Chapter 1407: The Liu Family's Realm

Hearing Emperor Liu ask this, Liu Chengjun's face instinctively turned pale, and he hurriedly bowed: "Your Majesty speaks too gravely. Since the court has appointed me, I should only fulfill my duties and handle affairs for the court—how could I quibble over wealth or poverty, distance or proximity!"

"Very good. That Brother Jun has this awareness brings me great comfort!" Seeing him declare himself so eagerly, Emperor Liu's tone remained unhurried and quite calm: "Since the Ministry of Personnel has selected you for Guangnan, that means they value your abilities. Go to your post with confidence, and don't carry any burden!"

"Yes!" Liu Chengjun hurriedly replied.

"Though it has been ten years since the Great Han recovered Lingnan, it is after all located in the far south. Although it has seen some restoration and gradually moved toward stability, the court's influence there has ultimately remained somewhat lacking!

When you go, you go not merely as one commissioned by the court, representing the court—you also represent the imperial house, represent the royal family! That region is a mix of Han and barbarian, with complex circumstances; the hearts of the people and the allegiance of the populace still need to be won over and pacified. You must devote great care and pay attention to your methods!" Emperor Liu instructed slowly and deliberately.

"Yes! Your servant will surely keep Your Majesty's teachings in mind and not disappoint the expectations of Your Majesty and the court!" Liu Chengjun declared.

The words were prettily spoken, but Emperor Liu truly did not hold excessive expectations for Liu Chengjun. This time, Liu Chengjun's appointment to the Guangzhou prefecture was not arranged by Emperor Liu either. As for who was pushing from behind, who was lending support, Emperor Liu had no intention of investigating deeply.

Of course, this did in fact somewhat align with Emperor Liu's subsequent approach to personnel. In the early days of the Great Han, within the court there were the Two Lius—one being Liu Chong, the other Liu Xin. These two imperial uncles wielded considerable influence and power, and their sons, younger brothers, relatives, and old associates, relying on their authority, had occupied many important positions throughout the realm.

And what was the result? It brought no great benefit to the Liu family—it even backfired against the court. Liu Chong became too big to control, while Liu Xin was even worse, harming the localities and seriously damaging the royal family's reputation.

After the two were successively brought down, there were essentially no imperial clan members serving as officials in the localities throughout the Great Han, expanding and strengthening the royal family's influence. The main reason was also simple: at that time the imperial bloodline was thin—apart from the two brothers Liu Chong and Liu Xin, there was almost no one usable.

Although later, Emperor Liu sent his two brothers Liu Chengyun and Liu Chenghsun to guard various regions, which also strengthened the imperial family's influence over the localities, it was ultimately insufficient. More still had to rely on those maternal relatives.

Now, due to Emperor Liu's stallion-like nature, the imperial clan's younger generation was gradually filling out, but those who could be sent out to take charge were still few. And considering the current situation of the Great Han, Emperor Liu was also minded to raise the imperial family's influence through the appointment of clan members.

This was the fundamental reason for lifting the restrictions on clan members like Liu Chengjun. Otherwise, no matter how much face Liu Chengyun had, no matter how much he ran around pleading, Emperor Liu might not have relented—he was never a soft-hearted man. Though there had been some unpleasantness in the past, they were, after all, surnamed Liu, and the Great Han at present was still, in essence, a family empire.

"Since you've come along with Brother Yun, stay at the field headquarters for a few days and take in the sights. After the hunting expedition concludes, then head south to assume your post!" Emperor Liu further instructed Liu Chengjun.

"Yes!" Liu Chengjun naturally had no reason to refuse. For this Mangshan hunting expedition, he had not been on the invitation list; it was only through Liu Chengyun's introduction that he was able to come and pay his respects, facing Emperor Liu directly.

"Brother Yun, you've served as Director of the Imperial Clan for quite a few years now, and you've always handled clan affairs properly. I am very satisfied! Within the royal family, you are the one who knows it best!" Emperor Liu then turned his gaze to Liu Chengyun—whether it was an illusion or not, his attitude was far more amiable.

"Your Majesty flatters me!" Liu Chengyun had no idea what Emperor Liu's intentions were, nor was he inclined to guess; he merely responded with deference.

Emperor Liu kept speaking without pause: "Among the imperial clan, you are the eldest, and you alone best understand the conduct and abilities of the clan's younger members. I am giving you a task: select some outstanding individuals from the imperial clan. If they can pass the Ministry of Personnel's assessment, they may be sent out to the localities, to serve as military or prefectural officials, to exert some effort and accomplish some things for the court, for the people, and for the state!"

Upon hearing these words, Liu Chengyun was first startled, then his expression relaxed and he clasped his hands: "Yes! Your servant obeys!"

The joy on Liu Chengyun's face was somewhat difficult to conceal. He naturally understood that Emperor Liu was about to elevate the imperial clan's younger members. As the head of the clan, he of course also hoped that the younger members of the royal family could receive greater appointments and contribute more to the state.

This was also what Liu Chengyun had been pursuing over the years. He could naturally see Emperor Liu's suppression of the imperial clan. In the past, Emperor Liu would rather heavily employ maternal relatives to consolidate imperial power and strengthen the authority of the imperial house than give the Liu family members more opportunities—this had greatly frustrated Liu Chengyun.

In every dynasty throughout history, which one did not value its own people? Yet Emperor Liu insisted on doing the opposite. Under his will, the clan members of the Great Han had been subjected to a kind of confinement.

In Liu Chengyun's view, even if they were not enfeoffed as princes or granted noble titles, nor given broad authority, they should at least be appointed to more positions to consolidate the Liu family's rule of the realm. In reason and in sentiment, one's own people were ultimately more reliable.

Perhaps in the past, there were few usable people within the clan, and that was that. But as time passed, each branch was spreading its leaves and branches, and the clan's younger generation was growing up day by day—yet Emperor Liu remained the same as ever.

Liu Chengyun had also petitioned openly and covertly, but had never received approval. This left him feeling both helpless and somewhat disheartened. This time, to maneuver Liu Chengjun into the Guangzhou post, he had to swallow his pride and beg at Crown Prince Liu Yang's doorstep—only then was it accomplished, and he was already satisfied.

Now, suddenly, Emperor Liu was speaking of lifting the "seal" on the imperial clan—how could Liu Chengyun not be overjoyed? Noting his expression, Emperor Liu smiled warmly. He held considerable goodwill toward this elder brother of his. Though lacking in great talent, he was dutiful, earnest, and conscientious in his work, and his pains were not beyond understanding. Therefore, even when he had nagged at Emperor Liu's ear in the past, pleading for positions for the clan members, Emperor Liu had never grown annoyed—he had only offered reassurance.

"The Great Han's territory is now vast and its borders wide; it needs literary talents and fierce warriors to guard it. For the state to be consolidated, it requires not only civil and military officials—the imperial clan members must also contribute their share!" Looking at Liu Chengyun, Emperor Liu spoke slowly: "This realm is, after all, the Liu family's realm, and those surnamed Liu must also bear the responsibilities that are theirs, so that the state may endure forever!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" At these words, Liu Chengyun's face immediately broke into a beaming smile as he sang praises.

Even Liu Chengjun, standing nearby, could not help but reveal a hint of excitement and joy between his brows. He knew well how this Guangzhou prefecture post of his had come about—even after Emperor Liu's instructions and admonitions, his heart had remained filled with trepidation.

At this moment, hearing Emperor Liu's remarks, he felt as if a weight had been lifted, his spirits cleared, and no more gloom remained. People like them, surnamed Liu, had truly been suppressed too harshly over the past twenty years...

"This way—after returning to the capital, Brother Yun may take the lead in drafting a set of regulations for clan members rotating through local posts, to be submitted to the Hall of State Affairs for review!" Emperor Liu added.

"As commanded!" Liu Chengyun's expression returned to solemnity as he bowed.

Compared to appointing a few clan members, establishing a set of rules and institutions was far more valuable and far more reliable. Noting Emperor Liu's gentle, smiling face, the joy in Liu Chengyun's heart was beyond words. He felt directly that the dark cloud hanging over the Great Han's imperial clan for nearly twenty years was about to dissipate—the future would see the clouds parted and the sun revealed.

Of course, amid his joy, Liu Chengyun could not help but wonder why Emperor Liu had changed his mind. Of course, it was only a fleeting thought, quickly dismissed. Liu Chengyun was not a man skilled at fathoming the imperial will, nor was he willing to expend the mental effort. His lifelong creed had always been to do his own part well and keep to his proper place.