Thunder at Dawn
The autumn rain continued for three days, shrouding the capital in a damp, cold, gray haze. However, even colder than the weather was the suddenly tense atmosphere in the court.
Late at night on the second day after Lu Qinglan's letter was delivered to the Seventh Prince's Mansion, an urgent military report from 800 miles away was like a thunderclap, exploding the silent palace - a major grain ship capsized at Linqing Lock. Three grain ships loaded with Jiangnan tribute satin, raw silk and part of the tax silver sank one after another when passing through the lock due to "improper operation and broken ropes". The ships were destroyed and people died, and the cargo suffered heavy losses!
When the news spread, the whole court was in an uproar.
"Improper operation"? For such a significant vessel to capsize at a crucial lock, this excuse seems pale and laughable. Even more alarming is the preliminary report from the Linqing Lock commander, included with the military report, vaguely alluding to "something fishy about the cargo loading," without daring to explicitly state it.
The next morning, at court, the atmosphere in the Golden Throne Hall was so dignified it felt almost like water dripping from its core. The emperor, seated on the dragon throne, looked livid as he slammed the memorial from the Linqing Gate commander down the steps.
"Three ships of tribute! One hundred thousand taels of tax silver! Just gone like that?! What a case of 'improper operation'!" The emperor's voice was as cold as ice. "When did my grain transport become so vulnerable?! Han Mingyuan!"
"I'm here!" Han Mingyuan responded and stepped out. Although he was not a high-ranking official, he straightened his back and looked at people with a burning gaze.
"The day before yesterday, you impeached Qiu Sheng for condoning his subordinates and withholding food and wages! Now another shocking case has occurred in Linqing Gate! Tell me, how many places in the grain transport industry are still clean?!" The emperor's question was like a heavy hammer, hitting everyone's heart.
"Your Majesty!" Without waiting for Han Mingyuan to reply, the Grand Canal Transport Commander Qiu Sheng knelt down on the ground with tears streaming down his face. "I am innocent! I am loyal to Your Majesty and have been dedicated to the affairs of the Grand Canal without any slackness! This case must be an accident, or... or a villain is behind this and is framing me! Please Your Majesty, look into this!" He pointed the finger at Han Mingyuan, who was the first to impeach him, and the forces behind him who might support Han Mingyuan.
"Accident?" A minister from the Ministry of Revenue stepped forward, his tone heavy with sorrow. "Your Majesty, as far as I know, the amount of tribute satin carried by the capsized grain ship far exceeds that of previous years, and the loading method is also unconventional! I suspect there may have been… smuggling or embezzlement. Fearing exposure, they fabricated the capsizing to destroy the evidence!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was shocked! This was no longer a simple dereliction of duty, but rather a serious crime of embezzling state funds and deceiving the emperor!
"You are slandering me!" Qiu Sheng's face turned pale and he retorted harshly.
The court erupted in a cacophony of arguments. The pro-Qiu faction and the anti-Qiu faction each argued their own opinions, attacking each other and transforming the usually genteel court into a chaotic market.
Amidst this chaos, the previously silent Seventh Prince Xiao Jingche stepped forward. Holding a scroll of documents, he spoke in a clear voice, instantly drowning out the clamor: "Father, Your Majesty, I have a memorial to make."
Everyone's eyes were instantly focused on him.
"Tell me." The emperor rubbed his eyebrows and spoke in a tired tone.
"I've recently been ordered to assist the Ministry of Revenue. I've reviewed old records of the Grand Canal and consulted with experienced river engineers. I've discovered that losses in the Grand Canal have been increasing year by year, especially in the section between Linqing Gate and Tongzhou. Furthermore," he paused, his gaze sweeping over the ministers, whose expressions varied, "according to secret reports I've received, as well as the clues presented by an unnamed clerk at Linqing Gate who risked his life, there's a significant discrepancy between the reported 'tribute satin' on board the capsized grain ship and the actual amount on board! Its value far exceeds the reported amount! I suspect someone has been exploiting the Grand Canal to smuggle contraband, evading taxes, and even...passing off inferior goods as genuine goods, misappropriating tribute!"
He did not directly accuse Qiu Sheng, but instead pointed the finger at the long-standing problems of the entire canal transport system and presented irrefutable evidence of "discrepancies between accounts and actuals"! This was much more powerful than empty arguments!
"Where is the evidence?" The emperor leaned forward with a sharp look in his eyes.
Xiao Jingche presented the document in his hand. "This is a comparison of the losses in the grain transport industry in recent years compiled by this son, along with the draft of the grain transport inspection that Clerk Cui provided. Although incomplete, it's enough to give us a glimpse of the situation. The detailed accounts and the individuals involved still need to be thoroughly investigated!"
The eunuch took the document and presented it respectfully to the emperor.
The emperor flipped through the book quickly, his expression growing increasingly gloomy. Finally, he slammed the document shut, his chest heaving violently.
"Great! What a great Grand Canal Commander! What a 'conscientious' one!" The emperor laughed in anger, his gaze like a knife piercing towards Qiu Sheng, who was limp on the ground. "Qiu Sheng! What else do you have to say?!"
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..." Qiu Sheng was shaking all over and speaking incoherently.
"Catch this beast! Strip him of his official uniform and throw him into the prison! Let the three courts hold a joint trial and investigate the case strictly! None of the people involved in the case will be let off!" The emperor was furious and issued an edict.
"Your Majesty is wise!" Xiao Jingche, Han Mingyuan and others bowed and accepted the order.
A court meeting ended with Qiu Sheng imprisoned and the Grand Canal case completely exposed. The news spread like wildfire, instantly reaching every corner of the capital.
The Seventh Prince’s Mansion, Study.
Xiao Jingche stood by the window, his hands behind his back, watching the still-unceasing autumn rain outside, his heart churning with unresolved turmoil. Success! Although it was only the first step, he had successfully lifted the lid on the canal transport scandal and placed himself in a leading position in rectifying the canal transport system and addressing its accumulated malpractices! Lu Qinglan's seemingly casual reminder, along with her earlier advice to "let the abscess burst on its own," played a crucial role in this.
Only then did he truly realize the importance of having an ally who could provide accurate judgment and information at critical moments. Lu Qinglan... she seemed to have foresight. This intelligence, this vision, made his heart flutter, and also made him rely on her more than ever before.
"Someone come here." He said in a deep voice.
"Your Highness." The trusted eunuch came in in response.
"Prepare a generous gift, no... find the rare copy of "Shanhe Yutu" from the previous dynasty in Curry, and send it to the Lu Mansion and give it to Miss Lu. Just say... I thank her for reminding her about the congestion in the canal transportation the day before yesterday, and this book may help her relieve her boredom." He chose his words carefully, expressing his gratitude without pointing out the key point, maintaining superficial courtesy.
"yes."
Lu Mansion, Hengwu Courtyard.
Lu Qinglan was naturally the first to learn of the shocking events in the court. She was copying a calligraphy piece, her handwriting steady, but her slightly accelerated heartbeat betrayed her inner turmoil.
The first step was accomplished. Qiu Sheng's downfall and the Grand Canal Incident erupted, allowing Xiao Jingche to establish his authority and officially step onto the central stage of the battle for the throne. And she, unseen from the shadows, had driven all of this.
"Miss, someone from the Seventh Prince's Mansion sent a set of books." Fu Yu came in holding a rosewood bookcase.
Lu Qinglan put down her pen and opened the bookcase. Inside were several old, thread-bound volumes with the title "Shanhe Yutuzhi" written on the cover. Her fingertips brushed across the pages, and a barely perceptible curve curved the corners of her lips.
"Shanhe Yutuzhi"...isn't just some idle book. It records the dangerous terrain of mountains and rivers, the products and transportation, and is truly a practical study. Xiao Jingche's thank-you gift was quite meaningful.
He was telling her that he understood her value and that he was willing to work with her in a more equal and respectful way.
That's exactly what she wanted.
"Put it away," Lu Qinglan ordered calmly, already plotting her next move. Qiu Sheng might be defeated, but the canal transport industry was deeply intertwined. The Third Prince's faction wouldn't sit idly by and wait for death; their counterattack was bound to be fierce. And if Han Mingyuan was used skillfully, he could continue to strike deeper into the enemy's territory. Meanwhile, her own power needed this opportunity to further penetrate and expand.
The storm has risen and the thunder has broken the dawn.
But this is only the first hurdle on the road to succession. The road ahead is still full of thorns and hidden dangers.
She took a deep breath, picked up the pen again, and dipped it in ink.
The chess game was in full swing. As the player behind the scenes, she needed to be calmer and more patient.
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