Because it was difficult to handle, all officials in Shangjing City avoided dealing with it. They simply waited for spring to arrive, expecting these people to leave on their own.
Then these people discovered their hometown lands growing increasingly barren, with poor harvests compounded by natural disasters. After autumn, they continued northward, only to depart again when spring arrived. Over time, refugees became like migratory birds, categorized as a natural phenomenon that no one paid attention to anymore—not even households that used to provide porridge charity remained.
Yet these people kept increasing year by year, occupying ever-expanding areas. Given time, they would inevitably impact Shangjing City.
…
Kang Rui understood this too, but he knew even better that now wasn't the best time to address this issue. The national treasury was empty, and power dynamics in Shangjing City were complex. This matter had to wait until the Empress Dowager returned governance power and the Emperor urgently needed political achievements—that would be the opportune moment.
In his previous life, he had been appointed amid crisis. At that time, the Emperor had just begun personal rule, with no one trusting the Emperor's policies or believing he could solve this entrenched problem. All officials avoided involvement.
When he reluctantly took on the task, he expected immense difficulties. Unexpectedly, the Emperor was determined to control the waters, issuing seven or eight consecutive decrees and mobilizing national resources to achieve political results. Only then did the refugee problem see minor improvements.
Later, Lin Qingyuan took control of the Three Rivers and Nine Streams.
Kang Rui disliked thinking about him—it irritated him!
Yet he had to admit that Lin Qingyuan later exhausted half his life cleaning up this mess, offending all northern merchants and spending seven years to establish the foundation for the land of fish and rice.
This demonstrated how challenging the task was—not only difficult but thankless, requiring astronomical funds that would drain the national treasury for merely modest results.
Therefore, this problem simply couldn't be solved now.
After leaving his office, Kang Rui felt dizzy and headache-ridden, yet had to endure the endless waves of beggars coming to his door seeking food—an incessant, unbearable annoyance!
Having slept poorly last night due to matters involving Chuyu and rush book restoration, the beggars' noise became merely a minor irritation.
"Morning."
"Morning."
The Imperial Household Department delivered documents needing polishing to the Hanlin Academy.
The court memorial "On the Pros and Cons of Water Conservancy Construction" was brought out by Academician Qian for discussion.
Number One Scholar Kang Rui and Second-Ranked Scholar Sun Qianke were exceptionally permitted to participate.
During the meeting, Kang Rui stopped his immediate superior Zhou Li from signing.
Zhou Li frowned. Why? This memorial was well-reasoned and could be polished. Moreover, it was beneficial for the nation and people!
Kang Rui felt Zhou Li's early death in his previous life wasn't without reason. Without the Empress Dowager's support and with the Emperor uninterested, repeatedly submitting joint petitions would only displease the Empress Dowager. He dared say none of the old foxes in the Hanlin Academy would sign.
Kang Rui lowered his voice: "The Academician didn't take it." Zhou Li was decent—though pedantic, he valued scholarship and supported him. If he hadn't found a way to meet Chuyu, Kang Rui would still need Zhou Li.
Zhou Li thought it over and conceded, passing this excellent memorial to others.
Yet after circulating through everyone, no one accepted this memorial.
Zhou Li looked at Kang Rui in disbelief.
Kang Rui shook his head—this wasn't the place to discuss this.
…
After leaving the conference room, Zhou Li urgently pulled Kang Rui aside: "What's going on?"
"The national treasury has no silver." Even with silver, implementation would be problematic. Throughout history, this had always been a thankless task where layered corruption meant whoever took this on would face misfortune.
Zhou Li fell silent.
…
Simultaneously, Lin Qingyuan respectfully invited Minister of Works Gong Xicheng for drinks.
Lord Gong wouldn't normally drink with just anyone, but it was different when a minor official had a powerful father-in-law.
With great enthusiasm, Lord Gong instead took Lin Qingyuan out for drinks: "The Duke of State came to see me just the other day. Xiao Lin, if you encounter any issues at the Ministry of Works, just approach Old Xu and have him handle them for you."
"Thank you, Lord Gong. I've often heard Minister Song speak of you, praising your unwavering loyalty and exceptional capabilities. When discussing which ministry to assign me to, Minister Song immediately thought of you. Only after arriving here did I realize Minister Song's foresight—the Ministry of Works is truly an excellent place to gain experience."
"Is that so? We're constantly busy here. All the major and minor construction projects in Shangjing City and its surroundings—which ones aren't built by us? Carriages, spinning wheels, offensive and defensive vehicles—which don't come from our workshops? Did Minister Song really say that?"
Lin Qingyuan nodded solemnly: "The craftsmanship on the war bow frames is exceptionally refined—they withstand hundreds of bends without breaking."
Lord Gong laughed heartily, brimming with pride: "That's our traditional craftsmanship. Remember that old man from the Third Department who always looks down his nose at people? That's his handiwork. The Ministry of War has tried to poach him several times, but I never let him go. You should interact with him more in the future."
"Him? Thank you for letting me know, Lord Gong."
"We're all on the same side. Come, let's drink."
Three rounds of drinks later, the pleasant atmosphere lingered.
One party intentionally currying favor, the other deliberately mentoring—the mood at the table remained harmonious.
Lin Qingyuan glanced toward the door while pouring another cup for Lord Gong: "Thirty-year aged liquor—I can't really appreciate it. Could you taste it and verify its authenticity, my lord?"
Lord Gong became animated: "When it comes to liquor, there's nothing I don't understand. You're still too young. When you reach my age, just by taking a sniff like this…" Lord Gong took an exaggerated deep breath: "You'll know whether it's—What's all that noise outside! Is it never-ending?!"
A flustered waiter rushed in: "My apologies for disturbing you, honored guests. A group of beggars forced their way in earlier. We just managed to drive them out. Please forgive us, my lords, please forgive us."