The court was unusually silent. After Fang Xuanling finished reading the memorial, he returned to his seat without saying a word. The court’s income and expenditures had all been determined long ago. Everyone knew the new city would generate income this year. But now, with one memorial from Yun Ye, three hundred thousand silver coins of court revenue had turned to bubbles. The one actually most furious was Minister of Revenue Zhangsun Wuji. However, the Emperor was clearly supporting Yun Ye.
He had seen the memorial—there should have been another name on it, but it was crossed out with vermilion ink. Needless to say, that name must have been the Crown Prince’s. What was this about? Building the new city was for profit. In his view, the realm’s focus should be on the scholar-officials, not those ignorant masses. What kind of propriety would it be to have a magnificent, beautiful city filled with such people?
Having lived in Xinghua Ward for several years, he had grown very accustomed to that clean, beautiful environment. In spring when the pear blossoms bloomed in sheets of snowy white, the residents would habitually change into clean white clothes to match the environment, drink a cup of pear blossom wine, and listen to the lilting songs from the theater—it was like being in the clouds.
In summer, as soon as morning came you could hear the clip-clop of horse hooves, the sound of wooden wheels rolling over stone slabs, plus the pitter-patter of water sprinkling. The sweltering heat of Chang’an seemed less hot. After court, choosing a reclining chair to rest briefly under a pear tree, watching water droplets slide down a porcelain bottle—no need to think to know how refreshing the chilled grape wine would be.
What he loved most was autumn, when the pears ripened. With his grandson perched on his neck, watching their clumsy way of picking pears was enough to warm his old heart. Not to mention his old wife holding up a bamboo pole with a gauze net attached, picking the pears from the very top of the tree where sunlight was most abundant and the fruit sweetest, washing them clean, placing them in wide-mouthed bottles, pouring in wine, sealing with yellow clay—when winter cough season came, drinking a bit would soothe both heart and lungs.
When the cold wind blew, the pear tree leaves in Xinghua Ward would turn red or yellow. At such times, the street sweepers wouldn’t clean up the fallen leaves, letting them drift down from the trees at will, leaving them be. Every time this happened, many elegant scholars wearing tall caps would walk alone among the fallen leaves, lamenting the north wind’s harshness, missing distant relatives and friends…
The new city should originally have been like this too. But it was ruined by a group of refugees. That city would become no different from any other Tang city—sewage flowing everywhere, mosquitoes and flies buzzing about, peddlers and hawkers infiltrating every corner.
Thinking this far, Zhangsun Wuji realized he had lost his composure somewhat. Xinghua Ward had left too deep an impression on him. He had come to think cities should naturally be this way. He couldn’t help but laugh at himself bitterly. These past few years had been too comfortable—he had actually lost much of his fighting spirit. He forcibly redirected his thoughts to the three hundred thousand silver coins. This might be the dynasty’s largest single income, now turned to bubbles. This made him extremely pained. Originally this year’s finances were healthy with substantial surplus. Now, with losses coming and going totaling six hundred thousand silver coins, how could he be at ease?
Using the sage’s banner was indeed effective. Wang Gui listened to Yun Ye’s memorial nodding and swaying his head. Wei Zheng also listened as if drinking fine nectar. Xiao Yu was extremely satisfied with how Yun Ye’s essay seamlessly connected sages with rulers in praise.
“Yun Ye is up to mischief again,” Zhangsun said to Li Er, who was drinking tea after court adjourned.
Li Er looked up in surprise, asking the Empress in puzzlement: “Does Guanyin Bi see something improper?” He had read Yun Ye’s memorial no fewer than three times. Every word showed loyalty, every sentence hit the crucial point. Moreover, the Crown Prince was in Yuezhou. From the Crown Prince’s private letter, one could see his son was full of anger toward Chang’an’s wealthy households. Even if Yun Ye had his eyes on money, given his relationship with the Crown Prince, he would never harm the Crown Prince under any circumstances. Of this Li Er was absolutely certain.
“I don’t know!” Zhangsun’s answer was clean and decisive. Only then did Li Er put down his teapot, using white silk to wipe it. This teapot’s surface had become as beautiful as ancient bronze from his use. He planned to have this teapot buried with him—he didn’t intend to leave it to anyone.
“But this consort’s feeling is very strong. A wastrel suddenly transforming into a sage who worries about the country and people—this transformation is too sudden. Using a fine essay as a screen to concentrate everyone’s attention on this memorial, so he can secretly execute his real plan.”
“You’ve forgotten—this fellow can pretend to be an ox and look like an ox, pretend to be a horse and look like a horse. Attach long ears and he’s a donkey. Now he’s pretending to be a loyal minister like a sage. This consort knows he’s always made being an ineffectual corrupt official his life goal. This being so, his behavior is very suspicious. Three hundred thousand silver coins, gone for nothing—it will pain him to death. I just don’t know who he plans to trap this time. A hole of three hundred thousand silver coins isn’t easy to fill.”
Li Er put down his teapot, habitually tapping the table as he said: “The Empress speaks reasonably. Experts have their dignity. The way of wealth is Yun Ye’s strongest point—he also prides himself as the reincarnated God of Wealth. Losing money isn’t the God of Wealth’s style. We’ll just watch the show. He won’t go too far. Besides, at Dongting Lake winds and clouds gather—just those people alone are enough to occupy his mind. Best not to disturb him at this time. However, that he still has the mind to make money shows he has Dongting Lake affairs under control. His own strategist has become those people’s steward—interesting, truly interesting!”
More and more people were coming to Yuezhou, mostly wealthy merchants from large cities like Chang’an, Luoyang, Jinyang, and Yangzhou. After Yun Ye’s memorial reached the Emperor’s ears, these people could no longer sit still. Yuezhou had been a land and water transportation hub since ancient times. If a family could have a shop in Yuezhou, even if it didn’t make money and just served as a transit station, it would be a good choice. Moreover, the new noble group had now reached the stage of branching out. Settling in the new city wouldn’t provoke backlash from other forces or be squeezed by old established powers. Everyone was on the same starting line—only ability mattered, not family influence.
Yuezhou’s current prefect was a national marquis. Such a person had immunity to any factional influence. If he wanted to build the new city well, he would absolutely reject interference. Clearly, Yun Ye was a very strong-willed marquis. Having things fall apart would be the most embarrassing outcome. As for benefits? Did he need them?
Half the new city’s land needed to go to refugees, a large piece needed to go to the military, the government would occupy a large piece, and another large piece would be kept as reserve. This way, the land available for sale would be very limited. If one acted too late, regret would be inevitable.
Looking at the various boats entering and leaving through the water gate, Li Chengqian pointed gloomily at these well-dressed people and said: “These are the fat pigs you plan to slaughter?”
Yun Ye said irritably: “Naturally. You guard the poor people’s benefits like a hawk and won’t let me touch them, leaving me no choice but to slaughter fat pigs. I must encroach on some people’s interests to fill the hole. Do you think my reputation as God of Wealth is undeserved?”
“They’re all Tang subjects—isn’t this going too far?”
“If you’re willing to give me three hundred thousand silver coins, consider what I just said unsaid.”
“Where would I get that much money? The Eastern Palace sold off wouldn’t be worth it. Goguryeo has no money left. The trade caravan’s profits have dropped severely this year precisely because of wars everywhere. That Yuan Gae Suwen who opposed you has completely fallen out with Gao Jianwu. He wanted to ambush and kill Gao Jianwu to minimize the matter’s impact, but someone informed on him and the plan failed. He had no choice but to fight openly with swords and spears. I heard in New Chang’an area they’re killing until heaven and earth overturn, blood flowing like rivers. I heard the informer’s surname is Cui—any relation to your Steward Cui?”
“The Western Regions aren’t much better. Originally we could find some compensation among the Nine Clans of Zhaowu, but now they’ve been killed by Hou Junji until there’s not a person for a thousand li. To make money we can only go to Persia. Who would have thought Persia is now being driven into retreat by a group of people shouting about their True Lord? The Hou family has already complained to me several times, saying they haven’t had proper business for over a year.”
“Ye Zi, you know the Eastern Palace is a poor place—high expenses, low income. Su Shi and Hou Shi are nearly worrying me to death. Get me a good piece of land in the new city so I can use it to stop their mouths.”
Yun Ye looked at His Highness the Crown Prince again, saying strangely: “I remember half a month ago you were in such pain and unease day and night because wealthy households had swallowed up the people’s property. Now you’ve changed your mind?”
“One moment differs from another. Seeing common people poor makes anyone uneasy. But these people—having less money won’t starve them. On the other hand, the Eastern Palace can’t even produce thirty thousand silver coins right now—that’s the urgent matter.”
The Li family’s people were full of reasons. Naturally Yun Ye wouldn’t let the Tang Crown Prince be driven by his wives to live on the streets. One’s own people’s interests must always be guaranteed. The Cheng, Niu, Qin, Li Jing, Li Ji, and Zhangsun families had already sent their most reliable personnel to deliver silver coins, on the Lingnan Navy’s large ships. Li Chengqian slapped down a thick stack of promissory notes and asked no further questions. The other families were the same, just waiting for the new city to be completed before coming to receive their properties.
By August when osmanthus flowers were fragrant, the Lingnan Navy had finally assembled in full. The new city had also leveled its land and was about to begin formal construction. Refugees continuously emerged from deep mountains and great marshes, gathering at Yuezhou. Guan Tinglong rushed about everywhere with a head full of white hair. Han Cheng and Qian Sheng led minor officials to level land outside Yuezhou city, cutting off water sources to small ponds and filling them with construction debris before leveling. Throughout the Liang Lakes plain, a large barren area was extending outward.
“My lord, the registered refugees have reached twenty thousand households, already exceeding Yuezhou’s entire original population. What should be done? Once distribution is unequal, disaster will be upon us.”
Guan Tinglong looked even older than before. His originally ruddy face was covered with wrinkles, two large bags hung under his eyes, as if he had never slept soundly.
Cui Jiu on the other hand appeared very healthy. Being young after all, the heavy workload instead stimulated all his vitality. A truly excellent young man—who said great households only produced fools? Cui Jiu was simply a dragon and phoenix among men.
“Chief Judge Guan Tinglong has erred in judgment, causing delays in the work schedule. By order, his position as Assistant Administrator is temporarily suspended. He is to go rest and recuperate at the Lingnan Navy camp, reading and reflecting on his mistakes. The Assistant Administrator position shall be assumed by Cui Yan. There must be no errors!”