Chapter 1572: Public Order

"Father is right!" Liu Yang naturally took a conciliatory stance, saying, "It seems that from now on, the work of the border prefectures and counties along the northern frontier should shift to maintaining public order and stability, and we should quickly transform those tribal people into true subjects of the court!"

"That is only natural!" Emperor Liu spoke with firm and certain words: "When the court formulates policies and implements governance, the original intentions are always good, but problems often arise in the transmission of orders from above to below, in the process of execution.

This time, in assimilating the barbarians into Han ways, although there have been no small number of setbacks, at least we have made a good start—for now, things are advancing according to the court's objectives. But this absolutely does not mean that officials can relax!

Implementing this policy is by no means limited to breaking up those tribal barbarians, registering them into household units, and resettling them separately. It can be said that we have only completed a preliminary stage now. To achieve the ideal effect, we must still look to the court and the border authorities for further governance and pacification—this is more difficult and puts governance talent to an even greater test!

On this matter, you should pay some attention to it. Have the Hall of State Affairs deliberate again, listen more to the opinions of the presiding officials along the border, gain a thorough understanding of local conditions, and draft a guiding set of regulations to be circulated to all border prefectures and counties!

Since the tedious work of organizational arrangements has already been completed, we must now move into the next stage, and the requirements and objectives must also advance with the times and be adjusted accordingly!"

"Yes!" Liu Yang responded.

Having said that, Liu Yang also offered his views: "To assimilate the barbarians into Han ways requires both the tolerance and guidance of the government, educating them in royal civilization, and also the cooperation and understanding of the border people and the barbarian peoples. Those who have prestige among the barbarian peoples can still be appointed to office, but if they are appointed, there is the concern that they may find it difficult to be of one heart with the court, and may inevitably waver..."

Hearing Liu Yang agonizing over this, Emperor Liu immediately instructed him: "It is good that you have this layer of concern. However, Han and barbarian are ultimately different. This time, the court has also used forceful means to break down the barriers of their tribal structure, forcibly transforming them into the Han system. To make them completely submit to civilization, identify with the Great Han, and be of one heart with the court is absolutely not a matter of a single morning or evening.

For the present, what we need to accomplish is only to maintain the current situation and state. As long as they can stay content with their lot, obey rules and discipline, submit to government management, and bear their due obligations, we need not demand too much more. The court needs time to adjust its policies, and they equally need time to become accustomed to the Great Han's rule!"

"Father truly has broad vision and an open mind..." Liu Yang began his flattery.

Emperor Liu immediately stopped him: "Stop flattering me. There's only Batu here on the side—who are you performing for?"

This made Liu Yang somewhat embarrassed, and Emperor Liu continued: "In my view, governing purely with Han officials and Han clerks is also unrealistic—estrangement is inevitably difficult to avoid. For the barbarian tribes and peoples, use those who can be used as much as possible; it can reduce obstacles to some extent!

However, Batu made a good point—as for those nobles, chieftains, and tribal leaders, they can no longer be used. Not only can they not be used, but they must also be guarded against. For the time being, support them and keep them supplied, so as to avoid trouble. What the government needs to do is to completely sever their connections with their original tribal people and eliminate their deep-rooted influence.

As for those to be employed, we should select from among the elders and those with authority among the tribal people. In addition, there are those who have rendered meritorious service to the Great Han—there are also quite a few barbarian soldiers from various tribes in the army. We can select from among them to serve as township and village officials managing the naturalized tribal people. These people, having long been disciplined by military law, possess a certain sense of discipline and have a high degree of identification with and obedience to the Great Han, so they can be appointed with greater confidence!"

Although the tribes of the northern frontier had been broken up and resettled in various places, they had not become completely scattered. Rather, in groups of thirty to one hundred households, they were resettled in batches as village settlements. In concrete implementation, they were still under centralized management—what was stripped away was only the governing authority of the original leaders and chieftains, striking at their cohesion. As for the governance of these grassroots tribal people, clearly, it was still necessary to select people from among their own clansmen to help manage them.

"Father truly has penetrating insight. Your son has taken note, and another day I shall have the chancellors and court ministers study it together!" Liu Yang said.

But seeing Emperor Liu raise an eyebrow and glare with drunken eyes, Liu Yang hurriedly changed his words, putting on a serious expression, and said: "Since we are discussing this matter, your son has a proposal and hopes Father will correct it!"

"What 'correcting' this or that—this isn't writing an essay. Besides, you write essays far better than I do. Just speak directly; this is only casual conversation after all!" Emperor Liu appeared completely unconcerned, though in truth they were discussing serious and weighty military and governmental affairs.

Liu Yang said: "In recent years, whenever the observing jinshi admitted by the court are assigned to posts outside the capital, most are placed in remote, poor, and desolate places, to temper their will and train their governing abilities. Over the years, there have already been over a hundred people sent to the various circuits and prefectures along the northern frontier.

In your son's view, now that the new policy for the barbarian tribes is being implemented in the north, this is a critical moment. For the sake of maintaining public order, the chief officials managing local affairs should primarily be officials with outstanding administrative ability, rich experience, and familiarity with barbarian tribal affairs.

Although the court's scholars are all carefully selected talented individuals who have undergone observation and training in the various ministries and bureaus in the capital, in local affairs they are ultimately still somewhat inexperienced. After the court's major policy rectification, the situation in the northern frontier will become even more complex and intricate—it is not something those observing Academicians can handle.

Therefore, your son believes that for the next several years, or even ten years, observing jinshi should temporarily not be sent to the northern frontier—they should be dispatched to other circuits and prefectures!"

After hearing Liu Yang's words, Emperor Liu did not speak for a moment, but poured wine for the three people, drinking while thinking. After a while, he finally said: "Your considerations are not without reason, but in the end they are somewhat one-sided and overly conservative! Of course, I understand your intention. The situation in the northern frontier is complex, and for the sake of thorough and comprehensive governance, using capable old officials who are familiar with local customs and conditions and have rich governing experience does indeed help in this regard.

But are the situations on all the borders of the Great Han only as complex as the northern frontier? Even the interior circuits and prefectures—the Central Plains, the two lakes region, the southeast—are they all harmonious and peaceful, easy to govern? Not at all!

Moreover, the jinshi admitted by the court are not all just bookish scholars who bury their heads in study. Among them, quite a few had already served as clerks and officials before taking the examination, and already had a certain foundation. Among them, there are also scholars from the northern border regions—can you say they are unfamiliar with and don't understand local conditions? They are even more familiar with local customs than officials transferred in from other places!

On the other hand, the court has increased the difficulty of jinshi admission and spent time on observation and cultivation—what is the purpose? Is it not that they may become outstanding elites and pillars of the court? And assignment to posts outside the capital is the final test, and also the most important method. Since there are matters in the north, we absolutely cannot look forward and backward, hesitate and waver—precisely this is where they should go to gain experience!

If they can even handle affairs in the remote northern frontier, then what are other places to worry about! If they are to be trained, they must go to the most difficult, most challenging, and most meaningful places—only then will it be effective!"

"Yes!" Hearing Emperor Liu's discourse, Liu Yang felt somewhat embarrassed. It carried a bit of sophistry, but it also fully embodied Emperor Liu's formidable will and style.

Of course, having been embarrassed many times, he was long accustomed to it. However, he dared not continue voicing his objections in his heart—if he said any more, they might end up arguing.

But Emperor Liu seemed to detect something unusual in Liu Yang's tone. He glanced at him and said again: "However, what you said does have merit. Being pragmatic and grounded in reality, we can adopt a compromise approach!

Like this: from now on, any observing scholar assigned to a post in a northern frontier prefecture or county shall, in accordance with standard regulations, be appointed one grade lower. If the chief official fears they cannot handle a major post, then let them serve as the deputy, taking the assistant position.

If they do poorly, they will be demoted and remain in the north to guard the border for me. If they do well and achieve results, when it comes to promotion and transfer, they will be raised an extra grade and given better treatment!

Also, regarding the governance of the frontier peoples, send edicts to all border circuits, prefectures, and counties, warning them: from now on, those who govern well and achieve merit will receive rewards and promotions from the court. But wherever trouble breaks out, the court has laws and punishments!"

Hearing Emperor Liu's words, Liu Yang sighed silently in his heart—Emperor Liu was putting pressure on his subordinates again. Without a doubt, from now on the circuits, prefectures, and counties of the northern frontier would be places where ability could be displayed, the easiest places to gain promotion. Likewise, serving as an official there would also be the most difficult—the test for officials would be greater, stricter, and perhaps even dependent on luck.

But in officialdom, those who can fight their way to the top are always only a very small minority. Under the same tests and the same requirements, only those who can pass them can be counted as successful, as the pillars of the court.