Chapter 587: Imperial Uncle Murong Inquires into Affairs

In the winter of the fifth year of Qianyou, the cold spell was unusually active compared to previous years, and the snow fell earlier as well. Rain and snow swirled together, drifting down over Kaifeng and its surroundings, draping the Eastern Capital in a shimmering white gauze. Because of the rain and snow, the great construction works on the eastern and western walls of the city had been halted, and the conscripted laborers had largely been sent home to rest and pass the winter.

For most of the time, tranquility was the dominant mood within the city, as officials and commoners alike enjoyed a rare period of peace in the year. Within the Duke's mansion, the dark-faced imperial uncle Murong Yanchao listened to reports from his subordinates overseeing the city construction.

"This heaven has no eyes! Damp and cold is bad enough, but the rain and snow won't stop, ruining my great plans!" A pair of large hands, flushed red from the roasting charcoal fire, Murong Yanchao grumbled: "If not for this charcoal to keep warm, winter would be unbearable!"

"This charcoal was sent by that He Fuyin." The steward in attendance, who seemed to have received some benefit, seized the opportunity to speak up.

"Ha! This fellow surnamed He certainly knows how to handle people! I hear that every harsh winter, this man purchases quality charcoal from outside the capital and sends it to the various high officials and honored nobles?" Murong Yanchao asked.

The steward replied: "Exactly so! This is the first time for your mansion!"

Murong Yanchao chuckled: "This rascal wants to bribe me! He's donated quite a sum this time and handled matters diligently, but if word of this reaches the Son of Heaven's ears, I'll surely face another scolding!"

"Shall this servant return the charcoal?" The steward's expression shifted slightly as he sought instruction.

"It's already been used; returning it now would only draw more attention! Forget it, let it be!" Murong Yanchao instructed: "But tell that He Fuyin that regarding the matters he's involved in with this city construction, he'd best be careful. If any mistake occurs, I won't let him off!"

"Yes!"

Having given his instructions, Murong Yanchao rubbed his hands together and looked at the reporting clerk, saying: "Where were we? Continue!"

"Yes!" The subordinate bowed and reported: "If we wish to resume the works, we must wait until after spring arrives and the weather warms!"

"No! Once the coldest period passes, before spring arrives, you must get things moving! This is already me showing consideration for the people's welfare!" Murong Yanchao said forcefully.

"The officials who embezzled funds and secretly sold official materials have all been apprehended and are being tried and sentenced by the Kaifeng prefectural court!" The subordinate added.

Upon hearing this, Murong Yanchao immediately said: "For such vermin and scum, their crimes are utterly unforgivable. Have the Administrative Assistant pass severe judgments and heavy punishments, and let all the officials and clerks overseeing the works take heed."

"Also, though the works are halted, the materials stockpiled outside the city and the accumulated funds and grain must be properly guarded. I will be inspecting the ledgers regularly! If such things happen again, don't blame me for being ruthless! His Majesty has entrusted the city construction to me, so I must build the city well. Whoever sabotages my affairs, I will make them regret it deeply, beyond all remedy!"

As he spoke, Murong Yanchao couldn't help muttering: "When have I ever been this incorruptible! These thieving officials, how dare they! They're simply courting death!"

"The resettlement quarters outside the city are all built, right?" Murong Yanchao asked.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, a total of five hundred compounds have been built, enough to house two thousand households! The site for the second batch has been selected, twenty li south of Kaifeng, awaiting construction!" The subordinate reported.

"Mm!" Nodding slightly, Murong Yanchao asked: "Have all the households in the city whose homes need to be demolished for relocation been notified?"

"The prefectural office has issued the notices, but..."

"But what?"

"Quite a few households along the main streets seem unwilling to relocate!"

"Hmph!" Murong Yanchao let out a cold snort: "The great repair of the city walls and the renovation of the streets are court policy—how can such petty commoners be allowed to defy it? The government has already built compounds outside the city for temporary resettlement, with compensation to follow—this is already benevolent and righteous! What more do they want? I say these base commoners are simply too consumed by selfish desires and don't recognize the king's law!"

"Your Excellency, please calm your anger!" The subordinate said: "The common folk may cling to their homes and fail to grasp the bigger picture, but the government has soldiers and corvée laborers; when it comes down to it, they'll have no choice but to move. However, this involves quite a few officials and gentry..."

Hearing this, Murong Yanchao actually relaxed, speaking with a hint of ruffian air: "The Son of Heaven values the people. If the common folk in the city are mishandled and it sparks unrest, that would be somewhat troublesome. As for those officials and gentry, they're easy to deal with—they eat the sovereign's salary, and they still dare to obstruct the great plan of repairing the walls? I'd like to see who's willing to give up their official position!"

Hearing Murong Yanchao speak this way, the subordinate had to admit there was some sense to it. At the same time, he couldn't help reflecting inwardly that serving under a powerful figure of such high status and stiff backbone meant far fewer troubles and more confidence. Though Murong Yanchao was crude, he was quite useful in many ways.

"Oh, right!" Remembering something, anger surged across Murong Yanchao's dark face: "Those merchants who broke their agreements—what's the status of their pursuit?"

"There's word from Xuzhou Prefecture—one of them fled back to his hometown, concealed his wealth, and took his family into hiding in the mountains. The authorities discovered this. He has now been apprehended by Xuzhou's constables and is being escorted to the Eastern Capital for trial!"

"Heh heh! These merchants, greedy for profit, hoarding so much wealth and grain, yet unwilling to contribute even a little to the court, and daring to break their agreements and flee! Did they think they could get away? Every one of them deserves to have their households confiscated and their properties seized!" Murong Yanchao's words were filled with hatred.

In this world, there has never been a shortage of short-sighted, profit-blinded fools. Previously, when the Kaifeng prefecture raised funds and grain for the city repairs, the various merchants answered the call and pledged donations. Afterwards, most of them did their utmost to gather the funds and donate according to the ledger. Even those who fell short proactively reported the matter and requested extensions, which Murong Yanchao granted.

However, three merchants—whether by prior arrangement or not—abandoned their businesses, and under the pretext of raising funds, fled the Eastern Capital, taking their wealth into hiding. Such a foolish act of clinging to profit naturally enraged Murong Yanchao, for it was a slap to the face of his imperial uncle Murong. It was a crime beyond forgiveness.

Thereafter, Murong Yanchao issued prefectural orders for their arrest and coordinated with the local authorities. But these men had naturally made preparations and moved quickly.

"What about those two in Hebei?" Murong Yanchao asked again.

Shaking his head, the subordinate replied: "No word yet? However, all under heaven is the king's land. They carry their elderly and young with them, hauling much family wealth—how could they hide forever? Wanted notices have been posted throughout their home prefectures and counties, with generous rewards offered. Given time, there will be results!"

Though somewhat displeased with this outcome, Murong Yanchao suppressed his anger and said with a grumble: "These men don't know the times. If they had merely contributed some funds and grain, the court and government wouldn't have treated them poorly. Now they've brought disaster upon themselves, skulking in hiding among the people—what they'll lose is their entire family fortunes. Just as well, the city repairs still need funds and grain!

Have people keep close watch and investigate the clans and relatives of those two Hebei merchants, and raise the official reward—I expect we'll see some results!"

"Yes!"

"These treacherous merchants, ruining my mood..." Clearly, merely mentioning them made Murong Yanchao unable to contain his anger.

"Compile all these matters into a written report—when I enter the palace, I must present them to the Emperor!" Murong Yanchao yawned, leaned back against the incense burner, and instructed: "If there's nothing else, you may withdraw!"

Cupping his hands in a bow, a hint of hesitation appeared on the subordinate's face as he said in a low voice: "Your Excellency, there is one more matter—this official is unsure whether he should speak of it or not!"

"What's this about whether to speak or not!" Murong Yanchao said casually: "You've already brought it up—what's there that can't be said!"

The subordinate said: "This official has heard rumors that Vice Minister Chang of the Ministry of Works has been abusing his position to accept bribes, granting favors to others in matters of the city construction."

Upon hearing this report, Murong Yanchao's brow furrowed slightly, and he couldn't help cursing: "That old greedy Chang Si—he donated a hundred thousand strings of cash and isn't happy about it! He's racking his brains to make up the loss!"

"However, this matter is still mere rumor and has yet to be confirmed!" The subordinate added.

"What rumor—I can see this matter can't be false. That old fellow Chang Si, don't I know him? Both greedy and stingy. Why was he transferred back to the Eastern Capital and stripped of the Luzhou military governorship? At his age, he still doesn't know how to conduct himself with dignity!" Murong Yanchao said disdainfully.

"Your Excellency is most wise!" The subordinate flattered, then asked: "May I ask how Your Excellency intends to handle this matter?"

After brief consideration, Murong Yanchao instructed: "Send people to keep an eye on this matter first, investigate the situation thoroughly, and preserve the evidence. As for how to deal with it specifically, I'll need to think it over further!"

"Yes!"

If it were according to Murong Yanchao's old temperament, with Chang Si daring to line his own pockets right under his nose and use public office for private gain—especially when Murong Yanchao himself had been uncharacteristically clean—he would have marched straight to his door, grabbed that old fellow Chang Si by the collar, and demanded an explanation.

However, the Murong Yanchao of today had indeed restrained his temper considerably, thinking more carefully before acting. He had added an extra layer of consideration for the old generals and veteran ministers of Hedong, but he would absolutely never allow them to sabotage his great affairs or ruin his political achievements.