Chapter 98 098 The Hottest Favorite at the Emperor's Side
Any emperor with ambition hopes to achieve something during his reign. Emperor Xianping, even as a prince, aspired to be a wise ruler. After ascending the throne, Emperor Xianping, sitting on the dragon throne, silently set a goal for himself that he must accomplish in this reign: to conquer Liaozhou, destroy the Yin Kingdom, and fulfill his father's lifelong wish.
Before his death, the emperor had repeatedly summarized the reasons for his two failed northern expeditions. The most crucial reason was the difficulty in transporting supplies, which was costly in terms of food, manpower, and time. After the Great Zhou army penetrated deep into the heart of Liaozhou, they often encountered the helpless situation of having to retreat due to insufficient supplies.
Emperor Xianping was eager to launch a northern expedition, but his father's two defeats made him hesitant to act rashly. Therefore, in recent years, Emperor Xianping continued to follow his father's policy of recuperation and development. He only built two granaries capable of storing tens of millions of shi of grain in a key town along the route from the capital to Zhuojun, and stored them slowly. Once they were full, they could be used for the northern expedition at any time.
Xiao Yu had just described the new canal that runs through the north and south with great passion, and Emperor Xianping, who was listening nearby, was also filled with excitement. As soon as Xiao Yu finished speaking, Emperor Xianping pointed to the Donghu people due north of Zhuojun and said, "If we really get this canal, not only will I be able to win the war against Yin, but it will also no longer be a pipe dream to march into the Donghu grasslands!"
Xiao Yu laughed and said, "Your Majesty is truly a man of great talent and strategy. Minister Chen and I could only think of using this canal for the Great Zhou to attack the Yin."
Chen Wenqi nodded in agreement.
Emperor Xianping raised his hand and patted Xiao Yu on the shoulder: "You, Yuanzhi, have actually learned to flatter. Tell me quickly, when did you come up with the idea of building such a large canal?"
Xiao Yu then recounted in detail the conversation he had with his wife and Hongge about the canals and ditches of the world that day: "Because my wife misses her homeland, Man'er went to fetch the map. Man'er is curious about the canals and ditches in various places, and it was only when I explained them to him that I had a sudden inspiration. However, if the late emperor had not unified the nine provinces, and if the emperor had not transferred me to the Ministry of Revenue to take over the finances of Yangzhou, my family would probably not have had the opportunity to discuss the rivers and canals of the nine provinces while looking at the map."
Chen Wenqi stroked his beard and said, "With favorable timing, location, and people, this is an auspicious sign of Heaven's blessing on the Great Zhou and the Emperor's prosperous reign."
Emperor Xianping suppressed his joy and asked the two men, "After discussing this for so long, is it possible to build this canal?"
Xiao Yu gave Chen Wenqi the chance to reply.
Chen Wenqi pointed to the waterways and local lakes that the new canal passes through, including the ancient canals and waterways left by previous dynasties: "If the theory is sound, then the matter can be carried out. However, I need to personally inspect the route to see how to excavate it. If Minister Xu can accompany me, I will be more confident."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xianping immediately summoned Xu Lian, the Minister of Works. The Western Garden was still under construction, but Xu Lian had already drawn up the maps. The budget of 200,000 taels was purely for the renovation of the original palaces and gardens of the Western Garden. He could leave it to the officials below to oversee, without Xu Lian needing to personally supervise it.
If Emperor Xianping still harbored some resentment about only being able to afford 200,000 taels of silver for his temple, the arrival of this new canal by Xiao Yu and Chen Wenqi completely dispelled that resentment. Leaving aside the conquests of the Yin and Hu tribes, the mere fact that such an unprecedented canal had been built ensured that Emperor Xianping's achievements would be remembered for eternity!
Upon arriving, Xu Lian was initially astonished by the new canal, just like Emperor Xianping. He was then thrilled to be able to participate in its construction. For a Minister of Works, building a palace costing 200,000 taels of silver was not a feat, building one costing 10 million taels would be considered aiding and abetting tyranny. But building such a great canal that benefits the country and its people was a true achievement. Even if the credit fell to Emperor Xianping, he and Chen Wenqi would be remembered for eternity because of this canal.
Without further ado, the two "canal builders" excitedly took their leave and went back to their respective government offices to select accompanying officials.
The construction of canals requires not only skilled workers but also those who manage the finances. The larger the project, the more money and provisions are used, making it easier for corrupt officials to exploit loopholes. In matters of loyalty to the emperor and integrity, Emperor Xianping trusted Xiao Yu the most. Even a veteran official like Gu Xi, who had served two reigns, might not have clean hands. Besides, Gu Xi was too old; what if he died before the canal was completed?
Therefore, Emperor Xianping said without hesitation: "Once the two of them have decided on how to build the canal, you will be the chief supervisor of this canal construction. I will only feel at ease if every penny of silver passes through your hands."
That's the national treasury's silver; even the emperor can't spend it as he pleases, let alone a bunch of corrupt officials!
Xiao Yu had no choice but to accept the responsibility, but he had one request: "Your Majesty, I request that you grant me one request."
Emperor Xianping: "You speak."
Xiao Yu glanced at the non-existent canal on the map and said, “Constructing this canal will inevitably require the conscription of laborers. This canal is two thousand li long, and the number of laborers needed will be no less than a million. If the court makes any mistakes in conscription, it could easily lead to widespread public resentment. Therefore, I have four suggestions: First, the court should avoid conscripting laborers during the planting and harvesting seasons to avoid disrupting the farmers' agricultural work. Second, according to the laws of this dynasty, each able-bodied person can serve a maximum of fifty days of labor service per year. If it is necessary to extend the labor service for canal construction, the court should provide each person with twenty wen (a unit of currency) per day. Third, during the labor service period, the court should provide the laborers with three meals a day. The laborers should work from sunrise to sunset. If a laborer falls ill or even dies due to overwork, the court should provide medical treatment and compensation. Fourth, the canal is divided into five sections. Only one section should be constructed each year, and the entire canal should not be delayed to avoid conscripting laborers from four different prefectures simultaneously, which could cause unrest among the people and also prevent an excessive burden on the national treasury. I humbly request Your Majesty's approval of these four suggestions.”
Of the four pieces of advice, the first three were for the benefit of the people, while only the last one was for the stability of the nation.
Emperor Xianping was well-versed in history and knew that if an emperor embarked on large-scale construction projects, a number of laborers would inevitably die from forced labor. Under a wise ruler, the number of deaths might be less, but under a foolish ruler, as many as 40-50% of the laborers would die from overwork or illness. If the court did not provide compensation, the people, unwilling to die in vain, would either flee into the mountains to avoid labor service or gather to revolt. Even if the court sent troops to suppress the rebellion, the emperor's reputation would be tarnished.
Emperor Xianping, unwilling to be a tyrannical ruler who preyed on the people, said to Xiao Yu, “Yuanzhi’s four remonstrances are both out of love for the people and loyalty to the emperor. How could I not respond? Draft a detailed memorial later, and I will review it carefully, striving to fill in any gaps and ensure that no one is harmed.”
After saying this, Emperor Xianping seemed to see a faint glimmer of tears in Xiao Yu's eyes. Just as he was about to take a closer look, Xiao Yu knelt down to express his gratitude.
Emperor Xianping suddenly wanted to laugh. While helping Xiao Yu up, he teased, "The other day I had you thrown out of the palace gates. Did you feel wronged and shed tears?"
Xiao Yu: "...I have spoken recklessly and offended the emperor. I deserve my punishment and am not wronged."
Emperor Xianping looked at his serious face and stopped joking.
.
At the end of September, Chen Wenqi and Xu Lian, along with other officials who had inspected the canal, returned weary from their journey, bringing back a stack of detailed canal construction plans.
Emperor Xianping was overjoyed and took out the stack of construction plans at the court assembly, allowing civil and military officials to take turns reviewing them.
These officials in the capital had already heard rumors about it. Some thought it was feasible, while others thought that Xiao Yu and others were oversimplifying things. But now that they had the practical and feasible canal construction plans in hand, all the officials who had seen them could only admire them.
However, some have put forward new suggestions, arguing that Luoyang is an important capital city, and the major canals running north to south should not bypass the capital. Instead of going to great lengths to dig new canals, it would be better to rebuild the Bianhe Canal, which connects the Huaihe River and the Yellow River, as well as several ancient canals from the Cao Wei period that connect the capital and Zhuojun north of the Yellow River.
Chen Wenqi stepped forward to object: "The Yellow River is full of sand, and the Bian River is silted up every year. The Baigou and other canals near the Yellow River in Cao Wei are also blocked by sand accumulation and have been abandoned for many years. Rather than dredging this year and blocking it again next year, it is better to dig a new canal. Moreover, the new canal is more than a thousand miles shorter than the two old canals. It will save time, effort and money in both construction and use."
Xu Lian added: "There is no need to rebuild the sections of the Baigou Canal of Cao Wei. However, it is a pity to abandon the Bian River, which connects the capital with Jiangnan. I believe that for the sake of the Northern Expedition, we should build a new canal first. After Liaozhou is returned to our Great Zhou, the court can choose an time to dredge the Bian River. At that time, merchants and grain can travel directly from Yangzhou to the capital, or go up the Yellow River to Puyang and then up the Grand Canal."
Both of these men were renowned officials in water conservancy projects. They explained the principles clearly, and even if someone was still unconvinced, that person dared not "make a fool of themselves" anymore.
Emperor Xianping made a decision: "Build the new canal first, and then discuss the dredging of the Bian River later."
After no one among the officials objected, Emperor Xianping issued an edict ordering Chen Wenqi and Xu Lian to be in charge of the canal construction, and Xiao Yu to oversee the allocation of silver and grain and the mobilization of laborers during the canal construction.
No minister wanted to compete with Chen Wenqi and Xu Lian for the task of repairing the canal, but many ministers were dissatisfied with appointing Xiao Yu, who was only in his early thirties and had only served as a secretary in the Ministry of Revenue for more than half a year, as the chief supervisor of the canal and undertaking this rare project that was expected to cost ten million taels of silver and mobilize a million laborers. However, it was Xiao Yu's idea to repair the canal, and the emperor had personally appointed him, so no one else had the audacity to openly compete.
Some people disagreed, but many more envied Xiao Yu, believing that after the canal was completed in five years, it would be time for Xiao Yu to be promoted.
As a result, many people went to curry favor with Xiao Rong, Xiao Hu, and Xiao Lin, and the number of officials' wives who invited Deng Shi and Luo Fu to enjoy flowers and play cards also suddenly increased.
Luo Fu declined the invitations, citing her pregnancy and Deng Shi's excuse of taking care of her daughter-in-law at home. Deng Shi also gave Xiao Rong and his sons a strict order: they could go out for drinks and social engagements, but no one was allowed to accept gifts or money from others, and they were not allowed to accept favors from officials.
Not only did the Xiao family become a coveted prize, but the lives of Pei Xingshu and Luo Lan, as well as Luo Dayuan and his wife who lived in Ganquan Town, also became lively. Especially the Luo family, because they had a son named Luo Song who was older and unmarried and served as a centurion in the Imperial Guard, matchmakers kept coming to their door so many that they almost wore out the threshold of the Luo family.
After Luo Fu became pregnant, she temporarily stopped going back to her parents' home. Her sister told her about the lively atmosphere there. However, when she went to the Princess's residence to play cards, Luo Fu clearly sensed the Princess's displeasure. The Princess, who was usually on good terms with her, kept a close eye on her while playing cards, trying her best to prevent her from winning.
Perhaps because her husband was too successful in his official career, Luo Fu was quite unlucky at the card game today, losing almost twenty taels!
After Princess Qi and Princess Shun left, Luo Fu pretended to be puzzled and complained to the Eldest Princess, "Does Your Highness not like me anymore? Why are you watching me so closely?"
Kang Ping snorted, "So many people are trying to curry favor with you, do you still care whether I like you or not?"
Luo Fu: "Of course, our Luo family's ancestral tradition is to be devoted to one person. Once we meet someone we like, we won't look at anyone else, especially when all the later ones combined are not as good as the one we liked at the beginning."
Kang Ping: "..."
Hearing such sweet words that it makes your teeth ache, and then thinking about the other man surnamed Luo who could only mutter "I won't marry anyone," Kangping suddenly became curious about how these two siblings had grown up when they were young.
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Author's Note: Luo Song: [Clown][Clown][Clown]
Here they are! 100 little red envelopes, see you tomorrow!
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