Chapter 1094: Emperor Liu in a Bad Mood

Wansui Hall still had its usual air—restrained and solemn. The imposing Inner Palace guards stood like sculptures around the hall, but the attending palace servants were noticeably more cautious, and even the patrolling guards deliberately slowed their steps and softened their movements. The atmosphere was clearly off.

For quite some time now, Emperor Liu had delegated the affairs of state to his chancellors, with Wei Renpu taking the lead in implementing the various measures of the Kaibao New Policies, while he himself retreated behind the scenes to cultivate his mind and body. At the same time, he quietly observed the running of the empire. This was perhaps the most carefree Emperor Liu had ever been.

As a result, the frequency of Emperor Liu's visits to Chongzheng Hall had dropped significantly compared to before. If anything came up, the ministers would take the initiative to come to Wansui Hall to report. Moreover, the minister now in charge of affairs at Chongzheng Hall had become Shi Xizai. Lü Yin had gone into mourning leave due to his mother's death. Though Emperor Liu was reluctant to see him go, being a man known for filial piety himself, he could hardly forcibly recall him from mourning and prevent Lü Yin from fulfilling his filial duty.

It was the end of the year, deep in winter. Outside the hall, adorned with frost and ice, Shi Xizai—who had been promoted to Academician Reader-in-Chief of Chongzheng Hall—walked slowly along the clearly cleared corridor, holding a stack of memorials in his hands as usual.

As the head of Chongzheng Hall, these past few months had not been easy for him, mainly due to difficulty adapting. There was a time when Chongzheng Hall stood on equal footing with Guangzheng Hall. Though it could not compare in actual power, its practical influence was by no means weak—after all, it was the secretarial institution that assisted the Emperor in handling affairs.

From Zhao Yan to Zhao Pu, all had been representatives of low rank but great power. When Wang Pu served as Grand Academician of Chongzheng Hall, he could even overshadow the Hall of State Affairs. During the two years Lü Yin presided over it, the court and the public had begun to call him the "Hidden Chancellor."

However, after Lü Yin temporarily left the court for his mother's mourning and Shi Xizai took over, he discovered that the Emperor had begun residing in Wansui Hall and no longer frequented Chongzheng Hall. Though the time had not been long and there was no special indication, it gave Shi Xizai an inexplicable sense of pressure.

Facts proved that the size of Chongzheng Hall's power and influence ultimately depended on the Emperor's attitude. If the Emperor did not value it, it would likely be no different from the other halls in the palace—at most housing a few advisors and men of talent.

Likewise, the power of the chancellors in the Hall of State Affairs was similar in nature. Wei Renpu's position needed no elaboration. A more representative example was Wang Qiwu and Lei Dexiang. Because of Emperor Liu's favor, Wang Qiwu, though only Minister of Revenue, could outrank the State Finance Commissioner in various aspects, serving as an important figure in directing the Kaibao state strategy.

Of course, Emperor Liu still valued Chongzheng Hall. Some documents from the Hall of State Affairs were still forwarded there, and he himself would occasionally go to inspect it, read memorials, and listen to reports. It was just that compared to before, when everything passed through his hands, it had now changed to where ministers of various departments could directly report important matters at Wansui Hall. The difference between before and after was quite significant for the people of Chongzheng Hall.

It was only because Shi Xizai was magnanimous and had little ambition for power that he could remain at ease, merely slightly affected by the attitudes of his colleagues.

Outside Wansui Hall, he unexpectedly encountered a man—a man in his fifties, Hu Meng, Vice Minister of Revenue. The man was a jinshi graduate from the Later Jin period, had served as a local official close to the people, and was renowned for his literary talent. He was a cousin of Hu Zai, the "penman" of Emperor Liu's who had died young. He had previously served as a Secretariat Drafter, responsible for drafting imperial edicts for a period of time.

But at this moment, this old minister appeared distracted and uneasy. Standing outside the hall, he kept looking around, several times on the verge of requesting an audience, yet hesitating. Shi Xizai stepped forward to greet him and asked: "Vice Minister, since you have come to the imperial bedchamber, why do you hesitate to go in?"

Looking at Shi Xizai, a trace of unnaturalness appeared on Hu Meng's weathered old face as he replied bitterly: "I merely wish to beg His Majesty's forgiveness!"

Hearing this, Shi Xizai finally understood. The matter was not complicated. Hu Meng had recognized an adopted nephew among his household servants, named Hu Jiyuan, and this nephew had committed a crime—and a serious one at that. He had stolen and sold official salt for private profit, and upon being discovered, was thrown into prison.

Salt revenue was a major source of the court's fiscal income, and control over it had always been strict, with particularly heavy crackdowns on salt smugglers. The salt laws had become much more lenient compared to earlier years, but some red lines, once crossed, meant execution. And this Hu Jiyuan had actually engaged in the business of stealing and selling official salt. The fate awaiting him was easy to imagine. As the backing he relied upon, how could Hu Meng, the Vice Minister of Revenue, not be terrified?

Under normal circumstances, this kind of case would not require Emperor Liu's personal attention, but because of Hu Meng's status, it still reached his ears. However, regarding this matter, he merely ordered the relevant authorities to handle it according to law, with no indication toward Hu Meng. But Hu Meng himself could not sit still. During this period, he had no appetite for food and could not sleep at night, extremely anxious.

Looking at Hu Meng, who appeared pitiful, Shi Xizai—who had always advocated strict adherence to propriety and law—naturally felt disgust toward the conduct of his adopted nephew. But seeing him in this state, he gave a light sigh and reminded him: "The Vice Minister should know that His Majesty has been in a bad mood lately!"

A flicker of hesitation passed over his face, and finally he sighed: "I must still pay my respects to His Majesty!"

The reason Emperor Liu had been in a bad mood lately was, of course, not because of an insignificant nobody like Hu Jiyuan, but because Gao Fang, the Governor of Kaifeng, had recently passed away from illness—dying in office.

This matter deeply grieved Emperor Liu, leaving him in low spirits. To be fair, quite a few ministers had passed away over the years, and Emperor Liu should have been used to it by now. And indeed he was. It was just that in the early years, those who died were old officials, but in the past two years, they had been his right-hand men, old friends, and meritorious veterans. Even with a heart as hard as iron, one could hardly avoid feeling regret and sorrow.

At the same time, it gave Emperor Liu more reflections and a deeper realization. Of the generals and ministers who had once followed him in conquering the realm and establishing the foundation, too many had now become old officials. When one's time comes to depart, there is nothing to be done.

From Ma Quanyi to Wang Pu, and now to Gao Fang—over the past two years, old friends had withered away one after another, and this would continue.

Among the Twenty-Four Meritorious Officials, Murong Yanzhao, Li Gu, and Wang Jing were all recuperating from illness. Murong Yanzhao's chronic ailments from overwork were difficult to cure, and his health never improved. Li Gu's wind paralysis had worsened after the campaign to pacify the south. It was only because he had achieved success and fame and could rest peacefully to recover that his condition did not continue to deteriorate. As for Wang Jing, that gentleman was indeed quite advanced in years, and the western expansion seemed to have drained his vitality...

It was precisely because of these concerns that, this winter, Emperor Liu felt inexplicably restless and gloomy. Those around him served him with extreme caution. Fortunately, Emperor Liu had always been relatively restrained; otherwise, he might well have taken out this mood on others.

Inside the hall, Emperor Liu was reading a book, and naturally he received Hu Meng and Shi Xizai. Hu Meng appeared somewhat flustered. Upon seeing Emperor Liu, he prostrated himself directly and, with agitated words, explained his purpose.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu's reaction was very calm. He sized up the old minister for a moment, then turned his gaze to Shi Xizai and asked: "That Hu Jiyuan case—how is the investigation progressing? Has there been a verdict?"

Shi Xizai replied: "After review by the Ministry of Justice and re-verification by Dali, the death sentence has already been pronounced. In this year's final batch of winter executions, he will be put to death at the Southern Market!"

Nodding, Liu Chengyou looked at Hu Meng and said with a light smile: "Since this case has already been concluded, what does Minister Hu mean by coming to beg forgiveness?"

Hearing the Emperor say this, Hu Meng said: "It is because this guilty minister failed to see clearly in choosing people, and later failed in discipline and guidance, allowing one of my household to commit such a crime and violate the nation's laws. When this guilty minister thinks of it, I am truly filled with shame and regret, and I have no place to hide my face!"

"I have no intention of punishing the father for the crimes of the son. What do you mean by this display?" Liu Chengyou's smile faded.

Hu Meng kowtowed and pleaded: "Even though Your Majesty's bosom is as vast as the sea and you forgive your subject's fault, your subject cannot be at ease within. I harbor no other thoughts now—I only wish Your Majesty to punish me, to atone for this transgression!"

"Ha!" Hearing this, Emperor Liu understood—this man wanted to seek peace of mind.

After a brief moment of thought, Liu Chengyou slapped the imperial desk. The force was not great, but the sound made Hu Meng tremble. Emperor Liu said in a tone that had lost patience: "You ministers, on ordinary days you often admonish me not to implicate family members. What, now that it's your turn, you find it hard to be at ease?"

These words were somewhat harsh and heavy. Looking at the visibly shaken Hu Meng, Emperor Liu waved his hand, his bearing returning to calm composure, and said flatly: "You should go back to the Ministry of Revenue and attend to your duties. If you neglect official business and slacken state affairs because of this, then I truly will hold you accountable!"

Hearing the Emperor say this, Hu Meng's suspended heart finally settled. He hurriedly kowtowed and said in a grateful tone: "Yes! Your Majesty is magnanimous—your subject offers a thousand thanks!"

After Hu Meng withdrew, Shi Xizai directly expressed a differing view on Emperor Liu's handling. He felt that Hu Meng should have been punished along with his nephew. If only for failing to discipline his household strictly, he deserved some punishment—let alone the fact that Hu Jiyuan had dared to break the law, emboldened by Hu Meng's position as Vice Minister of Revenue.

Hearing his words, Emperor Liu also showed a hint of hesitation, because he too felt a contradictory psychology. If he did not punish Hu Meng, did it not mean he was indulging the sons of the powerful and noble? After all, by this standard, as long as one did not commit a capital offense, one could do just about anything, since the Emperor was lenient and wise and would not implicate fathers and elders...

Thus, Emperor Liu somewhat regretted his decision. But since the words had already been spoken, it was not easy to change them. At the same time, he reminded himself that for matters like this, there should indeed be some degree of implication and punishment; otherwise, those above and below would not take it as a warning.

As for the aftermath of this matter, Hu Meng was indeed dismissed from office and punished—but not because of his nephew's crime. Rather, after the case came to light, Hu Meng had secretly sought out Li Ye, the Imperial Uncle in charge of the Ministry of Justice, hoping to get some leniency, intending to use personal connections to cover up the facts. This was exposed.

After learning of this, Emperor Liu found Hu Meng's earlier display before him utterly disgusting. What had originally been a demotion was directly escalated to dismissal from office. He was stripped of his rank, reduced to commoner status, and expelled from the court—barely avoiding imprisonment and exile.