This Jiang Yifan, he had long despised him. Although this bastard couldn’t be called a man, being humiliated by his wife, he had once served as an imperial censor and had frequented the presence of the emperor. Moreover, the emperor personally appointed him to serve in the Ministry of Revenue, so he really couldn’t be taken lightly.
Ever since Jiang Yifan took office in the Ministry of Revenue, many things under the Crown Prince’s command became very constrained for fear that he was a nail that the emperor had planted in the Ministry of Revenue.
The officials in the Ministry of Revenue also felt very constrained in their work, fearing that their actions would be detected by this minor official from the sixth rank, potentially revealing major issues. This was a matter of their official positions and wealth, their future prospects, and their very lives.
Therefore, the Crown Prince was not only unwilling to replace iron rails with wooden tracks but was also hoping to use this opportunity to drive this bastard surnamed Jiang out of the Ministry of Revenue.
Listening to the low murmurings in the Imperial Court and recalling all the misfortunes of this year, the Crown Prince could hardly wait for the person he had arranged to step forward and took the initiative to make a petition, "Imperial Father, your son has something to say."
"Hmm, speak," said the emperor, who had already noticed the barely concealed rage on the Crown Prince’s face, and spoke gently.
"Your Majesty, about the railway transport, which is a major plan for hundreds, even thousands of years, which consumes vast amounts of financial and human resources. And as everyone knows, wood, when left outdoors in the wilderness, subjected to wind and rain and sunshine, is the most likely to decay. Using wooden rails is to squander the hard labor of the people of Great Xia. Your son thinks that laying wooden tracks is truly inappropriate."
The Crown Prince spoke with such gravity that one could sympathetically feel the distress of seeing the labor of the people washed away to no avail.
The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites stepped forward and said, "Your humble official has a memorial to present."
"The court initiated railway transport to solve the issue of transportation speed for the court’s supplies, not to play house or have them as decoration. In your humble official’s opinion, this proposal for wooden railroads is purely an act to gain popularity, completely disregarding the future reputation of Great Xia and the grueling labor of the people. Your official earnestly requests that Your Majesty deal with the official who presented this memorial, as this official clearly has ulterior motives, seeking his own personal gain and future, to the extent of committing such an evil deed."
The emperor, after listening to these two memorials, showed no clear emotion and asked again, "Are there any other beloved officials who wish to express their views on the use of wooden railways?"
A moment of silence followed in the Imperial Court as officials of different factions exchanged glances, sweeping their eyes across the room, silently seeking the opinions of others with their gaze.
Prince Fu and his faction of officials, were greatly surprised by the unexpected turn of events in today’s court session. Shocked that the Crown Prince would take the lead, they were somewhat uncertain whether or not they should step forward to support the Crown Prince.
As people hesitated, the Imperial Censor Tang Ming stepped forward and said, "Your official Tang Ming accuses the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Revenue, Jiang Yifan, of neglecting his duty. During his tenure in Yuyuan Prefecture, he disregarded the court’s reputation, exploited his position to engage in trade and frame the gentry, all for his own personal gain. Your humble official earnestly requests that Your Majesty dispatch someone to investigate Lord Jiang’s crimes and deal with him accordingly."
The emperor gave a noncommittal "oh" and said, "Currently, we’re discussing whether wooden tracks can replace iron tracks. The matter Beloved Minister Tang has brought up will be handed over to the Cabinet for handling before another report is made."
Tang Ming steadied himself, glanced at the Grand Tutor Xing Yuyue, and without insisting further, stepped back into line.
Prince Fu, sensing the emperor’s tone was off and thinking of the iron mines and materials he had hoarded, couldn’t help feeling anxious and glanced sideways without leaving a trace.
Following Prince Fu’s glance, the Minister of the Ministry of Imperial Court made his move, "Your humble official has a memorial to present."
The emperor, narrowing his eyes slightly, nodded and said, "Speak freely."
The minister said, "Your official supports the view of the Crown Prince. Railway transport is a grand project that will be remembered for thousands of generations, destined to be recorded in history books. Once completed, it will be a network of wide-reaching roads. Your Majesty’s wisdom will certainly be praised for ages, and your humble officials feel honored to serve in this era."
"If the transportation via tracks intermingles wooden tracks, it might last ten or twenty years, but who can guarantee their usability after thirty years, fifty years, or even a hundred or two hundred years? If after just a decade or two, the tracks decay completely, wouldn’t it be a sheer waste of such an innovative concept and the hard labor of the people? His Majesty employing the nation’s labor for such fruitless endeavors is truly not the best strategy. This subject hopes for His Majesty’s discerning judgement."
"This official seconds the motion."
"This official seconds the motion."
For a moment, voices of agreement echoed without end, and the Imperial Court, which usually teemed with disputes, at this moment, had but one voice.
The Emperor swept his gaze over the court officials arrayed in two rows, his eyes passing over the Seventh Prince.
"Does any other Beloved Minister have a differing opinion?"
The Imperial Court fell silent for a good while until Han Yanhui stepped forward to report, "This subject thinks that rail transportation is a form of transportation never tried before, and whether it’s iron tracks or wooden tracks, we cannot be certain of their long-term use and durability. Wood may rot easily, but iron, if left outdoors for an extended period, will likewise rust and decay."
Han Yanhui paused, lowering his eyelids as if to block out the gazes staring at him from all corners of the court, saying, "This lowly official believes that since it’s a trial, we should choose a method that requires less manpower and financial resources to test."
"Oh? Beloved Minister Han, please elaborate." The Emperor’s expression remained unchanged.
Han Yanhui bowed and said, "This lowly official thinks that on the basis of a trial, compared to iron tracks, wooden tracks do have their advantages. Moreover, no matter what the object, if not well-maintained, it will become damaged. From the trial proposal for the wooden tracks, it seems that the treatment against rot is crucial. If properly handled, it can effectively prevent rot and insect damage.
This official’s opinion is that wooden tracks are worth a trial."
"I see." The Emperor’s gaze once again swept over the court officials, this time deliberately looking for Jinrong’s reaction.
Jinrong, clad in a purple-red court robe, stood still and expressionless in the hall, not uttering a word about the proposal he had presented.
"Prince Yu," the Emperor spoke, "you put forward this proposal. What are your views on wooden tracks?"
Jinrong rolled his eyes and glanced over at the Crown Prince and Prince Fu before stepping forward to respond, "In reply to the Imperial Father, this prince naturally believes that wooden tracks are superior to iron ones, which is why I presented the document to Imperial Father."
It was only then that the Emperor’s expression changed, turning slightly dark, "If that’s the case, why didn’t you speak when I asked for the opinions of the court officials just now?"
With an innocent look, Jinrong said, "Imperial Father should know that the wooden track is mainly for transporting cow’s milk, for expanding this prince’s cheese business. If this prince kept praising his own project in the court, not only would it appear vain, but others might also think this prince is seeking personal gain."
In the court, if this were not the case, the Emperor would feel like kicking him. This good-for-nothing, after living for more than twenty years carefree and unruly, now that the court needed him, suddenly knows caution, not even able to speak the truth!
The Emperor glowered at him for a good while before withdrawing his gaze, then addressed Han Yanhui and the Crown Prince, Prince Fu, and the others, saying, "In the spring of next year, when the track laying is about to commence, the track project will involve a huge amount of financial resources. Put aside the tasks at hand for now and first deliberate on the use of wooden tracks."