Chapter 38: Into a Political Intrigue Novel, Day 16

Chapter 38: The Sixteenth Day of Entering a Political Intrigue Novel

"Master." The Crown Prince adopted a deliberately solemn tone: "I have heard... that the southern provinces have had no rain for months, the land is parched for a thousand li, and there is a great drought disaster?"

An Yi looked at the Crown Prince's earnest yet childish face, and the trace of a sigh deepened in his heart.

He concealed the complexity in his eyes, his expression returning to the composure befitting an imperial tutor, and said warmly: "Your Highness's concern for the common people is a blessing to the nation. The drought in Jiangnan has indeed become evident—months without rain, riverbeds dried up, fields cracked. The disaster... is not optimistic."

The Crown Prince's brow furrowed even tighter, and his small hands unconsciously gripped the fabric of his knees: "Then... what can be done? If the people have no grain, will they not starve to death?"

"Your Highness, do not worry."

An Yi spoke diplomatically: "The court has its own procedures. Relieving the disaster and aiding the people is the top priority. His Majesty is wise, and the Grand Secretaries will handle matters appropriately."

He shifted the topic, guiding it deeper: "The key to disaster relief lies first in timeliness, second in method. How to allocate funds and grain, how to prevent embezzlement, how to appease the displaced... these are all great subjects of learning. Would Your Highness care to ponder them?"

The Crown Prince nodded vigorously, then froze, forcing himself back to a composed demeanor: "I am willing to hear the details! Please instruct me, Master!"

An Yi felt somewhat comforted—at least this heir apparent had a pure heart and was still malleable. Much better than his father.

But still young and naive; who knew how he would turn out later.

Just as he was about to elaborate on the essentials of disaster relief, a eunuch from the Eastern Palace tiptoed into the hall and whispered a few words in An Yi's ear. An Yi's expression remained unchanged, and he nodded slightly.

He turned to the Crown Prince, cupped his hands, and said: "Your Highness, an urgent court meeting has been summoned, and I am called to attend immediately. For today's lesson on disaster relief, Your Highness may first ponder its principles. I will analyze it in detail for Your Highness another day."

Though reluctant, the Crown Prince still sat upright and nodded like a little adult: "Master, state affairs come first. Please go."

An Yi bowed and withdrew, stepping out of the side hall of Wenhua Palace.

Outside, the sunlight was blazing, casting light on his deep green Confucian robe. He looked up toward the towering Taihe Palace, and his eyes instantly became deep as a pool.

The peaceful days were finally over. The "fire" Ge Lian had ignited was about to blaze.

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Inside Taihe Palace, the atmosphere was heavy.

The Old Emperor sat high on the dragon throne, his face sallow, his cloudy eyes half-closed, exuding a strong sickly aura and an indelible malevolence. Below the steps, civil and military officials stood in orderly ranks, all holding their breath and bowing their heads.

The focus of the dispute was the relief strategy for the drought in Jiangnan.

"Your Majesty!" Minister of Justice Bao Cai held his tablet and spoke in a booming voice: "The drought in the Jiangnan provinces is urgent and cannot be delayed! I believe we should immediately release grain from the Ministry of Revenue and allocate treasury silver, traveling day and night to the disaster area, opening granaries for relief, setting up porridge stations, to address the immediate crisis! This is the urgent policy to save the people from fire and water!"

However, before he finished, a dissenting voice rang out through the hall: "I oppose!"

Everyone’s eyes turned to the source.

The Minister of Revenue, Ming Hongbo, stepped forward. He did not look at Bao Cai but directed his gaze toward the throne, saying loudly:

"Your Majesty! The drought in Jiangnan is urgent, but disaster relief is no child's play! Hasty distribution of grain will only give opportunities to the corrupt!"

"I have heard that the Jiangnan officialdom is deeply entrenched and plagued by long-standing abuses! Without thorough investigation, without clarifying the actual grain reserves and disaster-affected populations of each prefecture and county, and without sending capable officials to strictly supervise, these hundreds of thousands of shi of grain and millions of taels of silver may never reach the hands of the victims, but instead fall into the granaries of rats! Then, the court will spend vast sums, yet the disaster victims will still starve to death—would that not be the greatest absurdity? It may even provoke unrest and cause great disaster!"

The Old Emperor’s cloudy eyes cracked open a slit. He found this reasoning sound—the Ministry of Revenue’s money was his money, after all!

Duan Mingde, standing at the head of the officials, felt his white brows twitch almost imperceptibly.

He slowly stepped forward, speaking in a steady voice: "Minister Ming is concerned about the nation and the people, and his heart is commendable."

"However, the disaster is like fire, and saving the people is like extinguishing a fire! How can we stop eating for fear of choking? First, distribute grain to calm the people and stabilize the situation—this is the urgent priority! As for supervision, investigation, and punishment of corruption, these can be carried out simultaneously, with a two-pronged approach. That is the prudent way."

A trace of displeasure appeared on Ming Hongbo’s face, and his voice grew even louder:

"Lord Grand Secretary, you are mistaken! Throughout history, disaster relief has been plagued by corruption precisely because of overemphasis on distribution and neglect of supervision! If we do not first set rules, investigate strictly, and punish severely to warn others, no amount of funds and grain will be anything but filler for a bottomless pit!"

"I believe we should immediately dispatch an imperial commissioner with a sword of authority to oversee Jiangnan disaster relief, first thoroughly investigate the granaries of each prefecture, clarify the actual extent of the affected farmland, and register everything! Once the baseline is clear, we can then distribute grain according to need and records, under strict supervision! This is the best policy for both treating symptoms and eradicating corruption!"

He deliberately emphasized "first thoroughly investigate," "register," and "clarify the baseline," placing "investigation" before "distribution."

These words seemed reasonable but were in fact

extremely so. By the time the Jiangnan accounts were cleared, the people would have already starved to death!

Moreover, the Chief Grand Secretary had his own people in Jiangnan who would obstruct the process. In the end, it was all about not wanting to release grain.

Upon hearing Ming Hongbo’s words, a low murmur arose from the hall.

Ming Hongbo’s proposal sounded more "prudent," "impartial," and more in line with the Old Emperor’s recent temperament—suspicious, harsh, and fond of severe measures!

Especially the "imperial commissioner with a sword of authority"—such immense power was enough to shake the entire Jiangnan officialdom!

Duan Mingde’s internal alarm bells rang!

A sword of authority? Investigating Jiangnan?

This was not disaster relief; this was using the guise of disaster relief to send someone to overturn his old stronghold in Jiangnan!

Thoroughly investigating granaries? Clarifying farmland? Registering? If this was carried out, the old accounts from the river works deficit, the manipulations in taxes and grain transport over the years to cover it up, and the "own people" he had fostered... all would be exposed to the light of day!

It could not be investigated—unless the person holding that sword was one of his own!

Duan Mingde’s face darkened slightly, and he was about to rebut again.

But at that moment, a gentle and calm voice rang out: "Your Majesty."

An Yi stepped forward, cupping his hands toward the throne, his expression grave: "Minister Ming’s concerns are indeed the prudent words of an experienced statesman, necessary to prevent trivialities from growing."

But then he quickly changed tack: "However, what the Lord Grand Secretary said is the ultimate truth! The disaster is like fire, and the displaced are crying for food. Every moment is a matter of life and death! If we follow Minister Ming’s proposal and first launch a large-scale investigation, it will inevitably take time! By the time the baseline is clear, Jiangnan will likely be littered with corpses of the starving, and refugees will rise everywhere! Then, even a million shi of grain could not turn the tide!"

An Yi looked at Ming Hongbo, his eyes candid, as if truly concerned for the victims: "Minister Ming, your earnest heart is admirable. However, matters have their priorities. In this critical situation, we must prioritize speed! Save lives first, then cure the malady! When people cannot be saved from death, how can we afford ritual and justice?"

"The Lord Grand Secretary’s ‘two-pronged’ strategy takes into account both the urgency of relief and the need for rectification. It is truly a policy born of experience! I support the Lord Grand Secretary! I plead with Your Majesty to make a quick decision, allocate grain and funds, and send them to Jiangnan immediately! As for supervision..."

He turned to Duan Mingde, his tone sincere: "Lord Grand Secretary, with your high prestige and overall command, you surely have a plan ready on how to select capable officials and strengthen oversight."