Chapter Thirty: Southern Worries and Northern Troubles
As the summer solstice approaches, a time when all things should be flourishing and brimming with the promise of a bountiful harvest, the Central Plains are shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere. Continuous torrential rains have brought unusually abundant rainfall to the south, and the Yellow River, the mother river that nurtured civilization, is now like a runaway dragon, breaching its banks and changing course in multiple locations downstream. The turbid floodwaters roar and breach the banks, swallowing vast tracts of fertile land, destroying countless houses, and the once lush green rice seedlings, submerged in muddy water, rot and turn black within days, making a complete crop failure inevitable.
Along the official road, refugees, young and old, fled, their faces sallow and their eyes numb. Behind them lay their homes, now a vast expanse of water; ahead lay a bleak and unknown path to survival. Yet, even under such natural disaster, official tax collection orders continued to be issued, and the heavy burden of corvée labor was not reduced despite the calamity. To make matters worse, the already meager government grain allocated for disaster relief, after being embezzled and deducted by layers of officials, was by the time it reached the truly starving people—a drop in the ocean. On both banks of the Yellow River, corpses lay everywhere, and it was common to see people selling their children to survive. Their heart-wrenching cries seemed to pierce the dust of the official road, reaching the heavens, telling of the endless sorrow of this world.
Inside the Forbidden City, the lights in the Hall of Mental Cultivation often burned late into the night. Reports concerning the Yellow River floods and the displacement of people piled up on the emperor's desk, each word dripping with grief. But at this moment, Emperor Zhen Jiancheng's furrowed brow was not entirely due to the horrific disaster. He gripped a secret memorial from the Censorate tightly in his hand, his knuckles turning slightly white from the pressure.
The secret memorial blatantly impeached the Seventh Prince, Yunji, for falsifying transaction volumes in border trade in the north and embezzling funds. It also alleged that a batch of grain intended to aid the border troops and be exchanged for cattle and sheep to expand the imperial pastures was delivered to the north, but the number of livestock received in return was far less than recorded in the accounts, with a huge discrepancy and many suspicious points.
"Yunji..." The Emperor put down the secret memorial, his gaze turning northward, a complex and unspoken emotion flashing in his deep eyes. That was his and Zhili's son, the heir he had longed for and relied upon for so many years, and now he too had been drawn into the vortex of the court. He absolutely refused to believe that his son, who had worked diligently on the grasslands and devoted himself to the people, would do such a despicable thing, but the impeachment came so suspiciously, and the timing so sensitive, that there must be a deeper conspiracy hidden behind it. Perhaps, this was not only aimed at Yunji, but also at him, the Emperor, and at the undecided successor in the court.
"Your Majesty," the trusted eunuch Liu Yue quietly entered the hall and reported in a low voice, "General Guo, Prime Minister Lu, and Minister Huang are waiting outside the hall for your decree."
"Announce."
A moment later, Guo Shichang and Lu Xian bowed and entered, their expressions both solemn. They had clearly already learned of the impeachment proceedings.
"My two ministers, what are your thoughts on this matter?" The emperor pushed the secret memorial to the table, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.
Guo Shichang spoke first, his tone carrying the straightforwardness and indignation characteristic of a military general: "Your Majesty! Your Highness and I have witnessed firsthand what the Seventh Prince has done in the Northern Frontier. He has worked tirelessly day and night, sharing weal and woe with his soldiers, establishing trade markets, setting up schools, and pacifying various tribes—all for the sake of the country and its people! This false accusation is a malicious scheme by a villain! I swear on my life, Your Highness has never committed such an act!" His emotions were running high, his chest heaving slightly. As a veteran who had watched Yunji grow up and knew the deep bond between his daughter Huairou and Yunji, he was filled with immense anger at this false accusation.
Lu Xian, however, appeared more composed. He stroked his beard and pondered, "General Guo, please calm down. Your Majesty, this old minister also believes that the Seventh Prince is of noble character. However, this impeachment comes from the Censorate and must be handled carefully to avoid attracting criticism from the court and the public, which could damage His Highness's reputation." His mature gaze revealed the unusual nature of the matter. However, since this matter involved his family's territory, Lu Xian knew very little about it at the moment, and therefore spoke with extreme caution.
The emperor nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the two high-ranking officials: "I also do not believe that Yunji would be so muddle-headed. But as Chancellor Lu said, this matter must be thoroughly investigated. However..." He changed the subject, his tone becoming serious, "Right now, the Yellow River is raging with floods, and the disaster victims are crying out for food. The court must do everything in its power to provide disaster relief and stabilize public morale."
A brief silence fell over the hall, broken only by the crackling of the candlelight. The emperor pondered for a moment, then turned his gaze to June: "Summon Huang Zhiqian, Minister of Revenue."
"Announce—the Minister of Revenue, Huang Zhiqian, is here to pay his respects—" The eunuch's high-pitched announcement echoed through the hall.
Before long, an elderly official in a scarlet robe, with a pale face and a lingering worry between his brows, strode in. He was none other than Huang Zhiqian, the Minister in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, who was in charge of the nation's finances, household registration, and taxes. He respectfully bowed deeply: "Your subject Huang Zhiqian greets Your Majesty."
"Rise, Minister Huang." The Emperor raised his hand in a gesture of support, his tone deep and slow. "I summoned you here late at night to hear what the state of the national treasury is like now. With the Yellow River flooding to this extent, disaster relief and dike repairs require money everywhere. Can the Ministry of Revenue still manage to keep up?"
Huang Zhiqian stood up, but did not answer immediately. Instead, he took out a thick booklet from his sleeve, presented it with both hands, and said in a voice that was obviously heavy: "Your Majesty, this is the latest summary of the national treasury's revenue and expenditure and the inventory of warehouses in various places, as calculated by the Ministry of Revenue. Please review it."
In June, he took the booklet and respectfully placed it before the emperor.
The emperor did not immediately open the book, but looked intently at Huang Zhiqian: "I would like to hear your opinion first."
Huang Zhiqian took a deep breath, as if to gather some strength, before slowly speaking, each word carrying immense weight: "Your Majesty, the national treasury... is now stretched thin, living beyond our means, and I fear it will be difficult to continue."
He paused, then began to explain in detail, his voice echoing in the empty hall, carrying a clarity that made one's heart tighten:
"Firstly, annual revenue. Last year, taxes in various regions were reduced by more than 10% compared to previous years due to border wars and droughts and floods in some areas. This spring, floods suddenly broke out in the south, submerging countless fertile fields. Taxes in the affected counties will inevitably be significantly reduced, or even result in no harvest at all. This item is expected to reduce annual revenue by another 20% to 30%."
"Secondly, annual expenditures. The salaries of the northern border troops, as well as the provisions and supplies, are fixed and substantial expenditures that cannot be touched. The initial investment in the border trade established by the Seventh Prince was also considerable. In addition, the regular expenses such as the salaries of local officials, the support of the imperial family, and the maintenance of river works have already accounted for more than half of last year's expenditures. Now that the Yellow River has breached its banks, disaster relief, resettlement of displaced persons, construction of dikes, and procurement of materials... each item is a bottomless pit. Preliminary estimates suggest that the current disaster relief and subsequent river works alone will require more than five million taels of silver, not including the investment in post-disaster reconstruction and the restoration of production."
"Thirdly, the inventory." Huang Zhiqian's voice grew lower and lower. "The silver stored in the capital's imperial granary is now only a little over three million taels. The reserves in the granaries and charitable granaries in various places have also been greatly depleted after this round of requisitioning, and I'm afraid they will not be able to last until the autumn harvest. If there are any further changes, such as an emergency at the border or another disaster in other prefectures, then... then the national treasury may be in danger of being... empty."
He finally uttered the words "the danger of emptiness" almost word by word, then lowered his head deeply, as if he could not bear the immense pressure.
Guo Shichang and Lu Xian listened with increasingly grave expressions. Although they knew the national treasury was not abundant, they had not imagined it was in such dire straits.
The emperor listened quietly, his face revealing neither joy nor anger, only his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the table. After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice carrying a cold calm: "Minister Huang, in your opinion, of all the disaster relief funds allocated, how much will actually reach the hands of the victims? What percentage out of ten will actually reach them?"
Huang Zhiqian's body trembled slightly. This question went straight to the heart of the matter, yet it was also the most dangerous. He carefully chose his words and cautiously replied, "Your Majesty is wise... If the water is too clear, there will be no fish. With layers of transportation, the salaries of officials, and losses along the way... According to the usual system, if three to four tenths can be used for actual relief, it is already... not easy." He ultimately did not dare to say a lower figure.
"Three to four tenths..." the emperor repeated, his tone devoid of emotion, but his sharp gaze swept over Guo An and Lu Xian. "In other words, of the one million taels of silver I allocated, perhaps only three hundred thousand taels can actually be exchanged for rice and grain to reach the disaster victims. The remaining seven hundred thousand taels will simply vanish into thin air because of the word 'difficult'."
The atmosphere inside the hall instantly plummeted to freezing. Fine beads of sweat appeared on Huang Zhiqian's forehead; he dared not utter a word.
The emperor's gaze returned to the thick book, and he finally reached out and opened it. Inside were densely packed numbers and entries, recording the lifeblood of this vast empire. He silently flipped through it, his gaze lingering on certain entries, especially those marked "Yongzhou," "river repair," and "material procurement."
"Minister Huang," the Emperor said, closing the booklet. His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. "From this day forward, all funds allocated for the Yellow River flood relief, regardless of size, must be rigorously reviewed by your Ministry of Revenue and archived for future reference. I want to know the exact destination of every single penny. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Anyone found guilty of embezzlement, fraud, or misappropriation, regardless of who is involved, will be severely punished without mercy once verified."
Huang Zhiqian looked up abruptly, a hint of shock and determination flashing in his eyes. He immediately bowed and accepted the order: "Your subject... obeys the decree! I will do my utmost to safeguard the national treasury for Your Majesty and manage every penny for the people!"
"Go down and submit the detailed expense regulations as soon as possible."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave." Huang Zhiqian bowed again and left the Hall of Mental Cultivation with heavy steps. He knew that behind the great power bestowed upon him by His Majesty lay an immense burden and even greater risks.
Watching Huang Zhiqian's departing figure, the emperor remained silent for a long time. Guo Shichang and Lu Xian also stood silently, their hearts churning with turmoil. The empty treasury, intertwined with the impeachment targeting the prince, made them clearly feel that a huge storm was brewing.
"You have all seen and heard it." The emperor's voice broke the silence, carrying a deep weariness and coldness. "Internal and external troubles, an empty treasury, yet some are still busy forming cliques and eliminating dissidents, which may even erode the foundation of the country... I can no longer sit idly by."
His gaze turned north again, and then seemed to penetrate the palace walls, looking towards the flood-ravaged land to the south.
"Keep an eye on Yunji's side, secretly investigate and gather evidence, but don't alert him yet. As for Yongzhou..." A cold glint flashed in the Emperor's eyes, "I will go and see for myself how many demons and monsters are hiding beneath this flood."
As night deepened, the candlelight in the Hall of Mental Cultivation cast a long, long shadow of the emperor's lonely yet resolute figure. A storm was brewing, and the heart of the empire was already on high alert.
Unbeknownst to the emperor and his three trusted ministers, the root of this framing against Yunji actually lay in Yongzhou, thousands of miles away, and involved another prince.
Originally, in order to quell the resentment of the Second Prince An Tai, who had been delayed in being designated as heir due to the powerful influence of his maternal clan, and also to demonstrate "fairness" and "experience," the court entrusted the Second Prince with the responsibility of disaster relief in some areas affected by the Yellow River floods. This was the emperor's well-intentioned wish, hoping that he would be compassionate towards the people and achieve great things.
However, the second prince, An Tai, relied on his maternal clan and acted insincerely. He and his cronies took advantage of the disaster relief efforts to falsify project quotes and embezzle huge sums of money allocated by the court. They also secretly recruited and raised private soldiers in the deep mountains outside Yongzhou City, revealing their treacherous intentions.
In an attempt to divert the court's attention and cover up the fact that the Second Prince had embezzled funds and maintained an army, his cronies meticulously plotted to target the Seventh Prince, Yunji, who was far away in the northern border and was also a prince. They fabricated charges against Yunji, falsely accusing him of embezzling silver in border trade, hoping to confuse the public and muddy the waters.
The Second Prince's faction acted with extreme caution and meticulousness. Within the Yongzhou territory under their control, all travel permits were rigorously checked to eliminate anyone who might leak information. The army secretly maintained in the deep mountains outside Yongzhou City always changed into civilian clothes when entering and leaving, acted in secrecy, and had extremely strict camp management, requiring multiple layers of notification for entry and exit, making it difficult for outsiders to know anything about them.
They went to great lengths to procure flood relief supplies. Suppliers were scattered throughout the country, numerous and varied; verifying the prices of each one was like searching for a needle in a haystack, exhausting both manpower and horses, with little success. Furthermore, they abused their power, exaggerating the severity of the disaster to legally apply for increased relief funds. In this back-and-forth, large sums of government money flowed unnoticed into the pockets of those handling the transactions.
The official accounting system at that time was rudimentary, making it easy to falsify accounts, and it lacked the rigorous auditing and oversight systems of later generations. The few officials who handled this core matter had already been bribed by the Second Prince or his maternal relatives through coercion and inducement, forming a community of shared interests.
What's even more meticulous is that the Second Prince and his core advisors broke down the entire chain of "material procurement - silver expenditure - raising elite troops" into extremely detailed steps. Most of the executors under his command only knew the specific link they were responsible for, doing seemingly "ordinary" work, completely unaware that they had participated in a massive conspiracy.
Inside the main hall, candlelight flickered. After Guo Shichang, Lu Xian, and Huang Zhiqian withdrew, the emperor stood alone before a massive map, his gaze fixed on the direction of Yongzhou. The scattered intelligence sent by his secret guards, though failing to reveal the full picture, already indicated numerous anomalies in the use of disaster relief funds and the movement of personnel in the Yongzhou area. These anomalies subtly pointed to his seemingly humble but actually ambitious second son—An Tai. However, the emperor remained silent, his mind in turmoil. He did not yet announce the matter to his court officials; otherwise, public opinion would instantly turn against him, and perhaps sending him to participate in government affairs had been too hasty.
The emperor's expression turned serious and weary. This matter involved his two sons... Twenty thousand elite troops might not be enough to overthrow the country in the short term, but the nature of this matter was egregious. Based on his understanding of An Tai, even if he was eager to ascend the throne, he would not treat his father like this. It must be at the instigation of his maternal uncles. If this was allowed to continue, it would become a major problem, which was something he absolutely did not want to see.
Although the clues had shown signs of something amiss, mere speculation was insufficient for conviction, especially when it involved a prince. He needed solid evidence, firsthand witnessing and hearing firsthand, to cut through the chaos of his thoughts and make the fairest, yet also the most ruthless, decision.
"The emperor is far away..." the emperor murmured to himself, a hint of self-mockery and heaviness in his voice. He also realized that he bore an inescapable responsibility for this matter, that he had failed to properly supervise the local authorities and investigate the matter, and that he had been too lenient and lax in his upbringing of his son and his maternal clan.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, the clarity and decisiveness of an emperor had returned. The night deepened, and a storm brewed silently, swirling around the national treasury, imperial power, and the bond between father and son. And the journey south was destined to be anything but peaceful.
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