Chapter 247: Wang Ru Pacifies the People

The thunderous blood rain inside Xuanzheng Hall was blocked by the thick palace walls.

But that aura of solemnity and decisiveness, like an invisible ripple, spread swiftly to every corner of Bianliangcheng with the Emperor's decree.

Seven bloody heads hung high outside Chengtian Gate, silently proclaiming the new emperor's will to share fate with the capital.

Panic, like a plague, does not instantly dissipate just because a few heads have fallen.

Especially after the terrifying night of the Blood Moon riot, many people still huddled in their ruined homes, listening to the occasional sounds of troop movements on the streets, feeling uneasy.

Collapsed houses need clearing, families who lost loved ones need consolation, streets burned by fire need reconstruction, and more importantly, the scattered hearts of the people need to be united.

Yet none of this has paused for a moment due to the turmoil in the court.

Outside the palace, another war without smoke has already begun.

——

"Quick! Over here! Water Dragon Team, keep up!"

"Carry the wounded to that open space! Doctor! Where is the doctor?!"

"Register and record! Check every damaged building and casualty one by one, no mistakes allowed!"

West of Bianliangcheng, Yongtong Ward suffered the worst damage.

The streets that were once somewhat orderly are now a scene of devastation.

Charred beams and pillars lean askew toward the sky; amidst broken walls and ruins lie scorched household items and belongings left behind in haste.

The air is filled with choking smoke and dust and a faint smell of burnt.

Yet amidst this wreckage, figures move about in a tense but orderly manner.

Officials in robes, ward chiefs with red cloth bound around their arms, and many able-bodied civilians who came voluntarily to help, formed rescue teams.

And at the center of the crowd, directing with composure, was the newly appointed Imperial Censor-in-Chief who also holds the post of Vice Minister of Personnel, Wang Ru.

She wore no elaborate official robes today, only a simple dark-colored ruqun, topped with a slightly worn fur vest, her hair simply coiled, a few loose strands stuck to her forehead and cheeks by sweat and dust, making her look somewhat disheveled.

Yet her waist and back were straight, her eyes bright and resolute, her clear, crisp voice cutting through the chaos like a fixed star.

"Vice Minister Wang, two elderly people are trapped in a half-collapsed house over here!"

A minor clerk came running to report.

"Where are they? Take me there!"

Wang Ru hesitated not, lifting her slightly heavy skirt, stepping deep then shallow over the rubble, she followed the clerk quickly toward that dangerous wreckage.

"Careful, Vice Minister!"

Someone nearby exclaimed in alarm.

Wang Ru, however, seemed not to hear, crouched down and peered inside through the gaps.

"Elder, can you hear me? Don't be afraid, we'll get you out right away!"

She soothed them with a gentle voice while quickly assessing the structure.

"People! Don't use brute force here! Find a few timbers to brace this side! Carefully clear away the broken bricks above!"

Under her direction, soldiers and laborers carried out the rescue cautiously.

Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, her fingers scraped raw by the rough bricks, yet she felt none of it.

When the two frightened elders were successfully rescued, the surrounding crowd let out a low cheer.

Wang Ru personally helped the elders to the temporary resettlement point and ordered someone to fetch hot water and thin blankets.

"Wang Qingtian... thank you, thank you, Wang Qingtian..."

The old woman trembled as she grasped Wang Ru's hand, her cloudy eyes full of tears.

Wang Ru turned her hand and gently gripped the old woman's rough palm, her voice soft yet firm:

"Elder, don't be afraid."

"His Majesty watches us from the palace; the Imperial Court will never abandon any of its subjects."

"If your homes are gone, the Court will help you rebuild; if your families are gone, the Court will provide relief and support."

"This Bianliangcheng is home to all of us; as long as our hearts stay together, home remains!"

Her words spread quickly through the surrounding crowd.

Watching this female official who usually stands high above, now disregarding dirt and danger as she personally rushes through the wreckage, the fear and numbness in many people's eyes gradually give way to a complex feeling.

Within it lie gratitude, trust, and a spark of newly kindled hope.

——

"Has the list been verified?"

Under the temporary guard post set up at the entrance of Yongtong Ward, Wang Ru sipped clear water while asking the officials beside her.

"Replying to Vice Minister, Yongtong Ward has a total of seventy-three destroyed houses, forty-nine confirmed deaths, over a hundred injured, all of which have been registered."

"The relief silver and grain have already been approved by Minister Zhang; they can be transferred from the Imperial Granary this afternoon."

The official replied respectfully.

Wang Ru nodded, her gaze sweeping over the dense names on the register, a flicker of pain crossing her eyes.

These were living people; overnight, they were forever separated from the living.

"We must act quickly; the weather is still cold, we cannot let the disaster-stricken people suffer from cold and hunger."

"Also, notify the Kaifeng Prefecture to conscript all idle artisans in the city, prioritizing repair of lightly damaged homes so the people have shelter from wind and rain."

"If anyone takes advantage to raise building material prices or hoard for profit, once discovered, they will be severely punished without mercy!"

She issued her orders one by one, clear and specific.

The officials departed one after another to carry out their commands.

"Vice Minister Wang, you should rest a moment; you haven't closed your eyes since last night."

A maid who has followed Wang Ru for a long time handed her a clean cloth with sympathy.

Wang Ru took it, casually wiped the dust and sweat from her face, and shook her head.

"Now is not the time to rest."

She raised her eyes to the still somewhat chaotic street, her gaze deep.

"What the Iron Crow Army seeks to destroy with fire and slaughter is not just houses and lives, but also people's hearts, and order."

"We'll just let them see!"

"The hearts of Bianliangcheng's people cannot be burned down! The order of this new dynasty cannot be thrown into chaos!"

Her voice was not loud, yet it carried a decisive, unyielding force.

Just then, an Inspection Bureau secret agent silently approached and whispered a report into Wang Ru's ear.

Wang Ru's brow furrowed slightly, then smoothed, a flash of cold light flickering in her eyes.

"Understood, keep watching, don't startle the snake."

The secret agent received the order and withdrew.

Wang Ru knew that Qian Gui's men had already uncovered some hidden among the populace, trying to keep spreading panic or looking for a chance to cause trouble again—spies of the Iron Crow Army.

For example, Zhao Si, who opened a small tea stall in Eternal Passage Ward and usually appeared honest and straightforward.

During last night's chaos, someone saw him sneaking around near several fire sites.

But now is not the time to close the net.

Stabilizing the people's hearts and restoring order is the overriding task at present.

She took a deep breath, suppressed that icy killing intent, and her face regained its reassuring, gentle expression as she walked toward the next neighborhood needing pacification and cleanup.

Under her organization and impetus, order throughout Bianliangcheng is recovering at a visible pace.

The teams clearing debris are orderly;

Long lines formed before the congee stalls distributing relief, though the fare was plain, no one scrambled for it;

Patrolling soldiers and martial marquises were vigilant, yet they would occasionally lend a hand to the civilians;

Even some bold children began to chase and play in the cleaned-up street corners…

The haze of panic seemed to be dispelled by a tenacious will to survive and mutual support.

A thing called "trust" began to take root and sprout anew in this trauma-scarred city.

This trust is not only for the emperor residing in the Purple Hall, who stabilizes the court with thunderous means,

but also for this female censor who walks among the ruins, sharing the people's hardships and commanding with steady resolve.

Wang Ru stood at the street corner gradually regaining its vitality, looking at everything before her, and on her weary face finally appeared a barely perceptible sense of relief.

She knew that in this struggle to pacify the people, she had held the first line of defense.

But she also knew that the enemies lurking in the dark would not cease just like that.

Greater storms may still lie ahead.