6. Struggle for Military Power · Zhongyan’s Refusal to Aid

In the grand hall of Dayan's imperial palace, the court session had lasted nearly an hour. The gathered ministers wore solemn expressions, tension thick in the air.

A devastating drought had plagued the northern border for months. Famine had driven refugees from their homes, and lawlessness ran rampant. Though the court had dispatched officials to provide aid, corruption had blocked the supplies from reaching the affected areas. Public outrage in the border provinces was nearing its peak.

At that moment, Minister Wei of the Ministry of Works stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Majesty, the famine in the north grows ever more dire. The frontier granaries still hold enough provisions. I beg Your Majesty to open the storehouses and save the people from their suffering."

His plea stirred murmurs among the officials.

Minister Han of the Ministry of Revenue quickly followed,

"The military's grain reserves are crucial for defense. If we draw from them rashly and war erupts, the troops will be left without sustenance. That would be courting disaster."

Chancellor Zhang stepped in, bowing respectfully.

"Minister Han raises a valid point. However, the immediate crisis is the famine. I believe the court could allocate a portion of the military rations to quell unrest and ease suffering. Only then can greater turmoil be prevented."

The ministers nodded in agreement.

Then, a deep and commanding voice cut through the room.

"No."

All eyes turned. It was the Duke of the North, Prince Xiao Zhongyan, who stepped forward with a stern expression. His gaze swept across the court like a blade.

"Military grain is the heart of the border army. If the court begins tampering with the storehouses, morale will falter. Today it's for famine relief—what of tomorrow? Will the army be stripped for every crisis? The frontier defenses must not be compromised. I ask Your Majesty to reconsider."

A heavy silence fell.

Xiao Zhongyan, who commanded over sixty percent of Dayan's border troops, was known for his rigid authority. Though officially under the emperor's control, in practice he wielded near-sovereign power. Many in court had long whispered concerns. His open defiance today caused many glances to shift uneasily.

The Crown Prince, Xiao Zhengheng, attempted to ease the tension.

"Uncle's concerns are not unfounded. Military readiness must be preserved. But if the famine goes unaddressed, rebellion may follow—and that would endanger the very troops we aim to protect."

Zhongyan replied in a steady voice,

"My forces have already been dispatched to guard against unrest. As for famine relief, I can release three thousand hu of grain to the local governors for distribution. Any more… I cannot comply."

Three thousand hu?

A drop in the bucket for an army's reserves—but woefully insufficient for the tens of thousands of starving civilians.

The ministers exchanged troubled glances.

"Three thousand hu?" Grand Preceptor Wei's brows knit tightly. "That won't solve anything."

"Relief is the responsibility of the local governments," Zhongyan said calmly but firmly. "The military's duty is to defend the borders, not to overstep its role. My decision is final. If there is disagreement, I await His Majesty's judgment."

"Uncle, isn't that stance… a bit too absolute?"

A smooth, contemplative voice rose. All turned to see the Third Prince, Xiao Zhengyu, clad in dark robes, stepping forward with a calm expression.

"While disaster relief is indeed the province of local officials," he continued, "the current crisis is extraordinary. The court cannot stand idle. Uncle insists military grain cannot be touched—but I personally inspected the border warehouses yesterday and found stockpiles far exceeding the reported numbers."

The hall erupted into astonished murmurs.

Zhongyan narrowed his eyes, fixing the prince with a cold gaze.

"When did you take it upon yourself to inspect military stores?"

"I was dispatched to investigate the northern crisis," Zhengyu replied evenly. "While traveling through the garrisons, I took the opportunity to verify their supplies. Grain reserves must be reported truthfully. I do not seek conflict. But when the state has surplus, should we not save our people from ruin?"

Zhongyan's smile was icy.

"Since when does a prince meddle in military affairs under the guise of relief?"

"Disaster concerns not only the people's lives," Zhengyu replied, eyes sharp, "but the stability of the realm. Or… does Uncle have other reasons for withholding grain?"

A sudden chill swept through the hall.

All eyes turned back to Zhongyan, suspicion now dancing in their gazes.

"My grain reports are accurate," Zhongyan said darkly. "Your accusations reek of provocation."

"Then perhaps Uncle will allow an official inspection?" Zhengyu asked, calm and unwavering.

Zhongyan's expression darkened. He turned toward the throne.

The Emperor, silent until now, finally spoke, voice like thunder:

"Enough!"

The hall fell instantly silent.

The Emperor's gaze swept the ministers, then landed on Zhongyan.

"The famine in the north is dire. My will is set. An additional thirty thousand hu of grain shall be released. Court officials will supervise distribution. The army will cooperate."

Zhongyan's eyes flickered. After a long pause, he bowed stiffly.

"Your Majesty's will shall be done."

—

After court, Zhang Zexiang, the chancellor's son, caught up with Xiao Zhengyu.

"Your Highness," he murmured, "Zhongyan's resistance to opening the granaries suggests something more is going on."

Zhengyu nodded, gaze thoughtful.

"His refusal may not be solely out of concern for military readiness."

Zhang hesitated, then lowered his voice.

"My informants discovered something last night… The border military warehouses contain large quantities of unregistered weapons."

"Weapons?" Zhengyu's eyes sharpened. "Have we traced their origin?"

"Not yet," Zhang said. "But signs point to links with either the Northern Tribes or Xirong."

Zhengyu tapped his folded fan against his palm, brows furrowing.

"If the frontier forces are secretly stockpiling arms and colluding with foreign powers… then this is no longer a matter of grain."

He turned to Zhang.

"Send the shadow guard. Have them investigate all correspondence and contacts among border officials. Especially Zhongyan's inner circle."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Zhang bowed and departed.

Xiao Zhengyu turned his gaze to the distant skies, his eyes dark as a stormy sea.