Chapter 92: Supplies Robbed

And at this time, Liu Ju's court was carrying out disaster relief and rescue work in full swing.

Under the cover of night, Grand Han's Vice Minister of Rites, Tian Huan, stood in a secluded manor, surrounded by his trusted aides.

In the manor's hall, Tian Huan wore a black robe, his eyes gleaming with menace; he tightly gripped his folding fan and slammed it onto the table, producing a "bang bang" sound.

"Esteemed colleagues, the current emperor is tyrannical; if we do not exterminate our meritorious clans, we will ultimately provoke the wrath of heaven. Now the Yellow River has burst its banks again—this is the bitter fruit sown by Liu Ju."

Tian Heng angrily kept slamming the table, his whole body trembling with agitation.

Liu Ju first killed his clansman Tian Sheng, then a few days later killed his elder clansman Tian Zhi, causing the entire Tian clan and its affiliated families to live in constant fear, unable to find peace all day.

Now that the Yellow River has finally burst its banks, just as it did twenty years ago, his reason for blocking the court's disaster relief efforts is not merely Liu Ju's punishment of the Tian clan, but also his personal gain.

He, like Tian Fu of years past, acted solely out of consideration for clan interests.

Now everyone gathered here are all vested interest holders.

"At once someone echoed: 'Lord Tian speaks true—Liu Ju has slaughtered our clan and seeks to divert the Yellow River's flood to our fiefdoms; this is intolerable!'"

"Exactly, we cannot sit and await death!"

Tian Huan nodded and said in a deep voice:

"Listen up, my lord: this time we act by heavenly mandate to retake the court's disaster relief supplies—this is both redress for our clan and a great opportunity for us to rise in the world. But this is extremely secret; if there is the slightest slip, none of you will have a good ending!"

Tian Huan's vicious gaze swept over each person's face.

"My lord, rest assured—we'll get the job done. Aren't you confident?"

A man with a fleshy, brutal face smiled obsequiously and slapped his chest, promising:

This man was Wang Hu, a core member of Tian Huan's faction, whose fiefdom lay on the north bank of the Yellow River; a few days ago he too had been punished by Liu Ju and had now been dismissed.

Tian Huan gave a slight nod, a hint of satisfaction on his face, and said: "Hmph, that's best. For this operation we will split into three groups. Wang Hu, you lead a team to scout the transport route and guard situation, pick the right moment to strike. Remember, be cautious—do not alert the enemy."

"Yes, my lord!"

Wang Hu received the order and quickly led his men out of the hall. Tian

Huan then turned to another short, sly-eyed man and said: "Li Li, you take a team to meet outside the city. Once Wang Hu succeeds, immediately move the supplies to our pre‑arranged hiding place. If you dare cause trouble, I'll make you regret it!"

"My lord, please rest assured—I will certainly see to it."

Li Li bowed and nodded in assent, then hurriedly led his men away.

A few days later, the convoy transporting disaster relief grain and money proceeded slowly along the winding mountain road.

The convoy consisted of dozens of carts loaded with grain and clothing—these were lifesaving supplies for the disaster‑stricken populace.

The Feathered Forest Guard watched the surroundings vigilantly, daring not to relax in the slightest.

However, Wang Hu and his men had lain in ambush early on a narrow stretch of the mountain road.

Here, steep slopes on both sides made it an ideal spot to seize the supplies.

When the convoy entered the ambush zone, Wang Hu gave the order:

"Move!"

Instantly, cries of battle rang out as a group of black‑clad men rushed down from the slopes.

Seeing this, the Feathered Forest Guard drew their swords to meet the attack, but the black‑clad assailants came on strong and outnumbered them, making it increasingly hard for the guard to hold.

After a fierce clash, the Feathered Forest Guard suffered heavy casualties.

Wang Hu laughed triumphantly and shouted: "Haul all these supplies away for me!"

His men swiftly transferred the grain and clothing from the carts onto their prepared vehicles, then sped off toward the outskirts.

As the news of the stolen supplies arrived during morning audience in the Hall of Proclamation, Liu Ju flew into a rage.

"What? You're saying the court's disaster relief grain and clothing have actually been robbed?"

Liu Ju slammed the armrest, rose furiously, his whole body trembling with anger.

The Feathered Forest Guard cautiously said: "Your Majesty, it wasn't a robbery; according to our investigations, rumors say it was ghosts and spirits…"

"Ghosts and spirits? Preposterous!"

Liu Ju glared, cutting off the guard before he finished: "Under the bright heavens, where could ghosts and spirits come from? Clearly someone is behind this deliberately!"

His gaze pierced like a torch as he swept over the officials in the hall, seeking any hint of abnormality in their expressions.

Officials at court whispered among themselves, discussing heatedly.

Some ministers' faces showed panic, clearly frightened by the sudden news;

others furrowed their brows, suspicious, half‑believing the ghost story;

still others whispered, guessing at the truth behind it.

Chancellor Tian Qianqiu frowned, stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger; this matter is too suspicious. If it truly were the work of ghosts and spirits, it would mean our Great Han has lost virtue and provoked heaven. But I also suspect there may be hidden motives—we must investigate thoroughly."

His words seemed calm, yet they betrayed a certain wariness of the ghost‑and‑spirit explanation.

Wei Qing, stern‑faced, declared loudly: "Your Majesty, I believe this is definitely someone deliberately spreading ghost rumors to confuse the masses. I wish to lead an elite force to investigate thoroughly, bring the hidden culprits to justice, and give the people an answer."

At that moment, Zhang Qian, who had been standing aside, spoke calmly: "Your Majesty, though the ghost‑and‑spirit tale is absurd, the disaster‑stricken populace is already panicked; if we do not swiftly calm this, great disorder may arise. In my view, the urgent task is first to pacify the people, then to fully investigate the truth."

His tone was unhurried, yet every word hit the mark.

As the officials debated, the hitherto silent Tian Huan rose to speak.

He put on a look of anguish and said: "Your Majesty, in my view this may truly be a sign of heaven‑human resonance. Your insistence on personally visiting the disaster zone and vigorously promoting new measures may have disturbed the heavenly and earthly spirits, thus bringing down this calamity as a warning to our Great Han. The loss of the disaster relief supplies is thus the wrath of the spirits."

While he spoke, he furtively observed Liu Ju's facial expression.

Upon hearing Tian Huan's words, Liu Ju grew even angrier.

He fixed Tian Huan with a cold stare and said: "Tian Huan, as a senior minister of the court, you do not think about how to relieve the disaster, yet here you spout these nonsense talks! The people suffer, you do not care for their life or death, but instead use ghost stories to placate me—what is your motive?"

Tian Huan's heart tightened, but he forced composure and said: "Your Majesty, please understand—I harbor no such intention. I merely worry that if we do not follow heaven's will, further calamities may befall us."

No sooner had his words fallen than the court erupted in murmurs of agreement, most of those echoing him being his partisans.

Liu Ju looked at those ministers who echoed Tian Huan, drew a deep breath, struggled to calm himself, and said: "Enough! I do not believe in ghosts and spirits, nor will I be swayed by these rumors."

Wei Qing, upon hearing the order, immediately commenced an investigation into the missing disaster relief supplies; no matter who is involved, we must get to the bottom of it! If anyone truly dares to invoke the name of ghosts and gods to commit unjust acts, I will certainly not show leniency!

Immediately he again issued an edict, saying: "Sang Hongyang, immediately contact the grain and cloth merchants of the surrounding commanderies and counties of Chang'an, purchase supplies from the populace at high prices, cooperate with the court in disaster relief and rescue, there must be no mistake."

Wei Qing and Sang Hongyang loudly responded: "Your servant obeys the edict!"

Tian Huan then said nothing more, but his eyes flickered as he looked at Liu Ju and his allies who surrounded him.

Liu Ju, seated on the dragon throne, coldly smiled as he looked at Tian Huan and the others.

After a long while he then spoke aloud:

"The Yellow River has breached its banks; the people of the sixteen commanderies are displaced and homeless. I have decided to personally go to the disaster area and, together with all of you, my beloved officials, oversee the relief efforts."