Top Scholar

Chapter 599 The Hometown Folks Are Saved
Wang Qiong was led to Tengxi Palace, but the eunuch on duty did not inform him directly. Instead, he was asked to wait in a side hall.

Before long, another eunuch brought in a thick box of books and said softly, "Minister Wang, this is what Lord Su ordered me to give you. It contains information about the situation in Shu. Please take a look at it before you meet the Emperor."

This was a timely help for Wang Qiong. He thanked her profusely and took the document box, eagerly flipping through it.

The box contained a collection of books categorized by type, including information on Sichuan's treasury funds and grain, the distribution of troops available for mobilization, the strength and weakness of garrisons and fortresses, the virtues and vices of civil and military officials, and detailed intelligence on the major chieftains.

There are even quite detailed reports on the backgrounds, size of their followers, scope of activities, and military habits of the rebels Lan Tingrui and Yan Benshu... It is clearly the work of the Sichuan Provincial Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Wang Qiong knew this document was valuable, but he hadn't expected it to be this valuable—a priceless treasure capable of deciding a decisive victory! He immediately held his breath and began flipping through it rapidly. For a moment, the only sound in the side hall was the rustling of pages turning…

He was so engrossed in his gaze that he forgot the time, and it wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that a eunuch came to inform him: "His Majesty has decreed that Your Excellency is summoned to an audience."

Wang Qiong quickly straightened his clothes and followed the eunuch through layers of curtains to the main hall.

Zhu Houzhao sat upright on his throne, having risen unusually early today. Had the situation in Sichuan not been so precarious, Wang Qiong would likely have had to wait until midday to catch a glimpse of the emperor.

After Wang Qiong performed the full kowtow, Zhu Houzhao asked, "Minister Wang, you are a well-known capable official in the court and among the people... In the sixth year of the Hongzhi reign, you served as the acting Director of Waterways and were transferred to manage the Grand Canal for three years, compiling the eight-volume 'Illustrated Gazetteer of the Grand Canal.' Your successor later examined the map and found no discrepancies, demonstrating that your competence and meticulousness far surpass those of your peers!"

"Your Majesty flatters me." Wang Qiong was surprised that Zhu Houzhao knew so much about his early deeds, and couldn't help but feel awe... Some people really have no bottom line, how could they smear such a dedicated emperor like this?

Just as he was about to say a few more humble words, Zhu Houzhao changed the subject and asked in a low voice, "Since you are a well-known capable official, and the Grand Canal is your old profession, why did you still capsize in the end when you were in charge of the Grand Canal?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Qiong broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty is wise. Although I have the ambition to govern the world, I am ultimately powerless to do so alone. The position of Grand Canal Commissioner may seem high and powerful, but in reality, the Ministry of Revenue controls the finances, the Ministry of War controls the warships, the Censorate investigates my mistakes, and various eunuchs guide my duties. In addition, the Grand Canal Commander is closely connected with the families of nobles. I am like a small boat in a whirlpool, and there is very little I can do."

He paused, his voice growing increasingly somber: "Furthermore, the people along the canal are forcibly conscripted every year, resulting in countless deaths and injuries. During the dry season, to maintain the canal's water level, irrigation ditches are blocked, causing farmland to crack. The people have not benefited from the canal but have instead suffered from it, and they have long hated this 'lifeline of the capital.' With the Luo sect fanning the flames, cases of blocking the canal and robbing cargo ships will surely increase!"

As he spoke, he raised his head and said something startling: "Your Majesty, I dare to assert that in the next few years, there is a high probability of a long-term disruption to the Grand Canal transport. At that time, the capital will be cut off from supplies, and the people will be in turmoil. I urge Your Majesty to make preparations as soon as possible!"

Zhu Houzhao originally just wanted to show off after looking at Wang Qiong's personal information, but unexpectedly, he taught Wang Qiong a lesson by letting him hear the bad news he least wanted to hear, which made him feel heavy-hearted.

"I understand. If it is as you say, we will make preparations as soon as possible." He pointed to the stack of identical books on the table, then changed the subject: "Getting back to the main point, how much have you read about the situation in Sichuan?"

"While I was waiting for Your Majesty in the side hall, I quickly reviewed the documents that Lord Su had given me," Wang Qiong replied.

"What? You've finished reading it all?" Zhu Houzhao was taken aback. He picked up the book, weighed it in his hand, and exclaimed, "This book is so thick that it gives me a headache. How did you finish reading it so quickly?"

"I have been studying since childhood, and I can read ten lines at a glance and remember everything I read. It's just a little bit of cleverness," Wang Qiong said modestly.

"No wonder! No wonder!" Zhu Houzhao suddenly realized, finally understanding where his good brother's cleverness came from. He then said seriously, "Since that's the case, then tell me, what is your strategy for pacifying Shu?"

Wang Qiong knew this was the Emperor's test, so he dared not be negligent and solemnly reported:
"Your Majesty, I dare to report that this uprising in Sichuan is not merely the work of bandits, but is a result of a combination of natural disasters and man-made calamities, and the people's rebellion caused by the oppression of officials! Although the leaders of the bandits are unforgivable, the plight of the common people is understandable."

“Your perspective is quite different from theirs,” Zhu Houzhao said, his eyes showing approval.

"Your Majesty's kindness to me is like giving me a second life, and I dare not fail to tell you the truth—in fact, it is not just Sichuan, but the whole country is in chaos, which is a total outbreak of the people's grievances and the deep-seated problems that are difficult to cure! Therefore, in my humble opinion, the suppression of the rebellion in Sichuan should be slow rather than hasty, and should be carried out by both suppression and appeasement, with the main goal of trapping the enemy and removing the fuel supply from under the pot!"

"Oh? Tell me your four strategies for pacifying Shu in detail." Zhu Houzhao leaned forward, his gaze focused.

“Yes, I have just explained the causes of the unrest in Shu. So simply resorting to force, even if it can be quickly suppressed, is just a stopgap measure, treating the symptoms but not the root cause.” Wang Qiong replied loudly, “Because if the people’s resentment is not eliminated, the source of the unrest will not be eradicated—even if the Prince of Shuntian is beheaded today, a ‘Prince of Rebellion’ will probably emerge tomorrow!”

"Alright, go on!" Zhu Houzhao had already realized that this old Wang really had something to say. He originally thought his good brother was going to put his 'despicable grandfather' on the fire, but he didn't expect him to recommend someone worthy without regard to kinship.

Wang Qiong then clearly stated, "My initial plan is to manage both military and political affairs simultaneously. Militarily, we will employ a three-pronged approach: suppression, expulsion, and defense! First, we will concentrate our superior forces to deliver a decisive blow to the bandit leader, crushing his arrogance and rendering him incapable of attacking major cities like Chengdu, Chongqing, and Luzhou. Next, we will divide our forces and advance step by step, driving him back into the deep mountains of northern Sichuan, but without pursuing him into the mountains to avoid losing manpower. Finally, we will establish fortified camps along key transportation routes and strategic passes, implementing a scorched-earth policy to prevent him from emerging again and causing further trouble!"

"Excellent, excellent! The three-step strategy of 'attack, force, and encircle' is very clear! It shows that you truly understand military affairs!" Zhu Houzhao admired Wang Qiong even more, saying, "I have also seen the military reports of the government army's defeats. They were all lured deep into enemy territory and defeated in the deep mountains and steep valleys!"

"In fact, the civil and military officials of Sichuan were not ignorant of military affairs. However, they may have underestimated the enemy, were eager to quell the rebellion, and were afraid of being accused of condoning evil. Therefore, they ordered the army to go into the mountains to suppress the bandits."

“Yes, if you don’t go into the mountains, the bandits will stay there and you won’t be able to wipe them out.” Zhu Houzhao nodded.

"Yes, perhaps we will eventually have to go into the mountains to suppress the bandits, but before that, we should try to cut off their supply lines and make them collapse on their own," Wang Qiong then reported.

"Therefore, my focus is on another aspect: the people's livelihood, which will be addressed through a three-pronged approach of 'relief, reduction, and distribution'!"

"Oh? What's this about 'relief, reduction, and distribution'?" Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up. He never expected that his 'awful grandfather' was such a genius!

Yes, he must have taken after his grandson...

"First, the government is ordered to open its granaries and distribute grain to relieve the starving people. If there is no grain, they should borrow from wealthy households. At the same time, landlords and gentry are strictly ordered to reduce rents and interest rates, and are forbidden from hoarding and speculating, let alone taking advantage of the situation to buy land at low prices. No matter what method is used, all prefectures and counties must ensure that no one starves to death!"

As he spoke, he sighed and said, "As long as the people have food to eat and are not driven to desperation, they will not turn to bandits. Without a constant influx of refugees, the bandits become like trees without roots and water without a source."

At this point, Wang Qiong paused noticeably, his tone less confident: "If we could go a step further and distribute those unclaimed lands to the local people, then the hearts of the people would be won over, and the bandits would surely collapse and be pacified without being suppressed... Of course, this method would face great resistance, and I dare not guarantee it at all."

"Hmm." Zhu Houzhao nodded in satisfaction. "What you said is very much in line with my thoughts. But those rich landlords are the most ruthless in exploiting the people. Getting them to spend money on disaster relief, rent reduction, or interest reduction is harder than cutting off their flesh. I'm afraid it won't be an easy task."

"Your Majesty is wise, but extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures!" Wang Qiong's eyes flashed with a ruthless light as he said, "If any prefecture or county fails to comply, the government troops will cease to protect them and leave them to fend for themselves! Those wealthy gentry and powerful families will only act arrogantly when you follow the rules! Once you try to force them against the rules, they become softer than cotton!"

Zhu Houzhao was delighted with this suggestion and exclaimed, "Excellent! What a brilliant 'prosperity for those who obey, ruin for those who resist'! Let's do it this way!"

He thought to himself, "They really are a family. Their views on the gentry and wealthy families, and their decisive and ruthless spirit, are just so alike!"

Wang Qiong, however, wisely restrained his sharp edge and bowed humbly, saying, "Your Majesty, I have just been released from prison and lack sufficient understanding of the situation in Sichuan. What I have said today is merely theoretical. I need to go to Sichuan as soon as possible to conduct an on-site investigation before I can formulate a practical strategy, and then I will report back."

"I am greatly pleased to hear your words!" Zhu Houzhao said with great enthusiasm, "Just go ahead and do it! I will do my best to provide the troops, food, money, and power needed to suppress the bandits. As for the specific arrangements, you can discuss them with your grandson later. Keeping him happy is more effective than begging me."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will remember." Wang Qiong hurriedly replied. Now there was no need to guess anymore; Su Lu was indeed the current 'Junior Grand Secretary'!
Zhu Houzhao added, "I hereby bestow upon you another silver seal. In the event of any confidential or important matters, you may directly submit a secret report without going through the Office of Transmission and without being hindered by anyone. As for the royal command flag, I will also provide you with one. Officials below the fourth rank may execute first and report later!"

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great support. If I fail to pacify Shu, I will offer my head in return!" Wang Qiong solemnly pledged his military command.

"I don't want your head, I only want Sichuan pacified!" Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and asked in a deep voice, "What other demands do you have? Speak them all at once!"

Wang Qiong took a deep breath, knelt down again, and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, I have one last request, please grant it!"

"speak!"

"Now bandits are rampant everywhere, and the government troops reward their soldiers based on the number of heads they have taken," Wang Qiong said with great distress.
"However, this method may be effective in defending the borders. But in suppressing rebellions in the interior, it is a strategy that will lead to the downfall of the country! The government troops have always lacked the courage to kill bandits, but they have plenty of courage to kill innocent people and claim credit for it! To protect themselves, the people have no choice but to join the bandits. As a result, the more bandits are suppressed, the more numerous they become, causing endless trouble. This is a lesson from the downfall of the Qin Dynasty, and we must not ignore it!"

He kowtowed twice, each word carrying immense weight, and said, "Your Majesty, I humbly request that you issue an edict ordering the imperial army to suppress bandits in the interior, and that merit be awarded solely for 'sweeping away' and 'pacifying' the bandits, without counting the number of heads taken!"

"Excellent! Excellent! These are wise words of a seasoned statesman. My dear minister, you truly deserve to be called a capable minister of the state!" Upon hearing this, Zhu Houzhao slammed his hand on the imperial desk and exclaimed loudly:
"As you have suggested, we shall immediately draft an edict and issue it to the whole country!"

(End of this chapter)