9 The Monkey of the Emperor (1/2)
Jiang'an.
The center of Great Yong, the golden city of the hegemon of Shattered Star continent. With just the inner city spanning over thirteen kilometers in diameter, Jiang'an was a paradise of wealth, knowledge, and influence. And at the epicenter of the inner city sat a massive palace of gold, one that towered over all other buildings in the city.
No other building or structure could match its height, size, or prestige. Large inscriptions of dragons and phoenixes carved on its walls, with 'Yong' guarding the gates, the palace was the Imperial Palace of Great Yong, its imposing aura and nobility displayed to the finest.
Inside the palace raced several streams of palace maids and eunuchs scurrying about the various pavilions and courtyards, carrying an assortment of objects ranging from brushes to jade trays.
Climbing up the three hundred steps of silver were legions of officials adorned in red, green, blue, or black robes, each headed towards the Imperial Court. With the Imperial Court and Ancestral Palace as the domineering spearhead, the courtyards and palaces of the emperor's backyard decorated the rear confines of the Imperial Palace, providing an illusion of serenity and peace behind the deadly spear.
Dong! Dong!
The afternoon bell struck twice to indicate the passing of the Goat Hour, inviting the cacophony of the Western Monkey. Hearing the pounding ring, the various officials loitering around the entrance of the Imperial Court all scrambled inside, fighting to stand at their proper position before the emperor sat on the throne.
As long as they managed to get into formation before he sat, none of them would lose their lives.
”His Majesty arrives!” A high-ranking eunuch cried.
The shrill cry mercilessly exterminated the officials' conversations, a deafening silence filling the Court. Hearing a set of valiant and powerful footsteps resound from the recess of the Court, the officials all hunched their head into a full bow, their eyes shut.
”We pay respects to His Imperial Majesty!”
Three hundred voices spoke as one, swelling and quelling at the same instant. Subsequently following was an organized clutter of fabric rustling against the carpet ground as the officials lowered themselves into a respectful kowtow.
”Rise. We accept your greetings.”
From the rear entrance of the Imperial Court, a young man stepped forward, heading for the throne. Dressed in a golden robe inscribed with flowing dragons and tigers, the man appeared to be in his twenties, his features handsome and majestic.
Rigid eyebrows, golden irises immersed in mirth as well as that slight smirk gracing his lips, the man leisurely sat on the throne, casually waving towards the officials paying their respects.
”Thanking His Imperial Majesty!”
The officials roared before resuming a standing position, each clasping their memorial before them.
The emperor smirked, leaning forward on the golden throne as he raised an eyebrow.
”Alright, alright” he spoke with a languished tone. ”The hour of the Monkey has come. You know what to do, let's get it done with and go home!”
”Yes, Your Imperial Majesty!”
The officials struggled to retain a solemn expression as they all pressed tightly on their quivering lips. This emperor of theirs, ah! Five hundred years since he ascended to the throne and he still retains the same playboy attitude since his youth as a meagre Eighth Prince.
Although, it was indeed a pity that such free and careless attitude was displayed only during the Hour of the Monkey. A middle-aged official dressed in a green robe stepped forward, bowing to the emperor.
”Your Imperial Majesty ah…” the official began, his eyes shifting around.
”The Finance Bureau received the edict yesterday for this year's management of taxes…but we have absolutely no idea on what to do…” His voice trailed off, the official's knees prepping to drop into a full kowtow upon the slightest inclination of rage.
”What do you mean, absolutely no idea?” the emperor questioned.
”We thought that the instructions provided were sufficiently detailed and comprehensive enough. What do you mean, you don't understand?”
”B-but…it's just that the adjustments…simply don't make sense!” The official cried.
”Reducing every tax to three percent for the year in celebration of Your Imperial Majesty's five-hundredth birthday, that will cause significant damage to the Department of Revenue! The national treasury can't withstand such a strain!”
”Why is that?” The emperor raised his eyebrow, gazing intently at the official. ”Didn't Li Ming bring back three major salt mines and deposited them into the treasury a few months ago? Since you know that, why are you still confused?”
”This-this…because salt mines don't bolster the economy until a significant time has passed, ah!” The official pleaded.
”Your Imperial Majesty, though the salt mines indeed possess great economic potential, they require time for the people to actively purchase from the venue. Unlike gemstones and precious metals, property grants don't possess much initial value, nor will they sustain the empire's expenses!”