IDWBE -Chapter 385 Abolishing the Stipends

Jiang Chou muttered, “It was much more comfortable when I was guarding the gate. Lying around every day, minding nothing. Now I’m busy like a dead dog—feet never touching the ground.”

Most importantly, the pay was far less!

A whole year’s income as a guard didn’t equal what he earned in a single month as a gatekeeper. The gap was enormous.

Jiao Zhong snapped irritably, “Are you complaining?”

“I’m the only one complaining?” Jiang Chou grinned. “You’re an old hand in the Prince’s residence. Everyone else who should’ve been promoted already has been. You’re the only one still without prospects. Doesn’t that bother you?”

“You damned fool, why bring that up?”

Jiao Zhong gritted his teeth. If Jiang Chou weren’t a Ninth Rank master, he’d have drawn his blade already. Too infuriating!

Cao Xiaohuan had mentioned it casually not long ago.

He’d already been angry enough.

Now Jiang Chou bringing it up again was like rubbing salt into a wound.

So everyone had been watching with open eyes all along. Pretending ignorance was useless.

The world was truly realistic.

“I’m saying this for your own good,” Jiang Chou lowered his voice after glancing around. “I heard General He Jixiang intends to transfer He Hong to the capital garrison. Think about it—if He Hong leaves, the Commander position becomes vacant. Other than you, who else is qualified to take it?”

“Who told you that?”

Jiao Zhong froze. “Who said Commander He is leaving? I don’t even know. How do you?”

He grew even more annoyed.

Was he some fake palace guard?

Every piece of news about the residence—he was always the last to hear it!

Jiang Chou curled his lips. “No wonder you’re still just a guard. The rumor’s everywhere, and you’re the only one unaware. Really, you should reflect—why does no one ever tell you anything?”

“I conduct myself uprightly!” Jiao Zhong protested.

“Fine, I won’t argue that,” Jiang Chou chuckled. “But He Hong leaving is certain. You’d better linger more around the Chief Steward. If someone else gets promoted, you’ll have no tears left to cry. You’re not young anymore. If you don’t advance now, you’ll have to strip off that uniform and go home to marry and hold babies.”

Jiao Zhong knew this well.

He was nearly forty. If promotion failed, he’d have to leave Prince He’s residence and become an ordinary wealthy retiree.

But he wasn’t reconciled.

Prince He inheriting the throne was only a matter of time. If he didn’t secure some official position now, it would be a lifelong regret.

After a long silence, he asked, “Why are you telling me all this?”

He didn’t believe Jiang Chou was acting out of kindness.

“Heh, more friends mean more roads,” Jiang Chou grinned. “And honestly, with your seniority and martial skill, you’ve got a real shot at Commander. If you rise, look after me a little.”

Jiao Zhong felt oddly tempted. “Really?”

“What do I gain from lying?” Jiang Chou shrugged. “But it’s all up to Chief Steward Hong. He doesn’t bend to pressure—soft or hard. If he ignores the rules, there’s nothing anyone can do.”

Jiao Zhong sighed.

When had Hong Ying ever followed rules?

At dusk, Lin Yi saw Hu Miaoyi return, eyes red and swollen.

The pearls and gold ornaments on her head and hands were gone.

He wasn’t good with comforting words. So that night, to console her, he “lent her his waist to coil around,” touring mountains and rivers until well past midnight.

By morning, he felt as if his body were falling apart.

“I’ve heard that standing upright uses three hundred muscles,”

Lin Yi yawned as Mingyue dressed him. “More tiring than practicing martial arts. If I’d had this perseverance in training, do you think I’d be a master now?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Mingyue replied, blushing.

After breakfast, just as he was about to nap again, Hong Ying entered.

“Your Highness, General Yuan requests an audience.”

“Which General Yuan?”

“Yuan Qing.”

“Did he come empty-handed, or with gifts?”

Hong Ying smiled. “He brought northern specialties—ginseng, sable furs. And slipped a few copper coins to Sun Cheng at the gate.”

Lin Yi nodded. “Then let him in.”

If he brought gifts, no matter how modest, it showed sincerity.

Empty-handed? Not worth meeting.

Yuan Qing entered and knelt with a loud thud.

“Your subject Yuan Qing pays homage! Long live Your Highness!”

“Uncle, no need for such formality,” Lin Yi smiled. “We’re family.”

He studied this “cheap uncle” carefully—slender, dressed in white, with the bearing of a scholar-general.

“You rendered great service in the northern victory. I’m pleased.”

Yuan Qing modestly credited Generals Shen Chu and Shen Zhanyao instead.

After pleasantries, Yuan Qing suddenly knelt again.

“Your Highness spared Yuan Zhen’s life. I am endlessly grateful.”

Lin Yi smiled faintly. “Yuan Zhen is my uncle too. No need for thanks. You know my temperament—I dislike beating around the bush. Speak plainly.”

Yuan Qing declared loudly, “I hold high military authority at over fifty years of age. I request to retire and return home. I ask the Regent’s permission.”

Lin Yi laughed casually.

“Is that the Duke’s idea? Last I saw, he was still vigorous enough. Hardly senile enough to relinquish military power.”

“It is my father’s wish,” Yuan Qing replied. “The Yuan clan will return to Qi Province and devote ourselves to study.”

Lin Yi shook his head.

“The realm is unstable. Can you truly read books in peace? It’s a time to employ talent—I cannot agree. Rest at home for now. When spring arrives, we march on Nanling. That old bastard Mei Jingzhi has intercepted my grain shipments too many times. I’ve been too busy to deal with him. Now that I’m free, if I don’t crush him, I’ll lose face.”

Nanling King controlled Nanling and Chuzhou—like a bone stuck in the throat. Without removing him, Lin Yi couldn’t advance further west.

Yuan Qing bowed deeply. “Your subject accepts the command.”

“Excellent,” Lin Yi helped him up. “Do not disappoint the common people.”

As Yuan Qing left, Lin Yi mused, “He’s suddenly so compliant—I’m not used to it.”

Jiao Zhong hurriedly asked, “Should I keep watch on him?”

Lin Yi rolled his eyes. “Pan Duo will handle such matters. Not you. By the way, I hear my father-in-law can barely afford food?”

Jiao Zhong cautiously replied, “The Commandery Prince is kindhearted and was taken advantage of. Hence the loss of funds.”

“Just say he’s foolish,” Lin Yi said, rubbing his forehead. “Tell Guo Zhao to manage his household. If something happens, it’ll become a joke.”

Before the skies cleared for two days, heavy snow returned.

Lin Yi stood atop the city wall, cloak wrapped tight, gazing at the dense crowd kneeling outside the Meridian Gate.

“These people don’t know contentment,” he sighed.

Two days earlier, he had abolished the clan stipend system.

Why?

To save money.

Why should the treasury spend millions of taels annually feeding a swarm of parasites?

Beside him, Chen Jingzhi forced a bitter smile.

This Prince He was truly audacious.

Over a hundred thousand imperial clansmen were affected!

Even Emperor Delong, decisive as he was, had only ever contemplated such a move—never dared enact it.

And Prince He dared defy the world’s opinion outright!

A gust of wind made Chen shiver.

“The clansmen are increasing despite the cold,” he muttered. “The Ministry of Rites and Meridian Gate are both blocked. They can neither be beaten nor scolded.”

Some had even gone to the imperial mausoleum to wail.

Lin Yi glanced at him lazily.

“I am merely the Regent. The edict was issued by His Majesty. What has it to do with me?”

His father’s greatest utility now was shouldering blame.

Chen Jingzhi was speechless.

The edict had been drafted by the Grand Secretariat and sealed by He Jixiang.

Emperor Delong probably didn’t even know.

If he did, he’d likely erupt in fury.