activa-t Chapter 529 Disaster in Chu
Chapter 529 Disaster in Chu
On the fourth day of the first lunar month, the grand court assembly was held as scheduled.
At dawn, officials, dressed in their court robes, lined up neatly in the square in front of the main hall of Xianyang Palace. A biting wind whipped snowflakes across their faces, yet no one dared to slacken their efforts. With a court attendant's announcement, "The King has arrived!", everyone knelt and shouted, "Long live the King!"
Ying Zheng, dressed in a black dragon robe, sat upright on the high dragon throne, his face stern and his gaze piercing as he surveyed the assembled officials below. After everyone had finished their obeisance, he slowly spoke: "Rise, my ministers. Do you have any matters to report for today's grand court?"
Ying Wuyou took a deep breath, held the jade tablet, stepped out from the ranks of officials, bowed and said, "Father, I have something to report."
"Speak," Ying Zheng's voice was deep and authoritative.
Ying Wuyou raised his head and said loudly, "Your subject reports. Your subject requests that Your Majesty approve the establishment of a state-run maritime transport system, the construction of seaports, and the separation of the Maritime Transport Department from the Construction Department, elevating it to the thirteenth department, specializing in maritime affairs, so as to lay the foundation for the great cause of the Qin Dynasty for thousands of years."
She paused, then continued, "The advantages of maritime transport are fourfold. First, it connects the north and south, east and west, facilitating the transport of grain, salt, and iron, promoting economic exchange between regions, and eliminating regional barriers. Second, it allows for the development of overseas trade, acquiring rare treasures and strategic materials to enrich the national treasury and improve people's livelihoods. Third, it enables the formation of a navy, strengthening coastal defenses, preventing harassment from pirates and barbarians, and ensuring the peace and tranquility of coastal prefectures and counties. Fourth, it allows for the expansion of territory, exploration of overseas lands, and the dissemination of Qin's teachings, bringing the barbarians of all directions under its control."
After saying this, Ying Wuyou presented the carefully prepared memorial and map: "Father, this is the draft of the regulations for the establishment of the Maritime Affairs Bureau and the coastal planning map, which details the selection of port sites, ship regulations, naval organization, budget and other matters. I humbly request that Father review them."
Fu De presented the memorial and map to Ying Zheng. Ying Zheng carefully reviewed them, sometimes frowning in thought, sometimes nodding in approval. The hall was silent; all the officials held their breath, awaiting the King of Qin's decision.
A moment later, Feng Quji stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Your Majesty, the princess’s proposal is insightful and far-sighted. The benefits of maritime transport will last for generations. This old minister believes that establishing maritime transport and setting up a maritime transport bureau is a move to strengthen the country. I humbly request Your Majesty’s permission.”
Meng Tian followed suit: "This humble general seconded the motion. The construction of the navy is crucial to the safety of coastal defense, and the establishment of an independent command is imperative. This humble general is willing to personally take charge of the construction and training of the navy to safeguard the sea frontier for Great Qin."
Subsequently, ministers such as the Censor-in-Chief Feng Jie and the Minister of People's Livelihood Wei Zhuang also stepped forward to express their support for Ying Wuyou's petition.
Ying Zheng put down the memorial, looked around at the assembled officials, and said in a deep voice, "Do any of you have any objections?"
The hall was completely silent; no one objected.
Ying Zheng slowly stood up, his gaze sharp as lightning, and said in a loud voice: "Granted! Effective immediately, the Maritime Transport Bureau shall be established, ranking among the thirteen bureaus. The Grand Chancellor Ying Wuyou is hereby appointed to oversee the establishment of the Maritime Transport Bureau. The Grand Chancellor, the Minister of Military Affairs, and all relevant government offices must fully cooperate and there must be no mistakes!"
"Your subject accepts the decree! Thank you, Father!" Ying Wuyou bowed to receive the decree, her heart filled with excitement—her efforts had finally paid off, and the maritime trade of the Great Qin would officially begin today.
After the court session, Ying Wuyou immediately set about establishing the Maritime Transport Bureau. Under her direction, all tasks were carried out in full swing: she sent people to the Qilu and Jianghuai regions to investigate port site selection; she ordered the Construction Bureau to speed up the shipbuilding process; she selected elite soldiers from the army to form the initial framework of the navy; and she discussed the allocation of funds with the Imperial Household Department.
While Ying Wuyou was working day and night in Xianyang to plan and develop maritime trade and port development, the land of Chu, thousands of miles away, was being swept up by a sudden winter, presenting a desolate scene completely different from that of Guanzhong.
The candles in the princess's residence burned all night, and the table was covered with densely packed nautical charts. Ying Wuyou traced the marked harbor locations with her fingertips, and occasionally discussed methods of ship improvement with her subordinates. The air was filled with a sense of urgency to plan for the future.
Meanwhile, the sky over Chu remained perpetually heavy with leaden-gray clouds, and the biting wind whipped up snowflakes, pushing this once bountiful land, teeming with rice and fish, step by step toward the brink of collapse. This natural disaster brought not only biting cold, but also the despair of starvation, the collapse of livelihoods, and the disintegration of people's hearts.
That year, the land of Chu was devoid of the gentle warmth characteristic of the Jiangnan region, as if even the warmth of the earth had been sucked away by the cold wind. After autumn arrived, the rain never stopped. At first, it was just a light drizzle, but after a few days, it turned into a continuous, overcast rain that lasted for a full half-month. The fine rain, carrying a bone-chilling cold, seeped down through the cracks in the thatched roofs of the huts, soaking the earthen beds inside. The people's already thin, coarse cloth clothes, once washed and dried, could not be dried, so they could only huddle in the corners wearing their damp, cold clothes, their hands and feet turning purple from the cold.
The most heartbreaking sight is the winter wheat in the fields. In previous years, by this time, the winter wheat would have already sprouted and grown leaves, spreading a lush green across the field ridges. Farmers would simply wait for spring to apply fertilizer and weed, hoping for a good harvest. But now, the entire field has become a waterlogged swamp. The nearly mature wheat seedlings are submerged in the cold rainwater, their leaves gradually turning yellow, rotting, and finally turning completely black, slumped in the muddy water, devoid of any sign of life.
The farmers, draped in straw raincoats and barefoot, stood on the cold, muddy ridges of the fields. Their hands gripped the weeds tightly at the edge of the ridges as they gazed at the crops submerged in water. The light in their eyes gradually faded, leaving only an empty despair. Some squatted by the field, running their rough hands over the rotting wheat seedlings, tears mingling with the rain, muttering, "It's all over. Next year's harvest is gone."
The rain finally stopped, but before the people of Chu could even catch their breath, an even more astonishing scene suddenly appeared—a heavy snow began to fall from the sky. At first, it was just a few scattered flakes that melted instantly in the palm of one's hand. Within half a day, the snowfall grew heavier and heavier, swirling and dancing like willow catkins, and the world was soon covered in a vast expanse of white. In just a few hours, the entire capital of Ying was dyed silvery white, even the edges of the city walls and the eaves of the houses in the streets and alleys were completely covered by a thick layer of snow.
In the past, the streets of Yingdu were always bustling with activity, the shouts of peddlers, the rumble of horse-drawn carriages, and the sounds of storytelling from teahouses all blending together in a lively atmosphere. But now, the snow is knee-deep, and with each step, one sinks half an inch into the snow. The usual hustle and bustle has completely vanished, with only a few scattered pedestrians wrapped in tattered cotton-padded clothes, hunched over, struggling to move forward in the snow.
The cotton-padded coats were covered with patches, and in some places the cotton wadding was even showing. When the cold wind blew, the cotton wadding spun around. Pedestrians couldn't help but shrink their necks, bury their faces in their collars, and hurry home, wanting to get home as soon as possible, even if it was just as cold there, at least they could escape the snowstorm.