Chapter 2072: Chaos in the World
In territories beyond the dominion of the three princes, officials continued their duties obediently, avoiding any hasty actions.
So long as they refrained from impulsive moves, they reasoned, they’d remain unscathed.
Publicly aligning oneself with a particular faction meant relying on one’s master for protection.
Should their patrons fail to safeguard them, they’d face dire consequences…
In such a precarious climate, it was prudent to abstain from taking sides. Self-preservation took precedence.
Surrendering allegiance could always be considered once the dust settled among the three princes.
After all, the masses were typically spared legal retribution. When the time came, the victor would likely be preoccupied with consolidating power rather than settling old scores.
In the intermediate palace, the Fourth Prince vented his frustration with countless curses and damaged decorations, ultimately relenting to dispatch some supplies to the disaster area.
In Jiangnan, stagnation prevailed.
Communities focused solely on self-preservation, while elsewhere, there seemed little anyone could do.
The theatrics of the three princes appeared just that—an act. Their proclaimed resources for disaster relief appeared meager on the surface and woefully inadequate in reality.
This calamity proved severe, its impact continually expanding.
Nearly twenty towns across the intermediate and lower reaches of the Yellow River lay in ruins. Desperation and mourning gripped the disaster-stricken populace.
Angry and desperate, commoners turned against the government and plundered the wealthy. Banditry surged, and waves of refugees flooded the region. Groups of varying sizes fled in all directions, dragging loved ones and abandoning villages in despair.
The Central Plains descended into chaos.
Shortly thereafter, intermediate generals in Shu expelled local officials, hoisted their own banners, and rebelled, offering refuge to the displaced masses.
The world erupted in chaos!
In response, the three princes issued decrees condemning the rebels, but no one mobilized troops for intervention.
No one wished to deplete their resources.
Observing this, turmoil deepened.
The royal family’s authority teetered on the brink of collapse!
Nanyue also raised the standard of rebellion.
Within a year, more and more ambitious individuals joined the fray, coalescing into numerous factions!
Simultaneously, banditry surged. Hooligans and ruffians grew increasingly bold, perpetrating robberies and thefts with alarming frequency in both large and small towns.
Amidst the chaos, countless opportunists seized the moment to settle old scores, exact revenge on past adversaries, or eliminate competitors, adding to the tumult.
The world spiraled deeper into disarray!
In response, the three princes grew increasingly restless. The Second Prince took the initiative, dispatching troops to conquer neighboring towns, aiming to expand his territory and consolidate power.
Not to be outdone, the Third and Fourth Princes swiftly followed suit.
In a bid to undermine each other, they launched sudden attacks, engaging in fierce battles with fluctuating outcomes.
Witnessing the power struggle among the princes, other influential factions with their own ambitions weren’t to be left behind. They too mobilized, targeting the emerging smaller factions. Their strength swelled, and they grew bolder, unafraid to confront even the princes themselves!
As the world plunged further into chaos, even the princes found themselves powerless against the rising tide…
Inevitably, Anze Prefecture City, nestled in a remote corner, could no longer remain untouched…
Initially, a trickle of refugees began pouring in.
Hundreds, even thousands, arrived in ragged attire, bearing the weight of extreme poverty.
Unable to turn a blind eye, Shao Yunduan took action. He initiated the construction of shelters outside the city to provide refuge for the influx of displaced souls.
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