Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 307 - 221: Another Use for the Map of Displaced People (10,000-character update seeking monthly pass) _2

Chapter 307: Chapter 221: Another Use for the Map of Displaced People (10,000-character update seeking monthly pass) _2

The mist before his eyes dispersed, and Wang Wenchuan, played by Chu Ge, appeared at Shangdu’s Anshang Gate.

At this time, Zhang Renxia’s official position was the gatekeeper of Anshang Gate.

During the process of reforms, Zhang Renxia had written to Wang Wenchuan several times, hoping that he would abolish the new laws. Of course, Wang Wenchuan paid no heed.

Because of this, Zhang Renxia’s career was not smooth, and he ended up as just a gatekeeper.

But it was because of the position of gatekeeper that he was able to see the large number of refugees coming from Da Ming Prefecture and draw the refugee map, which he then submitted to the emperor.

When Chu Ge arrived at Anshang Gate, Zhang Renxia was in the midst of splashing ink and continuing the creation of the "Refugee Map."

Seeing Wang Wenchuan’s sudden arrival, he couldn’t help but startle, his brush trembling in hand, "Lord Jing... you, why would you come here..."

Wang Wenchuan’s sudden arrival startled Zhang Renxia.

Since Zhang Renxia opposed the new laws, the two had gradually grown apart and had not been in contact for a long time. Moreover, as a senior official, Wang Wenchuan was usually busy with official duties and had no reason to visit a mere gatekeeper at the city gate.

Chu Ge glanced at the unfinished "Refugee Map," his face revealing a significant smile, "Good painting."

Zhang Renxia’s expression was somewhat uncomfortable, he did not understand what Wang Wenchuan meant by this.

The refugee map was already completed, and its impact was self-evident.

As clever as Wang Wenchuan was, he could not have been unaware.

Zhang Renxia had thought that Wang Wenchuan would be angry, but to his surprise, Wang Wenchuan was unexpectedly calm at this moment.

Chu Ge looked at Zhang Renxia, this historical figure who once played a key role for players, but now, he stood on the opposite side of the players.

"Come with me."

Chu Ge led Zhang Renxia up to the gatehouse of Anshang Gate, gazing into the distance.

The view here was excellent; one could clearly see the refugees gathering below the city.

Zhang Renxia must have often come here for inspiration.

Chu Ge sighed softly and said, "Brother Jie, do you really think that the rise of refugees is all because of the new laws?"

Zhang Renxia took a deep breath, "Lord Jing, the new laws cannot continue, this is the consensus of the public-spirited officials in the court..."

He poured out all the emotions that had been building up inside him.

Zhang Renxia sincerely believed that the new laws were disastrous and harmful to the country, and he had written to Wang Wenchuan many times before, but never received a response. Now that they were face to face, he was naturally able to muster the courage to confront Wang Wenchuan and the faults of the new laws.

For Zhang Renxia, his courage and determination were top-notch in history; in any other dynasty, he would have been an official daring enough to offer frank criticism to the monarch.

Chu Ge patiently waited for him to finish, then counter-asked, "Do you know where these refugees are from?"

Zhang Renxia was stunned for a moment, "These refugees, they come from the north."

Chu Ge nodded, "Do you also know that Wen Jun is in charge of Da Ming Prefecture? And that Da Ming Prefecture and the surrounding counties have been granted permission not to implement the new laws?

"Not only that, but I had already instructed Da Ming Prefecture and the surrounding prefectures and counties to buy a large amount of grain and replenish the Changping Warehouse one year ago, in preparation for unforeseen needs.

"At this time, Da Ming Prefecture should have enough grain to settle these refugees. But they have driven all these refugees to the capital.

"Brother Jie, what do you think is the reason for this?"

After speaking, Chu Ge looked at Zhang Renxia.

At this time, his expression, augmented by his acting, conveyed a mix of emotions—

The troubles of worrying about the country and its people, the grievance of being wronged, and the melancholy of being misunderstood...

Zhang Renxia was stunned, "Lord Jing, this..."

He was bewildered.

Obviously, Wang Wenchuan’s words were completely unexpected to him.

As a gatekeeper, seeing a large number of refugees coming from the north and knowing that there was a severe drought at the time, everyone said it was due to the new laws, which had angered both heaven and the people, and hence, the heavens sent punishment as a warning.

Therefore, with trepidation and anxiety, Zhang Renxia decided to create this refugee map to advise the emperor to abolish the new laws.

But Wang Wenchuan’s words took the nature of the matter and turned it a full one hundred and eighty degrees.

Was the great drought of Da Ming Prefecture because of the new laws?

If Da Ming Prefecture implemented the new laws, then it would make sense to blame the new laws. But the problem was, Da Ming Prefecture and the surrounding disaster-stricken counties never implemented the new laws!

Other prefectures and counties that did implement the new laws didn’t suffer droughts, but those that didn’t were the ones experiencing drought...

If one were to blame the new laws, it seemed that it wouldn’t hold up.

If one must speak of cosmic sympathy, isn’t it because Da Ming Prefecture didn’t implement the new laws, didn’t properly distribute green seed loans to relieve the farmers during the seedling season, which led to the current desperate plight of the people?

What’s more outrageous was that as early as one year ago, Wang Wenchuan had already requested Da Ming Prefecture and other prefectures and counties to stockpile grain in the Changping Warehouse in response to the disaster. But why, despite having sufficient grain, did these refugees still flock to the capital?

Zhang Renxia soon had a terrible suspicion.

The old party wanted to use these refugees to launch a vicious attack on Wang Wenchuan; they wanted to use these refugees as a tool for their political struggle!

For the sake of party conflict and the abolition of the new laws, they did not hesitate to gamble with the lives of the refugees.

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