Tang Dynasty: Starting with Dimo, he was targeted by Li Shimin.

Chapter 32 I no longer need to write an edict of self-reproach.

It rained all night.

The rain gradually subsided by the next morning, eventually turning into a light drizzle.

But that's enough.

The land in Gyeonggi Province is completely soaked.

The cracks in the ground, which had been dry for two months, closed up, and a faint green sprouted from the withered grass.

The water level of the Wei River has risen by three inches—although it is still far from returning to the pre-drought level, the direction is right.

The key is--

Seventy percent of the wells in Chang'an City that had been dry for a month have started to produce water again.

This means that people no longer need to walk two hours every day to fetch water from outside the city.

This one thing alone is enough to make the whole city weep.

5:00 AM (卯时).

Taiji Hall.

Court meeting.

The atmosphere at today's morning assembly was completely different from the previous two days.

The situation was tense for the past two days.

Today is—

A deathly silence.

Among the civil officials, the representatives of those aristocratic families kept their heads down and remained silent.

Their faces were even uglier than the dark clouds in the sky.

Because of yesterday—

It really started raining.

Li Shimin said the drought would be relieved within three days.

On the third day, it really did pour down rain.

On the very first day, they couldn't wait to spread the rumor that "the emperor's virtue is lacking."

The next day, Wei Zheng's words forced Li Shimin to the point where he had to issue an edict of self-reproach.

While they were already plotting how to force the emperor to borrow grain after issuing the edict of self-reproach—

The rain came.

They were slapped repeatedly across the face.

In the literal sense.

And in a metaphorical sense.

Li Shimin sat on the dragon throne with an extremely calm expression.

But this ordinariness—

It's more frightening than any anger.

"Yesterday at noon, heavy rain fell across Gyeonggi Province." His voice wasn't loud, but it could be heard clearly throughout the entire hall.

"The water level of the Wei River has risen by three inches. Seventy percent of the wells in Chang'an City have resumed producing water."

"Replanting has begun in various counties."

"My edict of self-reproach—"

He paused.

His gaze swept over the several aristocratic officials who had their heads bowed.

"No need to write anymore."

No one spoke.

After a five-second silence—

A voice rang out.

"His Majesty."

It was Wei Zheng.

It was Wei Zheng again.

Everyone tensed up—the last time Wei Zheng spoke, he had called Li Shimin a "foolish and incompetent ruler."

What is he going to say this time?

Wei Zheng walked to the center of the main hall and stood still.

Then--

He lifted the hem of his official robe.

Kneel on both knees.

"I am guilty."

This time—

They are truly guilty.

"At the court assembly the other day, I spoke too harshly and offended Your Majesty by using the word 'incompetent'."

"At the time, I only knew that the drought was severe and the people were suffering, and I was anxious. I never expected that Your Majesty had made arrangements."

"Now that the heavens have sent down timely rain, the drought has been relieved—"

"It was my oversight."

"Your Majesty, I beg you to punish me."

After he finished speaking, he pressed his forehead against the cold floor tiles.

The room fell even quieter.

Wei Zheng was a person—

The harsher the insults, the more sincere the apology.

He will not refuse to admit that he is wrong because of face or political stance.

Wrong is wrong.

This is Wei Zheng.

Li Shimin looked at Wei Zheng kneeling on the ground and remained silent for a long time.

Then he stood up and stepped down from the dragon throne.

He personally went to Wei Zheng.

He bent down, reached out, and helped Wei Zheng up.

"Wei Zheng."

"Your subject is present."

"You did nothing wrong."

Li Shimin's voice was soft, but earnest.

"You call me 'incompetent'—because you worry about the people."

"I will not punish such concerns."

"Those whom I punished—"

His gaze returned to those officials from prominent families—

"A person who clearly doesn't care about the people, yet uses their name to pressure me."

Those people visibly trembled.

"Ministry of Personnel."

"Your subject is here!"

"Fang Xuanling submitted a list yesterday—eleven counties that falsely reported disaster situations and fraudulently obtained disaster relief grain."

"Starting today, we will conduct a thorough investigation on each and every one of these cases."

"Anyone found guilty will be dismissed and investigated."

"The stolen grain—all of it—will be recovered and returned to the people."

Eleven counties.

These are all counties where powerful clans hold sway.

This strike—

It stabbed directly into the waist of the five surnames and seven noble families.

The faces of those aristocratic officials went from grim to deathly pale.

They finally understood—

Li Shimin was not gambling.

He knew from the beginning that it would rain.

He wasn't betting on whether the drought would ease—

He was betting on whether the powerful families would slip up during these three days.

And they—

Every single one of them was exposed.

Those who spread rumors of his "immorality," those who forced him to write a self-reproach edict, and those who took the opportunity to falsely report disasters and defraud him of grain—

Everything was recorded in the account.

Li Shimin waited for three days.

Waiting for the rain to come.

When they dared not utter another word.

Then cut it piece by piece.

This is the way of an emperor.

"The court session is adjourned."

Li Shimin turned and walked back to the dragon throne.

The hem of the dragon robe swept across the ground.

Behind him, all the officials in the hall bowed in unison.

No one dared to look up.

After the court session ended.

Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong walked on the palace road.

"Black-faced guy," Cheng Yaojin scratched his head, "His Majesty's move today was quite ruthless."

"Hmm." Yuchi Gong nodded. "Waiting three days, waiting for the rain before dealing with the situation, is much better than acting out on the spot."

"If you ask me, the shopkeeper's little raccoon deserves the most credit—" Cheng Yaojin lowered his voice.

"If it weren't for that little spirit helping Fang Xuanling uncover eleven false reports, where would His Majesty have gotten this knife?"

Yuchi Gong thought for a moment and nodded.

"Little Spirit Face sees through truth and falsehood. Swallowtail Otter sprays away Cui An. A swarm of water spirits brings rain."

"Three sprites solved three problems."

"Your Majesty is right—that shopkeeper is indeed unfathomable."

Cheng Yaojin laughed heartily: "I think he's just a salted fish."

"But this salted fish... seems to be more useful than all of us combined."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Then Cheng Yaojin suddenly remembered something—

"By the way, Blackie, did you write the impeachment memorial regarding your Swallowtail Otter's trespassing in the Taiji Hall yesterday?"

Yuchi Gong's smile froze.

"...Don't even mention it."

"I heard that the Censorate submitted seven memorials impeaching you today."

"…………"

"There are also three impeachments against you for 'allowing demons to disturb the palace.'"

"...Can you please shut up?"

"Hehehehehe."

ᐠ(ᐛ)ᐟ

At the same time.

Magical Object Shop.

Lin Luo slept until the sun was high in the sky before getting up.

I was caught in the rain all afternoon yesterday, and my throat is a little hoarse this morning.

Xiao Xiao fed him three bowls of ginger soup.

Dimo crouched on the windowsill, looking outside—

The people on the street were still excitedly discussing yesterday's rain.

Some people knelt and prayed by the roadside, saying it was a divine intervention.

Some people say that a monk from a certain temple performed a ritual.

Some say it was brought by the "blue water bugs" outside the strange shop outside the city.

Only the last version of events is closest to the truth.

Lin Luo, holding the ginger soup, opened the system panel.

A series of prompts popped up on the panel—

[Ding! Main quest "The First Rain of the Tang Dynasty" - Completed!]

[Task Rating: S (out of 5)]

[Comment: Rainfall was achieved solely through the shelter mechanism and the natural gathering of water spirits, without any external intervention. Time taken: 18 days. Rating: Far exceeded expectations.]

[Rewards are being distributed]

[Reward 1: Star Fragment x1 (1/5) - Evolution Material for Awakening Dimo]

[Reward 2: Sleeping Owl Sanctuary Grass-type Cluster Slot Unlock Ticket x1]

[Reward 3: Increase the maximum number of Pokémon you can hold by 5 (current limit: 20)]

[Reward 4: One chance to draw a legendary spirit from the gacha pool]

Lin Luo looked at the line of text—

Materials for awakening Dimo's evolution.

Star fragments.

1/5.

He turned to look at Dimo ​​on his shoulder.

Dimo tilted his head, looking at the panel with curiosity.

"Hmm?"

Lin Luo rubbed Dimo's head.

"Your path of evolution... has begun."

"Ugh!!" Dimo's ears perked up. Although it didn't fully understand what was happening, it sensed Lin Luo's emotions—

It is expectation.

There's also a section for the Grass-type faction—

If activated, the shelter will attract not only water-type Pokémon but also grass-type Pokémon.

Grass-type Pokémon can promote plant growth.

Combined with the water-type Pokémon's water-creating ability—

Drought can not only alleviate—

It can also double the agricultural output of Gyeonggi Province.

And the legendary spirit gacha pool—

Lin Luo looked at the line of text and couldn't help but swallow.

The last legendary spirit pool gave him the evolution path to awaken Dimo.

What will they give us this time?

"No rush." ​​He turned off the panel.

"One at a time."

He leaned back in his recliner, watching the drizzle still falling outside the window.

Abu curled up at his feet, his white fur still damp from yesterday's rain.

Shui Lanlan skipped and jumped in the rain in the yard, her bow now askew and out of shape.

Outside the wall, twelve water-type spirits sat quietly in the damp air after the rain.

Some were dozing off, some were blowing bubbles at each other, and some were picking up pebbles.

They have accomplished their mission.

Although they themselves are unaware of it.

Xiao Xiao leaned against the door frame and walked over with a bowl of porridge in his hand.

"Boss, breakfast is ready."

"Um."

Are you still open today?

Lin Luo thought for a moment.

"No."

"Take a break today."

He finished the ginger soup and closed his eyes.

The air is especially fresh after the rain.

It smelled of earth, grass, and the bubbles that the blue water exhaled.

A salted fish shopkeeper, on the first rainy day after a sixty-day drought—

I chose to take a holiday.

Very reasonable.

(´ω｀) zzZ

……