Chapter 1029: Managing the Aftermath

"Elder Brother is quite at ease!" Liu Yang couldn't help but smile, and after a moment's thought, said, "But that's fine as well. His Majesty sent us brothers to Jiangnan precisely to display the imperial family's grace and reassure the hearts of Jiangnan's subjects. Elder Brother taking a stroll through Jinling is a good thing!"

In fact, up to now, the relationship among the elder brothers of the Liu family had been quite good, for they had grown up together since childhood, played together, studied together, and practiced martial arts together.

Moreover, with Emperor Liu's education and Empress Fu presiding over the inner palace, the princes had always been fraternally respectful toward one another. One of Liu Chengyou's purposes in establishing the Crown Prince had, up to now, been achieved—that among the sons, the distinction between sovereign and subject was already fixed.

Among the brothers, from Liu Xu to Liu Xi and then Liu Fang, all acknowledged and accepted Liu Yang's position as Crown Prince without complaint. Being of imperial blood, by their age they already understood matters well. Given the current situation, so long as no unexpected turn of events occurred, Liu Yang's position was very secure. As for the other princes, they were too young and not yet qualified.

Li Fang and Liu Yang could now be said to share a common fate—rise together, fall together. He himself was well aware of the Emperor's intention in placing him beside the Crown Prince. To admonish, instruct, and assist, entrusted with the foundation of the state—this was indeed a heavy responsibility, and Li Fang had always been diligent and conscientious, feeling deeply honored.

Hearing the Crown Prince's words, Li Fang inwardly nodded in approval. In his view, the current Liu Yang only needed to conduct himself uprightly, cultivate his character, be a steady person, do things earnestly, and display the bearing of a Crown Prince and heir apparent—that would be enough to place him in an unassailable position.

The Emperor's regard and expectations for the Crown Prince were already known throughout the court and the realm through these years of arrangements. So long as the Crown Prince made no mistakes, lost no virtue, and committed no wrongdoing, his position was extremely secure—no one could possibly contend with him. Judging by Liu Yang's performance thus far, it was quite good.

"How is public order in Jinling city, and how are the people's hearts?" Liu Yang asked again.

Li Fang replied: "The city is completely under control, the people are at ease, and the gates of the gentry and commoners have been opened. Duke Li sent word that he intends to lift martial law and restore Jinling fully to its normal order."

"That's good then!" Liu Yang said.

A fully recovered Jinling would be the Great Han court's most populous and economically prosperous city after Kaifeng, so naturally it was hoped that public order could be restored and its prosperity allowed to continue.

"The former Jinling magistrate Chen Qi is truly a man of talent—an unyielding magistrate who enforces the law impartially, never showing favoritism. His official reputation is excellent and his prestige high. I am quite curious how, with such integrity, he managed to serve as Jinling's chief official!" Li Fang added, his tone carrying admiration.

"The lands of the two rivers and nineteen prefectures are not lacking in good ministers and talented men. If the court wishes to govern Jiangnan well, it should put them to important use!" Liu Yang nodded, then showed a slight hesitation and asked Li Fang: "What do you think—if I intend to submit a memorial recommending Chen Qi to govern Jinling, how would that be?"

Li Fang thought for a moment and said: "Your Highness, judging by how the court has handled the disposal of separatist forces in the past, their original officials will all be gradually assessed, then promoted or demoted accordingly, supplemented by capable officials transferred from the capital and other circuits and prefectures, so as to achieve rapid restoration of governance. Jiangnan should be no exception. Acting from public spirit, selecting worthy talents and recommending them to the court—there is nothing improper about that. Moreover, given Chen Qi's official reputation and personal character, he will surely receive important appointment from the court!"

Hearing this, Liu Yang revealed a relieved smile and asked with slight curiosity: "Master Li, among Jinling's high officials, how many do you think are talented?"

"In literary talent, they are everywhere; but as for governing ability, I find it difficult to comment!" Li Fang said.

Liu Yang couldn't help but muse: "Difficult to comment—meaning you look down on their administrative abilities?"

"The Great Han's conquest of the realm was certainly driven by the times and the world's longing for peace. Yet if the sovereign and ministers of Jiangnan had governed well, enriched the people, and strengthened the army, how could this southern campaign have seen the imperial army drive straight down? As Duke Li said, it was like taking something out of one's pocket!" Li Fang replied.

"But under their governance, the people of Jiangnan did enjoy a long period of stability and prosperity!" Liu Yang said.

Looking at Liu Yang, Li Fang thought for a moment and said: "Regarding the governance of Jiangnan, in my early years before the throne, I once heard His Majesty and the various lords discuss it. The conclusion reached at that time was that since the late Tang, no place surpassed Jinling in literary flourishing, but apart from that, there was little achievement. Jiangnan's prosperity was founded by King Wu Yang Xingmi, Xu Wen, and Li Bian through decades of peaceful governance and nurturing the people—that is where its splendor came from.

At its peak, it also followed Li Bian's policy of sheathing arms and cultivating reputation. By the time of Li Jing, however, literary officials like Feng Yansi usurped influence, seeking grand ambitions, changing course, and eagerly pursuing aggressive expansion—initiating wars abroad. To the south they destroyed Min of the Wang clan, with several reversals; to the west they took Ma Chu, only to gain and then lose it. In the end, they failed to achieve hegemony and instead exhausted the people and drained the treasury, turning from prosperity to decline.

Therefore, when His Majesty consolidated the Central Plains and set his sights southward, Jiangnan's ostentatious refinement could not withstand the might of the Han army. From that point on, it never recovered, its national strength daily declined, and within a little over ten years, it was destroyed.

Yet, had the Great Han not been constrained on so many fronts, why would it have needed to wait until now to pacify Jiangnan?"

"In poetry and lyrics, few in the realm can match someone like Feng Yansi. He inaugurated a new style of ci poetry—calling him the founder of a poetic school is not an exaggeration. But for governing the state, he was harmful without benefit. When the Feng family held power, the state was impoverished and the people suffered!" Li Fang said.

"A sudden breeze rises, ruffling a pool of spring water!" Liu Fang thought seriously for a moment, then softly recited a line of verse and sighed: "That piece 'Paying Homage at the Golden Gate'—how many people praised it! If Feng Yansi were still alive, I would like to see his poetic talent for myself! Unfortunately, no matter how beautiful poetry is, it ultimately cannot govern a state!"

In fact, the discussions back then, when traced to their root, ultimately placed the responsibility for the Southern Tang's rise and fall on Li Jing. In Li Bian's era, the Jinling court's high officials were not lacking in literary men and ci poets either, yet at that time the Southern Tang was formidable in both national strength and military power.

Li Bian was an excellent statesman. Though he advocated civil governance, he cherished his soldiers and people and understood the art of employing men. However, Li Jing fell far short of his father—otherwise, would the Southern Tang have been so easy to conquer?

Continuing to analyze these matters for Liu Yang, Liu Yang gained further insight. Looking at Li Fang respectfully, he said: "Master Li, in the future, for matters of this kind, please do not hesitate to offer your guidance—I have benefited greatly!"

"If Your Highness is interested in listening, I will naturally speak of all I know without reservation!" Li Fang was very satisfied with Liu Yang's attitude.

"I am thinking of hosting a banquet to invite the former ministers of Jinling—what do you think?" Liu Yang asked again.

"This can soothe their hearts; I believe it is appropriate!" Li Fang said.

"Who should be invited?"

Li Fang smiled lightly and gave Liu Yang a suggestion: "Your Highness could entrust this matter to Zhong Zhongyi. In all of Jinling city, there is hardly anyone more suitable to handle this than him. I imagine he would be glad to do it and would see it done well!"

Liu Yang suddenly understood and said: "Then let us entrust this matter to him! Hmm, I have heard that extravagance prevails in Jinling—that nobles and magnates hold lavish banquets with great waste and extreme ostentation. I should instruct Zhong Mo to pay attention to the scale and standards!"

"That Your Highness has such concerns—when His Majesty hears of it, he will surely be gratified!" Li Fang said.

Hearing him say this, Liu Yang felt a little embarrassed, but still revealed a smile.

"By the way, send someone to ask how Duke Li is doing?" Rubbing his aching head, Liu Yang gave another instruction.

"Word has already been sent—he has improved considerably. The imperial physician also said that with proper rest and care, his condition will continue to improve!" Li Fang said.

After the complete capture of Jinling, Li Gu could no longer hold on. He set down his affairs and went to recuperate. It could be said that all along, Li Gu had endured the torment of illness through sheer force of will; once his long-cherished wish was fulfilled, he no longer forced himself to hold on.

"Duke Li is truly an unparalleled servant of the state!" Liu Yang sighed with emotion: "Inform the imperial physician that the medicines and tonics in Jinling's palace may be used freely for Duke Li's recovery!"

"How is the relocation of Li Yu's family progressing?" Liu Yang asked again.

At the mention of this, Li Fang couldn't help but frown and said: "It has not yet begun!"

"What is the reason?"

Li Fang said: "As for the gold, silver, and valuables within the palace city—it is unclear how much they may be allowed to take."

Liu Yang suddenly understood. After considering for a while, Liu Yang said: "Li Yu surrendered voluntarily and preserved Jinling—that is a merit. I will give him two hundred able-bodied men to transport whatever they can carry; whatever they can move, they may keep, and the rest shall be sealed and turned over to the state treasury!"

"......"

With the assistance of Li Fang and others, the post-conquest arrangements for Jinling, led primarily by Crown Prince Liu Yang, had already begun. And judging by the results, it was being done well—perhaps Emperor Liu's original intention had already been achieved.