Chapter 292 - 121: Coming Prepared
Feng Yi sat quietly on the edge of the bed, waiting until Song Yunzhao was sound asleep before rising to leave.
He had to attend court before dawn. If he stayed the night at Wangyou Palace, waking up early would surely disturb her. Before he left, he took the small booklet that Yun Zhao had filled with writing.
Relying on public donations alone wouldn’t be enough; the court also had to release grain and funds for disaster relief. But the imperial treasury wasn’t full. Though he was the Emperor, it was only now, sitting on the throne, that he realized how many things in this world could trouble even him.
Meng Jiuchang had been waiting outside the hall, thinking the Emperor would stay to have lunch with Song Jieyu. He was surprised when he emerged less than an hour later. Meng Jiuchang quickly rose and followed. ’Did the Emperor rush over after court just to catch a glimpse of Song Jieyu?’
’It was truly hard to understand. On such a cold day, was a single glance really that important?’
In Meng Jiuchang’s mind, that one glance was certainly not as important as the Emperor having to endure the freezing cold at night.
When Song Yunzhao woke up and discovered her little booklet was missing, she asked a Palace Attendant and learned that the Emperor had visited. She hadn’t sensed a thing.
"The Emperor forbade us from waking you, My Lady, so I did not dare. Please forgive me," Xiangxue said, bowing her head.
Song Yunzhao waved her hand. "You were only following orders. You’re not to blame."
"Did the Emperor leave any message?" Song Yunzhao asked again.
Xiangxue shook her head. "No, he did not."
Song Yunzhao couldn’t quite figure out the Emperor’s intentions. In any case, as long as there was no danger, she didn’t dwell on it. The fact that the Emperor took her booklet showed he was likely quite pleased with her actions. He had even been so considerate as to not let anyone disturb her, which meant he appreciated her hard work.
’Thinking this, she was immediately satisfied. ’I put in the effort, and while I don’t ask for a reward, the Emperor can’t be ignorant of it. Otherwise, it’s like winking at a blind man—why would I waste my time?’’
There was just one problem. In this freezing weather, if the padded clothes were only filled with things like straw, they wouldn’t be very effective against the cold. But right now, there was no other way. The best insulation, of course, was animal fur, but that was far too expensive. Then there was cotton. The varieties and yields couldn’t compare to those of later generations. Production was not high, so making all the padded clothes from cotton was simply not feasible.
Before cotton was introduced to the Central Plains, winter clothes were often padded with kapok. It wasn’t until the Song Dynasty that cotton began to be more widely documented and used, distinct from traditional silk floss padding.
’Even though this book is set in a fictional dynasty, the original author didn’t have the power to bend space and time, to move mountains and seas, and send the superior, endlessly improved cotton varieties of later eras to this time. So while cotton existed here, its yield and variety were far inferior to those of the future. It was unrealistic to expect every commoner to wear clothes made of cotton.’
Cotton was a cash crop, so commoners who couldn’t even feed themselves had little incentive to grow it. It wasn’t until the Ming Dynasty, when Zhu Yuanzhang mandated its cultivation, that it was gradually accepted by the working people.
Even with kapok, a mature tree only produced about five to eight kilograms per year. With such a low yield, getting enough kapok fiber to make padded clothing was a luxury not everyone could afford.
What does it mean to be willing but powerless?
This was it.
Song Yunzhao felt a little helpless. ’I admit I’m not an overly kind person, but the world I came from was people-centric. Whenever a major disaster struck, the nation always put rescuing the people first.’
’So, that mindset is etched into my very bones. It doesn’t need to be learned or taught, because everyone did it. When you’re in that kind of environment, your words and actions naturally and willingly follow the crowd.’
’That is heritage.’
But in this time and place, even though she was a Concubine, one of the Emperor’s concubines, there was very little she could do in a situation like this.
Even recruiting embroideresses required borrowing the Right Minister’s influence. Forget a minor Concubine like her—even the Emperor himself was still locking horns with his courtiers. Not every decision he made could be carried out exactly as he wished.
Song Yunzhao was just a minor Concubine. Perhaps she could do more, but if she really did, it would very likely bring disaster upon the Song Family and herself.
Besides, even if she were to try, she might not succeed.
She had neither timing, location, nor support on her side. So, some wild ideas could only remain as thoughts.
Fortunately, although the sky hadn’t cleared today, there had been no heavy snow last night. As long as the heavy snowfall didn’t continue, it would be easier to bring this disaster to an end.
’Thinking about it, the Emperor has it worse than me. When he asks for money, the Ministry of Revenue pleads poverty. When he wants to exert his authority, the courtiers refuse to yield. The Emperor has to wrack his brains far more than I do to manage this disaster relief.’
’Post-disaster reconstruction is also a problem...’
Post-disaster reconstruction?
Song Yunzhao’s eyes lit up. ’Yes, this is an opportunity!’
There was no such thing as "post-disaster reconstruction" in ancient times. After their houses were crushed by snow, the common people could only fend for themselves. Even the soup kitchens set up by the gentry and wealthy households wouldn’t operate forever.
But the houses needed to be rebuilt, and the people needed food. Where would the money for repairs come from? Where would the grain to eat come from?
’There’s a term called ’providing work as a form of relief.’ I think I can borrow that idea.’
’But as for the specific implementation, my brain can’t quite grasp the working mechanisms of this era. I can, however, convey the general idea to the Emperor and let his clever little head figure out the rest.’
Song Yunzhao felt that if the disaster victims could have a job and some income, they would at least have hope. And with hope comes the strength to live.
In court, the Right Minister and Grand Tutor Qin were moving toward a subtle power struggle. The atmosphere in the harem was also delicate. A rift seemed to have appeared among the three concubines. Consort Lu, having lost her title, should have been the weakest, but now it seemed she had unilaterally drawn a line between herself and Princess Consort Zhuang and Princess Consort Wan.
"Consort Lu is inviting me for tea?" Song Yunzhao asked, looking at Nanny Wen in surprise.
Nanny Wen was now much more respectful toward Song Jieyu than when she had first entered the palace. She spoke with a broad smile, "Yes. Her Ladyship says the sun has made a rare appearance today, making for fine weather, so she has specially prepared tea to share with you, Concubine."
Song Yunzhao found it strange. ’My relationship with Consort Lu right now is neither friendly nor hostile. Why on earth would she invite me for tea?’
However, given that their relationship was so-so but they had collaborated quite a bit, she decided to go.
On such a cold day, even wrapped in a heavy cloak, the cold wind on her face was a unique experience.
Song Yunzhao boarded a palanquin, and with Nanny Yu and Shizhu following, they made their way toward Cuiwei Palace.
As luck would have it, they ran into Princess Consort Zhuang, who was out for a walk. Song Yunzhao had no choice but to dismount the palanquin to greet her.
"This concubine greets Consort Zhuang," Song Yunzhao said with a half-curtsy.
Princess Consort Zhuang sized up Song Yunzhao, her face still holding a gentle smile. "Song Jieyu, you may rise. Where are you off to on such a cold day?"
Princess Consort Zhuang already knew the answer the moment she saw Nanny Wen, but she asked anyway.
Song Yunzhao smiled with particular sincerity. "Replying to Your Ladyship, Lady Lu has invited this concubine for tea."
She told the truth. ’But looking at Princess Consort Zhuang’s expression, I’m afraid this wasn’t a chance encounter. She came prepared.’