On the evening of New Year's Eve, the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, the streets of Heaven-Bearing Prefecture were decked with lanterns and streamers, and the people were caught up in joyous celebration.
A grand celebration was also being held in the Imperial Palace. A eunuch hurried excitedly into the Imperial Study to report to the emperor.
"Your Majesty, the banquet is about to begin. All the civil and military officials have arrived. They await only you!"
"Mm!"
The emperor answered and set down the memorial in his hand.
It was not that the reigning Son of Heaven was so diligent that he still attended to state affairs on New Year's Eve. Rather, the memorial had arrived at an opportune moment, and since it was a secret submission from Yu Ziye, he had decided to read it.
And just as the emperor had expected, the Tan Household was still the Tan Household, and Tan Yuanshang was still Tan Yuanshang. As the saying went, even a starved camel was bigger than a horse. Once Tan Yuanshang took action, hadn’t the situation in Lingdong and Hexi Circuits stabilized, despite the slow arrival of the Imperial Court’s funds and grain?
But now even Yu Ziye was urging him to expedite the funds and grain in his memorial. It seemed the need truly was growing urgent.
Of course, that would have to wait until after the New Year.
Naturally, the Imperial Court’s funds and grain could not go undelivered. He would simply let Tan Yuanshang put in a little more effort.
The emperor considered these matters as he walked, the eunuchs accompanying him. The palace, too, had been decorated with great festive cheer.
When the disasters in the two circuits had first come to light, followed by the discovery of serious problems