As a result, the two factions argued fiercely in the imperial court.

Moreover, the morning court sessions for the next few days revolved around this issue.

Both sides began to seek their own advantages in various aspects of reinstatement and prohibition.

For example, those who support the idea believe that members of the royal family look better after eating a full meal, which gives the royal family more prestige.

The opposition, however, argued that the royal family members were all extremely wealthy and had no shortage of monthly rations.

Zhao Huan sat there, watching the two sides spitting at each other.

On the fifth day, while the ministers were still arguing about the matter...

A man was escorted to the imperial court; this man was Zhang Ru, the prefect of Luoyang.

"Your humble servant Zhang Ru kowtows to the Emperor!"

The ministers then quieted down, each wondering why this fellow, who wasn't serving in Luoyang, had been brought to the capital. They hadn't heard of him committing any crimes.

Zhang Ru buried his head in the ground, not daring to move.

"Zhang Ru, tell me, what did you do to warrant my summons to Tokyo?"

The emperor had rarely spoken in court these past few days, but now that he was speaking, his voice was full of authority.

"This traitorous official plotted to harm a member of the imperial family; he deserves to die a thousand deaths!"

His words left the ministers completely baffled.

Zhang Ru then recounted the entire story from beginning to end.

It turns out that Zhao Zezheng did not starve to death, but was deliberately murdered by Zhang Ru.

His real intention was to get the court to retract its decree abolishing the monthly rations for members of the imperial family. Once the decree was retracted, the decree to halve the monthly rations for officials would soon be questioned.

This was a series of counterattacks.

No one wants their food allowance to be halved each month, even if it rots in the house, it's still theirs.

Zhao Huan glanced at the ministers below, then waved his hand: "Throw them into the imperial prison first."

Zhang Ru did not resist.

After Zhang Ru was taken away, arguing about this matter became pointless.

The emperor left in a huff, and turned to go to the imperial prison.

Zhang Ruzheng was waiting for the emperor in the imperial prison; he knew the emperor would come.

Because the emperor knew that this was not something a mere prefect like himself would dare to do; there must be a mastermind behind it all in the court.

"This humble subject pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Zhao Huan asked everyone to leave first, and he spoke with Zhang Ru alone.

"Who else did you tell about the identity of the person behind the scenes?"

"Your Majesty, I did not tell anyone."

Zhao Huan nodded: "I understand your feelings. After all, no one wants to reduce their monthly rations."

Zhang Ru wept bitterly and said, "That's all Your Majesty's doing. Your Majesty's word is all I dare to say."

"Your Majesty, I was merely following orders..."

“Minister Zhang, you don’t need to say it. I know. Even if I say it, I will understand.”

Zhang Ru felt relieved. Did the emperor mean he was going to let him go?

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Minister Zhang, could you do me another favor?"

"Your Majesty, please speak freely. I will dedicate myself to the cause until my dying breath!"

"Minister Zhang is indeed a minister of my state. Then I will have to trouble you, Minister Zhang."

Zhang Ru suddenly raised his head, only to hear the emperor say, "Guards!"

Several Imperial Guards rushed in and pounced on Zhang Ru, who was completely bewildered. One of them, wearing a mask, grabbed his neck to silence him, while another immediately took out a rope and put it around Zhang Ru's neck.

Then, each of them exerted their strength.

Soon, Zhang Ru was hanged in prison.

Zhao Huan said to himself, "After all, we can't let the ministers of the Prime Minister's Office die right now, so I'll have to trouble you."

After killing Zhang Ru, the emperor turned and left the prison, boarded his imperial carriage, and headed towards the palace.

News of Zhang Ru, the prefect of Luoyang, committing suicide out of fear of punishment spread quickly.

However, Liu Yanzong, the supervising censor, keenly sensed that there was something fishy about the matter.

That evening, he went to the palace to meet the emperor, but he came out quickly and never mentioned Zhang Ru's case again.

The decree to abolish the monthly stipend for members of the royal family was implemented as scheduled, and the decree to halve the number of officials was also put into effect.

The Zhang Ru case quickly subsided after Zhang Ru committed suicide out of fear of punishment.

The imperial court focused more of its attention on the drought.

Sure enough, it didn't rain in Jiangling Prefecture for the entire month of June, and the fields dried up.

People have started drawing water from the Yangtze River for irrigation, but this year's grain harvest is destined to be severely reduced as the drought continues to spread.

Correspondingly, the major restaurants in Tokyo have also quieted down considerably.

The edict issued by the State Affairs Hall, strictly prohibiting the extravagance and waste of grain, was strictly enforced throughout the entire Gyeonggi Province, and no one dared to disobey it.

In late June, Tokyo was like an oven.

Every evening, the western sky is ablaze with fiery flames.

At this time, the business of folk charlatans began to improve.

Just as the Song Dynasty entered a state of emergency, a person landed at Hangzhou Port.

This person is Shen Lang, who was sent overseas three years ago by the emperor to search for a new continent.

After more than three years away, he finally returned to the Song Dynasty.

As the imperial censor who had set sail, Shen Lang's message was immediately sent back to Tokyo after he landed.

The emperor was enjoying the cool air by the lake when he heard that Shen Lang had returned. He was so happy that he almost jumped off his chair.

"Shen Lang is back!"

The emperor, wearing a long white robe, paced excitedly through the corridor.

Shao Chengzhang chased after him, saying, "Your Majesty, Shen Lang has not yet arrived in Dongjing City; he should still be in Hangzhou Prefecture!"

Zhao Huan then calmed down: "He's still in Hangzhou! Quickly! Send someone to bring him back to me! Have Han Shizhong lead the Vanguard Army! Make sure Shen Lang arrives before me unharmed!"

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