"Your Majesty treats this old Daoist with the courtesy of a national scholar, how could I dare not repay you with my life?"
After coughing with difficulty and spitting out a mouthful of old blood, Lin Ling Su finally spoke again.
"Master, please do not speak for now. I have brought imperial physicians with me. Let them examine you first. Once you have recovered, we can discuss further!"
Wiping the tears from his eyes, Zhao Ji hurriedly said.
"Your Majesty, this old Daoist has not much time left. There is no need to waste these medicinal herbs. Please allow me to finish speaking. Otherwise, if I truly die, will these fifteen years of lifespan not have been wasted in vain..."
As Lin Ling Su spoke, he pointed to a sand table placed on the nearby table.
Hearing this, Zhao Ji quickly leaned closer.
However, when he got closer, he discovered that this sand table had no writing on it this time. Instead, it only had some chaotic patterns.
"Master, what is the meaning of this divination?"
After looking for a long time without understanding, Zhao Ji could only turn and look at Lin Ling Su again.
"Your Majesty, what do these patterns look like to you?"
After coughing up another mouthful of blood, Lin Ling Su spoke again.
"This, this looks like a map?"
Frowning slightly, Liang Shi Cheng, who was standing nearby, suddenly spoke.
"A map? Someone, bring me a map!"
Reminded by him, Zhao Ji was taken aback.
"Yes!"
Soon, two young eunuchs carried a huge map and walked in from outside.
"Unfold it!"
At his command, several young eunuchs worked together and quickly spread the enormous map on the ground.
After carefully comparing the patterns on the map for a long time, Zhao Ji's eyes suddenly lit up.
The patterns on the sand table indeed resembled Tianshui County in the Qin Prefecture!
"This is Qin Prefecture?"
Having guessed the place name, Zhao Ji looked at Lin Ling Su with disbelief.
Qin Prefecture had another name before, Tianshui Commandery, which held special significance for the Great Song Dynasty.
Even Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, had once publicly decreed that the Zhao clan of Zhuo Commandery originated from the Zhao clan of Tianshui, and that Tianshui was the ancestral land of all Zhao clans.
In these troubled times, Lin Ling Su's divination suddenly featured a topographical map of Tianshui. This matter instantly made Zhao Ji feel as if he had discovered a formidable secret.
"That is correct. I have finally seen a sliver of heavenly opportunity with the great radiance of the Ziwei Star across the land. Our Zhao Song Dynasty originated from Tianshui Commandery, which is the present-day Qin Prefecture. Originally, with the strategic advantages of Qin Prefecture's mountains and rivers, it was sufficient to suppress the four directions and stabilize the destiny of the dynasty. Unfortunately, several years ago, due to a great disaster in Qin Prefecture, the landscape changed, the people suffered, and resentment filled the air, thus shaking the foundation of our Great Song's destiny, leading to the current unrest..."
Regardless of whether Lin Ling Su's words were true or false, his act of coughing blood while speaking instantly increased Zhao Ji's impression of him.
"Is there such a thing?"
Upon hearing Lin Ling Su's words, Zhao Ji's expression suddenly turned grim.
"This old Daoist exchanged fifteen years of his lifespan for this information, so it is naturally true. If Your Majesty does not believe me, you can investigate for yourself whether the mountains and rivers in Qin Prefecture have been completely disrupted..."
As Lin Ling Su said this, he closed his eyes in pain.
His benevolent and compassionate demeanor instantly stunned Liang Shi Cheng. Was this truly Lin Ling Su?
Having been by the emperor's side for so many years, he had long seen through matters of gods and ghosts.
He naturally knew what kind of person Lin Ling Su was.
When something unusual happens, there is often something fishy. Lin Ling Su's current demeanor clearly indicated that he was setting a trap.
Although he did not know who this fellow intended to trap, after exchanging a glance with Lin Ling Su, Liang Shi Cheng very directly kept his mouth shut.
"Master, please do not speak for now. I will send someone to investigate this matter! Someone, call those imperial physicians in!"
Although there was no definitive answer yet, Zhao Ji had already believed ninety percent of it in his heart.
After instructing the imperial physicians to take good care of Lin Ling Su, he directly returned to the palace with Liang Shi Cheng.
"Shou Dao, what do you say?"
Upon returning to his sleeping quarters, after pondering for a moment, Zhao Ji looked at Liang Shi Cheng.
"Replying to Your Majesty, this old servant believes that since the National Master has already pointed out the problem, why doesn't Your Majesty investigate? If Qin Prefecture truly experienced any great disasters, the court should have records!"
Although he did not know what Lin Ling Su intended to do, since he had paid such a heavy price and almost killed himself, Liang Shi Cheng was naturally happy to see it.
It was just a favor done at the right time, and it seemed to have no loss for Liang Shi Cheng.
"That is reasonable. I do not trust the subordinates to handle matters. I think you should personally handle this matter!"
Slapping the imperial desk forcefully with his right hand, Zhao Ji spoke directly.
"Yes! This old servant will go and do it now!"
After Liang Shi Cheng finished speaking, he directly led over a dozen young eunuchs and headed towards the Ministry of Revenue.
Whether or not a certain place had experienced a great disaster or plague, other places might not be able to find records, but the Qian clan of the Ministry of Revenue would definitely be able to find them.
After all, whether it was disaster relief or epidemic relief, in the end, it always came down to money and grain.
As long as it was related to money and grain, it would definitely leave a record in the Ministry of Revenue's account books.
By checking the Ministry of Revenue's account books, one could clearly see where that sum of money was used and what happened in that year.
After Liang Shi Cheng left, Zhao Ji immediately felt restless.
He waited for more than an hour before finally seeing Liang Shi Cheng return.
"How is it? Have you found any records?"
Seeing Liang Shi Cheng walk in, Zhao Ji asked impatiently.
"Replying to Your Majesty, your servant has found an interesting place. I request Your Majesty to take a look!"
As Liang Shi Cheng spoke, he placed a pile of documents before Zhao Ji.
"Your Majesty, please look here. This is a document reported by the local officials of Qin Prefecture in the third year of Yuan Fu. This is the imperial decree sent by Your Majesty to inspect the disaster situation in Qin Prefecture. These are the income and expenditure account books submitted by Xihe Circuit back then!"
"The third year of Yuan Fu?"