Chapter 213: First Encounter with Difficulty

The dawn light was faint.

Inside the Chongzheng Hall of Huangcheng, Bian Liang.

The first morning audience was about to begin.

Civil and military officials lined up according to rank.

They stood in rows outside the hall's gate.

Awaiting summons.

Their glances occasionally flicked toward the still-closed hall doors.

Their expressions varied.

Some felt anticipation.

Some felt apprehension.

More of them.

Was a cautious watchfulness.

Han Tong and Zhang Yongde wore court robes.

They stood at the front of the military officials' rank.

Their bearing was solemn and composed.

Behind them.

Were many officers from the former Later Zhou forbidden army system.

And part of Chen Wen's former troops who had clearly declared their allegiance.

Such as Shi Dun and others.

The civil officials' line was led by Wang Pu and Zhang Cheng.

Wang Pu's expression was calm.

As if he had long been accustomed to such a scene.

Zhang Cheng, meanwhile, furrowed his brow slightly.

As if he were pondering something.

Wang Ru stood slightly behind Zhang Cheng.

Her sharp gaze swept over the surrounding officials.

"Strike the whip…… officials enter the hall……"

The eunuch's prolonged chant rang out.

The heavy hall doors slowly opened.

The officials adjusted their attire.

They entered in single file according to order.

Inside the hall.

Chen Wen was not wearing elaborate ceremonial robes.

He still wore a plain bright-yellow robe.

He sat upright on the throne.

His calm gaze rested on the officials filing in.

Although there was little adornment.

But the dignity forged by war and power.

Yet it gave all officials entering the hall an intangible pressure.

They involuntarily lowered their eyes.

"Your subjects bow before Your Majesty.

Long live Your Majesty.

Long live.

Long long live."

The cry of "long live".

Echoed within the hall.

"All officials, rise."

Chen Wen's voice was clear and resonant.

It rang clearly in everyone's ears.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The officials rose.

They formed two rows.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

A pin drop could be heard.

According to custom.

This was the new dynasty's first grand audience.

It ought to have been a ceremonial meeting between ruler and subjects.

To establish titles.

To steady the people's hearts.

Usually it would not involve overly specific governmental affairs.

However.

Just as the palace eunuch in charge of rites was preparing to announce, "I have a memorial to present,"

"No memorial, retire from court."

Among the civil officials' ranks.

One person, however, held a ceremonial tablet.

Stepped forward from the ranks.

"Your servant,

"Acting Commissioner of the Three Agencies, Sun Jian."

"I have a memorial to present."

This person is about fifty years old.

His face is gaunt.

Yet his eyes carry a subtle sharpness.

He was originally a senior official in charge of finance under the Later Zhou.

His position is crucial.

Chen Wen's eyes flickered slightly.

"Speak."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Sun Jian bowed respectfully.

His voice was loud and resonant.

"Your Majesty has newly ascended the throne."

"All things are renewed."

"I, your servant, ought not to bother Your Majesty with such trivial matters."

He then changed the subject.

"But this matter concerns the food and livelihood of the millions of people and soldiers in Bian Liang."

"It concerns the dignity of the Imperial Court."

"More importantly, it concerns whether Your Majesty's benevolence can spread to the four seas."

"Your servant,"

"I dare not fail to report."

He paused.

It seemed he was organizing his words.

It also seemed he was drawing everyone's attention.

"Last year, Hebei suffered drought and locusts."

"The grain transport was already unsmooth."

"This year, at the start of spring."

"Moreover, due to... due to the turmoil of the times."

He vaguely brushed over the fact of the regime change.

"The northern transport of grain rations has practically been cut off."

"Now the granaries in Bian Liang hold grain."

"According to my preliminary calculations."

"If we issue salaries to officials and provisions to the imperial guards according to the usual standard."

"If we issue salaries to officials and provisions to the imperial guards according to the usual standard."

"And also factor in necessary relief and rewards."

He lifted his head.

His face showed just the right amount of worry and difficulty.

"At most... at most it can only last for one month."

Upon these words.

The hall immediately erupted in a low murmur.

Grain and fodder.

It is the lifeline of a regime.

Especially the vital pulse of a newly born regime's operation.

The grain transport is blocked.

The grain stores are exhausted.

If this news were to spread.

It would immediately cause panic.

It would shake the foundations of the state.

Sun Jian's words.

They appear to be a dutiful report of difficulties.

In fact, it is at this new dynasty's first grand court assembly.

He has thrown out an extremely thorny problem.

It can even be said to be a deadly problem.

Their intentions.

Quite thought‑provoking.

It is due to insufficient ability.

Cannot be resolved?

Or is it deliberate obstruction?

Do they aim to give the new emperor a show of force?

Or perhaps… they are acting under someone's orders?

Countless gazes.

In an instant, all gazes converged on Chen Wen, who sat upon the throne.

They wanted to see how he would handle this first test after his accession.

Han Tong and Zhang Yongde furrowed their brows slightly.

They are military officers.

Although they are not as knowledgeable about grain and finance as civil officials.

But they also know this matter is of great importance.

Wang Pu's eyelids drooped.

As if an old monk entering meditation.

Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru exchanged a glance.

Each saw solemnity in the other's eyes.

Chen Wen's expression remained unchanged.

His finger lightly tapped the throne's armrest.

"Sun Qing."

His tone betrayed no joy or anger.

"According to your view.

this matter.

how should it be handled."

Sun Jian seemed to have been prepared all along.

He immediately replied.

"Your Majesty.

For the present plan,

Only a two‑pronged approach will work."

"First,

Immediately issue strict orders to all prefectures and counties along the grain transport route.

Spare no expense.

Clear the river channels.

Ensure the grain ships can pass."

"Second."

He paused.

His voice lowered somewhat.

"Please issue an edict, Your Majesty.

Suspend or reduce officials' salaries and the imperial guards' grain rations.

And in the vicinity of the capital region.

Impose emergency levies such as the price stabilization levy and the transport levy.

Borrow grain from wealthy households and great clans.

To alleviate the urgent need."

His suggestion.

It sounds like a standard procedure.

But anyone present with discernment knows.

This hides enormous risk.

Suspending salaries and grain rations.

Will surely provoke dissatisfaction among officials and Jun Ying.

And undermine the foundations of rule.

Meanwhile, levying extra taxes in the capital region and borrowing grain from wealthy households.

This will easily stir up popular resentment.

Especially when the new dynasty has just been established.

When the populace has not yet rallied to its cause.

This is tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst.

This Sun Jian.

His intentions deserve execution!

Many officials' gazes grew complex.

Someone worried.

Some people gloated over others' misfortune.

Others watched coldly from the sidelines.

The atmosphere inside the hall.

It suddenly grew tense.

Chen Wen fell silent for a moment.

His gaze swept over Sun Jian.

His gaze then swept over the attendants of His Highness.

Suddenly.

He let out a soft laugh.

His laugh rang especially clear in the silent great hall.

"Sun Qing."

Chen Wen slowly spoke.

"Your first suggestion."

Strictly order the clearing of the grain transport.

This is a fundamental plan.

I have approved it.

"Zhang Cheng."

His gaze turned to the civil officials.

"Put you in charge of this."

Coordinate the riverbank prefectures and counties.

Order it to be done within half a month.

Must see results.

"I."

Receive the edict.

Zhang Cheng stepped forward.

He bowed and replied.

His expression was calm and composed.

Sun Jian was taken aback.

It seemed he hadn't expected Chen Wen to accept the first suggestion so readily.

And he directly appointed the person in charge.

He opened his mouth.

He still wanted to say something more.

But Chen Wen gave him no chance.

"As for your second suggestion."

Chen Wen's voice suddenly turned cold.

"Increase taxes."

"Reduce salaries."

"This is to scrape the people's fat to fill the treasury."

"An act of cutting flesh to patch a sore!"

His voice was not loud.

Yet it carried a chilling sternness.

"When I was in Jiao Tu Zhen."

I then knew well the people's suffering.

I knew well in troubled times.

"Every grain of grain is hard-won."

"I have established this Chen dynasty."

"To end the troubled times."

"To usher in peace."

"Not to repeat the mistakes of the previous dynasty."

"To carry out such extortion!"

"This proposal."

"Don't mention it again!"

Sun Jian's face turned alternately pale and green at these words.

A faint sweat appeared on his forehead.

He hadn't expected the new emperor's attitude to be so firm.

And he directly slapped a big label of 'exploiting the people' on him.

He hurriedly bowed.

"I... I am foolish and dull."

"Only to solve the urgent problem."

"His consideration was not thorough."

Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

An urgent matter.

Chen Wen repeated the phrase.

His gaze swept over the crowd again.

Not bad.

Indeed, it is an urgent matter.

But to resolve this urgency,

It is not the only way to exploit the people.

His tone softened.

Yet it carried an unquestionable confidence.

Wang Pu

Your servant is here.

Wang Pu stepped forward in response.

I remember.

Chan Prefecture, Hua Prefecture, and other areas.

Last year's autumn grain storage was quite abundant.

Except for the portion retained locally.

There should be a surplus.

Chen Wen said.

Order you to immediately issue a directive.

Allocate this portion of the grain reserves.

Have Shi Dun send troops to escort.

Travel by land.

Rush to reinforce Bian Liang.

You must do so within ten days.

Transport the first batch of grain to its destination.

Your servant.

I will obey the order.

Wang Pu bowed.

Zhang Cheng

Your servant is here.

Regarding the matter of clearing the transport canals.

You shall personally oversee it.

Chen Wen continued to give orders.

You may conscript laborers along the river.

But wages must be paid at market rates.

No forced conscription shall be allowed.

If anyone is negligent or obstructive,

Regardless of position.

They will be severely punished without leniency.

Your servant.

I understand.

Zhang Cheng responded again.

Qian Gui

Qian Gui, who had been standing silently at the rear of the military officials' ranks, blinked in surprise.

He immediately stepped out of the ranks.

Your servant is here.

Order you, the Inspection Bureau,

to strictly monitor the grain market in Bian Liang.

Chen Wen's voice carried a hint of chill.

If any merchants take advantage of this opportunity,

hoarding to profiteer,

driving up grain prices.

After verification,

no need to seek approval.

immediately apprehend.

confiscate their property!

sell at fair market prices!

Yes!

A cold light flashed in Qian Gui's eyes.

He received the order in a solemn voice.

Chen Wen issued orders one after another.

The measures were clearly laid out.

The measures were decisive.

There were both revenue-increasing measures (transferring grain reserves from other prefectures).

And there were cost-cutting measures (monitoring the market.

cracking down on profiteers).

Furthermore, there were measures to address the root cause (improving grain transport).

And he clearly opposed raising taxes.

He protected the basic interests of the people, officials, and Jun Ying.

He was not intimidated by the difficult problem Sun Jian threw out.

Nor did he fall into the trap set by the other side.

Instead, he took this opportunity.

showing his ability to handle complex governmental affairs.

and his benevolent governance philosophy and thunderous methods, unlike those of ordinary rulers in the chaotic Five Dynasties period.

The officials in the hall.

Including those veteran officials who had originally been watching and even slightly contemptuous.

At this moment, their gazes toward the throne.

had all quietly changed.

This new emperor.

seemed not merely a warrior who rose to power through mutiny and luck.

Sun Jian stood there.

His face was ashen.

He knew.

that his probing strike.

not only did it not stump the new emperor,

but it instead let the other side establish prestige through it.

thoroughly grasping the initiative in the court assembly.

Chen Wen finished handling all of this.

only then did he turn his gaze back to Sun Jian.

His tone was flat.

"Sun Qing,"

"You, as the Acting Commissioner of the Three Agencies,

"in charge of the state's finances."

"When faced with difficulties,

"you did not think to actively raise funds,

"nor to resolve the crisis,

"but only knew to propose schemes that exploit the people and destabilize the army's morale."

"I,

"am very disappointed."

Sun Jian fell to his knees with a thud.

"I... I am guilty!"

"I am foolish!"

"Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

"Considering that this is your first offense,

"and that last year's grain transport was obstructed,

"there are indeed objective reasons for it."

Chen Wen waved his hand.

"Halve his salary for six months.

"to observe the outcome."

"The position of Commissioner of the Three Agencies,

"will be temporarily managed by Zhang Cheng.

"you will assist from the side.

"to redeem yourself through merit."

This punishment.

appears light.

but in fact it strips Sun Jian of his real power.

"I... thank Your Majesty for your great grace."

Sun Jian kowtowed.

His voice trembled.

"Do any of you officials still have a memorial to present?"

Chen Wen no longer looked at him.

His gaze swept over the officials.

The hall fell into utter silence.

No one dared to speak up anymore.

"Since there are no further memorials,"

Chen Wen rose to his feet.

"Court is dismissed."

"Seeing off His Majesty..."

All officials bowed.

Until Chen Wen's silhouette disappeared behind the screen.

Only then did they slowly straighten up.

Many let out a long breath.

They felt their backs soaked with cold sweat.

The first day of the new dynasty.

Was destined not to be peaceful.

And that young new emperor.

Used a clean and decisive disposal.

Announced the arrival of his era.

Has already arrived.