Ch 90: Winds and Rains Swaying

A moment later, the Imperial Chancellor hurried over, carrying a food box in his hand.

Entering the hall, he performed the ceremonial greeting: “This subject kowtows to the Emperor, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years.”

The Imperial Chancellor wore a tall crown and a deep purple official robe, with intricate patterns of cranes and auspicious clouds embroidered in gold thread, shimmering slightly in the candlelight.

His face was solemn, and his temples were graying, making him look older than his actual age. Although over fifty, he possessed a calm demeanor.

Su Xiangtian’s expression was calm, but his eyes were like deep pools of water, making him inscrutable.

Su Xiangtian slightly raised his hand, signaling the Imperial Chancellor to rise: “Rise, what are you carrying in your hand, Imperial Chancellor?”

The Imperial Chancellor respectfully presented the food box, saying, “Your Majesty, it is Linglong Cake.”

“Does Your Majesty remember tasting this cake during a private visit many years ago, and you have never forgotten it?”

“This Linglong Cake is only sold for three months a year, and now is the last month, so I found some to bring to Your Majesty to try.”

Su Xiangtian’s heart warmed slightly: “They all say people are not as good as the old ones, and clothes are not as good as the new ones. In My view, old people are good, and old clothes are good too.”

“Someone! Grant a seat.”

“Closer to Me.”

The eunuch next to him immediately understood, and deftly moved a chair and placed it closer to the emperor. The Imperial Chancellor bowed slightly and slowly sat down.

Su Xiangtian looked at the Imperial Chancellor, a smile appearing on his face, his gaze falling on the wrinkles on the Imperial Chancellor’s face, and he sighed softly, “You’ve grown old too.”

“It has been hard on you. You have been working hard for family matters, state affairs, and the affairs of the world. Over the years, I have owed you much.”

The Imperial Chancellor quickly said, “Your Majesty is too kind. To devote myself to the Great Liang and die only after fulfilling my duty is what this subject should do.”

Su Xiangtian chuckled twice, then slowly said, “Imperial Chancellor, I have been reading reports recently and have many feelings in my heart.”

“The affairs of this world are unpredictable and ever-changing.”

“I often think that I am like a lone boat sailing on the sea, and I need the assistance of all my ministers to move forward steadily.”

“And the Imperial Chancellor is My right-hand man, and should share My worries and solve My problems.”

The Imperial Chancellor lowered his head slightly and respectfully replied, “Your Majesty is wise, this subject will do my best to serve Your Majesty.”

The Emperor nodded slightly, changing the subject: “I heard of the Weinan rebellion, does the Imperial Chancellor know about this?”

The Imperial Chancellor’s expression tightened, and after a slight pause, he said, “Your Majesty, the Weinan matter… this matter happened suddenly, and this subject was also deeply surprised.”

“The rebels have gained momentum. I have repeatedly discussed with several Imperial Princes and feel that only by dispatching the King of Beiliang can the rebellion be quelled.”

Su Xiangtian said expressionlessly, “This is the idea of My sons, isn’t it?”

“Are you afraid that after I die, My brother will cause trouble? Aren’t you forcing him to his death by doing this?”

The Imperial Chancellor’s expression was grave, and he bowed slightly, “Your Majesty, this subject does not mean that.”

“The King of Beiliang was formerly the Marshal of the Three Armies. Now, the Weinan rebellion has gone through several twists and turns and has not yet been quelled. If it is delayed further, I am afraid that the rebels will gain great momentum.”

“The situation is critical at this time, and it is really a last resort.”

Su Xiangtian pondered for a moment: “Hmm… I once told him that I would not attack him in this life. I’m afraid your actions will make him suspicious.”

The Imperial Chancellor quickly said, “It is indeed that this subject did not consider it thoroughly, but this matter is no small matter. When the King of Beiliang arrives, I believe he will understand everything.”

Su Xiangtian’s eyes narrowed, staring intently at the old man in front of him, changing the subject: “Then why did the Weinan rebellion happen?”

The Imperial Chancellor solemnly stated: “Grain!”

Su Xiangtian looked puzzled: “Are you saying that the people don’t even have food to eat? Are you saying that My Great Liang can’t even produce the grain for the people to eat?”

At this time, Su Xiangtian was on the verge of rage.

The Imperial Chancellor stood up directly: “Your Majesty, please calm down, please listen to this subject slowly explain.”

“During the time you were unconscious, there were two years of drought, the earth cracked, the rivers dried up, and the crops yielded nothing.”

“Even the Wu River, which runs through the entire Great Liang, has very few fish.”

“Family matters, state affairs, and heavenly affairs came one after another.”

Su Xiangtian closed his eyes and did not speak, he understood the meaning.

Family matters: the people do not have enough to eat.

State affairs: the imperial court has no leader.

Heavenly affairs: natural disasters are rampant.

“Your Majesty, in these years, the nine provinces and forty-eight counties of Great Liang are all on the shoulders of the Imperial Princes and us old ministers.”

“We now know the heavy burden Your Majesty once bore. Sharing Your Majesty’s worries and solving Your Majesty’s problems is what we old ministers should do.”

Su Xiangtian chuckled, his smile somewhat intriguing.

“I was only unconscious for two years, where is the grain! Where did the grain go! I have been on the throne for more than thirty years, the national treasury is full, and the granaries are full. After only two years of drought, the grain is gone?”

“Then My Great Liang should be destroyed!” Su Xiangtian roared out this sentence.

The Imperial Chancellor in front of him, his old face was no longer visible, and he said in a hoarse voice: “Thinking of my Great Liang, how rich it once was.”

“In that national treasury, gold and silver filled the vault; in the granaries, they were piled up like mountains.”

“The people of Great Liang lived and worked in peace and contentment, and the country was prosperous and strong.”

“But what Your Majesty does not know is that more things happened in my Great Liang in two years than in decades combined.”

“Great Liang has nine provinces and forty-eight counties, a territory of ten thousand miles, and hundreds of millions of people. The Emperor bears the ancestral state on his shoulders, governing a great country is like cooking a small fish.”

“In the first month of this year, the Barbarians from Mobei invaded Tianlu County from the West River, and the million soldiers and civilians in Shengjing City lacked grain.”

“In February, Qiyun Prefecture suffered a famine.”

“In March, the Imperial City also had a famine.”

“In April, Yandang County had another famine.”

“In May, there was civil strife among the Tusi in the Southern Border.”

“In June, refugees in Dongling rebelled, attacking Lingshui, and rebels in the Western Regions invaded the Moguang border.”

“Immediately afterwards, the Weinan Chiwu rebellion broke out, and in just a few months it has gained momentum.”

“In July, earthquakes occurred in Beiyuan, Xihe, and Yandang County. Countless soldiers and civilians were killed and injured.”

“In August, floods occurred in Lingchuan County in the Northwest and Cangwu County in the Southeast, affecting nearly a million people.”

“This does not even include the infighting among various sects and gangs within Great Liang.”

“What’s more, the war on the southeast coast is imminent.”

“Your Majesty, this is the sin of heaven, which cannot be resisted by human power. Although we old ministers have tried our best, it is difficult to reverse the situation.”

“If this old minister’s death can bring peace to the world, I am willing to offer my head.”

“Your Majesty is a wise ruler, and should know the sincere hearts of this subject and others. For the Great Liang Jiangshan Sheji, for the common people of the world, this subject will die ten thousand times without regret!”

Su Xiangtian’s expression was indifferent, and then he said, “I don’t mean to ask you to die.”

“I am thinking, if this continues, is there any hope for My Great Liang?”

“Won’t I become a sinner for all time? Even if I die, My heart will not be at peace.”

“How can I not know the loyalty of you ministers. If I can even kill loyal ministers.”

“Then how will the world view Me?”

“The ancients said; the timing of heaven is not as good as the advantage of the land, and the advantage of the land is not as good as the harmony of the people.”

“No matter how great the difficulties are, if the ruler and his ministers are of one heart, they can overcome them.”

The ruler and his minister talked for a long time, until night came.

……………………………………

Nineteenth Imperial Prince’s Residence

The Nineteenth Imperial Prince was wearing a black robe and sitting at his desk.

He had a black rune tattooed on his forehead, making him look eerie.

Opposite him sat an old man, whose face was as dry as tree bark, his wrinkles as deep as gullies, and his eyes were sunken in their sockets.

He was wearing a long black robe with strange patterns embroidered on it, as if they were ancient runes.

His hair was gray and sparse, casually tied behind his head, giving a sense of vicissitude and mystery.

“Why did Young Master undo the Gu again?”

The Nineteenth Imperial Prince smiled slightly: “Because I think the time has come.”

The old man said expressionlessly: “Alas, Young Master still can’t let go. Your mother’s death was not entirely his fault.”

The Nineteenth Imperial Prince’s expression changed: “Alright, don’t mention this matter again in the future.”

“I’m just watching how long this swaying Great Liang can last.”

“Don’t My brothers like to compete? Then let them compete.”

“Will they have the opportunity to live in the Heavenly Palace that I built for them?”

“Or will they end up on the Altar of Heaven in the end? It depends on whether their fate is destined to be so.”

The old man did not speak. The Young Master had put a lot of effort into bringing down Great Liang. He wondered what the Old Emperor would be like if he knew.

“Then when does Young Master plan to return to the Southern Border? The Gu Clan is waiting for you to revitalize it.”

“Wait a little longer.”