chapter 20
The land of Jiangnan, with its vast territory and rich resources, is the most prosperous place in Dajing. The refugees flooding into the capital originate from this place, and news of it spreads like wildfire, causing great commotion throughout the land!
Unfortunately, this is a fact.
The dark red bloodstains were still flowing at the foot of Chongyang Gate. A refugee, who was on the verge of death, filed a complaint to the emperor and was carried into the Grand Court of Judicial Review. A joint petition from a thousand people was found and confiscated from him, causing a sensation that stirred up three thousand waves and completely disrupted the calm and composed court of the Dajing dynasty, turning it into a muddy pool.
( a Chinese idiom that literally translates to "startled up three thousand waves." This idiom is often used to describe a situation where a small action or incident can cause a great disturbance or reaction, similar to how a small pebble thrown into a calm lake can create large ripples that spread out in all directions.)
In the third month of the year, rain had been pouring continuously in the south of the Yangtze River. Ten days ago, the river embankment broke in the Yuan River, and fifteen counties and districts under the jurisdiction of the Mu Tian prefecture were flooded, with tens of thousands of people affected. Fleeing for their lives, the people were helpless and had nowhere to turn. The bloodstained petition was directed towards Mu Tian's Governor, Zhong Liwen, accusing him of doing nothing in response to the disaster. As a result, the entire Mu Tian prefecture region, spanning thousands of miles, became a lifeless city.
((Jiāngnán) - a region in China south of the Yangtze River)
The ragged refugees and the blood-stained paper evidence have become the evidence of this public case!
The officials and commoners of the capital city have yet to fully comprehend the shocking and absurd reality that has unfolded before them.
As night fell on this day, the fast courier of the Mu Tian Prefecture arrived in the capital, urgently reporting that the flood in Jiangnan has become severe, and humbly requesting that the court allocate funds for disaster relief.
These two pieces of news, separated by just half a day, suddenly triggered an outburst from the previously silent court. If it were said that the Governor of Mu Tian Prefecture did not report on the disaster, the news had already arrived. If it were said that he was innocent, it was only delivered to the capital ten days later, even after the refugees had arrived.
The court was divided into two factions and a heated debate ensued. The Left Prime Minister and the Mu Wang advocated for the court to first allocate funds for disaster relief, allowing officials under Zhong Liwen to stabilize the situation and prevent any instability in Jiangnan due to a change in leadership. The Right Minister and his faction, however, believed that the people's sentiment expressed in the joint blood-letter could not be taken lightly. They suggested dismissing Zhong Liwen and his officials, and appointing capable and virtuous individuals to govern the affairs of the Mu Tian Prefecture.
Two factions were each holding their own position, and unable to reconcile. The court was in chaos for a moment. Emperor Jianing commanded the two sides to find a compromise within three days and properly deal with the flooding in Jiangnan.
"Zhong Liwen is the confidant of Mu Wang, and many officials in Jiangnan have also pledged their allegiance to him. If this matter is pursued, it will undoubtedly harm the vitality of Mu Wang's faction, which is why the conflict has escalated to this point."
Descending the stone steps of the Taihe Hall after morning court, Huang Pu rubbed his somewhat injured head and said in a low voice to Ren Anle.
Ren Anle nodded and asked, "How did the Right Minister instruct you?" Huang Pu belonged to the faction of the Prime Minister, and this dispute between the two factions had arisen in order to gain control over the prosperous region of Jiangnan.