Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 63 : Dredge

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Xi Hongxuan trembled as he puked, his face terrifying pale. Han Jin, who was behind them, saw that the situation did not bode well and hurriedly waded over to stop them. Xiao Chiye released his hands and watched as Xi Hongxuan was lifted into the sedan. The rain was still pouring, and all the major and minor officials were crying as they chased after Li Jianheng’s sedan and swarmed their way back to the palace gates.

Pan Xiangjie ran until his shoes fell off. The old man lifted the hem of his robe, panting and not forgetting to cry out “Your Majesty”. Everyone around them was more or less the same. Only Hai Liangyi was as dignified as ever as he followed the sedan the entire way back to the palace. 

The imperial physicians, who have long been waiting, rushed over to meet them in a fluster, and the chaotic procession continued into the inner palace where a plainly dressed Mu Ru came to receive them. The moment she saw Li Jianheng all covered in blood, her tears began to flow.

The Empress Dowager let Hua Xiangyi help her out and said in a hostile tone to Han Cheng, “It’s one thing for you to be anxious, but why did you call a bunch of elder excellencies to run along? All of them are advanced in age, and they have all got caught in the rain. Won’t it exacerbate the situation further if anything were to happen to them?!” 

There was a rustle as the Imperial Bodyguards kneeled. Han Cheng said, “This humble subject deserves death.” 

“Hurry over and get them to prepare the soup and distribute clothes.” The Empress Dowager then said to the ministers. “It touches me to see how sincere and loyal everyone is. Now that His Majesty is already back at the palace, there’s no need for any rush at this point in time. The weather is so cold. Everyone, please head to the side hall to seek shelter from the wind and have a bowl of hot soup. Do not fall ill at this juncture.” 

The various officials kowtowed to say their thanks.  

The Empress Dowager said again, “Grand Secretary and the Grand Secretariat, as well as the excellencies of the various bureaus, please come in for a talk.”   

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Cen Yu was not around. He remained at Donglong Street to dredge up the public sewers together with Xiao Chiye. Yu Xiaozai, who was of low official grade, followed behind them and helped Cen Yu to carry the straw raincoat.

Xiao Chiye’s head and face were thoroughly drenched in water. The chilly wind blew until everyone all around was trembling, yet he was not the least bit affected. While digging up the two men earlier, he had alone lifted up that weight that was near a hundred jin. At present, he was wrapping a handkerchief around the area between his thumb and index finger, with an expression that did not look too good. 

“It’s all poverty-stricken households living in the low-lying area. It isn’t easy for them to have a house built out of broken wood to live in. Nine out of ten did not give their agreements when they heard that the houses are going to be demolished.” With his bare feet soaking in the water, Cen Yu lifted the hem of his soaked official robe and tucked it around his waist. He continued, “Only Donglong Street is flooded today because Donglong Street is right next to Kailing River. If this rain doesn’t stop, Viceroy, then the water level on the other streets will rise tomorrow too.”

“If the imperial court is willing to give those poverty-stricken households whose houses are demolished a subsidy of five taels of silver, then they will all be willing.” Partially covered in mud, Tantai Hu said, “They just want to have a place to stay. As long as we are willing to subsidize them money, then it won’t be a problem. This humble subject feels that those who obstruct the dredging are the big residences. Each of those residences violated the regulations to expand their lands, and there have been many cases where they come to blows with one another in private. Who would be willing to wreck a perfectly good house for just five taels of silvers now that we are telling them to tear down their houses? They won’t even respond if we knock on their doors!”