Chapter 920: Chapter 918: The Position of Dust Sweeping
In order to support the Emperor’s cause, everyone eagerly attended the prince’s feast at Prince Chong’s Mansion for the young child’s first birthday. To match the stature of the Old Prince, they all presented valuable gifts.
Although Prince Chong’s Mansion widely distributed invitations and the banquet scene was large, it was not extravagant. The dishes were ordinary, there was no luxurious wine or tea, and no entertainment activities were held. Many people were dissatisfied, thinking that the Old Prince, relying on his high status, was using a grandson with no significant rank to gather wealth. But after collecting the wealth, shouldn’t the event be more fitting? This was too perfunctory!
The subsequent events explained the Old Prince’s reasonable actions and made people regret their earlier thoughts.
On the morning after the banquet, the Cabinet presented a list of gifts received at the young child’s feast at Prince Chong’s Mansion, clearly stating that all gifts collected from the feast were donated entirely to the court to assist disaster victims in Yuanzhou.
Upon hearing this, the court was in an uproar, murmuring continuously. What was this about? What was the Old Prince implying?
In the Imperial Court, with the Emperor’s keen gaze, the initial disbelieving officials swallowed their rampant complaints after receiving the Emperor’s cold scrutiny.
With the Old Prince’s move, what would those families planning to wed their children, whose parents were still thriving, do next? And remembering the previous whispers from the palace about the Emperor’s attitude, it was clear this was a setup by the Emperor and the Old Prince, wasn’t it?
Since there was already a precedent of donating the gifts, would they have to grit their teeth and downgrade the lavish banquets they had been planning?
How distressing, such a good opportunity for gathering wealth, and now it’s gone!
Yet reality was far beyond their control.
The next steps were basically carried out according to Jinrong’s proposal with further considerations by the Emperor, ensuring the measures were thorough with few escapees.
Does this mean... that we officials must not hold such wealth-gathering banquets?
Clearly, that’s correct.
The Emperor, with an unintentional glance at the rarely seen Lih Mian, said plainly, "Commander Lih, your Imperial Guard Camp is responsible for guarding the palace and the capital. It seems you should be aware of what celebrations occur in the prominent households of the capital, right?"
Lih Mian stepped forward, his expression unmoved, "Your Majesty, although I don’t remember every household, my subordinates are informed. They know not only about major celebrations and funerals but also when sideline branches expand or when concubines are brought into the family."
What are you implying, Your Majesty? Is this a total eradication?
Only then did everyone truly regret their actions, feeling deeply remorseful.
Had they known this was a trap, even if they were cowardly, not dare to skip the gifts, they could have given lighter ones. Giving lighter gifts this time and following the same pattern would save a lot of financial loss.
But now it’s too late. By the way, who first proclaimed that adding a child is the most important celebration requiring generous gifts? And actually gave generous gifts???
Duke An, that old fellow, when did he become so willing to spend money on gifts? His family lacks heirs, but Prince Chong’s Mansion doesn’t. Why incite blindly, leading to harm for both yourself and others?
It was not the Emperor’s intention to eradicate everyone. After Lih Mian finished speaking, the Emperor casually added, "The atmosphere in the capital and the court has been somewhat oppressive lately. If the prominent families have any celebrations or funerals, just modestly organize them to liven things up. There’s no need for extravagance; the scale should match the family’s circumstances and the importance of the event."
Fortunately, a path has been left open for everyone.
......
Within a few days, Han Yanhui sent out invitations. The birthday of Prime Minister Han’s elderly mother was to be celebrated at the end of June.
Damn, your Han Mansion’s old lady is only seventy-eight, why the sudden timing for such a celebration?
This is flattering the Emperor! Such shameless sycophancy!
Originally, some people planned to remain silent, but seeing Han Yanhui’s prompt response and declaration, they dared not hide anymore. Between the banquets of Prince Chong’s Mansion and Han Yanhui, six or so feasts, both large and small, were held in succession.
During this period, an official’s favored concubine had a birthday, and the family remained silent about it, even a simple evening meal was strictly restrained. It was very quiet.
But the next day, folks in the nearby alleys were surprised; this concubine was quite favored, and around the same time last year, the household was pretty lively. While there wasn’t a grand feast, there was still quite a gathering and an opera performance was arranged.
A couple of days later, this official was happily promoted. He was promoted by half a level and transferred to a less significant position where, barring any accidents, he could retire peacefully and enjoy his old age.
Defying the Emperor’s will, turns out the consequences are truly unbearable.
For a time, various banquets in the capital followed one after another, though there wasn’t much joy or celebration.
This lack of joy at the banquets had its advantages, as everyone was unwilling to indulge excessively, merely going through the motions and presenting gifts according to protocol.
Anyone whose household wasn’t cooking, or those with close ties wishing to speak to the host, would stay to eat these flavorless meals, unexpectedly aligning with the Emperor’s desire for frugality.
Lih Mian’s Imperial Guard Camp was exceptionally diligent these days, frequently seen walking through every street like they were infused with adrenaline, their eyes gleaming as they observed people.
During such times, no one dared to criticize the right or wrong of a banquet. If an accidental mention occurred, one had to bow in the direction of the palace and repeatedly extol the wisdom and the Emperor’s care for the people.
Are you kidding? Didn’t you see those two who just passed by? That aura is undoubtedly from Lih Mian’s department. If accidentally saying something taboo, you’d end up being Lih Mian’s target, used for practice.
The Emperor now had a steady stream of silver, something to rejoice over. But in Yuanzhou, the situation was becoming increasingly tense, with nearby prefectures and counties experiencing small-scale incidents of mob attacks on Yamen and looting of granaries.
The Emperor, receiving secret reports, merely squinted, not even consulting the Cabinet but directly conferring with the Ministry of War and several old ministers like Duke An, deciding the matter immediately.
At the onset of civil unrest, the more decisive the methods, the stronger the deterrent effect, making it easier to stabilize the situation. In fact, being decisive and ruthless would minimize losses.
At such times, one must not act kindly or allow chaos to grow.
After thorough discussion, the Ministry of War swiftly drew up plans, dispatching Yin Xiaocheng with the Imperial Guards overnight to rush to Yuanzhou and take control. Armed with the Imperial Seal from the Ministry of War, he instructed garrison troops to mobilize and secure local Yamens and granaries.
Should any mobs attack, regardless of means, suppress them immediately.
Imperial Censors dispatched to various places also quickly set off to ensure that garrison troops would not overstep, preventing civilian slaughter to fill ranks during the suppression of rebellion.