chsdbacks Chapter 70 Crisis
Chapter 70 Crisis
Li Chengqian stood on the bank of the Yangtze River, gazing at the surging waters with a furrowed brow. Beside him stood the Vice Minister of Works and the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, along with a troop of imperial guards.
"Your Highness, this is where the dike breached this summer." The Prefect of Runzhou pointed to a section of the dike that was clearly newly built. "I have already ordered it to be reinforced, but if the floodwaters rise again next year, I'm afraid..."
Li Chengqian didn't speak, but walked to the embankment and examined it carefully. He squatted down and grabbed a handful of soil—the soil was loose, with more sand than mud. He then looked at the rammed earth of the embankment, which was clearly not firm enough.
"How much material and labor was used to build this dam?" he asked.
The magistrate of Runzhou reported a number.
Li Chengqian sneered, "This amount is enough to build a two-mile-long dike." He stood up and looked at the Vice Minister of Works behind him, "Vice Minister Liu, come and take a look."
The Vice Minister of Works stepped forward to inspect the dam, his expression growing increasingly grim: "Your Highness, this dam... the materials used were cut by at least 30%."
The Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review had already taken out paper and pen and begun to record.
The Prefect of Runzhou, sweat beading on his forehead, said, "Your Highness, I... I have no choice... This year, funds and provisions are scarce..."
"A shortage of funds and provisions?" Li Chengqian interrupted him. "I've checked Runzhou's tax collection records for this year, and it's 20% higher than last year. Where did the money and provisions go?"
The Prefect of Runzhou was speechless.
At this moment, a middle-aged official dressed in the robes of a seventh-rank official squeezed out from the crowd and knelt down: "Your Highness, this humble official has something to say!"
Li Chengqian looked at him: "Who are you?"
"Your humble servant is Wang Yuan, Military Advisor of the Granary in Runzhou." The middle-aged official raised his head, his face resolute. "Your humble servant is willing to present Your Highness with the true accounts of Runzhou's water management funds and grain expenditures in recent years!"
An uproar erupted at the scene. The Prefect of Runzhou, his face ashen, cried out, "Wang Yuan! What nonsense are you spouting!"
Wang Yuan pulled a thick account book from his robes and presented it with both hands: "The accounts are here; please take a look, Your Highness!"
Li Chengqian took the account book, flipped through a few pages, and his face grew increasingly grim. The account clearly recorded that nearly half of the annual funds allocated by the imperial court for water management were embezzled by officials at various levels, leaving less than 30% actually used for the projects.
"Very good, very good." Li Chengqian closed the account book, his gaze sweeping over the officials present. "Issue the order: Chen Yuanli, the Prefect of Runzhou, and the Sima of Runzhou... are to be immediately suspended from their duties and handed over to the Court of Judicial Review for investigation. In all prefectures and counties south of the Yangtze River, anyone involved in corruption related to water management will be severely punished without exception!"
The imperial guards stepped forward and took away the ashen-faced Prefect of Runzhou.
Wang Yuan was still kneeling on the ground, his body trembling slightly. Li Chengqian walked up to him and personally helped him up: "Military Advisor Wang's righteousness is remembered by me. From today onwards, you will temporarily assume the post of Prefect of Runzhou and assist in the water management project."
Wang Yuan was so excited that he couldn't speak, and could only bow deeply.
Li Chengqian gazed at the surging river, but his thoughts drifted to Xiao Qingyi, far away in Chang'an. What would that child's expression be if she knew that the flood control ideas she had unintentionally brought were gradually becoming a reality here?
He suddenly really wanted to know.
---
Chang'an, the Prince of Wei's residence.
Li Tai was in his study, staring intently at the set of modern stationery Xiao Qingyi had given him. Highlighter, sticky notes, magnifying glass… each item was exquisite and practical. He used the highlighter to mark things on the map, and suddenly noticed that the geographical records of some prefectures and counties in Jiangnan differed from the actual situation.
"Someone come here." He summoned his advisors. "Go and find out when the local gazetteers of these prefectures and counties in Jiangnan were last revised."
The advisor acknowledged the order and left. Li Tai continued examining the map, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper. If his suspicions were correct, then what some people in Jiangnan were concealing was probably more than just corruption related to water management.
Just then, a servant came to report: "Your Highness, Miss Yiyi has arrived."
Li Tai put down his pen and smiled, "Please come in quickly."
Little Qingyi ran in carrying several books: "Brother Tai! Yiyi borrowed books from the library, and Sister Wu is teaching Yiyi to read!"
Li Tai took the books and looked them over; they were all suitable introductory reading materials for children. He patted Xiao Qingyi's head: "Yiyi is so diligent." Then, remembering something, he added, "Oh, right, Brother Tai also has something for you."
He took a roll of map from the bookshelf—a "Simplified Map of the Tang Dynasty's Territory" that he had drawn himself, marking each prefecture and county in bright colors, and also drawing local specialties and scenic spots next to it.
"This is for Yiyi. She can learn to read and recognize places at the same time." Li Tai unfolded the map. "Look, this is Chang'an, and we are here now. This is Jiangnan, and your brother, the Crown Prince, is there..."
Xiao Qingyi leaned closer to look, pointing her little finger at the map: "Jiangnan is so far away!"
"Yes, it's very far," Li Tai said softly. "So your Crown Prince brother is doing something truly remarkable."
Xiao Qingyi nodded, then suddenly asked, "Brother Tai, if Yiyi also wants to do something useful, is that okay?"
Li Tai was taken aback for a moment, then smiled: "Of course. What does Yiyi want to do?"
"Yiyi hasn't decided yet," Xiao Qingyi said seriously. "But Yiyi can recognize words, draw, and sing. Are these... useful?"
"Yes," Li Tai replied earnestly. "Learning to read helps one understand principles, painting helps one express emotions, and singing helps one please others. Each of these has its uses."
Xiao Qingyi smiled happily. She pointed at the map again, asking all sorts of questions, which Li Tai patiently answered.
Outside the window, the setting sun turned the snow-covered ground golden.
Meanwhile, at the inn in Runzhou, Jiangnan, Chen Yuanli, though suspended from his post, was not detained. He sat in his study by candlelight, his face grim.
A staff member whispered, "Sir, the Crown Prince is investigating closely, and that traitor Wang Yuan has revealed a lot more. Should we...?"
"No rush." Chen Yuanli waved his hand. "The more thoroughly the Crown Prince investigates, the more likely he is to make a mistake. Besides..." A cold glint flashed in his eyes, "Aren't there still 'pawns' in Chang'an?"
"What does Your Excellency mean?"
"That little girl is the Crown Prince's Achilles' heel," Chen Yuanli sneered. "As long as we seize that weakness, we have no fear of the Crown Prince refusing to compromise."
The aide understood and whispered, "I understand. The palace... has already made its move."
The candlelight flickered, casting distorted shadows on the wall.