More and more people rushed over, disregarding the filth on the ground as they knelt before Yu Jin.
At this moment, their gratitude towards Yu Jin was beyond words. They could only express their intensely pent-up emotions by repeatedly kowtowing.
They weren’t kowtowing to Yu Jin, but to the fate that allowed them to survive due to a split-second decision.
Especially those who saw their familiar town reduced to ruins felt increasingly fortunate to be alive.
“Your Highness, what should we do now?” The village head was completely in awe of Yu Jin and ready to follow his every command.
“How many people have returned to the town?”
“Those whose husbands, brothers, or uncles went back were insistent on returning, but this old one stopped them.”
Yu Jin nodded. “The village head did well. Generally, after an earthquake, there might be several aftershocks. Moreover, it’s still dark. Returning now would not only be futile but could also be dangerous.”
The village head wiped away sweat in relief and shouted, “Did you all hear what His Highness said? Don’t think about rushing back to town before daybreak! Earlier, His Highness warned about the earthquake, persuaded us, and even offered money, but some still insisted on going back. How about now? This time, you must listen to His Highness!”
“We’ll listen to His Highness…” The townspeople cried out, some with fear, others with tears in their voices.
The countryside was pitch black, with only several torches illuminating the surroundings, barely allowing people to see each other’s faces.
Yu Jin didn’t look much at the crowd but said to the village head, “You should all rest for a while. There will be much to do when daylight comes.”
“Then, Your Highness—”
“We’ll return first and bring more people when it’s light.”
The village head eagerly escorted Yu Jin and his group quite far. “The road is dark and slippery. Have a safe journey, Your Highness.”
This time, his send-off was genuinely heartfelt.
“Village head, please don’t see us off any further.”
Yu Jin waved his hand and left with Minister Zhao and the others.
Those who returned to Wuji Town didn’t sleep but gathered to discuss the situation.
“Jinli Town did experience an earthquake. This way, the money His Highness promised to the townspeople can be accounted for…” An official from the Ministry of Revenue spoke, either sighing or relieved.
The Ministry of Revenue managed disaster relief funds. Although Prince Yan had given his word, if he were to renege upon returning to the capital, the deficit would fall on their ministry, leaving them in tears.
But with the earthquake, it was different. The court typically provided monetary assistance to people after major disasters, sometimes even offering silk fabrics.
“Is this the time to think about such things?” Minister Zhao glared at his subordinate, though his feelings were even more complex.
If nothing had happened in Jinli Town, their efforts would have been a joke, inviting criticism if it reached the Emperor’s ears. But now—
Considering the village head’s words about Jinli Town being reduced to ruins, yet with eight or nine out of ten people from the thousand-strong population surviving, this achievement was truly astounding…
Minister Zhao felt uneasy continuing this line of thought.
After all, an earthquake still resulted in casualties; it shouldn’t be something to rejoice over.
Seeing the group excitedly discussing with no end in sight, Yu Jin, who had little experience in post-disaster reconstruction, stood up. “Gentlemen, please continue your discussion. This prince will retire to rest his eyes.”
After Yu Jin left, the others looked at each other, unsure what to do. Someone said, “Why don’t we disperse as well? We can’t plan the disaster relief until we see Jinli Town’s situation for ourselves.”
“Yes, let’s disperse.”
Unconsciously, without Yu Jin’s presence, their discussions seemed to lose momentum.
Back in his room, Minister Zhao tossed and turned on the not-so-comfortable bed, unable to sleep. He looked out the window.
The window was open, revealing the pitch-black outside.
Jinli Town had experienced an earthquake, which meant that Prince Yan’s divine dream warning would soon spread across the land…
Minister Zhao’s expression was complex, lost in thought, as he slowly drifted off to sleep.
The next day, before dawn, everyone hurriedly arose, mobilizing soldiers to rush to Jinli Town for disaster relief.
The Crown Prince’s first reaction was to refuse.
Disaster relief was both tiring and dangerous; he had no desire to join the commotion.
It was his attendant who persuaded him: “Your Highness, right after the earthquake is the perfect time to make the people appreciate your benevolence. If you don’t go, won’t Prince Yan take all the credit?”
The Crown Prince hesitated.
The attendant’s words made sense. He had come on this trip hoping to gain some favorable reputation, but he felt that a good name wasn’t worth risking his life for.
If there was no danger—
The attendant, seemingly anticipating the Crown Prince’s concerns, whispered, “Your Highness, doesn’t Prince Yan have that dog that can sense danger? With that dog around, we can detect any danger in advance and leave if necessary.”
The Crown Prince was immediately convinced and said with displeasure, “What do you mean ‘that dog’? It’s Erniu, a proper fifth-rank official. He’s not inferior to you a lot.”
The attendant’s mouth twitched silently.
His Highness hasn’t even gotten his hands on Erniu yet, but he’s already defending him.
Having accompanied the Crown Prince for over twenty years, the attendant naturally knew that the Crown Prince had set his heart on Erniu.
The Crown Prince ignored the attendant and walked over to Yu Jin. “Seventh Brother, will Erniu be going with us today?”
Yu Jin’s gaze briefly fell on the Crown Prince’s face as he nodded slightly. “He will.”
The Crown Prince smiled. “Then I’ll go too.”
Yu Jin: “…”
The Crown Prince’s use of “too” was quite clever.
Including the Crown Prince, a large group set out grandly to meet with the Jinli Town refugees before heading to Jinli Town together.
It was only a half-hour journey from here to Jinli Town, and with their urgency, they arrived even quicker.
Upon arrival, everyone fell silent.
In the early morning light, everything appeared far clearer and more shocking than at night.
The once bustling and prosperous small town had become a pile of ruins. As far as the eye could see, hardly any buildings remained standing. A faint, strange odor mixing earth and blood hung in the air.
Led by the village head, the people of Jinli Town fell to their knees, prostrating themselves and weeping bitterly.
They were completely unable to control their grief.
Over a hundred people had chosen to return to the town, all with some family connections. Even if they hadn’t lost relatives in the earthquake, the destruction of their homes was enough to bring grown men to tears.
This was the place where generations had lived, now turned into a hell on earth.
Following their assigned teams, people began to enter the town to search for survivors.
The soldiers, experienced in rescuing Qianhe County, searched methodically. Compared to the soldiers’ composure, the Jinli Town residents were much more fragile, often breaking down in tears upon seeing broken bodies in the rubble.
The Crown Prince waited boredly at the edge of town and said to Yu Jin, “Seventh Brother, I’m going to check on where these people are temporarily staying.”
“Go ahead, Second Brother.”
The Crown Prince glanced at Erniu. “Could I possibly—”
Before he could finish, Erniu shot him a glare, shook his fur, and ran towards a pile of rubble.