The three words "Chang'an Lane" were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up huge waves in Xiao Che's heart.
For lasting peace and stability, benevolence is the foundation of a beautiful community.
What a grand and heartwarming vision this is!
The fatigue from a sleepless night was swept away by the immense excitement brought on by this grand blueprint. Xiao Che felt an inexhaustible surge of energy, wishing he could immediately turn all the ideas on the blueprints into reality.
The next morning, in the Golden Palace.
After the recent bloody purges and personnel changes, the imperial court now presents an unprecedented new atmosphere. Veteran officials are cautious in their words and actions, while the newly appointed officials are full of vigor. The efficiency of the entire court is several times higher than ever before.
The atmosphere at the morning court session was tense yet orderly.
From military reports from the border to water conservancy in the south, and the initial results of the new policies... one after another, important military and national affairs concerning the national economy and people's livelihood were presented, discussed, and then the emperor on the dragon throne made the final decision.
Xiao Che's approach to handling matters was decisive and efficient. He sometimes adopted the bold suggestions of new ministers and sometimes listened to the prudent advice of veteran ministers, demonstrating the control and balancing skills that a mature emperor should possess.
The officials were all convinced of his worth, knowing that this young emperor was growing into a truly wise ruler at an astonishing pace.
With all the important military and national affairs now settled and the morning court session about to end, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to leave.
However, just as the eunuch was about to announce the end of court, Xiao Che, sitting on the dragon throne, suddenly raised his hand.
"My dear ministers, please wait."
His voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the entire Golden Palace.
All the officials perked up, thinking that His Majesty had some important military or national matter to announce. After all, according to custom, the most important announcement was usually made last.
The newly appointed prime minister, an elderly official with white hair who had steadfastly supported the emperor during the palace coup, respectfully stepped forward and asked, "Does Your Majesty have any other important matters to instruct us on?"
Everyone pricked up their ears, held their breath, and waited for the emperor to continue.
Perhaps it's about strategy towards the northern barbarians? Or maybe it's about a new round of tax reform?
However, Xiao Che's next words left everyone in a state of bewildered stunned silence.
The emperor, seated on the dragon throne, announced slowly in an extremely calm yet incredibly serious tone:
"I have decided—"
He paused, as if he were brewing something earth-shattering.
Everyone's heart was in their throat.
"We need to unclog the sewers in the capital."
"..."
"…………"
Dead silence.
The entire Golden Palace fell into a deathly silence.
You could hear a pin drop.
All the civil and military officials, whether veterans or newly appointed, were dumbfounded. Their eyes widened, their mouths agape, their faces etched with the enormous question marks: "Who am I? Where am I? What did I just hear?"
Through...through the sewer?
Did they mishear?
After handling a series of major military and national affairs to pacify the country and stabilize the nation, the emperor, who was supposed to be the supreme ruler, announced the final matter as such a trivial and insignificant matter.
This is even more outrageous than when he announced in court that he was "afraid of his wife"!
At least being "henpecked" is a matter of royal dignity, but what about "unclogging the sewers"? This kind of thing is not only not worth discussing in the imperial palace, but even in the Ministry of Works, it is considered a trivial, even somewhat disreputable, task!
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the entire imperial court became incredibly bizarre. A group of pillars of the nation who had just been discussing the state of the world were now forced to collectively ponder the problem of the capital's drainage system.
The senior officials in the front row exchanged bewildered glances, their faces filled with confusion and bewilderment. The newly promoted young officials were even more baffled, some even beginning to wonder if their lack of experience prevented them from understanding the profound political significance behind His Majesty's edict.
Perhaps "sewers" is just a code name? It actually alludes to a hidden, hostile force operating beneath the surface of the imperial court?
While everyone's minds were racing with all sorts of conspiracy theories, Xiao Che seemed completely oblivious to their horrified expressions. He continued to issue specific instructions in an unquestionable tone.
"Therefore, the Ministry of Works shall immediately establish the 'Capital City Administration Office,' with the Minister of Works personally serving as its head. The Ministry of Revenue shall allocate three million taels of silver as start-up capital."
"I want to see all the underground pipe networks on the 'Chang'an Lane' planning map laid out within three years!"
"This matter is of paramount importance to the nation and concerns the well-being of all people; it must not be mishandled!"
"Chang'an Lane"? What is that?
The officials were even more bewildered.
The Minister of Works stepped forward with a stiff upper lip. He was probably the only one in the entire room who could barely keep up with the emperor's train of thought, but he was still completely bewildered. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I... obey the decree. But... I don't know what the 'Chang'an Lane' planning map Your Majesty mentioned is?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Che wore an expression of utter certainty.
"The plans are naturally with the Empress," he said casually. "After court, you can go to Kunning Palace yourself and ask the Empress for them. The Empress will also oversee all the details of the project; you will simply follow her orders."
"boom!"
These words once again stirred up a huge wave in the hearts of the officials!
They finally understood!
So it turns out this was the Empress's idea all along!
Moreover, His Majesty actually entrusted the Empress with the entire power to manage such a massive project, including three million taels of silver and the entire Ministry of Works!
This...this pampering is just too much!
For a moment, everyone was at a loss for words. Oppose? What a joke! Didn't they see that Imperial Censor Liu, who impeached the Empress a few days ago, is still at home reflecting on his actions? The Emperor just declared that "the Empress's edict is equivalent to an imperial decree," and anyone who dares to oppose it now would be openly slapping the Emperor in the face!
I don't object... What's going on here? Discussing the construction of the capital's sewers in the Golden Palace, with the Empress herself personally overseeing it? If word gets out, won't the whole world laugh their heads off?
However, what shocked them even more was yet to come.
On the dragon throne, Xiao Che looked with satisfaction at the group of ministers below who dared not speak out in anger and could only accept reality in frustration.
So he issued this imperial edict, which was the most "boring" and "trivial" since the founding of the Great Liang Dynasty, yet it was passed unanimously in the fastest time.
"My lords, do you have any further objections?" Xiao Che asked knowingly as he scanned the room.
His Highness remained completely silent.
"Very good." Xiao Che nodded. "Since there is nothing else, let's adjourn the court."
It wasn't until the eunuch announced "Court adjourned" that the officials snapped out of their daze and walked out of the hall in a daze. They felt as if they had attended a fake court session today, and they hadn't remembered many of the important military and national affairs they had dealt with; their minds were filled with thoughts of "sewers" and "Chang'an."
Walking on the white marble imperial path, an elderly minister with graying hair finally couldn't help but catch up with the newly appointed prime minister, who was walking ahead of him. He lowered his voice and asked, full of confusion:
"Prime Minister, please judge for yourself, what is the true meaning behind His Majesty's actions? The empire has just been pacified, and everything needs to be rebuilt. Although the national treasury is full due to the confiscation of property, there are still so many places to spend money! The border troops need to be replaced, the water conservancy in the south needs to be repaired, and the implementation of the new policies will require a large amount of money... Why... why does His Majesty insist on spending three million taels of silver first to... to unclog some sewers?"
In his view, this was simply a waste of time and a joke!
Several equally perplexed senior officials gathered around, clearly wanting to hear what insightful opinions the prime minister, currently enjoying the emperor's favor, had.
The prime minister did not stop walking. He stroked his white beard and a mysterious smile appeared on his face, as if he had already seen through all the secrets of heaven.
He glanced sideways at his colleagues who were still deep in thought on the first floor, sighed softly, and said slowly in a knowing but unspoken tone:
"Gentlemen, you still don't understand."
He paused, building suspense, before slowly revealing the answer amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd. His voice carried a hint of wistful reflection and...envy from someone who had been through it all.
“What Your Majesty cares about,” he shook his head and smiled, “has never been the sewers.”
"His Majesty only wants to make the Empress happy."
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