The Road to Glory

Chapter 206 Autumn Grain

Chen Kingdom, Zhaohua Palace.

The drizzling rain that had persisted since the beginning of autumn ceased by evening. Water droplets dripped from the iron horse beneath the eaves, while scattered withered leaves soaked in the rainwater accumulated on the blue stone floor tiles. A pair of embroidered boots hurriedly stepped through, causing the gray palace reflected in the puddles to wrinkle in ripples.

Zhao Bai entered with a letter in hand: "Your Highness, a letter has arrived from Liang."

Wen Yu looked up from the desk piled high with stacks of memorials. Through the wide-open window behind the long table, she could see the courtyard behind the inner hall, where the drooping rice ears had turned golden, with only the rice leaves still tinged with green.

She set down her brush, took the letter from Zhao Bai, and lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes casting shadows like a phoenix glancing down, though they carried a faint weariness. After reading the letter, her slightly furrowed brows relaxed as she said, "Lord Chen and General Fan have captured Yongzhou."

Though nearly nine months pregnant, her appearance remained largely unchanged from before. In fact, with her features fully matured and her bone structure more pronounced, even without makeup, her cool yet exquisite face now exuded a sharp, almost intimidating intensity.

Zhao Bai said, "After taking Yongzhou and continuing northward, they should soon recapture Luodu and Fengyang. This is joyous news."

Wen Yu's gaze fell on the latter part of the letter, her eyes narrowing slightly. "It seems many events have recently occurred in Northern Wei as well."

Zhao Bai looked puzzled. Wen Yu handed him the letter, and after reading it, he said, "The former Jin princess supported by Northern Wei, along with Wei Qishan's wife, perished in a fire while staying overnight at a mountain temple when the meditation hall caught fire?"

He frowned, then added, "This matter is somewhat suspicious, but for us, it isn't necessarily bad."

With the former Jin princess gone in Northern Wei, the rhetoric of restoring Jin no longer holds water.

In the future, after dealing with Pei Song, if they confront us, they will ultimately be seen as traitors and rebels.

Tong Que, who was attending to Wen Yu, leaned over to read the letter with Zhao Bai and declared confidently, "This must be another scheme by that treacherous Pei Song to stir internal strife in Northern Wei!"

Zhao Bai glanced sideways. "What makes you say that? Given the precedent of Pei's spies killing Wei Pingjin and his sister to frame that Xiao fellow, if he repeats the tactic this time without any evidence pointing to that Xiao fellow, wouldn't it inadvertently help him fully unify Northern Wei?"

The "Xiao fellow" he referred to was, of course, Xiao Li.

Tong Que wrinkled her delicate nose. "I think Pei Song, caught between northern and southern forces, is retreating step by step. According to this letter, Xiao... Xiao Jun's righteous army previously advanced south with such fierce momentum, recapturing all the northern cities that Pei Song had retaken after General Yuan Fang withdrew his troops, and claiming them for themselves. With a knife at both his front and rear, Pei Song must be extremely hard-pressed."

Hesitating slightly, she still felt it improper to directly address Xiao Li by name and instead used the respectful title commonly used by the people and various factions for him at the time."The reason he has a moment to catch his breath now is because Western Mausoleum finally couldn't hold back and began invading Chen State's western border. The princess now has to divert Chen State's military forces to confront Western Mausoleum, while the Northern Border is already in chaos due to the Rongjue barbarians. Judging by the Wei camp's persistent pleas for Xiao Jun to return, if Xiao Jun truly goes back to the Northern Border, that fake princess and the Wei clan likely won't have any role to play afterward. Once the entire Northern Wei is reorganized and disciplined, Pei Song's situation will only become more difficult. So we might as well go all the way—kill that fake princess and Madam Wei, and see how many Wei officials and generals we can turn against Xiao Jun through suspicion!"

After hearing this, Zhao Bai nodded slightly: "According to what you say, this isn't without possibility."

Both turned to look at Wen Yu, whose expression remained extremely calm as she said: "This scheme failed to generate any public opinion wave. Whether it was Pei Song's doing or not no longer matters."

Her gaze returned to the map spread on the desk, where among the densely marked cities, she focused on Ezhou's location: "Send word to Lord Chen and General Fan—there's no need to urgently continue pushing northward. Pei Song excels at cutting losses to survive. Once the defeat in the Central Plains becomes inevitable, he'll certainly abandon the region and flee westward with his troops."

Zhao Bai asked: "Should we cut off Pei Song's escape route west? But I'm concerned he might detect our plans and take precautions."

Wen Yu's eyes remained peaceful and serene: "Then we'll feign movement in one direction while attacking from another."

Both Zhao Bai and Tong Que looked startled and were about to ask further when an Azure Guard entered the hall to report: "Your Highness, Miss Yang has arrived."

Wen Yu's cousin Yang Baolin came from the esteemed Yang family, having been well-educated since childhood. She was among the female officials selected to be sent to Chen territory.

Since the appointment of female officials was only proposed by Wen Yu last spring, and the official appointment process through the Ministry of Revenue after the female civil service examination would require this autumn's and next spring's exam results before positions could be granted, the palace staff still referred to the female officials residing in Morning Cloud Pavilion by their family titles.

Wen Yu deduced that Yang Baolin's visit must mean something had happened at Morning Cloud Pavilion. She told the Azure Guard: "Admit her."

Given her advanced pregnancy, except for military and political memorials delivered directly to her, other memorials were reviewed at Morning Cloud Pavilion before being reported to her.

Soon, Yang Baolin entered the hall with a grave expression. After bowing to Wen Yu, she reported: "Your Highness, court officials led by the Remonstrance Minister have petitioned that with Chen State's continuous warfare and enormous military expenditures, the Ministry of Revenue is finding it extremely difficult to allocate funds. After distributing this autumn's harvest to the western border troops, they cannot deliver the owed 1.5 million dan of grain to Liang territory. They beg Your Highness to permit delivering this grain after next year's harvest."

Before Wen Yu could respond, both Zhao Bai and Tong Que showed clear anger.

Zhao Bai exclaimed: "Preposterous! After the Jiang Family's downfall, the embezzled funds confiscated from their faction already replenished the national treasury. After Her Highness revised laws to enable trade between Chen State, our Great Liang, and neighboring kingdoms, Chen State's revenue has increased significantly over the past six months. How can the Ministry of Revenue claim funding difficulties? With reduced civilian taxes, people cultivated vast new lands during spring planting, and this year's favorable rainfall without drought or flood made it a rare bumper harvest. How dare they claim they can't gather this grain? Or is there truly no one in the entire court who knows how much millet one mu of fertile land can yield?"Yang Baolin lowered her gaze and said, "The Grand Councilor and others used the estimated tax grain that could be collected from various prefectures over the years as a reference. They also mentioned that the princess had just issued decrees to reduce corvée taxes during the spring plowing season. If we forcibly requisition this batch of military provisions from the common people, it might damage the princess's authority in their hearts."

Zhao Bai immediately understood the stakes involved, her expression growing even more furious. Yet Wen Yu merely replied with utmost calm, "I am aware. Cousin Baolin, you may withdraw first."

Yang Baolin gave a slight curtsey and retreated.

Wen Yu rose, leaning on Tong Que's hand. Tong Que carefully supported her but couldn't contain her indignation: "Princess, are the officials of Chen trying to renege on the 1.5 million dan of military provisions they still owe us? Should we dispatch inspectors to monitor the prefectures and see what tricks they might play with the tax grain!"

The three million dan of provisions as dowry had been promised by Empress Dowager Jiang on behalf of King Chen.

However, last year Chen couldn't produce that much grain, sending only 1.5 million dan to Chen territory while promising to make up the remaining 1.5 million dan this year.

Unexpectedly, at this harvest season, such complications arose.

The mistress and her two servants had already stepped out of the inner hall. Wen Yu reached out to touch the rice ears in the courtyard, so heavy they bent the stalks, and said, "How much of the land truly belongs to the common people? The fact that the Censorate allowed this memorial to be presented indicates it concerns the interests of most court officials."

Tong Que looked somewhat confused.

Having previously served in the prince's residence, Zhao Bai knew about the schemes in tax collection that Prince Changlian and his son had uncovered while advocating for the people. Suppressing her disgust for the officialdom, she explained: "The vast majority of farmland belongs to those aristocratic families. Even if it's not registered under their names but seized by local gentry, they still receive tribute money. One mu of good land can yield two dan of millet, but the local gentry falsely report only one dan, and the county records show the same. Ordinary people, pressured by both the gentry and officials, also claim to produce only one dan. What could inspectors possibly uncover when visiting the prefectures?"

Unless pushed to utter desperation, who would dare risk offending both local gentry and officials to speak the truth?

The unreported one dan of grain was thus divided as profit between the local gentry and various levels of officials.

Hearing this, Tong Que didn't know whether to feel angry or desolate, cursing, "Those corrupt officials! Growing fat on the people's hard-earned wealth, and now they want the princess to bear the blame too!"

When the Jiang Family dominated the court, corruption had already become rampant.

Except for those truly upright officials, few in the court had clean hands—it was merely a matter of how much they embezzled.

But to dismiss all these officials during times of internal and external troubles would be like draining all one's blood to cure a chronic illness—the illness might not be cured before the person died.

Therefore, Wen Yu could only proceed gradually, slowly cultivating her own influence, introducing scholars from humble backgrounds to dismantle the power of these aristocratic families.

After venting her anger, Tong Que couldn't help looking dejectedly at Wen Yu: "Princess, what should we do then? Postpone claiming the 1.5 million dan of military provisions until next year?"

Uprooting that deeply entrenched network exploiting the people would be no easy task.

Over the past year, Wen Yu had already threatened too many interests at court. With her delivery imminent, further drastic reforms might not be the appropriate course at present.Wen Yu slowly rubbed open the golden husks, gazing at the glistening white rice grains in her palm, her eyes cool and serene. "Someone is testing my stance."

Under the puzzled gazes of Zhao Bai and Tong Que, she calmly stated, "Summon Minister Qi for me."

When Qi Simiao entered the imperial study in his court robes, he only caught a glimpse of a dignified and authoritative blur behind the beaded curtain that draped down to the steps.

Not daring to look further, he lowered his gaze and bowed with clasped hands, saying, "This old minister pays his respects to Your Highness."

Wen Yu's calm voice came from behind the curtain, "Rise, Minister Qi."

Qi Simiao straightened slightly but maintained his bowing posture. "May I ask why Your Highness has summoned this old minister?"

Instead of answering, Wen Yu asked, "In the past six months, how do you believe I have governed the state of Chen?"

Qi Simiao replied, "Your Highness has rectified the court, enforced laws strictly, and eliminated treacherous officials to secure the interior; mediated clan disputes, rewarded and punished justly, and exercised both grace and authority to pacify the exterior; moreover, you have promoted trade, reduced taxes and labor duties, and shown compassion for the people's livelihood. To have a wise ruler like Your Highness is the fortune of all in the state of Chen."

"Oh? Then has Minister Qi seen this memorial?"

Tong Que, standing by the steps, stepped forward and handed a memorial to Qi Simiao.

Qi Simiao hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take it. After quickly scanning its contents, he knelt down. "This old minister is deeply troubled... I knew nothing of this matter."

For a long while, no words came from behind the beaded curtain. Qi Simiao did not dare to raise his head but could feel Wen Yu's gaze fixed upon him, sharp and scrutinizing, yet restrained.

After several breaths, he finally heard her say, "Back then, it was you who supported me for the sake of the people of Chen. You have witnessed how I treat the people of Chen."

Qi Simiao did not dare to respond.

Wen Yu seemed to sigh. "The rise and fall of dynasties only bring suffering to the common people. In my eyes, the people of Chen are no different from those of Liang. Loyal ministers like you, who care for the people, are no different from the ministers of Liang. Do you understand?"

Qi Simiao's gaunt frame trembled slightly before he finally kowtowed. "This old minister... is ashamed."

Wen Yu merely looked at him calmly. "In the future, Chen and my Great Liang must unite and reclaim their place as the rulers of the Central Plains. I do not wish for any division between the two lands."

Qi Simiao said, "This old minister understands."

Wen Yu continued, "While the war on the frontlines continues, there are still those in the court coveting the people's hard-earned wealth. To Chen, they are like worms gnawing at its roots. After the spring imperial examinations next year, a new batch of scholars will enter officialdom. Many will need to be assigned to various prefectures as local officials. Would it not be better to vacate some positions in the court and promote local officials with outstanding achievements to return to the capital? What do you think, Minister?"

Qi Simiao maintained his posture, hands pressed to his forehead against the floor, and said, "This old minister obeys Your Highness's decree."

After Qi Simiao had left, Tong Que was deeply puzzled. "Your Highness, Minister Qi is an upright official. Why did he knowingly allow this memorial to reach you, aware that the root of the autumn grain collection issue lies with those incompetent officials in the court? Does he not wish to repay the 1.5 million dan of grain they still owe us?"