Chapter 1197: One More Minister Lost, Choosing the Successor

Inside Chuigong Hall, a heavy sigh, tinged with a hint of sorrow, lingered among the beams and pillars. Liu Yang and Liu Xu, the two brothers, along with Shi Xizai, waited before the Emperor. Emperor Liu raised his eyes, his expression quickly returning to calm, and gestured as he instructed: "On my behalf, and on behalf of the court, go and see off Duke Yingguo, to express our grief!"

These words were directed at Liu Xu. He then turned his head to look at Shi Xizai and instructed: "Draft an edict — Duke Yingguo served the state loyally for over twenty years, with utmost sincerity and devotion. Heaven did not grant him more years, and he passed away while in office. Court shall be suspended for three days to honor his memory. You shall personally compose a spirit-path stele inscription..."

"Yes!" The two men cupped their hands in acknowledgment.

Clearly, one more of the Twenty-Four Meritorious Officials of Qianyou was gone — this time, it was Duke Yingguo, Shi Hongzhao. Emperor Liu had come to view this with equanimity; having seen so much, he had grown accustomed to it. And since the Empress Dowager's passing, there were few things left that could move Emperor Liu to deep grief...

The relationship between Emperor Liu and Shi Hongzhao had gradually evolved from conflict to harmony, and the Emperor's attitude toward him had likewise changed with the passage of time.

In the early years, disgusted by Shi Hongzhao's overbearing manner, Emperor Liu had detested him greatly — and had even harbored killing intent because Shi's influence threatened his imperial throne.

Fortunately for Shi Hongzhao, after serving as a tool for a period of time, he gradually found his own position amid the tides of the great Qianyou era, ultimately achieving a harmonious lord-minister relationship with Emperor Liu and earning a lifetime of merit and renown.

The reason Shi Hongzhao had been viewed with suspicion was that he had once been a military man who wielded military power and even interfered in court politics. But precisely because he was merely a military man, he did not suffer the same turbulent fate as founding heroes like Yang, Su, and Wang.

Of course, the most important factor was that Shi Hongzhao submitted himself to Emperor Liu without reservation, and was sufficiently loyal to the court — even if, to a certain extent, he never really had much opportunity to rebel or betray.

Over more than twenty years, Shi Hongzhao's record could be described as that of a "model worker" — for the vast majority of his time, he was stationed in the provinces.

Moreover, apart from three years as Defender of the Western Capital and two years of recuperation, he spent all his remaining time in harsh, difficult places, making contributions to the peace of the Great Han's western frontier that were unspectacular yet deep and solid. Even during his tenure in Luoyang, he was not comfortable — in those three years, he offended a great number of old aristocrats and meritorious ministers.

Ten years in Lingzhou — to the west he pressed Gansu, to the east he controlled Xia and Sui, holding the vital pass of Hexi. Like an iron wedge driven deep into the northwest, he defended the territory and guarded the border. As an important component of the northwestern military strength, he was like a pillar holding up the northwest sky, and he laid a solid foundation for the Great Han's westward expansion.

Six years in Lanzhou — building upon the westward expansion of Duke Bao, Wang Jing, he consolidated the newly recovered territories, day after day, year after year, safeguarding the court's continued absorption of the Longyou region.

It could be said that Shi Hongzhao devoted the latter half of his life to the maintenance and consolidation of the Great Han's northwestern border, exerting himself to the utmost until his dying breath. This was the primary reason he could be ranked among the Twenty-Four Ministers — not merely because of his seniority.

Therefore, to render a final verdict on Shi Hongzhao's life: it was a glorious life, a great life, and a life worthy of remembrance.

Thus, on top of a series of posthumous honors and grants, Emperor Liu once again issued an edict, ordering the Yulin Circuit government to erect a Duke Ying Temple in Lingzhou, so that future generations might remember and offer sacrifices to him.

Favoring one over another would not do, so the establishment of temples for other deceased meritorious officials was also put on the agenda. Of course, not everyone was qualified. After consideration, it was first decided to grant this honor to four men: Gao Xingzhou, Wang Pu, Wang Jing, and Fan Zhi.

Moreover, the Great Han's Hall of Meritorious Officials was to be formally constructed, with painters commissioned to create portraits — it would be built in the Western Capital, Luoyang.

"Your servant Li Chuyun kowtows before Your Majesty!"

When Li Chuyun entered the hall for an audience, Emperor Liu was just telling Liu Yang the stories of his past with Shi Hongzhao.

"Rise!"

Upon learning that Duke Yingguo's coffin would pass through the Western Capital, Li Chuyun naturally offered his own words of condolence, expressing great regret.

Looking at him, Emperor Liu asked calmly: "You have come at just the right time. Duke Ying has passed away, but the military affairs of Lanzhou cannot be neglected. In your opinion, who is capable of taking on the responsibility of Longyou?"

Slightly surprised by the question, Li Chuyun composed himself, and while thinking, said: "The four circuits of the northwest are still in the process of transitioning from chaos to order. The one stationed there should possess both wisdom and courage, and at the same time, need to be familiar with the military situation and customs of the northwest. It would be best to select from among the northwestern border generals..."

"Hmm, reasonable!" Hearing this, Emperor Liu nodded and asked directly: "Who does Minister Li have in mind?"

Subconsciously watching Emperor Liu's expression, Li Chuyun pondered for a moment, then said: "Cao Han, Commander of Lanzhou, is resourceful and skilled in battle, with outstanding military achievements. He has also served under Duke Ying guarding Longyou for many years — he can be entrusted with this important task!"

Li Chuyun had made a "convenient" choice, but Emperor Liu directly refuted it: "Cao Han is greedy for wealth and fond of killing. Over the years, there have been no shortage of impeachments against him. Entrusting him with a single prefecture or army already requires constant admonishment and vigilance — let alone an entire circuit. If he were to guard Longyou, with his methods and style, I fear it would breed trouble!"

Li Chuyun was somewhat puzzled by this. In his view, with Cao Han's abilities, guarding Longyou was more than sufficient, and his shortcomings were entirely within acceptable bounds.

However, since Emperor Liu had rejected that, he searched his mind for another suitable candidate and recommended: "Cui Han, Commander of Xiazhou, is brave and resourceful. He has led troops for many years and has long enjoyed the support of the soldiers. Having served successively in Yan and Xia for ten years, he can stabilize Longyou!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu said again: "Though Cui Han is rich in courage and strategy, he is short on perceiving changes in circumstances. If he were to manage the overall situation, I fear errors and omissions would arise..."

"However, Cui Han has been in the northwest for ten years now — it's time for some adjustment!"

Seeing that Emperor Liu had rejected his recommendation again, Li Chuyun's brows furrowed. He couldn't help but wonder whether the Emperor was using this to express dissatisfaction with him.

Naturally, Li Chuyun was overthinking things. Cao Han and Cui Han — both men were equally brave and resourceful, but their characters and working styles were completely opposite. Cao Han was greedy and bloodthirsty, while Cui Han was indifferent to wealth and generous in giving.

However, if one had to choose between the two to take charge of Longyou, Emperor Liu leaned toward Cao Han, because the He-Long region needed a tough character. From Shi Hongzhao to Wang Yansheng and Guo Jin, even Wang Jing — none of these men were pushovers.

As for Cao Han's greed, which people often criticized, he displayed it with great candor, never avoiding the subject. This did not earn Emperor Liu's displeasure; rather, it made him feel Cao Han was genuine. As long as he didn't embezzle official funds, plunder the people's wealth, or violate the law, it was of no great consequence.

The main reason for not using Cao Han was that he was a man brought up by Guo Wei and Guo Rong...

The northwest already had Yang Tingzhang. To further place Cao Han in charge of Longyou Circuit's military affairs — no matter how one looked at it, it was unreasonable.

Li Chuyun did not understand Emperor Liu's thinking, so he pondered for a good while longer before proposing again: "What about Kang Zaiyu, Commander of Lingzhou?"

A concise and clear proposal, and Emperor Liu's response was equally clean and decisive: "Approved!"

And so, the successor to Shi Hongzhao in guarding Longyou was settled.