Chapter 605: Border Concerns Temporarily Resolved

The next morning, Meng Chang once again indulged in the luxury of staying in bed. In late autumn, mornings and evenings were quite chilly, and with a warm bed, soft brocade, and a beauty in his arms, why endure the hardship of rising early? Unfortunately, there were always those who showed no consideration—Chancellors Li Hao and Wu Zhaoyi requested an audience.

Meng Chang was naturally displeased and complained that it was still early and they wouldn't let him sleep longer. It was only after the gentle persuasion of Consort Xu Hui that he reluctantly rose to wash and dress, leaving the Peony Pavilion.

By the time the sun was high in the sky, Meng Chang received his two chancellors with a fairly good attitude. He had always been lenient and generous toward his ministers, especially civil officials and men of talent.

"The two of you come together to see me—what has happened?" Meng Chang asked, looking at the two ministers.

Wu Zhaoyi and Li Hao were both veteran ministers of Shu. Wu Zhaoyi had followed the father and son of the Meng clan for decades; advanced in years and held in high esteem, he had long been relied upon. Li Hao, on the other hand, had deep ties to the Shu region and was extremely capable. He had entered officialdom in the Former Shu in his early years, and after the Later Shu was established, he was promoted by Meng Chang, rising all the way to chancellor.

At this moment, seeing the Emperor's relaxed demeanor, Wu Zhaoyi gave a light cough, held up a memorial with both hands, and reported: "This autumn, Shu has seen a great harvest. These are the reports from the various prefectures on the autumn tax revenues entering the granaries..."

Meng Chang took it and skimmed through it quickly, his expression easing as he said with delight: "Heaven blesses our great Shu!"

"Yuzhou suffered great floods, and the local government requests that the people be exempted from two years of taxes!" Wu Zhaoyi said.

"When the people suffer disaster, they should naturally be given relief. As for the tax exemption, you may decide among yourselves!" Meng Chang said. "For the disaster victims of Yuzhou, have the local authorities properly console them—do not forget the 'Admonition Stone Inscription'!"

"Yes! Your Majesty's love for the people fills us with admiration!" Wu Zhaoyi flattered, then continued: "Grain prices in Chengdu have remained persistently high. I request permission to release grain from the official granaries to stabilize prices and relieve the people's distress!"

Hearing this, Meng Chang could not help but be surprised and asked: "What is the current grain price in Chengdu?"

"Eight wen per dou!" Wu Zhaoyi answered.

In recent years, Shu had enjoyed many bountiful harvests, causing grain prices to be very low. Two years ago, at its lowest, the price of a dou of rice in Chengdu had fallen to three wen. Compared to grain prices in the Northern Han, it could be said to be extremely cheap—for you see, even now, grain prices in the Eastern Capital ranged between twelve and fifteen wen per dou.

"Why has it risen so much!" Meng Chang furrowed his brow slightly.

Chancellor Li Hao stepped forward to explain: "I report to Your Majesty, the rise in grain prices stems from two causes. First, previously grain was so cheap that merchants saw no profit, so fewer and fewer shipped grain to Chengdu. Second, recently the court has been preparing for war with increasing urgency, and much grain has been transported north, leaving Chengdu short."

Glancing at Wu Zhaoyi as he spoke, Li Hao continued: "Therefore, I believe we could release a small amount of official grain to slightly stabilize prices. Once merchants hear of the profit and bring grain in, prices will naturally fall..."

Nodding, Meng Chang said: "On this matter, the two of you may discuss and decide. But one thing is certain—the people's distress must be relieved!"

"Yes!"

"Do the two of you have anything else?" Meng Chang asked, looking at them both, his intent to dismiss them obvious.

Li Hao clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, Li Tinggui petitions that the court continue to send additional troops, grain, and weapons to Qinfeng and Xingyuan Prefecture!"

Hearing this, Meng Chang was somewhat displeased and said: "Over the past year and a half, the court has already transferred over fifty thousand elite troops to the north, with enough grain and equipment for half a year's use. Is Li Tinggui still not satisfied? With so many troops, is it still not enough to defend against the Northern Han? What does he, Li Tinggui, want? Does he intend to have me place all the realm's troops in his hands? Whether the Han army will even come is still a question!"

"Your Majesty, calm your anger!" Seeing this, Li Hao hurriedly interjected to soothe him: "Li Tinggui defends the northern border and understands the situation between enemy and self best. If he makes a request, he must have his concerns."

"As for the Northern Han, in my view, we absolutely cannot take them lightly!" Li Hao said: "Since their founding, our court has already suffered two defeats at their hands. And observing the Northern Han of today, their bearing is extraordinary—not of the ilk of Tang or Jin. Their ambition to swallow the realm is no longer concealed.

The current Han Emperor is young and vigorous, and may be called wise and capable. After conquering Tang, he has temporarily secured peace on all four borders. Now he has deployed troops in the southwest, his spearpoint aimed directly at our Qinfeng lands. War will break out sooner or later—Your Majesty must not relax your vigilance in the slightest!"

Among Shu's civil and military officials, it was Li Hao who first perceived the Northern Han's "extraordinariness" and was the first to propose reorganizing the military for defense. Of course, initially, Li Hao had advised Meng Chang to submit to the Central Plains as a vassal and pay tribute, to secure peace and seek a long-term strategy.

However, the ambitious Commissioner of Military Affairs Wang Zhaoyuan resolutely remonstrated against this, and instead advocated building up the military for a northern expedition. When the Northern Han attacked Tang, responding to the Southern Tang's request, it was also Wang Zhaoyuan who advised—along with Meng Chang's own ambition for achievement at the time—to send troops to raid the Northern Han again. As for the result, the traces of the battlefield at Donghe Village, along the Sanguan Road in Fengzhou, still remain...

At this moment, hearing Li Hao's further remonstrance, Meng Chang felt a touch of inexplicable impatience. After thinking it over, he said: "It is already late autumn now. I expect the Han army won't act rashly! I think Li Tinggui, having lost one battle, now fears the Han army like a tiger!"

"Your Majesty, when the Northern Han attacked Tang two years ago, they also moved their troops in late autumn!" Li Hao reminded him.

Hearing this, Meng Chang's brows knitted deeply. Stroking his fine, thick short beard, he pondered for a long while, then said slowly: "When Wang Zhaoyuan returns, we'll make arrangements then!"

After mid-autumn, Shu's Commissioner of Military Affairs Wang Zhaoyuan, by imperial decree, had gone north to inspect the defenses of Qinfeng, adjust the deployment, and incidentally probe the Northern Han's movements. For this trusted general who had followed him since childhood, Meng Chang both acknowledged his loyalty and appreciated his ability—though one could say his judgment of people was not discerning...

"The two of you may withdraw for now!" Meng Chang sighed, somewhat listlessly, toward the two ministers.

"We take our leave!" Seeing the Emperor was clearly lacking in enthusiasm, the two ministers bowed and withdrew.

Just as they left the hall, Wu Zhaoyi could not help but say to Li Hao: "The Emperor has already developed a mind averse to governance..."

Li Hao showed a helpless expression and sighed: "As ministers, we can only do our utmost in service to the state, seeking to have a clear conscience!"

"Lord Wu, at present our court has two worries—one is the northern troops' incursions, the other is the corruption of officialdom. You are of high virtue and great prestige; you must bear more responsibility!" Li Hao looked at Wu Zhaoyi and flattered: "Lately, nobles and officials in Chengdu frequently break the law, encroaching on people's farmland, and the trend of extortion grows ever stronger. I am deeply concerned!"

Hearing this, Wu Zhaoyi's eyelids twitched. He gave an awkward smile and responded somewhat perfunctorily: "Chancellor Li worries for the state and the people—you should remonstrate with the Emperor to eliminate these ills..."

Among the group Li Hao had spoken of, Wu Zhaoyi was included. Though he cultivated virtue and nurtured his reputation, earning a name for incorruptibility, he could still indulge his family, relatives, and former subordinates...

As for the Shu sovereign Meng Chang, Li Hao's concerns were not within his scope of vigilance. Though officialdom was gradually decaying, the state was stable and the treasuries were full. As long as the Northern Han did not invade.

Up to now, the only thing Meng Chang cared about was the Northern Han court, sharpening its knives.

Five days later, Commissioner of Military Affairs Wang Zhaoyuan, who had gone north to inspect, returned to Chengdu and was immediately summoned to the palace to be consulted on border affairs. Having returned from his inspection tour, Wang Zhaoyuan was in high spirits, as confident and self-assured as ever, which put Meng Chang at ease.

"Your Majesty, I inspected Qin and Feng, and examined all the cities, fortresses, and strongholds in detail. Any gaps have already been adjusted by me. Now, as long as the soldiers are not negligent and hold the strategic terrain, it will be enough to repel the Han army. If the Han army comes, they will surely return in failure!" Wang Zhaoyuan said to Meng Chang with full confidence.

In truth, Li Tinggui's military ability, though hardly top-tier, was passable and by the book. He made good use of the terrain, and the Shu army's deployment in Qin and Feng at least had no major holes—if the Han army attacked, they could hold out for a while.

But after the "militarily astute" Commissioner Wang made his adjustments, the Shu army's defensive arrangements had in fact been thrown into disarray...

Hearing this, Meng Chang nodded: "Li Tinggui requests additional troops and supplies—should we grant it?"

Wang Zhaoyuan shook his head directly and said firmly: "Not needed!"

"Why?" Meng Chang seemed to feel that Wang Zhaoyuan was a bit overconfident.

"This year, the Han army definitely will not move!" Wang Zhaoyuan explained to Meng Chang: "I learned in the north that the Northern Han is plagued by continuous natural disasters and is busy providing disaster relief to its people. How would they dare to use troops against our court at such a time! If it weren't for winter approaching, I would want to personally lead troops north to seize Guanzhong for Your Majesty!"

Meng Chang was not interested in Wang Zhaoyuan's "grand ambition," but rather concerned about the Northern Han's disasters and asked him to elaborate. Wang Zhaoyuan explained the situation to Meng Chang—roughly that Huainan was suffering severe drought, while over a dozen prefectures in Northern Han territory had been hit by great floods. The floods and drought had left five hundred thousand disaster victims.

Hearing this, Meng Chang was greatly pleased and let out a huge sigh of relief, marveling that heaven blessed Shu while condemning the brutal Han...

It seemed he could enjoy a good stretch of carefree days ahead.