Xu Silin thought that Han Yuanshu always cared about the people. When he saw that it was the Grand Secretary's money, he would probably be too busy setting off firecrackers to celebrate. He would also have to rub his eyes to make sure he wasn't dreaming. There was no reason not to accept the money.
As soon as he finished speaking, a hint of surprise flashed in Han Yuanshu's eyes, and his lips parted slightly before closing again.
It's Shen Qingchen again.
He put down his pen, placed his hands on the chair, and looked Xu Silin up and down. This man came from the most illustrious and powerful family, and even princes would treat him with deference. Shen Qingchen, on the other hand, was just an ordinary scholar from a poor family, powerless and helpless. How could it be that he owed Xu Silin something in their relationship?
What do we owe?
He frowned as he thought about it. That Shen Qingchen, not only was he close to the Second Grand Secretary Song Yue, but he'd even managed to get involved with the Grand Secretary's son?
“Lord Han,” Xu Silin said when he saw that Han was silent, “I know that Lord Han has doubts. There are some things that I cannot say. Lord Han cares about the people. Since these three thousand taels can save the people from their suffering, Lord Han should not consider them.”
Han Yuanshu glanced at him, then at the silver note. To be honest, he wanted the silver note. The Xu family's wealth was originally plundered from the people, so returning it to the people was only reasonable.
The flood season in Huairou starts as early as March, and it's almost December now. They need to start repairing the dikes as soon as spring arrives, otherwise it might be too late. Although Shen Qingchen's plan to repair the dikes is a good one, he has never tried anything like this before, so it's not certain that it will succeed. If it fails, having to watch the floodwaters inundate the people and farmland would be worse than death for him.
Now that the three thousand taels of silver have been paid, we can start work immediately after the New Year.
Han Yuanshu frowned, his handsome face serious and indifferent, and a few wisps of hair seemed to have suddenly sprouted on his pointed chin.
Xu Silin noticed that he was considering the matter, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "Sir, please don't hesitate any longer. Three thousand taels of silver is not a small amount. If you don't decide now, I'm afraid I'll change my mind once I come to my senses. The lives and farmland of so many people in Huairou County are in your hands. Please think it over carefully."
After a long silence, Han Yuanshu raised his head and finally spoke, "I agree to your conditions."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Silin breathed a slight sigh of relief.
He smiled and said, "I knew that you, sir, always put the people first. I also believe that you will not forget my conditions. In that case, I will take my leave now."
Han Yuanshu stared intently at the person before him. The person's face was noticeably more relaxed than when he entered. Despite having given away three thousand taels, he seemed happier than if he had received three thousand taels himself. Han Yuanshu couldn't understand it.
Since it's about paying off a debt, why would someone do it so willingly and happily?
Looking back at himself, he realized that accepting the three thousand taels of silver could have helped alleviate the people's burdens, but he felt inexplicably uncomfortable and conflicted.
Just as Xu Silin was about to step out from the doorway, Han Yuanshu suddenly spoke up: "Stop."
Xu Silin withdrew one hand from the curtain, turned around, and asked in confusion, "Does my lord have any further instructions?"
"Take your silver notes away." Han Yuanshu said coldly with a stern face, "I... have changed my mind." After saying this, he immediately felt a little lighter.
Now it was Xu Silin's turn to stop laughing. A shadow gradually fell over his face, and his dark eyes instantly turned icy cold. "A man's word is his bond. Since Lord Han has already promised me, how can he go back on his word?!"
Han Yuanshu was not ashamed of his change of heart, and said matter-of-factly, "This is my cell. I can do whatever I want with it."
"Why?" Xu Silin asked, his eyes narrowed as he glanced at him, unwilling to give up.
"I have no need to explain to you," Han Yuanshu said bluntly. "In short, take back these three thousand taels. I thank you on their behalf for your kindness in helping the people of Huairou."
"I don't need anyone to thank me. I just need Lord Han to help me put the credit on Shen Qingchen so that I can repay what I owe him."
"No need to say anything more." Han Yuanshu lowered his head, no longer looking at him. "I have other matters to attend to. Take your silver notes and leave."
Xu Silin's brows were already furrowed, "Lord Han..."
Han Yuanshu didn't even look up, her tone cold and distant, "I told you to get out. Don't you understand?"
A moment later, Xu Silin angrily lifted the curtain and went out with a sullen face.
The curtain was slammed against the door frame with a loud thud.
He had long known Han Yuanshu's temper, but he had never put on airs because of his status. Today was the first time he had ever given Han Yuanshu the cold shoulder.
He made it clear and unambiguous to Han Yuanshu that Xu Silin was very unhappy.
Han Yuanshu raised her head slightly, glancing sideways at his back, before looking away after a while.
He wasn't actually a fickle person, but ever since he agreed to accept the silver notes, he'd felt uneasy. Firstly, the silver belonged to the Xu family, and everyone knew perfectly well how the Xu family obtained their money—by exploiting the people and embezzling state funds. Even though it was for the sake of the people, he still felt a pang of resentment at having to take the Xu family's money.
Another reason is Shen Qingchen. He couldn't figure out what had happened between Shen Qingchen and Xu Silin, but Xu Silin clearly looked satisfied just now. It seemed that Han Yuanshu had unwittingly helped someone build a bridge between them, so he wasn't very happy about it.
I was very unhappy.
It makes no sense that the two of them are having an affair while I am the one being used.
Despite his feelings, Han Yuanshu remained a rational person. No matter how uncomfortable he was, the dike still needed to be repaired. The people of Huairou were not to be sacrificed for his emotions. The reason he was able to ultimately refuse Xu Silin was because Shen Qingchen had already devised a method for repairing the dike.
Although he never admitted his approval of the method to Shen Qingchen's face, he still held hope for it.
Great hope.
If he had accepted the silver notes just now, that wouldn't have been giving Shen Qingchen credit; that would have truly erased her contribution. Xu Silin is still young; what does he know?
Xu Silin didn't understand why Han Yuanshu had changed so quickly.
After angrily slamming the curtain and leaving, he took a few steps and then unconsciously stopped under the eaves, looking at the blooming winter plum blossoms and falling snow in the courtyard, frowning in deep thought.
The three thousand taels of silver notes were right there. Han Yuanshu could accept them and immediately go to repair the dike. He could fulfill the court's mission, give an account to the people he cared about, and do it all without having to pay a price. Why wouldn't he be willing to do it? He knew Han Yuanshu was impatient and hot-tempered, but he had never heard of him being mentally challenged. Such a good thing had fallen into his lap and he was still refusing it. It was as if the dike in his brain had been damaged and had overflowed!
Xu Silin was filled with displeasure, his handsome face turned towards the wind and snow, his eyes like a cold pool in the twelfth lunar month.
He rarely used his position to pressure others, especially not when he was in the Ministry of Works. Just now, seeing Han Yuanshu go back on his word, he really wanted to bring up his father for a moment, but in the end he held back.
Fine snowflakes gradually fell from the horizon, the snow's light shrouding half of his handsome yet somber face. After a long while, he leaned on the railing and let out a long sigh.
Han Yuanshu refused to accept it. Was he supposed to give the three thousand taels of silver directly to Shen Qingchen?
Inside the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Zhu Rui had a somber face, and no one in the hall dared to speak. Everyone was quietly waiting for Han Yuanshu.
Before long, Han Yuanshu was brought in by two Imperial Guards and forced to kneel at the emperor's feet.
Not long after Xu Silin left, while he was still lost in thought in his cell, the eunuch Huang Heng and the Imperial Guards arrived. Upon seeing them, he knew that Zhou Shiping had stirred up trouble.
"Lord Han," Zhu Rui said coldly, his tone filled with anger, "I've heard that you have a fiery temper and are known for your sharp tongue; you even insulted one of my own officials."
Han Yuanshu glanced at the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, appearing quite composed, and calmly replied, "Your subject has no such intention."
Zhou Shiping tried to interject and argue, but was met with a glance from the emperor. He was so frightened that he immediately lowered his head.
"Have you finished repairing the dike at Huairou?" Zhu Rui considered himself a wise ruler; arguing with his ministers over such trivial matters as scolding them would be beneath his dignity. However, if a minister neglected his duties, he would have every reason to reprimand him. Since he was going to scold them anyway, he might as well choose a good reason.
"Your Majesty, I have not."
Zhu Rui was holding back his anger, but he didn't want to vent it so quickly. He wanted to make it more unbearable by pushing him little by little. "Why isn't it fixed yet? Do you want me to fix it myself?"
Han Yuanshu calmly looked at the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, we don't have enough money."
"Not enough money?" Zhu Rui glanced at Grand Secretary Xu Yan.
Xu Yan is now in charge of the court, and the lack of funds is clearly his responsibility. Whether the vast sums of silver collected annually were embezzled, lost, or simply vanished, only Xu Yan knows the truth. Thinking of this, Zhu Rui felt even more resentful. He knew Xu Yan was embezzling, but he couldn't say anything, because Xu Yan was there to watch over the court for him. Zhu Rui felt a surge of frustration, and the urge to curse him vanished.
But having come this far, he couldn't very well not continue asking, so he said impatiently, "How much does it cost to build a dam? How much did the cabinet give you? Let me hear it, and let me see if it's enough."
"Your Majesty, the dike at Huairou has been in operation for ten years and is now due for major repairs. The Cabinet has given me three thousand taels of silver, but I believe that is still half short."
Han Yuanshu answered confidently, clearly implying that he wasn't to blame; it was simply because the Emperor couldn't afford it—wanting the horse to run fast without feeding it. Zhu Rui, somewhat embarrassed and angry, retorted, "Those with more money have their own ways of reforming laws, and those with less money have theirs. You, as the head of the Ministry of Works, are in charge of these kinds of matters, yet you didn't try to find a solution and only came to tell me you were short of funds after three months?!"
Han Yuanshu, who was fearless, couldn't help but laugh upon hearing these words. "Your Majesty, there is only one way to repair the dike, and that is to repair it properly. If there isn't enough money, it cannot be repaired properly. The cabinet knew three months ago that I was short of funds."
Xu Yan remained silent; he had seen this kind of scene many times before. He and Zhu Rui had long understood each other implicitly, and since Zhu Rui couldn't do anything about it, there was no need for him to argue.
Seeing that Han Yuanshu still dared to laugh, Zhu Rui became even more furious. "You... what use are you people to me! Embroidered Uniform Guards, drag him to the Meridian Gate and give him thirty strokes of the cane!"
The court flogging in the Ming Dynasty wasn't just ordinary beatings. The wooden sticks used were specially made, covered with iron plates and barbs. When used to beat someone, the barbs on the stick would tear off large chunks of flesh and skin; repeated tearing would leave the flesh rotten. Generally, ten strokes would result in wounds requiring suctioning of blood, twenty strokes would cripple the person, and thirty strokes would essentially render them unable to care for themselves for the rest of their lives.
As soon as he finished speaking, the Qianqing Palace fell into a moment of silence and solemnity.
In the dead of winter, let alone being flogged, even standing naked at the Meridian Gate for a while could freeze a person to death.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Shiping was so happy that his armpits were trembling, but he had no choice but to clench his fists tightly in fear of the emperor's wrath.
Two Imperial Guards immediately came in and arrested the person.
Han Yuanshu remained kneeling on the ground, refusing to rise. He said slowly, "If Your Majesty wishes to punish me, I dare not object. However, even if someone else is appointed as the head of the Ministry of Works, the same problem still applies: the dikes still need to be repaired. To be honest, Your Majesty, I have already devised a plan to repair the dikes for three thousand taels of silver. However, it was only finalized yesterday and has not yet been presented to the Cabinet."
Zhu Rui frowned upon hearing this and waved his hand to dismiss the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Throughout history, the most important thing has always been money. With money, everything is easy; without money, everything is difficult.
Right now, the dike repair is clearly three thousand taels short, and Han Yuanshu has actually come up with a plan? If that's the case, then can he solve all the other financial difficulties at the same time?
"explain."
"This plan was not yours to suggest; Your Majesty should ask him to explain it to you personally."
"who?"
"Shen Qingchen, a junior official in the Hanlin Academy," he said clearly, word by word.
Zhu Rui searched his memory for the person, but wasn't entirely sure. He said, "Summon him to an audience immediately."
At the same time, Shen Qingchen was also reviewing records at the Ministry of Works, familiarizing himself with the types and origins of timber and stone used in various civil engineering projects, as well as the construction period and cost of dikes of different sizes, still trying to use the limited funds as effectively as possible.
She was unaware that Xu Silin was carrying three thousand taels of silver notes and was currently wandering in the snow, wondering how to ask her for them without being refused.
Her teacher Song Yue's words still echoed in her ears. He encouraged her to focus on repairing the dike, comforted her that life has its ups and downs, and told her not to worry about him. These small acts of care made Qingchen even more determined to do this well.
If she can't help him right now, then she'll try her best to be the best student and not embarrass her teacher.
Gu Shaoheng, who was quite familiar with the book, pulled out a storybook from somewhere and placed it halfway under the book, reading it with great interest.
Just then, someone arrived at the door. It was the eunuch delivering the imperial decree. "Summon Shen Qingchen, a Junior Secretary of the Hanlin Academy, to the palace for an audience with the Emperor—"
Gu Shaoheng jumped in surprise and quickly stuffed the storybook into his sleeve. "Entering the palace to meet the emperor? Qingchen?"
Although the junior officials were elite scholars, they weren't official officials yet. The current emperor was a lazy man; he had no time to see them. Of the three junior officials in the room, the one most likely to have an audience with the emperor was definitely not Shen Qingchen…
Qingchen was stunned. Enter the palace to meet the emperor?!
Outside the Qianqing Palace, Shen Qingchen saw only the magnificent eaves and brackets, the golden glazed tiles, the vermilion pillars, and the heavy guards outside the hall. As she stepped onto the stone steps, her heart pounded wildly.
After being led into the hall, before she could even see Emperor Zhu Rui's face clearly from a distance, a eunuch reminded her to kneel and pay her respects.
Shen Qingchen bowed, and Zhu Rui said, "Step forward and pay your respects."
She took a few steps forward, and out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Han Yuanshu kneeling on the ground. However, he appeared quite composed, and his back was ramrod straight. And there was Zhou Shiping standing beside him!
Her heart was beating faster and faster.
Zhu Rui looked at the prefect in front of him, and after a while, he remembered.
He remembered this person. During the palace examination last year, he felt that this person was quite talented, but because he had no background, he was only awarded fourth place. After that, he never saw these junior officials again.
She stood there properly, her face clear and fair, a few snowflakes on her eyelashes, her eyes clear and gentle.
Whether he has talent or not is still unknown, but his appearance is certainly remarkable!
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