Chapter Twenty-One: Interfering in State Affairs

Today’s council meeting mainly focused on the issue of rebuilding the Three Great Halls. It is well known that the highest-ranking buildings within the imperial palace are these Three Great Halls—later called the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony, and now known as the Hall of Heavenly Reverence, the Canopy Hall, and the Hall of Respectful Conduct.

In the thirty-sixth year of the Jiajing reign, a devastating fire destroyed all three halls, which symbolized imperial authority. Reconstruction was imperative but remains unfinished to this day.

Thanks to recent efforts to supplement historical knowledge with AI assistance, Bai Yu has gained some understanding of why the reconstruction has been progressing so slowly. Simply put, there are three main reasons: first, the enormous military expenditures on defending against Japanese pirates and northern tribes, coupled with Emperor Jiajing’s enthusiasm for renovating palaces in the Western Gardens, have left the imperial treasury severely depleted. Second, obtaining qualified timber is exceedingly difficult; the Three Great Halls demand wood of the highest quality. Third, some officials deliberately obstruct the project for political gain.

The core topic today was how to raise funds for the reconstruction. Before much discussion could occur, two factions began exchanging insults. An imperial censor pointed at an elderly man suspected to be the Minister of Works and accused him of incompetence, unable to complete the halls after three years. The Minister retorted angrily, “Easy to talk when you’re standing! If you’re so capable, take over!”

The censor sneered sarcastically, “So you admit you lack both talent and virtue.” The Minister of Works removed his official hat, signaling a resignation on the spot, but was persuaded otherwise by his aides.

Bai Yu watched the spectacle with great amusement, wondering why her peers always complained that meetings were dull—perhaps they had simply grown bored. She finally understood why Officer Qian had warned her to keep a safe distance if ministers began to fight; such quarrels could easily escalate into blows.

Unable to suppress a chuckle, Bai Yu laughed out loud. The Minister of Works, mistaking her laughter for mockery, glared fiercely and scolded, “This is a place of council—what impudent fool dares to laugh?”

Furious, Bai Yu gripped her dagger, ready to draw it, but restrained herself. Violence would solve nothing—and the old man should beware lest he give her cause.

The other ministers paid no heed to Bai Yu’s outburst and continued their deliberations. After calming himself, the Minister of Works proposed, “There is no other way for now but to have all officials and military households in the capital donate a portion of their salaries. This could raise at least two hundred thousand taels within a month, yielding the quickest results.”

Bai Yu was stunned. Was this really the solution? Even a makeshift troupe would not be so crude. Or was there some deeper scheme she had yet to grasp? Her own monthly salary was but five dou of rice—if she donated it all, what would she eat or drink? While the nobility who did not rely on their stipends might not mind, what of those who depended on their salaries to survive?

This old man was utterly ruthless, caring nothing for the lives of those beneath him.

The discussion soon turned to the proposal to donate salaries, with some in favor and others opposed. Bai Yu could not help but speak loudly: “If the Minister of Works lacks money and you all plan to donate your salaries, what if next he claims a shortage of women? Will you then offer your wives and daughters?”

Her remark sparked a burst of laughter from the opposition, suddenly lightening the mood.

The Minister of Works scolded Bai Yu, “You are but a lowly officer—what right have you to speak here?”

Bai Yu sneered and scanned the room: “Gentlemen discuss matters of state, I care not! But if anyone dares to deceive the emperor, I cannot remain silent—that is my duty!”

The Minister of Personnel presiding over the meeting, Wu Peng, interjected, “Officer, be cautious! Where is the deception against the emperor?”

Bai Yu pointed at the Minister of Works with an accusing gaze: “This talk of donating salaries—everyone knows you lack funds for the reconstruction, but the one thing the world is never short of is fools and rumors! A dignified minister should know the weight of words. If this spreads, people might think the emperor himself is begging his subjects.”

The room fell silent.

Indeed, the consequences would be severe and impossible to dispel once such rumors took hold. Worse, the accusation had been made openly, making it difficult for Minister Ouyang Bi—Minister of Works—to clear his name. The small officer was not large in rank, but his spirit of retaliation was formidable—just moments after being berated, he had struck back.

Ouyang Bi stood stunned for a long while, then removed his hat and placed it firmly on the ground. Addressing the assembly, he declared, “I cannot continue as Minister of Works. I shall step down and yield to a worthy successor. I bid you farewell.”

Wu Peng hurried to restrain him: “Do not act rashly. Think carefully! Everyone knows the reconstruction progress is arduous. You are not solely to blame.”

Ouyang Bi waved him off: “My mind is made up. No need to persuade me further.”

If his earlier outburst was mere pretense, this was a genuine resignation. Let whoever wished take on this vexing role.

Bai Yu was surprised. Could his tolerance be so low? Did a few words truly drive him away? A flicker of anxiety passed through her—had she, a mere palace guard, interfered improperly in court affairs, perhaps even altering history?

Wu Peng turned to her sternly: “You seize upon mere snippets to cast malicious judgments. How is this different from literary inquisition? Are you satisfied now? Even if you have driven Minister Ouyang away, what problems have you solved?”

Bai Yu hesitated, then replied with defiance: “Is it not just a matter of funding? Why not reform the salt industry? Though not a perfect long-term solution, it would at least ease the immediate crisis.”

Wu Peng scoffed, “You speak too lightly.”

Bai Yu pressed on, “The salt trade in the Two Huai regions has long suffered under pirate raids, and profits have stagnated locally. Smuggling has flourished unchecked for years, enriching the common people. Now that the raids are subsiding, if the court dispatches inspectors to clean up the salt industry and crack down on smugglers, surely some of those accumulated profits can be reclaimed. I cannot guarantee much, but two or three hundred thousand taels is certainly possible, enough to relieve the current predicament.”

The assembly was stunned. Whether or not the proposal was sound, could such a young officer truly offer such insightful analysis? Upon reflection, it made considerable sense.

As Bai Yu spoke, vivid words sprang to mind—“rising smoke,” “my treasury”—and she could almost see the scene unfolding. She chuckled quietly to herself.

Wu Peng considered her words before speaking: “Report this matter to the senior ministers and submit it to His Majesty for judgment.”