She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 425 - 424 The Only Praise

Chapter 425: Chapter 424 The Only Praise

Under the watchful eyes of many, the tracks and related facilities on these three construction sites changed visibly, step by step nearing completion.

Among these three projects, the two sections of the track undertaken by Prince Yu’s Mansion had already been thoroughly cleared, and the surrounding streets were newly organized. Three seven-foot-tall signs stood at the three stations of the two tracks, inscribed with the names of the nearby streets and alleys.

On an open space at the end of the track, three carriages of different sizes were parked, including a beautifully carved four-seater, a spacious and bright open-top eight-seater, and a dual-purpose flatbed carriage for passengers and goods. A smartly spoken boy, neatly dressed, explained the advantages and conveniences of the three types of carriages to the people.

All these signs indicated that the long-awaited railway carriage was actually about to be put into use.

Those who had originally adopted a wait-and-see attitude or sneered, convinced that this project would definitely not succeed, were now beginning to be moved, waiting to see how this novelty would appear on the streets of the capital.

At the same time, there were developments at Jinrong’s side as well.

After Ye Xinyan had been working for two days, one morning after the court officials had presented their memorials and reported on their affairs, His Majesty the Emperor leisurely inquired about the streets of the capital.

This question stirred up a hornet’s nest, and the Imperial Court once again resonated with doubts about the railway carriage and criticism of this policy.

Fortunately, this time quite a number of people prudently remained silent. Many knew that the railway carriage project in the entire capital was divided into ten sections, and two of those were about to commence operation in a few days.

Moreover, the adjoining three sections were also being rushed, approaching completion at an unbelievably fast pace. The contractor of these three sections had already claimed that their tracks would also be put into operation before the year’s end.

This indicated that the current predicament of the railway carriage could actually have been avoided, and the current difficulties were very likely to be resolved. At such a time, it was most important to be cautious with one’s words.

His Majesty listened with interest to the reports from the officials below until the excited ministers felt something amiss and gradually fell silent. Then the Emperor asked, "The streets of our capital have been in disarray for almost a year, do any of my beloved ministers have a solution?"

The court officials looked at each other. With the end of the year approaching, halting the construction in winter wouldn’t help the situation. Besides, with the cold and frost, even if construction stopped, it would be impossible to recruit labor to repair the roads.

The Minister of Works, Wang Xian, stepped forward and said, "Given the current climate, it is really difficult to make major changes to earth and woodworks. Even if the construction of the track were to cease, we could only roughly restore a pathway. To truly repair the roads to their original state, I’m afraid we would have to wait until next spring, when we can summon labor and make further arrangements."

Standing in the front, Han Yanhui listened and slightly furrowed his brow, imperceptibly to many, but the Emperor caught the gesture and asked, "Does Beloved Minister Han have something to say?"

Han Yanhui stepped forward, bowed, and replied, "The railway carriages of the capital were split into ten sections for the recruitment of operating merchants. Now two sections have been completed and three more are nearing completion, reportedly about to report to the yamen for operations. With this much progress made... if we were to stop now, wouldn’t we be wasting the many resources and efforts already invested? Your humble servant believes that this matter requires further deliberation, at least until we can observe the operation situation before deciding whether to abolish it or not."

The Emperor swept his gaze across the assembly of court officials and said with gravity, "Since half of the ten sections have been completed, there is no problem with the project itself; rather, it’s the execution that has been unsatisfactory. Am I right?"

His voice was stern, and a large group immediately knelt down below.

"You Chenghui." The Emperor called out.

Intendant You Chenghui and a group of colleagues were kneeling on the ground, daring not to raise their heads. Hearing the Emperor call his name, he secretly thought this was not good and hurriedly kowtowed again, responding, "This subordinate is here."

The Emperor’s emotionless voice rose, "As an official charged with overseeing the capital, you have neglected the management of your jurisdiction, allowing the capital’s streets to become so congested. A half-year forfeiture of salary."

Ah? You Chenghui did not understand how this matter had fallen on him to be the scapegoat, and he quickly expressed his gratitude, "This subordinate knows his crime. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your leniency."

Those around You Chenghui bent even lower, almost crawling on the ground.

The Emperor continued to call out, "Minister of Works Wang Xian."

"This subordinate is here." Wang Xian, knowing the Emperor was causing trouble for You Chenghui, realized that he, who was in charge of the Ministry of Works, could not escape responsibility.

"The entire capital is to be equipped with railway tracks, yet the progress of the construction varies greatly, with construction sites encroaching on a large portion of the capital’s roads. As a Second Rank official who single-handedly oversees the Ministry of Works, you have turned a blind eye to such chaos. A half-year withholding of salary. Are you satisfied with this punishment?"

"This subordinate knows his crime." Wang Xian bowed deeply. Did he dare to say he was not satisfied? Was this project related to him? It wasn’t something he had agreed to implement.

The Emperor then ordered, "Task the capital’s yamen to reorganize the capital’s streets before the end of the year. Particularly for the construction sections of the railway carriage, the Capital Prefecture, together with the Ministry of Works, will expand by a zhang or a few feet on each side of the track as necessary for the construction site. Clear the remaining road surfaces and prohibit any unauthorized occupation; violators will be held accountable by the Capital Prefecture Yamen. This matter must be completed within five days."

After the Emperor finished speaking, those below who initially felt lost and aggrieved were secretly shocked. Wang Xian was pondering in his heart, recalling the construction sites of the railway tracks he had seen from a distance. The Emperor’s method seemed truly feasible; if it had been done like this from the beginning, would the capital’s roads not have become so difficult to navigate and congested?

After giving his instructions, the Emperor continued with a severe tone, "Since the start of the railway project, there have been incessant complaints and criticisms, and lately, the situation has been escalating. But who truly cares, who truly considers solving the problem? Which one of you has put effort and thought into this matter?"

"Not a single one! In the end, it was my Sixth Prince who could not stand the chaos of the capital’s streets upon his return. He had the Prince Household’s Steward measure the worksite and come up with this solution. People often say ’receive the monarch’s bounty, serve the monarch loyally.’ If you had put even a little heart into the nation’s affairs, the capital’s streets would not have been in disarray for nearly a year."

The Seventh Prince was in charge of an assignment, unlike Jinrong, who, no matter how angry the Emperor got, would neither hear nor see it. Moreover, during today’s Imperial Court session, when everyone was being reproached, His Highness Prince Yu was the only one being praised.

Upon returning to the Prince’s Mansion, the Seventh Prince Jinyi immediately summoned his Attendant Yong Fu to question him, "Didn’t I have your men keep an eye on Prince Yu? Has Prince Yu gone to the railway construction sites these past few days?"

Yong Fu bowed and replied, "Prince Yu returned on the seventh day of the twelfth month. The next day, when he visited the residences of two former princes, he took the opportunity to look at the completed railway on Changping Street. The day after visiting Duke An’s Mansion, coinciding with the so-called Qi Ye starting work, His Highness Prince Yu’s visits to the construction site became more frequent, sometimes one, two, or three times a day."

"So, the restarting of the railway track construction adjacent to Changping Street also began after Qi Ye started work?" Jinyi asked.

Yong Fu answered "Yes" again.

Jinyi dismissed Yong Fu and looked at his advisor Liu Yu.