CHAPTER 333: CHAPTER 333: COMPROMISE (2)

Facing his cousin who grew up with him, Emperor Taihe had no guard and casually laughed, "This is a letter sent by cousin Shao Hua."

Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow, "What a coincidence, let’s see what cousin Shao Hua says in the letter."

Indeed, it was quite a coincidence. This letter was written by Jiang Shaohua to Emperor Taihe after distributing food to the first group of famine victims. She detailed the event in the letter.

After reading it, Emperor Taihe couldn’t help but sigh, "Cousin Shao Hua is young in age, yet her actions are steady and sophisticated. If it were you or me, encountering such famine victims on the road, we’d likely draw our swords, leading to an uncontrollable situation."

Jiang Shaohua clearly noticed the unrest among the famine victims but did not expose it. Instead, she distributed some food to appease them, then successfully led her group past them.

Otherwise, with the two hundred trusted aides she led, although not afraid of a riot from the famine victims, any conflict would inevitably result in injuries.

Seeing Jiang Yi’s face full of curiosity, Emperor Taihe simply handed the letter to Jiang Yi. Jiang Yi eagerly read it and somewhat nonchalantly said, "If it were me, I wouldn’t give them food. Anyone who dared to seize it would be killed immediately."

Emperor Taihe casually replied, "It’s easy to say. From the Capital City to Nanyang, it’s a thousand miles. Do you intend to kill all the way there? Using some food to buy peace and earn a reputation for benevolence is indeed a good trade. Cousin Shao Hua is indeed wise and transparent."

Reading this letter, the final trace of discontent in Emperor Taihe’s heart also dissipated, and he quickly made up his mind, "I’ll swallow this anger for now. As a dignified man, I can’t have less tolerance than a girl. Let’s end this case here."

...

Zuo Yue survived a crisis unharmed, and the joy in his heart was indescribable.

Prime Minister Wang, with an unnoticeable move, gained the upper hand. Duke An felt somewhat regretful, as he hadn’t been able to use this matter to hinder Prime Minister Wang’s progress.

As for the handling of these rioters, the Ministry of Justice was responsible for their sentencing. Within days, the verdict came, and they were all sent to the mines for hard labor.

In the mines owned by the court, there is no return. No matter how strong, it’s difficult to survive five years in the mines. This is the most severe punishment outside of immediate execution.

This case was settled, but subsequent troubles kept emerging.

The second and third waves of famine victims arrived outside the Capital City one after another. The tall city gates blocked their way, and despite their cries and pleas, they couldn’t enter. They could only wander near the official roads outside the city.

The government had no choice but to set up porridge shelters outside the city gates to offer some relief while investigating the origins of these famine victims. They had to either send them back to their place of origin or find a nearby place to settle them.

The number of famine victims rapidly increased, and daily porridge distribution became a heavy burden.

Then, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng stepped forward and ordered the setting up of ten porridge shelters. The grain needed for these shelters was fully provided by Jingyang Palace.

This move quickly earned Grand Empress Dowager Zheng a reputation for benevolence and kindness.

Subsequently, Empress Dowager Li also sent her trusted palace attendants to set up porridge shelters outside the city gates. The Li Family spread her fame widely. But with Grand Empress Dowager Zheng’s overwhelming presence, Empress Dowager Li’s plan to gain fame fell short.

At this time, Jiang Shaohua’s memorial was submitted to the court. Two letters were sent separately to Emperor Taihe and Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

This memorial shocked the court.

A dignified Commandery Princess was attacked and had her food seized by a group of refugees! This illustrates how terrifying famine victims can be when they riot and how chaotic the North has become.

Even Prime Minister Wang saw the severity of the situation and willingly submitted a memorial, requesting the Emperor to issue an edict for local garrisons to suppress the riots by nearby refugees. On any matter that Prime Minister Wang supported, Duke An would take an opposing stance, "The garrison should not be engaged rashly to avoid causing public unrest. As for the rioters, they should mainly be appeased and sent back to their place of origin."

"Minister Zheng’s words are rather laughable." Prime Minister Wang coldly retorted, "The rioters are displaced and have mixed origins. Who has the ability to trace each of them back to their origins and send them home? If you don’t understand civil affairs, you should stop making random suggestions, Minister Zheng!"

Duke An’s eyes flashed with anger as he retorted with a cold smile, "The Prime Minister is indeed well-versed in state affairs. When the late Emperor was alive, he always valued the Prime Minister. Now that the North is in such chaos, whose fault is it, Prime Minister?"

This strike hit right at the heart.

As the Prime Minister of the court, responsible for the governance of Da Liang, with natural disasters repeatedly striking the North, leaving it barren, and riots breaking out, if accountability is to be pursued, it must and can only be Prime Minister Wang’s responsibility.

The greater the power, the greater the responsibility, as the saying goes.

Prime Minister Wang’s expression darkened, yet he had no choice but to bow to the Emperor and plead for forgiveness, "This is all due to my incompetence. I am ashamed to face the late Emperor’s trust and the Emperor’s confidence. I hereby offer my resignation and request the Emperor to appoint another wise individual as the Prime Minister."

Emperor Taihe had no choice but to offer words of comfort.

The Prime Minister is the head of the officials, not a position that any random person can assume. Duke An is excellent at finding faults, but if he were to handle state affairs, it would only be a mess.

Regardless of whether Emperor Taihe liked it or not, a fierce debate erupted in the court over how to quickly settle the refugees,

Political factions are reignited.

...

One day at the end of June, Jiang Shaohua rode into Nanyang County.

She had left Nanyang at the beginning of the year, and it had been more than six months until her return to the Nanyang Prince Mansion.

The moment the plaque of the Nanyang Prince Mansion came into view, Jiang Shaohua’s furrowed brows instantly relaxed, a spark ignited in her dark eyes, then bloomed like fireworks in the sky.

"Commandery Princess, we have finally returned." An excited young girl’s voice rang in her ears, and without thinking, she knew it was Chen Jinyu.

Jiang Shaohua beamed at Chen Jinyu, "Yes, we are home."

"Commandery Princess!"

"The Commandery Princess is back!"

A large crowd gathered excitedly outside the main gate of the Prince Mansion, quickly surrounding her.

The fastest among them was the elderly Chief Historian Chen. The handsome Prince Consort Lu also stepped quickly but couldn’t outpace Chief Historian Chen.

"Chief Historian Chen!" Jiang Shaohua quickly stepped forward, grasping Chen’s hand, her voice filled with excitement, "It’s been a long time. How have you been, Chief Historian Chen?"

Chief Historian Chen was also full of excitement and joy, "With the Commandery Princess back, all is well."

Prince Consort Lu, slightly slower, made his way forward, wanting to hold his daughter’s hand, but Jiang Shaohua had already reached out to grasp Chief Historian Feng’s hand, "It’s been over six months, and Chief Historian Feng, your hair has turned much grayer. It’s all due to your hard work for the Prince Mansion. Thank you for your efforts."

Chief Historian Feng, hearing these warm words, his wrinkles trembled, wanting to smile but holding back, "The Commandery Princess has truly endured hardship from long travels."

Prince Consort Lu didn’t feel embarrassed, standing there smiling. After waiting eagerly for a moment, he stepped forward with joy, "The Commandery Princess has been gone for more than half a year, and I’ve worried about you every day. I’m genuinely overjoyed to finally see you return today."