Chapter 1070: Trouble Comes from the Mouth

The discussions inside the teahouse never ceased. Upstairs, Han Xizai listened attentively, but his expression gradually turned serious, even indifferent—an unpleasant look. The tea, wine, and dried fruits set before him remained untouched.

"Master, it's getting late. Shall we return to the residence?" Time had slipped by unnoticed. The attendant turned his head, yawned, then looked back to Han Xizai for instructions.

Though the discussions inside concerned matters of state and the people's livelihood—even intimately tied to the welfare of common folk—they held no interest for a household servant like him. After all, his survival depended on the Han household. Had they been telling stories or sharing scandalous gossip, he would certainly have been intrigued. Anything else, he truly couldn't muster interest in.

Moreover, he could tell that his master's mood was none too good, which made him all the more puzzled—if his master disliked these commentaries, why sit through them for so long?

Coming back to himself, Han Xizai noticed the darkening sky outside, and the teahouse had grown quieter as well. The enthusiasm of those present seemed largely spent; it was nearly time to disperse.

"Let's go!" Han Xizai rose and made to leave.

"I'll settle the bill!" the attendant responded.

Standing silently at the entrance of Taihe Teahouse, Han Xizai knitted his brows tightly, looked up briefly, and finally spat out the reason for his foul mood in cold, harsh words: "To allow these common market folk to discuss matters of state so recklessly, stirring people's hearts—if this continues, disaster is certain to follow!"

As a scholar-official, Han Xizai seemed to harbor a natural disgust toward such petty commoners so brazenly commenting on current affairs—a sense of being offended—and his attitude was naturally one of strong rejection.

Of course, Han Xizai's mind was not so narrow as all that. He had simply seen some troubling signs in the discussions just now. What had they been discussing? Grain policy, currency policy, taxation—these were all major matters concerning the nation and the people's livelihood. The court had yet to reach a conclusion, yet they were already making wild guesses, even deriving outcomes from predetermined assumptions. If such talk spread widely throughout Kaifeng, it would inevitably stir up waves and give rise to unnecessary trouble.

And if the court truly had such intentions and plans, the actual implementation could even be affected, inviting complications...

He did not wait long before the Han family servant emerged as well, carrying a wrapped bundle in his hands. Noticing Han Xizai's questioning gaze, the man promptly explained: "These dried fruits were untouched, so I had them wrapped up to take along..."

Observing his slightly flushed face, Han Xizai said: "You rascal, don't tell me you drank that peach blossom wine too?"

The young servant grew somewhat embarrassed, smiled ingratiatingly, and said cautiously: "It would have been a shame to waste it."

Hearing this, Han Xizai asked: "How much did it cost?"

At the mention of this, the servant immediately wore a pained expression and replied: "Entry fee plus the upstairs seating, along with tea, wine, melons, and fruits—85 wen in total. We did nothing at all, and nearly a string of cash was spent..."

In the current Great Han, for the people of Kaifeng, 85 coins would suffice to support a family of five for seven days. At current grain prices, it could purchase 6.5 dou of millet, which converted to modern measures would be about 77 jin. So with frugal use, it might stretch even longer. And for rural folk, it would last even longer still. Yet the two of them, master and servant, had spent so much money just to sit idly in a teahouse for over two hours.

Hearing this, Han Xizai could not help but sigh, and remarked with feeling: "Back in Jinling, I lived in silks and fine foods, indulging in extravagance without restraint. How could I have ever imagined that this old man would one day be so hard up as to fret over less than a string of cash?"

With that said, he left with his servant. Han Xizai's heart ached a little too.

Han Xizai had eight sons and four daughters in all. After coming north, eight of them still followed him, depending on him for their keep. Adding all the womenfolk and household servants, the extended household numbered nearly thirty people. Before returning north, he had brought along everything he owned in Jinling. After arriving in Kaifeng, the court had also granted him two hundred strings of cash, but for newly relocated people, before they fully adapted, money flowed like water. Had the court not arranged his residence, life would have been even harder.

The other southern officials who came to the capital were in similar straits, though most bore less pressure than the Han family. Some had ample family wealth, some had few mouths to feed, and more importantly, the others basically all had job assignments and sources of income.

After returning to his own residence, Han Xizai shut himself directly in his study. Reflecting on what he had seen and heard in recent days, along with some of his own ideas, he picked up his brush and wrote rapidly, beginning to compose a political treatise expounding his recommendations on the Great Han's national policies.

That's right—Han Xizai could no longer sit idle. He intended to submit a memorial to the Son of Heaven as well, taking the initiative to see if he might find some opportunity.

Over the following days, the city of Kaifeng was indeed restless—not with rebellion or sedition, but because news that grain prices in the Eastern Capital were about to rise had spread, and residents throughout the city rushed to buy and hoard grain. It didn't require a million people; even just a tenth of that suddenly panic-buying would be enough to cause turmoil, and the large-scale buying spree quickly forced many grain shops and flour merchants to close their doors. Then the problem grew serious, making it seem as if the capital was about to run out of food...

Fortunately, the Great Han's government was not a mere decoration. Gao Fang, the Governor of Kaifeng, was a capable official. He decisively detected the problem, and before the tide could fully rise, promptly issued administrative orders, posted proclamations to reassure the people, and dispatched subordinates to stabilize the market.

Some suggested Gao Fang prohibit the people from buying grain, but he refused. Instead, he memorialized the Emperor, requesting the opening of official granaries to release stored grain into the market—that was precisely what national reserves were for. Thus, once official grain entered the market, the rumor of "grain shortage" was shattered. Combined with the government's refutation of the rumors, and with grain prices in the capital remaining stable, some merchants and shops that had privately jacked up prices were also apprehended and prosecuted by the Kaifeng administration. The crisis was finally, barely, brought under control.

Of course, though the crisis came quickly and passed quickly, it still served as a wake-up call for the court. During the process of quelling the disturbance, the relevant offices also investigated the cause of the incident and quickly got to the bottom of it. As a result, more than ten teahouses and book houses in the city were shut down, and all their personnel were arrested—including the Tailai Teahouse that Han Xizai had visited.

The charges were also quite intimidating: recklessly discussing court affairs, spreading rumors, and deluding the people. These were no minor offenses—in severe cases, a death sentence would be entirely justified. Moreover, this matter directly drew the attention of Emperor Liu.

In Chongzheng Hall, the Governor of Kaifeng Gao Fang, the Chief Commander of the Patrol Inspectorate Han Tong, and the Commissioner of the Wude Office Li Chongju stood before Liu Chengyou, who listened with a calm expression to their reports on the matter.

"So you're saying there was no conspiracy behind this disturbance?" After a long pause, Liu Chengyou said this.

"Correct!" Li Chongju answered affirmatively.

"After careful examination by your subjects, this disturbance was a matter of chance!" Gao Fang reported.

"Chance!" Liu Chengyou immediately said: "A single chance occurrence was enough to stir up such a great storm in the Eastern Capital! Rumors spreading on all sides, tens of thousands of people scrambling to buy—if the response had been any slower, wouldn't Kaifeng have descended into chaos!"

Sensing the Emperor's anger, the three ministers present instinctively hunched their backs. Gao Fang took the initiative to admit fault: "Your subject has governed poorly. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said: "I am not targeting you. Had it not been for Minister Gao detecting the problem in time, responding swiftly, and handling it properly, the disturbance would surely have been far greater!"

In truth, the matter stemmed from civilians over-interpreting the court's policies and causing widespread dissemination. Though their reasoning had some merit, the impact it produced was extremely harmful. For the first time, Emperor Liu felt that reckless discussion of court affairs truly ought to be strictly prohibited...

"Gossip is a fearsome thing!" Liu Chengyou sighed, then asked: "How should those detained in connection with the case be dealt with?"

Before Gao Fang could answer, Han Tong spoke up: "Your Majesty, your subject believes that these people, by commenting on court policies, attracting customers, speaking recklessly, and deluding the people, have caused such serious consequences—they must be severely punished. Your subject recommends executing them all as a warning to others!"

Liu Chengyou merely listened to Han Tong's suggestion, then turned to ask Gao Fang: "What does Minister Gao think?"

Gao Fang thought for a moment, then replied: "Your subject believes that punishment is appropriate for this matter, but execution would be excessive. However, popular discourse should indeed be restrained and controlled. Matters of state—how can common folk be allowed to speculate so brazenly? This lesson should serve as a warning."

"I also received a memorial on this matter recently, and I never expected its words to hit the mark so precisely!" Liu Chengyou said: "Though blocking the mouths of the people is harder than damming a river, it is indeed true that reckless talk and wild nonsense should not be permitted!"

"Furthermore, when secrets are not kept, harm follows!" Gao Fang continued: "How is it that policies under discussion and plans not yet decided by the court could so easily leak out and spread among the people? Your subject believes that officials at court should likewise remain vigilant!"

"Lü Yin, draft an edict on this matter, admonishing all officials—should such a thing happen again, the matter will be traced to its very root, and punishment will be severe with no leniency!" Liu Chengyou's tone turned stern.

"Yes!"

Then he instructed Gao Fang and Han Tong: "As for those arrested, let the Kaifeng administration sentence them according to the circumstances! And the troops of the Patrol Inspectorate—withdraw them as well!"