Chaos of the Three Kingdoms Summons

Chapter 2682 The Emperor and the Crown Prince, the Canal Problem

"Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

I had just woken up from my afternoon nap and was getting some relief from Xiao Zhou's massage when I heard the eunuch's report.

"Xuan!"

The Crown Prince first served as the nominal commander-in-chief of the Southern Expeditionary Army and participated in the Southeast Asian war.

Although he was mainly involved in managing local affairs in Southeast Asia and didn't participate in many battles, the purpose wasn't to send him into war, but simply to let him experience the battlefield.

After that, he spent another year in the Southern court.

Now that it was the height of summer, Li Xiang handed over all political affairs to the Crown Prince and left the palace to escape the heat.

As for the Crown Prince, the Southern Court was just the beginning in his desire to get him more involved in the country's affairs. Moreover, compared to the Southern Court, which was only responsible for the south, it was nothing compared to the Northern Court, which had a comprehensive view of the entire country.

Li Xiang's purpose was also very clear: in addition to continuing to train the Crown Prince's ability to think, judge, and handle affairs, he also wanted him to have a deeper understanding of the implementation and operation of the "Qian Yuan New Policy" and his general strategy for governing the country.

Having just achieved internal unification, the country naturally needed to implement new reforms and eliminate the drawbacks of the old dynasty.

The Qianyuan era was a crucial turning point for the Great Jin Dynasty. As the crown prince, he could not remain a bystander; he had to participate.

In that case, once he takes office, he will naturally be able to continue following the country's lead.

"Father!" The Crown Prince entered and respectfully bowed.

Among all the princes, he was the most dignified and the most courteous.

The emperor and the crown prince are first and foremost ruler and subject, and only then father and son. In fact, the relationship between ruler and subject may even be more important than that between father and son.

"Sit!" Li Xiang gestured, glancing at the Crown Prince.

Dressed in crimson and purple court robes and crowned with purple and gold, the Crown Prince exuded nobility and majesty. Now, his son was already several years old and he was no longer the child he once was.

Of all his sons, Prince Jin was the one who resembled him the most. However, Li Xiang only admired him; their relationship was not as close as one might imagine.

The one that's too much like yourself might not be your favorite.

The crown prince, however, is unlike his father, which is a pity.

However, the second emperor of the Great Jin Dynasty needed a benevolent ruler, not a pioneering, iron-fisted monarch.

After so many years of fighting, and the fighting continues, it's time for the second generation to rest and recuperate.

Therefore, the Crown Prince is more suitable than the Prince of Jin. Even though the Crown Prince is nothing like him, while the Prince of Jin is more like him.

Seeing him bound by the heavy imperial robes, and sweating profusely even though the hall was relatively cool, Li Xiang said directly, "It's hot, take off your court robes! You don't need to be so formal in private!"

"Someone, bring the Crown Prince a bowl of cool tea!"

Li Hao thanked the emperor and then took off his court robes. He immediately felt much more relaxed, and after drinking the cool tea, he finally showed a relaxed smile.

This is the true nature of a crown prince. He never forgets the proper etiquette between ruler and subject in any situation, and he never forgets that they are first and foremost ruler and subject, and only then father and son.

Unlike the Prince of Jin, who dared to take off his court robes and have a big argument with him in the imperial study.

After all, he was no longer the crown prince. Once he removed his court robes, he was no longer acting as a subject to the emperor, but as a son to him. The Prince of Jin understood this perfectly well: if he put on his court robes and started cursing, he would be offending the emperor, and he would suffer the consequences!
"There have been many troubles in the court recently. I have not been in the palace. Has the court been any quieter?"

Holding a teapot in one hand and a fan in the other, Li Xiang looked less like an emperor ruling the world and more like a wealthy landlord from the countryside.

However, the crown prince dared not comment on his demeanor, his attention entirely focused on the question posed by the emperor.

"During the sweltering summer heat, it's said that over a hundred people have died from heatstroke at the canal construction site!"

In ancient times, under such conditions, doing such heavy manual labor in the sweltering summer heat would have made it normal for people to collapse en masse.

"No matter how small, matters concerning the people are important!"

"What does Your Highness think should be done about this matter?" Li Xiang threw his fan aside and straightened his upper body.

The Crown Prince had clearly already considered this matter, and therefore remained calm.

He raised his head, his gaze firm, and stated clearly and logically: "Father, in my opinion, the most urgent task is to prevent disease to reassure the people, while at the same time ensuring the project is completed on schedule!"

"Firstly, the imperial court should immediately organize a group of medical officials or call upon a group of folk healers to work together to prevent disease! Temporary medical tents should be set up so that if any laborers fall ill again, they can be treated immediately."

"Furthermore, I request that Your Majesty immediately issue an edict to strictly order all construction sites to adjust their work schedules immediately! Avoid working during the hottest part of the day at noon, and instead carry out full-scale construction in the cooler hours of the morning, evening, and night! Increase manpower for rotation to ensure that the laborers get enough rest."

"Furthermore, the magistrates of the counties along the route should take the lead in setting up summer shelters and drinking water points along the construction route! And along the construction section, sunshades should be built using local materials, and they must be densely packed! This will ensure that the laborers have a shady place to rest at any time."

"The number of drinking water points must be increased to ensure a sufficient supply of clean, cool water with added salt or a small amount of heat-relieving herbs! Heat-relieving soup should be provided daily at fixed times and in fixed quantities, and the distribution should be supervised by the military medical officer or a local doctor."

"Secondly, we must strictly investigate responsibility and rectify official conduct!" Li Hao's tone turned serious as he said this.

"Your Majesty, I do not believe that the deaths of these hundred-odd people were all due to natural disasters! Someone must have disregarded Your Majesty's strict decree to cherish the people's strength! I beg Your Majesty to authorize me or a capable minister to personally go to the construction site to thoroughly investigate whether the summer heat avoidance order was strictly enforced and whether drinking water and medicine were supplied in sufficient quantities?"

"Were there any supervisors forcing laborers to work under the scorching sun in order to meet deadlines? Officials who neglect their duties and disregard human life, regardless of their rank, should be severely punished! Those who should be dismissed should be dismissed, and those who should be imprisoned should be imprisoned, as a warning to others! Only by strictly enforcing the law can we prevent future troubles!"

"Thirdly, the imperial court should provide generous relief and compensation to stabilize public sentiment!"

His voice was filled with compassion as he said, "The court must provide generous compensation to the families of the deceased laborers! Double the amount of compensation and grain should be distributed, and their families should be exempted from taxes and corvée labor for three years!"

"And announce to all construction sites that the court's compassion is not a sign of treating the people like dirt! Let the surviving laborers know that the court remembers their suffering and will never mistreat their sacrifices! With the people's hearts at ease, the project can proceed smoothly!"

"Finally, regarding the construction period!" Li Hao looked at his father, his eyes filled with responsibility.

"Your subject is well aware that the canal is crucial to the fate of the nation, and the construction period is extremely tight! However, human lives are at stake! Adjusting work schedules and strengthening protective measures may have a slight impact on the progress in the short term."

"But I believe this is a strategy of retreating to advance! If left unchecked, the number of deaths will increase daily, the laborers will panic and flee, and resentment will boil over. At that time, not only will the construction schedule be severely hampered, but it may also incite a popular uprising!"

His tone was earnest and firm: "I humbly request that Your Majesty grant me two days of 'adjustment period' every half month during this sweltering season, and provide me with appropriate rewards!"

Li Hao finished speaking in one breath, his chest rising and falling slightly, but his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness. He did not shy away from the weight of human lives, nor did he shrink from the pressure of the construction period. Instead, he analyzed and explained his thoughts point by point.

Li Xiang looked at the Crown Prince, his tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxing, and a barely perceptible hint of satisfaction and appreciation flashed deep in his eyes.

"Good!" Li Xiang's voice broke the silence, filled with approval. "Clear and logical thinking! You've saved lives while also maintaining the overall situation!"

"If that's the case, then let's do it his way!"