The grain prices across the nation dropped at a rate everyone could clearly perceive. First in Luoyang, then in the counties surrounding Luoyang. Very quickly, because the disaster relief grain was rapidly transported to all disaster areas and Zhao Hanzhang’s newly opened grain shops took the lead, grain prices quickly fell to between eighteen and twenty-five wen.

This price was acceptable to the vast majority of common people.

With the additional assistance of work-relief programs, the northern territories did not descend into chaos due to food shortages.

After Ming Yu and Zu Ti finished compiling statistics on the disaster situation, they discovered that while some had died in the floods themselves, no one had died from starvation.

Not only did Zhao Hanzhang in Luoyang find this hard to believe, even Ming Yu and Zu Ti on the frontlines of disaster relief had difficulty believing it. They personally went down to the villages with the death registers to investigate, fearing that some officials had deliberately falsified records for the sake of merit.

However, they found that while there were deaths from the flooding and deaths from illness, there were indeed no deaths from starvation.

Not just during the water disaster—even in normal times, such a phenomenon was extremely rare.

In this era, large numbers of people died from hunger and cold every year.

Ming Yu asked a village chief who had jurisdiction over many impoverished farming households, “How did they survive?”

The village chief said, “In the first month, people suddenly came from the county saying that the Great General had a semi-immortal calculate that there would be a solar eclipse in the second month, and told us not to panic.”

“A solar eclipse—the sun itself being eaten! How could this not be a major event? Everyone said this year’s harvest wouldn’t be good, since crops can’t grow without the sun. So even during the New Year festivities, everyone started economizing on food and clothing, wanting to save more grain.”

“Sure enough, on the first day of the second month, a celestial dog ate half the sun in the sky. After we drove it away, people from the county came again, saying this eclipse foretold a natural disaster. The Great General had calculated it would be a flood, and told everyone to store more grain and temporarily not plant wheat.” This area was cold and accustomed to planting spring wheat. Fortunately they hadn’t planted it, otherwise with such heavy rains, it would have all been ruined.

“Everyone listened. They all took out their family’s money and bought grain while prices hadn’t risen too much. When wild vegetables appeared in the fields, they picked them and dried them or pickled them. After the rain became severe, everyone ate only one meal per day, just enough to avoid starvation, and thus they all survived. Now with the disaster relief grain and work-relief programs, there’s even less need to worry about dying.”

Ming Yu asked with a choked voice, “Eating only one meal, and so little—wasn’t it difficult?”

The village chief’s face was also sallow. Hearing this, he smiled with great satisfaction, “Not difficult. Everyone often lives like this. This year, not a single person starved to death—it’s so much better than the warring years before.”

Ming Yu asked, “You made so many preparations, yet you believed everything the county said?”

The village chief replied with surprise, “Of course we believed them. The father-mother officials were personally dispatched by the Great General—how could they deceive us?”

Ming Yu’s heart was filled with complex emotions. In Luoyang, at most seventy percent of the common people trusted the court. Could it be that the people of Luoyang were less knowledgeable than those in these poor, remote areas?

No, they were more knowledgeable. And precisely because they were more knowledgeable, they were more stubborn in their own opinions.

So Xiahou Ren and Tao Wu’s advocacy of keeping the people ignorant wasn’t entirely without merit.

Ming Yu rubbed his forehead, feeling he too was becoming obsessed. Was this the time to think about such things?

“Now that the rain has stopped, after receiving the disaster relief grain, level the land and replant some sorghum and soybeans.”

The village chief said with difficulty, “Central Secretary Ming, it’s already the sixth month. In three more months we must pay taxes. As you’ve seen, aside from some sorghum and millet in the fields, there’s really no grain suitable for tax payment. Could you speak to the Great General and have this year’s tax collected in sorghum and millet?”

The court’s tax collection was basically wheat, rice, and millet—no one had ever collected sorghum.

But this year, the land had indeed mostly been planted with sorghum, and in two successive crops. After pondering for a moment, Ming Yu said, “I will petition the Great General. For now, focus on farming with peace of mind.”

Given Zhao Hanzhang’s character, severely affected disaster areas would likely be exempted from taxes, and other disaster areas would have their taxes partially reduced.

He could raise this matter during the council meeting.

The grain Zhao Hanzhang had purchased was mostly distributed in the north, as was the national treasury’s grain. However, this flood disaster had also caused severe losses in the Jiangnan and Jiangdong regions.

They were all part of Dajin’s treasury, all subjects of Dajin. She couldn’t be too partial, so Zhao Hanzhang allocated a portion of disaster relief grain from the national treasury to send to Jiangnan.

She also sent a personal guard unit south. Along the way, they collected money from the grain shops she had established in various places and transported it directly to Jiangnan to buy grain locally and stabilize prices locally.

In effect, she was buying grain at high prices and selling at low prices—going in and out, she would lose half the money.

For this reason, she specifically met with Gu Rong, He Xun, and others, requesting their help with disaster relief.

“The wealthy grain merchants in Jiangbei, led by Zhao Hu, have already agreed to stabilize grain prices. But this disaster affected a wide range. Except for Shu and the Guangzhou area which were unaffected, grain prices have risen everywhere else. For impoverished common people, every wen increase in grain prices at this time means taking away a portion of their chance to survive. I know the three gentlemen have always had prestige in Jiangnan, so I can only seek your assistance.”

The three of them exchanged glances and asked, “What about Maohong and Xuanpei…”

Maohong was Wang Dao’s courtesy name, Xuanpei was Zhou Zhi’s courtesy name. These two were currently managing Yangzhou, one civil and one military.

“They are already providing disaster relief, but northern aristocratic families haven’t established firm foundations in Jiangnan, so their ability to help is limited. Jiangnan is not only the court’s Jiangnan, but also the Jiangnan of Jiangnan people,” Zhao Hanzhang stood and bowed, “I implore the gentlemen to help me.”

Gu Rong opened his mouth and turned to look at He Xun.

Zhao Hanzhang had said “help me” rather than “help the court.” Once they agreed, it would be like choosing to stand on her side.

He Xun looked at Zhao Hanzhang seriously for a moment, then nodded lightly and replied, “Very well.”

Gu Rong looked at him in surprise.

After leaving the Great General’s Mansion, Gu Rong and Ji Zhan kept stealing glances at He Xun.

He Xun said helplessly, “If you want to look, look openly. Why be sneaky? I’m not Wei Jie—you don’t need to be so careful.”

Ji Zhan asked him, “How did you choose her so quickly?”

He Xun asked, “Is there a better choice than her?”

Ji Zhan and Gu Rong shook their heads together. At present there wasn’t, but… “Didn’t we say we’d observe more?”

“It’s enough,” He Xun said. “This year’s recruitment examination in Jiangnan admitted one hundred and twenty people. When autumn comes, they’ll come to Luoyang to take the examination. If they pass, then Jiangnan scholars can enter office together with Jiangbei scholars. We Wu people will finally not be excluded from politics.”

“For many years, the court has not only excluded our Jiangnan aristocratic families, but has also treated our Jiangnan as a granary and treasury. Every year, in addition to paying heavy taxes, we must also tribute many things—pearls, coral, silk… But whenever there are disasters, the court always finds reasons not to provide relief, or provides very little.”

“This flood disaster has also affected Jiangnan considerably. Before Wang Maohong even submitted a memorial requesting relief, the national treasury was already preparing. I heard it was Zhao Hanzhang who personally proposed it, and the court officials all treated it equally, not making excuses because it was Jiangnan,” He Xun said softly. “She’s even willing to put forth her private property, buying grain at high prices to stabilize prices. Even we could at most only do this much, couldn’t we?”

Gu Rong and Ji Zhan nodded.

“So she has no discriminatory heart. What she’s done for Jiangnan is no less than what any Jiangnan person would do. Looking across the realm, who else can do this?” The Sima clan was eliminated first.

Not to mention the current young emperor who couldn’t govern, even the Prince of Langye, known for his magnanimity—when he first arrived in Jiangnan, he had to rely on Jiangnan aristocratic families. Didn’t he also only have a honeymoon period for a while, then increasingly rely on northern people and suppress Jiangnan aristocratic families at every turn?

Now, Zhao Hanzhang had taken almost nothing from Jiangnan, but had given first. Compared to the court’s behavior over the past several decades, this could be said to be very remarkable.

So He Xun had made up his mind.

He said to Gu Rong and Ji Zhan, “The three of us have ordinary family circumstances. For this matter, we still need to seek help from Xuanpei and others. Disaster situations don’t wait for people—let’s go back now and write letters.”

Gu Rong agreed.

Zhou Zhi was secondary—after all, he was a court official, and he had always had a sense of justice. Even if they didn’t bring it up, he would follow along in stabilizing grain prices. The main concern was other families, like the Lu family, the Jiang family, and others. These several families were also wealthy, but might not be willing to harm their own interests. So they could only try to persuade them, hoping they could be convinced.

He Xun underestimated himself too much. As the foremost of the Four Worthies of Jiangnan, he had the reputation of being a Confucian patriarch, and his prestige was no less than that of Zhou Zhi who held military power.

If Jiangnan’s aristocratic families followed Zhou Zhi’s lead because of his authority, then following He Xun’s lead was because of his reputation.

So when He Xun’s letter arrived in Jiangnan, those who received it immediately went to persuade their families, telling them, “If Jiangnan people don’t save Jiangnan, who will be willing to save Jiangnan in the future? Master He has already taken the first step. We cannot fall too far behind.”

The He family listened to He Xun very much. After receiving the letter, they immediately took out considerable grain to lower prices for sale, and were willing to lend grain to neighbors without charge to help them through the difficulties.

Then came Gu Rong’s Gu family and the Zhou clan. Ji Zhan’s Ji family was not among them, because he was truly poor.

Ji Zhan was charitable and had refined hobbies—music, books, and calligraphy and painting.

Each was an extremely expensive pursuit. Additionally, he basically couldn’t produce anything for his family, and had often sold off family property for his hobbies and interests. So after selling this and selling that, now only some ancestral fields remained, just enough for the family to live on.

He had an introverted personality and hadn’t wanted to come to Luoyang originally. But Zhao Hanzhang had sent people to invite him several times, He Xun had also personally written him a letter asking him to come to Luoyang to assess Zhao Hanzhang, and Zhou Zhi had also made time to visit in person.

But what truly moved Ji Zhan to set out for Luoyang was the notice in the first month predicting the solar eclipse on the first day of the second month.

Ji Zhan saw the notice that very day and packed his bags that same day, setting out the next day. He hadn’t even caught the total solar eclipse in Luoyang—he saw the annular eclipse in Yuzhou.

After arriving in Luoyang, he mixed together with He Xun and others, and wasn’t willing to enter office.

However, at this time he changed his mind. He said to He Xun and Gu Rong, “I’m going to enter office.”

He Xun stroked his beard and smiled, “I’m also going to enter office.”

Gu Rong hesitated for a moment, “Then, shall I also enter office?”

He Xun laughed heartily, putting his arms around both their shoulders and saying cheerfully, “Together, together. Friends below the court, colleagues above the court—we’ve finally realized the aspiration we made in our youth.”

Gu Rong and Ji Zhan couldn’t help but laugh as well.

Zhao Hanzhang had invited people to Luoyang for half a year, and the three finally agreed to enter office. She couldn’t have asked for more.

The positions had been arranged long ago. As soon as they revealed their intentions, Zhao Hanzhang immediately had Ji Yuan issue the appointment letters.

Ji Yuan handed her the written appointment letters to seal, and asked, “Should He Xun be made one of the examiners for this year’s autumn recruitment examination?”

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “Does Teacher also think he’s suitable?”

Ji Yuan nodded slightly. “In terms of learning, Zhao Cheng is his equal, but in terms of Confucian studies and ritual propriety, no one in the realm can surpass him. Didn’t you insist on having He Xun come to Luoyang precisely because you wanted to use him as Minister of Rites?”

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but laugh loudly. “You understand me well, Teacher. However, this matter isn’t urgent. After all, he’s just entered the court. We both need time to adapt to each other. After we’ve worked well together, I’ll give him that position.”

Ji Yuan said, “The local matters are almost settled. Ming Yu and Zu Ti will return to the capital at the beginning of the month. Have you thought about how to place Zu Ti?”

Zhao Hanzhang replied, “I originally wanted to keep him in Luoyang as Minister of War. Among the military generals, besides General Beigong, only he has the ability to hold that position.”

“But I’m equally uneasy about entrusting Jizhou to someone else.”

Ji Yuan said, “Zhao Shen made great contributions in the southern campaign. Why don’t you send him to a local area for training?”

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head. “He’s not suitable. At least, the current him isn’t suitable.”

“Shi Le is like an alpha wolf. Under him are a pack of wolf cubs. Zhao Shen going to Jizhou couldn’t outmaneuver him.”

Ji Yuan frowned. “Does Shi Le have rebellious intentions?”

“He doesn’t,” Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but smile. “Teacher, within one province, the commanderies inevitably compete with each other—for population, for land, for various resources. How much more so between provinces?”

“Beigong Chun is pure and straightforward in nature and doesn’t engage in such power struggles. But he knows how to fight and how to file complaints. Shi Le also knows I favor General Beigong more, so he doesn’t dare provoke him. But regarding Jizhou, he’s kept a close eye on their territory. Zu Ti is the same. With the two of them as neighbors, I’m at ease. If I replace him with Zhao Shen, I’d probably spend three hundred and sixty days a year in worry,” Zhao Hanzhang shook her head. “No, I’m afraid I’d shorten my lifespan.”

Ji Yuan disapproved and called out, “My lady!”

“Alright, alright, I take it back. That was a slip of the tongue.”

Ji Yuan’s expression improved slightly. “Zhao Shen can’t remain in the capital forever, can he? If you want to use him, you must send him to a local area for training. Otherwise, how will he be qualified for the position of Minister of War in the future?”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “He does need to be sent out, but there’s no rush. He’s still young—what’s the hurry?”

Ji Yuan looked carefully at her expression after hearing this, then asked quietly, “You already have a plan. Where do you want to send him?”

Zhao Hanzhang raised her head and gave him a slight smile, then stood and walked to the hanging map. She pointed at the very bottom. “What does Teacher Ji think of this place?”

Ji Yuan looked at where her finger pointed and was speechless for a long while. “My lady is formidable. I wonder what Governor Zhao will think.”

Did Zhao Ming know that Zhao Hanzhang wanted to send his son to a barbarous land like Guangzhou?

Zhao Hanzhang stood with her hands on her hips looking at the map, extremely satisfied. “I think he’s most suitable for this place.”

It could temper his will, train his military and governance abilities, and also provide an outlet for his hobbies.

—