Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 428: Leaders Don’t Blame

Ma Zhou always responded to his colleagues' concerns with just four words:
"Eat something good."

Governor Zhang: “…”

Originally, this conversation would have ended here.

However, Governor Zhang was more worried today than in the past few days, and could not help asking:
"We are trying to make amends for our mistakes, so I think we have done a good job, right?
"It is said that His Majesty the Divine Emperor has a kind heart and is compassionate. He should be able to spare our lives because of our hard work in repairing the levee and resettling the victims, right?"

As the disaster situation in Huazhou gradually stabilized, the sense of crisis among Huazhou local officials such as Governor Zhang also grew stronger day by day.

Now that the urgent matter here has been resolved, isn't it time to get rid of it and settle the score?

"Ma Tai Province, I wonder what you think about this matter? Please be sure to point out a way for us to survive!"

Governor Zhang put down his tea bowl and knelt in front of Ma Zhou with a plop.

Different from Ma Zhou, who has lost all hope in life and seems ready to jump into the river to apologize at any time.

Governor Zhang was just an ordinary bureaucrat, and at heart he was still a life of ease.

He didn't want to jump into the clear pool, he wanted to continue experiencing the beauty of life, he wanted to live for a few more decades.

Of course, he also knew that the change in the course of the Yellow River would be a catastrophic disaster.

It is definitely not something that can be made up for with just a simple statement of "making up for one's crime with merit".

He didn't expect to land safely after causing such a big disaster.

However, even a desperate dog will jump over the wall!
What if!
"Alas... Envoy Zhang, what are you doing? Please stand up quickly."

Ma Zhou said something polite in a calm manner, but his body remained motionless, still sitting in the same seat. A feeling of sadness and a bit of funny came over him, which made him want to laugh.

The poor governor of Huazhou and a large group of local officials behind him were forced to try all kinds of methods to help their situation.

Ma Zhou could guess their psychology to some extent——

The officials probably saw that this Minister of Works from the capital was calm and composed throughout, and thought that he had a way to escape, so they came to him and asked him for advice on how to stay alive.

Little did people know that the reason why Ma Zhou was so calm was not because he was sure of getting away with it safely.

On the contrary, he knew he had no way out, and he also had the integrity of a scholar and was determined to die for his country, so he was so calm while "running in both directions."

Ma Zhou couldn't bear to deceive these unfortunate people who were about to step on the road of despair, so he told the truth:
"General Zhang, the change in the course of the Yellow River has affected tens of millions of people in ten states along the Yellow River, Bian River, and Huai River.

"How many people have drowned? How many people have died of disease after a disaster? How many people have starved to death in the disaster area because of the complete loss of food?

“Not to mention that after the flood recedes, the fields will be too salty to be cultivated; not to mention that after the flood, shrimps will breed locusts, and a locust plague will almost certainly follow; not to mention that after the disaster, bandits will inevitably run rampant, making it impossible for the survivors to work in peace.

"Is this a long list of losses serious, Envoy Zhang?"

Governor Zhang was asked this question so much that he broke out in a cold sweat. He swallowed hard and found that his throat was extremely dry and he couldn't make any sound. He could only nod stiffly.

"Haha." Ma Zhou sneered and gave the frightened governor a final blow:

“All the disasters mentioned above were caused by us.

"Tell me yourself, do you think our sins are forgivable? They are unforgivable!"

These words were so awakening that Governor Zhang felt a chill that penetrated his bones.

What made him feel even more horrified was that when Minister Ma Zhou said this, there was even a slight smile on his face.

The governor of Huazhou suddenly realized that the imperial envoy from the capital might not be in a good mental state...

However, he did not leave Minister Ma's tent in anger as usual.

He still didn't give up and was still trying frantically to grasp at this straw that couldn't even be called a life-saving straw.

Because he himself was almost driven crazy.

"But the dam collapsed, it's not our fault! Of course, the responsibility doesn't lie with Matai Province either, you know this very well!
"We neither embezzled money nor cut corners. The dam was built according to the court's regulations and the construction period was not delayed. It was even completed ahead of schedule.

"We have done our duty conscientiously and have a clear conscience. We have lived up to the conscience of heaven and earth, and the cultivation of Your Majesty, and we have lived up to the fathers and fellow countrymen, and the food, clothing and salary we have received. You know this!"

What he said was absolutely correct, and Ma Zhou couldn't help but nod his head after hearing it.

He also knew that the pressure on Huazhou officials during this period was off the charts.

He worked intensively during the day and was subjected to intensive interrogation by two vicious dogs, Di Renjie and Lai Junchen, at night.

This was a physical and mental torture that could be called purgatory, but the people in Huazhou actually managed to survive it.

If this cannot prove that the Huazhou officialdom is clean and upright, then nothing can prove it.

To be honest, Ma Zhou has been in the officialdom for most of his life. How could he not be aware of the dirty things in the officialdom?
Whenever there is an infrastructure project that needs to be started, it is an opportunity for the dignitaries to make a fortune - recruiting workers, materials, wages, land use, which one is not an opportunity for them to take advantage of?
Although Ma Zhou had never eaten pork, he had seen pigs run.

To be honest, it is not easy for the people in Huazhou to walk through the flowers and plants without getting a single leaf on them.

Such a capable, clean and excellent official should not have ended up like this.

However, official career itself is also an important part of ability.

The old unlucky guy Ma Zhou has the final say.

"No responsibility? Oh, you say no, then there is no responsibility?"

Ma Zhou pointed at Governor Zhang, then at himself, and couldn't help but smile jokingly, not knowing whether he was laughing at the other person or at himself.

"You are the most senior official in Huazhou. I am the most senior official in charge of building the levee.

"You and I are the first responsible persons for the Huazhou Levee. Now that the levee has collapsed, do you think we are responsible? Do you think we can get away with it?"

Governor Zhang's face turned increasingly pale as he was told this. He tried to refute by mumbling:

“We did everything we could and I don’t feel responsible.

"It's all because of the heavy rain. It's a natural disaster..."

"Haha, a natural disaster!" Ma Zhou burst into laughter, as if he had heard the funniest and most absurd joke.

"You put the blame on the weather, the connection between heaven and man, is it because the emperor did not practice virtue that the disaster was caused by heaven?
"According to what you said, does that mean the Emperor is responsible?"

Governor Zhang was speechless.

"With so many deaths and so much damage, someone has to be held accountable and take the blame.

"Otherwise, the people will be unhappy and officials will have a hard time explaining themselves."

Ma Zhou lowered his voice, his face full of a bitter smile.

"If this responsibility is not for us two to bear, does Your Majesty have to bear it?

"Your Majesty, are you bearing the infamy of 'the wrath of heaven and the hatred of the people' just to protect a few insignificant bureaucrats who are not very prominent, can be replaced at any time, and are not even sure if they have any problems?"

Governor Zhang fell completely silent.

Strictly speaking, Emperor Li Ming could be said to have "come to power illegitimately."

He did not obtain the three identities of eldest son, crown prince, and heir to the throne, and he was not even a legitimate son.

If it weren't for the fact that he still had some blood of the old Li family, combined with Li Ming's history of making a fortune and his policy of completely negating the previous dynasty, this regime change could be considered a complete overthrow of the dynasty by the lower order.

In fact, it was indeed a change of dynasty, which was absolutely treasonous in the context of Confucianism.

Then, in the same month when the dynasty was changed, heavy rain fell, and it rained so much that the Yellow River changed its course...

Even the most staunch materialist fighter would probably sigh, "What a coincidence."

As for those with ulterior motives or old Confucian scholars, I am afraid they will take advantage of the issue to make some nonsense.

"Not practicing moral governance has led to the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people" and "losing the mandate of heaven" are just the beginning. The next step is to dig deep into the legitimacy of the Ming Dynasty.

This problem cannot be put on the scale. If it is put on the scale, its weight will be no lighter than the mighty Yellow River!

The legitimacy of His Majesty Li Ming, the foundation of the Ming Dynasty's rule, was not the result of "strong soldiers and strong horses", but the will of the people.

However, the public support earned through performance may also be lost through bad luck.

After all, in this era, ordinary people are generally very superstitious.

The chain reaction caused by abnormal astronomical phenomena combined with disasters rarely seen in thousands of years among the people is enough to shake the foundation of any regime.

Even the Ming Dynasty.

"So, the river's change of course can only be a man-made disaster, not a natural disaster!"

Ma Zhou smiled and exhaled:
"If the responsibility does not lie with you or me, then the responsibility lies with Your Majesty and the entire Ming Dynasty!
"If the crime is not corruption and abuse of power, then the crime is losing the mandate of heaven and being punished by God!
"What do you think His Majesty will choose?"

His words were like an ominous death knell, ringing again and again in Governor Zhang's heart.

Indeed, compared to being suspected by the people of the world of having an illegitimate position and doing evil things that led to divine punishment and shook the ruling foundation of the entire dynasty.

Borrowing the heads of a few officials is extremely cost-effective.

"So... Huazhou's officialdom is hopeless?"

Governor Zhang sat down on the ground, his face as pale as paper.

Although he was just a "small official" in Ma Zhou's words, the rank of the governor was indeed quite high, so he naturally knew the political routines.

Beneath the high-sounding rhetoric lies a cold calculation of cost and benefit, just like doing business.

"That's not necessarily true. Your Majesty is not a bloodthirsty person." Ma Zhou shook his head slowly and said word by word:

"Your Majesty allowed us to handle official business temporarily, and did not arrest and convict us immediately. I think this is also giving us a chance to survive."

Seeing that Envoy Zhang's face had brightened up again, Ma Zhou added:
“But the pardon only applies to middle and lower-level bureaucrats, and has nothing to do with us.

"Since we are in the top position, we must bear this responsibility."

Leadership responsibility, that is.

Governor Zhang's heart slowly sank.

Anyway, there is no way out...

"Is it all over? I have been diligent and studious since I was young, and I passed the imperial examinations. After becoming an official, I was cautious and treaded on thin ice. Just like that, all has been in vain!"

Old Zhang Ji sat on the ground, shouting and pounding the ground with his fists, completely giving up on himself.

"My Lords, your Majesty has summoned you."

"Who?!"

Just when he was in the most embarrassing situation, a guard lifted the curtain and frightened him so much.

But when he came to his senses, the guard had left, leaving only the swinging door curtain.

"Your Majesty has come in person to summon us."

Ma Zhou smiled:

"Envoy Zhang, what are you waiting for? Go and answer the call."

Governor Zhang sat dejectedly on the ground, looking at the pot of tea beside him with wandering eyes.

If I had known this earlier, I would have drunk one more sip.

I’m afraid I’ll never have the chance to enjoy it again after this departure!

…………

There is a high slope where the Huazhou people set up camp.

His Majesty the Divine Emperor, who is loved and feared by all of you, is standing on this high slope at this moment. He is wearing a small black round-necked robe, with his hands behind his back, and he is not at all arrogant.

Judging from his appearance, you can't tell that Li Ming is an emperor. Instead, he looks like a child pretending to be an adult, which makes people laugh.

However, people have auras. The imperial aura that Li Ming exuded from the inside out made the officials present dare not look up and look directly at him.

What made them even more timid was that Emperor Li Ming had a stern face and looked very ugly throughout the whole process.

It's over, it's over...

Your Majesty is murderous!
The officials were so frightened by the dragon's might that their legs went weak and their thighs trembled.

For many people, it was the first time in their lives to see the emperor, and they did not expect that the most likely thing they would receive was a death sentence.

This makes it very difficult to tense up.

We are all officials, and even if we are not very proficient in the political arts, after communicating with each other, we will naturally understand our own situation.

Everyone was dejected and in an extremely low mood.

Little Karami, who was of a lower official rank, was calculating how many years he would be sentenced to and whether he would be exiled to the scorching hot Danzhou or the freezing Heishui.

The higher-ranking officials did not have such worries.

Draw the knife into one piece!
Considering the magnitude of the disaster they caused, they don't have to worry about their sentencing at all.

The maximum penalty for sure!

There is no need to worry about how many years you will be in prison or where you will be exiled.

By the time my subordinates have finished serving their sentences, I should be able to do some supporting work.

Amid the lingering clouds of gloom, Ma Zhou, the Minister of Works, who held the highest position and held the heaviest responsibilities, was the most calm and composed.

He had already come to terms with it.

Being an official in my life is so boring.

He worked diligently until middle age and finally got the position of teacher of Jin Wang Li Zhi.

Because he had a crooked idea that triggered a civil uprising in Qizhou, he was kicked to Zhangqiu by a certain Lord Li Ming who did not want to reveal his name. He returned to the starting point and started his training as a county magistrate at level zero.

After finally making it out of the grassroots, he encountered a financial war led by a rebel named Li. He was beaten to his knees and forced to become a prisoner of war.

Until now, he finally made a name for himself in the imperial court and became the deputy minister of a working department.

As a result, the Yellow River burst its banks, a huge problem.

It cannot be said that Ma Zhou was to blame. The three times he suffered misfortunes were all due to the fact that he encountered unprecedented difficulties, and his abilities were not enough to solve them.

In other words, it’s food.

Food is the original sin.

Now, it was because of my own incompetence that the levee collapsed in the section of the river I was responsible for. I couldn't blame anyone else.

The Yellow River is fine in other places, why did it change its course here? And you say it's not your fault?

"Oh, that's it."

Ma Zhou closed his eyes calmly.

The responsibility is his. He will accept the punishment, whether he is killed or cut into pieces.

"Are you all here?"

From the direction of Gaopo, the angry voice of His Majesty Li Ming was heard.

The next sentence is:
"After investigation, you are all innocent and reinstated."

(End of this chapter)