Phoenix Cries Return to Court

At the hour of Wu (戊时), the afterglow faded, the sky deepened, and the stars and moon appeared.

A huge bonfire had been built in the center of the camp, the flames leaping merrily and crackling incessantly, the air filled with the aroma of roasting meat and the fragrance of fresh grass.

Dozens of long wooden tables were placed around the campfire, and the tables were filled with steaming food, including roasted lamb legs that were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, roasted venison that was slowly roasted with honey, roasted wild pheasant with salt and pepper, thick and creamy mushroom and roe deer soup in white porcelain bowls, and strong liquor in bronze vessels.

The officials, dressed in their everyday clothes, sat at the table, chatting and laughing. Even those who were usually at odds with each other in court temporarily put aside their differences, clinking glasses and exchanging pleasantries, creating a harmonious and joyful scene.

Fu Chen, dressed in a black and gold patterned casual robe with a jade belt cinching his waist and his black hair tied high with a white jade crown, sat upright to the left of Fu Yan, holding a cup of warm liquor in his hand, gazing thoughtfully at everything before him.

To Fu Yanzhi's right was Fu Jie, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe. He was thin, and there were faint traces of gauze bandages visible from his neck to his shoulders. Although his arrow wound had not healed, he could move around a bit and forced himself to come to the table, but his face was still haggard.

After several rounds of drinks, many officials were already somewhat drunk and became bolder.

Suddenly, Wang Jin, a senior official in the Ministry of War, who was sitting at the end of the table, stood up, raised the bronze zun in his hand towards Fu Yanzhi, and said in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should!"

Fu Yanzhi was touched by the harmonious atmosphere at the moment. His usually cold and stern expression softened a little, and he said softly, "Please speak freely, my dear minister."

Wang Jin bowed respectfully, then turned his gaze to Fu Chen, a hint of provocation flashing in his eyes, but his expression became even more respectful as he said, "I have always had some doubts in my heart, and I would like to take this opportunity to ask Your Highness for clarification."

He paused, glancing at the two seated figures. Seeing Fu Yanzhi nod, he continued, "Your Highness has lived a life of luxury in the Eastern Palace since childhood. I dare to ask Your Highness, although our Great Sheng is currently peaceful and prosperous, we must still be mindful of potential dangers. As the Crown Prince, you will inherit the throne in the future. If you wish to govern the country and ensure its stability, where should you begin?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the camp fell silent. The officials put down their wine cups and chopsticks, and all looked at Fu Chen with different expressions.

Everyone in the court knew that the Crown Prince was neglecting his studies, ignorant of government affairs, and unaware of the hardships of the common people. If he could not answer the question in public, the loss of face would be secondary; what would be more serious was confirming his incompetence as heir apparent, which would lead to endless troubles.

Seeing Fu Chen staring at him with a gloomy expression and remaining silent for a long time, Wang Jin's smugness grew even stronger. He pressed on, "Your Highness, is my question too difficult, or is it that Your Highness cannot think of a good strategy for governing the country for the time being? I dare to suggest that if Your Highness, as the Crown Prince, continues like this, how will you be able to shoulder the heavy responsibility of governing the country and ensuring its stability in the future?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Qing, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, chimed in, "What Minister Wang said is absolutely right. His Highness the Crown Prince is accustomed to a life of ease and comfort, and he is probably unaware of the hardships of the common people, let alone their needs. I implore Your Highness to restrain your mind and not indulge in comfort any longer. You should focus on your studies and understand the needs of the people."

As he spoke, he suddenly turned to the Third Prince beside him, his tone becoming respectful, "Your Highness, how would you like to answer?"

Fu Jie was confident and was about to speak when he heard a resounding male voice.

"The way to govern a country is not through empty talk and lofty theories, but through understanding the hardships of the people and the foundation of the nation. Your questions today are nothing more than doubts that I am ignorant of worldly affairs and unfit to be the heir apparent. So I will take this opportunity to share my humble opinions and discuss the people's livelihood with you gentlemen. I hope you will correct me."

Fu Chen stood up, looked around, and slowly spoke.

"These days, I have been reviewing the reports from the Ministry of Revenue every day to understand the people's livelihood in various regions. I have a clear understanding of the current grain prices in the market and the livelihoods of farmers. Take the current grain prices around the capital, for example: millet is 120 wen per shi, wheat is 150 wen per shi, and unpolished rice is 100 wen per shi. It seems stable, but in fact, there are hidden worries. Do you gentlemen know that this seemingly low grain price is already a heavy burden for ordinary farmers? A farmer can only harvest a maximum of two shi of millet per mu of land after a year of hard work. After deducting the taxes to be paid to the court, each shi costs 30 wen, so two shi is 60 wen. After deducting the cost of seeds and farm tools for the following year, what they can ultimately receive is no more than 180 wen."

"How difficult it is to support a family and cope with illnesses and colds with just one hundred and eighty coins!"

Fu Chen gazed intently at the crowd, his tone suddenly rising, "I have heard that farmers in the outskirts of the capital mostly eat millet mixed with wild vegetables for their three daily meals. If the price of grain rises slightly, they can only save money and even live beyond their means. If there is a year of famine, the price of grain will soar to more than two hundred coins per shi. Farmers will have no grain or money and will have to sell their clothes and pawn their farm tools. Some will even become homeless and beg for a living."

"The hardship of one household is a microcosm of the suffering of the people; the misery of ten thousand families is a hidden disease of the nation. The foundation of the nation lies not in the grandeur of palaces or the power of the court, but in the common people in the fields. Food security ensures agricultural security; agricultural security ensures rural peace; rural peace ensures the stability of the nation. If the livelihoods of the common people are precarious and they have no food or clothing, even if the court is filled with song and dance and the treasury is full of money and grain, the dynasty is like a floating tower built on sand or a withered tree without roots. When the storm comes, it will be on the verge of collapse."

Upon hearing this, the officials present were all moved, and their expressions became serious. Many nodded to themselves, their eyes filled with admiration and approval as they looked at Fu Chen.

Fu Chen continued slowly, "Therefore, to bring peace to the world, we must first bring peace to the people; to bring peace to the people, we must strengthen the foundation and cleanse the source, and govern in an orderly manner. First, we should reduce taxes and corvée labor, and adapt to local conditions. In barren areas, there are many mountains and thin soil, and the output is limited. We should reduce agricultural taxes and relax corvée labor as appropriate, so that the people have the spare energy to cultivate the land and recuperate, so as to nourish the foundation of agriculture."

"Secondly, we must promote agriculture and strengthen the foundation of agriculture by improving the land. We should select good officials to go to the countryside to teach farming techniques; repair river and canal dikes and dams, and dig wells and canals to use water conservancy to resist drought and flood disasters. Only by not relying on the weather for food can we have a good harvest every year."

"Thirdly, we must rectify official conduct and purify the hearts of officials. Local officials are the link between the court and the people. Corruption and harsh policies are the most damaging to the people's hearts. We must strictly investigate local official conduct, severely punish cruel and corrupt officials, eliminate layers of exploitation, and ensure that the court's benevolent policies truly reach the countryside."

"Fourth, we must cultivate good social customs and stabilize people's hearts. There are many disputes in the countryside, and chaos arises from people's hearts. We must establish many village schools, teach etiquette, set rules, and rectify social customs. Only by using education to resolve conflicts can we achieve harmony in the countryside and stability in the country."

"There are no shortcuts to governing a country, and a prosperous era is not just empty talk. If one holds a high position but ignores the suffering of the people, even the most brilliant strategies are nothing but empty talk on paper. I was indeed young and ignorant in the past, confined to the small palace of the Crown Prince, and did not understand the hardships of the world. But after visiting and observing recently, I have come to realize that the responsibility of the Crown Prince is not in literary talent or elegant demeanor, but in having the world in his heart and caring for the common people."

His gaze was firm, neither humble nor arrogant. "What I have said today comes from the bottom of my heart and reflects my recent feelings. I swear today that I will diligently study the ways of governing the world, personally practice benevolent governance, live up to the Emperor's trust, honor my position as Crown Prince, and live up to the expectations of all people."

After speaking, Fu Chen bowed slightly and gave a proper salute to Fu Yanzhi.

For a moment, all was quiet except for the crackling of the campfire.