CHAPTER 316: CHAPTER 316: LOCUST PLAGUE (PART 2)

Prime Minister Wang’s move was indeed shameless. In front of the new emperor and all the ministers, he put aside his pride to plead for the Commandery Princess’s forgiveness, while casually demanding grain seeds.

If Jiang Shaohua did not agree, it would appear narrow-minded, inconsiderate of the bigger picture. If she agreed, she’d have to suffer a heavy slash, giving grain and effort.

Prince Wu’an’s eyes gleamed with schadenfreude. A yellow-haired girl insisted on showing off and angered Prime Minister Wang. From now on, she’d better be prepared for Prime Minister Wang’s open and covert moves, waiting to be cut by a soft blade!

Duke An slightly frowned, pondering how to help Jiang Shaohua cope. Since Jiang Shaohua was a staunch member of the "Empress Dowager Faction," he had to offer some protection.

Even Emperor Taihe frowned, thinking Prime Minister Wang, you’re too face-conscious. A senior Da Liang Chancellor bullying a teenage girl. However wealthy Nanyang County is, it’s still Shao Hua’s cousin’s. Opening your mouth like that is akin to blatant robbery.

No one expected Jiang Shaohua to hesitate at all; she immediately replied, "I will write back to Nanyang Prince Mansion at once, asking the subordinates to prepare the grain seeds and send them to Yan County."

The grain seeds for an entire county are no small amount.

The ministers were all bewildered, casting sidelong glances.

Emperor Taihe was also moved, blurting out, "How can it be done this way?"

Jiang Shaohua spoke sincerely and genuinely, "I am the Da Liang Princess, a servant of Your Majesty, assisting Da Liang and alleviating Your Majesty’s worries is only right. Last year, the promotion of new grain in Nanyang County was very successful, the whole county had a bumper harvest, corn yields were three times that of wheat and millet. Sweet potatoes had even higher yields, four to five times, enough to support twice the population."

"Unfortunately, when I submitted a memorial offering grain the other day, Prime Minister Wang blocked it. Otherwise, if the court had acted quickly enough, a batch could have been replanted last winter, and now a new batch could be harvested."

The ministers were stirred by these words, inevitably raising their eyes to look at Prime Minister Wang.

The die-hard supporters of the Prime Minister Faction, like Minister Zhang and Minister Zhou, at most felt some regret. Others, like the Empress Dowager Faction, neutral ministers, and officials close to the Nanyang Prince Mansion, were particularly indignant.

If it weren’t for Prime Minister Wang creating obstacles, it wouldn’t have come to this today.

"The Commandery Princess is noble and virtuous, admirable," Prime Minister Wang saluted Jiang Shaohua without changing his expression.

Jiang Shaohua finally turned her head, with mockery in her eyes, "I am willing to offer grain seeds to the court, to be sent to Yan County, it is my duty as a subject. It has nothing to do with Prime Minister Wang."

"The other day, Prime Minister Wang accused me, the Nanyang County Princess, out of nowhere on the court, slandered me, ruining my reputation. Today I want to ask Prime Minister Wang. Did I, Jiang Shaohua, spread rumors to confuse the public? Am I harboring ulterior motives?"

Pa! Pa!

The ministers vaguely heard two loud slaps, landing heavily on Prime Minister Wang’s face.

The previous conflict had been contained in a small scope, with few eyewitnesses. Today, however, was the grand court assembly with all officials present.

The Nanyang County Princess was sharp in words, relentless, "Prime Minister Wang’s light apology is supposed to smooth over this matter, wants me to let bygones be bygones, wants me to be magnanimous. Isn’t that too wishful?"

Prime Minister Wang hadn’t tasted such direct confrontation for a long time.

He had forced Jiang Shaohua to offer grain seeds earlier, having already acknowledged his fault, so now was not the time to deny it, nor could he change his statement. He had to swallow this grievance, "What does the Commandery Princess intend?"

Jiang Shaohua responded coldly, "That will depend on Prime Minister Wang’s sincerity and earnestness in his apology."

Duke An wouldn’t let go of such a good opportunity to hit someone when they’re down, stepped forward, "The Chancellor criticized the Commandery Princess’ memorial in the official document that day. Now that it’s recognized as inappropriate, a formal apology letter should be written. Black and white on paper, only then is the sincerity shown."

This move could be described as precise and vicious. Paying silver, giving luxurious gifts, those are commonplace, even field manors and shops are nothing special, but writing an apology document would leave an indelible stain on Prime Minister Wang.

Prime Minister Wang’s pupils constricted sharply. He was about to retort when the Emperor on the Dragon Throne said, "Let it be as Duke An says then! I will bear witness and resolve this misunderstanding."

Prime Minister Wang felt a chill.

If it were Emperor Taikang, he would never treat him, the Da Liang Chancellor, this way.

The young fiery emperor before him was completely different from the weak and indecisive Emperor Taikang. When ministers quarrel, an emperor who takes sides makes the chancellor swallow bitter losses.

Emperor Taihe looked over.

Prime Minister Wang swallowed his shame and dissatisfaction, clasped his hands and agreed.

Only then did Emperor Taihe relax his brow, softly reassuring Prime Minister Wang a few words, then said to Minister Ji, "The replanting seeds will be sent to Yan County from Nanyang County. The relief grain must still be arranged by the Ministry of Revenue. Thank you for your hard work, Minister Ji."

The bulk was provided by Nanyang County, as for the rest of the relief grain, dig out as much as you can manage!

Minister Ji felt a huge weight lifted from his heart, and he accepted the order with lightness.

Immediately, Emperor Taihe solemnly said, "Yan County has had locust disasters, next, there will surely be other counties and districts also suffering from locust plagues. What advice do you all have?"

In such natural disasters, the court actually has no good solutions. It’s only about reducing or exempting land taxes, distributing grain for relief, comforting the people, and so on. How it’s carried out specifically depends on the various government offices and officials.

These specifics can’t be resolved in a grand court meeting.

The ministers each contributed their opinions, coming up with a few countermeasures.

The first grand court meeting of the first year of Taihe ended amidst anxious voices.

As the Emperor rose to leave the court, he specifically left behind the Nanyang County Princess, "Shao Hua, go with Me to Jingyang Palace for lunch."

...

From Crown Prince to Emperor, a difference of a single word, the pressure felt has multiplied several times over. Today’s first grand court meeting had a report of locust disaster from Yan County come forth. The young Emperor Taihe was so anxious that he was nearly smoking with worry after half a day, exhausted.

"This position is truly tiring."

Emperor Taihe walked out of Jinluan Palace, the glaring sunlight piercing his eyes, he couldn’t help but mutter.

Jiang Shaohua was right behind the Emperor, and she heard this murmur clearly, softly comforting him, "After severe droughts, locust plagues are common, this matter is a natural disaster, cannot be blamed on Your Majesty."

Emperor Taihe sighed, "Thanks to you stepping forward, actively offering grain seeds, you’ve solved a big problem for Me."

Jiang Shaohua did not take any credit at all, "I am Your Majesty’s servant, the Jiang Family Princess. My identity, status, honor, and power all come from the Jiang Family. Now that the court is in its most difficult time, it’s only right for me to contribute some power."

After a pause, she then chuckled softly, "Actually, exchanging grain seeds for Prime Minister Wang’s apology letter in black and white is very worthwhile."

The stifled grievance held in her heart for months finally found true release today.

Emperor Taihe turned to look at his cousin, who was unabashedly smiling with pleasure, couldn’t help but lift the corners of his lips. Yet, he still advised, "This should not be repeated, the Chancellor is a major minister of the court, the face that should be given must still be given."