Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 350: Mu Yan Is Impeached!

An official reported: "Crown Prince, right in the midst of the autumn harvest, the Heiling Reservoir’s dam has burst, submerging the downstream crops and causing thousands of people to be displaced and homeless!"

The Crown Prince frowned and looked at the reporting official: "Heiling Reservoir has only been built for three years, with sturdy construction. How could this happen?"

Mu Yan looked over the expressions of the assembled ministers while the reporting official continued, "Recently, there have been torrential rains in Heiling, with an increasing water volume upstream, the reservoir couldn’t withstand the pressure, and so..."

The Crown Prince’s expression grew grave; this was the most challenging issue he had faced since serving as regent.

The ministers all voiced their own opinions, offering various suggestions.

Food is what the people hold as their heaven. The surge in grain prices due to the flood disaster, leaving the people without food, and the lack of timely aid could lead to unrest among the famine-stricken populace. The imperial court must prioritize flood prevention, relief, and reconstruction efforts.

The Crown Prince looked at Mu Yan, feeling as if his position as the regent was but a figurehead whenever financial resources were required for disaster relief.

The state treasury was depleted; now all eyes were on Mu Yan’s decisive actions.

"Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Industry, and Ministry of War, heed my command." Mu Yan spoke, and everyone fell silent.

His voice echoed through the hall, "After the flood, the first issue to resolve is the food for the disaster victims. As long as the people can maintain their livelihoods, the seeds of unrest will naturally decrease. The Ministry of Revenue needs to immediately arrange disaster relief grain and send it to the disaster areas following the principle of proximity."

"Additionally, distant water won’t put out a close fire. Appoint the local officials to take charge of timely disaster relief, with the Ministry of War mobilizing soldiers and village soldiers assisting, to execute immediately."

"The Ministry of Industry will oversee the relief and post-disaster reconstruction efforts, and the need for funds will be proposed by the Ministry of Revenue."

...

The three ministers of the respective departments were to remain in the capital, ready for comprehensive coordination. The Ministries of War, Revenue, and Industry each sent a Vice Minister in person to the disaster areas.

Mu Yan’s demeanor was composed as he arranged each aspect of the relief efforts, and then he left.

The Crown Prince’s heart, which had been racing wildly, finally settled down. He felt both dejected and yet reassured as the matter had been smoothly arranged.

After this event, most of the ministers and officials felt that the Crown Prince was still too young.

When faced with real problems, it was still the Regent King Mu Yan who could stabilize the hearts of the people.

Mu Yan returned home, and Zhan Lan had already come back from the Shen Family’s Trading House.

When Mu Yan had hurriedly left earlier, she had learned about the breach of the Heiling Reservoir.

Mu Yan saw her packing luggage and asked, "Lan’er, are you going to Heiling?"

Zhan Lan nodded, "I just contacted my sworn brother; he can divert some grain from the areas surrounding Heiling, which should help the disaster victims."

Mu Yan held her hand and said, "Let’s go together."

Zhan Lan looked at him, smiling slightly, "That’s exactly my intention, which is why I’ve also packed your clothes."

Her desire to go to Heiling was twofold: first, because she wanted to partake in the disaster relief, and second, because she wanted to help Mu Yan secure the throne and win the hearts of the people.

Mu Yan smiled at Zhan Lan; he could sense Lan’er’s intentions.

Zhan Lan beckoned Mu Yan with her finger, and as Mu Yan moved closer, Zhan Lan whispered something to him. Mu Yan’s pupils dilated, and Zhan Lan tilted her head to look at him, "My lord, are you willing?"

Mu Yan looked at her with appreciation in his eyes and with a smile said, "I’m just worried it might be too hard on you."

Zhan Lan shook her head, "As long as you agree, that’s enough. Thank you for being willing to listen to me on this matter."

Mu Yan pulled her into his arms and said, "Lan’er, you are the finest woman under the heavens, deserving of all that is beautiful."

...

That night, Zhan Lan and Mu Yan set out for Heiling, two hundred miles away.

Meanwhile, at the early morning court session the next day, Liu Hanlin, the Chief Minister of the Cabinet who had not attended court for a long time due to illness, arrived at the great hall.

The ministers were puzzled as to why this old official, who had not attended a court session since the Regent King began assisting the Crown Prince, had come today.

When they saw that the Regent King’s seat was empty, everyone instantly understood.

Prime Minister Liu and the Regent King had been at odds for many years, and it seemed that this old minister’s visit was not without a hidden agenda.

Indeed, after the ministers finished reporting on relief efforts, Liu Hanlin sneered and said, "Why has the Regent King not yet come to court?"

Liu Hanlin was part of the Crown Prince Faction, and the Crown Prince of course knew that Prime Minister Liu was supporting him.

He coughed lightly and said, "The Regent King has been tirelessly working day and night recently; he may be somewhat delayed in arriving."

Liu Hanlin furrowed his brow and said coldly, "The treasury is empty; the Regent King has not refrained from taking bribes over the years. Shouldn’t he be the one to provide the silver for disaster relief at this time? Why put the Ministry of Revenue and the treasury in a difficult position!"

Instantly, the court ministers exchanged glances, realizing that Prime Minister Liu really did not fear death.

Although they all knew about these matters very well, no one dared to speak out. Now Prime Minister Liu had brought these issues into the open, indicating he intended to impeach the Regent King.

The Crown Prince’s eyes shone; this Chief Minister was indeed bold. Today, with the Imperial Uncle absent, it was a good opportunity to diminish his authority.

Just as the Crown Prince was about to speak, Minister of Revenue Huo Zheng interjected in a deep voice, "Prime Minister Liu, I have looked into the Regent King’s accounts over these years, and I ask you to review them."

All eyes turned to Huo Zheng.

Everyone knew Huo Zheng to be a man of unyielding integrity; the accounts in his hands were undoubtedly true. Could it be that Huo Zheng was also aiming to impeach the Regent King in his absence?

The Crown Prince ordered an eunuch to take the accounts and presumptuously said, "Read it out loud!"

The eunuch’s shrill voice read, "In the third month of the tenth year of Emperor Xuanwu’s reign, spent four hundred thousand taels of silver constructing the Wind and Cloud Daoist Temple; spent three hundred thousand taels producing the Longevity Pills; in the tenth month of the eleventh year of Emperor Xuanwu’s reign, built..."

"Stop speaking!" The Crown Prince panicked; he had not expected that the accounts would detail the expenses of his father, Emperor Xuanwu, constructing the Daoist temple and producing the pills.

The ministers’ faces also changed. This was not an impeachment of the Regent King; it was clearly an impeachment of Emperor Xuanwu.

"Why does the Crown Prince not allow the eunuch to continue reading?" asked Zhong Xuanliang, the Imperial Censor, his voice deep and serious.

As the most steadfast man in the Southern Nanjin court, this was the first time he had heard of such matters.

Turned out, the Regent King, Mu Yan, whom he had been impeaching for many years, had all along been taking the fall for Emperor Xuanwu!

Prime Minister Liu glared at Huo Zheng and, with a bow, said, "These accounts need further verification. The Emperor is currently unwell; how can we dishonor His Majesty at such a time!"

The Crown Prince agreed, saying, "This matter requires thorough investigation, and we cannot trust one-sided statements."

Imperial Censor Zhong Xuanliang raised his tablet, his expression stern and resolute as he stated, "This matter must be clarified today in front of all the civil and military officials. Given the gravity of the situation, I request that the Crown Prince circulate the accounts through the hall!"

Zhan Beicang, for the first time, found Imperial Censor Zhong Xuanliang quite appealing. He too stepped forward and raised his tablet high, proclaiming loudly, "I second the motion!"

In an instant, the hall echoed with overlapping voices ringing out, "I second the motion!"