After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1288: Chapter 1255: A Rope Has Two Ends

Xiahou Ren’s face turned red with anger, "Your Majesty is here, and yet your Zhao Family dares to openly say the Great General represents the court? Isn’t this a sign of wanting to replace him?"

"Nonsense! If the Great General had such intentions, he would have acted upon them during the event at the Observatory. I see it’s you who want to harm the Great General, to sow discord between His Majesty and the Great General. The most treacherous ones are none other than you, who..."

"Enough," Zhao Hanzhang interrupted Zhao Shen’s words, glanced at the few who were flushed and arguing, and said, "The citizens must know that disasters from heaven are meant to alert them to prepare. Tao Wu, Xiahou Ren, if you do not agree, then become deputies to the village chief outside Luoyang City, and persuade the people to economize, store grain, and prepare for disasters."

She continued to Zhao Shen, "You’ve been assigned to assist Zu Ti in flood prevention and disaster control, yet you’re still in the Capital City? Leave tomorrow."

Zhao Shen opened his mouth, wanting to defend himself, but silently held back.

Zhao Hanzhang paused and then said, "Everyone has a heart for gain, especially merchants. Hoarding goods is their method, but the court does not necessarily endorse their actions."

"Even merchants should have a heart for the nation and compassion for the people, let alone scholars well-versed in poetry and literature?" Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes swept over the officials below, watching several ministers sweating coldly and turning pale before continuing, "At this time when the nation is difficult and the people are troubled, hoarding is especially detestable. From today, if prices rise more than fifteen percent over the five-year average, it shall be considered price gouging. Each instance found shall be dealt with, punishable only by money or grain."

Ji Yuan immediately bowed, saying, "The Great General is wise!"

The others quickly followed suit.

The Little Emperor breathed a sigh of relief, feeling like he had escaped yet another crisis. He looked at Xun Zu with some sadness, wishing he would not try so hard. Since his ascension, he had given up, yet why hasn’t his third uncle given up as well?

Xun Zu did not receive the signal from his nephew’s gaze and silently followed the crowd in retreat, feeling unsettled inside.

Xiahou Ren and Tao Wu could only be considered relatively neutral old ministers, with ambiguous attitudes. Being pushed out of Luoyang left even fewer ministers in the court to speak for the Emperor.

Zhao Hanzhang left the court after the session, Fu Tinghan walked beside her, "You allowed grain prices to rise."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Xiahou Ren did not misspeak; due to disparities in information, the speed of dissemination, and differences in human intelligence, the thoughts and actions of most people upon realizing a great disaster behave foolishly. Such foolish actions can infinitely damage public interests, so the court must respond with appropriate flexibility and selectivity."

"Between the court and the people is a connecting rope. Most of the time, this rope is quiet, occasionally shaking; those closest to the knot of the rope are the most sensitive, but the country is so vast, the rope so long, most people are very far from the knot. We cannot expect them to fully keep pace with the court." Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "When disaster strikes, the rope begins to shake and tighten. It is not only the court exerting force but also the people at the other end of the rope."

"If we pull too tightly from the start, how much strength will we have left to hold the rope steady when the disaster truly arrives?" Zhao Hanzhang softly said, "Records indicate three months of heavy rain, and post-rain disaster relief requires the court to hold the rope tight for at least five months, so I cannot and will not force it now."

"The rope must tighten and loosen alternately, letting the vibrations reach farther places, telling those far from the rope that disaster is coming, you must start preparing..."

"Once they truly cannot sustain, the court can then replenish and enable them to hold onto the rope, preventing them from falling into an abyss."

Zhao Hanzhang did not expect to pacify the people and establish policies from the beginning, able to maintain peace for over five months.

To do such requires a strong nation.

Is the Great Jin a strong nation?

Currently, Great Jin is merely surviving, its treasury so empty that not even mice bother it. Not only does it need her subsidy, but it also owes Zhao Hu-led tycoons huge sums in money and grain.

It barely survives itself, and all she can do is keep the people just hanging on.

Fu Tinghan held her hand, "Then you must prepare to be criticized. Next, whether it’s grain prices rising or fines imposed, those blaming you won’t be just one group."

Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily, unconcerned, "Let them scold. Their grievances are justified. Ultimately, it’s because we are too weak, and the treasury too empty."

She sighed, "Grain is indeed the hard currency."

After pondering, Fu Tinghan said, "Last July, a newly discovered copper mine in Mei County had high copper content. We extracted a lot and refined it into copper blocks, but did not mint coins. I intended to use it in industry..."

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes lit up, sparkling as she gazed at him.

Fu Tinghan smiled, "If you can persuade the Central Secretariat and Ministry of Supervision to agree, I’ll share half with you."

Though nominally belonging to Zhao Hanzhang, copper mines are used for state assets, each usage following formal procedures.

However, if she chooses to exert authority, she can. At this moment, Zhao Hanzhang can assertively declare, "That’s settled, share half with me. I’ll have the Money Bureau extract them, and newly minted coins can be taken to Jiangnan to purchase grain. Northern lands have too little grain."

Fu Tinghan remarked, "But the Central Plains are this era’s major grain-producing area, plagued by continuous war and disaster. If pacified, within two years, it can surpass Jiangnan."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, however, in future eras, Jiangnan remains a fertile land abundant in fish and rice, rich soil and resources, diligently farmed, capable of producing significant grain.

Therefore, agricultural development in Jiangnan must not be neglected.

With the decree issued, Luoyang’s grain prices were somewhat controlled, beginning to rise steadily, occasionally taking a big upward leap, discreetly click sliding downward under bureaucratic scrutiny, then continuing...

Thus, fluctuating gradually, grain prices slowly rose.

Exiled to the suburbs of Luoyang, Xiahou Ren and Tao Wu watched grain prices with growing concern, "Even under the nose of the Great General, Luoyang is as such, not to mention other places."

Xiahou Ren sighed, "She has changed too. She used to heed advice, but now more arbitrary. Once grain prices become uncontrollable, chaos will ensue throughout the realm, she... alas."

Xiahou Ren felt Zhao Hanzhang might tread the old path of Gou Xi.

Is this the curse upon Great Jin’s Great Generals?

Each regent Great General has met an unfortunate end.

They sat in shared sorrow until their village chief called from afar, speaking in thick dialect, "Time to visit the countryside, advise them to plant sorghum, what are you idling for?"

The two, nearly shedding tears, quickly set aside their grief, hastily lifted their robes, and followed along.