Chapter 607: The Situation in Huainan

Over in Youzhou, there have indeed been some changes, and the Prince of Yan, Zhao Kuangzan, has certainly gained some new ideas. Things are never static, let alone people.

The reasons are not complicated either. First, Zhao Kuangzan inherited his father's position and has sat in command of Youzhou for many years, holding great power in his hands — the foremost among the non-imperial princes — so naturally he would consider the future. Second, the changes in the court over the past two years have stirred suspicion and unease in him. Though no one has openly raised the slogan of reducing the feudal domains, the moves to reclaim authority have been carried out in earnest.

What this has led to is that the Prince of Yan's household has continuously strengthened its strength and tightened its control in recent years, especially over the Yan army under its command. Within the Yan army, fierce generals like Zhao Siwan have increasingly gained Zhao Kuangzan's trust and regard.

However, confined to the two prefectures of You and Zhuo, and with the border having been stable for barely two years, Zhao Kuangzan's efforts, however diligent, have ultimately yielded limited results. Leaning on the Great Han, he still must rely on the ever-strengthening central court.

As for the court, Liu Chengyou could understand the concerns of ministers like Li Tao. But he could listen without adopting their advice. In Liu Chengyou's view, the time was far from ripe to consider Youzhou and the Prince of Yan. Why did Zhao Kuangzan repeatedly submit memorials asking for this and that? On the one hand, there were genuine needs; on the other, he was testing the court's attitude.

When the focus was not on the north, Liu Chengyou strove for stability and naturally did not wish to stir up trouble and disrupt the existing balance. One could see this from his attitude toward the northwestern border affairs — even the Yanzhou matter could be tolerated, let alone the important region of Youzhou.

Moreover, no matter how much friction and suspicion lurked in the shadows, over the years Zhao Kuangzan and the Yan army had rendered considerable merit to the Great Han court — that could not be denied.

For Liu Chengyou, it was perfectly normal for Zhao Kuangzan to have some thoughts and some suspicions — these could be reconciled. What he did not want to see was the Yan army and the court becoming completely estranged and disaffected over some ill-timed suspicions.

One must remember that the Khitan still lay to the north. Over these two years, the Great Han had been continuously developing and advancing, its civil governance and military achievements surpassing the Three Dynasties, but the Khitan had likewise been resting and recuperating.

Rumor had it that the Khitan Emperor Yelu Jing neglected state affairs, indulging excessively in hunting and drinking, but with ministers like Yelu Wuzhi and Yelu Talie assisting him, their strength was also recovering and growing. Most importantly, the strengthening of the Khitan imperial clan and nobles' power had eased the internal contradictions that had accumulated during Yelu Ruan's reign.

Under such circumstances, if Zhao Kuangzan were driven to lean toward the Khitan, it would absolutely not be worth the loss. In earlier years, with the heavy blood debt, Liu Chengyou had no worries. But as time passed, hatred would gradually fade and amount to nothing — especially in the past two years, when both the Han and Liao sides had maintained restraint from top to bottom and strengthened economic exchanges.

Therefore, upon detecting criticism and discontent in the court directed at the Yan army, Liu Chengyou dealt with it with the most resolute and firm attitude. As chancellor of the Great Han, Li Tao could be considered qualified; even if he could not immediately fathom the Emperor's concerns and thoughts, Liu Chengyou trusted that he would fully execute his orders.

"What's the situation over in Huainan?" Liu Chengyou then asked.

At this mention, the solemn expression on Li Tao's old face relaxed somewhat, and he said with a light smile: "Since the start of September, the drought has already greatly eased! Dou Zhengu and Wang Pu are both pillars of the court; in managing the disaster and comforting the people, they have handled matters well, bringing peace to all levels and winning the hearts of the Huai people.

However, this drought happened to strike in early autumn, and most of the fields in Huainan yielded nothing, making it difficult for the people to sustain themselves. Since the great Huainan war, the region has suffered severe damage, and with less than two years of recuperation, restoring the prosperity of former days will have to be postponed another year or two."

"Eastern Huai is wealthy, with well-developed waterways and convenient transportation. With two years of accumulation and some adjustment by the court, it can pass through safely. Western Huai is different — it still needs the court to coordinate relief efforts. However, the disaster in Western Huai is lighter than in Eastern Huai..."

"You have all these matters clearly in mind, Minister — handle them as you see fit!" Liu Chengyou said to Li Tao, looking quite satisfied.

After a moment's consideration, Liu Chengyou added: "There have been great floods in various regions. Though the Huainan drought has eased, we must not be lax in guarding against flooding!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Li Tao reported: "The governments of both circuits have taken action. Wang Pu has conscripted laborers to dredge waterways and canals within his jurisdiction, repair silted and abandoned ponds and reservoirs, and open up vast tracts of wasteland in preparation for military farming. Additionally, Wang Pu has memorialized requesting permission to rebuild the White Water Pond within Chuzhou's borders."

"Wang Pu truly is a pillar of the court — and he moves quickly. He wants to seize this opportunity to make a great showing!" Liu Chengyou remarked with feeling: "Chuzhou, the White Water Pond?"

Seeing Liu Chengyou's slight confusion, Li Tao explained to him: "The White Water Pond borders Shanyang to the north and faces the Xuyi border to the west. It was originally built during the Cao Wei era, dried up during the Daye years of the Sui, and was repaired during the Zhengsheng era of Wu Zhou to open military farming. According to Wang Pu's memorial, he wishes to undertake an expansion project from Hongze Pu beside the Huai River north of Xuyi."

"Hongze Lake?" Liu Chengyou muttered, suddenly enlightened.

"The Yuanhe County Gazetteer records that Hongze was originally named Pofu Jian. When Emperor Yang visited Jiangdu and lodged at this inlet, there had been a severe drought, but then rain fell and the waters spread, so Pofu was renamed Hongze. Calling it Hongze Lake would indeed be fitting!"

Seeing this, Li Tao picked up the thread: "According to the plan Wang Pu has submitted, the expanded Hongze would stretch a hundred li in length and over twenty li in width, becoming a great lake north of the Yangtze — used for flood storage, irrigation, aquaculture, and shipping. The people of the prefectures and counties along the Huai would all benefit from it, with far less worry of flood or drought!"

Hearing Li Tao's description, Liu Chengyou was clearly tempted. After a brief consideration, he said: "Reply to Wang Pu — grant it by imperial decree! Tell him to go ahead and do it with a free hand. This is an undertaking that benefits the state and the people; there is no reason for the court not to support it. At a time of disaster like this, when there is surplus labor, it is precisely the moment to seek opportunity within crisis and build a lake that will last a thousand years and bring benefit for a hundred generations!"

"Your Majesty is wise and far-sighted!" Li Tao immediately offered a flattering remark.

"Also, for such a great project, the amount of manpower and resources consumed will hardly be small. If there are difficulties, the court can provide support!" Liu Chengyou said.

"Wang Pu's memorial states that the strength of Eastern Huai alone is sufficient to accomplish it. However, he requests that the tax levies sent to the court be reduced or exempted!"

"The disaster-affected prefectures and commanderies all have imperial edicts granting tax reductions and exemptions — grant it!" Liu Chengyou responded directly. After thinking a moment, he added: "From the Eastern Capital, we can send some construction equipment and tools, as a token of support!"

"Yes!" Li Tao acknowledged, though a hint of something unusual flashed in his eyes. The Emperor's trust and favor toward Wang Pu was rare to see in the court and beyond.

Having finished inquiring about this matter, Liu Chengyou stretched his limbs a bit. Noting the solemn and tense atmosphere in the main hall, he could not help sighing to Li Tao: "Since autumn began, drought and floods have come one after another, with urgent reports arriving in rapid succession. This is truly a test for the sovereign and ministers of the Great Han! In peaceful times, the court's grace is hard to see; when great calamity strikes, that is precisely when officials at all levels should display their abilities. If the officials do not slacken, do their utmost in their duties, and serve the people with all their hearts, the people's hearts will naturally gather, and the state will naturally be at peace!"

The Emperor's words sounded quite reasonable, and Li Tao immediately praised them lavishly. As chancellor, facing a strong-willed emperor, one had to be clever — especially since Li Tao felt his own position as chancellor was not yet entirely secure...

"Your Majesty, with natural disasters coming one after another, why not go out to the suburbs to offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth and the spirits, praying for protection? The Imperial Observatory has already selected an auspicious date and made preparations for the rites!" Seeing that the Emperor's mood had eased somewhat, Li Tao seized the opportunity to offer his advice.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou instinctively glanced at Li Tao. Seeing his earnest expression, Liu Chengyou said casually: "If Heaven protected the Great Han, why would it send such calamities? If sacrificing to Heaven were effective, why would I and all my ministers need to labor over these matters, and why would the government need to devote its full efforts to relief?"

Liu Chengyou's reaction did not surprise Li Tao. All along, this Emperor of the Great Han had shown little reverence for Heaven and Earth and no respect for ghosts and spirits. Since ascending the throne, aside from the necessary sacrificial matters, he had often been remiss. The Emperor himself was unaware of it, but it caused worry among his loyal ministers.

During this bout of floods and droughts, ministers had long since advised Liu Chengyou to set up sacrifices to Heaven and Earth to pray for deliverance from the disasters. But Liu Chengyou had ignored them. Compared to sacrificial prayers, he would rather spend his time and energy on managing affairs and disaster relief.

Li Tao said: "As the ancient saying goes, the great affairs of state lie in sacrifice and war. To reassure the hearts of your ministers and fulfill the hopes of the myriad people, I beg Your Majesty to give this due consideration!"

Coming to his senses, Liu Chengyou looked at Li Tao with amusement: "If after the suburban sacrifice the disasters do not ease but instead grow worse, then what? Would that not prove that I have lost virtue and been abandoned by Heaven and Earth?"

"This..." Li Tao was momentarily at a loss for words.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou smiled, waved his hand, and added: "State sacrifices have their own rationale — how could I not know that? Issue the decree — have the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Observatory make preparations, and select a day to go out to the suburbs to hold the sacrifice, praying for blessings for the people of the Great Han!"

"Yes! Your Majesty is wise!" Hearing this, Li Tao let out a great sigh of relief and hurriedly responded.

To say that Liu Chengyou had not a shred of reverence in his heart would not be entirely true. But more importantly, the officials and the people believed in it — a culture deeply rooted in blood and marrow — and there was no need for him to deliberately stand apart.

Moreover, according to reports from various regions, the most difficult period of this disaster had already passed. Going to perform a sacrifice, combined with propaganda, would yield even better results.