Chapter 144 Manipulating Jiangning, You Overstepped Your bounds and Interfered in Politics, Manipulating the Emperor, and So…
"Enough!"
Xie Yuan, no longer wanting to hear a single word of argument from the Six Ministries, slammed his hand on the imperial desk, nearly knocking over the jade tablet on it.
The argument subsided only for a moment.
Suddenly, a voice emerged, attributing the entire incident to the closure of the post stations, and then the blame was directed at Han Song.
"Han Sheren disregarded the facts, was greedy for merit and acted rashly. He hastily abolished the post stations, which has led to the current delays in military affairs and the perilous state of border defense."
As soon as he finished speaking, someone chimed in: "Although Han Sheren's initial intentions for the country were good, he acted too hastily and his measures were inappropriate. His mistake has caused chaos in various departments and unrest among all levels of government. Your Majesty, Han Sheren cannot escape responsibility for the delay in the supply of funds and provisions in the northern border."
Subsequently, other officials stepped forward, citing various sources to fabricate charges. For a time, it seemed that the chaos in grain taxes, the abuses of the post stations, and the obstruction of important military and national affairs were all caused by him alone.
Suppressing his anger, Xie Yuan slammed his fist on the table repeatedly, the sound echoing through the air. "Chen Liangyu is on high alert in the north, but now the army is running out of supplies and the beacon towers need repair. Instead of working together to overcome these difficult times, you ministers are here fighting amongst yourselves, shirking responsibility, and treating national affairs like a game. Is this disregard for the lives of the soldiers on the front lines, or is it dissatisfaction with me?"
All the officials below the steps knelt down and replied in unison, "We dare not!"
"You have three days to come up with a feasible plan to make up for the deficit in funds and provisions in the northern border as soon as possible. If you dare to delay or shirk your responsibilities, you'd better take off your official robes and stop standing here in my way!"
Xie Yuan flicked his dragon robe and turned to enter the inner hall.
Memorials from various places piled up on my desk. The plague in Xiling subsided for a winter, but then returned in the spring. The summer floods in Hezhou caused floods due to siltation in the river channels. Relief funds and grain for these two places will be allocated soon.
Of all the matters at hand, the most important is the money and provisions for the northern border.
The grain tax accounts were in disarray, and the Six Ministries and their subordinate government offices were in a state of disarray, which was truly a headache.
Xie Yuan held the vermilion brush, facing the urgent and distressing report from the northern border. The border troops were in dire need of food, and he pondered whether he should temporarily use the imperial treasury to transfer money and grain there first. Suddenly, he heard the light footsteps of a palace attendant outside the hall.
Yan Feng bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Princess has urgently ordered the opening of the two imperial granaries in Zhuodong and borrowed military rations from Yunzhou and Yunshan County, which have already been transported to the northern border by canal."
Xie Yuan paused for a moment, his expression somewhat inscrutable. "Now that the grain has been allocated, the matter of the northern border can be put on hold for the time being. Order the Ministry of Revenue to immediately take stock of the remaining grain and make sure to fill the gaps in Zhudong, Yunzhou, and Yunshan County within half a month."
"yes."
The provisions have been sent out.
While the six ministries in the imperial court were arguing endlessly, Xie Wenjun remained silent and managed to mobilize military rations overnight without the approval of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War. It would have been impossible for him to do this without a thorough understanding of the granaries and canal routes.
Just how much more capable is she?
Xie Yuan's gaze fell on the cracks in the bricks of the inner hall, as if he were looking at something, yet also as if he wasn't looking at anything at all. Suddenly, many things from the past came to mind.
Seven years ago, it was Xie Wenjun who helped him ascend the throne with the imperial seal and edict; when the Linxia uprising broke out, it was she who prepared provisions and stabilized the situation; later, it was also she who helped him win over the people with the "Records of Ten Thousand Officials" so that he could successfully ascend the throne; at the beginning of his reign, the national treasury was in debt, and it was she who traveled to various prefectures and counties to measure the fields, reform agriculture and sericulture, negotiate with the Eastern Yin to pay reparations after the defeat, and managed to fill the hole.
After that, the emperor and his ministers were of one mind, the treasury was full, and the granaries were overflowing.
However, ever since the Agriculture and Sericulture Bureau was brought under the jurisdiction of the Central Secretariat, problems with grain tax have arisen one after another. Were these problems isolated incidents, or were they hidden dangers deliberately sown during her tenure as head of the Agriculture and Sericulture Bureau?
Thinking deeper, the court is now riddled with redundant officials and corrupt practices stemming from family connections. To rectify these problems would lead to discord between the emperor and his officials, and alienation of the people. To ignore them would only cause the Great Lin to weaken further. It's a dilemma. Did she truly fail to foresee these deep-seated problems when she drafted the "Records of Ten Thousand Officials"?
Or was this predicament part of her plan from the very beginning?
If everything that has happened today is a game she has orchestrated, then is he, the emperor, nothing more than the most respectable and law-abiding pawn in her hands? Having come this far, when does she intend to completely turn the tables on this game?
Xie Yuan suddenly felt that the numerous memorials piled up on his desk were dazzling, as if they were coated with a layer of light, making it impossible for him to see whether the hand holding the chessboard behind this dynasty was black or white.
His gaze fell on the sword hanging on the wall behind him, the sword he had used when he raised his army in Linxia. The shadow cast by the sword was pressed against the wall, and it overlapped with Xie Yuan's straight spine, creating a chilling effect.
He said, "Go and see what's going on at the Princess's residence."
Yan Feng: "Yes, Your Majesty."
Around noon, Xie Wenjun brought Roujia into the palace to pay her respects to the Empress. The carriage stopped outside Chengtian Gate, and as Xie Wenjun was holding Roujia's hand and walking towards Fengyi Palace, the Imperial Guards informed Xie Yuan that the Princess and Princess Roujia had entered the palace.
Xie Yuan frowned and asked, "Why did she bring Roujia into the palace?"
"Her Majesty the Empress misses Princess Roujia dearly, so she summoned the Princess to the palace for a chat."
"Summon Jiang Ning to see me."
Shortly after, a palace attendant announced from outside the hall: "Your Majesty, the Eldest Princess has arrived with Princess Roujia."
Xie Yuan put down his pen and pushed the memorial in front of him aside. "Come in."
Xie Wenjun led a delicate, beautiful little figure into the hall. As soon as they entered, Xie Wenjun smelled a faint medicinal scent. Even though the windows were open for ventilation and ambergris was burning, the medicinal scent was not completely masked.
Roujia was dressed in a moon-white palace dress, with her hair styled in two buns, and holding a scroll in her arms.
Xie Wenjun curtsied and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
She led Roujia forward a step, "Roujia, greet your father."
At this time in the past, Roujia would have shrunk her neck and hidden away, but today the small figure only paused for a moment, raised her head, her expression just like her mother's, her eyes staring straight at the person on the dragon throne. Her eyes no longer held the usual bewilderment, but instead carried a hint of timid curiosity.
Roujia did not recognize this "Father Emperor," but her aunt had taught her how to greet him.
After a moment of silence, Roujia curtsied and said, "Greetings to Father Emperor." Her voice was slightly muffled, and her tone was a beat slower than usual.
Xie Yuanxin was inexplicably reminded of this, and quickly beckoned to Roujia, "Come, come to Father Emperor."
Roujia glanced at Xie Wenjun, and seeing her nod, she slowly moved to the side of the dragon throne.
Xie Yuan bent down and picked her up. Over the years, he had heard the imperial physicians' reports that the child's condition was unlikely to improve. Roujia's features resembled his, but her eyes, which used to be veiled by a mist, were now clear, revealing a bright and clear look beneath, which made his heart ache.
He noticed that Roujia was still clutching the scroll in her arms.
"What's this?"
Roujia answered slowly, "Words."
Xie Yuan asked, "Roujia can write?"
May the parents be blessed with both prosperity and happiness, and may the couple shine together in harmony. [1]
The handwriting is beautiful, but upon closer inspection, it's clear that it lacks some skill and was written by a child.
Roujia then said, "To Father and Mother."
Xie Yuan raised his hand and patted Roujia's head. "Father knows." He then turned to Xie Wenjun and asked, "Have you seen the Empress?"
Xie Wenjun said, "Your Majesty, I have not yet taken Roujia to the Phoenix Palace to inquire after the Empress's health."
"Zheng Hechuan!"
Xie Yuan called out to the outside of the hall, and Zheng Hechuan strode into the hall: "Your Majesty."
“Take Roujia to the Phoenix Palace to meet with the Empress.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Zheng Hechuan bowed and stepped forward. “Princess, this servant will accompany you.”
Roujia let go of Xie Yuan and reached out to take Xie Wenjun with her. Upon learning that Xie Wenjun was to stay in Chongzheng Hall, Roujia frowned slightly, as if she was somewhat reluctant to part with her. However, she still obediently let Zheng Hechuan lead her, following him step by step.
Xie Yuanning stood frozen for a moment, then said, "Roujia, thank you."
Before Xie Wenjun could even bow, Xie Yuan's gaze fell upon her, scrutinizing her: "Your opening of the granaries and distribution of grain has temporarily relieved the urgent needs of the front lines, a truly great achievement. I have been unable to eat or sleep these past few days, entirely relying on you to share my burdens. Many things in the past have been the same."
Xie Wenjun said, "Your Majesty, I came to the palace today to report this matter to you."
"I had no idea that the Princess's decree could be issued faster than the Ministry of War's official document when the granaries were opened for borrowing grain."
The number of footsteps patrolling the palace was several times greater than usual.
Xie Yuan picked up his teacup, the tea froth trembling on the surface. He didn't drink it, but listened intently as the imperial guards outside the palace had just passed the steps, and in an instant, the sound of another troop of soldiers' boots was heard coming from the east gate.
"Since I ascended the throne, several years have passed, and I have not had a single night of restful sleep. Over the years, I have always felt as if there are hands behind my back, pushing me along involuntarily. I have always felt that everything is too coincidental. Why is it that every time the court is in turmoil, I always manage to emerge unscathed with ease, as if those events and the solutions had been planned out in advance by someone who was just waiting to hand them to me?"
"I've only recently come to this realization: Jiang Ning, is it you?"
"The Agriculture and Sericulture Bureau and the Field Inspection, the Records of All Officials and the reduction of cumbersome positions, even the abolition of hereditary privilege... it has always been you who have been playing the game behind the scenes, manipulating me and this great and mighty empire!"
With a "clang".
The sword hanging on the wall of the inner hall of Chongzheng Hall was drawn from its sheath.
Xie Yuan drew his sword, pointing it directly at Xie Wenjun's neck, the distance barely an inch.
Almost simultaneously, in front of the palace gates, the leader of the Imperial Guards, his hand on the sword at his waist, shouted, "Change shifts!"
Before the words were finished, a group of people emerged from the street corner. They were dressed in black robes and boots, with bronze badges indicating they were guards of the Southern Prefecture. The leader of the group was Gao Guan, the Grand Commander of the Southern Prefecture, who should have been on leave.
A few steps away, Gao Guan said, "I've only had a few days off, and he, Jiang Andong, has overstepped his bounds and taken over the job of guarding the palace gates from the Southern Palace Guards? Things are different now. Do you still think the Southern Palace Guards are useless? Take your Northern Palace Guards back. From today onwards, the palace gates and the Imperial City gates will be guarded by the Southern Palace Guards again."
The leader of the Imperial Guard stepped forward, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect but without any deference: "Commander Gao, we are here on the orders of Commander Jiang to guard this gate. Without new orders, no one may move this place."
Gao Guan waved for the men behind him to step forward. “Are you acting on Jiang Andong’s orders? His Majesty personally established the Southern Palace Gate Guard to oversee all the gates. When does Jiang Andong decide the changing of the guard at the palace gates? Get out of here.”
The two groups instantly faced off, the shafts of the Imperial Guards' lances clattering to the ground, and the gatekeepers' hands resting on their sword hilts.
Xie Yuan stared intently at Xie Wenjun, his gaze sharp. He had previously underestimated the complexity of the political situation.
They underestimated Xie Wenjun.
If all she sought was power second only to the emperor, and prestige, then so be it. He could preserve her dignity, allowing her to leave Yongdu and live a carefree life as a vassal lord, never to set foot in the capital again.
The bond of blood still lingered in his heart, reminding him of past affections.
If even the turmoil in the court and the flames of war on the border have become pawns in her game of chess, all within her calculations... A metallic sweetness suddenly welled up in his throat, but Xie Yuan swallowed it back down.
He could tolerate her manipulative power plays, but what about the Empress? What about Cong'er?
Will his child also be deceived by her, becoming a puppet in her hands, manipulated by her for life?
Xie Wenjun did not deny it, nor did she take a single step back. Today was neither a banquet held in the palace nor was Xie Wenjun here by imperial decree. Her attire was not elaborate, but her face remained exceptionally beautiful.
Compared to the gloom in Xie Yuan's eyes, Xie Wenjun appeared calm to the point of being cold-blooded. "Royal brother, how did things come to this?"
Her composure only made the murderous intent in Xie Yuan's eyes appear even more ferocious.
Was the siblings drawing their swords against each other also under her control?
A complex emotion flashed in Xie Wenjun's eyes. In those eyes, there was calculation, ambition, but also a trace of genuine worry about this country.
"My sister's ambition has never changed. She wants to eliminate the abuses of annexing farmland and return the land to the people. In this way, the foundation of agriculture and sericulture will be permanently secured, and all the people will be able to enjoy peace and prosperity."
"Jiang Ning, you have overstepped your bounds, interfered in politics, and manipulated the emperor; your intentions are despicable!"
"Your Majesty, I am merely sharing the burdens of the country and helping you fill in the gaps," Xie Wenjun said. "If Your Majesty is about to take action, why not consider that our father is still alive?"
"The imperial edict used by my brother when he ascended the throne in Linxia was stamped with the seal by my own hand. Over the years, the controversy surrounding whether my brother's succession was legitimate has never truly subsided."
Upon hearing this, the tip of the sword pointing at Xie Wenjun trembled slightly due to his arm shaking.
Xie Wenjun turned a blind eye.
“Your Majesty could kill me now with ease. However, if I die, the real edict that Father Emperor personally wrote and gave to me will be proclaimed to the world.”
Xie Yuan's sword seemed to falter somewhat, the tip of the sword involuntarily drooping a little.
The court officials already had their own agendas regarding the rumors of reducing redundant officials and abolishing hereditary privilege. If the legitimacy of the throne were shaken, would he still have time to rebuild the country?
If his days are numbered, what kind of internal and external troubles and disintegration will Cong'er inherit in the future?
Xie Yuan said, "In the few years since I ascended the throne, although I am not a great and ambitious ruler who has expanded the territory, I have been diligent and self-disciplined. I have no regrets towards the Great Lin and the people. I wish to be a wise and open-minded monarch."
"This matter is difficult; my brother alone cannot shoulder this burden."
Xie Wenjun reached out, not to touch the sword's edge, but to make a gesture of support. "The abuses of redundant officials are draining the foundation of the nation. The powerful families and their intricate kinship ties have become too powerful to control. The 'Records of Ten Thousand Officials' is indeed the first step, to find out exactly how many people they have bound together and how much land they have occupied, and then I will be the one to carry out the plan."
“Brother, this empire ultimately belongs to our Xie family. Why should we fight each other in the current situation? It would be better to leave the world a truly prosperous and peaceful era with abundant wealth than for us to suffer mutual destruction today.”
Xie Yuan was half surprised and half chilled. He had only known that she was intelligent and had some strategy, but he had underestimated her depth of cunning and far-reaching plans.
His face was ashen, and his hand finally slowly loosened its grip on the hilt of the sword, hanging limply at his sides.
He fell to the ground on his sword.
Xie Wenjun bent down and picked up the long sword from the ground. She did not return it, nor did she point it at anyone again.
“Your Majesty,” Xie Wenjun nodded slightly, her posture still respectful, but her words showed no sign of yielding, “If you are ill, take good care of yourself. Your Majesty, I shall take my leave.”
The author says: [1] "May my parents live to be a hundred years old" means that my parents live a long and healthy life.
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