eurekapd Chapter 975 La 8
Chapter 975 La 8
When the good news reached Li Che's case, the capital was preparing for the Spring Festival.
As the year draws to a close, the festive atmosphere in the capital city is gradually growing stronger. The people on the streets are full of enthusiasm, and the officials in the court are less solemn.
Although this was not the first Lunar New Year of the new dynasty, it was the first Spring Festival that Li Che could properly celebrate after ascending the throne.
At this time last year, the Fengtian Army had just captured the capital, and the late emperor had passed away less than a year ago. Naturally, no festive decorations could be displayed during the national mourning period.
According to the rites, the national mourning period should last for three years. Now it is only the second year, so it is not appropriate to have too many celebrations.
But over the past year or so, Daqing has gone through countless hardships, from pacifying the north to recovering Sichuan, and now the war in the south is about to be settled.
Considering the hard work of the officials and the rare peace and tranquility of the people, Li Che decided to take this opportunity to let everyone have some fun.
Such a compassionate gesture towards the people's plight would naturally deter anyone from bringing up the rules of etiquette, seizing on this minor flaw, and incurring the emperor's wrath.
The day the good news arrived was the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.
Daqing also has a Laba Festival, which is related to Buddhism. Legend has it that before Shakyamuni attained enlightenment on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, he received milk porridge from a shepherdess to restore his strength.
Following this story, the temple cooked porridge with fragrant grains and fruits to offer to the Buddha and distributed it to believers and poor families.
Nowadays in Daqing, drinking Laba porridge has become a nationwide activity.
From the imperial palace and government offices to ordinary people, everyone cooks a pot of hot Laba porridge on this day.
Li Che got up very early this morning, personally rolled up his sleeves and went into the imperial kitchen, leading the imperial chefs to cook several large pots of Laba porridge.
After offering sacrifices to Heaven, Earth, and ancestors, the emperor distributed the gifts to various meritorious officials and ministers to demonstrate his benevolence.
The taste of the porridge cooked by the emperor himself was secondary; what made the ministers who received the honor so grateful that they were moved to tears.
After the lively distribution of porridge subsided, Li Che returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The desk was piled high with memorials, mostly from officials from various regions and generals on campaigns.
As usual, Li Che personally reviewed each document, since he had already appeased the officials in the capital, and he couldn't neglect the officials in the provinces.
Fortunately, nothing serious happened. Li Che usually just glanced at the document and then wrote down platitudes such as "I am well, you have worked hard."
However, a letter from Fujian province caught his eye for a few more seconds.
In his memorial, the newly appointed governor Su Chen wrote that the people of Fuzhou were overjoyed to have returned to the rule of the emperor, and presented this petition of ten thousand people to pray for His Majesty.
Along with the folded paper was a long white silk scroll, covered with countless black handprints, all made by the people of Fuzhou.
Li Che stared at the handprints, and it was as if the scene of his time in Fuzhou was reappearing before his eyes.
The eyes of the masses are discerning, and they are also grateful.
They always remembered that he had helped them eliminate the Japanese pirates and corrupt officials in Fuzhou.
At that time, Li Che was still a prince, and many things were done casually, but for the people of Fuzhou, they were a great favor.
This is why, when the entire south fell to the Japanese, only the people of Fuzhou remained loyal to the imperial court.
On the surface, he submitted to the false emperor, but in secret, he colluded with Su Chen to deliver a fatal blow to the Southern Army.
His heart warmed, and he picked up his pen to write down the promise of "exempting Fujian Province from taxes for one year".
Just as the vermilion brush was about to fall, it paused.
Li Che frowned slightly, quickly realizing that this was inappropriate.
If taxes are exempted simply because of a petition from the people, other places will follow suit in the future. Officials, in order to achieve political achievements, will inevitably force the people to submit petitions to curry favor.
If this continues, the national treasury will be empty, government orders will be treated lightly, and good intentions will turn into disasters.
Li Che sighed deeply. The longer he was emperor, the more difficult it was for him to hold the position.
Especially matters concerning reputation are the ultimate test of one's character.
After all, what monarch doesn't want the support of his people?
Exempting a monarch from taxes for a year may seem harmless, but once the monarch shows favoritism, his subordinates will rack their brains to please him.
Therefore, the greatest taboo for a ruler is to let others know his preferences.
Even the smallest whim can be magnified into an opportunity to exploit.
Although Li Che knew that Su Chen was not an opportunistic person, he could not set such a precedent.
Li Che shook his head and started a new line:
"I am very pleased and hereby order the Imperial Treasury to allocate funds to select a site in Fuzhou to dig twenty-seven official wells to commend your loyalty and righteousness."
Tax exemption is no longer possible, but it is still possible to use private funds to dig a few wells for the people of Fuzhou.
Presumably, the officials below wouldn't be so bold as to embezzle the money they would have used to dig wells for the people.
Besides the meticulously prepared memorials like those from Su Chen, there were also many that gave Li Che a headache, such as the memorial from the Governor-General of Water Resources of Henan Province.
[Water Resources Commissioner: This shows the Yellow River water levels in various parts of Henan Province in October.]
[Li Che: It's in good condition, but we must not relax our patrols and must be vigilant against the collapse of the river embankment.]
[Water Resources Commissioner: This shows the Yellow River water levels in various parts of Henan Province in October.]
[Li Che: You've maintained it well. I already know.]
[Water Resources Commissioner: This shows the Yellow River water levels in various parts of Henan Province in October.]
[Li Che: I've already replied.]
[Water Resources Commissioner: This shows the Yellow River water levels in various parts of Henan Province in October.]
[Li Che: I've already replied.]
[Water Resources Commissioner: This shows the Yellow River water levels in various parts of Henan Province in November.]
[Li Che: I have reviewed the October report, and there are no changes in the November report either, so there is no need to report again.]
There were many more memorials like this, mainly because his ministers could be roughly divided into two types:
One type is the scholar who came from the imperial examination system. When he submits a memorial, he always quotes classical texts and writes thousands of words, but he can't get to the point, making people dizzy.
Another type, like this Water Governor, was a rough man who had been transferred from the military. He didn't understand the rules of paperwork and was afraid of making mistakes, so he had to report the same thing over and over again.
Li Che had made up his mind to reform the format of memorials next year and standardize it, so as to save himself from so much useless work.
Li Che picked up the last memorial, which was another letter of greeting, sent by the governor of Taiwan Province.
[Governor of Taiwan Province: This is a local Taiwanese product called mango, presented to Your Majesty.]
[Li Che: I understand. These things are useless. Don't send any more.]
After writing the last word, all the memorials were finally reviewed. Looking out the window, the sun was already setting.
Li Che stretched his sore and numb shoulders and back, and was about to go to the back garden to play with Xiao Song and Xiao Tuan when he saw Huai En quietly walk in.
Seeing Li Che's exhausted appearance, Huai En hesitated to speak.
Li Che asked, "Is something the matter?"
Huai En bowed and said, "Your Majesty, General Li Jie has returned."
Li Che's expression immediately changed. The brothers Li Bao and Li Jie were now high-ranking officers in the navy, the number two in the First and Second Fleets, respectively.
They should be fighting on Qiongzhou Island, but they have suddenly returned to the capital. Something big must have happened.
Li Che pressed on, "Where is he?"
"Just entered the city gate."
"Summon him immediately!" Li Che ordered. "No need for formalities, bring him directly to the Hall of Mental Cultivation!"