Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 308 - 221: Another Use for the Map of Displaced People (10,000-character update seeking monthly pass) _3

Chapter 308: Chapter 221: Another Use for the Map of Displaced People (10,000-character update seeking monthly pass) _3

What kind of responsible and people-centered scholar would do such a thing?

Yet he himself had almost recklessly drawn a map of the refugees and became a tool in these people’s hands.

Zhang Renxia was utterly stunned, his heart undergoing a fierce battle between good and evil, falling into a dilemma.

He still believed that the new laws were harmful to the country and the people; after the implementation of the Green Seed Law, it would certainly lead to the displacement of farmers and arouse both the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people.

If these refugees all came from areas where the new law had been implemented, it would have matched perfectly.

But now, the places where the new law had been implemented were not experiencing severe droughts, while the Old Party’s Da Ming Prefecture was suffering from a severe drought...

Zhang Renxia could not make sense of this, he simply couldn’t wrap his head around it.

Chuge couldn’t help but shake his head slightly.

Feudal superstition kills people!

The so-called heavenly response might have been a sharp tool in an ignorant age. But behind all this, it’s actually natural laws; forcibly interpreting them with human values will inevitably lead to inconsistencies.

And if one could utilize the details well, it could make the opponent contradict themselves.

Chuge adopted a very sincere tone and delivered the final blow to Zhang Renxia.

"Sir, I know you have seen many drawbacks of the new law in the localities and even wanted to attribute the great drought in Da Ming Prefecture to the new law.

"But you also see that other places are safe and sound while Da Ming Prefecture, which has not implemented the new law, suffers from famine and people cannot sustain themselves. Is this a matter of the new law versus the old law? With corrupt officials, both new and old laws harm the people.

"Since it’s called the new law, it naturally has not been implemented before; officials may not fully understand the new law, and some mishaps may occur during the implementation. But if we give the new law some more time, it may yet prove to be perfect.

"What do you think?"

Zhang Renxia’s expression changed continuously, and evidently, his heart was swayed.

If Wang Wenchuan had said these words to him before, he definitely wouldn’t have believed them. But now, the reality of the heavenly response was right before his eyes, forcing him to admit that Wang Wenchuan made some valid points.

"Yes... Sir Chuge, you make sense. I was rash before; I am willing to wait a while longer and observe the effects of the new law a bit more."

Chuge smiled faintly, "That’s right."

He knew that with Zhang Renxia’s character, it was impossible to completely change his mind with just a few words.

But as long as Zhang Renxia hesitated and was willing to wait and observe for another two or three years, his plan would naturally succeed.

Because the Old Party only had this one chance.

"This map, if you no longer need it, please give it to me," Chuge pointed to the map of the refugees on the side.

Zhang Renxia paused, "Sir Chuge, what do you need this map for?"

Chuge sighed and adopted a worried and compassionate demeanor, "Although the refugees did not arise because of the new law, the sight is still quite moving.

"As a prime minister, I naturally think of the common people of the world.

"I want to hang this map in my study, to observe it day and night, to never forget the people of the world, the homeland, and my mission as a prime minister.

"I want to continuously remind myself to reflect on the drawbacks of the new law and strive to do better in the future."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Renxia was very moved.

"Sir Chuge having such thoughts is truly a blessing for all the people! This map is useless to me now, so as you say, I will gift it to you, Sir Chuge, hoping you will not forget what you have said today, always keeping the common people in mind!"

Zhang Renxia gathered the carefully crafted map of the refugees and handed it over to Chuge.

Chuge accepted it solemnly, nodding repeatedly.

Both were very satisfied.

However, Zhang Renxia did not know that at this time, Wang Wenchuan was no longer the stubborn official from history, but an actor capable of deceit and disguise.

"Sir, thank you," Chuge bowed to Zhang Renxia, turned, and left.

This map was a powerful weapon.

It had once been used against the new law, but now, the hilt was firmly in Chuge’s hands.

...

At court.

The officials invariably began to discuss the severe drought.

Wen Jun and the other Old Party ministers were mostly stationed around Da Ming Prefecture, so their memorials flew in like snowflakes, impeaching the new law for misleading the country and harming the people, causing heaven’s wrath and the suffering of the people, leading to this drought.

Some even asserted confidently that as soon as Wang Wenchuan was dismissed, it would immediately start to rain.

The emperor also looked deeply worried.

He hadn’t dismissed Wang Wenchuan just because of a map of refugees. In fact, his doubts about the new law were the result of a series of prior incidents, including landslides and the ministers’ attacks on the new law.

And now, he was obviously wavering.

"Prime Minister Wang, I’ve heard that the new law has led to widespread suffering among the people. Is this true?"

Chuge shook his head, "Your Majesty, that is absolutely not the case."

The emperor’s brow furrowed slightly, clearly not very satisfied with Wang Wenchuan’s response.

And none of the other ministers uttered a word, seemingly tacitly supporting Wang Wenchuan, which displeased him even further.

The drought was definitely real.

But Wang Wenchuan flatly denied it?

Was he trying to deceive the emperor?

Noticing the subtle change in the emperor’s expression, Chuge could not help but smile slightly.

His strategy of releasing something only to hold it back certainly had its effects.

Sure enough, the emperor’s voice carried some displeasure, "Da Ming Prefecture has suffered from months of drought, the land is barren as far as the eye can see. Wen Jun has clearly written in his memorial that the new law has caused heaven’s wrath and the resentment of the people, leading to rising numbers of refugees... Prime Minister Wang, are you truly unaware of this?"

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