Chapter 78 - 79: Passing the Buck
"My dear ministers, do you have any good suggestions?" Hua Shunming kicked the ball back into their court.
"Why not have all the regions open their city gates and resettle them in the villages for now? Once the drought in the Northern Three Provinces eases, we can have them return home." Xiao Liwei wasn’t sure who pushed him from behind, but he had no choice but to speak off the cuff.
The moment he said this, many people covered their mouths and began to laugh.
"Mr. Xiao, you military generals always see things so simply.
If these people are resettled, they won’t want to go back even after the drought subsides. After all, this is so close to the Emperor’s feet. Who would be foolish enough to return to that miserable place?
Besides, if the Northern Three Provinces are left empty, it would be detrimental to the nation."
"They are military generals. They can’t think beyond such things; you must forgive them."
"Mr. Xiao probably has no idea how many refugees are out there to make such a casual remark. The number of refugees outside is only growing. Prefect Xiao of Dao City has already dispatched troops to stand guard."
Xiao Liwei retorted, "The Holy Emperor just asked for suggestions. I was only offering my personal opinion, not asking you to make a decision right now. If you’re not satisfied, then state your own views and let a crude fellow like me have a listen."
After speaking, he turned to look at the colleagues behind him, only to find them whispering to each other, collectively avoiding his gaze.
With a cold snort, Xiao Liwei simply moved to a new spot. ’If I have to stand with these civil servants, I’ll have to watch my back for their sneak attacks. Military men should really stick together. At least there’s less scheming.’
"Liwei is right. Since you all have so many objections, you must have better ideas. I’m all ears." Hua Shunming’s smile was gentle, but it silenced all the civil and military officials.
"Oh? Zhou Aiqing, didn’t you just say Mr. Xiao’s idea was no good? Then why don’t you share your brilliant insight?" Hua Shunming was most annoyed by these officials. ’Do I have to call on someone every single time? They’re really a handful!’
Zhou Shicong, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, never expected the fire to be turned on him. "Your Majesty, we are in a dilemma. If we force the refugees back to their original household registration, they’ll be returning to a drought. It’s a death sentence.
But if we scatter them here, getting them to return later will be a massive undertaking. This servant has no foolproof plan at the moment. Perhaps you could ask the other ministries?"
The other five vice ministers: "..."
Hua Shunming: "..."
The civil and military officials: "..."
’This guy is insane. He actually dared to kick the problem right back to the Holy Emperor.’
The Old Prime Minister couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, quickly raising a hand to cover his mouth. "Forgive me, my mind tends to wander in my old age. I just thought of a joke."
"Hmph." Hua Shunming flicked his sleeve and strode to the long table. "If you don’t come up with a comprehensive solution today, then tomorrow you can all get out and live among the refugees. I’m sure they would welcome you with open arms."
"Your Majesty," the Old Prime Minister, Liu Donglai, finally stepped forward. "The grand mourning period is over. Shouldn’t we hold the special imperial examinations?"
Hua Shunming said, "Old Prime Minister, we are supposed to be discussing the drought. As for the imperial examinations, we can discuss them later when we have time."
"Your Majesty, don’t the imperial examinations require one to return to their place of household registration?" Liu Donglai’s eyes glinted. "Whether one is testing to become a Scholar or a scholar, these require recommendations and the official seal of their local magistrate.
As long as a family has one candidate, or even just one literate man, they should be willing to return to their hometown for the sake of the entire family’s interests."
The officials: "..." ’How utterly ruthless.’
Hua Shunming’s heart leaped with joy, but his expression immediately fell again. "So what if they go back? The drought is everywhere. They’d just be going back to die."
"Your Majesty, while they cannot clear new land for farming, some mountain springs and groundwater sources can still sustain the people’s lives. It is just a pity that some have selfishly monopolized these water sources. If everyone could share this water for daily use, I believe many people would not be willing to leave their homes."
"Old Sir, but what if this drought continues?"
"Your Majesty, this old servant has another idea. Please, come look at this geographical map. There is a road here that connects to the Northern Three Provinces and also leads south. If they head back, they could also choose to settle in this area. We could have the local officials issue a certificate and order them to return to their hometowns after the drought has passed.
Furthermore, the Silver and grain that all the lords just contributed can be used as a resettlement fund for these refugees. It can help them through this difficult time and prevent any unrest."
It wasn’t that they hadn’t noticed the Holy Emperor’s private actions these past few days. It wasn’t just the Holy Emperor who was afraid; they were worried too.
This situation had dragged on for so long. If someone with ill intentions were to stir things up, a riot could very well break out.
It’s always as the old saying goes: what you fear most is what comes to pass.
"Reporting to the Holy Emperor, there is an urgent message from outside!" Le San stumbled in and instantly fell to his knees before Hua Shunming.
"Present it!"
"Look! Your worries have come true. The city gates of Dao City have been breached. All the refugees have swarmed in and are now rushing toward Shangjing."
After reading the memorial in his hand, Hua Shunming threw it down in front of all the ministers.
"This... are they trying to rebel?" After reading the memorial, Kuang Yijun immediately shoved it at Zhou Shicong, who was standing beside him.
"Isn’t this all because you forced their hand?" Xiao Liwei didn’t dare to speak loudly, muttering under his breath, "If the common people find out you concealed this news for so long just for the sake of an empress’s position, you’ll probably be the first to suffer."
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, Cao Xiangqian, secretly tugged on his sleeve. "This is all trouble stirred up by the civil servants. We just need to keep quiet for now and not get drawn into the fire."
Unfortunately, no sooner were the words out of his mouth than the fire landed squarely on him. "Cao Aiqing, you are the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. You tell me how this matter should be resolved."
Cao Xiangqian replied, "Your Majesty, didn’t the other ministers just come to an agreement? These refugees have broken in merely to find a way to survive. As long as a few of the ministers go out, explain the situation clearly, and properly resettle the people, this incident will pass."
"Easy for you to say. If you’re so capable, why don’t you from the Ministry of War go?" Xu Zhiwen, catching a look from Kuang Yijun, immediately retorted.
Cao Xiangqian raised a hand to stop the general behind him from speaking. "We at the Ministry of War only know how to march and wage war; we don’t raise our fists against our own people. Don’t you scholars always talk about enlightening the masses? Now you have a golden opportunity. Go and enlighten these refugees. Wouldn’t that make everyone happy?"
"That’s not how it works. Since it’s a riot, it’s definitely a matter for you generals. Otherwise, what’s the point of the massive military budget we approve every year? Has it all been for nothing?" Xu Zhiwen latched onto this point and refused to let go.