Chapter 1036: Better to Proceed Steadily

Inside Guangzheng Hall, seeing that it had quieted down, the assembled ministers were all high officials who interacted closely with the Emperor on a daily basis and understood his temperament well. The moment Liu Chengyou spoke, they basically all understood his meaning.

However, no one responded to his proposal for a moment. Someone like Dou Yi showed obvious hesitation on his face. Scanning the ministers with a glance, Liu Chengyou smiled slightly: "What, do you gentlemen harbor doubts? If you have differing views, speak frankly without hesitation!"

Dou Yi had always been someone who dared to speak. Hearing this, he said directly: "Your Majesty, Jiangnan has only just been pacified; the scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants all still need reassurance. The current situation is still manageable, but if you issue an order to relocate the powerful families, I fear there will be upheaval in the Jiangnan region! Your Majesty campaigned with a great army, strictly disciplined the troops, and protected the common people, sparing the scholars and populace of Jiangnan from the ravages of war. Now the prefectures and counties have surrendered but not yet been fully subjugated. It is not appropriate to make major moves, lest disorder arise and bring calamity to the localities!"

Dou Yi had given a very clear stance of opposition. Hearing this, Liu Chengyou gave him a look and said in a somewhat flat tone: "What upheaval do you fear? What disorder do you worry will arise? Compared to the common folk of Jiangnan, how many are the powerful families of Jiangnan? Even if disorder does arise, how does it compare to the chaos in Chuanshu back then?"

Emperor Liu's questions grew colder with each one, and firmer as well, his resolute will fully revealed through his words. Dou Yi showed no fear on his face, clasping his hands and responding: "Your Majesty, the Chuanshu rebellion cost tens of thousands of casualties, and the waste of grain and treasure was even greater. Wounds remain unhealed to this day. Does Your Majesty wish to replicate the Chuanshu rebellion in Jiangnan?"

"How dare you!" At this point, the palace eunuch Sun the Yan army on the side rebuked: "Minister Dou, are you committing an offense against your sovereign?"

At these words, Dou Yi raised an old eyebrow and looked at this eunuch with contempt. But before he could speak, Emperor Liu had already coldly rebuked: "Shut up! What place is this? Do you have the right to speak here?"

Liu Chengyou's gaze was icy and his tone severe, giving Sun the Yan army a great fright. Without time to think, he fell to his knees with a thud, prostrating himself: "This lowly one was rash and spoke out of turn. Please, Your Majesty, mete out punishment!"

Liu Chengyou did not continue to pay attention to this old eunuch, withdrawing his gaze, but his expression remained displeased as he looked at Dou Yi. However, Dou Yi remained solemn-faced, full of righteous spirit, showing no timidity. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou's expression softened, and he said with a light laugh: "What Minister Dou says is mature and for the sake of the state. However, I believe you are overthinking it. The army is now in the south, military discipline is strict, and there has been no harm done to the scholars or common people. Why fear a recurrence of the Chuanshu rebellion? Moreover, with the Great Han's soldiers there, how could we fail to suppress violence and quell rebellion?"

Emperor Liu's words clearly could not convince Dou Yi. Seeing that he was about to speak again, Liu Chengyou did not intend to listen further, and instead looked toward Wei Renpu, who had not yet expressed his views, saying: "What does Minister Wei think?"

Wei Renpu was not like Dou Yi, who would remonstrate directly against the sovereign's wishes. After some brief consideration, he clasped his hands and asked Emperor Liu: "Your Majesty, when do you plan to relocate the powerful families?"

As a veteran minister who had followed Emperor Liu for over a decade, Wei Renpu understood him deeply. Though not like Tao Gu and others who enjoyed guessing the Emperor's thoughts, he always knew in his heart what matters could be remonstrated about and how to do so.

Matters like relocating the powerful families—the intent was clearly resolute, not something they as ministers could dissuade with a few words. Therefore, Wei Renpu did not dwell on the question of whether to relocate or not, but directly considered the specific matters of the relocation—how to accomplish it on the basis of stabilizing public order and minimizing upheaval. The key lay in the timing of the relocation, for he feared the Emperor might be too impatient.

Recently, because of the rapid progress in the south and the imminent unification, Emperor Liu had already shown unusual impatience. Though not yet to the point of muddled judgment or foolish errors, it was still not a good sign. Of course, he was not the only one harboring such feelings—it was just that under the current system of the Great Han, the will of Emperor Liu alone had too great an impact on the state and the realm.

Hearing Wei Renpu's question, Liu Chengyou indeed appeared pleased, his gaze clearly saying: These are the things you should be considering. Though he already had plans in mind, Liu Chengyou still put on a posture of adopting the assembled ministers' counsel, saying to Wei Renpu: "When does Minister Wei think we can begin implementation?"

Hearing such a response from the Emperor, Wei Renpu breathed a slight sigh of relief inwardly. Fortunately, Liu Chengyou's tone did not betray an eagerness for quick results. His demeanor becoming somewhat more composed, Wei Renpu reported: "Your servant believes that for now, pacification should come first. Once Han governance is implemented and military and civil affairs are initially settled, then we can begin!"

Perhaps feeling that his answer was too general to satisfy the Emperor, Wei Renpu continued: "In your servant's humble opinion, at the longest nine months, at the shortest half a year, Jiangnan will be brought under proper governance, with no worry of upheaval!"

Wei Renpu's opinion was also very clear—he hoped to proceed step by step, which would be steady and safe, without fear of great disorder, minimizing disruption and maintaining local order.

Moreover, Wei Renpu also understood the Emperor's purpose in relocating the powerful families. In essence, it was similar to the Chuanshu affair—breaking the original hierarchical system, strengthening the court's control and influence over Jiangnan, and through this measure alleviating social contradictions. He could see the benefits to the Great Han's rule, and therefore, unlike Dou Yi, Wei Renpu chose to support it. Wei Renpu was never someone who voted in unconditional agreement to cater to the Emperor; if something were detrimental to the state, he would also remonstrate.

The difference from the Chuanshu affair was that that time had used fierce and cruel methods to rectify matters. For Jiangnan, Emperor Liu intended to use gentler means. Of course, it could be imagined that when the court's coercive power was applied to those local magnates, they would not find it gentle.

After some serious deliberation, Liu Chengyou felt that starting major operations before the end of this year was indeed not very realistic—unless he truly wanted to do as in Shu, regardless of good or evil, noble or base, and completely overturn and rebuild everything.

After pondering for a moment, Liu Chengyou said: "Let it be as Minister Wei says! If one wishes to govern well, the first priority is selecting officials. On this matter, we must not relax in the slightest!"

Hearing him say this, Dou Yi, who was in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, clasped his hands and assured: "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Personnel has already selected one hundred and seventeen officials from north of the Yangtze to proceed to Jinling and await assignment. Additionally, inspection envoys have already gone south to coordinate with the Jiangnan circuit authorities in evaluating the former officials! As for the appointments of the chief officials of the two circuits, we await Your Majesty's instructions!"

Liu Chengyou nodded, and after brief consideration, said: "Change Jinling to Jiangning Prefecture, with Li Fang acting as Prefect of Jiangning, and Zhong Mo acting as Administration Commissioner of the Two Rivers! As for Lingnan, send Li Tao south to Panyu to act as its administrator!"

Basically, the territory of the Southern Tang was roughly divided into the Jiangnan and Jiangxi circuits, but in the short term, military and civil administration would still be managed uniformly. The same applied to southern Yue—the fighting had not yet completely subsided, so there was no need for detailed division yet.

"Jiangnan is a key region for tax revenue. The management of finances and the role of transport are especially important. Who should take charge of this?" Liu Chengyou asked again.

On this matter, Dou Yi showed no hesitation whatsoever in avoiding suspicion, putting forward a candidate: "Your Majesty, your servant believes that the former State Finance Commissioner Yan Jinqing is suitable for this post!"

"How is Minister Yan's health now?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Dou Yi replied: "Your servant sent someone to convey regards. He has fully recovered and can take up the post and serve the state!"

"Then let Minister Yan take up the appointment!" Liu Chengyou made the final decision.

Saying this, he looked toward Lei Dexiang, who was sitting quietly there, and instructed: "The State Finance Commission should also promptly send personnel south to Jinling and Panyu to audit taxes and finances, survey population and land, and re-register everything in new ledgers!"

"Yes! Your servant has already selected the personnel, awaiting only the issuance of the decree!" Due to his relatively junior standing, Lei Dexiang appeared especially deferential, not even daring to speak loudly.

"Have Li Yu and the others set out on their journey yet?" Liu Chengyou suddenly asked.

Wei Renpu replied: "The Li clan and the court officials of Jinling, totaling two hundred and forty-six households, have already departed north in compliance with the edict. They should arrive at the Eastern Capital before the twelfth month!"

"How is the residence being built for Li Yu?" With a faint smile, Liu Chengyou asked Murong Yanchao: "I repeatedly invited him to the Eastern Capital as a guest before, and he was unwilling. This time, I am still willing to treat him with the rites of a guest!"

Murong Yanchao said: "On the banks of the Bian River, facing Duke Zhao's residence across the street—it is more than sufficient to house his entire family!"

Letting out a light sigh, Liu Chengyou said to Wei Renpu: "Minister Wei, in this pacification of the south, Wuyue contributed both troops, ships, and carts, as well as grain and military supplies—their merit is great. Now that the imperial army has achieved victory, invite them to the capital in the name of the court!"