Translator – Xiao He Lian
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Chapter 92.1
If the public anger in eastern Henan was like a fire, then the two books by Shen Wenqi and the “heavenly master” he found are the dry wood that makes the fire burn even more vigorously.
The timing was right. Lu Yan took a step to the right and said in a deep voice, “I remember that in the 14th year of Yuanqing, there was also a breach in the Baimao embankment of the Yellow River. Shen Wenqi’s strategy of diverting the flow of water was very effective. This time, the Yellow River basin suffered from disasters one after another, but the Baimao dike remained safe. At present, the people are angry and panic-stricken. I suggest that Shen Wenqi be temporarily appointed as the river defense envoy to control the flood.”
Such powerful words cause an uproar in the people’s heart.
It must be said that compared with the people under the Sixth Prince and the Crown Prince, Lu Yan’s words were obviously much more serious. The reason was that Jingzhao Prefecture was directly under the jurisdiction of His Majesty and was a real imperial power faction. There was no such thing as standing in factions.
Li Di and Xu Bolin’s faces became very unpleasant.
The Lu family nominated Shen Wenqi to step forward, which was totally beyond their expectations!
Xu Bolin gave him a look.
A minister under the Sixth Prince immediately said, “Although Shen Wenqi has made contributions, we should also think about why he was imprisoned. How many people died when the Chunxi Canal collapsed! He is guilty after all! I think this should not be allowed!”
As soon as the minister finished speaking, the wind direction obviously changed again.
When the two sides were arguing, Emperor Chengyuan rubbed his thumb twice and said solemnly, “What do you think, my dear ministers?”
Sui Yu, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, took a step to the right and said, “I think that although Shen Wenqi is guilty, he is also a citizen of Great Jin. As a citizen of Great Jin, if he has the talent to control floods, he should serve the court in times of trouble.”
When the words “guilty” came out, Xu Bolin’s heart sank.
Shen Wenqi’s crime was determined by the words of the Emperor. If he wanted to overturn the verdict, it would be like pulling out a tiger’s whiskers! But if he could make amends for his crime, it would be much easier…
As soon as Sui Yu’s words came out, all the officials’ faces changed.
What’s going on today?
These two people, could it be that… they really want to get Shen Wenqi out of the Dali Temple prison?
As everyone was watching, Jingzhao Prefecture junior magistrate Sun Xu took a step to the right and said calmly, “What Minister Sui said makes sense. I second the proposal.”
Meng Wei followed closely and said, “I second this motion.”
Seeing this, Lu Ting and Lu Ye from the Duke of Zhenguo’s Mansion[mfn](Lu Ting and Lu Heng in the third branch.)[/mfn] also stepped out and said in unison: “Your Highness, I second the motion.”
The Marquis of Changping took a step to the left and said, “I second the proposal.”
With someone taking the lead, more people will follow.
The sons of noble families who were on good terms with the Duke of Zhenguo and the Marquis of Xuanping came out one after another.
Li Di clenched his fists, his calm face gradually becoming cracked.
The left prime minister’s eyelid twitched wildly and he was about to speak when he saw the Dali Temple Minister Zhou Shu’an also step to the right and said in a stern voice: “I second the motion.”
Although Zhou Shu’an had no roots in a prominent family in the capital, his reputation among the children of poor families was unmatched.
As soon as he opened his mouth, not only did all the officials of the Dali Temple echo him, but he also led some upright officials in the court to shout the word “I second the motion”.
Everyone has their own understanding as to why Shen Wenqi was imprisoned.
Seeing this, the Crown Prince’s eyes couldn’t help but turn red.
Shen Wenqi had served as the Crown Prince’s Assistant and the Crown Prince’s Secretary, assisted the sick and weak him for seven years. Last October, he was unable to protect Shen Wenqi and the Shen family and he felt guilty. Today, he will never repeat the same mistake.
The Crown Prince raised his eyes and said firmly, “I second the motion.”
When the Crown Prince spoke, Censor Hong, the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, the Vice Minister of Justice and other disciples of the Crown Prince also stood in line.
Under the general trend, some minor officials who were dissatisfied with the Xu family also bowed down.
The words “seconding the motion” echoed in the Xuanzheng Hall one after another…
Emperor Chengyuan looked at the two books in his hands, took a deep breath, and said as if he had made a decision: “Call Shen Wenqi into the palace.”
Zhou Shu’an gave Mu Shaoqing[mfn](Dali Temple Shaoqing is the name of an official position. Dali Temple is the name of an official office. It is equivalent to the Supreme Court of modern times. The Dali Temple has two Shaoqings , who are of the fourth rank .)[/mfn] a look and said, “Go back to Dali Temple Prison quickly.” Mu Shaoqing nodded.
Half an hour later, the door of Xuanzheng Hall slowly opened, and Shen Wenqi walked slowly under the gaze of all officials.
Thinking back to the appearance of the Shen family’s daughter, one can guess how many young ladies of Chang’an Shen Wenqi caused to fall in love with him back then, and it is not too much to say that his appearance is better than Pan An[mfn](Pan An (247-300), whose real name was Pan Yue and whose courtesy name was Anren, was a native of Zhongmu, Henan Province. He was a writer and politician in the Western Jin Dynasty. He is known as “the most handsome man in ancient times”. When we praise a man for being particularly handsome, we often use this idiom – looks like Pan An. )[/mfn].
The grey prison uniform was tattered. Ten months in jail had left his temples completely white, and his once high-spirited eyes had become tired and cloudy.
The former elegance was long gone.
But the only thing that has not changed was his character.
The way he walked into the hall remained the same as it had been for ten years.
His loyalty and courage have never changed.
He knelt in the center of the hall, straightened his back, and said slowly: “This guilty minister Shen Wenqi pays respect to Your Majesty.”
Emperor Chengyuan’s eyes were slightly cold, and he tapped his knees with his fingers. After a long while, he said, “Get up.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Right now, floods are sweeping across eastern Henan, western Shandong, southern Hebei, and northern Jiangsu, and the north-south grain transport is completely paralyzed. What do you think?” After saying this, Emperor Chengyuan handed the express report and memorial in his hand to the eunuch, “Show it to him.”
Emperor Chengyuan spoke very naturally, as if Shen Wenqi was still the Marquis of Yunyang.
The Crown Prince had already explained the general situation in detail, but Shen Wenqi still read it again carefully.
All around the breathing sound seems to freeze.
After a moment, Shen Wenqi raised his head and said, “Your Majesty, if you want to control the flood, you still have to focus on dikes first. However, whether it is drainage, storage, or discharge, it must be adapted to local conditions. In my humble opinion, the reason this flood is so serious is because there is another important issue.”
Shen Wenqi coughed heavily a few times and said, “No matter how many embankments are built, it is only a temporary solution, because the root cause is not the embankment, but the sand. Only by stopping the sediment from flowing down can we solve the problem of river management.”
“Do you already have an idea in mind?”
“Yes.” Shen Wenqi said.
Emperor Chengyuan nodded thoughtfully, “The disaster is urgent. I order you to be the river defense envoy. Leave tomorrow and return early.”
“I accept your order.”
Look at this sentence, there is no word “acting” in the word “River Defense Envoy”.
Li Di kept swallowing his saliva.
The Minister of Rites said, “Your Majesty! Last year, the Chunxi Canal burst, blocking the transport of grain and flooding the crops. If it happens again…”
“Enough!” Emperor Cheng Yuan interrupted him and said slowly: “Don’t talk about what has already been done, There is no need to advise on what has been done, and don’t pursue the past.” There is no need to advise on what has been done, and don’t pursue the past.
“Your Majesty!” Xu Bolin also said.
“Your Majesty, this is against etiquette,” said the Minister of Rites.
Emperor Chengyuan poked the two books with his fingers and said through gritted teeth: “Write me a comprehensive overview of river defense, and I will give you the job of river defense!”
The Minister of Rites said, “Your Majesty, calm your anger.”
When the court was dismissed, the ministers suddenly realized that the Shen family, the dying fish on the chopping board.
Has come to life.
I love the daily release!!! Also, down with Empress Xu, her son, and the POS Li Di!! Let the truth finally come out.
❤️🥰