Chapter 95: Is the Former Emperor Still Alive?

At this time, the turbid floodwaters in the disaster area had receded somewhat.

But what remained were houses soaked to ruin, collapsed beams and pillars scattered haphazardly, mud up to the ankles, emitting a foul, putrid stench.

The disaster victims looked gaunt, their eyes full of helplessness and confusion; the elderly supported each other, while children clung tightly to the adults, tears of fear glimmering in their eyes.

Liu Ju looked out through the carriage window, his brows furrowed, his eyes full of concern.

He ignored the fatigue of the journey and the mud splashed on his robe, heading straight for the most crowded area.

He approached an old man with white hair and tattered clothes, slightly bent down, and clasped the old man's hands—rough with age and trembling—speaking gently yet firmly:

"Elder, you have suffered! The court arrived late, bringing this calamity upon you. But rest assured, I will spare no effort to help everyone overcome this hardship and rebuild our homes."

The old man lifted his head, his cloudy eyes brimming with tears, lips trembling; overcome with emotion he could not speak, merely gripping Liu Ju's hand tightly, as if holding onto the last hope.

Next, Liu Ju came before a group of ragged children, squatted down, put on a kind smile, and softly asked: "Children, are you hungry? Are you afraid?"

At first the children were a little shy and dared not speak.

Liu Ju took a piece of dry rations from an attendant's hand and gave it to a little boy, saying gently: "Eat up; you need to be full to have strength."

The boy looked at Liu Ju, then at the dry rations in his hand, hesitated a moment, took it, and whispered: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Seeing this, the other children lost their fear and gathered around.

Liu Ju patted their heads and encouraged: "Stay strong; once the floodwaters recede, everything will improve, and then you can happily play and study again."

Liu Ju summoned the local officials and military commanders at the temporary disaster-relief command post.

His expression grave, he scanned everyone present and said firmly: "Now the people suffer; our responsibility is great. Everyone must put the people's safety and welfare first, without letting up for a moment."

"The distribution of supplies must be fair and just, ensuring every disaster victim receives timely aid. The construction of relief sites must be sped up, so the people are not forced to endure another day in this harsh environment."

While speaking, he pointed with his hand at the various disaster zones on the map, asking in detail about the local situation and relief progress.

When he heard that material transport was difficult in some areas, he immediately ordered:

"By any means, we must find ways to open the roads and mobilize all available strength. Even if we have to carry the supplies on our shoulders and backs, we must get them into the people's hands."

The crowd responded with a resounding assent.

At this moment Li Gan stepped forward and whispered to Liu Ju: "Your Majesty, someone in the disaster area is spreading rumors…"

Liu Ju frowned and said: "Go on."

Li Gan looked carefully at Liu Ju, fearing to offend the imperial dignity, and said: "The rumor says that mountains collapse and rivers run dry, that Venus moves retrograde—an omen of the ruler's lost virtue. Your Majesty, by defying heavenly decree to control the waters, you have provoked the River God…"

Liu Ju waved his hand and said: "Nonsense."

Then he turned to Sima Qian and said: "Zichang, immediately have Great Han Media respond to this public opinion uproar, and also follow up reporting on the rescue and relief efforts, without any omission or bias."

Sima Qian accepted the order and departed; Liu Ju then asked Zhang Tang: "What are the investigation results?"

"Bring them up!"

Only three Feather Forest Guards arrived, escorting the trussed-up Wang Hu.

At this moment Wang Hu no longer bore his former arrogant vigor.

His face was as pale as white paper, his eyes bloodshot, his terrified gaze darting about, his body trembling uncontrollably, his legs as if boneless, able only to stagger forward under the guards' dragging.

He never imagined that, merely for being a step late in burning the supplies, he would be caught red‑handed by the Feather Forest Guards who appeared like ghosts.

Zhang Tang's voice brimmed with anger and anguish as he said solemnly: "Your Majesty, Tian Huan and his ilk are truly heinous! They not only seized the relief supplies, but now they have wantonly burned those very provisions meant to save the people's lives."

"The disaster victims already live in fire and water; these supplies are their hope of survival, yet Tian Huan and company mercilessly set them ablaze—such conduct is unforgivable!"

Liu Ju's face instantly turned livid as he glared at Wang Hu and shouted: "Wang Hu! As a subject of the Great Han, you aid the wicked and commit deeds that hurt heaven and reason!"

Wang Hu fell to his knees with a thud, kowtowing desperately, tears and snot streaming, his voice trembling as he begged: "Your Majesty, spare my life! Your Majesty, spare my life!"

"I too was forced by that scoundrel Tian Huan; he threatened to kill my family if I refused. In a moment of confusion I committed this crime—please, Your Majesty, show mercy!"

Liu Ju snorted coldly, unmoved: "Being coerced? Does fear excuse your wickedness? For every supply you burn, a person may lose their chance to survive. Your actions are unforgivable."

Zhang Tang added on the side: "Your Majesty, our investigation shows that Tian Huan and his gang have long plotted this. They first colluded with various factions to plan the seizure of supplies, and now they burn the remainder, hoping to plunge the disaster area into greater chaos to achieve their hidden aims."

Liu Ju said coldly: "Tian Huan! This scourge of the state and bane of the people—I will certainly net him and his followers, making them pay a heavy price for their deeds!"

He turned to Li Gan beside him and said: "Increase the manhunt—no matter where Tian Huan hides, we must find him. Moreover, investigate his associates thoroughly; let none escape."

Then Liu Ju looked at Wang Hu, a hint of sternness in his eyes: "Wang Hu, if you wish to lessen your guilt, tell us everything you know about Tian Huan's plans, his hideout, and all his accomplices. Otherwise, you will face the harshest punishment."

Wang Hu nodded repeatedly, daring to conceal nothing, and related all he knew truthfully.

Then he hesitated and asked: "Your Majesty, is the Former Emperor still alive?"

"Huh?"

Liu Ju's body stiffened, his face as still as water, and he stared at Wang Hu, asking: "Who told you that?"

Wang Hu trembled as he said: "It was Tian Huan; he's known this for a long time."

Zhang Tang hastily replied: "Your Majesty, what are we to do? Tian Huan may try to exploit the Grand Emperor Emeritus affair to stir up public opinion."

Liu Ju's feelings surged; he hadn't expected Tian Huan's information to be so thorough, but upon reflection it made sense—his father and Li Guang had caused such a stir in the Western Regions that likely half of Chang'an's populace knew about it.

Many simply dared not speak openly out of deference to their reputation.

Others didn't really care, but the trouble is that we fear Tian Huan will meddle amid this crisis.