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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 208: The Unique Wealth
Li Jian Cheng returned to Ganlu Palace, where he reviewed memorials, studied, dined, and summoned the concubines to his chambers. The Queen resided in the nearby Council Hall, still recuperating after childbirth.
The Emperor first inquired about the prince's condition. With only one son, he asked three times a day, fearing any oversight.
Next, he asked about the Queen and the Consort. Currently, his harem consisted only of Queen Xiao from the Xiao Family and Consort Ashina from the Ashina Clan.
According to protocol, aside from the Queen, he should have four other consorts: Noble, Virtuous, Moral, and Worthy.
There were also nine Consorts: Consort Nine, Zhaorong, Zhaoyuan, Xiuyi, Xiurong, Xiuyuan, Chongyi, Chongrong, and Chongyuan.
In total, there were twenty-seven ladies-in-waiting, nine Jieyu (noble ladies), nine Meiren (beauties), and nine Cairen (talented ladies).
Eighty-one imperial wives included twenty-seven Baolin (precious ladies), twenty-seven Yuni (imperial daughters), and twenty-seven Cainu (gifted maidens).
Thus, Li Yan advised him to quickly enrich his harem and expand his lineage. Indeed, the number of concubines was lacking. Moreover, Li Yan and the royal family officials were not keen on having the second prince possess Turkic blood.
After all, in this era, even a prince had a high probability of dying young. If the legitimate eldest son were to pass away early, it would be problematic for the second prince to inherit a title.
Li Jian Cheng sat behind the imperial desk as a delicate-looking young eunuch approached to serve tea. This boy was a child of the Li Family; typically, when one achieved success, their family would rise as well. After Li Jian Cheng ascended to the throne, any child who could read and shoot would have a promising future.
Unfortunately, this child was a eunuch and thus entered the palace to serve. Most eunuchs in the palace were remnants from previous dynasties and were not as trustworthy as those born into service.
"Li Wei," he asked, "are there any rumors circulating in the palace?"
Li Wei respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, the palace maids are praising your grace and celebrating their marriages with dowries you have bestowed upon them for leaving the palace. The eunuchs are complaining about reductions in food and clothing; aside from that, there is nothing else."
Li Jian Cheng pondered for a moment. "Have I cut back too much? Eunuchs are often unfortunate souls. While I wish to set an example for the world by increasing revenue while cutting expenses and changing the lavish practices left by previous dynasties, I do not want the court ladies to go hungry."
Li Wei couldn't help but glance up; His Majesty truly appeared godlike in his benevolence, just as he had heard since childhood.
"Your Majesty," he said cautiously, "those who eat well do not lack for this reduction; it is only those who cannot fill their stomachs who suffer more."
This remark surprised Li Jian Cheng slightly as his gaze fell on his young servant. "Then can you tell those who eat too much to eat less and allow those who are hungry to eat more?"
"As long as it means 'Your Majesty,' I can do anything."
"Good, then I will wait and see."
"Understood."
...
The emperor's decree for the people to rest was issued, but only the regions of Guanzhong, Kanto, and the Northern Frontier implemented it reasonably well. The further south one went, the worse it became; some local officials still exploited the people according to the taxes and corvée labor established by Yang Guang.
What was most infuriating was that many of these local officials had eagerly responded to Li Jian Cheng's call and quickly acknowledged Tang Wang's authority, thus claiming a share of the credit.
Their political instincts during this chaotic era were sharp, yet their greed overshadowed their reason.
They believed that since the emperor had just ascended to the throne, with the court in disarray and so many bandits and pirates roaming the land, His Majesty would first need to deal with these issues before addressing matters of governance. They thought they could pull back when necessary.
Having claimed a share of the credit, they figured they would only face dismissal at worst; with a little maneuvering, they could easily regain their positions. They were quite familiar with this game, but unfortunately, there were fewer trustworthy individuals like Yuwen Gong around now.
In the Council Hall, Wei Zheng held up reports on the implementation of decrees from various regions and said, "This is a crime against the emperor! They are shamelessly consuming their court salaries while defying imperial orders and harming the people. How can the common folk survive? If they cannot live, they will rebel. Must we wait until banditry rises again before holding them accountable?"
Xiao Cong, the Minister of Rites, sighed as he wiped his face from Wei Zheng's spittle and turned to bow before the emperor. "I am old and incompetent; I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to resign in favor of someone more capable."
This was already the fourth time he had made such a request. Li Jian Cheng nodded and said, "Xiao Gong has made great contributions to the state; I cannot afford to lose him. However, since you are weary from your duties in the Ministry of Rites, I will allow you to resign and promote you to Crown Prince Grand Tutor."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xiao Cong expressed his gratitude amidst the disapproving glares from many Southern Aristocracy officials, while Guanlong’s ministers looked quite pleased.
Li Jian Cheng's gaze fell upon Pei Ji, who was a close friend of the Retired Emperor and second only to Xiao Cong in stabilizing Chang'an. He had played a crucial role in persuading much of Guanlong's aristocracy.
Thus, when Li Jian Cheng appointed Tang Wang as Chancellor, Pei Ji was rewarded for his contributions with a position as Chief of the Jin Prince's Office. After founding the country, he became Right Vice Minister of Rites. At this moment, he was also long sought after by many court officials who hoped he would replace Xiao Cong.
Naturally, he had to align with Guanlong’s ministers' wishes. Therefore, Li Jian Cheng decreed: "Promote Pei Ji from Right Vice Minister of Rites to Left Vice Minister and assign him all matters concerning the Ministry of Rites. He must promptly investigate why the implementation of decrees has been ineffective."
"I am Pei Ji; I thank Your Majesty for your command."
Wei Zheng furrowed his brows as he observed the power transition in the Court, then continued to advise the emperor, demanding that a decree be issued to punish those corrupt officials who had violated orders and that an investigation be conducted into who had sheltered them in the Court, allowing this matter to come to light only now.
However, Wei Zheng was soon besieged by other officials, who began to divert the conversation.
After the court session ended, Dugu Huai'en returned to the Ministry of Works residence with resentment towards Wei Zheng and said to his subordinates, "As long as this traitor lives, His Majesty will eventually trace this back to us."
His confidant advised, "Wei Zheng is favored by His Majesty and has repeatedly spoken out without punishment; he is not an ordinary nameless person. Acting rashly could provoke His Majesty's wrath."
"Moreover, he is the nephew of Empress Yuan Zhen and a true relative of both the Retired Emperor and His Majesty. Although he has received some local tributes, even if this matter comes to light, it shouldn't lead to anything serious. We should remain calm."
At this mention, Dugu Huai'en's expression darkened further. His family had produced three queens yet lacked the fortune of an emperor. He angrily exclaimed, "Is my family only meant to prosper through women?"
"Do I have to rely solely on women for wealth and status?"
Ignoring the terrified confidants around him, Dugu Huai'en felt that the world was unfair. It was one thing not to have the fate of becoming an emperor; it was another to have to live in constant fear over mere riches. He thought, if this is how life is going to be, then I might as well not live it!
"That Jian Cheng child has just ascended the throne and instead of seeking stability, he disturbs local governance. Under Wei Zheng's slanderous words, he intends to capture the meritorious ministers and bring them to court for punishment. Clearly, he aims to incite rebellion among the various regions. Perhaps I can reach out to old allies and attempt to rally support across the realm to establish the Dugu Clan's State!"
………………
(End of Chapter)
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