Chapter 50#
When news of the snow disaster in Jiangnan damaging the granaries of three prefectures and blocking the snow-covered roads reached the capital, the court fell into despair.#
The national treasury had indeed been filling up. Over the past few months, the court had reduced taxes to promote grain production, and the treasury’s silver could be recovered by investigating corrupt officials. But grain couldn’t be produced overnight. The granaries across Jiangnan had originally been sufficient for emergencies, but now that three prefectures’ granaries were destroyed, the remaining counties and prefectures—once they were mobilized—might not even be able to look after themselves.
The court erupted into heated debate. The only solution was to dispatch supplies from the capital, but clearing the snow-covered roads for grain transport would be extremely difficult to advance under such harsh weather conditions.
“Your Majesty, the Ministry of Works will do its utmost to clear the snow roads!” declared the Minister of Works.
As he spoke, the Crown Prince added, “The Eastern Palace will fully assist the Ministry of Works.”
Officials from the Ministry of Works stepped forward one after another to volunteer. The court was moved by their dedication. At this point, they could only rely on the Ministry of Works to clear the snow roads as quickly as possible. Otherwise, if the heavy snow continued, Jiangnan might face a major catastrophe!
The Emperor ordered the Ministry of Works to clear the snow roads promptly, and subtle expressions flickered across some officials’ faces.
When the news reached the palace, the Empress set out for Huguo Temple to pray for the people. The Crown Prince joined the Ministry of Works to plan disaster relief, while the First Prince dispatched official silver from the Ministry of Revenue to purchase grain from the private sector. Unbeknownst to many, covert clashes had already begun.
Ying Fusheng had been ill for three days. After recovering, he left the palace for the first time.
As his sedan chair left Cining Palace, several spies quietly slipped away, seemingly to report the news.
Beneath the calm surface of the palace lurked undercurrents. In a hidden corner of the palace wall, Ye Xuanjiu fixed his gaze on Ying Fusheng until he left Cining Palace. Then, with a wave of his hand, several Jinyiwei dressed as palace attendants infiltrated the crowd and silently followed.
Outside the palace, the roads were thick with snow. By the time the carriage jolted to a stop at the Shen residence, the household was quite startled, apparently not expecting the Sixth Prince to visit at this hour.
Shen Yunfei personally came out to receive him. When they entered the study, Shen Changcun and Weng Yanqing were both present. In the past few days, Weng Yanqing had sorted out the entire sequence of events. Ying Fusheng’s investigation into corruption cases had offended too many people—whether the First Prince’s faction or the Crown Prince’s faction. Once the news of his “ominous omen” spread, all parties were eager to push him down.
Thus, the rumors circulated in the palace and the court, sowing discord between the Emperor and his son.
Meanwhile, other factions could use the Sixth Prince as a stepping stone to rise.
“The urgent report did not come through the official channel. I failed in my duties,” Shen Changcun said guiltily.
Ying Fusheng reached out to help him up. “Since it came via merchant routes rather than official ones, the message was deliberately set up.”
The Shen family had an open alliance with him. If the news had taken the official route, the other side wouldn’t have been able to play this hidden card. He had anticipated this long ago. The schemer’s plan exploited the open strife between court factions. It wasn’t just the Xu family—the Yun family also didn’t want to see a favored prince like him appear.
Weng Yanqing lowered his voice. “While you were ill for those few days, the court situation has changed dramatically.”
Shen Changcun handed over a confidential report. It stated that the First Prince’s residence had held a secret meeting last night with a Vice Minister of Revenue, and the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace had received several advisors from the Xu residence in succession. Both factions were showing unusual activity. Weng Yanqing pointed out directly, “Although various factions are moving, it’s likely the Crown Prince’s faction making the move.”
Shen Changcun paused. “Yanqing, how do you reach that conclusion?”
Weng Yanqing explained, “Disaster relief cannot do without the deployment of silver and grain. It appears the First Prince is striving to regain lost ground, yet the progress depends entirely on the Ministry of Works’ control. Today at court, the Ministry of Works volunteered, and the Crown Prince has been appointed to oversee the work. The Crown Prince has only just taken up his post in court and most needs prestige and support. If he handles this matter well, it will suffice to establish his authority in the court.”
Ying Fusheng glanced at him. The Xu family had made no move, yet Weng Yanqing could identify the beneficiary. “Then what do you think the Crown Prince will do to leverage this situation?”
“The First Prince’s faction still has to stage a comeback in court. The Crown Prince is backed by the Xu family, which has the largest number of scholar-officials.” Weng Yanqing had already grasped the crux. “The best way to handle affairs is to wait until the situation worsens.”
Shen Yunfei blurted out, “That would mean letting the people suffer!?”
“Only then can they be saved from disaster,” Weng Yanqing said gravely. “To these factions, it’s just a few lives lost. The common people are like ants in their eyes, far less important than their own interests.”
For the Crown Prince’s faction to overcome the First Prince’s, they had to drag things out. To save the people, they had to rescue them from dire straits to win popular support.
Only if the snow disaster continued to worsen, leaving the people of Jiangnan in misery, could the Crown Prince’s achievements deeply impress the public.
Shen Yunfei found this absurd. He looked at Ying Fusheng. After a few days of illness, the Sixth Prince seemed even thinner.
Several charcoal braziers had been lit in the study, but there was no change in his expression—as if none of these rumors could disturb his peace of mind. Shen Changcun had worked with him for a long time and couldn’t help but secretly admire the prince’s composure. On the surface, the Sixth Prince was a supervisor of the Dalisi, but he could not use the power of the Three Judicial Offices. Add to that the talk of an ill omen, and this situation had nearly become a dead end.
“Others have powerful backers to rely on, making everything twice as effective with half the effort,” Shen Changcun sighed.
Ying Fusheng put down his hand warmer and scanned the others. “Support is built. Wouldn’t it be better to borrow momentum?”
“The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works are doing this solely to solve the disaster relief problem.”
To publicize their merits and accumulate political achievements, they would stop at nothing.
“As Yanqing said, this cannot be rushed. So we have to make it faster.”
The two were startled. The snow had blocked the roads, and they were neither gods nor celestial soldiers. How could they possibly outpace the schemes of the other two factions?!
Outside the Shen residence, the spies left one after another. Qi Hanzhou did not enter, but watched as these spies tailing Ying Fusheng departed to the First Prince’s residence, the Xu residence, and other places.
Qi Hanzhou cast a glance at the carriage parked in the distance, then waved for the Jinyiwei to vanish into the capital’s alleyways.
Just then, a carriage slowly stopped in front of the Shen residence. Seeing this, Qi Hanzhou’s eyes paused. The person had arrived.
At the same time, a voice came from outside the Shen residence gate—
“Master, a wealthy merchant named Liu Dafu has come to call.”
Hearing this, Ying Fusheng turned his head slightly. “He’s here.”
Liu Dafu. The name was unfamiliar, but his son, Liu Dengke, was Shen Yunfei’s good-for-nothing friend, a playboy known as “Fatty” who had been following Ying Fusheng.
Shen Yunfei was taken aback. What use did they have for this man?
“What do you need him for?”
Weng Yanqing retreated behind a screen. Soon, Liu Dafu appeared in the study. Seeing Shen Changcun and Ying Fusheng, he hurriedly bowed and greeted them. Ever since he learned that his son was on good terms with the Sixth Prince, Liu Dafu had entrusted all matters to his son. And thanks to his connection with the prince, his business in the capital had been running smoothly.
When he heard that the Sixth Prince wanted to see him, he rushed over without a moment’s delay.
“Jiangnan is your turf. This snow disaster in three prefectures—I can’t leave the capital easily, so I’d like to ask for your help.”
Liu Dafu was overjoyed. “Your Highness, just give your orders. You’ve helped my Liu family so much; I will surely live up to your trust!”
Ying Fusheng said he wanted him to go to Jiangnan to distribute free porridge and aid the disaster victims. Liu Dafu agreed immediately.
“How much do you think is appropriate?” Ying Fusheng asked.
Liu Dafu considered. “From the news I’ve received recently, at this rate, the grain price in the three affected prefectures could reach two taels.”
“Then you go buy grain at six taels,” Ying Fusheng said.
As soon as he said this, Shen Changcun and even Weng Yanqing behind the screen changed color.
Liu Dafu was a merchant. He didn’t understand other matters, but he knew business inside out. “Your Highness, that won’t do. Buying grain at such a high price at a time like this could cause trouble!”
Ying Fusheng said, “Just go to Jiangnan. The rest has already been arranged.”
“As soon as you arrive in Jiangnan, do as I say.”
…
After the morning court, Hu Buyu returned to the Ministry of War office and saw a troop deployment request sent by the Ministry of Works, asking to mobilize part of the garrison forces to clear snow from the roads. He approved it, his gaze falling on the heavy snow outside.
The Ministry of Works’ request for troops was reasonable, but for three consecutive days, reports had arrived saying the snow roads were difficult to clear and progress was slow.
“With so many people borrowed, why is it so slow!” his subordinate fumed. “Back in Anlong, three days would be enough to clear a major road!”
Hu Buyu’s eyes darkened. These deployment orders passed through his hands, but when they would reach the disaster relief front line was uncertain.
If each link was delayed by a few extra hours, accumulated over time, it would amount to days… The court factions, for the sake of profit and political attacks, would stop at nothing. And these delays were hard to pin responsibility on. Hu Buyu lowered his eyes, when suddenly he caught sight of a routine report from Shen Changcun, the Junior Steward of the Court of the Imperial Stud. The bulk of it was mundane: where official silver had been distributed, where grain and salaries were being transferred, decrees sent by the court to local governments, and such.
He scanned the end and saw a message written on a separate sheet. When he read those lines, Hu Buyu’s expression sharpened.
“Someone is passing me a message,” Hu Buyu said.
His subordinate looked at him in confusion. “Post station? With the heavy snow, the stations have been stagnant for a while.”
Hu Buyu destroyed the paper. When he dipped his brush, he mimicked Shen Changcun’s handwriting with uncanny accuracy.
Someone was telling him that a move was about to happen in the capital, and the Ministry of War needed to be prepared.
He used his brush to erase the message, stamped it with his official seal, and then placed it back into the report.
Hu Buyu said, “If it’s good news, it’s worth a look.”
Days passed. By the time the snow disaster news had reached the capital for half a month, the Ministry of Revenue’s slowness in transferring official silver had forced the Eastern Palace to spend from its own treasury to fund the Ministry of Works, allowing relief work to proceed in an orderly manner. When the Emperor learned of this, he severely criticized the First Prince, fined the Ministry of Revenue officials, and streamlined the procedures.
In the midst of this, the Crown Prince was widely praised. Word of his virtuous reputation spread through the capital.
Inside the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince beamed with joy as he discussed the relief efforts with Zhou Qingyuan. “Your plan was brilliant. My elder brother tried to cause trouble, but now he has no choice but to fork over the money.”
Zhou Qingyuan said, “I’m just glad to help Your Highness.”
“With the First Prince dragging his feet, the disaster in Jiangnan will soon reach its peak,” an advisor said. “The Grand Secretary’s view is to stop while it’s still appropriate. Use strategy, but don’t cross His Majesty’s bottom line. His Majesty values popular sentiment. The Empress is praying at Huguo Temple, which could also add to Your Highness’s prestige. At the right moment, we can make use of that.”
The Crown Prince hadn’t expected everything to go so smoothly. When the palace lantern incident occurred, he had been completely caught off guard.
But that night, someone had sent him a message, telling him to go with the flow—a great opportunity had presented itself, and the Xu family would plan for him. He thought that at most, his grandfather would secure him a position at the Ministry of Works. He never imagined the disaster itself would be leveraged by his grandfather.
Just then, urgent news arrived from outside—
“Something terrible, Your Highness! Something’s happened in Jiangnan!”
“What is it?” The Crown Prince’s expression changed.
The messenger said, “The news of the granary damage in Jiangnan has somehow spread. Grain prices, which had been stable across the prefectures, suddenly exploded. Merchants everywhere are jacking up prices. It’s gone from two taels per shi to four taels!”
That was nearly double. A few months earlier, grain prices had been easing back into the range of one to two taels. Before this scheme, they had deliberately suppressed the news to keep prices stable and avoid any disruption in the plan. So why had prices suddenly exploded!?
The advisors’ faces turned pale. If grain prices spiraled out of control, the situation in Jiangnan would worsen drastically.
Even if they started accelerating the snow road clearing now, they would never catch up with the unfolding crisis in Jiangnan!
Before the news had even fully reached the Eastern Palace, the Xu family sent someone. Grand Secretary Xu had already tried to convey information to Jiangnan.
“We learned of it through merchant channels. Probably within a day, the court will receive the news.”
“His Excellency says he’s trying to intercept part of the official messages, but the official post is under the Ministry of War. He can’t hold them back for long.”
Within a single day, all the court officials were summoned to the palace. When the Crown Prince arrived, the Emperor’s furious glare met him. Grain prices had exploded, causing panic everywhere. The other prefectures could still cope, but the three newly affected prefectures were in dire straits. The grain reserves that local authorities had barely managed to maintain were almost gone.
The court’s grain had not yet been dispatched, the snow roads not yet cleared, and now a crisis had erupted among the people, stirring up resentment.
“The Ministry of Works will clear the snow roads as soon as possible,” the Minister of Works said, bowing his head. “At most in five days, we will definitely have a route open.”
The Emperor threw the urgent memorial in his face. “Take a look for yourself! Five days—if people starve to death in those three prefectures in five days, will you take responsibility?”
“Your Majesty, given the current situation, we can only pursue two parallel tracks: procure grain from the private sector,” Grand Secretary Xu stepped forward to offer a plan. “Before coming here, I have already sent a fast horse to order the granaries to take emergency measures. If that’s insufficient, we can mobilize official silver from each prefecture’s treasury to buy commercial grain, and the Ministry of Works can divert the route to deliver grain to the other prefectures.”
“We can’t buy grain anymore. A merchant from the capital is profiting from the refugees’ misery in the three prefectures, purchasing grain at six taels,” said a messenger from the post station. “This news spread among merchants, bypassing the authorities entirely. They used their private channels. Now all the merchants are selling their grain to him!”
Six taels! That was triple the price! With such competition, the authorities would have to spend a fortune to buy grain!
The national treasury had just gotten some money, but it couldn’t be burned through like this!
Someone said, “That capital merchant is named Liu Dafu. He made his fortune in Jiangnan then moved his whole family to the capital. His son, Liu Dengke, is a notorious playboy in the capital.”
Liu Dengke. The officials whispered among themselves. Wasn’t he the playboy associated with the Sixth Prince?
The factions exchanged glances. Someone from the Crown Prince’s faction realized something. A Ministry of Works official stepped forward. “Your Majesty, we have heard of Liu Dengke. He is a friend of the Sixth Prince. A few days ago, when the prince left the palace, he seems to have met with this playboy.”
“Summon him to see me!” the Emperor ordered.
Word from the palace quickly reached Cining Palace.
When Ying Fusheng arrived at the hall, all the court officials were present. This was the first time they had seen the Sixth Prince since the “ill omen” rumors. He entered, knelt, and spoke only a few words. “Your son greets Your Majesty.”
Seeing him arrive, murmurs arose among the officials.
“You know Liu Dengke?” the Emperor asked.
Ying Fusheng replied, “I do, Father.”
He seemed to realize something. “Your son has something to report. The snow disaster in Jiangnan—I didn’t know what to do and wanted to contribute a little. It happened that Liu Dengke has connections in Jiangnan, so I thought of collecting some private grain to ease the emergency in the three prefectures and entrusted the Liu family to handle it.”
Upon hearing this, the officials realized it was the Sixth Prince’s idea!
The Crown Prince shot him a glance. Fool! Buying grain at such a high price at this time would inevitably disrupt the market!
The Emperor had indeed favored this child, but after recent events, his opinion of Ying Fusheng had cooled. “Do you realize what a major mistake you’ve made! Because of your actions, grain prices have collapsed in every prefecture.”
Ying Fusheng’s face turned pale. After a moment of hesitation, he said, “But I just received word… The Liu family has already collected grain and is now distributing porridge in the three prefectures.”
The three prefectures were vast. How many people could a single wealthy merchant save!?
“Your Highness, Liu Dafu can only collect a limited amount of grain. Even if the Liu family goes bankrupt, they can’t save the people of the three prefectures. Moreover, because of his actions, all the grain merchants are flocking to the three prefectures. Now it’s difficult to mobilize official silver from other prefectures’ treasuries to buy grain,” said a Ministry of Works official.
“But isn’t the official grain arriving soon?” Ying Fusheng asked.
“Your Highness, the problem is that the official grain still can’t get through!” an official said.
Clearing the snow roads would take at least five days. Even once the grain was dispatched, it would be at least half a month before it reached Jiangnan.
This wasn’t a single rider on a single horse that could gallop for a few days to reach Jiangnan.
Hearing this, Grand Secretary Xu suddenly had a bad feeling. He sensed that Ying Fusheng’s words carried a hidden meaning.
Just then, someone arrived with news from outside. It was an official from the Ministry of War, bringing the latest tidings from the three prefectures: “Your Majesty, grain prices in the three prefectures have plummeted!”
In just one day, how could prices have fallen so drastically!?
“This is what happened. The court’s news reached Jiangnan. The grain merchants had just arrived at the disaster-stricken counties and prefectures when they received word from the court that official grain would be arriving soon,” the messenger panted. “Half a day after the official post delivered the news, the Liu family announced they had enough grain and stopped buying. When the grain merchants heard that the court was sending grain, they rushed to unload their stock! The prefectural magistrate sent me post-haste to report.”
Private grain prices had always been stable. This year, the national treasury was well stocked; the tax reform policy had just spread throughout Dayuan.
Only the officials overseeing the granaries knew that the state granaries were actually not that well stocked—perhaps there was even less official grain than private grain. But in the eyes of the common people and merchants, it was different. News traveled slowly. The court had made a major tax overhaul; merchants in Jiangnan knew the treasury was full. Liu Dafu’s claim that official grain was on its way caught the grain merchants off guard.
If a large amount of official grain descended on Jiangnan, the merchants who had privately transported grain to the three prefectures at high cost might not only fail to make a profit—they could take a loss! These shrewd grain merchants would find a way out!
The price had been driven up to six taels by Liu Dafu, but as soon as the news of official grain arrived, it plummeted to three taels. And because too many merchants had gathered there, they were now racing to cut prices. The price might have already fallen below two taels… But how could Liu Dafu move so fast? And how did all this information circulate?
Several officials from the Crown Prince’s faction quickly caught on to the thread. Grand Secretary Xu suddenly looked at Ying Fusheng.
Ying Fusheng knelt there. He appeared to have done a small thing, but he had cleverly used everyone!
During the heavy snow, information was blocked. What the court received was at times delayed, at times urgent. What the people received was more abundant and chaotic.
And Liu Dafu, as a wealthy capital merchant who had made his fortune in Jiangnan, was known to the Jiangnan merchants. Entrusted by Ying Fusheng, he went south to buy grain at a high price—an unusual move. For popular support, the Crown Prince had widely publicized the snow road repairs. When this matter spread, the news of official grain seemed even more credible. By sheer coincidence, it pushed grain prices up, then sent them crashing down!
Grand Secretary Xu realized the problem and was about to speak, but Ying Fusheng’s voice was faster—
“Since the price has fallen, can’t the court buy in?”
Some sharp officials stirred at this. What was their goal? Disaster relief!
The state treasury lacked grain, but it didn’t lack silver!
Most officials were still catching on. Ying Fusheng looked at the Emperor, understanding that the man on the throne had already seen through the trick.
The granaries had collapsed, but the silver in the three prefectures’ treasuries was still there.
Sending grain was extremely difficult. Fortunately, the treasury was full; just lately, each prefecture had received a lot of silver. When grain prices plummeted, there was no need to send official grain at all. They could simply buy commercial grain at low prices. This would both cover up the insufficient official grain reserves and relieve Jiangnan’s crisis.