As the new year began, numerous troubling reports arrived. A noble's child went missing, spies were discovered somewhere, and thieves were causing havoc. Eventually, the child was found, but some were left mentally incapacitated, leaving everyone distraught.
The most heartrending case was the family of the Director of the Ministry of War, Chen Da. It was said that his only grandson hit his head, triggering a high fever that left him impaired. His grandmother couldn't bear the shock and passed away suddenly. Exhausted and heartbroken, Chen Da knelt before the Emperor for two hours, requesting to retire so he could care for his grandson and return to his hometown with his wife's remains.
The Emperor agreed, bestowing one hundred taels of gold as a pension.
