Dugong

Chapter 95 The Platform Collapsed
March.

The spring rain continued incessantly.

Li Ping'an stood respectfully outside the Imperial Study, letting the slanting wind and drizzle fall on him, soaking his crimson official robe.

I loved rain when I was young because it allowed me to steal moments of leisure and laziness at home. I still love rain now; my wet official robes can be used to show loyalty or beg for mercy.

Same people, same rain, but different feelings.

"We can't go back... Our family doesn't want to go back either. There are white flour buns to eat in the palace. Who wants to compete with wild dogs for coarse flour?"

Li Ping'an was well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics and discovered that many sages lamented their youth and reminisced about their younger days, and that those people had generally never experienced hunger or hardship.

"Eunuch An, where are you going? His Majesty summons you in."

Xiao Liangzi leaned closer and whispered, "His Majesty has recently been looking through the 'Daily Records of Emperor Taizu,' and he deliberately folded a few pages from the 'Pacifying the South Strategy.'"

Emperor Taizu of the Dayong Dynasty established his capital in the north and confronted the puppet regime in the south for many years. During this period, many strategists offered strategies for pacifying the south, some of which were just empty talk, while others were effective.

From a modern perspective, Song Tianxing, the first and last prime minister of the Great Yong Dynasty, was the most brilliant strategist. He followed Emperor Taizu from his uprising to his ascension to the throne, and was known as the nation's foremost strategist and powerful minister. At the height of his power, he was granted the title of Duke of Dingguo, and was exempt from bowing when entering the court and from using his name when receiving praise.

Emperor Shizu implemented his policy, which ultimately led to the downfall of the false dynasty and the unification of the north and south.

Eunuch Chu recounted Song Tianxing's life in detail, expressing great admiration for him. He privately lamented, "Song had no intention of rebellion; what crime have his nine generations committed?"

Li Ping'an recalled the contents of the strategy to pacify the south and had already made up his mind: "Thank you for your guidance, Eunuch Liang."

Xiao Liangzi bowed repeatedly: "Eunuch An, you flatter us. We should thank you for promoting our good-for-nothing nephew to work in the Beijing Garrison."

While talking.

Li Ping'an entered the imperial study, skillfully slid down to kneel before His Majesty, leaving two clear water streaks behind him, and kowtowed three times and nine times, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

When Emperor Yongning saw the water stains, he felt pity. He swallowed the words of reprimand that were about to come out of his mouth and threw out a few memorials instead.

"Xiao Anzi, look what you've done."

Li Ping'an picked up the memorial and examined it. Sure enough, it was the same old story: a high-ranking official impeached the court for "eunuchs holding power and persecuting loyal officials."

These pedantic scholars have submitted memorials time and again, yet they never seem to find a better way to phrase things.

Li Ping'an cursed inwardly, but put on a wronged expression: "Your Majesty, the Yangwu Guard Commander Zhang Qi embezzled grain and salary. The evidence is conclusive and it is definitely not a frame-up by this servant."

Since he understood the true meaning of the imperial edict "Tolerance for the Country," he frequently arrested and confiscated the property of Zhang's military officers, all on charges of embezzlement.

To show loyalty, you can't just shout slogans; you have to take concrete actions.

Because the Prince of Zhenbei submitted a memorial to plead guilty and reduce the army, many veteran officials of the late emperor spoke up for him, taking turns to impeach Li Ping'an, vowing to eliminate the traitor for the country.

“Xiao Anzi, there are methods to investigating cases, don’t be so crude.”

Emperor Yongning tapped on the table: "Every time I receive more than a dozen memorials, I keep them in the palace and don't send them out. Those censors and veteran officials then start to complain about the favoritism of eunuchs and the abuse of power by palace eunuchs!"

"I know my mistake."

Li Ping'an understood the meaning behind His Majesty's words: people cannot always be arrested on charges of embezzlement; no matter how conclusive the evidence, it would have a bad impact if it got out.

With so many corrupt officials in the military, it seems the imperial court isn't clean either.

Li Ping'an glanced at the emperor furtively and saw that the emperor's expression was calm with a hint of a smile. He mustered his courage and asked, "Your Majesty, should I investigate? Not many of those old fogies have clean backsides!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongxing was slightly tempted, but immediately rebuked him.

"That's the job of the Garrison Command. Xiao Anzi, manage the Imperial Horse Stables well and get rid of those disobedient servants as soon as possible!"

"The slaves obey the order."

Li Ping'an said, "This servant will clean up the Imperial Horse Stable as soon as possible, so that everyone can work together to serve His Majesty. Anyone who disobeys will be punished."

"I trust Xiao Anzi to handle things."

Emperor Yongning grew increasingly fond of Xiao Anzi. He was loyal and capable, much more useful than his senior attendants. It was a pity that he hadn't been assigned to serve by his side back then.

"Xiao Anzi has served the Empress Dowager for many years and his loyalty is evident. Rewarding him with gold and silver would be too vulgar. This jade pendant has been with me for many years, so I will bestow it upon you."

Li Ping'an's eyes reddened slightly, his eyes welled up with tears, and he almost cried out, "This servant will repay Your Majesty's kindness with my life!"

I carefully took the jade pendant with both hands. It was bluish-white and warm to the touch, with exquisite carving. The coiled dragon and cloud pattern on the front was lifelike, and the seal script character "慎独" (shèn dú, meaning "be cautious when alone") was carved on the back.

Emperor Yongning waved his hand: "Alright, you may leave."

"The slaves retire."

Li Ping'an kowtowed three times and bowed nine times before leaving the imperial study.

Standing beside His Majesty, Eunuch Hai glanced at Eunuch An, a look of jealousy and resentment flashing in his eyes.

First he received the Emperor's calligraphy, then he was bestowed with a jade pendant; the Emperor's favor towards him was unparalleled in the Imperial Household Department!

"My servant is the chief attendant of His Majesty's former residence!"

Hai Gonggong gripped his whisk tightly, trying to suppress his anger. The most important thing right now was to defeat Leng Gonggong. In their previous two encounters, both open and covert, he hadn't gained the upper hand.

However, Eunuch Hai believed that he would definitely be able to take charge of the Directorate of Ceremonial in the future, which was the precedent of the dynasty!
……

This day.

At the foot of Manjuzan Mountain in the western suburbs of Kyoto, thousands of laborers worked in the rain.

Foreman Zhao San directed hundreds of farmers to compact the foundation and move timber, with shouts and calls rising and falling.

As the rain intensified, the ground became muddy and treacherous. The laborers trudged through the mud, some slipping and falling frequently.

If you're unlucky enough to be hit by a falling beam, you'll be a cripple for the rest of your life.

Zhao San wiped the rain off his face, his eyes filled with worry, and ran over to report to the foreman.

"Sir, the rain is getting heavier. Should we stop work for now?"

"Work was suspended yesterday due to rain, and it's suspended again today. The one-month deadline is almost here!"

The foreman spoke in a shrill, grating voice, his voice sinister: "Our godfather said that if the Guangwu Terrace isn't completed by the deadline, we'll be used to build the temporary structures."

The Guangwu Terrace is a key building in the Imperial Hunting Grounds, used by hunters to display their achievements to His Majesty. In the past few years, only the base had been built, but now, after working day and night for more than half a month, the main structure has been completed, with only the top brackets and tiles remaining.

Zhao San said, "Sir, the wood soaked in rainwater will have loose mortise and tenon joints, and after drying, it will warp and loosen, affecting its stability..."

"Shut up!"

The foreman shouted sternly, "His Majesty is blessed with boundless fortune. How could such a trivial matter affect him? If you dare to speak nonsense again, I'll have you arrested and sent to be used as a human stake."

As the two were talking, a commotion arose in the distance.

The laborers who had been working on the high platform threw down their timber and tiles and fled in all directions, shouting in panic.

"Run."

"It collapsed! The building collapsed!"

Before Zhao San could hear clearly, the foreman's face turned pale. He circulated his inner energy and used his lightness skill to rush upstream to the front of the Guangwu Platform.

The half-finished bracket set has collapsed, the seventy-two large golden nanmu pillars have tilted and rolled down, and the base of the high platform has cracked with a ten-foot-wide fissure.

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

The foreman muttered to himself, his eyes vacant, and walked to the crack. He jumped in and never came back up.

……

March 22nd.

The Guangwu Terrace in the Imperial Hunting Garden collapsed.

Emperor Yongxing was furious and ordered the Imperial Horse Administration to conduct a thorough investigation.

(End of this chapter)