Chapter 1488: Self-Accusation

Though it was already the end of summer, the heat continued unabated, and extra blocks of ice had been placed in Chuigong Hall to ward off the heat. Perhaps because of the heavy rains in the Central Plains and the great flood of the Yellow River, Emperor Liu had not suffered the summer heat as much as in previous years this season.

However, perhaps it was psychological—once the rain cleared and the sky brightened, the tail end of high summer actually made him feel abnormally restless and hot. Crown Prince Liu Yang and Chancellor Zhao Pu arrived together, and the moment they entered the hall, they felt the chill in the air, somewhat piercing.

Emperor Liu was reclining on a lounge chair, dressed very thinly, with a blanket draped over him, yet sweat was beading on his forehead—it looked abnormal, and the hot weather was clearly making him suffer greatly.

Liu Yang knew well the taboos regarding Emperor Liu's health. Seeing this scene, he suppressed the urge to report on affairs and advised in a low voice: "Father, though ice is cool and brings a moment of comfort, it harms the body greatly. For the sake of the state and the realm, please take care of Your Majesty's person!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu turned his head, looking at Liu Yang and the other with drowsy eyes, and said calmly: "It's just a bit of ice and cold air—how does that get tied to the state and the realm? I understand your intentions, and I know my own body well enough. No need to worry. It's only for this stretch—once I endure it, it'll pass!"

"Sit!" Emperor Liu raised his hand to indicate the two straw stools beside him, and asked softly: "Has the disaster been completely brought under control? No relapses, I trust?"

The two gave their thanks and sat down. Liu Yang spoke first, and the face that had been stern for over forty days finally showed a hint of relaxed smile as he reported: "Based on the results reported from various regions over this period, this flood situation has been fully weathered. The rains have stopped everywhere, the weather has turned clear, the water level of the great river has fallen, and the Bian River conditions have also returned to normal.

For the breached dikes, a new batch of corvée laborers has been arranged to plug and repair them, and Duke Hui is personally leading people to protect the dikes at Chanzhou. The Hall of State Affairs has already issued directives ordering all local governments to carry out orderly recovery and rebuild to settle the people.

However, judging from the disaster reports submitted by the various circuits and prefectures, the situation is dire. Losses to both officials and commoners are severe. The number of displaced refugees has reached 370,000. Cities, towns, and villages across the regions have suffered much damage, with tens of thousands of houses and dwellings destroyed, and over 200,000 qing of farmland and crops flooded and ruined.

Chanzhou and its surrounding prefectures and counties are the worst hit—the entire territory has been afflicted by flood and heavy rain, and the surrounding areas have largely become marshland, urgently needing the court's support for reconstruction and recovery..."

When Liu Yang finished speaking, the hall fell silent, and the three—monarch and ministers—all remained quiet. Though Emperor Liu's face showed little change in expression, his brows unconsciously knitted together. After a long while, he finally sighed heavily: "Torrential rain, merciless flood—I knew the losses would be great, but I still never imagined it would be this severe. I underestimated its destructive power. This must be the most serious disaster since the founding of the Great Han!"

In terms of farmland alone, even with the Great Han's vast territory, the registered arable land nationwide has yet to reach six million qing, and this single great rain has destroyed one-thirtieth of it.

Though the figures Liu Yang reported might not be entirely accurate, Emperor Liu believed they would only be understated, not overstated, and many of the damages could not be easily tallied. Such heavy losses, even for a state of the Great Han's size, would be a pain felt deep in the bone.

What was lost was not just flooded fields, scattered wealth, and ruined crops—this meant the court's tax revenue this year would take a heavy blow, and at the same time, even greater costs would need to be paid for settling the people and reconstruction.

And the longer-term effects would clearly not be easily dispelled, especially under the court's policy of recuperation and rest—this policy had also suffered a major setback because of this disaster.

It was easy to imagine that the court would next have to make a series of policy adjustments in response to this flood, at the cost of expanded expenditure in manpower and resources. The fiscal problems the court had just begun to ease would be magnified once again.

These cascading effects and problems, Emperor Liu could naturally see them all.

"How many dead and wounded?" After a moment of deliberation, Emperor Liu asked again.

"The exact casualties are hard to count at the moment—we must wait until order is restored and the refugees return home before a definitive number can be determined. However, based on the projected casualties from the various local governments, it should be between thirty and fifty thousand..." Zhao Pu spoke up.

But, just as had happened countless times before, he was interrupted by Emperor Liu: "Thirty to fifty thousand—quite a wide range. Is it thirty thousand, or fifty thousand? How many dead, how many wounded?"

Even Zhao Pu was at a loss for words at such a question. He could hardly just give Emperor Liu a random number. After thinking it over, he could only bow his head and say: "Your Majesty, the exact casualties and missing persons await subsequent confirmation!"

Emperor Liu was not unreasonable, and he knew such questions were difficult—after all, the efficiency of statistical work at present was extremely low, and with the complex disaster conditions across the regions, an accurate figure could not be obtained in a short time. Even Liu Yang's report just now, the figures mentioned in it, were probably only rough estimates, mixed with no small amount of prediction and guesswork.

"The soldiers and civilians involved in disaster relief—there must be a count for their casualties, at least!" Emperor Liu said.

Sensing the change in Emperor Liu's tone, Zhao Pu breathed a sigh of relief, clasped his hands and said: "According to the report from Duke Hui of the State, among the officers, soldiers, and civilian laborers who sacrificed themselves in relief efforts, there were 1,149 dead, 3,294 wounded to varying degrees, and 314 missing..."

Drawing in a slight breath, Emperor Liu immediately gave instructions: "These are all heroes and martyrs—the court must treat them with respect. Search diligently for the missing, spare no effort in treating the wounded, and give the fallen proper burials and compensation for their families.

Furthermore, the state has just suffered a great calamity, and we need to boost the morale of the people and the army. Select ten officials and commoners who distinguished themselves during the relief efforts, and have the Pacification Commission vigorously publicize their deeds. I will also receive them in person!"

"Yes!" Zhao Pu immediately understood Emperor Liu's intent and accepted the order at once.

Emperor Liu let out another light breath, then instructed the two: "As for all the recovery matters, you two shall have full authority to handle them. Allocate funds where funds are needed, transfer personnel where personnel are needed, dispatch grain where grain is needed. Recovering quickly from a great disaster may not be easy, but the court's stance must be made clear!"

"Your servant understands!" Zhao Pu nodded, then added: "Regarding the matter of tax remission for the disaster-stricken prefectures and counties, we still need an imperial edict!"

"Exempt them all!" Emperor Liu said decisively, without any hesitation.

"Yes!"

"A calamity of this magnitude has dealt severe harm to both officials and commoners. Especially in the process of transitioning from chaos to order, there will inevitably be scoundrels and lawless elements taking advantage of the situation to stir up trouble—this must be strictly guarded against! Issue proclamations to all prefectural and county offices, ordering them to strengthen public security control and restore order among the people. The natural disaster has passed—I do not wish to see man-made calamities occur again. All supervisory agencies must especially do their oversight work well!" Emperor Liu's tone was somewhat stern, somewhat cold, enough to send a chill down one's spine.

After giving these instructions, Emperor Liu lazily shrank back into his lounge chair, squinting at the two men. Noticing the fatigue on their faces, he paused, then said in a gentle, comforting tone: "You two have worked hard during this period. Once the recovery matters are done well, take some time to rest—mind your health!"

Facing Emperor Liu's words of concern, both men showed moved expressions and clasped their hands in thanks together.

Emperor Liu clearly intended to dismiss them, yet the two showed no sign of taking their leave. After hesitating for a moment, Liu Yang, with a solemn expression, pulled a memorial from his bosom and presented it to Emperor Liu with a bow: "Your servant has a memorial—please, Your Majesty, look it over!"

Seeing his earnest manner, Emperor Liu grew somewhat interested. He took it and opened it to read, and soon a faint look of surprise flickered across his face.

It was a confession of guilt—Liu Yang's self-accusation, in just two words: failure of oversight. It covered both the negligence regarding river works and dike defenses during last year's eastern tour, and the insufficient vigilance regarding rainfall and hydrological conditions before the disaster struck.

Setting the memorial aside, Emperor Liu studied Liu Yang, seeing his face wore an expression of complete composure, clearly prepared to accept punishment. Yet, weighing everything before and after, how could Emperor Liu truly lay this blame on Liu Yang? The anger he had felt upon first hearing of the disaster had long since dissipated.

"I accept this memorial of yours!" Emperor Liu said.

Liu Yang's expression unconsciously tensed, and he lowered his head, looking as if he were respectfully awaiting punishment. But after waiting a while, he saw no further word from Emperor Liu.

Looking up, he saw that Emperor Liu had already set the confession aside, and said calmly: "For now, state affairs come first. Put your mind on doing your work for the state and the people. As for other matters—don't overthink them!"

Liu Yang opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but was stopped by a look from Emperor Liu's eyes, and swallowed the words, bowing: "Yes!"

"You may withdraw!" Emperor Liu waved his hand.

"Your servant takes his leave!"

As he left, Liu Yang let out a soft sigh, though the oppression that had lingered between his brows seemed to have dissipated considerably. Zhao Pu silently followed him out of the hall, a thoughtful gleam passing through his deep, aged eyes.

Punish Liu Yang? Emperor Liu naturally would not punish him. In fact, he was quite satisfied with Liu Yang's attitude in this matter—sufficiently responsible, daring to bear this responsibility, which once again proved he had the boldness to shoulder the great enterprise of the state.

On the other hand, Liu Yang was the Crown Prince. Had such a great disaster occurred and Emperor Liu laid the blame on him, it would easily provoke unnecessary turmoil and suspicion both within and without. In a severe case, one could say it would shake the very foundation of the state—how could Emperor Liu not be cautious?

And as he pondered these things, a thought suddenly flashed through Emperor Liu's mind: had Liu Yang also considered something similar, which was why he had put on this display of self-accusation?