Chapter 92#

“A summer flood stirred up a mutiny among the grain transport soldiers! Over four hundred grain barges are stranded in Songzhou, with the grain spoiling and rotting on the road. Those ruffians are utterly lawless!”

Outside the hall, the summer cicadas clamored, but they could not drown out Emperor Shunyuan’s thunderous palm strike on his desk. Yet now, his physical condition was far from the imposing might of years past. Seeing his hunched back and graying temples, none of the ministers knelt in panic to beg forgiveness as they once would have.

Realizing this, Emperor Shunyuan was momentarily stunned, his eyes glazing over.

His concentration could no longer hold for long. The imperial physicians changed their prescriptions one after another, but none showed any improvement. Mo Shu improved and re-improved the lower-limb exoskeleton, but the time the emperor could stand grew shorter and shorter.

It took a while before he came back to himself, a deep cough rolling from his throat: “Let all my ministers speak—how should this matter be handled?”

No sooner had the Dragon River Fire Sacrifice begun than the mutiny of the grain transport soldiers erupted. The folk rumor of “the river god’s wrath descending” would likely spread even more fiercely.

Emperor Shunyuan felt both uneasy—fearing he had some moral failing that angered the spirits—and resolute in his determination not to allow such superstitious talk to spread and stir public panic.

As expected, Xie Langyang stepped forward first. His brow carried a sharp, determined edge. Drawing on his memories from the previous life, he spoke with ease: “Your servant believes this matter should be handled with a strategy of ‘both suppression and appeasement, treating both symptoms and root causes.’ The vast majority of transport soldiers did not intend to rebel; they were driven by harsh governance and loss of livelihood. If the court immediately issues the back pay owed them, the unrest can be quickly quelled. As for the ringleaders who incited the mutiny and plundered towns and villages, they are unforgivable and should be severely punished to serve as a warning.”

Emperor Shunyuan nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.

Xie Langyang opened his mouth and borrowed the words of Zhu Xiwen from his previous life: “Your servant has read ancient records; in past dynasties, mutinies mostly arose from official corruption and excessive corvée labor. Learning from history, we should order the Censorate to send investigating censors to tour the prefectures along the grain transport route, thoroughly investigate the embezzlement of grain and pay and the collusion among officials, and publish the results to the world to calm public anger and reassure the transport soldiers. Your Majesty could also issue an edict to reduce taxes for Songzhou and the prefectures along the transport route this year, postpone corvée labor, and at the same time order the local patrol offices to strengthen defenses and prevent any remaining rebels from causing trouble.”

His words were logical and watertight.

Zhu Xiwen stood among the ranks of ministers, his face pulled long enough to stretch two miles. He silently withdrew the foot he had been about to step forward.

Xie Langyang’s words were exactly the same as the well-considered strategy he himself had prepared. It seemed he was still one step behind.

“Minister Xie speaks reasonably,” Gong Zhiyuan said, stroking his short beard, his smile hiding a knife. “To prevent further embezzlement when the back pay is issued, your servant suggests sending the commanders of the Three Great Camps to Songzhou to personally oversee the distribution of the grain and pay amounts. General Jun governs his troops with strict discipline, and the men under him must be upright and virtuous, sure to live up to your sacred trust.”

These words sounded like praise for Jun Dingyuan, but were in fact extremely venomous.

He tied Jun Dingyuan together with the commanders of the Three Great Camps. If the matter was handled well, it was their duty; if it was bungled, it would be a crime of harming the state. Then Gong Zhiyuan could take the opportunity to drag Jun Dingyuan down.

In truth, the Three Great Camps were full of factions. Jun Dingyuan could hardly prevent his subordinates from having their own agendas. Gong Zhiyuan himself had a son serving among them, and it would be easy for him to secretly win over a few of the commanders.

Jun Dingyuan could not refuse this task, or else he would be seen as shirking responsibility and not thinking for the country.

Jun Dingyuan had no patience for these scheming types. He raised an eyebrow, about to expose Gong Zhiyuan’s dark intentions.

But then another person stepped forward ahead of him.

Mo Shu’s face was handsome, his expression calm and undisturbed: “Your Majesty, your servant serves in the Ministry of War. The rectification of the grain transport system is precisely the responsibility of the Ministry of War. Your servant is willing to go to Songzhou and undertake this important task.”

Jun Dingyuan turned his head sharply to look at Mo Shu, his jade-like face full of worry.

He knew that the grain transport system was of great importance and tangled with complex interests. Mo Shu was afraid that this matter would implicate him, so he preferred to shoulder the heavy burden himself, clearing the hidden dangers for him. If successful, the credit would go to the court; if it failed, Mo Shu would bear all the blame alone.

Mo Shu felt his gaze and looked back without moving, a hint of reassurance in his eyes. Then he turned his gaze firmly toward Emperor Shunyuan on the throne.

Gong Zhiyuan’s eyes were dark and unfathomable. He was not sure whether Mo Shu truly had such ability.

If he did, that would be bad.

Things had reached this point, and Emperor Shunyuan had already made up his mind. He first nodded approvingly at Mo Shu, then shifted his gaze to Wen Zhuo, who had remained silent: “Wanshan, what do you think?”

Wen Zhuo laughed coldly in his heart. This had been the final discussion result in the previous life. What else could he say?

But back then, the one sent to Songzhou to rectify the grain transport was Liang Zhi, a disciple of Gong Zhiyuan and a member of the Ministry of War.

This man was mediocre in ability and slow in handling matters. The grain transport unrest was never fully resolved until Emperor Shunyuan died of illness and Shen Chen ascended the throne.

Now, with Mo Shu going instead, efficiency would surely be much higher. It was a pity that Wen Zhuo had died too early in his previous life to provide Mo Shu with more inside information about Songzhou and the pitfalls Liang Zhi had stepped into.

He was about to open his mouth to respond when he saw Shen Zheng step unhurriedly out from the ranks opposite.

“Father Emperor, your son believes that although Minister Xie’s words are reasonable, they have missed one important point. As the saying goes, when events arise, fortune and misfortune are intertwined. If people only focus on quelling disaster without knowing how to seize the opportunity, half the effect is lost. Therefore, the best strategy is to make good use of the situation, guide it advantageously, and thus invigorate the Great Qian.”

“Oh?” This sounded fresh. A glimmer of surprise flashed in Emperor Shunyuan’s eyes. Unconsciously, he leaned forward and pressed: “What is your insight?”

A sharp light shone in Shen Zheng’s eyes: “This is the perfect time to open maritime transport!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the Wuying Hall exploded into commotion. The ministers all had different expressions, whispering among themselves.

The Great Qian’s desire to open maritime transport was not a new idea from this reign.

During the reigns of Emperor Zhaoxi and Emperor Kangzhen, the court had thought about opening maritime transport. But the Grand Canal was the lifeline for millions of grain transport workers, and the interests involved were too tangled. In the end, the matter had to be dropped.

As a modern person, Shen Zheng knew well that by the time of Emperor Shunyuan’s reign, the problems with the Grand Canal transport system had reached a point of no return. If a second route was not found, the amount of grain transported to the capital would only decrease. Officials at every level along the route would skim off the top, and with so many offenders, it would be impossible to punish them all. In the end, even the imperial palace would have trouble getting enough food, let alone the common people.

So he ignored the noisy hall and continued calmly: “This time, the grain barges were stranded and the grain spoiled because of the transport soldiers’ mutiny. The mutiny was caused by heavy corvée labor and rampant official corruption. In this crisis, the court, forced by necessity, opens maritime transport to preserve grain and relieve the capital’s shortage. This is a move born of desperation. It can minimize the anger of the millions of grain transport workers and also shift their resentment onto the ringleaders of the mutiny and the corrupt officials.”

Shen Zheng had once detested this tactic of diverting contradiction , but now, looking at it from a different angle, he had to admit it was very useful. To keep a vast country running, justice alone often wouldn’t work.

He paused and continued: “Maritime transport has a much shorter cycle than canal transport, greatly reducing losses along the way. Moreover, the entire grain shipment is controlled by the navy and the Maritime Transport Office, which correspondingly reduces loopholes for corruption. At the same time, the heavy corvée labor of canal transport burdens the people along the river. Opening maritime transport will allow the people to focus on farming and lighten their corvée burdens. The benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.”

“Every reform inevitably brings pain. The transport workers will lose their livelihoods, but with the rise of maritime transport, the demand for sailors and naval personnel will increase greatly. Shipbuilding can also provide livelihoods for the people and promote coastal economic development. As for canal transport, the court does not need to abolish it hastily. In the future, we can adjust the grain volumes carried by each according to actual circumstances, progressing step by step and transitioning smoothly.”

Emperor Shunyuan was silent after hearing this, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the imperial desk. He could not deny that Shen Zheng’s words had moved him.

Seeing this, Gong Zhiyuan’s heart tightened, and he immediately said sternly: “Your Majesty! The Fifth Prince is young and impulsive. He does not yet know the complexity of this matter. Why did Emperor Kangzhen abandon the plan halfway? Precisely because opening maritime transport brought more harm than good. One wrong move, and the court and the country would be in turmoil! The lessons of our predecessors are still before us. Your Majesty must not make a rash decision on a whim!”

Shen Zheng glanced at him, a sarcastic curl to his lips, then turned and offered Emperor Shunyuan a well-placed flattery, his words sincere: “Father Emperor’s virtue is no less than that of the sage kings of old, and you even surpass them in excellence. This matter can only be resolved during Your Majesty’s reign!”

This flattery hit the mark perfectly. Emperor Shunyuan’s eyes lit up.

If what his grandfather and father had failed to accomplish could be achieved in his own hands, the history books would surely record a brilliant chapter for him!

Wen Zhuo raised his eyebrows slightly, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes.

He had truly not expected that the established policy on grain transport from his previous life could be so thoroughly redirected by Shen Zheng.

This way, Xie Langyang’s earlier limelight was completely overshadowed, and the entire court’s attention would focus on maritime transport.

Had Shen Zheng thought of this on the spur of the moment, or had he planned it long ago?

How could there be such an intelligent and teachable prince!

Wen Zhuo was gazing at Shen Zheng’s upright back when his peripheral vision caught sight of Xie Langyang on the opposite side staring fixedly at him. His usually clear eyes churned with barely concealed resentment.

Wen Zhuo was first startled, then understood. Xie Langyang thought these words were taught to Shen Zheng by Wen Zhuo himself, in order to steal the credit.

Wen Zhuo sneered silently. This was truly a misunderstanding. Xie Langyang probably still believed that Shen Zheng, like Shen Chen, could only succeed with someone else’s guidance.

He lazily averted his gaze, slowly stepped forward, and said with an air of calm: “Your Majesty, the late Emperor Kangzhen once said, ‘The Grand Canal transport will inevitably silt up over time; maritime transport will eliminate this problem.’ It is a pity that the time, place, and people were not aligned, so the strategy of maritime transport was never implemented. In ancient times, those who accomplished great tasks not only had extraordinary talent but also unyielding perseverance. The late Emperor chose Your Majesty precisely because you possess this talent and determination, enabling you to fulfill his unfinished wish and benefit future generations for ten thousand years.”

The moment he finished speaking, Gu Weizhi stepped forward to second: “Your servant also believes that now is the perfect time to open maritime transport!”

Seeing this, Xue Chongnian added: “Your servant seconds!”

Jun Dingyuan: “Your servant also seconds!”

The officials who had been waiting for an opportunity to throw their lot in with Shen Zheng also stepped forward: “We second!”

Emperor Shunyuan was stirred by this spirit of enterprise, and the malaise of his long illness seemed to dissipate somewhat: “Good, we shall follow the ministers’ advice. Mo Shu, you will immediately depart for Songzhou, distribute the overdue pay, quell the mutiny, and rectify the chaos in the grain transport system. As for opening maritime transport, since it was proposed by the Fifth Prince, he shall be fully responsible. Shen Zheng, draft a detailed plan for me. Speed is of the essence—no delays allowed.”

Mo Shu: “Your servant obeys the decree!”

Shen Zheng: “Your son obeys the decree.”

Shen Chen watched the rapid turn of events, his nails nearly digging into his flesh.

He had no right to participate in political discussions. He could only look anxiously at Xie Langyang, silently urging him to step forward again, to argue with eloquence and cut off Shen Zheng’s chance to earn merit!

He knew too well that once Shen Zheng succeeded in the maritime transport project, his achievements would be brilliant, and the position of crown prince would be impossible to shake.

However, Xie Langyang seemed to have lost his soul. He only stared at Wen Zhuo’s direction with a twisted expression, his lips pressed white, saying nothing.

Shen Chen did not know what Xie Langyang had heard at Wen’s mansion on New Year’s Eve, so he was utterly baffled.

Wen Zhuo had been advising Shen Zheng for some time now.

In the past, Xie Langyang would always put on a sage-like demeanor and even privately make excuses for Wen Zhuo. What was wrong with him today? He seemed even more resentful than Shen Chen himself.

Shen Chen frowned.

He had originally planned to have Gong Yuwen secretly stir up trouble, to sow discord between Xie Langyang and Wen Zhuo. He even considered repeating the previous life’s tactic—having Gong Yuwen drug Xie Langyang and become pregnant, using a child to bind him.

But looking at Xie Langyang’s current expression… it seemed he no longer needed to bother?

As soon as the morning court ended, Shen He patted his chest and let out a long breath, carefree: “Finally finished talking. These past few days have been eventful, but on the bright side, the Dragon River Fire Sacrifice has arrived. The stalls selling flame-kissed grilled meat in the city must already be set up. That’s something to celebrate!”

Shen Ting heard this and cast him a disdainful glance.

Shen Zheng raised an eyebrow curiously: “What is flame-kissed grilled meat?”

At the mention of food, Shen He perked up. Saliva gathered under his tongue as he spoke with great animation: “Fifth brother, you’ve been in Nanping for a long time, so you wouldn’t know. Whenever the Dragon River Fire Sacrifice is held, the dozen or so flame pits in the capital burn old pine logs as thick as a man can embrace. The wood sizzles with oil from the flames, and many vendors secretly set up stalls by the Dragon River to grill meat over the fire. The meat is charred on the outside and tender on the inside—the aroma can be smelled for miles! At such a time, you hire a small covered boat, bring your beloved consort, admire the river lanterns, eat the grilled meat, then close the boat’s curtain and whisper sweet nothings—how delightful is that?”

Shen Zheng smiled: “Fourth brother truly knows how to enjoy life.”

Shen He winked, leaned in, and lowered his voice: “Fourth brother knows many more pleasures!”

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he shook his head with feigned regret and patted Shen Zheng on the shoulder: “Ah, but I forgot—you don’t have a beloved consort yet. Tsk tsk tsk, it’s a pity to be alone—even with grilled meat and a river view, it’s not as fine!”

The smile deepened on Shen Zheng’s lips. His gaze drifted subtly toward Wen Zhuo: “A beloved consort, huh… What if my future beloved consort doesn’t like grilled meat but only sweets? What then?”

Wen Zhuo was walking straight toward the hall entrance, not missing a single word.

His ears suddenly reddened. Hastily, he raised a hand and fumbled with the black crown on his head, using it to cover his ears. His steps unconsciously quickened.

Shen He was still seriously offering advice on the side: “The sweet shops near Huiyang Gate aren’t bad either. They have date cold cakes and sugar fruits. From fourth brother’s experience, you have to go along with their wishes. You don’t know—once you have a beloved consort, life becomes truly colorful and flavorful!”

Shen Zheng chuckled softly: “Fourth brother is right. You have to go along with them. If they get angry, coax them.”

His gaze locked firmly on Wen Zhuo’s retreating figure. He quickened his pace to catch up, his robes stirring up a light breeze as he hurried past Xie Langyang, paying no attention at all to the gloomy, resentful look on his face.

Shen Ting had always been harsh to his wives and concubines. The women in his mansion saw him and acted like mice seeing a cat—utterly devoid of warmth or charm. He couldn’t bear to listen anymore, rolled his eyes impatiently, and hobbled away on his cane.

In truth, the combination of the Dragon River Fire Sacrifice and the grain transport soldiers’ mutiny had made him feel a bit eager. He wanted to do something to win the emperor’s favor.

But during the morning court, Father Emperor had been so stirred to fighting spirit by Shen Zheng’s words that he felt disheartened.

Since no matter what he did, he couldn’t match this dose of medicine that was Shen Zheng, he might as well give up.

Shen He stretched widely again, ready to leave the palace and find a grilled meat stall, when a young eunuch blocked his path.

“Fourth Your Highness , Noble Consort requests your presence.”

The smile on Shen He’s face instantly froze. He drooped his head, listlessly replying, and slowly followed the eunuch away.

The Wuying Hall was nearly empty. Xie Langyang, his expression desolate, had just lifted his robe to step over the threshold when Shen Chen grabbed him.

Before he could recover from his defeat in court, Shen Chen dragged him to the princes’ residence.

Gong Zhiyuan came along too. Although he harbored some regret for the deposed crown prince and vaguely knew about Xie Langyang and Shen Chen’s hand in the Cao Faction case, times had changed. Emperor Shunyuan’s favor toward Shen Zheng was becoming increasingly clear, so he had to assess the situation and commit wholeheartedly to supporting his son-in-law.

As soon as the door closed, Shen Chen’s brow furrowed into a deep crease, his eyes full of anxiety and resentment: “How did it come to this today! Father actually agreed to open maritime transport! Why didn’t you do everything to stop it in court?!”

This was directed at Xie Langyang. Both of them knew clearly what had happened in the previous life.

Back then, Mo Shu had committed suicide, the Yongning Hou family had been thrown into the imperial prison, and their situation was already precarious. Shen Ting had seized that opportunity to recommend Liang Zhi of the Ministry of War to manage the grain transport, intending to completely sever Shen Chen’s connections in the military.

Shen Ting had indeed succeeded back then. In desperation, Wen Zhuo used the Dragon River ghost story to set up a clever stratagem, turning the tide and sending Shen Ting to his grave.

Otherwise, they would have likely been defeated in that conflict.

Xie Langyang lowered his eyes, hiding his complex emotions: “Naturally, it was Wen Wanshan advising behind the scenes. This way, Shen Zheng would be showered with praise, and we could learn how many people actually support Shen Zheng.”

Shen Chen’s voice shot up sharply, frantic: “If Wen Zhuo had planned this long ago, why didn’t he—”

He stopped mid-sentence, leaving the rest unsaid.

Wen Zhuo had been his teacher in the previous life. If he supported opening maritime transport, why didn’t he tell him?

Then he too could have imitated today’s Shen Zheng, taken on this task, and shone before Father Emperor.

Xie Langyang’s voice was bitter: “Your servant does not know. Perhaps this is another one of his chain plots. First, use Mo Shu to stabilize the grain transport situation, then push forward the maritime transport strategy, letting Shen Zheng establish unparalleled merit, step by step forcing Your Highness into a corner.”

Shen Chen paced anxiously back and forth in the hall, his hands clasped behind his back. After a long while, he suddenly turned around, his expression suspicious: “Do you think this chain plot of his has more moves? Is his goal merely to help Shen Zheng gain merit? Could it be that he wants to use this opportunity to deal with both of us? And what about the Dragon River Fire Sacrifice method… can we use it again, to eliminate Shen Ting in one fell swoop?”

Once bitten, twice shy. That was Shen Chen’s state of mind.

The Fire Sacrifice strategy had been Wen Zhuo’s idea. Now he wanted to use it but didn’t dare, afraid of repeating the disaster of the Spring Terrace Chess Match.

Although Shen Ting posed little real threat to Shen Zheng, his conditions were far better than Shen Chen’s. This was the best chance for Shen Chen to eliminate Shen Ting and reshuffle the court’s power structure. He was reluctant to let it go.

Xie Langyang rubbed the buttons on his official robe, slowly shaking his head: “Your Highness, allow your servant some time to think. I have no ideas yet.”

“No ideas! Again, no ideas!” Shen Chen exploded like a firecracker, his tone sharp. “Back then, you were the top scholar of the year, your fame spread throughout the capital. How is it that now you’re being toyed with by Wen Zhuo, unable to come up with a single countermeasure?!”

These words were like a sharp blade, stabbing deep into Xie Langyang’s heart. He clenched his official robe tightly, his knuckles turning white, but he couldn’t utter a single word.

Gong Zhiyuan had been listening on the side for a while. Finally, he curled his lips into a contemptuous smile and spoke slowly: “Because the top scholar of the fourteenth year of Shunyuan’s reign was supposed to be Wen Zhuo.”

As soon as these words were spoken, an explosion rang out in the hall—

Shen Chen was instantly stunned, looking at Xie Langyang in shock.

After a moment of blankness, Xie Langyang shot up like a wild beast whose hide had been torn off, nearly knocking over his teacup: “What does Master mean by that? I was the top scholar personally selected by His Majesty! He praised my political essay endlessly. You saw it clearly yourself at the time!”

Gong Zhiyuan took a sip of the cold tea on the table: “Before the palace examination, you sent your visiting card from the Xie family of Nanzhou. I gave you meticulous guidance. I told you everything the emperor was thinking. You arranged your political essay to follow the emperor’s thoughts, every word hitting the mark. Naturally, you couldn’t go wrong.”

“But you happened to meet Wen Zhuo. Could you really not tell that his insights on current affairs were rooted deep in reality, even surpassing yours? His understanding of the people’s suffering was far beyond your armchair theorizing! He quoted classics without being pedantic, criticized current ills without being extreme. When the emperor looked at him, his eyes were full of brightness.”

The color drained from Xie Langyang’s face completely. His lips trembled, veins bulging, with extreme humiliation: “Then why didn’t the emperor make Wanshan the top scholar? Was it because you secretly maneuvered for me again?!”

Gong Zhiyuan sneered coldly: “I don’t have that much face. The emperor swapped the rankings between you and Wen Zhuo because he had misgivings.”