Chapter 13: New Position, New Rewards, and the Dawn of a Flourishing Era!
On the resplendent imperial court, the atmosphere was grave and solemn. From this day forward, the power dynamics of the court had changed completely.
“Effective immediately, Mr. Qi is appointed as the Grand Tutor of the Great Tang Dynasty.”
Li Chengqian’s voice thundered through the hall like a heavy hammer striking the hearts of all present.
The position of Grand Tutor was like the brightest star in the firmament, a rank so exalted it left one breathless. It was the foremost among the Three Tutors, towering above the Three Dukes—a symbol of overwhelming authority, truly second only to the emperor himself.
One recalled how, in times past, even the powerful Chancellor Zhangsun Wuji had never attained such supreme honor.
Now, with Mr. Qi bestowed this distinction, he undeniably stood at the summit of power, revered by all.
“Qin Rushao is hereby appointed Grand General of the Longwu Army, granted the privilege to enter the palace wearing his sword and boots, and exempted from bowing to the emperor.”
This decree cut through the silence like a lightning bolt, instantly drawing all eyes to Qin Rushao.
As a Second Rank General of the Longwu Army, adorned in splendid armor and radiating awe-inspiring presence, this special privilege reflected the emperor’s immense favor, making him the envy and admiration of all military commanders at court.
“From this day forth, the Southern and Northern Pacification Offices are established.”
“The Qianniu Guards are reformed into the Brocade-Clad Guards; all official positions within the Qianniu Guards are to be abolished.”
“The Brocade-Clad Guards will have a Commander-in-Chief and subordinate ranks. The Commander-in-Chief holds the rank of Junior Second Grade, authorized to execute orders before reporting, wielding imperial authority to act at discretion. I grant the Brocade-Clad Guards the right to act expediently.”
“From this day forward, Zhang Xianhuai shall serve as the Commander-in-Chief.”
This series of earth-shattering measures left those present gaping in disbelief.
The newly established Brocade-Clad Guards wielded terrifying power.
The Commander-in-Chief, holding Junior Second Rank, commanded life and death with authority as weighty as a thousand pounds.
With a vast and formidable force beneath him, and the chilling privileges of executing sentences before reporting and acting at discretion granted by imperial decree, the Brocade-Clad Guards were like a gleaming sword suspended above all heads, ready to fall at any moment—casting an invisible shadow of pressure over everyone.
“We humbly thank His Majesty for this heavenly grace.”
Those conferred with titles and rank wore faces aglow with excitement and joy—an exhilaration akin to ascending to the heavens in a single step.
They knelt and kowtowed, their voices brimming with uncontrollable enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, the ministers who received no honors felt jealousy’s flames burn fiercely within them.
Yet, their eyes directed at the emperor kindled a growing spark of hope, burning ever brighter.
This emperor acted with resolute decisiveness—though somewhat impulsive and direct—he was generous in his rewards.
These rewards were no empty promises but tangible splendor and wealth.
“Now, I shall tell you what each of your departments must do next.”
Li Chengqian’s voice rang out again, commanding as thunder, echoing through the hall.
It instantly snapped everyone out of their reverie; the court fell silent, save for the soft breaths of those present.
“Zhang Xianhuai!”
The emperor’s voice boomed, reverberating through the hall.
“At your service, Your Majesty!”
Zhang Xianhuai strode forward with measured steps, clasping his hands respectfully before Li Chengqian, his expression both reverent and resolute.
“You have two days to transform the Qianniu Guards into the Brocade-Clad Guards. This matter is of utmost importance; not the slightest error will be tolerated.”
“You must also inventory the landholdings and assets of all noble and landlord families within Chang’an. Regardless of disputes or correctness, all properties shall be confiscated.”
“If any guilty parties are found, do not waste time on lengthy interrogations. Execute them publicly at the vegetable market to uphold the law.”
“If no evidence is found, arrange suitable housing for them within Chang’an to ensure they have a place to live.”
“All confiscated properties must be delivered without discrepancy to the Ministry of Revenue, where they will be meticulously counted, recorded, and stored.”
Each of Li Chengqian’s words rang like a military order, solemn and unquestionable.
“Your servant receives the order!”
Zhang Xianhuai bowed and withdrew, determined to spare no effort in fulfilling the emperor’s trust.
“Where is the Minister of Revenue?”
The emperor’s gaze swept across the officials like a blazing torch.
“The Minister of Revenue, Li Wei, pays homage to Your Majesty!”
A middle-aged man in official robes stepped forward steadily. Perhaps in his forties, his countenance was calm, his gaze resolute, every step imbued with gravity and dignity.
“Did you hear everything I just said?”
Li Chengqian fixed him with a commanding yet expectant look.
“I have received the order, Your Majesty!”
Li Wei’s voice was firm and loud, aware of the great responsibility he bore.
This was not only about the court’s finances but also about social stability and harmony—there was no room for negligence.
“Qin Rushao!”
Li Chengqian called again, his voice resounding through the hall.
“At your command!”
Qin Rushao responded loudly, shaking the rafters.
“From now on, Chang’an is under martial law—entry is permitted, exit forbidden.”
“You shall lead the soldiers of the Three Camps and the Longwu Army on constant patrols within the city.”
“Do not let any suspicious person escape. Ensure the safety of Chang’an; no one is allowed to leave the city.”
“Your servant obeys!”
Qin Rushao clasped his hands in salute, his expression solemn.
The fate of Chang’an rested on his shoulders; he would not fail the emperor’s trust.
“Pei Xingjian!”
The emperor turned to another minister, his gaze filled with confidence.
“At your service!”
Pei Xingjian stepped forward, standing tall.
“You are now Minister of Works. I order the Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds; you shall build brick and cement factories in Chang’an.”
“Recruit those without livelihood and the idle to work there, and pay them wages equal to those of craftsmen in Xianyang—do not shortchange them.”
“By the end of this year, I want to see the completion of the Tang cement roads—this will be a great achievement for our dynasty.”
“Next year, I want the walls of Chang’an to be unbreakable, protecting all our people!”
“I obey Your Majesty’s commands!”
Pei Xingjian’s gaze was resolute despite the daunting task.
This was an unparalleled opportunity to contribute to the Tang Dynasty; he vowed to renew Chang’an’s visage.
“Order the Ministry of Agriculture to swiftly draft regulations to distribute the latest varieties of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn to the people of Chang’an at the appropriate time this year.”
“All arable land in Chang’an, fertile or barren, shall be planted with these three crops within three years.”
Li Chengqian’s eyes shone with earnest hope for agricultural development.
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The agriculture officials accepted the command. These crops held immense significance for the Tang.
The seasoned ministers understood the earlier orders—after all, they were familiar with shifts in power, military deployments, and infrastructure projects.
But when they heard these unfamiliar names—potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn—their faces filled with confusion and bewilderment; they whispered among themselves in low tones.
Fang Xuanling, a venerable and esteemed statesman, could no longer contain his curiosity. He stepped forward and bowed.
“May this old servant inquire, Your Majesty, what are these crops called potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn? We have never heard of them before.”
Li Chengqian seated on the dragon throne smiled faintly; he had anticipated their doubts.
His gaze swept slowly across the ministers before settling on a young man behind Fang Xuanling.
“I suppose it is natural that Chancellor Fang is unfamiliar. Young man behind Chancellor Fang, I recall your name is Chen Fusheng, one of the most outstanding scholars from Xianyang National Academy?”
“I am Chen Fusheng, Your Majesty,” the young man answered respectfully, stepping forward. Upright and refined, he bowed deeply to Li Chengqian, his demeanor confident yet humble.
“Very well, you shall explain to the elders of the court what these crops are.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Chen Fusheng turned to face the ministers.
After bowing politely to the senior officials, he cleared his throat and began:
“Esteemed elders, the so-called potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn are miraculous crops carefully developed by His Majesty in Xianyang.”
“These crops embody the painstaking efforts of Your Majesty and many scholars; they are the fruit of wisdom.”
“They undergo detailed annual research and varietal improvements by the Ministry of Agriculture.”
“Those of us from Xianyang know well that these crops feature in almost every meal.”
“Take sweet potatoes, for example—they were first successfully cultivated last year.”
“After large-scale planting and rigorous statistics, the average yield per mu reached fifteen hundred jin!”
“This yield far surpasses that of any current Tang crops.”
At this, Fang Xuanling’s eyes widened in astonishment.
He instinctively interrupted Chen Fusheng.
“Young man, forgive me for interrupting—you said this sweet potato crop yields an average of fifteen hundred jin per mu?”
Chen Fusheng nodded solemnly.
“Yes, Chancellor Fang, around fifteen hundred jin per mu, based on last year’s data.”
“Thanks to the persistent efforts of agricultural scholars, this year’s new seedlings, nurtured and tested in experimental fields, are expected to exceed two thousand jin per mu.”
“This increase in yield is the result of the Ministry of Agriculture’s endeavors.”
These words struck like thunder, shaking the entire court.
Not only Fang Xuanling, but every senior minister present had reddened eyes—expressions filled with excitement, astonishment, and disbelief.
Li Jing could no longer contain his excitement. He stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly.
“My young friend, such high yield is impressive. How about storage? Are these crops prone to spoilage?”
Chen Fusheng smiled and shook his head.
“General Li, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn are treasures of the Tang.”
“They can be stored for long periods, resist spoilage, and possess strong vitality and adaptability.”
“Whether in drought or flood, they grow tenaciously.”
Hearing this, Li Jing’s chest heaved with emotion.
He envisioned the future of the Tang army.
If these crops could be used as military provisions, ensuring every soldier was well-fed, the Tang army would become invincible.
No longer would they worry about supply shortages; no foreign enemy could stand against them.
As Li Jing finished, Wei Zheng eagerly rose.
His eyes shone with urgency and hope.
“My young friend—no, sir—are you telling the truth? Fifteen hundred jin per mu?”
Chen Fusheng nodded earnestly.
“You may visit Xianyang yourself, or ask these students from Xianyang around you. It is absolutely true, without deceit. I stake my life on it.”
Upon hearing this, Wei Zheng seemed to lose all strength and collapsed to the ground.
Tears streamed down his face, his voice choked with emotion.
“Heaven bless our Great Tang!”
“Usually, a good harvest of wheat or millet yields one shi per mu.”
“But just the sweet potato yield alone is fifteen hundred jin—almost fifteen shi of grain!”
“This is a divine gift to our Great Tang! The good days for our people are coming!”
“With these crops, the Tang will no longer fear any natural disaster or calamity.”
“The people will no longer suffer hunger, no longer watch their loved ones starve!”
Wei Zheng, usually stern and composed, was now like a child, sitting on the ground, laughing and crying in joy.
His delight was born from genuine hope for the people’s better future.
Fang Xuanling looked at Wei Zheng, equally moved but striving to control his emotions.
He was advanced in years and feared an outburst might harm him.
Composing himself, he asked Chen Fusheng,
“Since sweet potatoes already yield so much, what about corn and potatoes?”
All present held their breath, eyes fixed unblinkingly on Chen Fusheng.
As if he were about to reveal a secret concerning the very survival of the Tang Dynasty, no one dared miss a single word.
“Potatoes and corn yield less than sweet potatoes,” Chen Fusheng replied.
“Corn averages around seven hundred jin per mu, potatoes around twelve hundred jin per mu.”
“As to why we do not plant only sweet potatoes, it is due to the Academy’s guidelines.”
“People cannot eat sweet potatoes exclusively for long periods. Although sweet potatoes can alleviate hunger, prolonged consumption causes nutritional deficiencies, leading to illness.”
“Potatoes can be eaten in larger quantities, but eating any one crop continuously will eventually cause boredom.”
“Therefore, rotating these three crops is sufficient to sustain life and maintain health.”
Though terms like Ministry of Agriculture, Academy of Sciences, nutrition, and research were unfamiliar and difficult to grasp for these venerable ministers of the Zhenguan era, they understood clearly:
These three crops were heavenly gifts to the people of the Tang, the foundation for lasting peace and prosperity.