The Weiguo General Mansion and the Fuguo General Mansion (the residence of Shao Mingyi) were originally headed by Great Generals, both formally of the first rank. However, as both Mansions fell into decline, the Imperial Court reclaimed the estates. Now, the Emperor has bestowed both residences upon Yang Chengning and Shao Mingyi, a supreme honor indeed.
The layouts of both Estates are favorable, and many of their structures are well-preserved, requiring only minor repairs before they are inhabitable.
Ling Changkai, the Minister of War and a marital relative of the Yang family, fearing foul play, specially arranged for trustworthy subordinates to oversee the renovation of both Estates. At this moment, those people are busily engaged in this task.
Yang Mengchen and the others exchanged a few words of consolation, then left for the Prince Mansion.
On the other side, Yuwen Yanhe originally planned to follow up on this matter with the Ministry of Revenue. After all, it was no small issue; the slightest carelessness could provoke a backlash from the wounded soldiers, to the detriment of those very same men. However, when he heard that the Emperor had decreed for Prince Chen to thoroughly investigate the affair, he refrained from acting rashly.
In just two days, Prince Chen had uncovered several major parasites, including the Minister of War and two or three nobles from Prince Duan’s faction. The Emperor issued a decree for their properties to be searched, and a large amount of gold, silver, and jewels was recouped. There were now no issues with disbursing the relief funds, but the Emperor refrained from distributing them, wanting to see what daughter-in-law Jiujiu might suggest as a better solution.
Learning that those people had embezzled several hundred thousand taels of relief funds, Yang Mengchen flew into a rage. Even the money earned by the soldiers through blood and life was not safe from their greed — such people deserved to be hacked to pieces! He sighed after a moment, clearly understanding that those few men were merely scapegoats. The Emperor had merely confiscated their property and exiled them, imposing a one-year salary penalty on Prince Duan, without truly affecting Prince Duan’s foundation.
Not only Yang Mengchen, but everyone was puzzled by the Emperor’s intentions.
"Imperial Uncle, Wende, could you please see if this regulation is workable?" It took Yang Mengchen and Chu Dieyi three days to craft a satisfactory set of regulations.
The Grand Prince and Long Xuanmo took the document and read it carefully. This seemingly simple regulation contained no small number of stipulations.
Firstly, regarding livelihood issues:
The Imperial Court allocated lands and forests to the disabled soldiers, as well as to the widows and orphans, promising two generations exemption from lifetime taxes. Half of the relief funds were to be given out, and the other half was to serve as start-up capital. The Imperial Court would plan uniformly and send professionals to guide them in farming, fruit-tree cultivation, and raising poultry, among other activities.
The lands and forests were endless resources, more beneficial than limited relief funds. As long as they were not lazy gluttons, they would naturally not starve.
Furthemore, it was suggested that those with minor injuries but bad tempers take charge of local security; those with bad tempers and disabilities, unable to perform heavy physical labor, handle internal affairs; those who had recovered but were unsuitable for staying in the barracks, as well as the widows, would be taught self-reliance skills by the Royal Charity.
Next, concerning the issue of orphans:
They could study and learn to read for free at the schools jointly established by the Royal family and the Yang family. After reaching the age of fifteen, regardless of whether they’d passed the Scholar examinations or not, the school would no longer provide free education. They could choose to return to farming, attend training by the Royal Charity, find jobs on their own, or be recommended for work by the Royal Charity.
Finally, there was the medical issue:
Disabled soldiers and the widows and orphans could enjoy discounted treatments and medications at the Huimin Hospital, paying half the cost personally while the Royal Charity covered the other half.
Magistrates in all regions were expected to act similarly, preventing the embezzlement of relief funds and the abuse of sacrificial soldiers’ bereaved families.
"Good, good, good!" The Grand Prince happily uttered three ’goods’ in a row — the comprehensive regulation covered all aspects meticulously and thoroughly.
Even though he had always known his wife was exceptionally intelligent, Long Xuanmo was still deeply moved after reviewing the regulation, his gaze towards his beloved wife filled with ardor and pride.
Yang Mengchen blinked; with this, the disabled soldiers and their families would no longer be a concern, also alleviating Wende’s worries about the future.
The Grand Prince and Long Xuanmo immediately entered the palace to present the regulation to the Emperor, who shortly afterward ordered half of the relief funds to be disbursed and allocated forests and lands to the retired soldiers.
Of course, those forests and lands were rather remote, and the soil in some fields was of poor quality. However, next year, there would be large-scale promotions of four kinds of crops. Fruit trees could also be planted, and poultry raised, so, all in all, it wasn’t bad.
The Emperor also issued a decree, mandating that Magistrates in all places strictly adhere to the regulation and that any violators be punished without leniency.
Upon seeing the regulation, Yuwen Yanhe was filled with amazement and emotion.
The regulation addressed all the problems faced by the disabled soldiers and the families of the fallen soldiers, including the issue of their destitution in old age. He never expected Princess Chen to have thought through every detail so thoroughly — Princess Chen truly was a rare talent.
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