Chapter 207
"What's wrong with him?"
Wen Yu said: "If these 1.5 million dan of grain were what Fengyang owed Luodu back when Great Liang was still stable, what would you think?"
Tong Que was taken aback, thought for a moment, then said: "Fengyang definitely wouldn't have withheld this military provision without reason. There must be some explanation behind it."
Wen Yu looked at her calmly: "Why is it that when this matter involves Fengyang and Luodu, you don't feel the same outrage?"
Tong Que replied: "Because both Fengyang and Luodu belong to Liang territory - they're both our own lands. Fengyang couldn't possibly have ulterior motives."
Wen Yu said: "From the perspective of the entire Liang territory, isn't transferring 1.5 million dan of grain from Fengyang to Luodu just moving it from the left hand to the right hand?"
After brief contemplation, Tong Que suddenly understood: "So Minister Qi tacitly consented because he believes that both Chen and Liang territories now serve you, Princess. To you, the destination of this grain is merely a transfer between left and right hands. Rather than sending it to Liang territory, it would be better to find a way to keep it in Chen Kingdom?"
No sooner had she spoken these words than she frowned again: "But wasn't this grain withheld because it was embezzled layer by layer by those corrupt officials in Chen Kingdom?"
Zhao Bai said: "Even if treacherous officials reached the Jiang Family's position, when their factions were completely investigated, didn't they vomit up all the silver they had swallowed? When aristocratic families embezzled grain and Chen territory truly needed it, the executioner's blade fell upon their entire clans, forcing them to return every single grain without shortage."
"Qi Simiao is a clever man. He wants to help preserve Chen Kingdom's national strength as much as possible before the unification of the two states, while also using this to test whether the Princess truly treats Chen Kingdom and Great Liang equally."
After all, one million dan of grain was no small amount. If they could save this provision, it would greatly benefit Chen Kingdom.
If Wen Yu were to become angry because of this, it would indicate that in her heart, the direct line remained the subjects of Liang territory. Having previously sidelined the Keji tribe and replaced them as rulers of the southern lands, Chen Kingdom feared history might repeat itself.
Therefore, whether Wen Yu showed favoritism toward either side was particularly important to them.
After understanding the underlying implications, Tong Que broke out in a cold sweat. Looking at Wen Yu, she said: "No wonder the Princess told Minister Qi that she would treat the subjects of Chen Kingdom no differently from those of Liang territory. If I had to figure out all these twists and turns in the memorial by myself, I truly wouldn't be able to make head or tail of it no matter how hard I thought."
A faint weariness showed between Wen Yu's brows as she said: "Most conflicts in this world stem from injustice. The higher one's position, the more important it is to maintain fairness."
As a minister of Chen Kingdom, it was understandable that Qi Simiao would scheme for Chen territory.
But once the mutually beneficial relationship between Liang and Chen territories and their united front against external threats was broken, the sown discord might become the trigger for future internal strife.
Those 1.5 million dan of military provisions were originally intended for monthly distribution to Chen troops in Liang territory. Sending them to Liang Camp in advance was merely to allow Liang Camp to use the provisions to control Chen troops advancing into Liang territory.
If Chen Kingdom wasn't even willing to abide by the conditions agreed upon during the initial alliance, the ministers of Liang territory would naturally be dissatisfied.
Wen Yu's words to Qi Simiao were a veiled warning that still preserved his dignity.Zhao Bai understood Wen Yu's intentions and voiced his concerns, "I fear some court officials may fail to grasp Your Highness's thoughtful considerations. The collection of 1.5 million dan of grain is bound to draw widespread complaints. If they perceive Your Highness as pressuring Chen's officials solely for Liang's benefit... it could damage Your Highness's reputation among the people of Chen."
Wen Yu recalled her final instructions to Qi Simiao, her long lashes casting delicate shadows in the light: "Qi Simiao knows what must be done."
A flicker of confusion passed through Zhao Bai's eyes.
But Wen Yu offered no further explanation, saying only, "The trap for Pei Song must be set quickly. Send word to Liang territory - using the military's need for weapon smelting and extensive mining as pretext, dispatch several battalions to march through the Jing-Chu mountains under the guise of 'mining operations'."
Zhao Bai immediately grasped Wen Yu's earlier reference to "feigning movement in the east while attacking in the west," and clasped his fists: "This servant will order the Azure Guard to deliver the message with utmost urgency."
Several days later, an urgent message arrived from Chen's western frontier: the military desperately needed specialized crossbows capable of piercing armor, but Chen lacked blacksmiths skilled in crafting such weapons. With the urgency of war, even the imperial workshops couldn't produce them in time.
Liang territory happened to have ample stores of these crossbows. Having long contended with the thick-armored cavalry of the Rongjue tribes from northern cold regions, Liang's artisans had developed these armor-piercing crossbows.
Under pressure from the frontlines, court officials could only discuss purchasing a batch from Liang Camp.
With Wen Yu's approval, procurement wasn't an issue. However, Liang Camp responded that they currently lacked no funds - after supplying these crossbows to Chen, their own workshops would need to replenish the stock, requiring considerable time and effort.
Furthermore, Liang's rice harvest came later than Chen's, and this year's autumn crop hadn't yet ripened. With Liang's military provisions nearly depleted, they hoped Chen could promptly deliver the owed 1.5 million dan of grain. Payment for the crossbows could be settled between the two ministries of revenue at year's end.
Chen's officials found themselves swallowing bitter medicine without complaint - everyone could see Liang Camp was determined to obtain the 1.5 million dan of grain. Seizing this opportunity created by the military's urgent need for crossbows made negotiation extremely difficult.
Some considered appealing to Wen Yu to plead their difficulties and shift the problem to her, but palace news reported she had fallen ill from overwork in handling state affairs and was following imperial physicians' orders to rest quietly, receiving no officials.
This avenue was thus blocked.
Before officials could devise further delaying tactics, the impatient western frontier general directly wrote to the Ministry of Revenue, unleashing his temper in a scathing letter.
The Minister of Revenue feared delaying military affairs, but if they provisioned Liang first, they'd have to draw from the portions appropriated by aristocratic families to supply Chen's western frontier troops.
The aristocratic families formed an intricate network more entrenched than the former Jiang Family's influence. Their appropriation of tax grain wasn't new, and they covered their tracks thoroughly - beyond what a single Minister of Revenue could challenge.
The Minister grew so anxious that blisters formed around his mouth. At his wit's end, he suddenly had an inspiration and went to the palace to sound out Eunuch Li, who had remained as chief eunuch since the royal court changed hands.
Eunuch Li maintained his smiling demeanor, returning the bribe the Minister offered untouched. Sipping his tea leisurely, he said, "Minister Lu, with Chancellor Qi having already approved this, what remains to fear?"After the Jiang family's downfall, Qi Simiao had taken over the position of Chancellor from Jiang Hongsheng.
The Minister of Revenue initially failed to grasp the meaning behind Eunuch Li's words, his face still filled with panic and confusion.
Eunuch Li pointed a finger upward: "Whether the remaining tax grain is in the Ministry of Revenue or not... those above couldn't possibly be unaware, could they?"
The Minister of Revenue suddenly had an epiphany.
The military's sudden demand for those armor-piercing crossbows, coupled with Chancellor Qi's approval stamp—this was clearly the work of the one in the palace targeting the aristocratic families embezzling tax grain!
Since it was a power struggle among those above, their Ministry of Revenue only needed to fulfill its duties properly.
He hurriedly stood up and bowed to Eunuch Li: "Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency! I am eternally grateful!"
After the Minister of Revenue left, Eunuch Li took another sip of tea, leaning back in his recliner and rocking gently as a young eunuch massaged his legs.
The young eunuch asked: "Does the Venerable One seem to be in good spirits?"
Eunuch Li kept his eyes closed for a moment before shaking his head: "In just one year, the court has undergone tremendous changes. Our current master... is truly formidable..."
Liu Residence.
Remonstrance Official Liu Guangling returned home in a furious rage, "That old fool Qi Simiao—is he helping that Liang woman steal the country? Once that Liang woman gives birth to a royal heir, what use will our Chen State have for her? 1.5 million dan of grain allocated to the Liang Camp? Should the Western Border Army drink the northwest wind this winter?"
None of the heavily compensated advisors in his residence dared to speak.
Liu Guangling continued smashing inkstones while cursing: "And that brute Mu Youliang too! Didn't they manage to fight battles before without those damned armor-piercing crossbows? Why must they demand them precisely at this critical juncture?"
Only after smashing everything within reach on his desk did Liu Guangling lean on the writing table and declare: "Send word to Brother Ouyang and the others! If that Liang woman wants us to scrape together military provisions for the Western Border Army, then I'll make sure she loses her grip on the regent's power!"
Before the aristocratic families led by the Liu Residence could spread rumors among the common people that Wen Yu had allocated all provisions to Liang territory while neglecting the Chen State's Western Border soldiers—just as Mu Youliang had sent his son and deputy general back to the royal court to personally demand the long-overdue military provisions—a reckless local official's imperial accusation suddenly stirred up a storm throughout the royal court.
The local magistrate's petition was written with blood and tears, detailing numerous crimes of Remonstrance Official Liu Guangling's clan: seizing civilian farmland, embezzling tax grain, their young masters hunting outside the city during spring plowing, trampling spring seedlings while galloping on horses, and arrogantly trampling to death peasants who knelt begging them to stop. All who heard it were filled with indignation.
Liu Guangling immediately panicked, loudly protesting his innocence.
But facing accusations from the entire Qingpu County populace, along with the family of the deceased peasants bringing their village clansmen to mourn in hemp clothes at the palace gates, Liu Guangling's self-defense instantly became pale and powerless.
For a time, commoners everywhere discussed how court officials embezzled tax grain, causing the Western Border Army to lack military provisions.
The son of the Western Border General, who had just returned to the royal capital, became so enraged that he stormed into the Liu Residence that very day. He broke several ribs of Liu Guangling's son, slapped his face swollen like a pig's head, and even chased the elderly Liu Guangling with his family's ancestral golden mace. In the chaos, Liu fell and broke his bones, immediately becoming bedridden.
This farce only ended when the deputy general arrived and took away the Western Border General's son.Wen Yu was naturally furious upon receiving the news at the royal palace. Before Liu Guangling could even recuperate, his entire family had been imprisoned and handed over to the joint investigation by the Three Judicial Offices for rigorous examination of tax grain issues over the years.
Once this news broke, aristocratic families in the royal court were all apprehensive. They secretly sold off properties everywhere in an attempt to fill the enormous gap created by years of embezzled tax grain.
Previously, they had been able to thoroughly silence the farmers, forcing them to prioritize their families' safety and dare not confront officials.
But now that the magistrate of Qingpu County had taken the lead and the imperial court was paying such close attention, commoners across various regions, seeing hope in appealing to the emperor, would surely rush to follow suit?
Having navigated officialdom for over a decade, how could they fail to see that behind the Qingpu County magistrate stood Qi Simiao and Wen Yu?
This was clearly Princess Han Yang, after rectifying the Jiang faction, now coming for them!
Rather than playing dead until disaster struck, it was better to make up for the deficits and strive for a slim chance of survival.
Zhaohua Palace.
Zhao Bai reviewed the latest tax grain records sent by the Ministry of Revenue, her thin lips tightening further as she read: "The embezzlement of tax grain in just the past three years is already this massive. These so-called aristocratic families are like bloodsucking leeches densely clinging to the people of Chen. If not for Your Highness's diligent governance over the past six months, which eased the tension throughout Chen, I fear that when Western Mausoleum invaded, Chen would have collapsed completely!"
Wen Yu, reviewing memorials on her desk, said: "That's why Lord Qi chose us."
Her expression remained as calm as ever, showing no visible joy even at such a satisfying moment. She continued instructing: "A'Zhao, keep an eye on the subsequent joint investigation by the Three Judicial Offices for me. Also, compile a list of impoverished scholars who passed this year's imperial examinations after reviewing their family backgrounds."
After Zhao Bai acknowledged and withdrew together with Tong Que, the latter whispered: "Sister Zhao Bai, I know the Qingpu County magistrate is Lord Qi's man, but how did the princess know that the military would suddenly lack such a batch of armor-piercing crossbows?"
Zhao Bai glanced sideways at her and said: "You've improved quite a bit."
Tong Que sheepishly rubbed the back of her head.
Zhao Bai hugged her sword and looked toward the horizon: "Years ago, when the princess was betrothed to the then Crown Prince of King Chen, the prince feared that if anything unexpected happened, the princess would still have to marry into Chen. So when Chen borrowed troops, he planted a hidden piece in their army."
Tong Que gasped in surprise.
Zhao Bai said: "However, the Empress Dowager and the Jiang Family were very wary of our prince's mansion back then, so that hidden piece couldn't infiltrate the Jiang army."
Outside the royal capital, the western grain transport troops that had received the military provisions set off to return to the western frontier.
The young general, holding an armor-piercing crossbow, said spiritedly to the steady middle-aged man riding alongside him: "Uncle Xing, thankfully you've seen such good weapons as armor-piercing crossbows in Liang territory! Otherwise, we'd have a tough fight against Western Fan's iron pagoda warriors!"
The middle-aged man looked back toward the royal capital and smiled shyly as if not good with words: "You flatter me, young general."
...
That late autumn, Wen Yu gave birth to a daughter.
She had publicly announced her pregnancy five months later than usual. Since routine government affairs were handled by the Morning Cloud Pavilion, and all aristocratic families had just been warned once, all officials at court were keeping their heads down. Wen Yu claimed she needed to recuperate for a period due to pregnancy complications caused by anger over the tax grain matter, and no one at court suspected anything.By the time Gu Xiyun escorted the shipment of armor-piercing crossbows requested by the Chen Kingdom's western border army to the capital and used reporting military affairs as an excuse to visit Wen Yu in the palace, the child had already reached her first full month.
She sat beside the small crib, teasing the soft, tiny infant inside with a rattle drum: "Auntie said she'd come see you after autumn—did Auntie keep her word?"
The infant in the rocking crib, with her delicate little fingers, instinctively reached out to grab the rattle drum. After several attempts, she grew drowsy and let out a yawn.
Gu Xiyun gently poked the child's warm, soft cheek with her fingertip and asked curiously, "Is she about to fall asleep?"
Wen Yu, who had been reading the latest correspondence from Liang, looked up at the sound. Her loosely tied hair was adorned with several large hairpins slanting upward from below, and her aura, once cool and distant, now carried a touch of softness, as if bathed in divine light.
She said, "She usually naps around this time every day. Let the wet nurse take her away."
Gu Xiyun replied, "I often help Official Zhou with his child—I'm good at putting children to sleep. Leave it to me."
As she spoke, she gently rocked the crib while humming a soft lullaby.
Wen Yu continued reading the letters, occasionally glancing over or lowering her voice to give instructions to Yang Baolin, who was taking notes with a brush.
Yang Baolin nodded and recorded the notes on the scroll.
Gu Xiyun seemed to want to say something to Wen Yu, but Wen Yu was too busy today, surrounded by many people, making it difficult for her to speak up. Only when the child was nearly asleep did she ask, "Has the little one’s pet name been decided yet?"
Yang Baolin, who had finished reviewing the accumulated letters with Wen Yu and was now tidying the writing tools, smiled and said, "Earlier, the little princess was crying intensely, and her mother sang a Liang lullaby to soothe her to sleep. Her Highness then took the words 'Li Li' from the line 'Li Li, Ban Ban, leap over Southern Mountain' in that lullaby as the little princess’s pet name."
Wen Yu’s previous title, "Weng Zhu," had been specially requested by Changlian Wang by reviving an old tradition.
The reason lay in the ancient practice where feudal lords personally presided over their daughters' weddings, hence their daughters were called Weng Zhu.
To demonstrate their affection for their daughter, Changlian Wang and his consort had overstepped ceremonial norms by using this archaic title for a princess.
"Li Li, Ban Ban, leap over Southern Mountain…" Gu Xiyun hummed along, unaware that Wen Yu had momentarily lost focus upon hearing this nursery rhyme. She tucked the soft blanket around the now-sleeping little A Li and said, "The name Li Li is lovely—it sounds just as clever and bright as your mother…"
Yang Baolin could tell that Gu Xiyun still had some private matters to discuss with Wen Yu. After packing up the writing tools, she said to Wen Yu, "Your Highness, I shall take my leave now."
Once Yang Baolin had left, and only Wen Yu and Gu Xiyun remained in the hall, Gu Xiyun stopped rocking the crib. After a moment of silence, she asked, "A Yu, have you heard any recent news about that person in Liang?"
Wen Yu was slightly taken aback, realizing Gu Xiyun was referring to Xiao Li.
She asked, "What about him?"
Gu Xiyun pressed her lips tightly together, and it was a while before she spoke: "I heard that for the sake of a courtesan abducted into Pei Song’s camp, he slaughtered twenty thousand of Pei Song’s surrendered soldiers."
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