The Crown Prince could hardly wait any longer. “Seventh Brother, what are you waiting for? Let’s hurry and leave.”
What festivity? What charming young lady? Nothing was more important than safety.
He was the Crown Prince. Once back in the capital, he could have whatever he wanted. Regardless of whether Seventh Brother’s big dog could truly predict danger, since it had been mentioned, he didn’t want to take any risks at all.
As he always said, if anything were to happen to him, wouldn’t it just benefit those bastards?
The Crown Prince urged repeatedly.
The group, led by Vice Minister Zhao, exchanged glances.
To leave because of a dog? It seemed absurd when they thought about it.
The Crown Prince became displeased. His face darkened as he sneered, “Lord Zhao, if you don’t believe it, then continue staying in this town. Prince Yan and I will go elsewhere.”
Hearing this, Vice Minister Zhao gave the others a knowing look and said with a smile, “As the saying goes, ‘Better to believe it exists than not.’ Since Erniu has such a reaction, we’d better leave.”
After all, it didn’t matter where they stayed, so why contradict the Crown Prince?
The Crown Prince was immediately satisfied. “Seventh Brother, let’s go.”
However, Yu Jin didn’t move.
The Crown Prince was surprised. “Seventh Brother, why aren’t you moving?”
Yu Jin looked at the Crown Prince, then glanced around at everyone, and asked, “Are we just leaving like this?”
The Crown Prince was stunned by the question. “What else?”
Was he supposed to bring along the pink-clothed young lady he had just taken a fancy to? He had that thought, but such matters required discretion. It couldn’t be done so openly, lest it give others something to hold against him.
Yu Jin raised his chin slightly, his gaze fixed on the townspeople coming and going and the wisps of smoke rising from cooking fires.
“What about the people in the town?”
Vice Minister Zhao suddenly became serious, looking at Yu Jin almost in horror.
What did Prince Yan mean? Surely he didn’t intend to mobilize the entire town to relocate?
Just because of a dog?
Absurd, this was too absurd!
Yu Jin spoke slowly, “Gentlemen, in Qianhe County, an earthquake killed over ten thousand people, and disease claimed another ten thousand. The county lost nearly half its population. How devastating were the consequences?”
These words cast a shadow over everyone’s hearts, and they all fell silent.
Yu Jin pointed and said, “If an earthquake were to strike Jinli Town, these townspeople would suffer the same fate as those in Qianhe County. It would be another irreversible disaster…”
Vice Minister Zhao opened his mouth: “But—”
Yu Jin calmly interrupted him: “There are no buts. I know you gentlemen think it’s ridiculous to evacuate an entire town based solely on a dog’s reaction. You don’t even believe there will be an earthquake. Just now, you agreed to change lodgings merely because you saw no need to contradict the Crown Prince’s wishes, and changing accommodations isn’t much trouble. It’s not comparable to evacuating an entire town’s population.”
Everyone gave a sheepish smile.
Prince Yan was indeed perceptive, knowing they were just humoring the Crown Prince.
“But what if?” Yu Jin asked.
Everyone looked at him.
Yu Jin’s gaze turned to the distance. “If an earthquake does occur, the consequences will be irreversible. Mobilizing these townspeople to temporarily relocate is just a bit troublesome. But no matter how troublesome, compared to life and death, isn’t it worth doing, gentlemen?”
Everyone fell silent.
They had to admit they were somewhat moved by Prince Yan’s words.
Compared to life and death, a little trouble was indeed worth it.
“But how do we explain this to the townspeople?” Vice Minister Zhao shook his head repeatedly. “We can’t just tell them to abandon their homes and possessions because Erniu sensed an impending earthquake, can we?”
“Indeed, without a convincing explanation, the townspeople won’t be willing to leave…”
“Moreover, how long should they evacuate for? Prince Yan only said Erniu sensed an earthquake would happen here, but when exactly?”
The more they discussed, the more impossible Yu Jin’s proposal seemed.
The Crown Prince grew anxious and urged, “Seventh Brother, let’s leave first and discuss this later.”
Earthquakes wait for no one. What if it suddenly occurred?
Yu Jin calmly stroked Erniu’s head and said, “No more than five days.”
“Five days?”
“Yes. Erniu can only sense danger a short time in advance, so it won’t be too long. Gentlemen, what do you think are the chances of convincing the townspeople to evacuate and camp outside town for five days?”
Vice Minister Zhao stroked his beard. “It’s hard to say. First, Your Highness needs to give the people a convincing reason. If you say it’s because Erniu sensed it, I’m afraid no one will leave.”
People’s love and attachment to their homes were extraordinary. Many had spent a lifetime of hard work to build these few rooms and acquire their possessions. How could they leave because of a few words?
Yu Jin looked at the Crown Prince. “What if we say a divine being appeared in the Crown Prince’s dream last night while he was resting in Jinli Town, warning him?”
People of this era believed in spirits and gods, especially divine manifestations of noble persons. This was the result of gradual influence throughout dynasties.
Those in power believed that combining imperial authority with divine mandate was more beneficial for ruling the realm.
Hearing Yu Jin’s suggestion, everyone looked at the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince hurriedly shook his head in refusal. “No way!”
He was joking. He wouldn’t take on this responsibility.
“Seventh Brother, can you guarantee an earthquake will occur?” he asked.
Yu Jin hesitated slightly, then shook his head.
If he appeared too certain, it would seem false.
Moreover, it was just A Si’s dream. Even if he was willing to believe it and make efforts accordingly, there was still a possibility of deviation.
From an outsider’s perspective, the occurrence of events from a dream was one in ten thousand.
“That’s just it. If we use my name to persuade the townspeople to evacuate, what if no earthquake happens? Wouldn’t that make everyone in the world think I’m talking nonsense, or that the divine being has made a fool of me, the Crown Prince?” The Crown Prince argued eloquently.
When it came to his reputation, the Crown Prince was uncompromising.
Everyone nodded upon hearing this.
The Crown Prince indeed had a point. Whether people thought the Crown Prince was acting recklessly or that a divine being had tricked him, it would indicate that the Crown Prince was not a qualified heir apparent…
Seeing Yu Jin’s serious expression, the Crown Prince sighed. “Seventh Brother, you have to think of me too. I’ve just been reinstated as Crown Prince, and everyone is watching. If I cause an entire town’s worth of trouble for nothing, Father Emperor will scold me to death…”
Yu Jin was silent for a moment, then said calmly, “In that case, let’s say the divine being appeared in my dream to warn me.”
He looked deeply at the Crown Prince. “If Second Brother doesn’t mind—”
The Crown Prince hurriedly said, “I don’t mind, I don’t mind. Let’s say that.”
It was best if Seventh Brother was willing to take responsibility for this matter, as long as he didn’t have to bear the consequences.
In his opinion, Seventh Brother was just looking for trouble out of boredom…
The others wore subtle expressions.
For the divine being to appear in Prince Yan’s dream rather than the Crown Prince’s – they didn’t know whether to call Prince Yan fearless or the Crown Prince obtuse.
Even if an earthquake did occur, Prince Yan’s actions would likely not be well-received. It would surely arouse suspicion from the Emperor and the Crown Prince in the future.
Yu Jin took in everyone’s expressions and smiled openly. “I understand what you gentlemen are thinking. If it can save a town full of people, why should I spare this life of mine?”