The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

Chapter 284 May

The sun is scorching hot.

The third prince, with sweat all over his head, walked into the Qianqing Palace holding a memorial. As soon as he stepped onto the stone steps under the corridor, he heard the loud and angry voice of Emperor Yongchang in the hall, and he paused for a moment.

"Arrest them all! Arrest all the eunuchs and palace maids who have been on duty these days!"

As soon as Emperor Yongchang finished speaking, the sound of tea bowls breaking was heard again.

Listening to the sound of tea bowls breaking in the upper study, the Third Prince felt so happy in his heart, which was even more refreshing than drinking a bowl of iced sour plum soup in the dog days of summer.

At this time, the eunuch on duty came out with sweat on his face.

The Third Prince stepped forward and said softly, "Henan's urgent message: the sections of the Yellow River embankment that were often breached in previous years have collapsed again. The summer flood is coming, and a heavy rain will soon break them. The Henan Governor's Office has organized the people to repair it, but there are not enough people and stones. The Henan Governor asked if 800,000 yuan could be allocated to purchase materials and labor."

The chief eunuch glanced inside the palace and whispered, "The emperor doesn't look too happy. Presenting it to him now would just add fuel to the fire. Can you wait a moment?"

The third prince: "The summer flood is just around the corner. Once the dike breaks, the yellow water will surge and millions of victims will die!" As he said that, he handed him the urgent document.

The eunuch was in a dilemma. After thinking for a moment, he just took it with both hands and turned to walk in.

The third prince walked to the palace door and listened quietly with his ear tilted.

Sure enough, the angry voice of Emperor Yongchang was heard from inside.

Then, the chief eunuch came out, bowed hastily to the Third Prince, and whispered, "Third Prince, the Emperor wants you to come in."

The third prince straightened his robe and strode in.

There were no more fragments or tea stains on the brick floor. Emperor Yongchang sat upright on the dragon throne with his eyes closed.

The third prince did not dare to say anything. He just greeted silently and stood beside the imperial desk.

Emperor Yongchang opened his eyes suddenly and said to the Third Prince, "The Yellow River has been flooding for thousands of years. The Yellow River embankment is repaired every year, but it bursts every year. The year before last, we spent more than two million silver coins on disaster relief and embankment repair. Last year was better, less than one and a half million. This year, it's another eight hundred thousand silver coins. You are in charge of the Ministry of Works. Tell me, what's going on?!"

Dai Quan glanced at the emperor and then at the third prince. At this time last year, the third prince had not yet taken charge of the Ministry of Works.

The third prince was speechless and could only kneel down and kowtow.

Emperor Yongchang seemed to have realized what was happening and calmed down: "Since you are here, I believe you know what is going on. Tell me."

The Third Prince raised his head and said, "Before I came here, I asked the river officials, and they said that there are a lot of hidden things here, and the illegal consumption is a messy account, and there is no way to check it. They also said that the officials in the local river government offices are all looking forward to a breach, because only when the breach occurs can everyone make money. Some people even secretly drilled a small hole in the place where the water is fast, "promoting" the Yellow River to burst."

As soon as these words were spoken, Emperor Yongchang's expression changed immediately.

Dai Quan and the eunuch on duty both changed their expressions.

The Third Prince: "If we rely on the local river management office, we will never be able to repair the Yellow River embankment."

Emperor Yongchang glanced at him and motioned for him to continue.

The Third Prince: "In your humble opinion, we should immediately allocate 800,000 taels of silver from the treasury and send an imperial envoy to Henan to supervise the repair of the Yellow River dike."

Emperor Yongchang was silent for a moment, then looked at Dai Quan.

Dai Quan understood and said to the Third Prince, "Your Highness, you may not know that during the reign of the Supreme Emperor, the court sent imperial envoys to Henan several times to supervise the repair of the Yellow River dike. One time, it was even a cabinet minister. At most, it took three or two years for the Yellow River dike to burst again."

The third prince pretended to be surprised.

Dai Quan: "I have tried all possible methods, but they are useless."

The Third Prince thought for a moment and said, "Then don't send a civil official, but a general from the army."

Everyone in the study was shocked when they heard this. There was no precedent for military generals supervising civil officials in the more than 100 years since the establishment of the Dashun Dynasty. Dai Quan and the eunuch looked at Emperor Yongchang together.

Emperor Yongchang slowly turned his gaze to the Third Prince and asked, "Who?"

The third prince: "Loyal and brave Earl."

Emperor Yongchang was a little surprised, and then a trace of suspicion flashed in his eyes. He stared at the third prince for a long time before asking, "Why?" The third prince said, "Zhongyong Bo has money. I don't care about it, and I don't want to embezzle that little money. The most important thing is Zhongyong Bo's identity. He is not only a military general, but also a nobleman. He is also a close minister to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. He can not only suppress those scoundrels, but also will not cause fierce opposition from the civil officials. I think sending Zhongyong Bo is the right choice."

Dai Quan glanced at the third prince.

Emperor Yongchang smiled faintly and said, "Your idea is good, but I need to discuss it with the cabinet before making a decision."

The Third Prince: "Yes."

Emperor Yongchang then said to the chief eunuch, "Go, take one of the three ivory mats presented by the Wu family to the mansion of the third son."

Chief eunuch: "Yes."

The Third Prince kowtowed heavily and pretended to be excited: "I, your son, thank you for your grace, father!"

Emperor Yongchang smiled and nodded: "Go down."

The third prince: "Yes." He kowtowed again and then stood up and walked out.

The study fell into silence again.

Dai Quan secretly looked at Emperor Yongchang from the side. He knew the emperor too well. He would never let Li Hu out of his sight and control until his suspicions were gone. Therefore, the emperor would never let Li Hu go to Henan to supervise the repair of the Yellow River dike.

"What has Shui Rong been busy with recently?" Emperor Yongchang suddenly asked.

Dai Quan: "Fishing, looking after Princess Beijing, and occasionally going to the Ministry of Justice to handle official documents."

Emperor Yongchang stood up from the dragon throne and began to pace back and forth, saying as he walked: "The third brother is right. We cannot send civil officials. But we cannot send military generals either. This approach is not only unprecedented, but if something goes wrong, it will exacerbate the conflict between the civil and military officials and may even affect the war against the Mongols."

Dai Quan nodded: "Your Highness the Third Prince still needs more experience."

Emperor Yongchang walked to the imperial desk and suddenly stopped. He then sighed and said, "The royal family's descendants are not up to the task! I don't even have anyone to use."

Dai Quan glanced at him and said nothing.

Emperor Yongchang was silent for a moment, then continued, "After thinking about it, Shui Rong's identity is the only one who is suitable. He dare not leave any handle for me, and he will definitely build the Yellow River embankment as solid as a rock."

Dai Quan wanted to say something, but he just opened his mouth and swallowed the words back.

Emperor Yongchang made up his mind: "Summon Shui Rong to the palace."

Dai Quan: “Yes.” He replied and retreated towards the palace gate.

"Wait!" Emperor Yongchang hesitated again, thought for a moment, and said, "Call Jia Zheng into the palace as well."

Dai Quan was slightly stunned and replied, "Yes."

"By the way, tell the cabinet to sign a peace treaty with the Jurchens as soon as possible." Emperor Yongchang added.

Dai Quan: “Yes.” He answered and waited for a moment before leaving.

The third prince walked out of the Zuoye Gate with brisk steps, looked back at the Wumen Gate, and a sneer appeared in his eyes.

At this time, Zhen Fu came over from the Duanmen side carrying a food box.

Zhen Fu: "The Third Prince"

The third prince looked at him and asked, "What are you doing?"

Zhen Fu opened a corner of the food box and said, "This is the watermelon from the south. The old lady asked me to deliver it to the old concubine and the emperor. Your Highness, this is it?"

The third prince smiled and said, "There's something going on in Henan." Then he quickly winked at him.

Zhen Fu's eyes lit up, it worked.

The third prince: "Go quickly." Then he walked out of the imperial city.

(End of this chapter)