Return of the Swallow c1-644
Page 147
Thankfully her father and uncles were here today. If they weren’t, what kind of rumors would develop if the emperor was left alone with her?
It was obvious that Qin Huaiyuan and his brothers had come to the same conclusion. Their expressions weren’t exactly a picture of welcome.
All rose to greet the emperor. “Long life to Your Majesty.”
“Greetings to Your Majesty!”
Weichi Yan was wearing a head scarf and dressed plainly, but indoor, soft-soled slippers protected his feet. His face was flushed red due to his haste and the furrows between his brows quite deep. It was obvious that he’d made due haste after receiving the word.
Upon charging through the door, there was no one else in his eyes other than Qin Yining clad in white chiffon and a padded skirt. He hastily reached out with both hands to help her up. “Are you alright, Xuan Su?”
Qin Yining’s brow was tightly knit. She quickly shrugged off Weichi Yan’s warm hands and responded to the floor, “Many thanks for Your Majesty’s concern. All is well with this subject.”
Qin Huaiyuan and his brothers were all knowledgeable man. Everyone was in the know when they noted how the emperor looked at Qin Yining with unconcealed adoration. Though the girl had been forced to become a nun, the emperor hadn’t given up at all! Things would’ve been a done deal a long time ago had she the slightest intention of going from rags to riches.
“This subject (this lowly one) greets Your Majesty.” Qin Huaiyuan and his brothers all made the grand gesture of greeting.
This finally alerted Weichi Yan that there were others present as well. He coughed a bit awkwardly. “You may rise.”
“Many thanks, Your Majesty.”
Weichi Yan took the head seat within the residence. “We had just returned to the palace when We heard that the people were gathered here. We immediately rushed here. Are you alright? Are you hurt?”
“In response to Your Majesty, your subject is well.” Qin Yining responded respectfully.
Weichi Yan nodded. “That’s good. You’ve done very well this time. I asked the guards earlier and your responses were very appropriate. You soothed the crowds and prevented a disturbance. If the people rioted, then we would’ve fallen apart even before the Great Zhou army charges in.”
“Your subject only thought of this subpar plan because of how urgent the situation was.”
As he looked down on Qin Yining’s meek demeanor and her outfit of white, though Weichi Yan hadn’t personally witnessed her charm earlier, it was easy enough to imagine how unearthly she’d been. The affection in his eyes almost materialized tangibly, and his tone was as gentle as could be.
“The guards said that you’re planning on setting up an altar and petitioning the gods tomorrow?”
“Yes.” Qin Yining purposefully ignored the tender tones.
“You’re the one who the Soothsayer said can protect the nation and ensure our prosperity. Surely you can talk to the gods too, no?”
Qin Yining raised her head and met Weichi Yan’s interested gaze. How on earth should she answer that question? It was important that he didn’t feel she was growing arrogant because of the situation, but also vital that she reached her goal.
“In response to Your Majesty, to be frank, all talk of an altar and asking the gods are just a delaying tactic.”
“Oh?” The emperor’s smile deepened.
Surprise flitted across the second and third elder master’s face.
“Though your subject has received the Soothsayer’s fortune, that was just something I requested on a whim. I am but an ordinary girl, how could I have such incredible skills? I may have a good life chart, but the Soothsayer exaggerated it greatly. And I’d be the first to dismiss that I’m any sort of holy girl.”
“But you do have an excellent life chart and you’re someone who can protect the nation’s fortunes. If you say you’re not, then isn’t there no meaning to Us bestowing upon you the title of Master Xuan Su?”
“The point of your subject being in residence here is to steady the people’s hearts. Do you believe the rumors too, Your Majesty, that I can speak with the gods? If I really had that ability, I might as well just ask them to come help Great Yan.”
Her wholly lack of affectation and candor greatly amused Weichi Yan. The stifling negativity he’d felt over the past couple of days finally eased, and he laughed cheerfully. “Forget it, it’s one thing to talk like this in front of Us, but don’t say this outside.”
“Understood.” Qin Yining bowed and murmured, “I don’t know how the rumors have developed, but they’ve completely blown me out of proportion and turned me into some sort of mythical creature. I had no choice and had to try for this nonsense. With how many people that’d come today, mishandling things would’ve cause a shift in morale. I had the mindset of having nothing to lose when I tried.”
“Mm. You’re very smart and quick on your feet,” Weichi Yan praised wholeheartedly. “But how will you respond to the people after you pray on the altar tomorrow?”
Qin Yining responded without a flicker in her expression. “I’m just finding a way to drag things out further. Isn’t it Your Majesty who should be the one settling the issue?”
Weichi Yan found himself speechless with Qin Yining’s response. True, this was his problem to resolve. Awkwardness settled over his expression.
“That’s true, but what kind of answer will you be giving them tomorrow?”
* * *
Chapter 250: A Strategic Decision (II)
Chapter 250: A Strategic Decision (II)
“Simple.” Qin Yining smiled purely. “I’ll just tell them that I’ve already told Your Majesty the plan and that you will make your own decision. That way, no matter what Your Majesty does will be the will of the heavens. The people won’t object to anything you do.”
Weichi Yan was at a loss for words once again. The problem had been thrown right back into his lap!
But he couldn’t find it within himself to be angry at her. “Then it turns out We should thank you instead?”
“This is what your subject should be doing, there’s no need to be so polite, Your Majesty.” Qin Yining lowered her head.
Weichi Yan stared silently at her. She’s the daughter of Grand Preceptor Qin alright! Their tempers and personalities are exactly alike.
“Beloved subject Qin, your daughter refuses to help Us, so the burden will land on your shoulders.”
Qin Huaiyuan assented lowly. “Your subject will naturally do his best. But I’m sure Your Majesty must already have an idea in mind.”
When the second and third elder master noted that the emperor wanted to discuss business with Qin Huaiyuan, they didn’t dare eavesdrop and quietly took their leave. Qin Yining wanted to as well, but Weichi Yan objected, “Xuan Su stays.”
Goosebumps popped into existence from the saccharine tones. However, Qin Yining couldn’t defy an imperial order. She took a few steps to stand behind her father.
“Now that the national treasury is empty, we must have silver if we wish to restock the warehouses,” the emperor continued. “Thankfully, our nation’s founder put the practice of treasury notes into place. We were thinking of having the Plate Engraving Service print another batch of bills. We have the power to and can just create more money. That will be enough to purchase some more grain and resolve the current crisis at hand.”
Weichi Yan brimmed with confidence and was very pleased with himself.
He’d had his father grounded and spent many hours a day trying to convince the emperor emeritus to spit out where the enormous sum of wealth was. But his father’s lips were as tight as a clam’s. Nothing was forthcoming, and he only greeted his son with two expression: closed eye repose or jeering smiles.
Weichi Yan was well acquainted with his father’s personality. Such complete lack of cooperation meant that his father was firmly decided on retaining that treasure for private use. Therefore, Weichi Yan split his days between trying to play the emotional car
d and frantically brainstorming another plan.
The only thing that’d struck him after days of furious brain wracking was to print more money!
Though he knew this wasn’t a long term solution, and that it could very well devalue Great Yan’s currency so much that it became worthless, that didn’t really matter as long as it resolved the current crisis at hand. It was unlikely that wiser people would have any better ideas.
But on the contrary, the anticipated wonder and admiration didn’t dawn on Qin Huaiyuan and Qin Yining’s face after he offered his proposal.
“Beloved subject Qin? Do you think Our idea is feasible?”
Qin Huaiyuan was silent for a moment. “Your Majesty is wise. This can be a solution.”
Her eyes looking downwards, Qin Yining was silently surprised by her father’s reaction. However, understanding was quick to dawn.
Her father was well versed in the art of being a subject. The foremost of priorities was to be agreeable and complimentary when talking to the emperor. Succeeding suggestions would be successful only when the emperor was in a good mood.
There was no need to immediately rebut with a better idea and keenly demonstrate the difference in their intelligence. It was never a good thing to make the emperor feel inferior.
Qin Huaiyuan had to slowly guide the emperor onto the correct path, and not force his own opinions onto his liege.
There really is a never-ending amount of things I can learn from father!
Weichi Yan could make out the tactful intentions behind the marquis’ words and ducked his head rather dejectedly. “We tried our best to think of a plan. The nation’s matters are simply too much of a mess these days. The Prince of Ning is also heavily injured, so Our thoughts are all jumbled. Our beloved subject is wise and has many stratagems. You must have a good idea in mind?”
Qin Huaiyuan smiled faintly and, before the emperor lifted his head, flung a quick look at Qin Yining. He then lowered his eyes and frowned slightly, as if in deep thought.
The emperor only saw his grand preceptor wracking his brains out for an idea.
Qin Yining blinked before understanding what her father wanted. Father wants me to suggest something.
Father and daughter might not have had the chance to discuss beforehand, but with her father’s wits, he would surely think of whatever she could as well. They were father and daughter, after all! They had to mind their speaking order in front of the emperor, so that one of them didn’t offer a good plan only to accidentally stop the other in their tracks.
Father was raising her like a son! He would back her up no matter what she said.
Deeply moved, Qin Yining put on a very thoughtful expression and suddenly smiled. “Your Majesty, this subject has thought of something, but I don’t know if I should speak of it.”
Weichi Yan’s heart melted at the sound of the girl’s soft voice. He quickly pivoted to her, eyes creasing in a smile, and leaned forward. “What marvelous plan has Xuan Su thought of?”
It was a marvelous plan before she’d said anything.
Qin Yining clenched her teeth against the irritation and responded with a lowered head, “In response to Your Majesty, this subject feels that printing more treasury bills is indeed a quick way to solve the problem, but for the long term stability of the country, why don’t we think of a way to have the merchants offer up the grain themselves?”
A sharp light flashed through Qin Huaiyuan’s lowered eyes and an approving smile blossomed at the corner of his lips.
The suggestion elicited Weichi Yan’s interest. “Oh? Do tell, how should we have the merchants offer up grain themselves?”
The Qin fourth miss smiled. “Your Majesty, the hierarchy goes from nobles and officials, to farmers, artisans, and to merchants. The merchants may have silver, but their status is lower than even impoverished farmers. They resent it even more when the poor scholar is placed ahead of a wealthy merchant family. This seems like something we can make use of.”
She was imitating her father’s gradual approach, in which she didn’t immediately offer up the idea to avoid sticking her neck out. Instead, she led Weichi Yan to the correct answer instead.
When Qin Huaiyuan saw how smart his daughter was, the hint of a smile on his lips deepened much further.
The emperor however, frowned and murmured to himself, “Use the merchants’ social standing? They naturally want to enhance their position. Who wants to humble themselves and be lower status when they have great amounts of silver in hand… You say that they’ll give up the grain themselves if they can increase their social standing?”
The girl had to redouble her efforts when she saw that enlightenment hadn’t struck. “Yes, think about it, Your Majesty. What if you decree that they have a chance to enhance their stature — won’t they fight each other for the chance?”
Weichi Yan nodded. “Naturally.”
“Therefore, I think that Your Majesty can list some ceremonial positions for auction and accept only grain for the bids. With this, not only will our local merchants participate enthusiastically, so will merchants in other cities. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for them! We wouldn’t have to worry about the chaos that comes with printing additional bills, and just need to keep the ceremonial officials in check afterwards.”
“Marvelous, marvelous!” Weichi Yan applauded loudly with fervor. “This is a wonderful plan! We wouldn’t have to worry about the troubles that creating more currency creates. We just need to keep the newly promoted officials in line!” He turned to the marquis. “Beloved subject Qin, what do you say?”
“This subject thinks it is an excellent idea and would like to add something further. As opposed to making several positions available for auction, Your Majesty might as well price positions differently according to their rank. The merchants can vie with each other, with each position going to the highest bidder. We’ll all get what we need this way: the merchants will happily donate and the national warehouses will receive more replenishment.”
Weichi Yan nodded repeatedly. “Fantastic, absolutely wonderful! You’re called ‘Wise Pan An’ alright!”
Qin Yining looked at her father with sparkling eyes of worship. Father is the best! He thought of a plan a long time ago!
The marquis smiled at his daughter and added on, “There’s another benefit to our plan.”
“What is it?” Weichi Yan was already excitedly on his feet.
“When the merchants were ordinary citizens, they were most concerned with their own profit and loss. They only worried about whether they would be robbed of their fortunes. The prosperity of the nation was never much on their minds. To be frank, it didn’t matter to them who sat on the throne. But once they become officials, they’re no longer just ordinary citizens. The stability of the government has a direct tie to whether or not they can continue to enjoy their positions. Thus, this plan will also bind many very wealth people on the same side as court.”
Weichi Yan was stunned by this revelation and thought for a long moment. “Then, then they’ll be concerned about whether the capital and country can withstand our enemies, right? If we lack silver at any time of the war, they’ll donate of their own accord, right? I no longer have to prevail upon their sense of duty?”
Qin Huaiyuan bowed with a smile. “Your Majesty is wise.”
* * *
Chapter 251: Jealousy
Chapter 251: Jealousy
Weichi Yan spun in several circles with delight and clapped Qin Huaiyuan’s shoulders roughly. “Beloved subject, We thank you greatly! We thank you on behalf of the people of Great Yan!”
Qin Huaiyuan hastily knelt on the ground. “This subject would never dare. As a subject of Great Yan, we naturally need to think of the country. I am just offering what little strength I have, how would I dare let Your Majesty thank me in this way? As the ruler of the nation, Your Majesty holds the world in the palm of your hand. Besides, Your Majesty is kept busy from dusk to dawn with the affairs of the nation. To
be able to share one of your burdens is a great honor for your subject.”
Qin Yining was on her knees as well, committing her father’s pretty remarks to heart.
The emperor only felt extremely comforted that someone was finally acknowledging and recognizing his hard work and efforts. This was truly a sublime occurrence! When he next looked at the marquis, he felt not only the respect of a student for a wise teacher, but the gratitude of having someone truly understand him.
“Please rise, beloved subject Qin.” Weichi Yan then looked approvingly at Qin Yining. “Xuan Su has benefited greatly from the marquis’ personal tutelage. You are the smartest woman in the dynasty.”
Qin Yining hastily made a responding curtsey. “This subject doesn’t dare. I haven’t seen much of the world and only know how to play with some minor details. I am unworthy of Your Majesty’s compliments.”
The emperor had to laughingly shake his head at that. He knew that he didn’t have much aptitude for politics, and that sometimes the Qin fourth miss saw things more clearly than him. If she only knew how to play with some minor details, then wasn’t he someone who couldn’t handle even that?
But Weichi Yan wasn’t the sort to blow something out of proportion and quickly put it out of his mind. Much more lighthearted after coming up with a plan, he spent a few moments discussing the altar to be set up tomorrow.
When everything was decided upon, he left along with Qin Huaiyuan.
Qin Yining sent them off to the door. When they reached the flower-hung gate, Weichi Yan turned back to urge, “Go ahead and head on back, there’s no need to send Us off further. There are many trees and flowers here, so there must be many bugs and pests as well. Be careful of being bit. We will have servants create an enormous net and wrap up the entire tower with it.”
Lu-gonggong and the other accompanying palace servants all looked at Qin Yining with vastly different gazes and much more respect than before.