Brian Clark had to begin constructing his mausoleum early in his reign, but although Brian Clark ascended the throne at a young age, real power slipped from his grasp. It was only now, as he was just about to start building the mausoleum, that his anxiety grew even stronger.

Brian Clark offered him a reassuring smile. “I understand.”

“To govern the realm, one can never do without money,” Brian Clark said unhurriedly. “Only with money can roads be built, horses bought, soldiers trained... I have not decided to tackle the Yellow River floods right away. The Yellow River floods come in the spring and summer: spring floods in March and April, summer floods from June to October. I have summoned you all here to discuss the matter of the spring floods together.”

The Minister of Works asked in confusion, “Your Majesty, there have been no Yellow River floods in recent years. Why are you so concerned this year?”

At these words, Brian Clark set his teacup down on the table with a clatter. “I would also like to know—why has it been raining for half a month in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, yet no one has reported it to the court?”

...

!

The two ministers and a censor dropped to their knees with a thud.

Brian Clark remained silent, letting them kneel and stew in their own thoughts in the pin-drop silence, until beads of sweat formed on their foreheads from their anxious speculations. Only then did Brian Clark say, “Rise.”

In the Daheng dynasty, there was no chancellor; the six ministries were directly controlled by the emperor. There was no cabinet, but there was a Privy Council and a State Affairs Hall. The Privy Council managed military affairs, the State Affairs Hall oversaw civil administration—both under the emperor’s direct control.

With imperial power so absolute, how could anyone dare to conceal such matters? How bold those local officials must be!

And how did His Majesty learn about the Yellow River’s rainy season, so far away?

The more the three ministers thought about it, the more terrified they became. They stood up shakily, not daring to utter another word.

“Edward Brooks,” Brian Clark softened his tone, “I know you are well-versed in flood control. Time is short, so I appoint you as Pacification Envoy to guard against the Yellow River’s spring floods. My requirements are not many—so long as this minor flood season does not turn into a disaster. Edward Brooks, are you willing to travel to the Yellow River?”

Jason Brooks immediately knelt again and declared loudly, “I will do my utmost and not fail in my mission!”

Brian Clark stepped out from behind the table and personally helped him up. “There is one more thing I entrust to you on this journey: Edward Brooks, help me find out who has been hiding the truth! The local officials will be investigated with you—do not fear them, I will back you. If there is trouble, I permit the local governor to assist you with troops.”

Mr. Brooks was moved to tears. “Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will give my all.”

Brian Clark then looked to the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Works. “The Ministry of Works will select another ten or so experts in flood control to accompany Edward Brooks. Both your ministries must give this matter your full support—no negligence will be tolerated.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

*

The three men who left the Xuanzheng Hall wiped the sweat from their brows, all of them drenched in cold sweat.

The Ministers of Revenue and Works congratulated Jason Brooks, who quickly returned the gesture and then requested, “Gentlemen, His Majesty has high expectations of me. Please, for now, do not tell anyone about the half-month of rain on the Yellow River going unreported to the court—I fear it may alert the wrong people.”

Mr. Brooks was clearly suspecting collusion between local and capital officials. The two ministers nodded at once. “Rest assured, Mr. Brooks, even if you hadn’t said so, we wouldn’t dare speak of it. His Majesty’s intentions are clear; both our ministries will cooperate fully. Do your best, and take care. When you return, the imperial exams will be over, and Young Master Brooks’s scholarship is well known—perhaps you’ll have double blessings, with both father and son promoted to office.”

Jason Brooks modestly demurred, and the three left the palace chatting and laughing.

Inside the hall.

After the ministers departed, Samuel Grant brought in the prepared medicine. The dark, bitter decoction looked even more unpalatable in the white porcelain bowl. Brian Clark glanced at it, picked up the bowl, and drank it all in one go.

After drinking so much medicine, the bitterness no longer bothered him. Brian Clark took a few sips of tea to wash away the taste, put on his cloak, and walked out of the Xuanzheng Hall.

Outside, a thick layer of snow had already accumulated.

The snow on the ground had been cleared away, but on the trees and grass, a hand’s breadth of snow still remained.

Brian Clark took a few breaths of the biting air, feeling invigorated. He walked under a tree, scooped up a handful of snow, and in just a moment, his pampered hands were frozen stiff.

The Chief Guard hurried off and returned with a pair of leather gloves. Brian Clark laughed, “I was just touching the snow—look how anxious you are.”

Chief Guard rarely put on a stern face. “Your Majesty, please throw the snow away.”

“All right, all right,” Brian Clark tossed the snow aside and held out both hands to Chief Guard, helplessly. “You’re always too cautious.”

Chief Guard carefully took Brian Clark’s fingertips, meticulously wiping away the moisture and snow from the emperor’s palms with a handkerchief. His Majesty’s skin was delicate; even with the snow in his hands for just a moment, each fingertip had turned a tempting shade of pink.

His palms were smooth, the veins almost melting into the soft skin. Chief Guard had to be extra careful not to leave any red marks from wiping on the emperor’s hands.