"The safety of the nation rests on my shoulders, and the hearts of a million soldiers and civilians in the northern frontier are also tied to the imperial court!"
Yinji stood up, the gold threads on his black dragon robe flowing in the light filtering through the window lattice:
"Moving the capital to Youzhou will certainly be costly and risky. However, compared with the fate of the nation and the permanent security of the northern frontier, I believe that these costs and risks are worth bearing!"
He looked sharply at Zhou Hong, the Minister of Works: "Minister Zhou."
Zhou Hong's heart skipped a beat, and he bowed, saying, "Your subject is here."
"Moving the capital to Youzhou is inevitable. However, your concerns are also valid."
"I hereby order you to immediately convene with the relevant officials of the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Works to conduct a detailed survey of the terrain of Youzhou, the site of the old palace, and the canal transport routes, and to make a comprehensive plan."
"Strive for economy and practicality. We must build a new capital that is impregnable, but we must not excessively deplete the people's resources. Can you do that?"
Zhou Hong was stunned. The emperor had turned the leader of the opposition into an executor.
If he continues to make excuses, it will be considered disobeying the imperial decree.
His mind raced, and he took a deep breath, prostrating himself and saying, "Your subject... obeys the decree. I will do my utmost to plan properly for Your Majesty."
"good."
Yin Ji turned his gaze to Pei Lun, Fan Nan, Huang Chang and others, "Minister Pei, Minister Fan, Minister Huang, since you strongly support this proposal, you must do your best to assist Minister Zhou."
"The relocation of the capital is a major undertaking with countless details, requiring the concerted efforts of both the court and the people. If anyone obstructs or shirks their responsibilities," his voice turned cold, "I will not let them off lightly."
"Your Majesty, we obey!" Pei Lun and the others perked up and responded in unison.
"Draft the imperial edict."
Yinji sat down again and said to Chen Hong, the eunuch in charge of writing, who was standing beside him, "I approve the proposal submitted by General Zhao Muyun to move the capital to Youzhou. Order the relevant officials to begin preparations immediately. In addition, I hereby order Han Zhong and Tian Qing of Youzhou to cooperate with the court's survey personnel and strengthen border defenses to prevent any disturbances from the Northern Di."
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Amidst the clamor, the decision to move the capital was thus finalized.
However, everyone knew that this was only the beginning of the storm.
The conflicts of interest between the old capital and the new site, the allocation of funds and resources for the project, and the transfer of officials from the north and south will all stir up new waves.
After the court session, Yinji stood alone on the high platform in front of the palace, gazing at the gray sky to the north.
For a moment, he felt a surge of heat rising in his chest.
"Father! Grandfather!"
He muttered to himself, as if speaking to the deceased Emperor Yongchang and his father Yinxi, and even more so to himself, "I will guard this border. I will bring true revival to this land."
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