Moving the Imperial Carriage

In Jiayun Palace.

The Crown Prince and Princess Chiming were each seated below and to the left and right of the Emperor. Palace Secretariat Yuan Shuye and several other high-ranking ministers sat in order of precedence. Magistrate of the Capital Prefecture He You rose and reported, “This year's autumn harvest in Zhaojing is at least half of what it was in previous years. The harvest is poor, and there is a shortage of grain in the capital. The ever-normal granaries of the Capital Prefecture are already empty. Grain merchants are hoarding their stock to drive up prices; a dou of rice costs more than eighty wen. Currently, the harvests throughout the north are poor, and the money and grain being transferred from Jiangnan are still on the way. If this continues, I fear the common people will not be able to hold on before the grain reaches the capital. Your Majesty, esteemed lords, once a famine breaks out in the capital, the people's hearts will be unsettled, causing endless harm. I implore you to make a decision soon.”

Since the beginning of this summer, he had been repeating these words daily and monthly, writing memorials until his brush wore out. With the Princess's help in navigating the situation, he had at least managed to restore the irrigation of several river canals, but it was just a drop in the bucket. Guan Xiu, whom he had recommended to the Emperor, was only appointed as a minor official in the Capital Prefecture because the interests involved in transportation were too numerous and someone was obstructing the process. For the time being, he couldn't undertake any major projects.

He You was a high-ranking official of the third rank, a prominent figure in the Capital City. In his daily interactions with ministers and grand councilors, he was addressed as “Lord He.” But whenever his words fell on deaf ears and his submitted memorials sank like a stone in the sea, he would become keenly aware of the great distance between himself and those who truly stood at the pinnacle of power.

Palace Secretariat Yuan Shuye said, “Everyone is already aware of the situation described by Governor He, so there is no need to elaborate. The urgent matter now is how to resolve it. Do any of you have any brilliant ideas?”

Left Imperial Secretary Pei Luan said, “For now, it is only a rise in grain prices, not yet a complete lack of grain. This servant believes the most pressing task is to prevent the court from competing with the common people for grain. If Your Majesty could move the imperial carriage to Pingjing, it would solve the immediate crisis and also temporarily relieve the pressure on Zhaojing. After the grain from Jiangnan arrives, we can then consider a permanent solution.”

The Emperor remained silent. Crown Prince Wen Li said, “Inappropriate. Not to mention that Your Majesty is the sovereign who should remain firmly in the court and not be moved lightly. Since ancient times, there has never been a precedent of the Son of Heaven leaving the capital due to a food shortage. What if this triggers unrest among the people, leading to instability throughout the realm?”

Pei Luan said, “Right now, Zhaojing is using the entire city's resources to support the imperial court. If the Son of Heaven does not move, the common people will starve to death. If Your Majesty temporarily moves to Pingjing to avoid competing with the people for grain, the people of Zhaojing will only be grateful to Your Majesty. Otherwise, when a real famine breaks out, that will be the true beginning of unrest.”

Palace Attendant Su Lizhen was the Crown Prince's maternal grandfather. Seeing Pei Luan's insistence, he came to the Crown Prince's aid, “His Highness the Crown Prince is right. Your Majesty's person is tied to the fate of the state; your actions must be especially cautious. Moreover, if we were to set off for Pingjing, the consumption of provisions for men and horses, along with the accompanying guards, would expend an immense amount of manpower and resources for the round trip. It would be better to hold Zhaojing, order the surrounding prefectures and counties to supply grain to temporarily resolve the crisis, and wait for the grain and fodder from Jiangnan to be transported to the capital.”

He You gave a bitter smile, “Palace Attendant Su, I'm afraid the surrounding prefectures and counties don't have that much grain to offer either...”

Su Lizhen retorted, “Don't the grain merchants still have grain? Find a way to make them release their hoarded stock. The court has been too lenient with merchants. It's time to clamp down on these profiteers for their market-bullying practices!”

He You's face was as bitter as a dried jujube. 'Easier said than done,' he thought. 'These major grain merchants are all backed by powerful clans. Pick any one of them, and they might even be related to your family. On what grounds can I make them hand over their hoarded grain?'

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Yuan Shuye casually smoothed things over, “What was just said is not without reason, but the matter of grain merchants is ultimately a minor detail. We shouldn't get bogged down in trifles; let's return to the main topic.”

The opinions were now split into two factions. One, led by Pei Luan, believed the Emperor should relocate to Pingjing to avoid competing with the people for food. The other, led by the Crown Prince, insisted the Emperor must not act rashly and should remain in Zhaojing to await the grain shipments.

Everyone's gaze shifted to the three people at the front who had yet to state their positions—the Emperor, the Palace Secretariat, and Princess Chiming.

The Emperor himself was wavering, feeling that both sides had valid points. He asked, “What are Minister Yuan’s thoughts?”

Yuan Shuye was calm and composed, like a kind-hearted old gentleman, “The Crown Prince prioritizes filial piety, considering Your Majesty in all matters. We ministers are ashamed of our inferiority. It's just that if a drought were to occur elsewhere, the court has always exempted them from taxes. Now that the people of Zhaojing are suffering, they must bear additional taxes. It is truly pitiful, but since the dignity of the Imperial Family is at stake, it has to be this way.”

After these words were spoken, the Crown Prince's expression changed. Su Lizhen quickly tried to cover for him, “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. After the drought has passed, the court will naturally comfort the people. This is common sense and does not need to be singled out and emphasized again.”

Yuan Shuye gave a meaningful smile and said nothing. Wen Chan glanced at him. 'This old fox,' she thought, 'is offering faint praise. On the surface, he's praising the Crown Prince's pure filial piety, but he's implicitly accusing him of exploiting the people to please the Emperor. He truly never misses an opportunity to trip up the Crown Prince. Where on earth does such deep-seated hatred come from?'

“Chiming,” the Emperor said, his expression faint. It was unclear if he had taken Yuan Shuye's words to heart. “What do you say?”

“Governor He,” Wen Chan asked, “how many people have been arrested recently for spreading rumors in the capital?”

He You answered fluently, “Your Highness, more than thirty people have been arrested.”

“Everyone is well aware of the specific content of these rumors, so there's no need to elaborate.” Wen Chan said, “Those with rebellious intentions, no matter what the Son of Heaven does or doesn't do, can always fabricate some gossip to talk about. If we followed their logic, even our breathing would be wrong. In that case, we might as well all stop breathing.”

A ripple of soft laughter went through the hall. Wen Chan continued, “Your Majesty possesses the four seas. Whether it's Pingjing or Songyang, they are all Your Majesty's temporary palaces. There is nowhere you cannot go; it only depends on the pretext used. In my opinion, going to Pingjing now is already late. If we had moved two months ago under the pretext of escaping the summer heat, why would there be so many concerns now?”

“Zhaojing is currently short of grain. For the sake of the people, and for the sake of the Son of Heaven, it is natural to go where there is grain. Otherwise, is it glorious for everyone to sit here and consume all resources until nothing is left? The important thing is to let the people know of Your Majesty's painstaking efforts. The drought is a misfortune from heaven, but the court will never abandon its people. The taxes that should be exempted must be exempted. The grain merchants who should be persuaded to donate for relief must be persuaded. The Son of Heaven is moving for the sake of the people, and this should be reported to the ancestral temple and to Heaven to show sincerity.”

In fact, the core of her proposal was also to persuade the Emperor to relocate, but by embellishing her words before speaking, she made the idea much more appealing than before.

Yuan Shuye exchanged a glance with her. He heard her say persuasively, “Just now, Minister Yuan said something truly deafening: when other places encounter disasters, they can receive relief from the court. Zhaojing, as the capital of the nation, normally supports the court and the imperial family, yet in times of trouble, it must bear an even heavier burden. This is truly contrary to reason.”

“Your Majesty is the ruler of the realm, and the myriad people of Zhaojing are also Your Majesty's subjects. It is only right that they should all bask equally in heavenly grace. Moving the imperial carriage to Pingjing is merely a change of location, turning Zhaojing into 'another place' and allowing virtuous ministers like Governor He to free up their hands to focus on fighting the drought. Ultimately, the most important thing is to overcome this drought smoothly. As long as it is handled properly and the people's morale is stable, it will be regarded as a virtuous policy of the court.”

These words truly moved the Emperor's heart. Yuan Shuye immediately followed up, “The Princess’s insight is brilliant. This servant believes it is feasible. I ask for Your Majesty's approval.”

Pei Luan and the ministers of the various departments also said, “This servant also agrees.”

With the ministers in agreement, the Emperor also found the matter feasible and went with the flow, “Then let it be as Chiming says. Draft an edict to move the imperial carriage to Pingjing, and order the Prefect of Pingjing to prepare for our arrival. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau shall select an auspicious day. Minister Pei, you will lead the Ministry of Rites in presiding over the sacrifices and other matters. The Secretariat shall draft a decree, exempting the nine counties of Zhaojing from one year of taxes, and grant a general amnesty to the realm.”

All the ministers bowed and said, “We humbly obey Your Majesty's sacred command.”

Outside Jiayun Palace, Crown Prince Wen Li and Wen Chan walked in front, while the officials followed a few steps behind them with caution.

The brother and sister shared the same father but not the same mother. Their relationship could not be called deep, though it was better than that of mere acquaintances. Wen Li had exceptionally complex feelings for her. He had known since childhood that Wen Chan was clever and quick-witted, and she was the daughter of Empress Yuan. More than once, he had heard people secretly whisper that if Wen Chan had been a boy, the position of Crown Prince would never have been his.

He had once felt fortunate about this, only to discover that even as a daughter, Wen Chan could still exert immense pressure and pose a significant threat to him.

As Wen Chan spent more and more time in Jiayun Palace, his apprehension gradually overshadowed the self-comforting thought that 'since ancient times, no crown princess has ever ascended the throne.' While he couldn't stop himself from speculating whether Wen Chan harbored such ambitions, he was also keenly aware that she was indeed much more tactful and thorough than him in handling political affairs.

In terms of talent alone, he was not Wen Chan's equal.

His mother-consort and maternal grandfather had reminded him to be wary of the Prince of Yue, to guard against the Prince of Yan, and to be on the alert for his several younger brothers who had not yet left the palace. But when it came to Wen Chan, they all told him to win her over as much as possible and use her for his own purposes, not viewing her as a threat.

Why couldn't those people see her sharp edge? Or was it that the point of her blade was aimed only at him, while in the eyes of others, she merely showed her claws briefly before putting on a gentle and harmless facade?

“Brother, you have concerns,” Wen Chan said suddenly in a low voice, “so heavy that they are affecting your judgment, right?”

Wen Li was startled and stared at her eyes in astonishment.

Wen Chan said, “You are also well aware that Father's moving the imperial carriage is the best choice, you just couldn't be the one to propose it. Because when the parents go out, someone has to watch the house. If you appeared too eager for him to leave, you would be suspected of having ulterior motives.”

Wen Li had thought she had seen through his innermost thoughts. Realizing she was talking about this matter, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief and forced himself to smile, “No, it was just that my thinking wasn't thorough enough, not as comprehensive as yours.”

Wen Chan frowned, not liking his demeanor, but still said in a low voice, “Since Father has already decided to leave, Brother, you are staying to watch the house, so guard it well. Some things are best just heard and forgotten. Don't take them to heart; too many reservations will only spoil things.”

Wen Li's smile froze for a moment, then he just barely managed to keep it in place. “Thank you for the reminder. I have no reservations; I will simply do as Father arranges. You will be going with him to Pingjing, won't you? Father trusts you the most. With you by his side, I can be at ease.”

Wen Chan: “...”

She was still thinking about how to explain things more clearly when they arrived outside the palace gates. The palanquins from the Eastern Palace and the Princess Manor were waiting there. Standing beside the Crown Prince's palanquin was a young civil official in green robes. His features were dashing and handsome, and with a small mole under his right eye, he stood out remarkably in the crowd.

Noticing Wen Chan's gaze, Wen Li glanced at the man, who then took the initiative to step forward. He gave Wen Chan a slight smile, performed a proper salute, and said in a gentle voice, “This subordinate, Attendant to the Crown Prince Su Yanjun, pays his respects to the Princess.”