Chapter 72 - 73: Old Prime Minister
Ancient Wen Heng was about to have a serious talk with Jin Qianqian, feeling her line of thinking was quite dangerous.
But Gu Yuantu walked over, carrying a bag. "You two are here. Perfect, this is for you."
"What’s this?" Jin Qianqian asked, a little curious.
Hong Daya looked guilty. "It’s nothing special. Just some grass roots that your fifth brother and I have been digging up for the past two days. You can use them to get some moisture, and they can also fill your stomach.
"If you find them hard to swallow, you can just suck the moisture out of them."
Jin Qianqian patted the bundle tied to her back. "Fifth Sister-in-law, it must not have been easy for you to find these. Besides, my husband and I managed to buy some food when we went into the city this time. We won’t go hungry for now."
"We appreciate the kind thought, but who knows what the future will bring? You should keep these and save up for yourselves!"
"How could we do that? We already took that large bamboo tube of water from you for nothing," Gu Yuantu said, stubbornly trying to shove the bag into Ancient Wen Heng’s hands.
Ancient Wen Heng raised a hand to stop him. "That’s enough. We’re family, there’s no need for such formalities. Besides, the water wasn’t for you. It was for my little nephew."
Jin Qianqian looked at Gule Shun, who seemed to have lost another layer of weight. His face was grimy, and his body was so gaunt that he looked just like the starving African children she used to see on television.
Jin Qianqian knelt down and took Gule Shun’s hand. "Did our Little Leshun miss his auntie and uncle?"
Gule Shun nodded. "I did. But my mommy and daddy said you had to go out for something. Why were you gone for so long?"
Jin Qianqian stroked his head. "Auntie went to find water! I found lots and lots of it, so from now on, our Little Leshun will have water to drink."
"Really?" Gule Shun’s eyes, which looked extraordinarily large in his thin face, stared at her, shining with hope. "Can my mommy and daddy drink as much as they want, too?"
"Mhm," Jin Qianqian said, mimicking his earlier gesture by nodding vigorously. "When the time comes, everyone will be able to drink their fill."
Feeling his bony little hand, Jin Qianqian’s heart ached. ’He’s just a child, only a few years old, yet he’s already endured so much hardship.’
When a milk tablet suddenly appeared in his palm, Gule Shun’s first instinct was to clench his fist tightly. He still recognized the delicious treat; it had been many days since he’d last had one.
"Thank you, Auntie." Gule Shun remembered his parents had told him to always say thank you when someone helped him.
Her heart aching for him, Jin Qianqian stroked his head, but she didn’t dare give him any more.
* * *
In the prosperous capital of Shangjing, alive with song and dance, Hua Shunming sat upon the throne, receiving birthday congratulations from his assembled officials. It was his first birthday since the official period of mourning had ended. Gazing down at the host of kneeling courtiers, Hua Shunming clenched his fist and coolly uttered a single command: "You may rise."
"Your Majesty, this humble servant has a report to present," Old Prime Minister Liu Donglai said as he shakily stepped out from the ranks and knelt.
"Old Prime Minister Liu, it is the Holy Emperor’s birthday. Don’t go looking for trouble," Supreme General Xiao Liwei whispered from beside him.
"Old Prime Minister, if you have something to say, please rise. You are well on in years; don’t harm your health by kneeling." Hua Shunming was generally willing to tolerance toward these old courtiers, especially those who knew when to advance and when to retreat.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. But this old servant is guilty of a crime."
No one had expected Old Prime Minister Liu to be so tactless as to deliberately stir up trouble on this day of all days.
"And what crime has the Old Prime Minister committed?" Hua Shunming asked, narrowing his eyes at the court below. He, too, wanted to see what sort of drama was about to unfold.
"Your Majesty, the Three Eastern Provinces to the north have suffered a continuous drought for several years. The harvests have failed completely. People don’t even have enough water for their daily needs. Many can no longer survive there and have banded together to flee the resulting famine.
"However, for their own selfish gain, certain individuals have suppressed this news! The lands are now filled with wailing refugees, who are being barred from entering the cities. They are destroying the very foundation of Your Majesty’s rule and ignoring whether the common people live or die. It is a crime worthy of a thousand deaths!"
The entire imperial court fell silent. Hua Shunming looked at the gathered officials. "Is what the Old Prime Minister says true?"
...
"I am asking you a question! Have you all gone mute?" Hua Shunming shouted, slamming his hand on the table as he shot to his feet. "Chancellor Kuang, you tell me. Is the Old Prime Minister lying?"
Hua Shunming’s eyes blazed with fury as he stared at Kuang Yujun, a man he himself had promoted. He refused to believe the Old Prime Minister would make things up and lie on such an important day.
"Well..." Kuang Yijun turned to look at several other high-ranking ministers, only for them to immediately turn their heads away.
"Is My question so difficult to answer?"
"Your Majesty, please allow me to explain!" Kuang Yijun said through clenched teeth. "This servant did receive a report from the Three Eastern Provinces, but the situation described in it was not as severe as Old Prime Minister Liu has claimed."
"Hmph! Not severe?" Liu Donglai shot to his feet, fuming, and pointed an accusing finger at him. "Go and take a look at Dao City! The people have all been stopped there! Who knows how many days have passed, or how many of them are still holding on?
"I know what you’re all thinking! You’re just squabbling over a few positions in the harem, afraid the Holy Emperor will delay the selection of new concubines and affect your next generation’s struggle for power. All of you are selfish and utterly unfit to be ministers of the court!"
Hua Shunming’s sharp gaze swept over the courtiers prostrated on the floor. He had already made up his mind.
"It seems Old Prime Minister Liu was not exaggerating. To think that for the sake of a few concubine positions in the palace, you would abandon the people to such a crisis. Do you feel no shame for the offices you hold?
"If you will not stand up for the people, then what use do I have for any of you?"
"Your Majesty, calm your anger!" a chorus of identical pleas rose from the court floor, only making Hua Shunming more disgusted.
"Calm my anger? You dare to commit such deceit, and you expect me not to be angry?" Hua Shunming pointed at the crowd below. "Aside from those five words, what else can you say?
"Every day at court, what do you do besides sing my praises and fob me off with trivial matters?"
"Kuang Yijun, it seems I’ve wasted your talents by making you Prime Minister. All this scheming... was it not to pave the way for your daughter’s entry into the palace?"
"This servant would not dare."
"No, you do dare. You’ve abused My trust to try and climb even higher. It seems you’re not content with being Prime Minister. You’ve held the post for only a few days, and you’ve already grown arrogant.
"In that case, you can get out of my sight and go be a book compiler at the Tai Le Bureau! As for this selection of concubines, we will choose a new batch of candidates."
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
Hua Shunmin, "..."
"It seems our Chancellor Kuang has truly won all your hearts. To think you would all contradict Me for his sake! His words clearly carry more weight than Mine. Perhaps I should abdicate the throne in his favor?"
"This servant would not dare!"
"This servant would not dare!"
"This servant would not dare!"
"Good. Very good," Hua Shunming said, summoning Chief Eunuch Le San. "Draft an imperial edict for me. Kuang Yujun is greedy for power and has disregarded the lives of the people. He is unfit to be the Prime Minister of our Rong Dynasty..."