Chapter 24: What a Talent
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The blazing sun beat down upon Liu Jin’s head, yet he felt no heat. Instead, he found himself shivering inexplicably. His expression shifted between gloom and brightness, and his eyes flickered with uncertainty.
He seemed to understand.
Emperor Wu of Han wore a smile. From the boy’s expression, he knew that his clever grandson had grasped the meaning behind his words. With a laugh, he said, “If there is anything you do not understand in the future, ask me. I have eaten more salt than you have eaten rice.”
Liu Jin bared his teeth and managed to force out a smile. He waved his hand, then slowly departed in the ox cart.
The old man’s brief guidance had struck Liu Jin like a thunderbolt.
There had been so many people at the court assembly in the Palace of the Golden Radiance. His father had only recently gone out to inspect the common people, and not long after returning, at this very moment, he had requested that Emperor Wu exempt the people of the Guanzhong region from taxation. Whom would the people thank?
The Crown Prince, certainly—not Emperor Wu!
His father had once said that the old man grew less confident the older he became, and increasingly feared that someone would take his power away. Was this not precisely provoking him by poking at his weakest point?
Although his father had meant nothing of the sort, in the eyes of the mighty Emperor Wu, that might not be the case at all. His father had only just inspected the people of Guanzhong, after all, and raising the matter now could easily give rise to all manner of speculation.
No, that was not right!
Liu Jin shook his head. Something still did not add up. Had the old man not just said that anything could be reported to Emperor Wu in private?
His father had clearly submitted a memorial to him privately. Only after it went unanswered had his father chosen to remonstrate with Emperor Wu personally at the court assembly in the Palace of the Golden Radiance!
Either Emperor Wu had deliberately waited here, hoping that his father would make a mistake at the palace so that all the officials would know his attitude toward the Crown Prince—
Or else…
Someone had detained his father’s memorial!
Those were the only two possibilities, and neither boded well for Liu Jin. He had to return and tell his father everything.
…
“Boy, clever little tricks cannot govern a nation. You are still far too inexperienced!”
After returning to Weiyang Palace, Emperor Wu sat before the documents in the Xuanshi Hall and let out a derisive chuckle.
The palace eunuch Su Wen cautiously approached Emperor Wu, who had only just returned to Weiyang Palace, and said softly, “Your Majesty, Lady Zhao came looking for you this morning.”
“Mm.”
Emperor Wu merely nodded faintly and continued reading the memorials before him.
“The Prince of Changyi also came looking for you at noon. When he failed to find you, he left a bodhi-bead bracelet for you, saying it could prolong your life.”
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“Oh.”
Emperor Wu gave another casual nod, still paying the matter no heed.
After reading the memorials for a while, he habitually stroked the bronze peach on the desk. He had to admit, rubbing the thing whenever he felt weary was rather soothing.
“Your Majesty.”
A young palace attendant entered respectfully from outside and bowed. “Sang Hongyang, the Grand Minister of Agriculture and Superintendent of the Imperial Clan, requests an audience.”
Only then did Emperor Wu’s expression grow somewhat serious. In a deep voice, he said, “Admit him.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Before long, Sang Hongyang entered the hall with a bow. “Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty.”
“Mm. There is no need for excessive ceremony. What is the matter?”
Sang Hongyang held several bamboo scrolls in both hands and said, “Your Majesty, the account books from the four ironworks in the Chang’an region and its surrounding commanderies have been submitted. They request funds to purchase materials.”
At the mention of the ironworks, Emperor Wu remembered the matter and asked Sang Hongyang, “The four ironworks around Chang’an have rendered meritorious service recently. They produced weapons for the army so quickly.”
Bao Shengzhi was still investigating the ironworks and was waiting outside to request an audience. Since Sang Hongyang was present, Emperor Wu had not summoned him yet.
Sang Hongyang smiled. “Congratulations, Your Majesty.”
A eunuch took the account books concerning the ironworks from Sang Hongyang and handed them to Emperor Wu, who began examining them carefully.
Sang Hongyang continued, “The ironworks around Chang’an have recently changed their fuel for smelting iron. They previously used charcoal, but have now switched to coal. It is said that this substance burns hotter and lasts longer than charcoal, making it more effective for smelting iron.”
Emperor Wu’s brows drew together slightly, and his expression gradually darkened.
Sang Hongyang was utterly bewildered.
A moment later, Emperor Wu handed the account books back to him and said, “These account books are fraudulent. Investigate them.”
Sang Hongyang stared blankly. “What?”
“Oh… yes. Your subject will investigate at once and return shortly to report.”
How long had His Majesty even spent looking at them? How could he have determined that the account books were false so quickly? Could there be some deeper meaning behind it?
As the foremost financial official beside Emperor Wu, Sang Hongyang was meticulous and ruthless. In the past, he had proposed the Assessments on Wealth and Wealth Informer edicts, and had recommended that the salt and iron industries be brought under state control as a means of raising revenue. His policies had driven countless merchants to ruin.
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Sang Hongyang hurried back to the Office of the Imperial Clan and immediately ordered his subordinate officials to begin checking the accounts. Before long, someone reported to him, “Grand Minister Sang, these account books from the four ironworks are indeed fraudulent. Here, here, and here…”
Sang Hongyang’s eyes widened in shock, his face filled with disbelief.
His Majesty had merely glanced over the accounts, yet had been certain they were false—and the facts were exactly as His Majesty had said!
Truly, he was the Son of Heaven. His gaze was extraordinarily penetrating; no one could hope to deceive him!
When Sang Hongyang appeared once more in Xuanshi Hall, his eyes were filled with intense astonishment, boundless admiration, and profound respect. Emperor Wu suddenly seemed even more mysterious and majestic to him.
The corners of Emperor Wu’s lips lifted slightly. Seeing how thoroughly convinced Sang Hongyang was, he felt a small surge of smug satisfaction.
“Hand the envoys from the several ironworks over to Du Zhou. Let him deal with them according to the law.”
“As Your Majesty commands!”
Sang Hongyang silently withdrew from Xuanshi Hall.
A deep smile spread across Emperor Wu’s face.
That boy truly was capable. He had even managed to stun those old monsters in the court whose intelligence bordered on the supernatural. Heh.
“Summon Bao Shengzhi.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Bao Shengzhi’s expression was somewhat unusual. Upon seeing Emperor Wu, he bowed in greeting before saying, “Your Majesty, the ironworks—the ironworks are using a new fuel.”
Emperor Wu nodded. “Sang Hongyang just told me. Coal.”
“Yes, coal…” Bao Shengzhi said awkwardly. “Several days ago, I reported that Your Majesty’s grandson had been rushing around to the various iron mines in Chang’an. He had gone there to sell coal.”
The wine cup in Emperor Wu’s hand was just reaching his lips when, upon hearing the embroidered-uniform investigator’s words, he nearly spilled the wine all over the floor.
Bao Shengzhi lowered his head and pretended not to have seen anything. He had never witnessed Emperor Wu lose his composure, and no one was supposed to witness the emperor in such a state.
Emperor Wu was genuinely stunned.
It was him? How could it be him?
“Where did he obtain this coal?” Emperor Wu asked, staring at Bao Shengzhi.
Bao Shengzhi replied awkwardly, “It came from a mountain range Your Majesty bestowed several years ago upon Han Yue, Marquis of An Dao. Han Yue later sold that barren, worthless mountain range to Your Majesty’s grandson, and the young lord discovered coal there.”
“Now that really is a coincidence.”
Emperor Wu smiled, thinking to himself that Han Yue was an utter fool. He had been played for one, and the worst part was that he did not even realize it.
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