Chapter 40: The Drought Approaches

Chapter 40: The Approaching Drought

"By the way, have you looked into that so-called 'Hero Gang'?" Li Tai asked Ma Zhou.

"A group of scoundrels who couldn't make it in Chang'an. They didn't want to leave after fleeing, and seeing that things were developing well here, they decided to set down roots!" Ma Zhou added, "Those petty thieves spent some time in the Supreme Court; they were actually quite easy to talk to."

Li Tai said, "Once the 'Buliangren' (secret police) are established, use this Hero Gang to set an example. You can discuss it with Peacock; she should be familiar with the local gang organizations. I don't like these shady dealings. If they don't listen, just wipe them out!"

"Kill them all?" Ma Zhou was stunned, as Li Tai had never shown such a murderous streak before.

Li Tai replied, "Isn't the coal mine short on hands? Just arrest them and throw them into the mines. All punishment should focus on labor. Of course, since they are prisoners and not workers, they won't receive standard treatment, and they must wear shackles on their feet. If they survive their sentence without dying, it means their crimes were not capital offenses, and they will naturally be given a chance to start over."

Ma Zhou raised an eyebrow at Li Tai's words, feeling that Li Tai was still being too lenient. After all, if you didn't chop off a hand or brand their faces, how would they ever remember the lesson? However, since Li Tai had spoken, Ma Zhou chose not to argue and simply prepared to follow his orders.

For a town almost entirely built by Ma Zhou, finding a gray-market gang that had settled there was not difficult at all. Ma Zhou had long since mapped out their situation. He had simply been waiting for Li Tai to have the time to deal with them. Now, with the retired soldiers sent by Li Daozong, dealing with these underground organizations was even easier.

On the third day, the leader of the Hero Gang, Wu Da, was still gambling in the den. He assumed that since several days had passed since the assassination attempt, the heat had died down. He had told his subordinates to lay low while he enjoyed himself. Suddenly, a group of burly men stormed into the gambling den and apprehended Wu Da on the spot.

"Officers, officers, what is going on?" the proprietor of the den rushed out to ask.

"Buliangshuai (Chief of Police) Wei Xu, in charge of arrests," said Wei Xu, who wore a black eye patch over his blinded eye, as he produced his token. "We are acting under the orders of the Prince of Yue to capture the leader of the Hero Gang, Wu Da. Bystanders, stay back. Also, keep an account of any damaged goods; someone will come later to compensate you for your losses."

The proprietor didn't dare utter a single word. While the assassination attempt on Li Tai might not have been widely known elsewhere, in the Gaoling region, it was the talk of the town. He just hadn't realized Wu Da was the culprit, nor had he imagined that Wu Da would be bold enough to gamble after trying to kill Li Tai. If he had known, he would have captured Wu Da himself to offer to Li Tai in hopes of securing a government post.

Wu Da was dragged to the Gaoling magistrate's office in despair. Within half a day, Ma Zhou had sentenced him to hard labor in the coal mines. Along with him went thirty core members of the Hero Gang and over a hundred fringe members. Li Tai didn't hesitate to sentence them to coal mining. For those who were younger or had been involved for only a short time, the sentence was three to six months; for those who had been active for over a year, it ranged from three to five years. As for Wu Da, he received twenty years.

Again, if they survived their term without dying, Li Tai considered them to have paid for their crimes. After the sentences were finalized, they had to be reviewed by the Supreme Court. To be honest, the Supreme Court felt Li Tai’s sentences were too light and suggested cutting off Wu Da’s hand as a deterrent. Li Tai argued his case, insisting on sparing Wu Da's hand and giving him a chance to reform through labor in the mines. The people at the Supreme Court actually praised Li Tai for his benevolence.

"Thanks to you, Commander Wei, for rounding up the Hero Gang in one fell swoop," Li Tai said to Wei Xu. Although Wei Xu had retired, he still held the nominal title of Deputy Military Commander, a hollow rank without real power.

"I dare not take the credit," Wei Xu said, bowing low with his head hung in respect. "To be used by the Prince of Yue despite our disabilities is a great kindness. If not for the Tang Law, we would have cut these scoundrels down ourselves!"

"Good," Li Tai nodded. "From now on, you will be in charge of commanding the Buliangren."

"The uniforms for the Buliangren will be issued in a few days. Each person will receive one string of cash and three pecks of grain per month. The squad leaders will receive two strings of cash and five pecks of grain. As for the Buliangshuai, the salary will be equivalent to that of a ninth-rank official, with additional holiday benefits. Besides patrolling key areas like large shops and schools, once the port and docks are built, you will need to maintain order there as well. Two hundred men are certainly not enough; recruit as many retired Tang soldiers as you can. However, if any of you are caught extorting or harassing civilians, I will not only discharge you but also send word to your home villages explaining the reason for your dismissal. Tell your men clearly: I hate those who don't follow the rules, and I will not tolerate the bullying of commoners. If they can't handle these rules, they shouldn't join the Buliangren!"

"Understood!" Wei Xu promised, looking awe-struck. "In this day and age, where else can one find a job paying a string of cash and three pecks of grain? If they don't cherish this, I'll kick them out of the force before you even have to lift a finger, Your Highness!"

Li Tai nodded. "Coordinate with Magistrate Ma. Within Gaoling County, he represents my will."

"Understood!" Wei Xu bowed and backed out of the room.

"These are just disabled veterans. If I organize them, will my father accuse me of buying people's hearts? Forget it, I'll write a report and explain the situation first. Even if it looks a bit like acting first and reporting later, I am a Prince of the blood, after all. Surely I can't be so cautious that even the appointment of a few constables draws accusations of buying hearts from the censors!" Li Tai curled his lips and diligently wrote a report to the imperial court.

However, the court had no time to worry about Li Tai's affairs. It had been over fifty days since the last rain following the spring plowing. The melted snow from last year had nourished the land, but since the beginning of May, now late June, the weather had grown increasingly hot without a single drop of rain. Although a drought had occurred last year, Emperor Li Shimin had ordered many wells dug in Chang'an, so the city could survive on groundwater. After all, Chang'an was known for being "surrounded by eight rivers," so the people wouldn't die of thirst.

The problem was outside the city. The winter wheat fields were mostly harvested, and farmers were planting seasonal beans, but those who had replanted with spring wheat or other summer crops were in a desperate situation. The people across the Guanzhong region were suffering under the rising temperatures.

Gaoling County, however, relied on the Wei and Jing rivers, and with the help of waterwheels, the fields along the banks remained irrigated. Because of the heat, the road construction from Chang'an to Gaoling that Li Chunfeng had planned was delayed; Ma Zhou had diverted the labor force to dredge the canals instead, ensuring Gaoling could weather the storm. For Gaoling, as long as the rivers didn't dry up, there was no major problem. Ma Zhou had truly solved the issue before Li Tai even encountered it.

But while Gaoling was fine, the rest of the court was in chaos. Li Shimin looked at the reports with a headache, as magistrates from across Guanzhong reported that crops were withering. They were all begging for help.

"The signs of drought are already clear. My ministers, the memory of last year's drought followed by locusts is fresh; we must not take this lightly!"

"Although I established granaries across Guanzhong after last year's harvest, the drought and locusts limited our reserves. It can only solve temporary needs. I fear that if the drought continues, the people will have to flee their homes and come to Chang'an for food and water!" Dai Zhou stepped forward, his expression solemn. "After last year's disasters, we know how little grain the people have left. More importantly, the lack of drinking water is fatal!"

"What are you implying?" Li Shimin asked. "Are you worried about civil unrest?"

Dai Zhou paused before saying firmly, "The drought is widespread. If the people of Guanzhong are driven to desperation, they will inevitably flock to Chang'an. We must prepare porridge stations to keep them alive, which will be a massive expense."

"Xuanyin, I entrust this to the Ministry of Revenue, with the Court of Agriculture, the Court of Imperial Regalia, and the Court of Imperial Entertainments assisting. We must hold out until the rain falls; there must be no civil unrest!" Li Shimin ordered.

"Understood! I will do my utmost to appease the people," Dai Zhou replied solemnly.

"Minister Doulu!" Li Shimin shouted.

"I am here!" Doulu Kuan stepped forward.

"As the people come to Chang'an, I must stabilize their hearts. You shall go to Mount Tai to pray for rain on my behalf. Depart within ten days."

"I obey the decree!" Doulu Kuan agreed.

"If there is nothing else, the court is dismissed," Li Shimin waved his hand, feeling exhausted. Since he ascended the throne, there hadn't been a single good year. Disasters followed one after another. He couldn't help but wonder if Heaven thought he lacked virtue because he had killed Li Jiancheng.

Just then, he noticed Du Ruhui still standing in the hall. "Keming? Do you have something else to say?"

"I wish to request that the Holy One travel light and visit Gaoling County!" Du Ruhui said respectfully.

"Gaoling? Did Qingque cause some trouble?" Li Shimin asked, puzzled.

"No! Please go and see for yourself; you will surely find it rewarding!" Du Ruhui said confidently.

Li Shimin laughed, "Then I shall go and see what is so special about Gaoling!"

Although it was described as traveling light, Li Shimin was accompanied by a hundred elite Black Armored Cavalry. They didn't wear heavy armor, but their spirit was vastly different from ordinary troops; they moved as one. Li Shimin and Du Ruhui chose to ride horses instead of taking a carriage. In the Tang Dynasty, officials were expected to ride; only the infirm chose carriages.

Both Li Shimin and Du Ruhui were veterans of the battlefield, so their horsemanship was impeccable. Especially Li Shimin, whose cavalry skills at the Battle of Hulao Pass were legendary. What would have been a half-day journey by ox-cart for Li Tai took Li Shimin and his escort only half an hour at a gallop to reach Gaoling.

Upon arrival, Li Shimin saw that the road to Gaoling was under construction. Many commoners were working, and the scene was bustling with energy, which made Li Shimin frown. "I recall that Gaoling is composed of refugees. By law, they should be exempt from labor service this year. Is Qingque imposing harsh levies and forcing the people to build this road?"

"Would the Holy One like to ask someone?" Du Ruhui said seriously, knowing this wasn't why he had brought the Emperor here.

"Junxian, go find a commoner and ask how Qingque has managed to get them to work," Li Shimin ordered.

Li Junxian, riding a white horse and holding a silver spear, rode off. He approached a middle-aged man working on the road and asked, "Good man, I heard Gaoling was newly established and exempt from labor service for the first year. Why are you working so hard? It looks like you're building a long road!"

The man glanced at Li Junxian with a bit of fear but answered truthfully, "Noble sir, don't misunderstand the Magistrate. He is a good man! He didn't force us; we are all here voluntarily. Since we mostly grow winter wheat, we have nothing to do after the harvest. We couldn't just sit at home and starve. The Magistrate said if we come here to help, we get fed! He's a great Magistrate; he didn't force us, we came to help!"

"I see," Li Junxian nodded. "What do you get for lunch?"

"White steamed buns, egg soup, and sometimes even duck meat! It really fills us up!" the man said, licking his lips happily.