Chapter 1205: A New Situation at Court

Inside Chuigong Hall, Emperor Liu was leaning against the imperial desk, reviewing his vermilion endorsements, pondering the long-brewing adjustment to the court structure. Over all these years, he had done this sort of thing so many times that it came to him with practiced ease, without the slightest hesitation.

Every aspect of the Great Han court—whether law or institutions—had developed to a point that, by current standards, could be called complete, fully capable of meeting the needs of governance.

Therefore, if one spoke of major changes this time, they lay mainly in personnel adjustments; as for everything else, they were merely fine-tuning. The reason Emperor Liu attached such importance to this was that, in his conception, after this round of changes, the Great Han would not undergo major reforms for the next ten years or even longer.

It could be said that this was to lay the foundation for the court's structure over a long period to come, maintaining its stable operation—just like when Emperor Liu had set about reorganizing the court after the northern expedition all those years ago.

On the other hand, some people in the court had been in their positions for far too long, which was good for no one. A tree that moves dies; a man who moves thrives. When it's time to move, one must move. Among them was Duke Yu, Wei Renpu, who had served as Chief Chancellor handling the nation's military and civil affairs for ten years—yet looking back on his career as a chancellor, it was even longer.

It wasn't that Emperor Liu was suspicious of him; it was simply that the court needed to maintain its vitality and give those who came later a chance to rise. To Emperor Liu, "an iron emperor, a flowing stream of chancellors"—that was what was normal...

"Your Majesty, a memorial from Chancellor Li of the Bureau!" Shi Xizai entered the hall, holding a memorial in his hands, and presented it on the imperial desk.

"What is it?" The vermilion brush in Emperor Liu's hand paused for a moment. Without lifting his head, he asked.

Shi Xizai reported: "Chancellor Li of the Bureau requests to resign!"

"Oh?" Emperor Liu seemed somewhat surprised. He set down his imperial brush, took the resignation memorial from the palace eunuch Yan Tuo's hands, and spread it open to read.

Soon, the corner of his mouth curled up slightly. Li Chuyun's memorial stated that he had headed the Bureau of Military Affairs for ten years, that things above and below had grown sluggish, that he felt he had failed the trust placed in him and had no face to remain in his position, and so he earnestly requested to step down, asking Emperor Liu to choose another worthy person to oversee military and state affairs...

Li Chuyun's memorial was written with genuine feeling, but reading between the lines, Emperor Liu could faintly sense a note of reluctance and unwillingness. It appeared to be a resignation, yet it gave one the feeling of being compelled by circumstances.

For Emperor Liu, this memorial from Li Chuyun had come somewhat late. Unlike Zhao Kuangyin, Li Chuyun was somewhat lacking in political foresight and instinct. He was a capable official when it came to handling affairs, but not smooth enough in personal dealings, and his political awareness was even lower...

Zhao Kuangyin, now—he had taken the initiative to submit his resignation from the post of Minister of War as soon as the Duan clan surrendered and Dali was initially pacified. Still, though late, it had arrived, and it gave both sides a step down.

Setting down the resignation memorial, Emperor Liu wore a relaxed expression and said in a joking tone: "This Li Chuyun—he's still rather greedy for power and attached to his position!"

The words and deeds of those in high positions are often easily over-interpreted, and for an emperor, even more so. Had he not heard it, it would have been one thing, but since he had heard it, Shi Xizai—who had always dared to offer direct remonstrance and speak up for what was right—was not the least bit reserved. He bowed solemnly to Emperor Liu and said gravely: "Your Majesty, I cannot agree with such an assessment! Chancellor Li has always been magnanimous. Ten years of toil, diligent in serving the throne, never once negligent, devoting his utmost efforts, to the point of wearing himself down into illness. Though occasionally hasty, he has been single-mindedly devoted to the state..."

"Enough! Enough!" Seeing that Shi Xizai showed signs of launching into an endless discourse, Emperor Liu hurriedly raised his hand and said with a smile: "I merely made an offhand remark, and it drew such a spirited rebuttal from you."

"Words come from the heart, and a sovereign has no idle words. If that is so, then Your Majesty should be even more careful in speech!" Shi Xizai's expression did not change.

Seeing how serious he was, Emperor Liu held his gaze for a brief moment before finally choosing to yield. There were truly few ministers left who still dared to speak to him like this.

He couldn't help but think of the historian Jia Wei of years past, as well as chancellors Fan Zhi and Dou Yi—men who never hesitated to speak up when there was a matter of principle to argue. Chancellor Dou Yi, who had remained in the Eastern Capital alongside Wang Qiwu, had also passed away at the end of last winter. The court's renewal was something that, urged on by time, had to be undertaken.

Collecting his thoughts, Emperor Liu looked at Shi Xizai and sighed: "How could I not know Li Chuyun's conduct in handling affairs? Being greedy for power and attached to position is hardly something worthy of censure. What I appreciate about him is that he harbors grand ambitions and takes the world as his own responsibility. Without power and position, how could he put his talents to use?"

Hearing Emperor Liu say this, Shi Xizai was momentarily taken aback. Looking at Emperor Liu, he appeared somewhat embarrassed—it seemed he had overthought things. Still, a gentleman was a gentleman. He immediately clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I was rash and presumptuously speculated on Your Majesty's intentions. I beg to be punished!"

"Forget it!" Emperor Liu waved his hand dismissively, giving him a couple of extra glances, and remarked with feeling: "You're simply too proper!"

Putting away Li Chuyun's resignation memorial, Emperor Liu's reply consisted of only two characters: "Edict: granted." Looking at Shi Xizai, Emperor Liu said: "Li Chuyun is only fifty years old. I won't let him retire to the countryside. Though he leaves the affairs of the Bureau, I must still choose a place for him to go, or else I would truly be slighting a meritorious minister and chilling people's hearts!"

"Li Zhengyuan is accomplished in both letters and arms, and skilled in practical affairs. Perhaps he could be entrusted with a post in the localities!" Shi Xizai said.

"That is exactly what I was thinking!" Emperor Liu nodded. He had, of course, already considered this long ago, and said directly: "He needs a position where he can display his full talents in both civil and military matters. First, give him some leave to rest and recuperate, then send him north to take up the post of Administration Commissioner on the Shanyang Circuit!"

Song Qi, the Administration Commissioner of Shanyang, had also been in his post for ten years. Though it was a special region bordering Liao, it was time for him to be moved as well.

"Ningji, if I remember correctly, you've served before the throne for quite a few years now, haven't you?" Emperor Liu turned his attention back to Shi Xizai.

Upon being asked, Shi Xizai replied: "Your subject was transferred to the capital around the beginning of the Kaibao era!"

"Mm! That's not short!" Emperor Liu said: "I recall that you were serving in a local post back then, with considerable achievements and an excellent reputation, which is why you were selected and transferred."

"I still rely on the promotion of Your Majesty and the court!" Sensing something from Emperor Liu's tone, Shi Xizai could only acknowledge.

"With your talents, serving only as an advisor at my side is somewhat of a waste! I've also chosen a new post for you!" Emperor Liu said directly.

This was clearly an appointment to an outside post. One couldn't help but wonder whether the emperor was making a move because he couldn't stand Shi Xizai's "nagging."

Of course, such a thought would never cross Shi Xizai's mind. He merely clasped his hands and said: "Please give your commands, Your Majesty!"

Looking at him, Emperor Liu instructed with some solemnity: "Duke Xing has died of illness, and Shi Dechong is in mourning. Hedong hasn't been assigned anyone yet, so you shall go there. Hedong is not only a major thoroughfare but also the very place where our dynasty rose. Should there be a northern expedition, the supply of grain and fodder will require Taiyuan's transshipment. Once you arrive, you must govern it well for me!"

"Yes!" Shi Xizai bowed deeply, and a rare hint of excitement appeared on his usually rigid face.

Local officials wanted to rise, to enter the capital, to be closer to the emperor; likewise, ministers like Shi Xizai who had long served before the throne also harbored the desire to seek outside appointments, to govern a region, and to display their abilities. It was just that for Shi Xizai, it wasn't as easy as for others—after all, he was a close minister, and one who had been found convenient to use. Now that Emperor Liu had taken the initiative to speak, he naturally accepted gladly.

On the tenth day of the second month of the seventh year of Kaibao, Emperor Liu held a court assembly at Chuigong Hall in the Western Capital. Though its scale was not large, its impact on the court was enormous. It essentially established the political structure for the next ten years, involving the transfer and appointment of dozens of ministers in military and civil affairs both inside and outside the capital.

First were the adjustments to military and civil affairs across the southwestern circuits, including Yunnan, Qianzhong, and Annam—regions that were the court's key areas for pacification and stabilization in the coming period.

The other circuits were also adjusted according to length of service and specific circumstances. Taking the northwest as an example: Lu Duoxun was promoted to Administration Commissioner of Hexi; Wu Tingzuo, Marquis of Wudu and a man of both civil and military talents, was transferred laterally to the Yulin Circuit; Lei Dexiang, Prefect of Lanzhou, was promoted to the Longyou Circuit; and Wang You, known for his literary abilities, was promoted to the Guannei Circuit.

The appointments, removals, and transfers of major local officials made quite a stir, but compared to the court itself, they were minor matters. The greatest changes were in the capital, in the court itself.

The Grand Secretariat was established, with its decision-making status and the boundaries of its authority and responsibility clearly defined. Posts such as Grand Academician, Academician, and Court Gentleman were created, with no fixed quota of personnel. The first Grand Academician was Wei Renpu. He would set aside the concrete administrative affairs in his hands and return to the work of a strategist, as when he had first pledged his service to Emperor Liu—advising on military and state policy.

Also entering the Grand Secretariat were Prince Yong, Liu Chenghsun; Duke of Ying, Guo Rong; and Duke of Rong, Zhao Kuangyin. Over at the Hall of State Affairs, Zhao Pu had truly risen to the top, taking the post of Director of the Chancellery to oversee all ministries and bureaus, becoming chancellor in all but name.

The emperor's maternal uncle, Li Ye, was somewhat disappointed. He relinquished his duties at the Ministry of Justice and, with the post of Left Vice Director of the Chancellery, assisted in governing state affairs. Additionally, the former Administration Commissioner of the Shanyang Circuit, Song Qi, was promoted to Right Vice Director of the Chancellery and entered the Hall of State Affairs as well, becoming one of the chancellors.

The Finance Commission was taken up by Shen Yilun, promoted from Minister of Revenue; the Bureau of Military Affairs was taken over by Shi Shouxin; Pan Mei was promoted to Minister of War; and there were numerous changes among the other ministries, bureaus, and senior military posts in the imperial army.

Among all this, there was a notable characteristic: the rising generation had begun to occupy key and weighty positions in the court, while the proportion of old ministers and veteran meritorious officials had been further compressed.