CHAPTER 434: CHAPTER 431: SURE ENOUGH

Capital City.

The Emperor looks at the document in his hand, with Chief Secretary Xie Changshen standing beside him.

Song Xian has been back in the Eight States for more than half a year, and news from the region keeps flowing into the Capital. The Central Secretariat just organized it properly and presented it to the Emperor.

"Prime Minister Xie, can you discern any hints?" the Emperor asked.

Xie Changshen bowed and said, "If calculated according to the submitted documents, this year the Eight States can remit over eighty percent of taxes, significantly more than the fifty percent agreed upon by Song Jiedu and Du Jiedu with the court earlier this year."

After returning to the Eight States, Song Xian focused on market matters, and during this period, he had five exchanges of goods with the Liao people, including furs, lamb, and even acquired stallions.

The government office fronted the wool to the people to make thread tassels, which, when sold, enabled the populace of the Eight States to have silver coins and start buying grains.

Then came spring plowing, and several states planted a substantial number of farmlands and mountain medicinal herbs. Once spring plowing ended, Dai State and Xinzhou opened four paper workshops, and other states also began constructing paper workshops.

Currently, the pink wax paper from the North holds a notable position in Daqi.

Calculating it this way, if the weather holds this year, the agricultural products harvested by the Eight States will suffice to remit eighty percent of taxes. It should be noted, when the court just regained the Eight States, the Ministry of Revenue calculated that it would be impossible to remit taxes within three years, and the court would even need to provide relief.

The Emperor asked, "Have you thoroughly inquired about these matters? Are they true?"

Xie Changshen replied, "Indeed they are true. The officials from the Capital City documented everything in detail, and the Ministry of Revenue personnel also went to verify the calculations. The figures reported by Song Jiedu to the government office correspond."

Which means, Song Xian did not conceal the truth.

The Emperor’s gaze flickered, "Apart from these, has Song Xian done anything else?"

Xie Changshen said, "I received quite a few secret letters from Eight States, most of which praise Song Jiedu. Currently, what he does is ensuring the people of Eight States have enough to eat."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s brows gradually unfurrowed.

Xie Changshen continued, "What is rare is that Princess Jia’an delivered the method of making new spinning wheels to Yuezhou, which established several weaving workshops this year."

Meng Su expressed gratitude for Princess Jia’an’s memorial sent to the Capital; although the North is not adept at weaving brocade, Zhaozhou’s silk thread now has a bit of reputation, and Yuezhou bought most of the silk thread produced by Zhaozhou.

This exchange between the South and North counts as mutual support, benefiting Zhaozhou and Yuezhou alike.

Xie Changshen said, "The taxes from Yuezhou can also remit more this year, which is beneficial to the court. From what we can see now, Song Jiedu does not currently exhibit any misconduct."

The Emperor closed the document and instructed Xie Changshen, "Prime Minister Xie, continue to keep an eye on Eight States. Song Xian is still young, and with so much authority, if he acts with any bias, it could endanger the North’s stability."

Xie Changshen responded obediently.

Once Xie Changshen was sent out, the Emperor’s gaze deepened. Xie Changkun, a veteran minister serving under two dynasties, had been working at the Central Secretariat for a long time. An old minister with clean hands, his approach was consistently cautious. However, he also had a downside, not analyzing deeper into matters, unlike Du Zheng who thoroughly plans on behalf of the Emperor.

For these reasons, the Emperor had been considering inviting Mr. Dongli back to serve as Minister.

Yet Mr. Dongli refused to return to the court.

"Summon Ge Zhixin."

Ge Zhixin rose through the ranks via the civil service exam, and the Emperor promoted him up to Assistant in the Ministry of Supervision, serving as the Left Minister of Daqi.

Ge Zhixin entered the great hall.

The Emperor, much like with his inquiry to Xie Changshen, asked him, "You have also reviewed the Eight States’ documents. What do you think of Song Xian?"

Ge Zhixin paused momentarily, and after meeting the Emperor’s gaze, he made up his mind, "Your Majesty, I believe Song Xian should not be praiseworthy without caution."

The Emperor was somewhat surprised by Ge Zhixin’s response, raising his eyebrows slightly.

Ge Zhixin said, "The officials dispatched to the Northern Border mostly praise Song Xian. Although Song Xian indeed exhibits some achievements, it also shows his adeptness at winning over hearts, whether with benefits or pressure, ensuring a unified mindset among the Eight States’ officials."

The Emperor’s eyes flickered.

A unified mindset among the Eight States’ officials, how familiar those words sounded! Wasn’t this very similar to how people praised Prince Guangyang back then? Could young Song Xian truly be comparable to the Prince Guangyang of those days?

Ge Zhixin continued, "Moreover, Song Xian, under the guise of Princess Jia’an, delivered spinning wheels to win over the Prefects of Yuezhou. While it’s commendable to have a heart for the people, if he harbors ulterior motives... the consequences could be unimaginable."

The Emperor abruptly interjected, "Are you saying Song Xian is not wholeheartedly loyal to the court?"

"Without evidence, your minister would not dare to speak rashly," Ge Zhixin said, "Yet your minister believes the court cannot disregard precaution."

Even back when Song Xian was appointed as Jiedu, Ge Zhixin had his concerns, and he still does.

With Ge Zhixin and Xie Changshen having opposing attitudes toward Song Xian, it was up to the Emperor’s inner deliberation on which stance to lean towards.

Ge Zhixin continued, "Moreover, your minister heard of something; Mr. Dongli settled in Chen Family Village and even married the teacher of Princess Jia’an, Mrs. Xu."

Someone so highly esteemed by the Emperor, yet unwilling to take up an official position and rather reside in such a place as Chen Family Village, teaching local children to read.

This matter also struck a nerve in the Emperor’s heart. Li You mentioned that Mr. Dongli was accustomed to rural life, and coupled with chronic ailments, even if entering the court, he wouldn’t be able to handle government affairs. His marriage to Mrs. Xu was due to gratitude for Mrs. Xu’s years of remedy and care.

Mrs. Xu managed the Familiar Medicine Institute in Chen Family Village, naturally causing the gentleman to reside there.

The Emperor initially found this explanation acceptable, but when Ge Zhixin mentioned it, discomfort arose anew.

Ge Zhixin said, "Your minister believes that, at all times, the Emperor should find ways to exert control. Your minister heard that the Princess’ brother Chen Zigeng is intelligent and eager to learn, receiving true instruction from Mr. Dongli. It might be worthwhile to summon him to the Capital for study, also serving as a sign of the Emperor’s benevolence towards Chen Family Village."

"It would be best to invite Princess Jia’an back to the Capital as well... Finding border officials with family in the Capital is quite normal, especially considering Princess Jia’an’s unique status."

The Emperor found some sense in Ge Zhixin’s words, "Mr. Ge may return. I will consider it." Before Song Xian and Xie Liangchen left the Capital, he thought, after a few years when Princess Jia’an bore offspring for Song Xian, he would summon the mother and child into the Capital together.

Currently, he’s focusing his energies on Prince Lu and Prince Qi; once they’re settled, moderating Song Xian wouldn’t be too late in a couple of years, though now it seems, it is hard to ensure nothing changes within two years concerning Song Xian.

As Ge Zhixin walked out of the palace, a subtle smile appeared. Prince Lu was right, widespread praise for Song Xian across Eight States might not be beneficial; all he does is intermittently remind the Emperor, turning good into bad, like a slowly driving thorn, a cumulative effect that nudges the Emperor towards action against Song Xian.

After reviewing the present memorials, the Emperor instructed Du Zheng, "Check if Meng Su’s people returned."

Du Zheng replied softly, "They have returned. Meng Su indeed met Song Xian privately, and it happened more than once."

As expected.

The Emperor slapped his palm upon the table.