Chapter 178: Seeing One After Another

Chuigong Hall had formally become the place where Liu Chengyou daily received ministers and handled government affairs. He did not put on empty airs but directly set to work, grasping the reins of authority. Yet as a newly ascended emperor, everything followed precedent—apart from the change of office, there was no great difference from when he had been regent.

In the hall, Liu Chengyou received Wu Xingde and Liu Shenjiao in succession. He had done some homework beforehand and had some understanding of both men's careers, especially Wu Xingde, of whom he had heard something back when he had led troops out of Hedong.

Among the military governors of the realm today, most were greedy, cruel, and violent—such as Chang Si, Military Governor of Luzhou, and Xue Huairang, Military Governor of Tongzhou, not to mention Shi Hongzhao and even Liu Xin, who had not taken up their posts in the Eastern Capital. As for the rest, even if they had no record of oppressing the people, few took active measures to comfort and govern them.

Unlike those coarse military men who, having tasted poverty and then risen to prominence, turned around and squeezed the common folk even harder, Wu Xingde—though also a military man—lacked that violent air common to military officials. Born in poverty, he had soared to prominence in a single stroke and leapt to a military governorship, yet he did not become smug with success. Instead, knowing the people's suffering and hardship, he treated those under his rule with kindness and scarcely engaged in exorbitant levies.

In truth, if the realm had a few more regional commanders like Wu Xingde, the people would not suffer so bitterly. However, if all the realm's regional commanders were like Wu Xingde, then the Emperor probably would not sit so securely either.

"Minister Wu, though I am in the Eastern Capital, I have heard something of affairs in Heyang. You have governed Heyang with lenient policies and simplified punishments, pitying the people's hardships, restoring their production, and granting them rest. In little more than half a year, Heyang has already shown signs of excellent governance. If all the military governors of the realm were like Minister Wu, why worry that the realm would not be well governed?" Toward Wu Xingde, Liu Chengyou's attitude was gentle, his tone full of appreciation and praise.

Of course, the standard for "excellent governance" in Liu Chengyou's mouth was pitifully low...

"Your Majesty overpraises me; I am ashamed and dare not accept it. I merely governed through non-interference, letting the people nurture themselves. There is truly nothing worthy of praise." Wu Xingde's attitude was both respectful and modest.

"Minister Wu need not be so humble!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand lightly and said solemnly: "At the call on the river, you drove off the northern invaders, shielded the imperial carriage, governed affairs, and comforted the people. Your merits, Minister Wu, are seen clearly by me and the court—truly rare and commendable!"

After exchanging some pleasantries, Liu Chengyou said without much hesitation: "To reward your merits, I intend to appoint you, as before, Acting Grand Commandant, adding the title of Chief Minister, making you a Chancellor-Governor, and enfeoffing you as Marquis of Yuci!"

"I thank Your Majesty!" Wu Xingde immediately knelt in gratitude.

In fact, this set of operations by Liu Chengyou carried no real substance—it was mostly empty honors. But for Wu Xingde, since he sought no profit, he naturally valued reputation. Among the military governors of the realm today, few had been granted the title of Chancellor-Governor.

After chatting with Wu Xingde for a while, he let him take his leave, then summoned Liu Shenjiao. As for Liu Shenjiao, no lengthy introduction is needed—in short, he was of pure character, high reputation, and possessed administrative talent. Previously, Liu Chengxun had entrusted him with the civilian land reclamation in Zhengzhou, treating him with the courtesy of a teacher.

Toward Liu Shenjiao, Liu Chengyou also maintained respect. Setting aside everything else, merely for the fact that the man was past seventy, he deserved the most basic respect and consideration. In this era, to live so long and still remain active in politics was no easy feat.

As with Wu Xingde, Liu Chengyou exchanged some pleasantries, though the atmosphere was slightly awkward. Before such an old man who saw through the ways of the world, Liu Chengyou's efforts seemed too immature. Still, he was ultimately the Emperor, and Liu Shenjiao was gracious enough to go along with it.

It was Liu Chengyou who, unable to bear the awkward small talk, directly asked what he truly cared about: "Minister Liu, how goes the civilian land reclamation in Zhengzhou?"

The spring plowing season had arrived. On the second day after his enthronement—the day of the Dragon Raises Its Head—Liu Chengyou had even set aside time to go to the outskirts of the Eastern Capital and turn the first spade of soil.

The court had formally begun expanding civilian land reclamation across the prefectures of the Central Plains. This was something Liu Chengyou especially cared about and urged forward, yet progress remained slow. Not enough officials, not enough people, not enough tools—simply put, apart from having plenty of land, everything else was lacking...

And the Zhengzhou civilian reclamation, being the largest in scale, already on track, and held up by the court as a model, naturally received Liu Chengyou's particular attention.

"When the spring thaw came, this old minister and the officials of Zhengzhou organized the common people and the reclamation households, making preparations for spring plowing. Before I came to the capital, the soil had already been turned and seeds sown... Through successive recruitment, under Zhengzhou's administration there are now over sixty-seven thousand households..." Liu Shenjiao gave Liu Chengyou a detailed account of the situation in Zhengzhou.

Setting aside everything else, in terms of population alone, apart from the Eastern Capital, Zhengzhou had the most.

Thinking of population, a thought flashed through Liu Chengyou's mind—he had a notion to issue an edict for a "population census" to learn how many registered adult males remained under the Great Han's rule. For decades, the Central Plains and Hebei had been in great chaos; though there had been brief periods of order, the overall population had essentially been in negative growth. But just how scarce the population truly was, Liu Chengyou still had no clear idea.

Though the thought was in his mind, Liu Chengyou knew this matter could not be rushed. The current state of the nation was simply not the time for such a thing—at the very least, he would have to wait until there was a somewhat more relaxed internal and external environment.

Liu Chengyou's distraction lasted quite a while. Coming back to himself, he saw Liu Shenjiao sitting there idly. Though the old man appeared perfectly at ease, Liu Chengyou offered his apology: "I was lost in thought for a moment. Minister Liu, please do not take offense."

"This old minister would not dare!"

"Minister Liu, you have done excellently with the Zhengzhou reclamation. I am very satisfied. When my late elder brother entrusted you with this task, he indeed did not misjudge you!" Liu Chengyou said.

At the mention of Liu Chengxun, Liu Shenjiao sighed inwardly, feeling a touch of regret, but he did not show it, nor did he wish to dwell on the subject. He merely replied in his aged voice: "This old minister merely fulfilled his due duty. Without the court's support earlier, it would be difficult to have achieved such order!"

"Another man might not have accomplished what Minister Liu has!"

The conversation with Liu Shenjiao was plain from start to finish—a normal report on duties. The old man's state of mind was calm and peaceful, hard to stir into any waves. And Liu Chengyou, never being skilled at conversation, found the talk with this Buddha-like old minister somewhat awkward. Liu Shenjiao was not a talkative man either.

It was only at the end, when Liu Chengyou was about to grant him a favor, that he took the initiative to make a request. Not for himself, nor to seek blessings and shelter for his descendants, but on behalf of Li Congyi and his mother—the ones who had been puppet emperor for a time.

In this life, because Li Congyi had not done anything particularly sensitive—such as issuing edicts calling on the various military governors to come to the emperor's aid against the Hedong army—but instead surrendered very cleanly, though there had been some twists and turns, he had managed to keep his life. Back then, when the hundred officials were pressuring him, only Liu Shenjiao had shown courtesy and sympathy to the mother and son, strongly urging them to surrender quickly.

As a result, though his life was spared, his days were hard. As a "deposed emperor," he remained under surveillance and was constantly subjected to humiliation and extortion. Living in the Eastern Capital was already difficult, and now they were nearly unable to survive...

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou was somewhat surprised, looking at Liu Shenjiao with an appraising gaze. Unfortunately, the old minister's expression was perfectly composed, and his candid manner made it hard for Liu Chengyou to harbor any suspicion.

To Liu Chengyou, whether it was the young son of Emperor Mingzong of Tang or the emperor set up by the Khitan, it was truly not worth a laugh. If he were going to worry about Li Congyi, he might as well consider whether Guo Wei posed a threat...

Therefore, Liu Chengyou said magnanimously: "Since the Three Dynasties, Emperor Mingzong of Tang could be counted as a rare wise ruler. His descendants naturally deserve favorable treatment. For now, let them continue his bloodline and incense."

Having said this, Liu Chengyou directly gave his orders: "Pass this down—the mother and son of the Duke of Xu are not to be disturbed by officials, soldiers, or commoners of the Eastern Capital. Let them live out their days in peace!"

"Your Majesty's breadth of mind, benevolence, and magnanimity fill this old minister with admiration!" With the orders settled, Liu Shenjiao for the first time expressed praise for Liu Chengyou, and his tone was quite sincere.

At this flattery, Liu Chengyou's mood became even more composed. He waved his hand calmly.