Chapter 1046: The Governance of Zhang and Quan

On the eighteenth day of the twelfth month, Chen Hongjin, Military Governor of Pinghai, finally arrived in the capital with his family. Emperor Liu was touring the Qionglin Garden with Pure Consort Zhou when he heard the news, and summoned him for a banquet in his honor. Setting aside the hardships of the journey, Chen Hongjin ordered his men to bring the gifts and hurried over.

Chen Hongjin, now forty-nine years old, made a favorable first impression on Emperor Liu—an elongated face, lean build, thick whiskers, and an air of uprightness. Observing his respectful demeanor, the Emperor found himself unconsciously warming to him.

From this, one could also see that Chen Hongjin's ability to win Liu Congxiao's trust and favor, and ultimately seize military and civil control of Zhangzhou and Quanzhou, marked him as no ordinary man—he possessed genuine talent and personal charisma. Moreover, in the less than a year he had governed, the lives of the people under his rule had suffered no disruption, continuing to receive protection and nurture.

When one takes a liking to a person, one involuntarily begins to make excuses for their deeds—what once seemed wrong now becomes fully understandable. Moreover, because of the earlier dissatisfaction, once it was resolved, a feeling of "guilt" arose instead, and so after a long conversation, Emperor Liu's attitude toward Chen Hongjin was extremely cordial.

And the goodwill shown by the Son of Heaven gradually settled the anxiety that had been weighing on Chen Hongjin's heart. Chen Hongjin was a man accomplished in both letters and arms—fond of reading, knowledgeable in military strategy, and outstanding in ability. He could be called one of the elites of this era, a man of prominence, head and shoulders above the rest.

Once he felt secure, his responses to the Son of Heaven's inquiries grew increasingly polished—he answered fluently, laying out the conditions of Zhangzhou and Quanzhou like counting treasures from his own home. With nothing concealed—governance, officials, military, households, land, taxation, even customs and culture—Chen Hongjin feared only that he might not be detailed enough, for all of this brought to the table was capital for negotiating the treatment he would enjoy after entering court. And everything he said was precisely what the Emperor was interested in; when he noticed the joy and satisfaction on Liu Chengyou's imperial countenance, Chen Hongjin knew he had aimed true.

"The land of Min can be said to be eight parts mountains, one part water, one part fields, and its finest regions are none other than Fuzhou and Zhang-Quan. You and Duke Liu governed Zhang and Quan for eighteen years, bringing peace to governance and nurturing the people, protecting the safety of the region—your merits are considerable indeed!" Pleased by what he heard, Liu Chengyou grew ever more at ease, crossing his legs, shifting his seat, and speaking to Chen Hongjin.

Upon hearing this, Chen Hongjin hurriedly demurred: "Your Majesty overpraises me. The governance of Zhang and Quan is the merit of Duke Liu; how dare I be named alongside him?"

"Ah!" Liu Chengyou smiled and said: "You need not be modest. Even simply continuing good governance, keeping administration smooth and the people's livelihood secure, is an achievement! Fourteen counties, one hundred twelve thousand three hundred households—Zhang and Quan alone have more registered households than the court obtained from pacifying Hunan back then. To deliver this intact is a great service to the court. These many years, the court has invested much effort in governing Xiang, but has always been constrained by insufficient population..."

One could sense that Emperor Liu's words came from the heart. Chen Hongjin gave two accompanying laughs, rolled his eyes, and clasped his hands in response: "This too is Heaven working through the hands of us humble ministers—governing with care, nurturing the people, awaiting the emergence of an enlightened sovereign of the Central Plains, then bowing in submission to answer Heaven's mandate!"

Chen Hongjin's flattery, at its core, echoed the views of many discerning men of the south, and it pleased Emperor Liu greatly. Raising his cup in invitation, he smiled at him: "For your words of Heaven's mandate, we must drink a full cup together—please!"

"I thank Your Majesty!" With the Emperor toasting him personally, Chen Hongjin wore an expression of overwhelmed gratitude, raising the cup with both hands and draining it.

Though sovereign and minister were meeting for the first time, they conversed most pleasantly, and the warm atmosphere seemed to dispel much of the bitter winter's chill. With words flowing freely, Emperor Liu adopted a candid and serene posture, saying to Chen Hongjin: "I treat the world with utmost sincerity, opening my heart to welcome the worthy. You have now come with your entire family, surrendering your territory and presenting gifts—I am grateful in my heart and will never betray you. Please rest assured, and harbor no other concerns!"

This was a further reassurance to Chen Hongjin. Moved by it, he rose without hesitation, bowed his head to the ground, and answered with solemn gravity: "Your servant kowtows in thanks!"

"Your journey here—crossing the sea, then the rivers, thousands of li—has been arduous, and before you could even rest, I summoned you. That was somewhat inconsiderate of me! I have already ordered a residence built on the banks of the Bian River; you and your family may move there first, settle in, and rest peacefully to recover from the journey's fatigue." Liu Chengyou spoke to Chen Hongjin with a warm smile at the corners of his mouth.

"Yes! Your Majesty is so considerate, making such thorough arrangements for your servant—I am deeply moved!" Chen Hongjin replied. Yet between his brows, a faint shadow of gloom appeared. Before arriving in Kaifeng, he had sent people to inquire—Li Yu had been granted a noble title on the very day of his audience, and even Liu Chang had received a Marquis of Nanning. When it came to his turn, although the Emperor had been all gentle words, if this was all the arrangement he got, disappointment was inevitable in his heart.

However, the words pent up in his heart could not be freely expressed. Perhaps having heard Chen Hongjin's inner thoughts, Emperor Liu added: "You are a man of both wisdom and courage, deeply versed in righteousness—worthy of being a pillar of the state. Though you have come to the Eastern Capital, you should not simply retire here; I am loath to leave your talents unused. You may settle temporarily in the Eastern Capital to familiarize yourself with local customs, and before long, I shall have an appointment for you!"

Hearing this, Chen Hongjin regained some of his vigor. With the dignity of the Son of Heaven, one would never make promises lightly. Perhaps Emperor Liu had other considerations after all.

After Chen Hongjin withdrew, Pure Consort Zhou, who had been attending at his side, took the initiative to ask: "Your Majesty, shall I have the banquet cleared away?"

"No need!" Emperor Liu smiled faintly, reaching up to stroke Lady Zhou's smooth cheek, and said: "Stay and drink a few cups with me!"

"Your Majesty may be in good spirits, but you should not drink too much—you have already exceeded your limit today!" Lady Zhou admonished. Her gentle voice was like heavenly music to Emperor Liu, whose head was swimming with wine, tickling his heart with longing.

"I am truly happy today!" Liu Chengyou said: "A few more cups will do no harm!"

As he spoke, Emperor Liu opened the atlas that Chen Hongjin had presented, pointing at the region of Zhangzhou and Quanzhou, and said: "Fourteen counties, one hundred ten thousand households, six hundred thirty thousand souls—what a treasure this is! My praise of their governance of Min was no mere flattery!"

Emperor Liu's face shone with exuberance, displaying a distinctive charm. Pure Consort Zhou, infected by his mood, stopped her admonitions and took the initiative to pour his wine, a radiant smile blooming on her jade-like face, warming the heart. All she could do, perhaps, was share in the Emperor's joy.

Of course, Liu Chengyou was not a man given to excess drinking—saying two cups meant two cups—and then he moved on to activities of relaxation and release. With a beauty in his arms and his spirits running high, he made no effort to suppress his physical desires, and soon he and Pure Consort Zhou were tumbling onto the bed...

As for Chen Hongjin, Liu Chengyou had not spoken idly. Through that exchange, he genuinely felt this was a useful talent, not too old in years, and fit for employment.

On the other hand, Emperor Liu was unexpectedly delighted with the land of Min—its level of development far exceeded his imagination. And through Chen Hongjin's descriptions, he only now realized that, like Jiangnan and Liangzhe, Min had also achieved considerable development over the past half century and more.

It could be said that during the late Tang and the three dynasties that followed, under the leadership of the three Wang brothers, the Fujian region experienced an unprecedented surge of development. And Zhang and Quan, under Liu Congxiao's leadership, had been further developed—the size of its population and the prosperity of its economy were clear proof.

If Zhang and Quan were like this, then what of Fuzhou? If Fujian was like this, then what of Yuhang in Liangzhe?

After his exchange with Chen Hongjin, Emperor Liu looked forward all the more to the upcoming visit of Qian Hongchu, King of Wuyue.