Chapter 606: The Great Flood Across the Realm

In the sixth year of Qianyou, for the Great Han dynasty, it was indeed a year of great calamity, with floods being the worst—vast in scale and devastating in impact. Within the Great Han's borders, from Qing and Xu in the east, to Dan and Ci in the west, to An and Fu in the south, to Heng and Cang in the north, great floods broke out everywhere.

The affected areas spanned fourteen prefectures and commanderies, over sixty counties, with hundreds of thousands of disaster victims. Even the reports from Zheng and Hua of successfully sealing the breached dikes brought little comfort. As Liu Chengyou had expected when he inspected the river works at Huazhou, the embankments within Huazhou's borders had been repaired and reinforced with no breaches found, but the frequent flooding across the surrounding regions caused him considerable distress.

Since after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Great Han court's focus had essentially fallen on the floods—concentrating its energy on mobilizing funds and grain for relief and repair work. As for the campaign against Shu, it naturally took a back seat.

Originally, according to the Northern Han ruler and ministers' considerations, they would launch the attack after the autumn harvest, but with the nation facing such a great calamity, priorities had to be rearranged.

"Your Majesty, the disaster in Danzhou and the elder Lady Fu Prefecture has eased. The authorities have arranged for affected residents to return and rebuild their homes. The region is poor, and relief efforts have drained the prefectural granaries completely. The authorities of both regions petition the Eastern Capital to coordinate three thousand dan of grain and twenty thousand strings of cash, and additionally request seed grain, farm tools, and draft oxen for next year..." Inside Guangzheng Hall, Chancellor Li Tao reported to Liu Chengyou.

"This region has never been prosperous, and suffering such a great calamity now is truly unfortunate. The court should provide aid. As for their requests, after the central authorities and the State Finance Commission verify them, they may allocate resources as appropriate!" Liu Chengyou gave his instruction.

"Yes!" Li Tao took out another memorial and said: "The Duke of Xing reports that in Xiang, An, and Fu prefectures, autumn rains have been incessant, and the flooding remains severe. He has already assembled twenty thousand soldiers and laborers to urgently repair the river dikes. Relief has been provided to a hundred thousand affected residents, and the prefectural granaries' grain and cloth are more than half consumed, nearly exhausted!"

"How does the Secretariat intend to respond?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Li Tao said: "First, observe how the disaster develops. If it continues to worsen, then use the grain and cloth stored in Dengzhou's official granaries, transferring them south for support. Xiangzhou and other areas have enjoyed several years of peace; the grain they have accumulated should be able to sustain them for a while longer."

Seeing Liu Chengyou nod, he continued: "For Zhending Prefecture and the prefectures of Cang, Ying, and Mo, Fiscal Commissioner Li Gu has personally traveled north to mobilize funds and grain and coordinate disaster relief efforts."

"With Li Gu there, I need not worry!" Liu Chengyou said.

"Governor Li of Qingzhou reports that Prefect Wang Xun of Dengzhou and his subordinate officials embezzled relief funds, sequestered themselves in the city, and abandoned the disaster victims. He has already arrested them and appointed an Administrative Assistant of the Military Governor's office to temporarily manage the prefecture's affairs, requesting the court's decision on punishment!" Li Tao reported a piece of bad news.

As expected, Liu Chengyou was angered upon hearing it: "Natural disasters may be merciless, but man-made calamities are even more detestable. At a time of national crisis when everyone should be united in weathering the difficulties, there are actually such wolf-hearted, dog-lunged scoundrels!"

"Have Li Hongwei escort all the offending officials to the Eastern Capital. The three judicial agencies shall conduct strict trials and impose severe punishments to serve as a warning to others!" Liu Chengyou said coldly.

"Yes!"

Having said this, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh. Matters like those in Dengzhou were ultimately unavoidable—there would always be people who knowingly broke the law, profited from chaos, and harmed the state and its people!

After thinking it over, Liu Chengyou instructed: "The Dengzhou affair should be announced throughout the realm to warn all officials. Additionally, issue an edict to all circuits, prefectures, and commanderies, urging and admonishing local authorities that disaster relief brooks no delay. All censors and inspectors of the various circuits shall strictly supervise, to correct those who break the law or are negligent!

For this flood relief effort, the performance of officials and staff in all regions shall be recorded in the files, to serve as reference for the court afterward in determining promotions, demotions, rewards, and punishments!"

"Yes!"

"How is the disaster situation in Xuzhou?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"Compared to other regions, the situation is good. Officials and the people have joined forces, and it is already under control!" Li Tao replied.

That counted as a piece of good news amid the constant stream of disaster reports. Liu Chengyou subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, but still did not forget to remain vigilant: "Issue an edict to Xuzhou Prefecture—they must continue their efforts and not let their guard down!"

"During this period, I must trouble you, Minister Li, and all the officials to bear more hardship and responsibility!" Liu Chengyou looked at Li Tao and said: "All reports from the regions must be strictly reviewed and monitored. Those requiring coordinated relief must be approved and handled promptly. In short, the entire court must go all out to weather this difficult time together!"

"As commanded!"

"There is one more matter. The Prince of Yan, Zhao Kuangzan, has submitted a memorial citing the flood situation in Youzhou, requesting the court to allocate funds and grain for support, to manage the disaster and prepare against the Khitan!" Li Tao added, with a hint of displeasure in his tone.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou was not particularly surprised—after all, it was the Prince of Yan's usual routine. He asked: "How much is Zhao Kuangzan asking the court for this time?"

"One hundred thousand strings of cash, fifty thousand dan of grain, three thousand bolts of cloth, plus several thousand catties of medicinal herbs, salt, tea, and iron..." Li Tao said.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou understood the source of Li Tao's displeasure. In past years, whenever Youzhou made requests to the court, if they were approved, the court would reduce them as appropriate in its response. But this time, Zhao Kuangzan had simply asked for more.

"What do you all think?" Liu Chengyou looked at Li Tao.

Upon being asked, Li Tao directly expressed his view: "Your Majesty, last year Youzhou suffered floods, and the court already sent funds, grain, and supplies in response. This year, Zhao Kuangzan petitions again—how can such a thing happen once, twice, and even three times!"

Weighing his words, Li Tao continued: "Moreover, his claim of preparing against the Khitan in his request to the court is mere empty talk. Since the fourth year of Qianyou, when the Great Han and the Khitan made peace, the northern border has seen few incidents—this justification is not credible. And the three prefectures of Lulong have spent the past two years recuperating and developing; with their accumulated reserves, they surely cannot be unable to survive a single flood!"

"You haven't taken into account the nearly twenty thousand troops in Youzhou! With merely three prefectures of territory and a population of no more than two hundred thousand, supporting them is quite difficult!" Liu Chengyou said.

"That is precisely what we ministers are most concerned about!" Li Tao clasped his hands and remonstrated with Liu Chengyou: "We ministers believe the Prince of Yan is using the floods as a pretext to solicit funds and grain from the court, when in reality he intends to support his troops and consolidate his strength! We fear that if this continues, the tail will grow too big to wag, giving rise to unforeseen trouble and becoming a calamity for the court..."

Glancing at Li Tao, he asked: "Do all the ministers share this view?"

Li Tao said respectfully: "For the sake of the state, we ministers cannot help but consider this carefully! Youzhou's strength ought to be kept in check..."

In the past two years, there had been no shortage of people in the court praising Zhao Kuangzan's merits in guarding the border and resisting the Khitan, and praising the Son of Heaven's wise decisions. But now times had changed—he, the Emperor, had not yet harbored suspicions toward Youzhou, yet the court's lords had already grown suspicious first!

Setting aside the slight unease in his heart, Liu Chengyou said: "Do you know how the flood situation in Youzhou is?"

Clearly having investigated the matter, and not daring to deceive, Li Tao said: "A great flood did indeed break out, spreading for dozens of li—that much is true!"

"Youzhou is also part of the Great Han, and its common people are also my subjects. How can they be treated differently? Since they have suffered disaster, aid must be provided!" Liu Chengyou said after thinking it over.

Li Tao was clearly somewhat puzzled by Liu Chengyou's decision, not understanding why the Emperor would be so lenient toward Youzhou. After thinking, he said: "Your Majesty, for this great flood across the realm, aside from what the various prefectures and commanderies have done, the court has additionally allocated one million five hundred thousand strings of cash and two hundred thousand dan of grain. The expenditure has been enormous—I fear we may not be able to satisfy Zhao Kuangzan's requests!"

Liu Chengyou's gaze was calm as he looked at Li Tao: "With some squeezing and shifting, there will always be something. Moreover, as was done previously, reduce the amounts somewhat and transport them to Youzhou. The court cannot possibly be so strapped as all that!"

Seeing that the Emperor's mind was made up, Li Tao did not dare press the matter too hard and could only bow his head in obedience: "Yes!"

Liu Chengyou paced a few steps, then suddenly turned to Li Tao: "From what you say, it seems the court has some criticism of Youzhou and the Prince of Yan! This trend must not be allowed to grow—it must be restrained. Convey my edict: henceforth, anyone who disputes Youzhou or disparages the Prince of Yan shall be severely punished!"

Seeing Liu Chengyou issue such an order, Li Tao's expression was not pleasant. Observing the Emperor's stern countenance, he assented but could not help remonstrating: "Your Majesty, our concerns are not groundless. I hope Your Majesty will remain vigilant!"

Seeing Li Tao's persistent unease, Liu Chengyou thought for a moment and said: "The Prince of Yan has held Youzhou for all these years, resisting Khitan incursions on the court's behalf—these are real achievements. Now, he continues to be loyal to the court as always. How could the court harbor baseless suspicions?"

After a brief pause, Liu Chengyou added: "I can appreciate the loyalty behind your concerns. But I have one thing to say: as long as the Prince of Yan fulfills his duties faithfully, I will never betray him!"

Since the Emperor had spoken thus, Li Tao could only say helplessly: "Yes!"

Of course, Liu Chengyou's true thoughts were not something he would share with Li Tao. At present, he had no time to harbor suspicions about Zhao Kuangzan—that was a matter for later...