It hadn't been long since the heavy snow began to fall continuously.
The common people were suffering, but the court was also in distress; the treasury was running low on silver.
With the continuous natural disasters, rumors spread in the capital that Emperor Muwu had lost his virtue, which led both his sons to rebel and meet untimely deaths, bringing wrath from Heaven upon the people.
The ministers heard the rumors but dared not mention them in front of Emperor Muwu. Only Elder Cao, with a somber expression, directly asked, "Your Majesty, with the continuous natural disasters over the past two years, the people are cursing you for being incompetent. Why don't you issue a self-reproach edict to stabilize the people's hearts? Perhaps this would appease Heaven's anger?"
Sighing, Emperor Muwu looked at Ye Siheng, then stopped speaking. "I will write it immediately and ask for high monks to chant prayers, beseeching Heaven to stop the snow."