Standing on the white jade steps, Pan Yun swept her gaze around and asked directly, "His Majesty, Sun Yuanzhen's plan to settle the refugees has been progressing very well. Why has the edict to build a seaport in Zhejiang still not been issued?"
Knowing there was no one nearby, Zhu Qiyu answered plainly, "Southern Metropolitan Region also wants to open a seaport..."
Pan Yun frowned. "Doesn't Suzhou already have one?"
"Suzhou is somewhat far from the land where the dynasty rose. The court officials have proposed opening another one in Huai'an Prefecture."
With a half-smile that was not quite a smile, Pan Yun asked, "His Majesty agreed?"
Zhu Qiyu shook his head. "I've still been dragging it out."
His face was full of difficulty. "Those proposing this are all important ministers. It would not be easy for me to reject them outright."
"The Imperial Family, then?"
Zhu Qiyu blinked. "How did the National Preceptor know?"
Pan Yun said, "Other than court officials deliberately currying favor with the Imperial Family, anyone with half a brain would know better than to establish another seaport between Lingshan Guard and Suzhou—especially in Huai'an Prefecture."
Zhu Qiyu: ...
After thinking it over carefully, he realized it really was so. Yu Qian, Cao Nai, and the other hard-tempered men in court had all opposed it directly.
Pan Yun said, "His Majesty, you even wish to cut expenses for the Emperor's Birthday Festival, afraid of spending another coin from the treasury and burdening the people further. The two Empress Dowagers and two Empresses in the palace have followed your decree and tightened their belts, yet the Imperial Family wants to drain the nation's wealth to build a seaport for their own private gain."
"What does Huai'an Prefecture have?" Pan Yun counted on her fingers as she calculated