Chapter 29: A Master's Lesson in Acting

On the tenth day, Meng Changqing crept out of the pit at the crack of dawn, carrying a hoe to mark out the location for the kitchen.

The kitchen would be situated next to the sheds; the commoners were already accustomed to running in that direction, so there was no need to change it.

As she passed by the sheds, the commoners who had just finished their night shifts were eating; seeing her approach, they even lowered the sound of their smacking lips.

Ever since the night of the fourth, hardly a single commoner was not afraid of her.

The kitchen Meng Changqing intended to build had to be large first, capable of preparing at least six thousand portions of food simultaneously.

Based on the current food intake of the commoners, one large pot of millet porridge could feed about thirty people; therefore, a kitchen for six thousand people would need to accommodate at least two hundred pots.

One *xun* of distance was just enough to fit two pots.

Standing in the snow, Meng Changqing did a quick calculation: one *xun* equals 1.6 meters. Assuming a kitchen was 5 meters by 10 meters, with an entrance on one wall and the other three walls lined with pots, one kitchen could hold thirty pots.

In other words, she would need seven kitchens of that size.

As for why she chose this area, it was because larger buildings were harder to construct, while smaller ones would be impractical.

For now, she would start with the first one; after all, she only had three large pots.

As she finished measuring the distance and marking the location, Zhang Yuan and the others, who had slept in the pit overnight, also got up.

"Prefect," Zhang Yuan said, wiping his face with snow as he walked quickly toward Meng Changqing. "You are up quite early, Excellency."

"Captain Zhang is also up early. Were you able to sleep in the pit?"

Zhang Yuan replied, "We have been in the military for many years; we can sleep anywhere on the battlefield."

"That is good then. I have already marked out the location for the kitchen. Start once you have eaten breakfast," Meng Changqing instructed before leaving. "There is timber available near Weishan Pass, two *li* to the north, but you know what kind of place that is. Be sure to give notice before approaching."

At the fourth quarter of the Mao hour that day, the morning court session began, and rarely did the Grand Tutor attend.

After the routine reports from various departments, the Vice Director of the Secretariat held up the memorial from the Prefect of Liangzhou and read: "An urgent memorial from the Prefect of Liangzhou regarding the construction of the city walls for Beishan County."

Wei Fangyun's urgent memorial had arrived on the Vice Director's desk yesterday evening. He had not dared to delay for a single moment and had taken it to the Emperor immediately.

The Secretariat of this dynasty was far from the glory of the previous one; the Emperor was the actual decision-maker, and the officials beneath him merely assisted him, drafting edicts according to his will and categorizing memorials for him.

If any official dared to imitate the centralized power of the previous dynasty, they would often face the extermination of their entire clan once investigated.

After reading it, the Emperor returned the memorial to him and instructed him to raise the matter during today's morning court.

"Read."

"Your servant, Wei Fangyun, Prefect of Liangzhou, petitions..."

Once the Vice Director finished reading, the Emperor asked, "What do my ministers think? Should this request be approved?"

The Minister of War was the first to step forward to curry favor. "In my humble opinion, the plan of the Prefect of Liangzhou benefits Great Liang; it should be approved."

This matter had already been agreed upon with the Ministers of the Six Departments yesterday, so there would be no surprises during today's court session.

There were supposed to be no surprises, but no one expected the Grand Tutor to stand up in opposition.

"In my view, while the walls should be built, Meng Changqing's proposal is far too frivolous. Your Majesty should select another capable official to preside over this matter."

The Grand Tutor held no actual office, but he still possessed great prestige among the court officials. As soon as he spoke, an Imperial Censor immediately echoed him: "I ask Your Majesty to reconsider and select another capable official."

"I also wish to select such a capable official. If any of you ministers possess such ability, feel free to step forward."

If it were merely about building city walls, many officials in the court could preside over it, but with Meng Changqing's plan already laid out, their "solid" plans seemed foolish by comparison.

No official was willing to step forward. The Emperor's gaze fell upon the Grand Tutor. "Grand Tutor."

The Grand Tutor turned to face the officials standing behind him. "You are the core ministers of Great Liang, the pillars of the state. Is there not one among you who is well-versed in classics? Your literary and military prowess far exceeds that of an ignorant child; why do you lack even this much courage?

If you will not go, I will!"

"Grand Tutor," the Emperor said helplessly, "you are old; how can you endure the jolts of the journey?"

"Do not let my age fool you, Your Majesty! I am at least far more useful than that reckless fool who speaks such nonsense!" As if overcome by emotion, the Grand Tutor began to cough, coughing violently during the morning court.

The Emperor immediately ordered an eunuch to assist him down and summoned an imperial physician to examine him.

After the Grand Tutor departed, the last obstacle to the matter vanished. The Emperor granted approval on the spot, and an urgent messenger was sent back to Liangzhou.

With galloping horses, the approval reached Wei Fangyun's hands by the afternoon of the following day.

The bailiffs from the prefectural office arrived at the military camp with the Emperor's approval and handed it to Wei Fangyun.

Upon seeing it, Wei Fangyun realized the imperial court was indeed generous; the requested amount had not been reduced in the slightest. However, regarding the forty thousand laborers, the Emperor had left it to the Prefect of Liangzhou to find a way himself.

There were only so many people in all of Liangzhou; what other way was there? He could only make those who had already completed their labor service serve it again.

But with an increase in corvée labor, life for the commoners would become much harder.

(End of Chapter)