The rebellion in Shuofang County is significant enough to be recorded in the history of Da Liang. The declining national fortune of Da Liang was like an unstoppable avalanche.
In the sumr of the seventh year of Taikang, there was a drought with no rain. More than twenty counties were afflicted by the drought. If marked on the map of Da Liang, more than half of the North had red markings scattered across it. The rebellions followed swiftly, like a spreading fire, becoming increasingly severe.
The court responded actively, sending troops to suppress the rebellion and allocating grain for disaster relief. Even the northern states and counties, less affected by the drought, were barely self-sufficient and could not spare extra grain, requiring grain to be transferred from Guangdong and Guangxi.
People scrambled to buy grain, and the wealthy were also anxious, buying and storing grain. Grain prices quickly soared to triple their original rate. The court’s efforts to requisition grain faced nurous challenges. So officials conducted their duties impartially, so took the opportunity to embezzle, and others colluded secretly with grain rchants for personal profit.
When it beca known that the requisitioned grain was only thirty percent of what was expected and insufficient to relieve the North’s drought, Emperor Taikang, known for his mild temperant, was furious and harshly scolded the Ministry of Revenue officials responsible for grain requisitioning.
Vice Minister Qian of the Ministry of Revenue knelt on the ground, tearfully enduring the reprimands.
Pri Minister Wang approached with a stern expression, cupping his hands and saying, "Vice Minister Qian has been ineffective, please allow Your Majesty to select another capable official for the task."
Duke An, standing nearby, also appeared displeased. It was he who personally recomnded Vice Minister Qian, and as such, he was one of the core mbers of the Empress Dowager Faction. The failure to requisition grain from the Two Lakes now leading to the potential removal of his official’s hat was undoubtedly a severe blow to the Empress Dowager Faction.
Emperor Taikang, with a harsh tone, asked, "Who does Pri Minister Wang propose?"
Pri Minister Wang, without hesitation, replied, "I recomnd Tan Langzhong from the Ministry of Revenue. Tan Langzhong has been serving in the Ministry of Revenue for over ten years, is steady and prudent, and experienced."
"Please, Your Majesty, issue an imdiate decree for the Ministry of Revenue to first send grain to the drought-affected northern counties, as thirty percent is life-saving and cannot be delayed. Additionally, please send Tan Langzhong for grain requisition. A dual approach will stabilize the northern chaos soon enough."
Duke An couldn’t hold back and stepped forward to plead for Vice Minister Qian, "Vice Minister Qian indeed deserves severe punishnt for the mishandled task. Yet, with over twenty counties facing severe drought in the North, many officials are needed for relief. I beseech Your Majesty to allow Vice Minister Qian to atone by first aiding in disaster relief. Punishnt can follow once the situation stabilizes."
Though still angry, Emperor Taikang reluctantly agreed with a heavy snort, "Fine, for Minister Zheng’s sake, I’ll allow it today. If Vice Minister Qian errs again, I’ll take both his head and official’s hat. Minister Zheng will face a severe penalty as well! Dismiss the court!"
A thoroughly scolded and dejected Vice Minister Qian wept, kneeling to express gratitude, before retreating with trepidation.
Pri Minister Wang also withdrew from court, emitting a soft, dismissive snort while glancing at Vice Minister Qian as he passed.
Vice Minister Qian trembled slightly, not daring to et Pri Minister Wang’s gaze.
Duke An soon arrived, whispering to Vice Minister Qian, "Join in the carriage."
Once inside the carriage, Vice Minister Qian could no longer contain himself, wiping the sweat from his brow with his sleeve, he vented softly, "Lord, it’s not for lack of effort on my part regarding grain requisition. The officials in the Two Lakes are mostly Pri Minister Wang’s followers. Each made excuses when I sought grain."
"Moreover, those great grain rchants, fearing the influence of Pri Minister Wang, refused to supply without his nod. I could only purchase thirty percent of the grain, even with silver."
"Pri Minister Wang is truly despicable. Disaster relief grain concerns the lives of tens of thousands, yet he doesn’t care about the people’s lives for his selfish desires!"
With that, Vice Minister Qian began to shed tears.
Duke An displayed a look of resignation, "At this point, what’s the use of saying these things? The North has suffered two years of drought; countless have starved, with growing numbers of refugees and bandits. If this continues, half the country will fall into chaos. The Emperor is thoroughly anxious now; whoever can stabilize the situation will gain advantage. Pri Minister Wang has aid and acted ruthlessly and accurately. The Emperor greatly trusts Pri Minister Wang. Am I now to accuse him before the Emperor of secretly obstructing your grain requisition?"
With a long sigh, he added, "Your position as Vice Minister of Revenue cannot be preserved. It’s best to first redeem yourself through rit and navigate through this phase for future prospects."
While Vice Minister Qian took the grain for disaster relief, Tan Langzhong hastily moved to requisition more.
Interestingly, the grain requisition task, impossible for Vice Minister Qian despite his hard efforts, went smoothly once Tan Langzhong intervened. Within a month, large quantities of grain were continuously transported north.
Emperor Taikang lavishly praised Tan Langzhong in court, promoting him to Vice Minister of Revenue. The unfortunate Vice Minister Qian had to both manage to relieve and appease the people while also writing congratulatory letters to Tan Langzhong.
His misfortune needs no detailed recount.
Worst of all, although Vice Minister Qian received the grain promptly, it was hijacked by rebels during transit shortly after.
That night, Vice Minister Qian hanged himself.
The incident caused an uproar in the court.
Duke An furiously accused Pri Minister Wang of secretly scheming against major court officials. Pri Minister Wang retorted, accusing the Empress Dowager Faction of promoting incompetent officials for power struggles, risking people’s livelihoods, and jeopardizing the court.
Empress Dowager Zheng rushed into the Jinluan Palace, furiously criticizing Pri Minister Wang. Pri Minister Wang denied any wrongdoing, sharply retorting that Empress Dowager Zheng was interfering in state affairs.
In his fury, Emperor Taikang fainted on the Dragon Throne.
...
When the news reached Nanyang County, everyone there was busy harvesting sweet potatoes.
This was the first year for promoting corn and sweet potatoes. All Fourteen Counties of Nanyang, regardless of drought, planted both crops.
A month ago, a bountiful corn harvest filled every household with corn. Even if a household lacked food, the several Taiping Grain Warehouses stocked by the county governnt provided a sense of security and reassurance.
The sweet potato harvest surpassed even the corn.
Even the devout Buddhists in Zhi County, when praying before the statues in the White Cloud Temple, included thanks to the Commandery Princess.
Jiang Shaohua’s reputation and prestige in Nanyang County had virtually reached its peak.
Chief Historian Chen said, "This year, with the successful promotion and harvest of corn and sweet potatoes, the Commandery Princess should submit a report to the court."
Jiang Shaohua nodded, "Alright, I will write it right away."
Twelve-year-old Jiang Shaohua had grown considerably taller, with an increased appetite. Her figure remained slim and graceful; the food she consud transford into strength hidden within her slender fra.
This report had been brewing in Jiang Shaohua’s heart for a long ti. Now, as she picked up the brush and wrote, her pen flowed across the paper like a dancing dragon. In the ti it took to drink a cup of tea, the report was completed.
Jiang Shaohua smiled at Chen Zhuo, "Chief Historian Chen, please take a look at how this report is written."
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