there is no hope for autumn plowing. How is disaster relief being managed by the court? Look at our house, should we continue charity as we do, or should it be occasionally?"

Song Zhiyuan, while handling the sandalwood Buddha beads, replied, "I have asked the second brother and also discussed with the Gu family. Our family has been doing charity every year, supporting the Charitable Hall and the Charitable School, so the stored grains are sufficient, especially since the past few years have had good harvests. We can sustain until the end of the year. But this disaster is unpredictable; if autumn plowing cannot proceed, there will be no harvest this year. Not to mention the outside disaster, even the tenants within our own estate might struggle for livelihood."

Song Ci nodded.

"Opening a porridge shop is feasible, but priority must be given to our own tenants and the charitable hall. In my opinion, opening it every two or three days would allow for longer sustainability."

"As long as you have a plan, this year will be tough. What about the various tenants?"

Song Zhiyuan smiled, saying, "Mother, don’t worry. These years, our herbal business has flourished, and we don’t lack those small rents. Now that a severe disaster is happening, we’ve already instructed the second brother to announce that the rent for this year is waived, if autumn plowing cannot be done. Next spring, we’ll also provide seeds."

Song Ci’s expression relaxed, "That’s very good. Money in this world is endless; there’s no need to profit from national disaster, which is not beneficial to the blessings of descendants. The outside world may be difficult, but as long as we don’t lack food and clothing, eating less and wearing less is no matter. The most important thing is to weather the hardship together. You are the current Prime Minister, with many eyes on you. If our family indulges in extravagance, we will invite hatred, which is unnecessary. Instead, we should lead by example and serve as a model."

"You are right, mother."

Song Ci mentioned, almost inadvertently, "Before I fell ill, did that Imperial Censor not say I should go to pray for rain? Is there anyone in the court now being asked to go pray for rain?"

Hearing Song Ci inquire about praying for rain, Song Zhiyuan was momentarily taken aback, his eyes briefly flickered, "Has someone been gossiping in front of you, mother?"

Song Ci shook her head, "With you having been assertive, who dares to speak carelessly in front of me, making me blind to everything?"

The tone carried a hint of childlike petulance.

Song Zhiyuan laughed and said, "It’s just to avoid worrying you, so that you can rest in peace. You just enjoy the company of grandchildren; everything else need not concern you. Speaking of prayer, the Observatory has already chosen an auspicious date, and the Emperor will personally lead the Crown Prince to the Temple of Heaven to pray!"

Song Ci’s heart tightened, and she immediately asked, "Really? On what day?"

Seeing her face express anxiety, Song Zhiyuan felt a slight stir in his heart but kept his face calm, "It is the Double Ninth Festival on September 9."

"No way!"

"Hmm?" Song Zhiyuan looked at her, eyes showing inquiry.

Song Ci thought to herself, absolutely not; that day in Shangjing there will be an earthquake, and the scope will be vast. The most severe area will be around the Temple of Heaven, where the sensation of the quake is strongest, the temple will collapse, and casualties will be numerous. The Emperor and Crown Prince will be severely injured. The Emperor, given his age, won’t last beyond the twenty-ninth year, and the Crown Prince will be left disabled. Prince Xiao and Prince Zhou will fight fiercely for the throne, causing Great Qing endless turmoil.

These were all things Song Zhiyuan’s biological mother, the original old lady, told her, instructing her to prevent it.

Now that Song Zhiyuan brought it up, she knew things were about to escalate.

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