You should have faith in him!
Yes, she should have faith in him.
Jingrong: “Now the court situation is stable, and there are many capable ministers by his side to assist. Court affairs certainly won’t fall into chaos. Besides, you and I are only leaving the capital. If court matters arise in the future, you and I can return at any time. You should also cast aside all your worries and stay peacefully by my side with peace of mind.”
“Mm.”
She nodded.
…
Imperial Palace, the hour of mao.
Because it was summer, dawn came extremely quickly!
Wei Yi had previously fainted from a headache and just happened to wake at this time.
Inside the hall, several candle flames flickered faintly, exuding a sense of loneliness. Sandalwood incense emerged from the burner, swirling throughout the room. The fragrance entered his nose, making the desolation even more apparent.
Wei Yi opened his eyes, staring blankly at the slightly swaying canopy above his head.
His body remained motionless!
“Creak!”
Liu Ze pushed the door open, holding several pieces of sandalwood incense in his hands, preparing to place fresh incense into the burner.
Just as he lifted the lid—
He discovered Wei Yi was awake!
“Your Majesty, you’re awake?” He quickly bowed by the dragon bed.
But Wei Yi still didn’t move.
Like a stupefied puppet!
Liu Ze worried: “Your Majesty, are you uncomfortable somewhere? This servant will immediately summon the imperial physician.”
Just as he was about to leave—
“No need.” Wei Yi spoke to stop him.
He propped himself up!
His expression appeared somewhat weary.
Liu Ze: “This servant should still summon the imperial physician to examine you again.”
“No need to make a fuss.” He looked through the carved wooden window and asked, “What hour is it now?”
“Just past the hour of mao.”
“I slept that long?”
“Your Majesty should rest a while longer. Your health is what matters most.”
Wei Yi didn’t listen. He threw off the blanket, got out of bed, and grabbed a robe from the screen to drape over himself.
He left the great hall!
Liu Ze followed closely behind, full of worry.
Outside, the sun had gradually risen. The morning light painted the sky in brilliant colors—like a painting yet not quite, with rays of light penetrating through the clouds, spilling onto the red walls and green tiles of the Forbidden City, onto the “golden bricks,” the stone slabs, the red pillars and beams… coating the perpetually cold and austere Forbidden City with a layer of rouge red—tranquil and warm, drawing people in, intoxicating them endlessly.
Wei Yi stood blankly at the hall entrance, his gaze meeting the morning light.
Those gentle rays traveled along the stone slabs, gradually illuminating him, and the warmth swept away the chill rising from his body.
After a long while—
Wei Yi turned his head and asked Liu Ze: “How is the case?”
“In response to Your Majesty, this servant has learned the case was tried overnight. The Ministry of Justice should deliver the dossier to Your Majesty for review today.”
He responded with a soft “Mm.”
He said nothing more.
Half an hour later.
Golden Throne Hall.
All the court ministers had arrived.
Jingrong stood at the forefront on the left side, his posture upright, his expression blank.
Wei Yi sat on the dragon throne, his dragon robe making him appear particularly spirited.
The Minister of Justice reported in detail on the three murder cases within the capital.
“The murderer has confessed and signed the testimony. This subject has also prepared the dossier, awaiting only Your Majesty’s judgment.”
Wei Yi understood clearly. He glanced at the dossier placed before him and said, “Since the murderer has already confessed, this matter shall be handled by your Ministry of Justice.”
“This subject obeys the decree.”
Then Wei Yi’s gaze swept across everyone present, his dark eyes slightly heavy. “Do you ministers have any other matters?”
At this moment, the Minister of Works stepped forward and reported: “Your Majesty, recently the southern city embankment suddenly collapsed. Although it didn’t cause casualties and the people suffered no losses, once the water rises, it will certainly flood the city. However, this repair project is massive. I don’t know who should be dispatched to oversee the main construction. Several days ago, this subject already submitted a memorial listing several candidates. I ask Your Majesty to select a suitable person from among them.”
Wei Yi had seen that memorial and already had someone in mind: “Repairing the embankment is a major matter. It should be overseen by someone with rich experience. I feel Minister Dong, the Left Vice Minister of Works, can take on this responsibility! He has participated in many major construction projects. If this embankment repair is entrusted to him, I can also be at ease.”
However—
Jingrong immediately stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, although Minister Dong has experience, and it would be natural for him to take on this construction project, two years ago, Minister Dong led people to construct a small hall in Yonghe Palace. As a result, the roof tiles had quality problems, causing several young eunuchs to fall from above, nearly resulting in deaths. Although it was a tile problem, it ultimately showed lax supervision. This embankment repair is a major matter that cannot have the slightest error. Moreover, embankment repair requires attention to many details. While Minister Dong’s experience is certainly a fact, he may not be able to attend to some detailed areas. Therefore, Your Majesty should select someone else.”
As soon as he finished speaking, ministers said, “What Prince Rong says is very true. Your Majesty should select someone else as more appropriate.”
…
Wei Yi’s eyes deepened slightly as he asked Jingrong, “Then does Prince Rong have any recommendations?”
“This subject does have one person to recommend—Yang Zhouzhi!”
“Yang Zhouzhi? From the Bureau of Personnel Evaluation in the Ministry of Justice.” Wei Yi was slightly surprised. “This person has been in officialdom for less than a year.”
“Though the time is short, his father Yang Shouwen was once the ‘Chief Carpenter’ of the imperial palace. Yang Zhouzhi learned his craft from his father since childhood and is very proficient in water conservancy and palace construction. Moreover, this person conducts himself steadily, works carefully, and has never made mistakes. If he oversees the embankment repair, he would presumably be more suitable than Minister Dong.”
Immediately after, ministers said: “This subject also believes Yang Zhouzhi would be more suitable.”
“What Prince Rong says is very true.”
…
“Good, then dispatch him.” Wei Yi agreed immediately and instructed the Minister of Works, “Handle this matter as soon as possible.”
“Yes.” The Minister of Works withdrew.
Afterward, another minister stepped forward: “Your Majesty, the Minshan area has recently seen an influx of many refugees. The authorities have already opened granaries for relief, but more and more refugees keep coming, causing many to be injured. The authorities dispatched people to suppress them but dare not harm them. If this continues, the consequences will be unthinkable. Please, Your Majesty, make a decision.”
Hearing this, Wei Yi’s face showed worry. After thinking: “Since they are refugees, the solution naturally lies in food and clothing. We should immediately prepare more grain and transport silver from the capital to first solve the people’s food and clothing needs, to prevent more people from being injured.”
The minister was about to accept the command—
But Jingrong held a different opinion: “Distant water cannot quench present thirst. Minshan is near the southern frontier. Transporting silver there will take at most half a month, at least seven or eight days. By then it will be too late. Since there are refugees, we must find the root cause. If the court keeps opening granaries for relief, no amount of grain will be enough.”
“Then what do you mean?” Wei Yi asked.
“The southern frontier has much rain in the eighth and ninth months. Many areas have experienced flooding, causing fields to be submerged and houses to collapse. If we want to provide relief, we must find the flood’s source, govern it from upstream, divide it into multiple channels, and direct water to the fields—only then can the problem be solved. As for those people, if necessary, we can dispatch the three thousand troops stationed at the southern frontier to suppress them, first resolving the unrest, then settling the people. Open granaries on one hand while solving the flood issue on the other. Have the Ministry of Works dispatch officials to solve it—repair what needs repairing, replace what needs replacing. Only then can this trouble be resolved.”
Everyone nodded repeatedly.
Showing approval!
Speaking with such clarity and logic.
The ministers nodded, expressing their agreement.
But a dark shadow settled at the bottom of Wei Yi’s eyes, and his hands resting on his knees also gripped his robe tightly.
All along—
He never had the power to decide!
An emperor, yet not as good as a prince.
He concealed all his emotions.
“Good, everything shall be done according to what Prince Rong has said.”