He had always been a pragmatic man.
"Your Highness King Jin, I feel you might have misunderstood the Emperor's decree."
"What misunderstanding?" King Jin's heart skipped a beat.
Edicts, the throne—these were matters that could instantly agitate his nerves.
Lord Jie bowed and said, "The Emperor meant that only the one who resolves this natural and man-made disaster could be named Crown Prince, yet Your Highness, you have only focused on the rumors of man-made calamities, neglecting the natural disaster that preceded it.
Now, the common people are displaced and starving. Coupled with some deliberately stirring the pot, that is why we see rampant rumors today.
Because they are living in hardship and barely surviving, they think this is a divine punishment, believing the Emperor has angered the heavens. However, if Your Highness could enable them to survive and live well, they would naturally feel blessed by heaven and awed by imperial mercy, shattering the rumors without a fight."
