Chapter 258: Monarch and Ministers' Game of Strategy

A season swiftly passed by.

In the new year, the new emperor introduced the era name Zhaode, marking the first year of Zhaode.

This year was unlike any other.

Since the end of last year, heavy snowfalls had besieged the northern provinces for days on end, and each province suffered disasters to various extents. The situation was severe, and grain prices sky-rocketed without any sign of easing even during the Spring Festival period, casting a deep shadow over the New Year.

Many elders did not survive this lengthy winter...

...

The slightest stir awoke Yang Ge, who had been dozing off in his chair.

He quickly rose and walked up to the bed, where he saw the shopkeeper with clouded eyes, gasping for breath as if he was suffocating...