Chapter 1585: When the Crown Prince and the Chancellor Join Forces Against a Common Target

"Your description just now was rather vague and unclear—who exactly is the superior official you refer to?" Emperor Liu looked at Liu d: "Those whom Hou Zhi would call his superior can only be the senior officials of the Huainan Circuit. What, must you, the Crown Prince, shield your subordinates with evasive words?"

"Your son naturally would not dare conceal anything, but the matter has not yet been fully investigated. What Hou Zhi stated is only one side of the story, without a shred of evidence, and it involves senior circuit officials, therefore..."

"Speak plainly—was it the Administration Commissioner? The Judicial Commissioner? The Fiscal Commissioner? It couldn't be the Chief Commander of Eastern Huainan, could it!" Emperor Liu cut off Liu d.

Liu d clasped his hands: "It is Yang Kefa, Administration Commissioner of Eastern Huainan!"

Emperor Liu showed no surprise, even smiling faintly: "Then that's it! What are your thoughts?"

Liu d pondered for a moment, looked at Emperor Liu, and spoke slowly: "Father, forgive your son for speaking bluntly—after understanding Hou Zhi's past conduct and manner of doing things, I feel some disgust toward this man.

To be sure, he achieved some results in his previous postings, and though he is praised as a capable official, he is in truth a harsh one. He does not cultivate virtue in his person, nor does he establish principled governance in his administration.

When this investigation's results came out, I was not surprised. I even suspect that his achievements and accomplishments in past posts may conceal matters the court has never noticed.

Yangzhou is indeed a prosperous and wealthy place, but that is not Yangzhou's fault. Those who willingly sink into depravity are only such treacherous officials who betray the court's trust. If no traces of corruption appeared in the past, yet they were exposed upon taking up Yangzhou, that only shows this man had hidden himself very well all along..."

Having spoken his feelings, Liu d let out a gentle breath, then looked at Emperor Liu with some trepidation. He knew in his heart that his reaction was somewhat excessive, but he simply felt he had to speak his mind.

After hearing Liu d's attitude, Emperor Liu was briefly taken aback, then pointed out softly: "Look at you, so righteous and indignant, so full of fury. Over the years you've seen no shortage of corrupt officials—surely you wouldn't be this agitated over this one!"

Made somewhat embarrassed by Emperor Liu's words, his attitude perhaps carried a layer of hating the house and its occupant. Though he had never shown it, from the bottom of his heart Liu d was not fond of Lu Duoxun either. He felt this man was too utilitarian and too fond of strife—he might have talent, but his character and conduct were truly detestable, and he had several times slandered and provoked against Zhao Pu in front of him.

Clearly lacking the bearing and cultivation of a chancellor, yet he labored with single-minded devotion, seeking to climb to the pinnacle of ministerial power and replace Zhao Pu. In Liu d's view, Lu Duoxun was a scourge within the court. Ever since he had been transferred to the central government, the court had become beset with troubles and rarely knew peace. But since Emperor Liu wanted to employ him, there was nothing to be done.

"Setting aside your attitude for now—how have you ruled on this matter?" Emperor Liu asked.

Liu d: "The court has its established procedures; we need only handle it according to the rules. Hou Zhi's accusation against Yang Kefa has not a shred of solid evidence, therefore——"

He paused, glanced at Emperor Liu, then continued: "In your son's personal view, Hou Zhi's conduct bears the mark of malicious accusation and false incrimination. What he says and claims has no basis whatsoever. A subordinate attacking his superior, and moreover a corrupt official slandering an upright one—this is not worthy of credence.

Forgive your son for speculating—besides Hou Zhi seeking to muddy the waters and escape his own guilt, it may also be because Yang Kefa was promoted by Chancellor Zhao, and the investigation into Hou Zhi was also strongly advocated by Chancellor Zhao!"

"Heh heh!" Emperor Liu let out a light laugh upon hearing this.

Rising to pace, Liu d naturally followed, and after considering for a moment, Emperor Liu said: "You seem to have some preconceptions, and there is one point you must note. Individuals naturally have their likes and dislikes—I too have ministers I detest—but you must avoid bringing such emotions into the handling of state affairs and public business.

From your words, I can sense that you regard Hou Zhi as Lu Duoxun's man and Yang Kefa as Zhao Pu's man. The Yangzhou case has already become an arena for the struggle between Zhao Pu and Lu Duoxun!"

Hearing this, Liu d was first stunned, then nodded in admission: "Father speaks truly. Your son was indeed somewhat hasty!"

"Of course, in fact it likely is so!" Emperor Liu amended his words: "But even without Zhao and Lu, when such a matter arises in the court, it must be taken seriously. A Yangzhou Prefect and an Eastern Huainan Administration Commissioner are both among the foremost of the realm's circuit and prefecture officials. Since doubts have arisen, they must naturally be investigated and clarified!"

Emperor Liu's words seemed to lump Hou Zhi and Yang Kefa together. Liu d's heart gave a start. He carefully sized up Emperor Liu and said with some hesitation: "Father means...?"

"What are Zhao Pu and the others' opinions?"

Liu d: "Chancellor Zhao has not expressed a stance, but Chancellor Lu strongly advocates launching an investigation into Yang Kefa as well!"

"Lu Duoxun truly cannot bear to lose even a little!" Emperor Liu couldn't help but laugh, seeming to find the matter quite amusing. He walked slowly, and his speech was equally slow: "Your ruling was somewhat vague. What does 'act according to procedure' mean? I know that in your heart you also disapprove of investigating Yang Kefa!"

Liu d gave an awkward smile and clasped his hands: "Nothing escapes Father's eyes. Your son merely feels that if, because a corrupt official like Hou Zhi makes wanton accusations, we launch an investigation into a circuit's chief administrator, it would set a bad precedent, and the court will face even more troubles in the future!"

The corner of Emperor Liu's mouth curved up as he said: "Not bad—this is a thought that considers the overall situation. But can you be certain that Yang Kefa is truly incorruptible and selfless? The seat of the Eastern Huainan Circuit is also in Yangzhou city!

Moreover, why has Zhao Pu not expressed a stance? Is it to avoid suspicion? Or does he too harbor doubts? And consider—when a minor official accused Hou Zhi, the court treated it with great solemnity, mobilizing great forces, with internal and external judicial bodies jointly conducting the investigation.

Why, when it comes to Yang Kefa, does caution suddenly arise and all sorts of misgivings appear? The gap in status between the Yangzhou Prefect and the Eastern Huainan Administration Commissioner is not that large!"

Hearing Emperor Liu speak thus, Liu d could not help but fall silent. He could sense that on this matter, Emperor Liu's thinking ran contrary to his own, which sharply increased the pressure on him.

With a grave face, not keeping Emperor Liu waiting long, Liu d finally spoke: "Your son understands Father's thinking. I shall immediately issue another document agreeing to investigate Yang Kefa!"

Seeing him agree somewhat against his own convictions, Emperor Liu did not take offense, and even spoke to reassure his Crown Prince: "Still, your concerns are thoughtful. We certainly cannot recklessly suspect a frontier grand official based on the words of one corrupt official—indeed, we must not set a bad precedent.

However, a secret review can be conducted—no need to make a great show of it as with Hou Zhi. Keep the impact to the smallest possible scope. If Yang Kefa has been falsely accused, then this will restore his innocence and also prove that the court still has good judgment in appointing senior circuit officials!"

"Yes!" Seeing Emperor Liu take this stance, Liu d's mood relaxed considerably, and he even bowed as he replied: "Father's consideration is most fitting!"

In truth, whether to review Yang Kefa had originally hung in the balance for Emperor Liu, but after this exchange with Liu d, he found himself compelled to lean the other way.

After all, Lu Duoxun already had his hands full dealing with Zhao Pu, and judging by Liu d's inclination, he too sided with Zhao Pu. Under such circumstances, Emperor Liu naturally had to prop up Lu Duoxun.

In this regard, when Emperor Liu looked at Liu d, it was no longer a father looking at his son, but an emperor looking at his subject.

"The Yangzhou case has stirred up quite a storm within the court. Lately I've heard no small amount of gossip." Emperor Liu sat down again and gestured for Liu d to sit as well, speaking at length: "Everyone says Lu Duoxun and Hou Zhi are on very close terms, practically bosom friends. Lately there has been no shortage of insinuations aimed at Lu Duoxun, and I have also received several secret memorials impeaching him.

Many people feel that Hou Zhi's corruption and lawlessness in Yangzhou was condoned by Lu Duoxun, and that the ill-gotten gains must surely have been presented to Lu Duoxun's household. What do you think—are these words worth heeding or not?"

If Lu Duoxun knew that Emperor Liu and the Crown Prince were discussing him in this manner, he would surely be trembling with fear. As for Liu d, his expression turned extremely grave. He lowered his head in thought for a moment before shaking it and saying:

"Your son believes such guilt-by-association, heart-piercing words should not be heeded! Though I do not know Chancellor Lu's background in depth, from my daily dealings with him I have learned that he is a man who aspires to leave his name in history. Given his current position, he would never care about such trifling gains.

Hou Zhi was indeed recommended by Chancellor Lu, and if he committed crimes, Chancellor Lu at most bears the fault of oversight and improper appointment. As for the claim that Chancellor Lu colluded with Hou Zhi in corruption—your son does not believe it!"

Hearing Liu d speak thus, Emperor Liu broke into a smile and nodded: "Well said! Remember this—Lu Duoxun has no shortage of faults, but setting aside personal virtue, he is still a usable man."

"Do not judge him by personal likes and dislikes!" Emperor Liu said in a tone of reminder, his expression turning serious.

Clearly, Emperor Liu had also perceived Liu d's aversion to Lu Duoxun, and so he spoke to remind him—or perhaps to warn him. A sovereign is a sovereign, a subject is a subject. Liu d absolutely must not, and should not, stand on Zhao Pu's side!

. wap.