CHAPTER 319: CHAPTER 319: MEMORIALS

Prime Minister Wang was both amused and exasperated by his son: "What do you mean by that? What do you mean that sometimes the Commandery Princess doesn’t think highly of you?"

"Just what the words imply."

Others might fear their father, but Wang Jin, as the favored son, only held respect for his father without fear. As the two spoke in the study, Wang Jin was frank: "Zheng Zixi is quite attentive to the Commandery Princess. If the Commandery Princess really wanted to stay in the Capital City to marry, she wouldn’t choose me."

"One is Princess Jiang, the other is a relative through the Empress Dowager, their positions are the same, forming a marriage alliance fits well."

Prime Minister Wang gave a slight laugh: "If you think so, it’s too superficial. Precisely because they are both people of the Empress Dowager, she would never let them become husband and wife. Instead, she would have them form different alliances, maximizing the benefits of such marriages."

One has to admit, Prime Minister Wang understands Empress Dowager Zheng the best.

In a past life, Jiang Shaohua and Zheng Chen were forcibly separated by Empress Dowager Zheng, each married to someone else.

Of course, Prime Minister Wang would never think that in a past life, Jiang Shaohua married into the Wang Family, becoming his daughter-in-law.

The current Prime Minister Wang only sternly instructed again: "Remember, stay away from Nanyang County Princess in the future."

Unbeknownst, the heart of a youth only burns hotter under suppression.

Wang Jin quietly agreed.

...

Jiang Shaohua entered the study, took the apology document from Prime Minister Wang, and carefully read it twice. Her brow relaxed, and she looked quite pleased.

Chen Jinyu chuckled softly: "This time, the Commandery Princess has certainly vented her anger."

"However, in the future, you must be doubly cautious. Having suffered such a loss and lost face, Prime Minister Wang will surely seek revenge when the opportunity arises."

Jiang Shaohua calmly replied: "Even if he has that intention, he won’t have the capacity to act on it."

Chen Jinyu was taken aback: "What does the Commandery Princess mean by that?"

Although smart and clever, Chen Jinyu lacked the political training and sharpness regarding politics and current events due to her youth.

Jiang Shaohua patiently explained: "There has been ongoing warfare in Pingzhou, and General Fan has led troops to the outskirts of Pingzhou, yet we haven’t received victory news. This suggests that the battle is not progressing well. Just this one situation is enough to stress the court. Additionally, there’s locust plague in Yan County, and there are likely reports about the disaster en route. The Emperor has just ascended the throne, Duke An is the Minister of War in charge of military affairs, but major court matters still fall to Prime Minister Wang and others."

"In the coming year and a half, the court will surely be in chaos. Prime Minister Wang will be too busy to deal with me."

"Most importantly, the population in Nanyang County will grow, more grain will be cultivated, and the military strength will increase."

"With strong capabilities, there is naturally no fear of anyone."

Confidence stems from strong power.

Chen Jinyu sincerely agreed: "The Commandery Princess indeed has the foresight. I have learned my lesson."

Then, she added with a soft laugh: "Sending grain seeds to Yan County, Chief Historian Feng will surely gripe about receiving the Commandery Princess’s order."

Feng Wenming was a close friend of Chen Zhuo. Having grown up alongside her grandfather, Chen Jinyu was very familiar with Feng Wenming’s disposition.

Jiang Shaohua smiled knowingly: "Those who are capable and talented are inevitably irritable when they devote themselves to their work all the time. No worries, I believe in Chief Historian Chen, who’ll surely soothe Chief Historian Feng."

After a pause, she added: "Chen Sheren, arrange for someone to return Prime Minister Wang’s handwritten apology document to the Nanyang Prince Mansion so that both Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng can see it for themselves."

Last year, the Nanyang Prince Mansion’s memorial was rejected by Prime Minister Wang, and Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng were quite incensed. This apology document, sent back today, will give both historians some relief.

Chen Jinyu eagerly accepted the order.

Knock Knock Knock!

Song Yuan pushed the door open and entered with a solemn expression: "Commandery Princess, someone was sent from the palace to deliver a message. Two Prefectural Governors have submitted memorials reporting locust plagues. The Emperor is summoning the core ministers to discuss countermeasures and requests the Commandery Princess to enter the palace immediately."

What was bound to happen, finally happened.

Jiang Shaohua’s smile faded, her expression slightly tense: "I will go to the palace right away."

...

Half an hour later.

Jiang Shaohua quickly entered Zhaohai Palace, bowed, and greeted: "Minister greets the Emperor."

Emperor Taihe appeared solemn as he whispered with Zheng Chen beside him.

Hearing Jiang Shaohua’s voice, Emperor Taihe quickly looked up: "Shao Hua cousin, you’re just in time." And casually ordered Zheng Chen: "Hand the two memorials to the Commandery Princess to review."

Zheng Chen acknowledged, holding the two memorials out to Jiang Shaohua: "Please, Commandery Princess, take a look."

Jiang Shaohua glanced at Zheng Chen’s face: "Thank you."

With that, she reached out and took the memorials.

Under all the watchful eyes, Zheng Chen wouldn’t dare lightly touch the Commandery Princess’s fingers. It’s not that he didn’t want to, but he simply didn’t have the privilege to do so now. Amidst Jiang Shaohua’s radiance in current times, he didn’t even have the qualification to stand alongside her.

Jiang Shaohua swiftly read through the memorials and solemnly stated: "The recorded locust disaster in Da Liang, the most recent one was twenty-three years ago. That year, due to the locust plague, over a hundred thousand people starved to death."

"With a natural disaster of this kind striking Da Liang this year, we must respond quickly. We cannot allow a scene of famine-stricken land."

Emperor Taihe, well-acquainted with this tragic part of Da Liang’s history, sighed in response: "I know all of this. Today, I intend to discuss with the ministers the relief measures to deliver food as quickly as possible to relieve those in need."

"I also plan to send an imperial envoy to the three counties affected by the locust plague to comfort the people."

This was the customary way to handle such matters.

The imperial envoy representing heaven tours, primarily to comfort the people and, secondly, to hold local officials accountable, preventing man-made crises on top of the natural disaster.

"Minister Zheng has arrived."

"Prime Minister Wang has arrived."

The sharp voice of the eunuch sounded from outside the hall’s doors, and soon, key ministers entered the hall one after another.

There are precedents for the court’s response to natural disasters. During the locust disaster twenty-three years ago, Prime Minister Wang was the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Naturally, he participated in the court’s relief measures.

Prime Minister Wang solemnly bowed: "Your Majesty, this old minister believes that all other matters should be put on hold for now, focusing all efforts on disaster relief and the comfort of the people."

Locust and drought disasters are different. In a drought, there might be no rain hence no crops, but the people can still find wild vegetation to fill their stomachs. A locust plague is more despairing. When locusts pass through, nothing remains—it’s no mere jest but a sobering truth.

Improper handling could not only lead to massive loss of life but also induce widespread panic.

Having studied history from a young age, Emperor Taihe was naturally aware of these principles. He solemnly nodded his head and announced the assignment of three imperial envoys to provide relief and comfort to the affected populations.

Prime Minister Wang and Duke An had no objections to this. However, the appointment of the imperial envoys sparked a fierce debate between the two senior ministers. Each recommended three candidates.

The other ministers each voiced their opinions, either supporting Prime Minister Wang or siding with Duke An. In truth, court debates are not much different from quarreling among women.

Jiang Shaohua watched indifferently, not speaking a word.

Emperor Taihe cleared his throat: "Everyone, be silent. I also have someone in mind."