Chapter 289: Chapter 289
“What the—resorting to any means to achieve your goal, regardless of sacrifices, the host, you’re not that kind of person…”
The man had left long ago, but the system in her mind kept chattering, still defending its host indignantly.
An Ning herself didn’t much care. After being tended by the palace servants and washing her hands, she rose and walked toward her inner chamber.
On the desk, the two players’ game of chess hadn’t been put away. Black and white pieces lay strewn across the board, the pattern of their positions showing how fierce the earlier duel had been.
In some sense, the two players’ styles could even be called remarkably similar.
That night, the occasional croak of frogs drifted in from outside the window.
After a moment, An Ning chuckled softly:
“Actually, what he said earlier isn’t entirely wrong, is it?”
There are countless clever people in the world, yet how many reformers through history succeeded? Most didn’t even survive, and in the end all they left behind was a mess.
It’s simply that she has more cards up her sleeve...
In early April, while everyone in court was quietly watching where the official’s blade would fall next, news came that the official intended to renovate the palace chambers.
No way—luxurious so soon after taking the throne?
The official didn’t seem like that kind of person… wait, no—wasn’t he?
This official did seem to live extravagantly. He was famous for being a master at managing finances; when he was a princess, his private coffers were shockingly large, and most of the expense came from his own funds, so it hadn’t stirred much controversy…
Just renovating the palace? Considering the manpower and material costs, the censors led by Bao Zheng were immediately restless.
Fortunately, it didn’t take long before the current imperial physician, Lord He, stepped forward.
“What, the palace decorations are toxic; vermilion especially. Long-term exposure will weaken the body, and most importantly, it’s harmful to offspring!”
But recalling the terrifying infant mortality among generations of the Zhao household, this... actually wasn’t entirely unreasonable.
And most importantly:
“Ministers, do not worry. All expenses for this renovation will come from my private coffers. No civilian conscription will be used; all workers will be ordinary hired laborers...”
Once it was said that plainly, what could the ministers say? Forsake the official’s health? Or his future heirs?
But... no forced labor, and all costs borne by the official’s private treasury, and he could be so calm—without any apparent sorrow...
Ouyang Xiu and the others silently tallied the costs and gulped.
Gasp! That private coffers of his could probably match half the national treasury...
Half the treasury, ha!
An Ning who overheard the whispers snorted. These people knew absolutely nothing about her funds!
In June, An Ning led a host of palace servants to an outer palace.
The grand palace renovations commenced in full force. Unexpectedly, most of the laborers hired were soldiers—those rated as third-class in the last assessment.
Ha—what complaints! A burly forty-something private scoffed: they’re paying us, why wouldn’t we work? The wages were even better than the odd jobs earlier in town!
They said we’d even get a new cotton jacket when it’s done!
The commander was right: at this age, how long could they cling to the army? This was a rare chance to earn extra money. With the new official so generous, why not work hard and save up for retirement?
With that thought, the soldiers moved with increasing energy.
But a few days later—
“Wait, this cart isn’t right. Why is it so light to pull?”
“What kind of wheel is that?”
“What’s this big slab of yaoyu?” (a Song-era term for glass; and it’s so shiny...)
No wonder they were astonished. Although glass had become common among the Song aristocracy, due to production methods it was mostly used for vases and small ornaments and had always been expensive.
Even without talking about its size, how could such clear, transparent yaoyu be produced? Just seeing the official spending lavishly on windows made people catch their breath.
This... is ostentatious—truly extravagant!
The usually frugal senior ministers couldn’t help but lament, though some sharp-eyed people sniffed something else.
Especially those who glanced at the odd wheels under the cart.
Sure enough, soon the Imperial Household Department announced: two items would be auctioned off with exclusive operation rights; interested parties could register at the Directorate of Manufacture.
Merchants’ noses are always keen.
Quickly, the first daring buyer in Bianjing appeared. The next day, the Treasure Pavilion began selling glass mirrors, full-length mirrors, and even the windows that An Ning’s previous chambers had used.
In short, purity improved to a whole new level; the variety of styles was dazzling.
The critical point: the prices were several times cheaper than before!
And the rubber wheels swiftly saved many sore bottoms after long jolting journeys...
June, despite the blazing heat, saw merchants from all over the country swarm Bianjing, almost fighting over the exclusive rights. Ten years—ten years of monopoly—how much would that be worth?
But at that moment, the eunuch in charge looked troubled:
“Sigh, it’s not that I mean to be difficult, but you know this yaoyu isn’t like others; it’s most precious. If any damage occurs along the way…”
“Our waterways are good, but they don’t reach everywhere, and the route is rough—if something happens on the road...”
As he spoke his brows tightened.
Those present were all smart people. Immediately someone took the hint:
“Eunuch Liang is right; the road is too rough. I heard the official had paved a ‘cement road’ in the city before. No wonder our journey was so smooth. If every prefecture had such a road, it would be a blessing to those of us who travel these streets!”
“If we could get that road, this lowly man would gladly contribute!”
Of course how much contribution depended on what the other party could give. Everyone had their own calculations.
“Brother Shang is right. This humble man feels the same...”
“Yes, building bridges and roads is our great virtue!”
With a chorus of “sincerity brings sincerity” responses, Eunuch Liang soon wore a faint smile.
That evening, when he returned, his box was full of paper money—the jiaozi of that time.
By December, with the palace repairs complete and the soldiers regretfully missing their extra wages, the next day in court An Ning raised the road-paving issue herself, especially for areas where travel was difficult.
Before the ministers could object, the official at the top smiled and said:
“Ministers, rest assured. All expenses for this will likewise be covered by my private coffers. No civilian labor required...”
What—how can one person have money to this extent?
Even by the time court adjourned, many ministers still wore dazed expressions.