Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 178 - 176: Mountains Collapse and the Earth Cracks

Chapter 178: Chapter 176: Mountains Collapse and the Earth Cracks

The soldiers, clutching their long blades, stood steadfast in the face of rain and snow, blocking the indignant townsfolk from leaving their posts.

"If anyone takes one more step, they will be executed on the spot!" commanded the generals stationed at every refuge!

Damn, standing in the cold rain and snow all night, their teeth chattering from the cold, isn’t it a tough job for them?

If it weren’t for the military command, who would care about these people?

Seeing the soldiers brandishing their real blades, the frightened townsfolk quieted down.

But in this condition, under this weather, every extra second spent here was pure torment.

During the witching hours, the people couldn’t bear it any longer, everyone had their complaints, children were crying non-stop, and everyone became increasingly agitated. The scene turned chaotic.

In a separate straw shed, sat Shangguan Xuanyi and a few others.

"Girl, it’s almost the witching hour, is there really going to be an earthquake?" Di Shaowei started to doubt, half of the witching hour had already passed!

"If there’s no earthquake, these people are going to riot!" Shangguan Xuanhao looked at the restless crowd, not knowing whether hoping for an earthquake to occur was a good or bad thing.

"Isn’t it better if there isn’t one?" no sooner had Xiao’er finished her sentence.

The ground started to shake.

Straw from the shed started to fall.

Shangguan Xuanyi immediately pulled Xiao’er towards the outside.

The others ran out of the shed too.

The people, who had been restlessly unsteady, suddenly fell silent, looking at each other.

"Did the ground just shake?"

No need for an answer, as the ground quickly started to shake violently again. Some people almost lost their balance, and some elderly people even fell to the ground.

"Quickly get away from the straw shed!" The soldiers put away their spears and no longer stopped the people.

The people in the straw shed heard and swarmed out like bees. With a bang, the shed collapsed.

The shed was built with wood, bamboo, and straw. If it fell on someone, it wouldn’t kill them, but it would surely hurt.

"My God, there’s really an earthquake!"

"Ah, don’t push!"

"Quack, quack..."

"My child, don’t step on, don’t..."

"Dad! Dad!... don’t step on my Dad..."

...

"Stay calm, everyone. Don’t push or trample others. We are far from the epicentre, it will be fine!" The general tried to reassure the crowd.

The soldiers also rushed forward to rescue people.

"Girl, stay put and don’t wander around!"

"Protect the Lord of Rui’an County!" Shangguan Xuanyi commanded the soldiers around him.

Then, Shangguan Xuanyi, Shangguan Xuanhao, and Di Shaowei used their Qinggong skills to fly forward and save the fallen elderly and children.

The chaos was only temporary and quickly subsided.

The earthquake only lasted for a little over a minute, and the ground quickly came to a standstill.

What was left were only aftershocks.

The imperial doctors present began to treat the injured townsfolk, mostly those who had been trampled upon.

The group returned to Xiao’er, and Di Shaowei asked, "Girl, you’re a miracle! It’s over now, ain’t it?"

"It’s over now. There might be aftershocks, but they won’t be as destructive."

"The tremors here are already so strong I can’t imagine what it’s like at the epicentre."

"Why don’t we go take a look tomorrow? Now we need to start considering post-disaster reconstruction and rescue operations. There’s much more to do!" Post-disaster reconstruction is a big deal.

"With such a big earthquake, many people’s houses must have collapsed. In this severe winter, they are homeless. How can we not help? Let’s do good deeds till the end!" Di Shaowei agreed with a nod.

Throughout history, the sudden occurrence of earthquakes often led to unfavourable rumours against the Imperial Court and the Emperor.

However, this time the Imperial Court saved millions of lives, turned diffulty into safety, and also helped with post-disaster reconstruction. They distributed silver and supplies, and even provided manpower. This gained the absolute support of the people of Minze Country for the Emperor and the Imperial Court. Of course, this is to be discussed later.

"However, a single piece of bamboo is easily bent and broken, but a bunch of them are tough to break! When a disaster strikes one place, aid comes from all directions! Brother Di, it’s up to you to get the rich men of the Imperial Capital to give out silver and supplies!"

"It’s up to you!" Shangguan Xuanyi clapped Di Shaowei on the shoulder.

"You’ve worked hard!" Shangguan Xuanhao patted his arm.

"Why is it all on me? What are you guys doing?" Dissatisfied, Di Shaowei stretched his hands out. It was demeaning to ask others for silver!

This went against his style, as he has always been arrogant!

"I need to command the soldiers to rescue the people and rebuild their homes."

"In this harsh winter, after being drenched in the cold rain for so long, the people will surely catch a cold! Moreover, I and the imperial doctors have to treat the injured!"

"I also know how to treat illnesses, but since Brother Di has been so good to me, I’ll help you first. My family will donate ten thousand bushels of grain, twenty thousand doses of cold preventing medicinal materials, ten thousand doses of wound medicine, and twenty thousand cotton quilts. Brother Di, you just have to mention this to the families in the Imperial Capital!"

"Girl! You’re incredible! Brother Di will definitely treat you even better in the future, better than ever!" Di Shaowei wanted to hug Xiao’er and spin her around, but under someone’s icy stare, he retracted his hand.

Di Shaowei thought of those families he dislikes who oppressed the common people and embezzled silver from the Imperial Court. He didn’t have the chance to deal with them legally, but this time, he was determined to make them cough up a large sum!

These newly promoted lords could donate so many supplies, how could these old elites not donate more than Marquis Shengping?

If they dare to donate less, he will grin as their faces turn green, until they lose their appetites!

The next day, as dawn broke, the Imperial Court set up porridge sheds. Each person received a bowl of porridge and two steamed buns, and after eating they were sent home.

By this time, the rain had already stopped, but occasional aftershocks could still be felt.

Many people who were shocked by last night’s experience dared not leave, waiting for the ground to completely stop shaking before they would go home.

The soldiers and generals couldn’t help but roll their eyes: Last night, they tried to stop the people but they insisted on leaving! Now, they can’t get rid of them!

"The earthquake is over now. If you’re worried about strong aftershocks, just find an open place to hide. It’s better to go check if your house is still standing. If it has collapsed, you should hurry and rebuild it."

After saying this, the soldiers also left.

As soon as day broke, Shangguan Xuanyi arranged for a dozen generals to follow Shen Chengyao to transport grain and medicinal materials.

While they themselves went to the epicentre, and were stunned by the scene.

Villages were in ruins with fragments of walls scattered about, wood and tiles spread everywhere, no house was left intact.

What was even more shocking was a mountain that looked as if it had been torn apart, and there was also a crack in the ground about a meter wide.

Looking down, you could see the deep blue sea crashing and surging against the crack, and it was estimated that soon this crack would be enlarged by the sea water.

So, there was actually a sea behind the mountain, Xiao’er thought.

This place could probably become a port city in the future.

The villagers who returned were frightened by the enormity of it all. Upon seeing Xiao’er and her group, each one of them knelt down, bowing their heads in thanks.

Then they turned towards the direction of the Imperial Capital and knelt in kowtow, shouting "Long live the Emperor, forever and ever!"

The loud voices echoed in the valley with an endless echo...