Chapter 1121: Preparing to Return to the Capital
Dingjing was once a city with a population of over a million, with rows of houses in the outer city.
However, since the fall of Dingjing, many houses in the outer city were burned down, and civilians were killed or captured. Those who remained in Dingjing later found ways to escape to Great Chu.
This resulted in Dingjing, with a population of a million, having only about 300,000 people left, and the city no longer retained its former prosperity; the entire outer city was a scene of ruin.
The Emperor, after seeing the memorial from the Duke Mansion, was even more determined to return to the Capital as soon as possible.
If the imperial court returns to the Capital, all officials will certainly return with it.
Some shrewd merchants will surely seize the opportunity to go to the Capital City.
And some civilians who escaped will also return.
Waiting to return only after the complete restoration of Dingjing would take years at least, while the return of officials, civilians, and merchants to Dingjing could quickly inject vitality into the desolate city, and with enough manpower, repairs would also proceed faster.
After making the decision, the Emperor announced in court the next day that, after the first lunar month, the entire court and all officials would relocate back to the Capital.
The Emperor did not specify the exact date, as such a significant event must be determined by the Astronomical Bureau.
The voices of opposition still existed, and Mr. Han stepped forward to say, "Your Majesty, Dingjing was taken not long ago, and the north is not yet stable. If we go at this time, should the Jin Country’s army come back, I’m afraid..."
Before Mr. Han finished his words, everyone knew what he meant, that the past events might repeat.
The Emperor resolutely stated, "If the Jin Country’s army strikes Dingjing again, I will personally stand on the city wall to lead the army and civilians to resist the enemy."
"Since Dingjing has returned to the hands of Great Chu, I will never let it fall again."
Jiang Youzhi stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty is truly a wise ruler through the ages. With the Son of Heaven guarding the gates, the Great Chu’s territory will surely be secure!"
The Emperor suddenly slapped his armrest and stood up, "Jiang Aiqing speaks well. The Son of Heaven guards the gates; I am the Emperor of Great Chu, and I will protect the lands and people of Great Chu!"
"Chief of the Astronomical Bureau, I order you to quickly calculate an auspicious date; I must return to the Capital!"
After court, the news of the Emperor’s decision to return to the Capital spread everywhere.
Though it was just the twelfth lunar month now, with over a month until the return to the Capital, for affluent families, this was not a trip that could be undertaken on a whim.
Fields and shops in Xiang City needed people to manage and look after them, and some matters needed to be handled promptly.
All this required time.
For a time, many shops were being sold in Xiang City.
With the departure of the Emperor and officials, Xiang City would undoubtedly see a rapid decline in property prices, having lost its function as the Capital.
The agents in Xiang City were extremely busy, but with more sellers than buyers, shop prices continued to fall, although they had not yet dropped back to levels seen over a decade ago.
The Duke Mansion also began preparing to move to the Capital; Yun Jiao did not intend to sell any of her shops, nor the land near Xiang City, and directly handed them over to her cousin Gu Tang for managing. She entrusted him with rent collection, giving him a thirty percent commission as a reward for his efforts.
As for Renxin Hall, Yun Jiao decided to hand it over to Ah Tie for management.
The perfume workshop didn’t require her attention; it was still run by Shen Qing and his son, along with people from the Empress.
She entrusted the White Medicine Workshop to Shen Qing, with specific instructions that the secret formula could not be transmitted or passed on, and only Shen Qing himself could know it.
After many years, she still trusted Shen Qing’s character.
After the new year, Gu Yuheng and Aunt Hua, with Wu Fang and two children, went to He Xi County.
In the first month, officials from the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Rites, and Ministry of Revenue were the first to go to the Capital City.