Ever since the catastrophe occurred, the imperial court existed in name only. After the catastrophe ended, Chen Shi executed the Yan family with thunderous methods, causing the twelve noble families like the Xia, Li, and Zhang families to act much more cautiously. To this day, they have yet to rebuild Xijing.
The officials previously in the imperial court, if they had not died, were scattered across the countryside.
Chen Tang contacted capable ministers of the imperial court everywhere. Walking all the way, however, he saw that the people's livelihood in every province was withered and depleted, and there were even quite a few rebel forces occupying the mountains as kings and oppressing the common people. The days of the common people were not much better off than during the catastrophe.
What the Empress said is right; we must end this chaotic situation as soon as possible.
He arrived at Li County in Wanzhou Province to look for a few clerks of the Supreme Court. Red Mountain Hall had gathered intelligence stating that a few minor Supreme Court officials resided in Li County, and he only needed to go pay a visit.
He came to a tea stall outside the county, ordered a pot of tea, and said to the old tea vendor, "Elder, let me ask about someone. Is there someone here named Shen Zhou, in his forties, who originally served as an official in Xijing and returned to his hometown when the catastrophe happened?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the tea stall looked at him in unison.
The old tea vendor smiled and said, "What is Lord Chen asking about Shen Zhou for? Shen Zhou is not any sort of official, merely of the Subordinate Ninth Rank. Is he really worth Lord Chen making a