The wives of the concubines are empresses

The royal guards strode onto the stage and stood respectfully aside.

Some ministers couldn't help but glared at Shangguan Wanjun.

"Hurry up and find a solution, otherwise we will all suffer along with the refugees. If you don't mind, I will order you all to go out and die together."

The ministers were shocked when they heard this. After a year of getting along with the emperor, they had more or less understood his temperament. If they made the emperor angry, she might really do this.

Minister of War Hu Moying bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I think we have to wait for General Xuan's return to make the final decision."

After hearing this, the commander of Kyoto said nothing, but just glanced at him.

Concubine Wu - It was an hour later when the propaganda team came back.

"Xuan Aiqing, how is it?"

Concubine Wu - Propaganda Style bowed: "Your Majesty, I feel that the situation is becoming increasingly serious. We must quickly find a solution and properly accommodate the refugees who have arrived."

Shangguan Wanjun pursed her lips in thought. She raised her eyes and scanned the entire room. The ministers immediately lowered their heads when their eyes met hers. Many ministers were afraid that they would become conspicuous and attract the emperor's attention.

"Sun Zhuangyuan, you and General Huaiyuan will lead your men to the west gate; Zhang Tanhua and General Xuan will lead their men to the east gate; Liu Bangyan and General Xuanwei will lead their men to the north gate; Lord Censor Fang and my guard Li will lead their men to the south gate. Bring pen, ink, paper, and inkstone to register the names, ages, original addresses, and family size of the refugees. The generals will be responsible for suppressing the disobedient people and managing the refugees to prevent them from wandering around."

The ministers bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, we obey your command."

"The Minister of Revenue opened the granaries and ordered the cooks to bring their pots, pans, and bowls and go to the four city gates to distribute porridge."

Minister of Revenue Mu Qinghai bowed and said, "I obey your order."

"Those of you whose names have been called should get busy first. This is a race against time and death. Go ahead."

The ministers watched their eight colleagues leave, and the court suddenly became much more spacious.

Shangguan Wanjun looked at Lianhua and said, "Lady Lianhua, take the palace maids to boil mugwort water. Have each palace maid mop the floor thoroughly and wipe all places that can be touched by hands and body with mugwort water. Also, inform each palace maid that she must drink a bowl of mugwort water every morning."

People frequently came and went in the palace, and they were also afraid of the terrible plague.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Thinking of the refugees in the capital, Shangguan Wanjun felt that mugwort should be used for disinfection.

"Xiao Dezi, pass on my oral order for Concubine Hua to lead the palace maids to boil mugwort water outside the palace for each refugee to drink. Remember, you must tell the people that this is an imperial order that cannot be disobeyed."

Su Yude received an oral order to leave. When Concubine Hua - Tang Yihua learned that the empress had given her a task, she hurriedly took her people and Ai Cao out of the palace to handle official business.

Things were being done in an orderly manner by her and everyone was busy doing their job. Suddenly, she thought of a big problem.

"From today onwards, everyone must wear a veil or mask and cover their mouth and nose. Anyone who disobeys this order will be fined for six months."

The ministers were horrified. Why did the emperor suddenly ask people to wear veils and masks? Was the situation so serious?

The Right Prime Minister rolled his eyes and quickly agreed: "I obey your order."

When the other ministers saw this, they quickly followed suit.

"The minister obeys the order."

"The minister obeys the order."

……

Shangguan Wanjun walked down the stairs hesitantly with a worried look on her face.

"Xiao Liuzi, find me four imperial physicians, one for each of the four city gates."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"That...Kyoto's permanent commander, from now on, every disaster victim coming in must register. No, everyone entering the city gate must register." If it's just the registration of disaster victims, who knows if someone will impersonate someone else.

……

Liu Cheng personally took four imperial doctors, Li Liu, Sun Ruan, and five eunuchs out of the palace. They first arrived at the North Gate, the city gate closest to the palace.

He glanced at Doctor Li and ordered, "Doctor Li, please take charge here. Let Xiao Taozi accompany you."

Doctor Li nodded slightly, "Yes, Eunuch Liu."

This man is the Empress's personal steward, holding a prominent position and highly valued by the Empress. He must not be offended.

Seeing the ragged refugees along the way, Liu Cheng felt very uncomfortable.

"Doctor Liu, I leave this to you." He had to go and check the two city gates in person, so the eunuch Xiao Muzi was left behind.

"The imperial court has sent people to provide disaster relief and porridge." Someone shouted, and the crowd began to get restless.

"What? A porridge distribution?"

"Do we have food?"

"Very good……"

Inside the carriage, Liu Cheng listened to the people's words and felt an inexplicable sadness. He lifted the curtain and looked over. The refugees were emaciated, almost unrecognizable, and many were barely clothed. It was a heartbreaking sight.

"Don't rush, line up."

……

Listening to the chaos outside, Liu Cheng frowned slightly. Sure enough, the Emperor had foresight. Now, it seemed like having someone to suppress it was a good thing.

Because the morning court ended late, Shangguan Wanjun did not attend any more classes and had lunch directly.

"Your Majesty, please try this vegetable soup. It tastes quite refreshing." Concubine Yun - Zhao Yunfan whispered softly.

Shangguan Wanjun took it and drank it gently.

“It’s quite fresh.”

After the meal, Shangguan Wanjun only closed her eyes and slept for two quarters of an hour on the soft couch, and then continued to deal with the memorial. When she saw the contents on it, she was so angry that she slammed her hand on the table.

Seeing that the emperor was so angry when he read the memorial for the first time, Liu Cheng hurried to comfort him.

"Your Majesty, please calm down and take care of your body."

Concubine Yun-Zhao Yunfan was also startled, and stood up and walked quickly to her.

"Your Majesty, please take care of yourself."

He was also shocked when he accidentally saw the contents of the memorial.

"This..." How could it be so serious?

Minglan quickly stroked her chest to calm her down.

"They are all useless. They take the court's salary but do nothing." Because of their greed and ambition, so many refugees will die this time. Refugees are also civilians. She really wants to tear those people into pieces.

Concubine Yun - Zhao Yunfan suddenly raised his eyes and saw the murderous intent that flashed across Shangguan Wanjun's eyes, and his heart trembled.

Shangguan Wanjun calmed herself down and continued to review the memorials. The more she read, the angrier she became, and she slammed the table again.

"damn it."

This time, Liu Cheng and Ming Lan looked at each other. Could it be about the refugees again?

"These bastards." She clenched her fists tightly, wishing she could hit someone.

"Your Majesty, please calm down." Liu Cheng was afraid that she would make him angry.

Shangguan Wanjun had an idea in her mind. She glanced at Yunpin-Zhao Yunfan and turned to leave, and Yunpin-Zhao Yunfan followed.

In the side hall, he helped Shangguan Wanjun sit down.

"You sit down too."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." He didn't know why the emperor let him in, but he understood that he must have something important to tell him.

"My beloved concubine is leaving the capital with a painter."

Concubine Yun-Zhao Yunfan was stunned, really not understanding what the emperor meant by this move.

They left in the afternoon, in a hurry, and only took their valuables, banknotes, some small change and cakes with them before leaving the palace and Beijing.

Shangguan Wanjun stood under a painting and pondered. She felt that this was not enough and she had to quietly arrange more people.

At this time, Shi Qingxue came to report: "Your Majesty, the virtuous concubine requests an audience."

A virtuous concubine?

What is he here for?

Suddenly an idea came to my mind.

"Xuan."