Chapter 1706: Inside Chongzheng Hall

Chongzheng Hall still carried that same air—solemn and imposing, and under the winter night, it gained an added gloom. The hall was furnished with numerous ever-burning lamps, their flames bright, yet they could not dispel the shadow weighing on men's hearts.

Emperor Liu sat alone behind the imperial desk, expressionless, revealing nothing of his mood. But everyone knew that the Emperor at this moment was very angry—and very dangerous.

Before the throne stood several figures, led by Zhao Pu. Song Qi, Zhao Kuangyi, Wang Zhu, Liu Tinghan, Lü Duan, and Minister of War Han Tong—all members of the Hall of State Affairs—were present. Except for Zhao Kuangyi, who was on duty, all had been summoned from their residences into the palace.

Each hung their head, backs slightly bent, awaiting Emperor Liu's storm of rebuke. In truth, these were pillars of the state, chancellors of the highest honor, yet Emperor Liu did not even offer them a seat—a departure from his usual manner, or perhaps he simply no longer cared about such things.

By the time Liu Yang arrived, Emperor Liu had already begun speaking, and he went straight at Zhao Kuangyi: "Were you not just boasting about Wang Shen? Descendant of merit, disciple of a renowned school, well-versed in the art of war, fully worthy of great responsibility.

And this is how he handles affairs—a year of bandit suppression, and the bandits have only multiplied. Xiazhou is not yet at peace, and Yanzhou erupts in great chaos. Wang Shen has done well as Chief General—well in losing troops and forts, well in discord between commander and officers, well in the great turmoil of Yulin!"

Facing Emperor Liu's harsh and stern rebuke, Zhao Kuangyi could not help but feel wronged. He had only spoken a few simple words on Wang Shen's behalf earlier, out of past friendship and because they were both sons of meritorious families.

He was not the only one in court who had spoken well of Wang Shen. Moreover, the appointment of Wang Shen had been Emperor Liu's own decision—it was to Emperor Liu that Wang Pu had made his plea from a sickbed.

Now that problems had arisen on Wang Shen's end, Emperor Liu turned his spear at Zhao Kuangyi, who felt he had suffered undeserved calamity. But there was nothing to be done—at this moment, he was the only one in the hall who had ever stood up for Wang Shen.

Of course, with Zhao Kuangyi's depth, he naturally would not reveal those superfluous and pointless emotions. On the contrary, facing Emperor Liu's terrifying gaze, he could only beg for punishment with utmost trepidation: "It is your servant's fault for being swayed by personal feelings and failing to judge men rightly. With the loss at Yulin, your servant begs to be punished!"

Faced with Zhao Kuangyi's "sincere" attitude, even Emperor Liu found it hard to press further. The Emperor himself knew well that pinning this on Zhao Kuangyi was somewhat of a stretch. The reason he had spoken those words was not only to express displeasure at Yulin and Wang Shen, but also to rap Zhao Kuangyi on the knuckles.

Since the Lu Duoxun case, Zhao Kuangyi had noticeably kept a lower profile, as if he had camouflaged and fortified himself, at one point giving Emperor Liu the feeling of having no opening to attack.

Over the past year, in terms of diligence and devotion to state affairs, almost no one in court could match him. His steady performance had won him much praise. In the eyes of the court officials, Zhao Kuangyi was wise, capable, meticulous, and hardworking—the very image of a loyal minister and good chancellor.

In the past, the most diligent in court were unquestionably the Crown Prince and Zhao Pu, but compared to the Zhao Kuangyi of today, one discovered there was someone even more relentless.

Unlike ordinary men, Emperor Liu, possessing foresight, naturally could not help but view Zhao Kuangyi with a special eye. Even if he was far from being as wary of him as of Zhao Kuangyin, he still paid him extra attention.

And after so many years of observation and appointment, Emperor Liu had confirmed that Zhao Kuangyi was indeed a capable administrator. No matter how complex the affairs of state, he could chew through them one by one—there was nothing he could not sort out, and in governance he was always adept.

Over the past year or more, with Zhao Pu intentionally withdrawing and yielding authority, much of the court's affairs had fallen into the hands of the two chancellors, Song Qi and Zhao Kuangyi. And judging by the results, Zhao Kuangyi had done quite well indeed.

But even if the Emperor harbored appreciation, those who needed rapping still had to be rapped. At the same time, Emperor Liu also meant to pressure Zhao Kuangyi, to see if he would reveal any slip, rather than being so deep and steady all day long.

Yet at this moment, watching Zhao Kuangyi mouth his confession of guilt with a seemingly sincere attitude while still standing as immovable as a mountain, Emperor Liu felt somewhat bored at heart.

He basically stared at Zhao Kuangyi until the man's head drooped a few degrees lower, then finally withdrew his gaze and said flatly: "I do not punish men for their words. The matter of Yulin has nothing to do with you, Minister Zhao. I am not yet so senile as to punish the innocent!"

"Your Majesty's words are too heavy!" Zhao Kuangyi bowed with clasped hands, his expression hidden from view.

Seeing this scene between sovereign and minister, Liu Yang could not help but glance at Zhao Kuangyi. To be fair, he too held considerable appreciation for this uncle of Consort Zhao.

He stepped forward to pay his respects but was interrupted by Emperor Liu. However, seeing Liu Yang voluntarily standing together with the chancellors, the Emperor frowned slightly, then waved his hand: "What are you all standing for? It's not as if the hall has no seats. Sit down, all of you!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The assembled ministers hurriedly expressed their gratitude.

As an old minister who had followed Emperor Liu for years, Wang Zhu's gaze swept over the Crown Prince, and he could not help but sigh inwardly—it had to be His Highness the Crown Prince; otherwise, who knew how long they would have to endure before the Emperor. He inconspicuously rubbed his old waist; with age, he really could not hold out much longer.

Once the ministers were seated, Emperor Liu looked at Liu Yang and said: "Murong Defeng has told you all about the situation in Yulin, has he not?"

Liu Yang nodded in acknowledgment: "Yes!"

Emperor Liu swept his gaze around the hall and said in a deep voice: "Speak, then. How should we respond? Crown Prince, you speak first!"

On the way into the palace, Liu Yang had been considering countermeasures for the Yulin rebellion, and by now he had a draft ready in his mind. Thus, when called upon to speak, he showed no sign of fluster. Cupping his hands, he reported: "Your servant believes the most urgent task now is to dispatch troops to suppress the rebellion and confine the rebels within Yulin's borders. Let Yulin be in chaos if it must, but the chaos absolutely must not spread into Guanzhong. Otherwise, with the northwest in turmoil, the harm would be more than the court could bear.

Furthermore, since Li Jiqian's rebellion, the local government forces in Yulin have been campaigning for over a year yet have never been able to eradicate the rebels. Besides the special local circumstances, insufficient troop strength is also a problem. Therefore, troops should be drawn from other circuits and prefectures to suppress and encircle the rebels with overwhelming force.

Previously, not many Tangut had participated in Li's rebellion, but with the incident at Yanzhou, your servant expects that disaster from the Tangut is now difficult to avoid. We must be on guard against the several hundred thousand Tangut in Yulin and be prepared to suppress them.

As for the setback at Zhen'an Fort and Meng Xuanzhe's defeat, the court still needs to investigate the specifics. Your servant believes that under the current circumstances, the previous strategy of suppressing bandits in Yulin is no longer sufficient. We must seek change and govern from the root.

At the same time, for pacifying Yulin, Wang Shen is unfit to command. Your servant suggests that Prince of Zhao, Liu Fang, be sent to Xiazhou with full authority to lead the suppression, restoring clarity to Yulin, to the northwest, and to the state!"

Liu Yang laid out his ideas one by one, and Emperor Liu listened very attentively, seemingly pondering and weighing them. When he came back to himself, a look of satisfaction had already appeared on his face.

"Do the assembled ministers have any additions to the Crown Prince's proposal?" His words already conveyed approval.

It was Zhao Pu who spoke first. Though his old face maintained a reserved bearing, his tone clearly carried deference: "What His Highness has considered is already most thorough and sound—it can be adopted entirely!"

Hearing Zhao Pu's words, Liu Yang shook his head and said: "One man's counsel is short. Matters like Yulin involve the well-being of the people and the stability of the state; we need collective wisdom and free discussion. I hope Chancellor Zhao will not hesitate to offer his guidance."