Rain. Heavy rain.
Raising one's head, they could still see endless chaos; the sky and earth were boundless and indistinct as dark clouds gathered in clusters, combining the world in a way that day and night was indistinguishable.
Rain poured from the sky as if it didn't cost him1 anything to do so, throwing pot by pot of water into the world of mortal human beings like his worth of supply was endless. Flatlands turned abound by rivers and lakes. Once the river water rose, both sides of the fields were submerged in water. At a glance, one could even see the shadow of a house there.
Rong Qing waddled through the mud in heavy and light steps, all his shock and fear frozen in place due to the scenery in front of him.
It is finished.
Everything is finished.
He knew very clearly that all the lives and legacy that existed in this place were done for, annihilated entirely.
This ground beneath his feet should have originally been the lands of a flourishing village. Half a month ago during this time, it had been the most bustling period for the village: The farmers returned from the fields, children were frolicking around, and the steam rose from every house's kitchens, smelling delicious to anyone who walked past.
Yet now, as far as the eye could see, everything was flooded.
Endless rainwater caused the high tides of rivers and broadened the river's walls, shoving its way into the outskirts and county towns. The rain had never stopped, getting heavier the longer it poured. The flood raged through all four directions, wreaking havoc and doing as it pleased, conquering every inch of land it could reach into.
Umbrellas had become useless objects; the rain laughed mechanically as it broke through the oil paper in fissures, trickling down the person under the umbrella.
Rong Qing pushed the hands of his subject away, allowing himself to be exposed in the heavy rain.
Before that, he was already drenched in rainwater that he could not even open his eyes, and could only use a hand to wipe his face as he squinted his eyes. Everyone behaved the same way. Everyone looked like they were in despair as they looked at this calamity taking place: tears covered their faces, unable to put it past themselves.
"My Lord!"
The subject behind him could not keep up with Rong Qing's steps, thus shouted once.
Yet his voice was swallowed by the heavy rain, almost inaudible, for even he could not hear himself.
"Little Lord, come quickly and stop Imperial Censor Rong! Stop going forward or otherwise, it would be impossible to find the way back!" The government officials that came with him shouted loudly, employing all the strength they had in them.
Xiao-Liu turned his head back abruptly and realized that when they came, some highlands were still visible, yet they were all flooded within such a short period of time, like a giant tortoise that was slowly sinking into the water, now with only the tip of its shell visible.
He was shocked, quickly raising his legs with the intention to follow after Rong Qing who was in front of him, but tripped over a stone submerged in water and fell forward entirely, splashing his head and face into the mud.
Turning back to Rong Qing, he was left with no path to walk both in front and behind of him. There was water everywhere, and trapped with him was an old tree, standing tall in the water, welcoming its fate helplessly.
"Quick! Quickly save my Lord!" Xiao-Liu paid no attention to his aching knees, his eyes cracking as he exclaimed loudly.
A few officials exchanged glances, at a loss of what to do.
When Imperial Censor Rong from the capital heard of the flood, he insisted on leaving the safety of the highlands and county towns to come here and supervise it in person, ignoring the counsels of everyone. The County Magistrate of Guangqian county had no choice but to send the Assistant Magistrate and a few officials to accompany him. Who could have guessed that the rain grew heavier the longer it rained? Not only did it refuse to show any signs of slowing down, but the flood had even slowly begun to reach the highlands. Even the foothills that were not previously within the vicinity of the flood were gradually being swallowed up.
Amid the great waves, there was no lack of wooden buckets and clothes, and more suspicious-looking black strands like hairs were floating around as if there were people underneath the water, their fate undetermined.
Everyone found it difficult to save themselves, so how could they dare to try and save others? All but this Imperial Censor Rong who did not fear death, wanting to go forward to pull the person up. In the end, he was trapped and still needed someone else to save him. Assistant Magistrate Li Yan already scolded Rong Qing in his heart a few thousand times.
Should they save him, or should they not?
If they save him, it was possible they would be taken away by the currents themselves.
If they leave him—this was an Imperial Censor from the Imperial Court, if their superiors want to find fault, it would be difficult for them to be absolved of the crime.
However, these were, after all, calamities. If the Imperial Censor wanted to go seek death for himself, bystanders could do nothing in their power.
Li Yan's heart wrenched. He knew how to swim, but his fate would be different depending on whether he took a step forward or backwards—his life would be in danger if he chose to save him now with disregard for himself.
As he thought until this point, the expression on his face descended into even more panic: "But what should we do? I shall go for someone to save the Imperial Censor Rong now!"
How could he come back in time if he headed back now?
Xiao-Liu had an idea. He lunged forward to hold Li Yan, exclaiming loudly, "Quick, save my Lord! We can undo our sashes and tie them to our waists and hold hands to reach over there. There's still time!"
Li Yan gritted his teeth: "Let alone clothing sashes! Even linen ropes would float away!"
After a few moments of bickering, the water levels rose more, reaching even to Xiao-Liu and the other's feet where they stood. It was still rapidly rising up, and there were only a few inches left where Rong Qing was standing; he could neither retreat nor advance.
Xiao-Liu grew even more panicked. There was even a cry in his voice, "My Lord, please wait for us! We are coming over to save you!"
Li Yan watched the three little officials who came with him, all three of their faces chaotic from the threat of the water and their expressions couldn't be seen clearly. However, neither of them were willing to risk their lives saving a Supervising Imperial Censor that they didn't know much about. Additionally, they didn't even like this Rong Qing—for once he arrived, he had incessantly made indiscreet remarks, criticisms and accusations. At present, he was not only seeking death for himself, but he also wanted to drag others down with him.
Not long later, Li Yan made the decision.
However, in the next second, a shadow flew before them. Amid the heavy rain, it was so quick that they could not even discern the colour of their clothes.
That blurry shadow landed where Rong Qing stood, reaching out to catch his shoulder before lifting his entire person up, lending the old tree's branch and leap to where they are.
Although there's also water here, at the very least they could still stand.
Xiao-Liu was both pleased and shocked: "My Lord!"
"Why aren't you people leaving? What are you doing staring?!" The male saviour's deep and dull voice could surprisingly pierce through the curtain of rain and allowed them to hear him clearly.
No one dared to dally any longer, scuttering off quickly as they watched the progress of the present events.
Xiao-Liu helped Rong Qing, pressing on hurriedly from behind.
The sky was merciful today, for the rain grew lighter all of a sudden and the water no longer rose. Everyone got the chance to stop and breathe, then ran to higher lands and watched the gates of the County Town far away in the distance. They could finally calm down after suffering an emotional attack.
The umbrella was long gone, unknown where it was cast-off to. Everyone was stuck fast with splotches of dirt from head to toe, it was hard to even tell what colour they were wearing originally. There was only the sound of heavy footsteps moving forward step by step until they reached their destination.
Xiao-Liu's legs gave out beneath him, and Rong Qing whom he was helping fell down along with him. The blue-clothed saviour sniggered, and after a few inhales he leapt into the air, abandoning him and went into the city himself first.
Had it been in the past, Xiao-Liu would have already complained. Yet, now, he didn't say anything, and neither did he have the strength to.
Rong Qing looked on.
After two hours, everyone had returned to the city. Rong Qing rejected Li Yan's invitation to the County's Bureau to have a rest, returning to the posthouse instead. Li Yan had no interest in retaining him, his attitude towards him was obviously a lot colder now, no longer the same welcoming attitude when Rong Qing first came to Guangqian County.
Inside the bathtub of the posthouse, Rong Qing comfortably washed away the dirt on his body, then wolfed down a meal hungrily, feeling his strength gradually replenished. As he was surrounded by quietness, he thought back about that moment of life and death, and couldn't deny that he was still terrified in the aftermath.
Originally, he came here to supervise disaster relief. How undeserving would it be if he were to die just like that?
Not long later, Xiao-Liu came dejectedly to confess his crimes and ask for punishment.
"My Lord, this little one failed to save you just now. It was all because Li Yan was delaying it on purpose! He even wanted to push me into the water, getting rid of us both at once, so he could push the responsibility cleanly off himself!"
Rong Qing did not hold a grudge as strongly as he did. He said calmly, "I insisted on witnessing the situation myself. It's normal for him to be displeased with it."
Xiao-Liu stopped talking all of a sudden: "The one who saved you just now looked familiar."
Rong Qing said: "If I wasn't wrong, he's with Cui Buqu."
Xiao-Liu felt very shocked: "They arrived so quickly? Then…Would Master Cui find fault in you?"
As his words dissipated, an employee delivered an invitation.
Speak of the devil.
On the invitation was written: Master Cui extends an invitation to a meeting at the Yi'er Teahouse situated within the city.
Rong Qing laughed bitterly: "They just saved my life, even if I wanted to scold him, I can only do it secretly."
This matter began around ten days ago.
Guangqian Prefecture reported a series of incessantly horrendous rainstorms, provoking the river waters to rise in level. Within the county, the disasters caused by floodwater ran rampant, and among them, it was Guangqian County who had it the worst. The flood victims lost their homes, and famine stretched across a thousand li, and thus they begged the Imperial Court to issue provisions to aid the victims.
Among all the Imperial edicts in the Imperial Palace, Guangqian Prefecture was often plagued by calamities, experiencing floods practically every year during the rainy season. This year was severe. So, after sending provisions to aid them, the Emperor also sent Supervisor Imperial Censor Rong Qing to the County to patrol and supervise the movement.
When the day to set out came, only Rong Qing knew that other than him, the Zuoyue Bureau's leader Cui Buqu had also set out. Master Cui held orders that were issued by the Empress in person. Rong Qing looked over it thrice before he finally decided this was issued by the Empress. It was strange; when it came to official ranks, this expedition should have been led by Cui Buqu, but the Emperor hasn't issued the order. Instead, it was the Empress who did so. Additionally, taking the Zuoyue Bureau's duties into consideration, it was difficult for Rong Qing to believe that the Empress sent Cui Buqu to keep an eye on himself.
Ever since he entered the palace as an official, he had never interacted with either the Zuoyue or Jiejian Bureaus who roamed between the righteous and crooked path2. In Rong Qing's eyes, Cui Buqu was just someone who took advantage of his luck to climb the stairway to power. In reality, these sort of people were not few in number within the Imperial Court. Before this, they have never meddled in each other's business, and so be it. Presently, they needed to work together. In Rong Qing's heart, it was difficult for him to not feel a little bit conflicted.
Both parties met each other for the first time at the Ba Bridge of the suburb of the capital. Although they never had the chance to speak, they would not come to the point of confronting each other with daggers. On the surface, courtesy was still permitted. Rong Qing politely allowed Cui Buqu to take the lead, yet Cui Buqu said this expedition would be Rong Qing's to lead and allowed him to do as he pleased, no need to be overly cautious.
With these words from him, Rong Qing no longer put up a front and allowed his carriage to leave slowly before he departed first, setting out for Guangqian Prefecture.
Rong Qing had never, from the bottom of his heart, wanted Cui Buqu to interfere in his businesses. He hurried on the way, finally arriving in Guangqian Prefecture. Everything he heard and saw was more appalling than expected. Imperial Censor Rong, who has never seen such horrendous results of a calamity, carried a hot, passionate desire to aid the people who went about supervising, going onto the field in person, going as far as to disregard his own safety as he approached the nearest county's suburb. In the end, he almost lost his own life, and Cui Buqu who had been originally taking his time coming had already arrived. He had even sent someone to rescue him.
So when Rong Qing arrived in the teahouse and saw Cui Buqu, who looked even paler compared to the last time they parted at the Ba Bridge, before he said anything, he already looked ashamed of himself. Redness spread from his neck to his ears, so that he couldn't avoid bending his body to give a long kneel on the ground at Cui Buqu.
"I thank Commander Cui for his deed of rescuing me!"
Author's Note:
A new arc has begun. The content is related to the last arc. The next chapter will mention it ~
[1] him: 老天爷 (lit. "Old Sky Uncle") so I used a male pronoun.
[2] 正邪游走的 (lit. [someone] who walks the righteous and crooked path): 'Righteous' refers to legal businesses which abide by the laws, while 'crooked' refers to illegal ones that could mean pugilists, gangsters, cultivators, etc. The Jiejian and Zuoyue Bureau probably have dealings with both sides.