The Ming Dynasty: The opening scene features Zhu Di angrily accusing him of illegitimate succession.

The steps of Fengtian Gate were silent. After the bells and drums sounded three times, Zhu Di ascended the throne, his dragon robe reflecting the morning light.

After the officials of the Court of State Ceremonial chanted and performed the rites, the various government offices presented their reports in turn, all of which were important matters concerning the transition from spring to summer in the first year of the Yongle reign.

Minister of Rites Li Zhigang stepped forward and reported: "Your Majesty, Hu Huan of Annam has sent an envoy with a memorial, saying that the Chen family line has ended and that he has been temporarily managing state affairs as a nephew of the Chen family for four years, and he requests to be granted a title."

We, your humble servants, doubt its authenticity and earnestly request that an envoy be dispatched to investigate thoroughly before determining the appropriate bestowal of titles and honors.

Zhu Di nodded: "Granted. Send someone to Annam to verify."

Minister of Revenue Xia Yuanji followed suit: "Your Majesty, 490,000 shi of grain have already been shipped by sea to Beiping and Liaodong. Now we need to send more laborers to repair the canals. We earnestly request Your Majesty to allocate funds."

Zhu Di said, "Water management is a major undertaking concerning the people's livelihood. The funds should be drawn from the Taicang granary, and it must be done as soon as possible."

The Minister of War then reported: "Liaodong has been harassed by northern bandits, and it is now necessary to reinforce Kaiping with troops. Marquis Meng Shan of Baoding has already accepted the order and taken up his post..."

The Ministry of Works subsequently reported: "The Rear Guard Command has been established in Beiping. The old system of national rites and regulations has not yet been established. We request that an official be appointed to oversee it, pending the promulgation of subsequent regulations."

The officials presented their reports in an orderly manner, and Emperor Yongle handled the important affairs of the dynasty systematically, using mostly agreeable terms such as "approved," "acceptable," and "good."

Upon seeing this, Lin Yue immediately stepped out from the end of the civil official ranks, his voice solemn.

"Your Majesty! I have an urgent report, concerning the lives of tens of thousands of people in Jiangnan!"

Zhu Di looked at Lin Yue, who looked like he was about to die a heroic death, waved his hand, and said with some helplessness, "...Please tell me your story."

Lin Yue looked straight ahead without glancing to the side, and went straight to the foot of the steps, raising his memorial to the throne.

"Your humble servant, Lin Yue, respectfully presents the 'Memorial on the Floods in Jiangnan'!"

The dikes of Taihu Lake in Shanghai County breached for three miles, flooding more than a dozen villages for over three months. Fields and houses were completely destroyed, tens of thousands of people were displaced, and corpses of the starved were seen in the fields. Yet, local officials concealed the truth and failed to report it; to this day, Your Majesty has not received a single report!

His voice was rapid and forceful, instantly drowning out the whispers of the court officials.

Zhu Di's expression suddenly changed, and his gaze became deep and serious.

I thought it was some kind of reform proposal, but it turns out the memorial was about the floods in Jiangnan? When did Jiangnan start flooding? How come he didn't know?

Lin Yue pressed on, loudly continuing, "When I returned home the other day, I personally encountered the Chen family, father and daughter, who were refugees from Shanghai County. Their village was flooded today, and the river embankment had collapsed due to years of disrepair. They had begged their way to Nanjing!"

The ancestral law, the "Collected Statutes of the Great Ming," clearly stipulates that any natural disasters or anomalies must be reported to the emperor, regardless of their severity. Yet, officials in Jiangnan disregard this ancestral law and treat the lives of the people like dirt!

Lin Yue said loudly, "Jiangnan accounts for half of the national treasury's annual revenue. Now, with the disaster spreading and refugees rising everywhere, if we do not provide relief, we fear that the capital's financial resources will be cut off and the foundation of the country will be shaken!"

I have already settled the Chen father and daughter in their home. Their account of the disaster can be examined face-to-face. The memorial details the location of the collapsed dike and lists the names of the local gentry who withheld relief grain. I guarantee with my life that what I say is true!

The officials were even more in uproar, many of them looking at Lin Yue with fear and disbelief.

What does this mean, Lin, the remonstrator? Are you still a civil official? When faced with a natural disaster, you should delay the process. This would be beneficial for merging farmland. How can you go to provide disaster relief immediately?

Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Revenue, frowned and glanced at his colleagues, his expression cautious.

Several vice ministers from Jiangnan were restless, subconsciously exchanging glances with those around them, some apprehensive, some scrutinizing, but none dared to speak immediately.

Li Zhigang, the Minister of Rites, suddenly stepped forward, bowed, and reported.

"Your Majesty, if what Lin Jijian said is true, then Jiangnan is in grave danger!"

"I have witnessed floods since childhood and have a basic understanding of hydrology. I am willing to accept the imperial decree to go to Jiangnan to oversee disaster relief and flood control, and I will certainly help Your Majesty to appease the people and eliminate corrupt practices!"

Li Zhigang was born in Huating, Songjiang. Shanghai County was still under the jurisdiction of Songjiang Prefecture during the Yongle period and was also affected by this flood.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di pondered silently, unaware of anything amiss.

Minister Li's proactive approach must stem from his deep concern for his homeland; the Ming Dynasty needs ministers like him who share the nation's burdens.

Lin Yue felt a chill run down his spine and his mind raced.

Although the floods in Jiangnan were severe in the first year of the Yongle reign, the court's official response was rather slow, or rather, almost nonexistent. Moreover, historically, it was Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Revenue, who was sent to manage the floods, not Li Zhigang, the Minister of Rites.

Flood control and disaster relief were originally the responsibilities of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works. Why would Li Zhigang, the Minister of Rites, want to take on this thankless and arduous task?

According to the Chen father and daughter, the disaster was already evident in early spring, and by April many people had already fled the famine.

Given that the Jiangnan region is so close to Nanjing, it's certain that some local officials concealed the truth, which must have involved collusion between local gentry and officials.

Soon, Lin Yue realized the key information.

Could it be that Li Zhigang, a native of Songjiang, was involved in the misappropriation of relief grain and river works funds, and wanted to take the opportunity to return to his hometown to "put out the fire"?

With a thought flashing through his mind, Lin Yue once again raised his voice and said, "Your Majesty, why should we trouble such an important court official as the Minister of Rites to personally go to a mere local flood?"

As an official responsible for remonstrating with the emperor, having learned of the disaster first, I should share Your Majesty's worries and risk my life for the people!

I volunteer to go to Jiangnan to provide disaster relief and flood control, investigate corruption, repair river embankments, and distribute relief grain.

"Your Majesty is willing to swear a military oath: if I fail in the slightest, and fail to quell the disaster and appease the displaced people, Your Majesty may behead me to atone for your sins!"

These words were passionate and resounding.

Li Zhigang stood to one side, expressionless and with a tense face.

The officials had different expressions. Some admired Lin Yue's loyalty and courage, while others guessed that there was something fishy about it and sighed that he was ignorant of his own limitations. They secretly observed Li Zhigang's expression.

Zhu Di sat upright on his throne, his gaze shifting between Lin Yue and Li Zhigang.

With Lin Yue's shout, Emperor Yongle quickly realized what was happening.

Everyone knows the importance of Jiangnan's wealth, and he is also well aware that although Li Zhigang is talented, he has always been good at scheming and has a penchant for forming cliques.

Li Zhigang's unusual behavior is definitely suspicious.

However, governing the world is not a matter of right or wrong, but rather a matter of weighing the gains and losses.

Zhu Di looked thoughtful. He began to ponder whether it was more important to stabilize the situation in Jiangnan as much as possible, or to take the opportunity to fight corruption.

After pondering for a long time, Zhu Di still had not made a decision.

So he waved his hand, deciding to stall and think it over in private before making a decision.

Emperor Yongle said in a deep voice: "The floods in Jiangnan are a matter of great importance and should not be handled hastily."

I am aware of the matter Lin Yue reported, and I have kept the memorial for further review.

This matter requires further discussion; court is adjourned!

After finishing his speech, Zhu Di walked towards the back of the palace on his own.

"Your Majesty is wise!" all the officials shouted in unison, bowing in respect.

Li Zhigang glanced at him, then returned to his team expressionlessly. Their eyes met briefly.

Lin Yue looked up in the direction Zhu Di had left, feeling that the matter was already half settled.

Zhu Di was actually quite decisive; if he felt something was wrong, he would definitely investigate it thoroughly.

After the court session ended and the officials left one by one, Lin Yue waited in the same spot for a while. Sure enough, a moment later, a junior eunuch walked out quickly from the side door of Fengtian Hall.

He walked up to Lin Yue, stood with his hands at his sides, bowed and conveyed the imperial edict: "By order of His Majesty, Scholar Lin is to proceed to the Wenhua Hall for a meeting immediately, without delay."

Lin Yue felt a chill run down his spine. Zhu Di was indeed going to investigate thoroughly; it was time to make a big move.

He straightened his faded court robes, cupped his hands, and bowed, saying, "Your subject Lin Yue obeys the decree."