Gong Xicheng took this matter very seriously.
He immediately summoned his financially capable subordinates, organizing overnight relief efforts with porridge distribution and registration for refugees from Nanhuai Prefecture. Three days later, he dispatched his subordinates to escort the first batch of Nanhuai refugees back to their homeland with substantial supplies for reconstruction.
Following Nanhuai Prefecture's example, the Yushui Prefecture faction led by Senior Official Yu quickly organized their refugees' departure from the capital.
…
Cian Palace.
The Empress Dowager sat solemnly in the principal seat.
Duke Song also appeared displeased.
With a swift motion, Lin Qingyuan unrolled a map and knelt respectfully below: "Your Majesty, observe – the Three Rivers and Nine Tributaries region contains five perpetually flooding water systems that inundate twelve surrounding prefectures, millions of hectares of farmland, and ten million people. Even with Great Xia's abundant national treasury, comprehensive management remains extremely challenging. Moreover, prolonged timelines and extended administrative chains inevitably lead to embezzlement and corruption. However, divided governance presents a different approach. Assigning specific river sections to individual officials or factions establishes clear accountability, reduces operational costs, minimizes financial intermediaries, and ensures maximum allocation of funds to actual waterway management. This alleviates treasury burdens, resettles displaced populations, and creates lasting benefits for future generations – an eternal legacy for Your Majesty."
"Hmph! They even get to play deity!"
Lin Qingyuan didn't deny this. Without sufficient incentives, who would willingly exhaust their resources? Both worldly honors and posthumous fame were universal desires: "Your Majesty, if Minister Gong truly achieves canonization after death, wouldn't you, as the promoter and tacit approver of this endeavor, merit establishment of a celestial domain with divine sovereignty? If canonization proves unattainable, what concerns remain for Your Majesty?"
The Empress Dowager's emotions stirred upon hearing this – whether successful or not, she stood to lose nothing. Examining her devoutly kneeling prospective nephew-in-law, she found no fault in his proposal yet felt inexplicably vexed by these cunning old foxes: "How greedily they feast! Always pleading poverty, yet suddenly capable of financing canal construction!"
Stealing a glance at the Empress Dowager, Lin Qingyuan courteously clasped his hands: "All silver under heaven belongs to the state, all Great Xia's wealth reverts to Your Majesty. Why concern ourselves with its temporary location or custodianship?" The true concern lay in compelling its release according to her will.
The Empress Dowager paused momentarily before bursting into amused laughter – never had she encountered such an intriguing perspective, not even corrupt officials dared voice it! Yet her nephew-in-law had indeed made these greedy men disgorge their ill-gotten gains willingly.
More embarrassingly, having nearly bankrupted herself constructing her own mausoleum, she understood officialdom's enthusiasm for such projects. They'd not only exhaust their fortunes but even incur debts to build impregnable canals, fearing future flooding might damage their prospective celestial temples!
Moreover: "Qingyuan, should We also construct a section?" For auspicious symbolism.
Lin Qingyuan repeatedly glanced at the Empress Dowager before urgently indicating a specific segment: "Would Your Majesty and the Emperor consider the central section controlling three other provinces?" Extremely costly, this segment reserved for three major factions offered limited benefitted territory and insufficient sites for deity temples. He had hesitated to propose it, fearing conflicts over phantom divine positions might erupt before project completion.
The Empress Dowager examined the location and found it acceptable: "This shall suffice." The imperial mausoleums could wait two years. If death came hastily, at least there would be a minor province for temporary residence.
"Long live the Emperor! May the Empress Dowager enjoy boundless blessings and reign for millennia!"
"Enough." Since it ultimately benefited the nation and its people, she couldn't be bothered to hold him accountable.
Eunuch De, who had been waiting for this moment, finally dared to interject: "Your Majesty, the Princess is still waiting outside."
Lin Qingyuan immediately straightened his kneeling posture.
The Empress Dowager scoffed at this: "As if I would devour her precious darling."
Lin Qingyuan's ears flushed crimson with embarrassment. He and the Princess had barely met—such intimate phrasing was inappropriate and could harm her reputation.
"Let her in."
Song Chuyu entered swiftly, trailed by apologetic maids who hurriedly explained they hadn't dared offend the Princess—it was the Empress Dowager who had forbidden her entry.
Seeing Lin Qingyuan kneeling on the floor, Song Chuyu felt a surge of indignation. What crime had he committed? Was serving the people now a transgression? Would negligence have been preferable?
She immediately swept her skirts aside and knelt beside him. "Aunt, this was my idea. Punish me instead!"
Had the Empress Dowager not confirmed her niece's clear-headedness, she might have suspected Lin Qingyuan of administering some love potion. "Then your idea was rather commendable."
After a stunned moment, Song Chuyu understood. She rose quickly and approached the dais. "Aunt, your niece was wrong to misjudge you. I was just… anxious. So worried for him." She had wanted him to live carefree in luxury, yet discovered he'd again pursued his ideals beyond her sight.
It was always him, eternally concerned for the common people. But it pained her—how many among those masses would remember him? In her agitation, she pleaded: "Aunt, I'll punish myself—ten recitations of the Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Governance."
"Is that a promise?"
"My word is iron. You're truly magnanimous, Aunt. Any other ruler would have condemned Lin for overstepping. Lin, thank Her Majesty! You're fortunate to serve under such an enlightened Empress Dowager—else your meddling would have cost your head."
Lin Qingyuan knelt properly again. "This humble official is eternally grateful to the Empress Dowager, whose sage virtue knows no bounds. May Your Majesty enjoy longevity and prosperity. I… also thank the Princess. May the Princess enjoy ten thousand blessings."