The Emperor’s entourage continued their hunting tour according to the original route, turning from the north toward Donghai and Qi. Qi had already been divided into Linzi princedom and several prefectures and counties. Though the rebellion had just been quelled, traces of the war’s devastation remained visible. The Emperor proclaid a general amnesty, generously rewarded the generals and soldiers who had suppressed the rebellion, and recalled them to their original posts, leaving only a small number to establish a naval force.
Though the rebel army had suffered a crushing defeat, many pirates who had participated in the rebellion, along with their ringleaders, had fled to the sea, remaining a lingering threat.
The Great Chu had originally possessed naval forces, but they were too small in scale and scattered. Han Ruzi consolidated these various forces and appointed commanding generals. The next steps would be recruiting soldiers while constructing ships. The Ministry of War estimated it would take three years to achieve modest success, and at least five years to completely eliminate the pirate nace.
Han Ruzi could wait. He was no longer as urgent as he had been initially – everything required ti. Most crucially, the Great Chu had been exhausted for many years and desperately needed rest and recovery.
At his ministers’ strong recomndation, the Emperor did not travel too far south. He rely gazed upon the river from its banks before beginning his journey back to the Capital.
Prince Donghai achieved his wish and was not left behind in Donghai, returning to the Capital with the Emperor.
Except for the princess consort, the Tan family mbers had to remain in Donghai under official supervision, with several young descendants sent north to serve in the army and atone for their cris through military rit.
Regarding the pugilist world, Han Ruzi was no longer so eager to strike. He needed to formulate a more comprehensive plan.
Officials from Luoyang traveled a thirty miles outside the city to the border of Henan Prefecture to respectfully welco the Emperor, with even grander ceremony than the previous ti.
It was late sumr, and the palace continuously sent ssengers urging the Emperor to return quickly to the Capital. Han Ruzi could only stay in Luoyang for three days.
Wang Jianhuo was not among the first group to receive an audience. Only on the morning of the third day did he receive an edict to et the emperor.
Ugly Wang sensed he had been working in vain. While the Emperor was still en route, he had already written a morial and sent it through ssengers to the Emperor, explaining everything clearly and stating that he held substantial evidence in his hands, ready to present it whenever the Emperor required.
But the Emperor had waited so long to summon him, clearly hesitant about how to handle the Luoyang situation.
The temporary palace had a rear garden, and the Emperor invited Ugly Wang to admire the flowers together. Several eunuchs followed at a distance carrying fruit wine and other refreshnts, not interfering with their conversation.
After chatting casually for a while, Han Ruzi smiled and said, “You seem to have sothing on your mind.”
Wang Jianhuo no longer held any hope. After experiencing the siege of Jincheng City, the Emperor had lost much of his sharp edge and could not accomplish great things. “The displaced people have all been sent back to their hotowns. So may not have ti to plant crops, but these are local problems to solve. I cannot help. I have co today to bid farewell to Your Majesty.”
“You’re leaving Luoyang?”
“Yes, to wander everywhere, then settle in Linzi, where I have an estate.”
Henan Prefect Han Chou had gifted the Ugly King two estates – one in the Capital and one in Linzi. Wang Jianhuo had clearly stated this in his morial.
Han Ruzi chuckled twice, knowing Ugly Wang was trying to enlighten him. He led the way into a nearby pavilion, where eunuchs imdiately served fruit wine before withdrawing.
“The matter is very difficult to handle,” Han Ruzi spoke frankly. He had consulted many people’s opinions. Except for Cui Teng, all believed Luoyang was difficult to govern. Arresting too few people would accomplish nothing, while arresting too many might severely impact the comrcial operations of the entire Great Chu. As for Han Chou, he was the Emperor’s elder and enjoyed the favor of Maiden Wang, making his punishnt especially delicate.
Wang Jianghuo had no intention of persuading him and nodded. “This commoner understands. I have only one request.”
“Please speak.”
“Large numbers of displaced people borrowed money and grain from rchants to return ho. Co autumn, they will inevitably have to sell their land and family mbers, becoming slaves. Not only will families be destroyed, but it will bring no benefit to the court.”
“Indeed. What do you think should be done?”
“Allow people everywhere to borrow from governnt offices to weather this crisis.”
“Local governnt offices may not have so much money. If there were a few more officials like Prefect Han Chou, they could easily accept rchants’ bribes and force the people to repay their loans.”
Wang Jianhuo sighed softly, “Since Your Majesty has difficulties, I’ll pretend I never ntioned it.”
“No, this matter must be resolved. Do you have any other solutions?”
Wang Jianhuo thought for a while, then shook his head. “I will do my utmost. Perhaps I can still save so people.”
“The displaced people have no relation to you whatsoever, yet you still wish to do your utmost for them. We are the Emperor of Great Chu—how could We stand aside?” Han Ruzi beckoned, and Zhang Youcai entered from outside, placing a folded paper on the stone table.
Wang Jianhuo received the indication and opened it for a glance. It was an imperial edict that had not yet been issued, stating that the Emperor would soon return to the Capital. Moved by the hardships of the people’s displacent, all deeds of debts from displaced people returning to their hos between certain dates would be surrendered to local governnt offices, then collected from various regions to the Capital, where the Emperor would open his private treasury to repay the debts on behalf of the people.
After reading it, Wang Jianhuo was greatly shocked. He looked up at the Emperor, finally understanding that the cautious prudence was rely a facade—the Emperor still possessed a resolute heart.
“Your Majesty…” After his surprise, Wang Jianhuo still had sothing to say. “Debt deeds can be forged. Once Your Majesty opens this door, the debts will likely multiply several tis over. Your Majesty… can you afford to pay them?”
Han Ruzi smiled slightly. “That is why We need the lists and evidence you have collected. They can co for money—We will never default on debts—but We must also discuss their illegal activities.”
Wang Jianhuo suddenly understood. The Emperor was first taking the debts upon himself, then frightening the rchants so they would not dare demand paynt.
“This is… which expert advised Your Majesty on this plan?” Wang Jianhuo could not believe the young Emperor could devise such a sche.
Indeed, this was not Han Ruzi’s achievent, but a plan drafted by Qiao Wanfu.
“We have capable ministers at Our side,” Han Ruzi said vaguely. “Do you think this is feasible?”
“There may still be so fearless people who will demand paynt from Your Majesty.”
“As long as the debt is legitimate and the person has committed no illegal acts, We are willing to repay it.”
Wang Jianhuo pondered for a while. “This ans Your Majesty will not imdiately deal with the rchants of Luoyang?”
“rchants pursue profit, but they also facilitate the flow of goods. Too many of them harm the people, but too few harm the people even more. We shall take their profits but keep them as people, observing their future conduct.”
“They cannot change.”
“If all officials in Luoyang could be as honest and just as you, rchants would have no bribes to offer. Would they still be unable to change then?”
Wang Jianhuo understood the Emperor’s intention to retain his services. He rose from his stool, wanting to kneel and decline, but the Emperor gestured for him to sit down. Wang Jianhuo said, “Soone like is not fit to be an official.”
“We do not force you.” Han Ruzi still felt so regret. “The masses of villains may be pardoned, but the ringleaders must be eliminated. We must at least ensure that Luoyang rchants dare not collude with officials for so ti.”
“Even if they are imperial clan mbers?”
Han Ruzi nodded. “But Our thods may not et your expectations. We intend to promote the Prefect of Henan.”
Wang Jianhuo was startled. “Promote him?”
“Prefect of Henan has achieved rit in the selection of consorts We intend to promote him to Director of the Bureau of Imperial Clan Affairs, which is half a rank higher. He will accompany Us to the Capital tomorrow, with a bright future ahead.”
Han Chou’s family had operated in Luoyang for several generations with deep roots. Transferring him from Luoyang first would make things easier to handle.
“Does Your Majesty understand the inside story of the selection? Noble families wanting to send their daughters to the palace must send gifts to the Prefect of Henan. Common families who do not wish to curry favor with dragons and phoenixes must also send gifts. The Prefect of Henan secured half the quota—quite a profitable business.”
“Ha! The Prefect of Henan was hoarding goods for speculation, but he misjudged the buyer. This ti he will surely lose everything.”
Wang Jianhuo had no more doubts. His disappointnt turned to joy, then from joy to admiration. He even felt an impulse to pledge loyalty to the Emperor, but he restrained himself. He understood his own character—he ultimately did not wish to be constrained. So he said, “This commoner has another plan. Would Your Majesty like to hear it?”
“I am all ears,” Han Ruzi said with a smile.
Ugly Wang had been harboring this plan for a long ti without speaking of it. Only after confirming that the Emperor truly intended to take action did he consent to reveal his innermost thoughts.
Wang Jianhuo rose and cupped his hands, saying solemnly, “I, having received Your Majesty’s grace to oversee the settlent of refugees, accepted two residences and a large amount of wealth. The evidence is conclusive, and I willingly submit to punishnt. If Your Majesty wishes to govern Luoyang, please begin with this commoner.”
Han Ruzi sighed softly. He had previously rebuked Wang Jianhuo in an imperial edict, with the purpose of helping him carry out his duties. It seed Wang Jianhuo had tasted the “sweetness” and wanted to continue, allowing himself to completely withdraw from the court and return to the pugilist world.
Han Ruzi sighed because he had just sent away soone who was unwilling to remain in Great Chu.
“Very well, as you wish.”
Wang Jianhuo knelt down and kowtowed in sincere gratitude.
The Prefect of Henan, Han Chou, did not yet know the news of his “promotion.” Seeing that the Emperor’s visit this ti was not as cold and arrogant as the last, and that he was willing to stay in the temporary palace he had arranged, Han Chou was extrely pleased. He had gathered a large number of selected beauties and had artists create illustrated catalogs early on, so the Emperor could select by picture or inspect them directly.
The Emperor’s final morning in Luoyang was spent on this matter.
Officials at all levels were summoned to the temporary palace. Henan Prefecture’s clerks carried in three large chests of illustrated catalogs. Han Chou had been very cautious, having already found the most famous matchmaker in Luoyang city to explain each woman’s characteristics to the Emperor.
The matchmaker had prepared for nearly a month for this. To highlight or conceal certain won’s qualities, she had received many gifts and was therefore full of fighting spirit, ready to display her skills before the Emperor as the pinnacle work of her lifeti career in matchmaking.
However, she had no opportunity to use her talents. She only caught a distant glimpse of the Emperor, and all her beautiful words remained bottled up inside her. It was said that after returning ho, she fell seriously ill and did not engage in matchmaking for many years.
Compared to her, the Prefect of Henan Han Chou was even more unfortunate.
Before nurous officials of Henan Prefecture, Liu Jie of the Palace Secretariat read several imperial edicts. The first ordered all selected won to be sent back to their respective hos. In the edict, the Emperor blad himself, believing that the siege of Jincheng was entirely his fault alone, causing upheaval throughout the realm and anxiety among officials and commoners. Having fortunately escaped, he dared not disturb the people again. For three years, no selection of consorts would be permitted, and won over fifteen years old were allowed to marry.
The Emperor connected the consort selection with the siege of Jincheng, and no one dared make a sound. Han Chou was drenched in sweat and soon discovered this was only the beginning of his misfortune.
The second edict exiled Ugly Wang to the northern frontier for accepting bribes. In consideration of Wang Jianhuo’s rit in settling refugees and his willingness to confess voluntarily, he was permitted to go without shackles, and his family and property would not be implicated.
The third edict was the later famous “Substitutive Paynt Decree.” The Emperor took possession of all deeds of debts and loan docunts written by refugees in recent months. At the ti, Han Chou was least interested in this particular edict.
The fourth edict stated that the Prefect of Henan Han Chou had worked tirelessly with great rit and comndable loyalty, worthy of being a model for the imperial clan. He was specially promoted to Director of the Bureau of Imperial Clan Affairs and was to accompany the imperial entourage to the Capital imdiately.
Han Chou fainted on the spot, not even having the chance to express his gratitude.
Han Ruzi ordered Han Chou to be carried along on the journey back to the Capital. Through this expedition, he understood many principles, especially Yang Feng’s words:
A person matures twice in life: the first ti when they know what they can do, the second ti when they know what they cannot do.
“Cannot” did not an not doing, but doing more skillfully.
Han Ruzi still had his revenge against the Xiongnu to settle, and various hidden threats like Cloud Dream Marsh, the eastern pirates, and the Western Region’s fortification also needed resolution. But first, he had to return to the imperial palace to face those closest to him.
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