Qin Yining stood behind Pang Xiao with her people, listening clearly to this tragic situation, her heart aching as if cut by knives.

Last winter, the surrendering officials had left the former capital in several groups to go to Great Zhou’s capital, leaving behind a city riddled with holes and scattered with corpses after the famine year for the common people.

Although she had tried her best to take in many people, with land everywhere in the surrounding counties where she could employ them in exchange for food, no matter how wealthy she was, she ultimately couldn’t save everyone.

Moreover, with something like an earthquake, whether it was Pang Xiao’s storefronts in the city or her farmlands in the nearby countryside, it was impossible for them to escape unharmed.

If they suffered such losses, the harm inflicted on ordinary people was even more unpredictable.

Probably like Sister-in-law Liu they had seen when entering the city, many people would rather end their suffering in such a resolute way, choosing to reunite with their deceased family members.

In the heavy atmosphere filling the room, Gong You continued: “Your Highness, the court hasn’t sent any relief rice. Last year’s disaster had already emptied this former capital. Although half the people died, the remaining ones still need to eat every day.

“The location here is also special. Because it was once Great Yan’s capital, many of the wealthy families living here were former high officials of the Yan Dynasty. Some of these officials were unwilling to serve in our Great Zhou court, and others were truly elderly and retired at home.

“Your Highness, I can responsibly say that there are more than ten such wealthy families in the former capital and surrounding counties, and the grain they have hoarded accounts for seventy percent of all the grain in the former capital!”

Gong You clenched his fingers and said indignantly: “These wealthy families, each hoarding so much grain—when I went to buy from them, they raised prices outrageously! Coarse rice that originally cost nine qian of silver per shi now costs eight taels of silver per shi! Tell me, aren’t they profiteering from national disaster!”

Hearing this, Pang Xiao’s face darkened: “Has Lord Gong approached all these wealthy families?”

“All of them.” Gong You shook his head with a bitter face: “They seem to have colluded. If they want to sell rice, it’s eight taels of silver per shi. Common people can’t buy it at all when purchasing small amounts. You tell me, during earthquakes, why is it always the common people who suffer? Although those wealthy families were also affected by the disaster, they have manpower! They quickly made their residences as solid as fortresses—I couldn’t even climb over their walls if I wanted to!”

Everyone’s faces became grim.

So the capital wasn’t completely without grain—rather, this grain was hoarded in the hands of wealthy families, and these families had conspired together and simply refused to relent.

“Have you considered transporting grain from other surrounding regions?”

“Your Highness.” Gong You’s face became even grimmer: “This earthquake had two major tremors and countless minor ones, affecting more than twenty cities and towns. Few good roads remain leading south. Even when I go to surrounding counties to discuss buying grain, I have to rely on my own feet and hands, walking and climbing over rocks. Even if we could buy grain, transportation would truly be a difficult problem.”

Pang Xiao finally understood completely: “Lord Gong, you’ve had a hard time.”

He patted the short, scholarly man’s shoulder with his large hand: “His Majesty is deeply concerned about this place, but we were unfortunate to encounter someone like Prince Yan. And surely without this prince saying it, Lord Gong can understand—after years of continuous warfare, the national treasury is empty. His Majesty is also like a clever wife trying to cook without rice!”

“Your Highness, this subordinate understands everything you’ve said.” Gong You sighed, then stood up with renewed spirit: “It’s precisely when the dynasty faces such difficulties that we ministers truly need to work hard. Not to put it nicely, and not to mention sharing His Majesty’s worries—this subordinate pities the people!”

Turning around suddenly, Gong You looked at Pang Xiao with a bitter smile: “Your Highness hasn’t seen how much the people in this city are suffering! Under the rule of those Yuchi family bastards, they were exploited for so many years, then came droughts and famines. Just when things were getting a bit better, they encountered an earthquake. Tell me… this subordinate has seen it with his own eyes—those tragic scenes are unbearable to watch!

“But this subordinate is also incompetent. At this critical juncture, this subordinate has neither money nor grain, and no ability… To put it bluntly, even with money now, we might not be able to buy grain.”

By this point, Gong You’s face was streaked with tears. He lay on the table sobbing, causing the surrounding clerks and runners to wipe their eyes too. Even the Dragon Soar Army soldiers Pang Xiao had brought hung their heads in sorrow.

Qin Yining pressed her lips together, taking in everything with her eyes and secretly making some decisions.

Pang Xiao let Gong You cry for a while before sighing: “Lord Gong need not grieve. For now, we must look forward. We can do nothing for the people who have already perished. What we need to do next is ensure that those who survived can continue living.”

“Your Highness.” Hearing this, Gong You looked at Pang Xiao with considerable emotion: “Good! With Your Highness’s words, this subordinate is willing to follow Your Highness and serve like a dog or horse!”

“We’re both working for the people—what’s this talk of following or not following? I believe that with our combined efforts, we’ll surely see a turning point!” Pang Xiao smiled.

Only then did Gong You realize that Pang Xiao had once been so accomplished that he overshadowed his master. His earlier words about “following” and “serving like a dog or horse” could easily be misinterpreted.

But he didn’t regret saying those words, because this War God Prince truly seemed like someone reliable. He wasn’t like those who sought fame and reputation. His heart truly contained concern for the people’s welfare.

With official business concluded for now, Pang Xiao called Qin Yining over and introduced her to Gong You: “Lord Gong, this is my wife.”

Gong You had noticed Qin Yining long ago. After all, such a great beauty would be noticed immediately by anyone without eye problems. Initially, when she entered with Pang Xiao, Gong You had some mental criticism, thinking she was a concubine Pang Xiao had brought along.

Who knew this was actually the Princess Consort!

“So this is the Princess Consort. My apologies, my apologies.” Gong You bowed.

Qin Yining curtsied in return.

Gong You hurriedly stepped aside: “Princess Consort, this won’t do.”

“It’s appropriate. Lord Gong has persevered in the former capital. Although we’ve seen the disaster victims’ tragic condition along the way, all the aftermath arrangements are proceeding in an orderly fashion. We arrived late—this place has relied entirely on Lord Gong’s support. That the surviving people haven’t contracted plague and that plague hasn’t spread is due to Lord Gong’s meritorious service! I am merely a woman who can’t help with official matters. Lord Gong is a meritorious official—how could he not deserve my courtesy?”

Qin Yining spoke while curtsying again.

Gong You avoided her gesture again in confusion, but his heart was warm.

It seemed rumors truly couldn’t be entirely believed. Neither Prince Zhongshun nor the Princess Consort were the unreliable people described in gossip. Prince Zhongshun wasn’t brutal, and the Princess Consort wasn’t seductive—they were both people who truly cared about the common folk.

“Your Highness, please stay in the rear office during these days. This subordinate will have my wife arrange accommodations immediately.”

“Thank you for your trouble.” Pang Xiao cupped his hands.