Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Five: Patrolling the City

Chapter 125: Inspecting the City

When Yu Qian entered the great hall, everyone was startled. He was drenched from head to toe; his clothes clung to his body, and strands of hair were plastered against his face. For a moment, he was almost unrecognizable. As he walked across the floor, he left a distinct trail of water, with countless droplets still streaming from his person.

Zhu Qizhen was also shocked and asked, "Master Yu, what has happened to you?"

Yu Qian replied, "I beg the Emperor's forgiveness for my unseemly appearance."

Zhu Qizhen asked, "Have you been inspecting the city, Master?"

"After the earthquake yesterday," Yu Qian explained, "I led a team to survey the entire city. Thousands of houses have been damaged, and nearly a thousand citizens have been killed or injured. Moreover, with the torrential rain last night, the people have nowhere to shelter. I have already requisitioned all the temples in the city to house them temporarily, and I have opened the Shuntian Prefecture granaries to provide disaster relief."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Qizhen felt a secret pang of shame. Yesterday, he had been preoccupied solely with the safety of the palace, never considering the situation outside. He knew that the Forbidden City had been built on carefully selected land by the finest craftsmen, yet even then, several old structures had collapsed. If this was the state of the palace, the plight of the common people outside must surely be far worse.

"Master Yu, you have worked hard," Zhu Qizhen said. "I shall immediately order the Ministry of Revenue to provide relief to the victims."

Yu Qian immediately interjected, "I believe the most pressing matter right now is not just relief, but finding a way to drain the floodwaters. Beijing is already suffering from severe waterlogging. Yesterday's earthquake damaged thousands of homes, but many others remain standing and are currently occupied. If they remain submerged, they will inevitably collapse. I urge the Ministry of Works to immediately dig drainage channels, or even break through sections of the city wall if necessary."

Zhu Qizhen was astonished. "Has it reached such a critical point?"

"Your Majesty," Yu Qian continued, "when the site for Beijing was chosen, the Chaobai River lay to the north and the Luding River to the south. The Imperial Palace sits on the highest ground, acting as the watershed between the two, and the water within the palace can drain into the Three Seas. Naturally, those inside the palace are unaware of the suffering outside. The areas most heavily flooded are at the base of the city walls, where the water is already nearly ten feet deep. Though I have ordered the city gates to be thrown open, much of the water cannot drain out. I have consulted with the elders of Beijing, and judging by the sky, this rain is likely to continue for several more days. The situation will only become more desperate."

Zhu Qizhen had never imagined that things had become so dire. Urban drainage was a massive problem even in future generations, let alone in this era. While the Song Dynasty drainage system in Ganzhou far surpassed some of the shoddy work of later times, it was a major misconception to believe that all ancient urban drainage was perfect—especially for the Beijing of this time.

Why? Because Beijing was a newly constructed city. From the massive construction projects during the Yongle reign to the fourth year of the Zhengtong era, the finishing touches were still incomplete. It was not that there was no drainage system—parts of the city utilized the old Dadu drainage system designed by Guo Shoujing, which still functioned to some extent. However, much of it had been obstructed by the building of the city walls. While Beijing did have drainage canals—the largest being the natural system formed by the Golden Water River and the Three Seas—there were discrepancies between the design and reality. Even in modern times, designs that look perfect on paper often fail in practice—as seen by flooded underground parking garages. Beijing was no different. This downpour, coming on the heels of an earthquake, was likely the first major flood since the city's construction, exposing all the flaws in its design.

Zhu Qizhen looked at Yang Shiqi, who immediately understood and said, "Your Majesty, it is best to entrust this matter to one person. Master Yu is the right choice."

"That was my intention," Zhu Qizhen said. He turned to Yu Qian and said, "Yu Qian, I appoint you as the Commissioner for Water Control in the Capital. All the garrisons, the Five City Patrol Divisions, the various departments of the Ministry of Works, and the Inner Court construction bureaus are under your command. I will also have Ruan An assist you. Save our people from this plight."

"I obey your command," Yu Qian replied.

Zhu Qizhen then said, "Wang Zhen, prepare the imperial retinue. I will go out to inspect the city with Master Yu."

Upon hearing this, Yang Shiqi immediately protested, "Your Majesty, you are a person of supreme importance; you must not easily expose yourself to danger."

Zhu Qizhen replied, "If the capital itself is considered a place of danger for me, then where in the world is safe?"

Seeing the Emperor's resolve, Yang Shiqi, who had only been fulfilling his duty by advising him, said no more. Everyone present could see that this day’s events were immensely beneficial for Yu Qian. If previously he was seen as a future pillar of the court, now he was undoubtedly established as a key official.

"In that case," Yang Shiqi said, "we are willing to accompany you."

"If the Grand Secretaries wish, then come along," Zhu Qizhen said. He then added, "Wait a moment, I must see the Empress Dowager."

It was only then that everyone realized the Empress Dowager had not appeared, though people had gradually grown accustomed to her withdrawing from court affairs. As Zhu Qizhen walked down from the Wenyuange, he suddenly felt famished. He had been busy for most of the night, and since dawn, he had been discussing disaster relief with his ministers. Earlier, his intense concentration had kept his hunger at bay, but now that he had relaxed, his stomach began to protest.

Wang Zhen, ever observant, immediately produced a package wrapped in oil paper. Zhu Qizhen opened it to find beef jerky. He ate a piece or two to settle his stomach and felt much better.

"Your Majesty, shall I have a meal prepared?" Wang Zhen asked.

Zhu Qizhen, holding the beef jerky, shook his head. "No, official business is more important."

Before long, Zhu Qizhen arrived at the Cining Palace. The Empress Dowager was not in the main hall, as it had suffered a large hole from the earthquake the day before and was currently being repaired. She had been waiting for him, and as soon as he arrived, she signaled for him to sit. A simple breakfast—four dishes and one soup, two meat and two vegetable—was already laid out. This was the standard set by Zhu Yuanzhang; the Empress Dowager rarely exceeded this unless it was a grand banquet. It was a lesson in frugality she had been teaching Zhu Qizhen.

Zhu Qizhen was used to it, but he was anxious. "Your Majesty, I shall skip the meal."

"No task is so urgent that it cannot wait for a meal," the Empress Dowager said. "You want to inspect the city with Yu Qian, don't you? I grant you permission. But eat first."

Zhu Qizhen was slightly surprised. He had expected to have to argue his case, but she had approved it without a word. He sat down opposite her. His manners were refined, a result of his upbringing, yet he ate quickly, his mind preoccupied. Moments later, he put down his chopsticks. "I have finished, Your Majesty."

The Empress Dowager, who had eaten very little—whether due to her age or because her focus was entirely on him—also put down her chopsticks, washed her hands, and said, "Come with me."

"Your Majesty, there are matters waiting outside..." Zhu Qizhen began.

"This will not delay you for long," she replied.

With no other choice, Zhu Qizhen followed her. She did not go far; in the inner chamber, she retrieved an account book and handed it to him. "My son, you are grown now. There are some things I must entrust to you."

Zhu Qizhen took the ledger and, as he flipped through it, his expression changed to one of shock.