After being demoted, my 300,000-strong army trampled the imperial city!

Perhaps it was because she was about to become a mother, Li Xiuning had become much gentler these days. She understood the meaning behind Mo Lan's words and blinked frequently, but Chen Futu ignored her.

Seeing this, Mo Lan became even more depressed.

"Your Majesty, Tianjizi has come to pay his respects."

Suddenly, a maid came to deliver a message. Chen Futu told Mo Lan to keep Li Xiuning company, and then he left.

Mo Lan said bitterly, "Xiu Ning, could you please speak to the King for me? I have no other requests, I only hope that the Mo family can have something to rely on in the future."

“I will try my best to help you, but you are also aware of the King’s concerns. He definitely wants to obtain the Western Regions, but the Mo family has too much influence in the Longman area. Perhaps you can start from this aspect.”

Li Xiuning put it bluntly.

If Mo Lan can relinquish the Mo family's interests in Longman in the future, given the King's character, he might very well grant her wish.

Mo Lan sighed. Compared to the Mo family's interests in the Western Regions, she valued the Mo family's establishment in the Central Plains more. Even if they couldn't covet that position, they wanted to become new nobles.

On the other side, Chen Futu met Tianjizi, who was still in his disheveled state, shaking his compass and saying with a serious expression, "Your Majesty, I observed the celestial phenomena last night, and I fear a calamity may occur in the northern border."

"Calamity?"

Chen Futu was slightly startled. "You charlatan, can you even predict natural disasters?"

"Your Majesty should make some preparations so that you can deal with any calamity that may occur in time."

"I really can't imagine what kind of trouble might occur. Now that the people near the northern mountains have migrated here, and there are heavy troops in both the north and south to defend against foreign invaders, I don't think the disaster is caused by war. If it is a natural disaster..."

Chen Futu had previously used the Five Grains Abundance Card, so this year the northern border region is bound to have a bumper harvest, and natural disasters are unlikely.

"In my opinion, it might be an earth dragon turning over."

Tianjizi said in a serious tone, and Chen Futu glared at him, "Earthquake? Don't talk nonsense!"

Northern Xinjiang is not located on the edge of a continental plate, so earthquakes are unlikely to occur there.

"If Your Majesty does not believe me, there is nothing I can do."

Tianjizi shook his head and left.

Chen Futu frowned as he looked at the cloudless sky, then ordered Ge Fei to investigate whether there had been any unusual movements among the livestock in the city recently.

Consort Ge accepted the order and returned in just half a day. "Your Majesty, the livestock in the city have indeed been behaving strangely recently. The people don't know what's going on and think they've been disturbed."

"System, what regulations?"

The backwardness of natural control and monitoring in feudal times led to frequent natural disasters that were difficult to prevent, and each disaster caused a large number of casualties.

Historical records show that the Ming Dynasty alone experienced more than a thousand natural disasters, both major and minor. It's impossible for Chen Futu to manage such a vast territory without encountering disasters. But to launch such a massive disaster right from the start is something no one can withstand.

Chen Futu and Ge Fei hurriedly arrived at the outer city and indeed saw poultry restless and wild dogs barking.

"Your Majesty, could it be that an earth dragon has really risen up?" Consort Ge asked in alarm.

Ordinary people's understanding of earth dragons turning over is limited to records in ancient books, and the vast majority have never experienced it firsthand.

"No matter what, we must be prepared to deal with it."

Chen Futu returned to the royal court and summoned his ministers to discuss the matter.

Everyone was taken aback by what they heard.

Chen Futu said in a deep voice, "Yu Qian, have the Ministry of Commerce speed up the collection of supplies, and the Longcheng garrison should also be prepared. In addition, all generals should return to their camps for the time being. If any accidents occur, you must provide disaster relief as soon as possible."

As orders were issued, the civil and military officials sprang into action.

However, the news somehow leaked out, and rumors spread throughout the city. Some scholars felt that the King of the Northern Frontier was morally deficient and should issue an edict of self-reproach.

"To expect me to issue an edict of self-reproach? How utterly ridiculous!"

Chen Futu's face was gloomy. He ordered Li Yuanfang to investigate who was spreading rumors behind the scenes, and to hand them over to the Supervisory Department after catching them. He said there would be no leniency.

After Li Yuanfang left, Chen Futu sent Consort Ge to inform Yan Qing.

Yan Qing is currently in charge of refugee resettlement. Just when the people had hope, disaster struck. To prevent any trouble from happening, she needs to plan ahead and educate the people about the concept of "earth dragon turning over."

In addition, there is the medical team. Many students at Longcheng Academy are studying medicine. They are learning from the barefoot doctor's manual, so treating injuries and illnesses is no problem for them. They will be able to play a role in this situation.

These past two days, Chen Futu has not stayed at the royal court, but has spent most of his time at the No. 1 residence, mainly because he is worried about Li Xiuning's safety. He even left Ake by her side as a precaution!

"Have you heard? A dragon is about to rise up in the northern frontier."

"I've heard about it too, but where is there any earth dragon turning over? I don't know which unscrupulous person is spreading this rumor."

"That's right, I'm too scared to sleep at night."

People on the streets and in the alleys were discussing this matter.

However, after two or three days of hearing only rumors and not seeing any change in the situation, some people began to complain.

As evening fell, Chen Futu summoned Tianjizi, who stroked his beard with a smile and said, "Is Your Majesty worried about the rumors?"

"Are you talking about an earth dragon turning over? I've taken precautions, yet the people are still terrified. How do you explain that?"

Chen Futu looked displeased.

"Your Majesty, please trust me. My predictions have always been accurate. If I foretell disaster, disaster will surely come."

Tianjizi answered with great certainty.

"What if not?"

"No, Your Majesty can take this old man's head."

Just then, Li Yuanfang returned. Seeing Tianji present, he leaned close to Chen Futu's ear and said, "We've found out. The one spreading the rumors is a disciple of Tianji Mansion."

"you sure?"

"It's true."

Li Yuanfang was quite certain that tracing the source pointed to the Heavenly Secrets Bureau.

Recently, Tianjizi has been living in Longcheng, and many disciples of Tianji Mansion have come here. Some even want to buy property in Longcheng, saying that they are branches of Tianji Mansion and want to keep company with the branches of Zhongnan Mountain.

Chen Futu gestured, and Li Yuanfang immediately informed Tianjizi of the findings. The latter looked surprised and said, "Your Majesty, my disciples are always cautious and never get involved in important matters. There must be some misunderstanding here."

"Misunderstanding? Old man, the earth dragon's reversal hasn't happened yet. Instead, your disciple is stirring things up behind the scenes, trying to get me to issue a self-reproach edict. What, am I being too polite to you, or do you want to pledge allegiance to the Great Qian and become my enemy?"

Chen Futu's attitude at this moment was extremely dignified.

Tianjizi's aged face trembled slightly as he said bitterly, "In that case, I will go back now and see which bastard is gossiping behind my back. I will definitely give the King a satisfactory explanation."

"No need, the Inspectorate will take full responsibility." Chen Futu looked at Li Yuanfang, "Take the evidence to the Tianji Mansion's headquarters and convince them."

"The last general takes orders."

Li Yuanfang immediately led the Thousand Bull Guards towards the Heavenly Mystery Mansion. The sky, which had just been cloudless, gradually became gloomy and dark, giving the illusion that dark clouds were pressing down on the city and threatening to destroy it.