Chapter 119 - Bankruptcy

After a troubled jumpstart, the factory set by Bai Chongye was churning out tons of medicine every day. The production chain was running smoothly, the raw materials were being brought at the right time, and the improved Yu Xuan's recipe was working as expected. 

Feng Long, however, did not set a price for the medicines, and Zhong Kunyi was anxious. The cash flow in the empire was about to hit a record high, and a significant part was being directed at keeping the temporary city built to house the workers in the mines. 

Zhong Kunyi was unable to fulfil all the obligations Jinhua holds towards other government branches in the countryside, causing them to also run into debt and not provide the necessary services for the general population.

Although Feng Long is usually open to suggestions, it is rare for him to be directly asked to do something. As he is the emperor, he has all the time he wants to take decisions, and also divert resources to where it is needed the most. Complaints are usually directed toward the lower level of the imperial stack and then "raised" through the higher levels of the bureaucracy until the problem is solved.

This procedure seemed to work flawlessly, but the economic downturn was affecting primarily the low-level officials, who now need to deal with a much more streamlined budget. Some small riots happened in Zhejiang, but none of them was reported to the central government in Jinhua. As the complaints were still not solved, the size of riots started to increase.

After receiving another letter from a government branch in the countryside, Zhong Kunyi was forced to do something. He walked towards Feng Long's room, but could not find him there:

-Where is he? This is really important!

Feng Long was strolling in the city, and Yu Lexuan was nearby. Close to the city gates, a crowd was forming, but the gatekeepers were just observing, and no one seemed to be doing anything. As the number of people outnumbered the gatekeepers, some walked toward the city gates. The gatekeepers denied access:

-Hey, what do you want to do? We need to know.

A single person moves ahead, getting close to one of the gatekeepers:

-We need to talk with his majesty. Our counties are not being served properly.

The gatekeeper looks at them:

-I suppose you should ask another higher-level official to be able to make such a request. You can't simply enter the city and cause a nuisance.

More people walk toward the gatekeepers:

-Hey, you must stop now!

Despite the gatekeeper's order, no one stops. The gatekeepers then take off their swords, but since there are dozens of people, they quickly get overwhelmed. 

The mob then advances inside the city, but the only sound they make is their steps. Other guards hold stand still, as no one was carrying any kind of weapon or doing anything wrong. Zhejiang law has forbidden officials from attacking civilians and people that are not carrying any weapons. People look at the crowd moving ahead, towards the imperial palace.

A soldier outruns the mob, and reaches the palace first, opening both arms:

-You must not cross this point! Anyone willing to do so will be prosecuted and jailed!

The soldier takes off his sword, resting in a fight position. Other soldiers come from all directions, surrounding the mob. A man moves closer to the soldier:

-We want to say something to his majesty. 

-Where is your official representative? Was this meeting scheduled?

-I don't need my official representative. I just want to talk with his majesty, directly.

-You can't do it!

The man then moves two steps away from the soldier, sitting in a lotus position, a gesture everyone repeats:

-So we will wait for him. Feng Long will eventually leave the palace and he will see us.

-But... But you can't do it!

-We can. We are not breaking any law. Don't force me to do something stupid.

The soldier thinks for a moment, then turns around:

-So, you can wait. I can only call his majesty if an official representative visits us.

A couple of minutes have passed. Feng Long and Yu Lexuan were returning from their walk, and see a mob sitting down in front of the palace. At the same time, Zhong Kunyi also comes from the palace. Feng Long raises an eyebrow:

-What is going on? Why are all those people here?

-I don't know. Maybe they have something to say. Let's get there quickly. 

Yu Lexuan takes Feng Long by his left hand, forcing him to run. They meet with Zhong Kunyi and the guard. The mob then gets up, following that single man in front of them.

Feng Long moves one step ahead, putting one hand over the shoulder of the soldier:

-Please, you may go. I can deal with it from now on.

-As your majesty wants.

The soldier moves away but keeps holding his sword. The man leading the mob moves closer to Feng Long, bowing to him. Yu Lexuan watches Feng Long very closely:

-Your majesty, my name is Hua Ming. I'm from Taizhou county. We are facing a severe lack of funding, and Jinhua is failing with its obligations towards all of its citizens, as stated by you...

Zhong Kunyi freezes. He knew that some counties were being given fewer resources than needed, but he would try to talk with Feng Long before something went wrong. Now, his entire plan was busted.

Feng Long keeps silent for a few seconds, then looks at Hua Ming:

-I'm deeply sorry for what happened. Our minister of the economy is here and may clarify what happened.

Yu Lexuan looks at Zhong Kunyi, noticing that his expression suddenly changed. Zhong Kunyi moves one step ahead, and touches Feng Long on his shoulder:

-Majesty... It is all my fault.

Feng Long takes a deep breath. Then, turns and looks at Hua Ming:

-Hua Ming, I ask you to wait a couple of minutes. Your demand will be solved quickly. I apologize to all of you for breaking my promise. It was my fault...

Hua Ming and the others sit down again, waiting. Feng Long takes Zhong Kunyi by his left hand, looking into his eyes. His face looks a bit sad:

-Zhong Kunyi... We must talk about it. 

-Please, your Majesty...

Yu Lexuan accompanies them to a nearby room, inside the palace. Feng Long and Zhong kunyi sit facing each other, and Yu Lexuan, between them:

-Zhong Kunyi, this is immensely embarrassing for me... I promised all counties I'd support them, regardless of the cost... Please, be sincere and tell me what went wrong.

Zhong Kunyi's eyes water slightly:

-Your majesty, as I said to you... We ran out of funds... Keeping the miners fed and protected has a huge impact on our budget... There was a significant loss of wealth caused by the epidemic, and I diverted the funds to what I thought your majesty would prioritize...

Feng Long closes his eyes and thinks for a moment. Yu Lexuan tries to break that bad weather:

-Well, I think we can discuss this again, and try to solve this problem asap instead of finding who's wrong, can't we?

-Yu Lexuan... This is very serious, and will undoubtedly affect my legitimacy as emperor. I know economics is a complex matter, but I also understand that we should bear this responsibility, otherwise, I can consider myself unable to lead Zhejiang...

-Are you crazy??? You are more than capable of doing it, you have been doing it flawlessly! Do not let such an incident erase over a decade of unsullied ruling! - Yu Lexuan puts his left hand over Feng Long's shoulder.

-The damage is already done... 

Feng Long gets up. Zhong Kunyi also gets up, and holds Feng Long by his waist:

-Your majesty, I have a plan, please, hear me!

Zhong Kunyi then moves in front of Feng Long, and prostrates to him:

-I swear to your majesty, hear me! 

Yu Lexuan quickly sides with Zhong Kunyi:

-Feng Long, let's hear what Zhong Kunyi has to say, please, do it for me, for us...

Feng Long hesitates. Yu Lexuan moves in front of him, holding his face:

-Feng Long... You are the emperor of Zhejiang... No one, I mean, no one for sure, can replace you. I cannot replace you, and none of our relatives either.

-You might not understand...

Feng Long leaves the room. Yu Lexuan accompanies him:

-Well, fine... I cannot force you to change your mind, but I still hold the position of the prince. I'll hear what Zhong Kunyi wants to do and make it happen.

Feng Long suddenly hugs Yu Lexuan:

-Yu Lexuan... I can't rule this empire anymore after that... I pass my crown to you...

Yu Lexuan laughs:

-Hahaha, come on Feng Long! Are you really willing to give up due to a minor nuisance? 

-Minor? I failed at keeping my promise! 

-Well, actually, Zhong Kunyi failed in doing it, you bear no responsibility at all. By the way, we have failed multiple times in the last two or so months.

-How?

-Both I and Zhang Yi failed at developing an effective medicine against the current epidemic. We tried everything we knew, but only Yu Xuan was smart and competent enough to develop a good one. Should I resign and live away from everyone? Should I hand off my prince position? I think it is not fair. 

-But...

Yu Lexuan kisses Feng Long deeply, then stops:

-No promise can be totally fulfilled. Being an emperor is a complex task, and you might never be able to deliver everything you promise in such a short time. 

Feng Long blushes due to the deep and unexpected kiss. Yu Lexuan smiles, looking graciously into his eyes:

-Feng Long... We fought so many times together, and we always succeeded... It may take some extra time, and we may make some missteps, but we are always set to win... Please, let's get up and fight it again in a good manner.

-Yu Lexuan...

Feng long hugs Yu Lexuan tightly, caressing his back. Yu Lexuan smiles, feeling his majesty's heat:

-You are irreplaceable, Feng Long... 

-You make me so...

-We make you so.

A few moments later, Feng Long and Yu Lexuan come back to the room Zhong Kunyi was standing. Feng Long looks at Zhong Kunyi, gently bowing to him:

-Please, Zhong Kunyi... Tell me what to do.

Zhong Kunyi's expression changes. Yu Lexuan smiles:

-Go ahead. I think we should all talk about it. 

-For sure!

...

◄Previous chapter                  Next Chapter►