Traveling through time and space

"Then you must stand trial. Do you have direct evidence that Lord Cai embezzled the silver? Have you found the stolen silver? I was also thinking of saying that it was you two who embezzled the disaster relief funds."

"Princess, you can't say that. We two really don't know."

"If you don't know, how can you be sure that Lord Cai is the suspect? Do you have any real evidence? Only by presenting it can people be convinced. How can you convict Lord Cai based on just a few insignificant words? The disaster outside is so serious, and you are the masters of various fields, yet you are still chatting and laughing here. Is this how the emperor wants you to work?"

"Liupu County Magistrate Liu Yunfei pays his respects to Princess Anle."

"Hello, Lord Liu. You are the father and mother of Liupu. Have you ever visited the worst-hit areas? Have you ever visited your people and seen how miserable they are?"

"Princess, Your Majesty, I am truly helpless. I have other things to do and have no time to go over there. Recently, there have been more than a hundred young girls missing from all of Liupu."

"Master Liu's legitimate daughter is also missing, right? That's why Master Liu is paying special attention to this matter?"

"Princess, these girls are also our people of Qingyang."

"Yes, Lord Wu, those who are dead, missing, seriously injured, and still suffering, aren't they our people of Qingyang?" Su Yuanyuan asked.

"Princess, all the yamen runners in the mansion have gone to the disaster area. Lord Liu is the highest decision-maker. He should stay at the county yamen and listen to the summary of all parties at any time so that he can make corresponding countermeasures."

"Master Ji, what are you two doing here?" Su Yuanyuan asked back.

"Yes, the princess is right. What kind of responsibility has brought you to Liupu?" Prince De, who had been silent the whole time, asked, "Lord Wu, go and bring Lord Cai here."

"Hurry up and go. The emperor has ordered Prince De to take over this matter. I believe there will be a fair judgment." Su Yuanyuan watched coldly. Wu Yufu got up and went out to give a few instructions, then came back and sat down.

"I will report your negligence to the Emperor. What is the current situation in the disaster area? Are there any leads on the missing woman?"

"In reply to your Highness, I have just received information that there are continuous aftershocks over there, and new disasters have occurred."

"Sir Liu, is the main disaster-stricken area in the mountainous area or the plain? How far away is it? How many towns and villages are there there? How many people are there in total? Are there still people living in the damaged houses? Are the remaining people safe now?" Su Yuanyuan asked.

"Your Highness, Princess, our county's chief clerk, Sun Yan, has just returned from the disaster area. Could you please let him in to answer your questions?"

Su Yuanyuan looked at Prince De, and Prince De nodded, "Let him in." Su Yuanyuan agreed.

Liu Yunfei got up and went out. He returned after a while and was followed in by a middle-aged man in his forties. He was dressed a little disheveled and at first glance he definitely didn't look like an official.

"I, Sun Yan, greet the prince, princess, and all the gentlemen," he said, bowing and greeting them upon entering. "Please stand up and tell me. When did you come back from the disaster area? Why did you come back? What's going on over there? Are their lives in trouble now?" Prince De also asked several questions in a row.

"In reply to Your Highness, the area affected by the earthquake affected five or six towns, all halfway up Puji Mountain or at the foot of the mountain. They are Beikou Town, Dongzhangjia Village, Wangbian Village, Nanzhangjia Village, Pengzigou, Maziling, and Fengming Village in Quanyang Town. Xiajiang Village, Dujia Village, Dahewan, and Xiaohewan in Nanyao Town. Xipo Village and Shuwu Village in Ninghai Town. The hardest-hit areas are Liuwan Town and Quanyang Town. The casualties have now risen to 313, and there are still about 100 people receiving treatment. Some other villages have returned to normal after these days of reorganization."

"Things are looking up, which is a good thing. How are the other conditions over there? For example, are the crops still there?"

"Princess, Your Majesty, I have come back to ask for help. Our Liupu is located close to Mount Puji, so half of the land is mountainous. Good land for growing wheat is already scarce, and this time it was severely affected by the disaster. It can be said that everything is basically destroyed. Now it is even more difficult to harvest crops. Everyone has been tightening their belts these past few days, but they can't hold on for much longer. For the sake of social stability, Liu Da will not allow them to leave their homes. In a few days, they will go hungry. I have come back to ask, when will the court's disaster relief food arrive?"

"Please stand up and speak. Why doesn't Lord Liu allow people in the disaster area to move around?" Su Yuan asked.

"Princess, I feel that their coming out will affect social stability. There are too many refugees on the streets, which will cause panic among the people in the county."

"Master Liu, do you still see these people as divided into different classes? Why can't those affected by the disaster come to the county town to seek refuge with relatives and friends, and find other ways out? Master Liu, aren't you afraid of losing the support of the people by doing this?" Su Yuanyuan asked. "Sun Yan, who is in charge of the rescue now?"

"In reply to the princess, I have sent out all the yamen runners. They are responsible for encouraging the people to save themselves and seek medical treatment." County Magistrate Liu saluted. "I have also brought the doctor with me in the name of the county government. However, when County Magistrate Liu spoke, Sun Yan looked at him very seriously, and of course his eyes were full of shock.

"Okay, Sun Yan, you go down and rest first, and let Lord Cai come in." Prince De saw a group of people waiting outside the door.

"Your humble servant greets Prince De and Princess Anle." My uncle came in and knelt to greet them. He looked depressed, which showed that he had been tortured.

"Master Wu, you just arrived in Liupu County yesterday. Master Cai's injuries seem to have been there for a long time. Who tortured Master Cai?"

"Your Highness, Lord Ji just wants me to sign the written confession paper."

"Your Highness, I simply wish to resolve this matter quickly so that Lord Cai can reveal the whereabouts of the embezzled disaster relief funds. This will allow me to assist the victims." The two high officials, Prince Ji and Prince Ji, stood up and bowed. "Only with the money can we prevent the victims from rioting."

"My two lords, do you want to force a confession? Lord Cai is a fourth-rank official. Do you have the qualifications?" Su Yuanyuan was a little displeased.

"Your Highness, several adults have arrived." Someone came in and bowed directly to Prince De.

"Okay, let them all in, and bring a few people in."

"Your subordinate Du Heng, your subordinate Shang Jingyu, your subordinate..." At this moment, many people came in and bowed together, "Greetings to Prince De, greetings to Princess Anle."

"Imprison the five of them separately in the back hall of the county government office. Give each of them some paper and tell them to write down everything that happened. Remember not to make any special arrangements."

"Your Majesty, may I add a few words?"

"Princess, please speak."

"Don't let them have contact with anyone, and don't let them collude with each other. Remember, no one is allowed to talk to them. Just give them a steamed bun and a bowl of water for each of their three meals."

"Just do as the princess says and take everyone away."

"Your Majesty, what crime have I committed?"

"What crime? Lord Liu, you weren't able to handle the disaster promptly. Isn't that enough? Xining, Yunqiao, you personally lead people to search their luggage and see if you find anything?"

"Yes, Your Highness." It seemed that these two were the prince's men. Without giving them a chance to explain, someone took them out.

"Your Highness, can you let them say a few words?" Su Yuanyuan asked the prince. Prince De nodded. Su Yuanyuan gestured to his eldest brother who was standing behind him, and his eldest brother followed him out.

"Ren Minghao, you will temporarily take over the position of Liupu County Magistrate and take over all matters of the county government as soon as possible."

"Let Sun Yan assist." Su Yuanyuan interrupted.

"Do as the princess instructed. I'll give you half a day to sort out all the issues and come up with a feasible solution. Submit the process to me tomorrow for my decision. Lin Xi, you will be responsible for summarizing all the information we have about the young woman's disappearance and gathering some useful data."