Chapter 1493: Seeking but Not Obtaining

"Minister Lü!" Emperor Liu's gaze fell on Lü Mengzheng, who had been left standing below the imperial steps for a while, and he called out.

"Your servant is here! Please give your command, Your Majesty!" Lü Mengzheng had already regained his composure. Hearing the call, he collected his thoughts, clasped his hands, and responded.

Lü Mengzheng had heard some anecdotes in the court as well—when Emperor Liu addressed his subjects as "Minister So-and-so" or "Lord So-and-so," it meant either that the official in question possessed sufficient status and seniority, or that he enjoyed the Emperor's favor and closeness.

Addressing someone by office or name clearly carried considerably less weight. Of course, everyone knew that what truly represented one's standing in Emperor Liu's heart was whether he addressed them by their courtesy name. This was especially rare—in the current court, such cases could be counted on one hand, and those with old ties to Emperor Liu who enjoyed his closeness were growing fewer and fewer.

Lü Mengzheng did not consider himself to have anything worthy of Emperor Liu's special regard. Although Lü Mengzheng came from an official family background, he had never enjoyed the blessings of his household. Having grown up amidst cold stares and hardship since childhood, he had developed an unusually mature psyche, often carrying himself with steadiness, and he always remained cautious before Emperor Liu, keeping a cool head.

"This time, you have done well in your task!" Emperor Liu praised. It would have been better if his tone had carried a bit more feeling.

Lü Mengzheng immediately responded: "Your Majesty, time was short, and there are still many accounts that have not been sorted and cleared. For the shortcomings, I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness—I dare not accept praise!"

"The results may not be entirely satisfactory, but what I wanted to know and what I wanted to see have all been fulfilled!" Emperor Liu said. "For the parts that are unclear, you continue investigating—I will give you ample time!"

Pausing for a moment, Emperor Liu continued: "Zhang Dejun and Yan Tuo and the others are for investigating people; you are for investigating accounts. With both prongs advancing together, coordinating with each other, only then can the account matters be made clear!"

"Yes!" Lü Mengzheng understood.

"Furthermore!" Emperor Liu thought briefly, then continued: "After this matter is concluded, there will be no need to return to the Ministry of Revenue!"

"Forgive your servant's dullness—I do not grasp Your Majesty's meaning?" Lü Mengzheng was startled for a moment, then bowed.

Emperor Liu said flatly: "You, including the Ministry of Revenue clerks transferred for this task, none of you need return to your original posts—all of you will enter the service of the Household Administration!"

These people were all professionals, and moreover they had been transferred to take stock of Emperor Liu's family assets—how could they be casually sent back at such a critical juncture? Besides, each of them was responsible for a portion of the accounts.

Lü Mengzheng, slow to catch on, soon figured out the crux of the matter. Still, a hint of hesitation inevitably showed on his face, and he said respectfully: "Your Majesty, according to court regulations, your servant should observe governance in his department for two to three years. Now, not even a full year has passed..."

"A pretext! Can one not observe governance in the Household Administration? The Household Administration's duties are equally weighty—it is equally a place for handling affairs and honing one's administrative skills!" Emperor Liu looked at Lü Mengzheng with an air that brooked no dispute: "This matter is settled. As for you, you will serve as Superintendent of the Trade Market Directorate!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Lü Mengzheng dared not raise any further objection.

In fact, he even felt a sense of being unexpectedly favored. Among the various directorates under the Household Administration, the Trade Market Directorate was now the most important and the most lucrative, for it held the power over trade, and many of the imperial household's industries were managed and operated by it. The Trade Market Directorate was also a sixth-rank office.

Within the Household Administration system, the position was not lowly, carried great power, and was richly lucrative—for many people, it was something to be encountered only by chance, never sought. Yet now it had fallen into Lü Mengzheng's lap.

The Household Administration had its own system, but Lü Mengzheng had spent nearly a year in the Ministry of Revenue and had a fairly clear understanding of the various institutions and structures both inside and outside the court, and he also knew of the Trade Market Directorate's special nature.

Seeing Lü Mengzheng's furrowed-brow, contemplative expression, Emperor Liu grew somewhat impatient and said in a slightly teasing tone: "What kind of expression is that? When others are promoted, they are overjoyed, wishing they could throw a grand banquet and announce it to all around. Why is your face so heavy and gloomy, your brow so furrowed with worry—is it so difficult for you?"

Facing Emperor Liu's teasing, Lü Mengzheng quickly perked up and clasped his hands: "Your servant's knowledge is shallow, my seniority is thin, and without having been tested, to be entrusted with such heavy responsibility—I only fear that my talents do not match my position and that I would fail Your Majesty's trust!"

"This court truly is a big dye vat—you haven't even completed a year of governance observation, yet you've already learned the ways of those old ministers thoroughly!" Emperor Liu shook his head.

"You remind me of someone!" Emperor Liu was clearly in a talkative mood and said leisurely.

Lü Mengzheng had never before had such a private exchange with Emperor Liu, so naturally he could not grasp the rhythm of the conversation. Unfamiliar with it, and to avoid making mistakes, he spoke very little. At this moment, hearing the words, he showed no curiosity either, merely listening quietly.

His tight-lipped manner left Emperor Liu somewhat exasperated, and he spoke on his own: "Lü Duan, the Fiscal Commissioner of Henan—when he first entered officialdom, he was a few years younger than you. Yet likewise, he was cautious in everything, never contending with anyone, taciturn and law-abiding, as if this court were some dragon pool or tiger den!"

Hearing this, Lü Mengzheng's face finally showed some change. Meeting Emperor Liu's curious, scrutinizing gaze, he weighed his words for a moment before speaking composedly: "Your servant was originally a commoner, studying hard in a cold hut for over ten years. Fortunately, I received the imperial grace and was placed among the top three in the examination, and my heart is filled with gratitude. Yet I know my talents and virtue are shallow, and I dare not be ostentatious. I can only be diligent and earnest, observing governance and learning administration, hoping that one day I may achieve something to repay the court..."

"Enough, enough!" Hearing Lü Mengzheng launch into such a speech, Emperor Liu quickly stopped him. He could not help but cast a few more glances at him, thinking to himself that this would probably be another "standard" scholar-official.

"Many people, upon passing the examination in one stroke, become wantonly ostentatious and carried away with pride. It seems you are indeed different—to possess this mindset of treading on thin ice is truly rare!"

Staring at Lü Mengzheng with bright, piercing eyes, Emperor Liu spoke slowly: "I tell you, when the court selects officials and promotes talent, seniority is certainly an important measure, but it is not the only one. Being steady and reserved, humble and low-key—these are certainly good qualities, and I do appreciate people who handle matters with composure. But if one is overly steady, that may not necessarily be a good thing.

You have only just entered officialdom—show some of the sharpness and edge of youth! In the court, one must certainly make few mistakes, but one must learn to conduct oneself and handle affairs. Relying solely on humility and caution, your achievements will also be limited!

If the entire court were always like you, would it not be lifeless and stagnant? The Great Han is rising like the sun at high noon. Though I am advanced in years, I still forge ahead with keen determination. Wang Qiwu is old, yet he still dares to argue with me on the merits—he does not even fear offending me. This is also something you should learn..."

Hearing this instruction from Emperor Liu, Lü Mengzheng seemed somewhat moved and bowed again: "Your servant will heed Your Majesty's instruction!"

"I have spoken a bit too much today!" Seeing his manner, Emperor Liu knew he would not change in the short term, so he waved his hand: "You may withdraw! Do your work well, serve the court with dedication, and in time you will still gain something!"

"Yes! Your servant takes his leave!"

After Lü Mengzheng withdrew, Emperor Liu could not help but shake his head. These ministers, old and young alike, behaved before him like so many quails—heads lowered, wings tucked, obedient beyond measure.

To be fair, in the past Emperor Liu had more than once taken pride in this, relishing their reverence and satisfied with their submission. But as time went on, it grew tiresome. Now that Emperor Liu's divine stature had been forged, he no longer needed his ministers' trembling fear to demonstrate his authority.

Yet as time passed, the ministers only grew more reverent toward Emperor Liu, behaving before him with timidity and hesitation. Having seen this too much, Emperor Liu could not derive much satisfaction from it—instead, he felt they were putting on airs, humoring him.