Chapter 474: Aristocratic Attire and Regalia

The council hasn't even produced a reason yet, and already a prefect has been "eliminated"!

When Yuanjie solemnly sat in the seat originally occupied by Guo Na, everyone present with sharp eyes knew that Fang Chongyong was already laying out his plan.

No one yet knows the specific details of this plan; it could be as small as resisting the Hebei rebels, or as large as partitioning the land and enfeoffing kings.

The several prefects present wore very cautious expressions.

Perhaps ten years from now, Fang Chongyong's intentions will be crystal clear. But for now, people are like looking at someone through a fog; whether they can discern the situation depends entirely on their own abilities.

Seeing the atmosphere grow cold, Fang Chongyong hurriedly ordered his personal troops to present a seasonal fruit platter to the prefects in the hall and the trusted officers in the army, all consisting of current‑season melons and fruits.

Seizing the moment, Feng Changqing, standing behind Fang Chongyong, stepped forward and saluted with a hand gesture, saying: "Jiedushi, Bozhou is prosperous and has four great rivers suitable for transport; it lies to the far south of Bianzhou and is of great strategic importance.

But now Bozhou has no prefect, only an acting Sima; if this continues, it may become problematic. I respectfully request the Jiedushi to make a decision."

When Feng finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent.

The authority to appoint or dismiss prefects is a massive power held by the Jiedushi. It was already so in the Kaiyuan period; the "Caifangshi" handled this matter. Since the roles of Caifangshi, Jiedushi, and Yingtanshi were combined into one person, it became the ultimate form of the ten Jiedushi of the Kaiyuan–Tianbao era.

The Caifangshi reports when a prefect of a certain region needs to be replaced due to incompetence, sends a report back to Chang'an, and the Ministry of Personnel usually approves it, sending a replacement to assume the post. Of course, there is also a series of complex court intrigues involved.

However, when the Hebei warlord Huangfu Weiming raised the banner of rebellion, this smoothly operating set of rules revealed a flaw that could be exploited.

A Jiedushi who commands his own troops can use force to restrain the Caifangshi, and sometimes the Jiedushi himself is the Caifangshi! Thus the Jiedushi gains the ability to send minor reports to the "court", to "recommend" replacing a certain prefect with another, and, backed by military force, can execute the replacement first and report later, driving out a prefect he dislikes.

Meanwhile, the court's authority is far weaker than before and lacks the strength to bargain with the Jiedushi. Without the Jiedushi's cooperation, a prefect arriving locally cannot get the administration running.

Thus, the Jiedushi essentially gains the power to appoint and dismiss local chief officials.

However, for an unexpected event like the sudden death of the Bozhou prefect, it still depends on whether the Jiedushi or the court reacts faster.

Power cannot exist in a vacuum; when Bozhou's office becomes vacant, if Fang Chongyong does not seize it, the court will send someone to take it!

Feng Changqing's words were precisely about this.

"Everyone, what do you think?"

Fang Chongyong looked around at the crowd and asked, noting that the question was rather thought‑provoking.

This is under the premise that the court is still "alive".

But now, although the court still exists, it is evidently gravely ill and cannot suppress the regions.

This time the prefect's support or opposition is no longer just a rubber stamp.

"Jiedushi, Bozhou is no trivial matter. If anything changes, the entire Henan defensive line risks collapse. I, your subordinate, recommend selecting a person in the army who is both civil and martial to serve as Bozhou prefect, to secure the grain routes, train soldiers, and achieve the effect of training troops while supplying grain."

The newly appointed Bianzhou prefect, Yuanjie, promptly offered his suggestion to Fang Chongyong, and, intentionally or not, cast a glance at Yan Bojun seated at the far end.

Yan Bojun quickly rose, performed a salute, and said.

Yan Bojun is a close‑door disciple of Xiao Yingshi, and their relationship is very intimate.

Xiao Yingshi was demoted and left idle because of his sharp tongue; after being recruited by Li Linfu he despised associating with him, privately mocked Li Linfu as worthless, and even wrote an essay titled "Ode to Cutting Down the Cherry Tree", using objects to satirize people, a yin‑yang mockery.

As a result, the then all‑powerful Right Prime Minister Li Linfu exiled him from the capital, and Li Linfu only returned to the capital after being assassinated.

Not to mention that Li Linfu himself was not a magnanimous person; even if he didn't care about others' criticism, to preserve his authority he would certainly have to deal with Xiao Yingshi! The grievance deepened.

Coincidentally, Yuanjie was a scholar promoted by Li Linfu through the imperial examinations; his appointment as a Hebei prefect was paved by Li Linfu, whom he regards as a benefactor.

Xiao Yingshi is not some omniscient figure who could pull Yuanjie to his side.

Yuanjie's actions are all "court persona", performed for others to see, indicating he is a person who remembers the source of his water, values his status and position.

Rather than being truly loyal to the deceased Li Linfu.

Therefore, now Yuanjie cannot stand Yan Bojun's goodwill, viewing him as a political rival, and the latter holds a similar stance.

This is not a matter of personal vendetta, but of being in the court where one cannot act independently.

Yuanjie's political maneuvering has always been very mature; inadvertently he set Yan Bojun aside.

"Hmm, Yan Sima, you are in Bozhou and surely have your own unique perspective; this Jiedushi is now all ears."

Fang Chongyong smiled faintly and made a "please" gesture toward Yan Bojun; his tone and expression revealed no joy or anger. Having a military commander take up a local prefecture is not necessarily a good choice. Thus Fang Chongyong's decision remains ambiguous.

Of course, given the current situation, essentially whoever Fang Chongyong wants to appoint will get the post; there is no obstruction in the power channels.

"Jiedushi, the fierce generals under your command who go to the battlefield are invariably victorious and unstoppable. However, prefects mostly have to handle paperwork, which is intricate and complex; they may not be competent for those tasks. I, your subordinate, suggest that within the Bozhou prefectural office we find someone familiar with local conditions to serve temporarily, so we can observe the results later."

Yan Bojun put on a composed demeanor as Fang Chongyong explained.

"If Bozhou cannot contribute to resisting the Hebei rebel forces, then no matter how fine this place is, or how good its officials are, it will be of no help!"

Fang Chongyong let out a long sigh, shaking his head with a hint of regret.

Everyone present wore a thoughtful expression; Fang Chongyong's words carried hidden discontent.

Yan Bojun sat down sheepishly, realizing he had become the clown this time, and also revealing his own petty thoughts.

"Alright then, I have already booked the entire Wanhua Tower in Kaifeng City; tonight we won't leave until we're drunk, and we can drink and chat then."

"Now this Jiedushi must go inspect the canals, so everyone, feel free to go about your business."

Having finished, Fang Chongyong rose and left; the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army officers in the hall followed him in single file.

The few remaining prefects stared at each other, exchanged brief greetings, and then all departed.

Only Liu Changqing, standing like a watchman, kept his eyes fixed on Yan Bojun, as if with hidden meaning.

Yan Bojun also sensed the gaze and, somewhat puzzled, asked, "Does Liu Mingfu have any business?"

He does not know Liu Changqing, yet he can sense an inexplicable hostility from him.

"Ji Lanzi, indeed a wonderful person."

Liu Changqing leisurely said a profound remark to Yan Bojun, then turned and left.

I must admit, Yan Bojun's fresh‑faced looks are indeed more handsome than mine, taller, and more graceful.

No wonder Li Jilan never forgets him.

Liu Changqing deliberately disgusted Yan Bojun, feeling a surge of resentment.

He strode out of the prefectural office, a indescribable irritation welling up, making him want to find someone to beat up to vent.

He strode out of the government office, an indescribable feeling of vexation welled up inside him, making him want to find someone to beat up to vent his anger.

Liu Changqing found that the situation he now faced was somewhat dire.

……

After pacing back and forth by the canal outside Kaifeng City and having a good calm-down, Liu Changqing finally figured it out.

Fang Chongyong not handing him the post of Bianzhou Inspector actually came down to just one reason: as a literary man, he had not sold himself thoroughly enough to be regarded by Fang Chongyong as one of his own!

But it was quite obvious that Yuan Jie was plainly Fang Chongyong's pawn, and the two had likely known each other for years.

Competing against Yuan Jie was bound to be a losing effort. With the contest for Bianzhou Inspector settled, he could only seek other opportunities.

It was also with the mindset of "might as well play since it costs nothing."

Since there was no need to marry her, it didn't matter—just do whatever felt good.

In fact, many men had enjoyed Li Jilan, every one of them talented, and every one of them with no intention of taking her through the door as a wife.

Such things always came down to mutual willingness.

For instance, men like Shi Jiaoran and Lu Yu—though Li Jilan was itching to throw herself into their arms, they had no desire to take advantage of a woman, so they disdained any indecent dalliance and had always maintained a friendship.

Liu Changqing believed that Fang Chongyong surely did not lack women, but a beautiful "cultured" woman who could compose poetry would certainly be a different flavor altogether, and he believed it would be hard for Fang Chongyong to resist Li Jilan's charms.

What man wouldn't want to try a different flavor for a change?

Putting himself in the other's shoes, Liu Changqing thought this idea had some promise!

Offering a woman in exchange for an official post was contemptible. But introducing a beauty to one's superior—then it was none of his business, wasn't it?

Recalling how Li Jilan would from time to time bring up Yan Bojun's good qualities in front of him, Liu Changqing felt that trading this woman for a Inspector's post was an absolute steal!

After composing his emotions, he returned to the relay inn, only to find that Li Jilan's door was locked from the outside and there seemed to be no one inside. Then Liu Changqing found Lu Yu, and saw that Lu Yu was brewing tea while taking notes, seemingly recording the tea-brewing process and matters related to heat control.

"How did it go for you today, Brother Liu? Did that Jiedushi Fang, after picking his soldiers and generals, pick you and promote you to Bianzhou Inspector?"

Lu Yu asked without even lifting his head, his tone carrying a note of mockery.

Liu Changqing plopped down onto a soft cushion, straightened his robes, and sighed helplessly: "He appointed Yuan Jie as Bianzhou Inspector. I got nothing at all."

"Oh, that's no surprise then. Yuan Jie made quite a name for himself in Hebei—even the rebel army has put a price on his head."

"The post of Bianzhou Inspector is no small matter. Having Yuan Jie take it was to be expected."

Lu Yu spoke while brewing tea, and soon handed a small tea bowl to Liu Changqing.

"Alas, indeed."

Liu Changqing nodded helplessly and lamented, took a sip of tea, and tasted nothing but bitterness.

"So bitter!"

He set the tea bowl down, then asked in puzzlement: "Where is Jilanzi?"

At the three characters "Jilanzi," Lu Yu's otherwise steady hand trembled slightly, then he forced a smile and said: "She went out and won't be attending the evening banquet. I'll accompany you to the Ten Thousand Flowers Tower, Brother Liu."

The moment he finished speaking, Lu Yu realized he had let something slip.

Seeing the other's expression quickly darken, Lu Yu knew that Liu Changqing was a bit stubborn by temperament and had a rather strong craving for official rank, so he consoled him: "Don't ask any more questions. Tonight I'll go with you to the Ten Thousand Flowers Tower."

However, at this moment Liu Changqing's mood was not anger but utter despair!

With Li Jilan absent, how could he "move her with emotion and reason" to persuade her to throw herself into Fang Chongyong's arms, keep him company for a few days, and curry his favor?

"It's over, it's over—my official career is completely finished!"

Liu Changqing could not help but heave one long sigh after another, clutching his head in extreme anguish.

Lu Yu set down the wooden ladle in his hand, walked over, and asked with a face full of concern: "Has something happened?"

Hearing this, Liu Changqing selectively recounted what had occurred in the main hall of the government office today.

"Wenfang, you want Jilanzi to seek an official post for you?"

Lu Yu pondered for a moment before asking.

Had Li Jilan done such a thing before? Hard to say.

But the likelihood that she had was extremely high—at least in the eyes of outsiders, she had done so many times!

Because Lu Yu, as Li Jilan's friend, had only heard that from her teenage years onward, she had attended banquets at the homes of the powerful and noble in the guise of a "Daoist nun," each time "meeting friends through literature," and had left behind quite a few poems.

Since this was exchange at the literary level, it was naturally also the binding of interests at the official level—the two intertwined and difficult to distinguish. The way of poetry was itself one of the lubricants for building relationships in the officialdom of the Great Tang.

Literary men were often civil officials, and civil officials were almost all literary men—this was no secret in the Tang dynasty; it was all out in the open.

And when on the surface they were comparing poetry and prose but in reality they were entangled in flesh; or to put it another way, when the poetry reached a passionate pitch and they naturally tumbled into bed—that was simply the most normal thing in the world. Such socializing could be very pure, with everyone discussing only literature; or it could be very complex, filled with transactions of interest and carnal desire.

As for what Li Jilan actually did, Lu Yu did not dare to speculate recklessly, but she could not shake off that kind of suspicion.

Lu Yu knew even better that Li Jilan would absolutely not sleep with a man just to obtain wealth and goods, but her loose belt and her love-stricken recklessness were also an open secret in literary circles.

"I don't think this is a very good idea. With your talent, Wenfang, you shouldn't be fixating on this."

Lu Yu persuaded him patiently.

"I can't wait any longer!"

Liu Changqing clenched his fists tightly, his eyes filled with unwillingness.

Lu Yu wanted to say something more, but after a moment's thought, ultimately chose to keep his mouth shut.

In fact, Li Jilan was right now inside this very relay inn—perhaps even in that man's bed.

Lu Yu decided it was better not to tell Liu Changqing. Lest the three of them meet awkwardly face-to-face—things could well turn deadly!

……

Apart for years, reunited as if no time had passed.

Yan Bojun lay on the bed, gently stroking Li Jilan's smooth back.

The world all assumed that he had originally relied on his own talent to become Vice Prefect of Bozhou.

Only Yan Bojun himself knew that he had relied on his teacher Xiao Yingzhi and his elder brother's connections at court to climb into a marriage with a noble house, wedding the daughter of Cui Huan of the Boling Cui clan.

This branch of the Cui clan wielded considerable influence in Bozhou, and through maneuvering both inside and out, they had barely managed to secure him the post of Vice Prefect of Bozhou.

His father-in-law had originally been a Director in the Ministry of Rites, with boundless prospects. But after Huangfu Weiming raised troops in Hebei, it became plain that the imperial court could no longer have any say over local military and civil administration.

This time, upon a chance encounter at the post station inn, Yan Bojun's thoughts were stirred.

"Ji Lan?"

"Hmm?"

Li Ji Lan answered with a sound, her body going limp like mud. To be frank, Liu Changqing, whose physical quality is lacking, is far inferior to Yan Bojun, and his appearance is also lacking.

Just now, the two had enjoyed intimacy on the bed, and Li Ji Lan realized that the one she liked was still Yan Bojun.

"I'm currently facing a big problem that I must resolve before I can continue being with you. I don't know, Ji Lan, can you help me?"

"Only you can help me."

Yan Bojun bit Li Ji Lan's ear and asked in a low voice.

"Yan Lang, hurry up and say it; anything you want, I'll give it to you if I can."

Li Ji Lan, her love-addled mind in a daze, kissed Yan Bojun's face while moaning softly.

(End of chapter)