Chapter 182: Friction Among the Chancellors

A new emperor ascending the throne, extending grace to all under heaven, calming people's hearts to seek support—this was a necessary move. However, to win over those hearts that were inherently difficult to subdue, appearing so "humble" was, in Liu Chengyou's view, unnecessary.

Although granting all the realm's military governors the additional title of Chancellor-Governor cost the Han court nothing material, if things went on like this, the title of Chancellor-Governor in the Great Han would become far too cheap. Moreover, the difference between granting and not granting the title was not merely a matter of adding an official rank or an extra layer of commendation.

It also touched upon the question of restricting power. In the recommendation and appointment of regional officials, Liu Zhiyuan had previously issued an edict giving noticeably greater weight to governors who held the Chancellor-Governor title. Though court edicts did not bind the regions all that tightly, well, we shall see in the days to come.

Furthermore, one should avoid a "one-size-fits-all" approach in all matters. Among the various garrison governors, there were differences between strong and weak, rich and poor, and differences in seniority and prestige as well.

Taking all this into consideration, Liu Chengyou spoke directly: "Further deliberation is still needed!"

The chancellors were somewhat taken aback, their eyes carrying a hint of confusion, unable to understand why Liu Chengyou would object to such a nearly costless means of winning people over. Clearly, these ministers were still immersed in the old way of thinking. In their view, presumably, the Great Han shared the realm with the regional garrisons, and all that was needed was to win them over and keep them from rebelling. As for bringing the garrisons back under court control—they probably hadn't even gotten around to thinking about that.

Liu Chengyou's tone was firm as he shot the proposal down. Su Yugui, though appearing resigned, could only temporarily comply: "Yes. We ministers shall deliberate further."

"Anything else?" Taking a few deep breaths, as if changing his mood, Liu Chengyou swept his gaze across the room and asked.

"Your Majesty..." Yang Bin replied with a cupped-fist salute: "A report from Xuzhou—Wang Zhou, Military Governor of the Wuning Army, has died of illness at his seat of office!"

"Hm?" Liu Chengyou was somewhat surprised; the news was rather sudden. He had only just heard of the man's illness previously, and never expected him to die so quickly: "When did this happen?"

"Three days ago," Yang Bin answered. "The news just arrived!"

"What a pity," Liu Chengyou sighed.

Wang Zhou had a very good official reputation and enjoyed a fine standing among the common folk. Earlier, when the Khitan marched south and the Jin army surrendered, he had held fast in a besieged city. Moved by gratitude for the Later Jin's kindness, he nearly slit his own throat to repay it, preferring death to surrendering to the Khitan. In the end, he was stopped by those around him (whether it was all an act, that much is uncertain). When the Great Han was established, Fu Yanqing was transferred from Xuzhou to govern Yanzhou, and Wang Zhou was appointed by Liu Zhiyuan as Military Governor of the Wuning Army.

Of course, Liu Chengyou felt no real regret in his heart. He wasn't familiar with Wang Zhou, and was in fact already considering who should succeed him. But words of courtesy, after all, had to be spoken.

"Send someone to offer condolences, to show the court's stance!" Liu Chengyou ordered directly, then looked toward Fan Zhi, who had accompanied him, and called out: "Fan Zhi."

"Your servant is here." Fan Zhi immediately bowed.

"Write a eulogy, to express our grief!"

"Yes!"

Having given the order, Liu Chengyou said to the assembled ministers: "Xuzhou is a key region for southeastern tax revenue, and it faces the Huai and the sea. Now that our court is contending with the Southern Tang, I fear the Tang sovereign may send troops to probe northward. We need a capable minister to govern it. Gentlemen, deliberate and settle on one person—and quickly!"

"Yes!" At this, the group perked up considerably.

Having said so much, Liu Chengyou's mouth was getting a bit dry. After a brief pause, he looked at Yang Bin and asked: "Chancellor Yang, how is the construction of Rui Mausoleum progressing?"

This seemed to be a reminder to Yang Bin of what his "priority" work ought to be.

Yang Bin's expression did not change; he raised his hand slightly: "Manpower and material resources are insufficient. If the court does not allocate more funds and grain, at the current pace, it will take at least half a year before Rui Mausoleum can be completed."

The corner of Liu Chengyou's eye twitched slightly. If Liu Zhiyuan were left lying in Wansui Hall for another half year, he'd probably be rotted through by then. Of course, the palace did have cold storage...

After thinking it over, Liu Chengyou sighed and instructed: "The matter of the imperial tomb will require Chancellor Yang's devoted efforts!"

Liu Chengyou's attitude at this moment was very good, as if there were no friction at all between him and his minister Yang Bin.

"Yes!"

After returning to Chuigong Hall, to Liu Chengyou's surprise, Vice Director of the Secretariat Li Tao requested an audience—alone. His furtive manner immediately aroused Liu Chengyou's suspicion.

After having him shown in and seated, Liu Chengyou asked directly: "Minister Li, what business brings you here?"

Li Tao did not hesitate either. Raising his hands and bowing slightly, he spoke straight away: "Your Majesty, Chancellors Yang and Su and the others, relying on their status as founding ministers, monopolize military and political power, acting arbitrarily and willfully, bickering endlessly, with selfish motives plain to see. This has made the court situation unsettled and harmed the state. I request that they be sent out to govern garrison commands, to ease the strife at court."

As Li Tao said this, Liu Chengyou could sense considerable resentment in his tone. In offering this remonstrance, he had likely suffered no small amount of humiliation from Yang and Su during his time as chancellor—suppressed at every turn. Anyone would be upset by that.

Liu Chengyou took a sip of tea before asking in a low voice: "So by Minister Li's meaning, we might take this opportunity to send one of them out to govern Xuzhou?"

"That is precisely what I had in mind!" Li Tao replied.

With a "bang," Liu Chengyou suddenly slapped the imperial desk, his eyes like lightning as he stared at him and roared: "How dare you, Li Tao!"

Li Tao was still dazed when Liu Chengyou hurled a sharp question at him: "Are you trying to drive a wedge between me and my chancellors?"

Faced with Liu Chengyou's sudden eruption, Li Tao was startled, his backside, which had barely warmed the seat, instantly bouncing up from it. Seeing the Son of Heaven glaring at him with fury, an overbearing aura leaking out, he dared not meet his gaze. He bowed deeply and explained: "Your servant only sought the peace of the court—I have absolutely no other intention. I beg Your Majesty to see clearly."

Feeling the chill of Liu Chengyou's tone, for the first time, Li Tao grew nervous and flustered. In truth, even given Liu Chengyou's extraordinary nature, having only just ascended the throne, these chancellors might not dare to slight him, but they truly held little reverence or fear for him. For nearly half a month now, these men had all behaved very casually in Liu Chengyou's presence. As if Liu Chengyou were truly ruling by non-interference from Chuigong Hall.

Observing Li Tao's reaction, Liu Chengyou rapidly changed his expression again, withdrawing all extra emotion, and said coldly: "Chancellors Yang and Su are ministers of the Great Han, and I rely heavily on their support. Before the late emperor departed, you were all appointed as regents to assist me. Now I have been on the throne for less than half a month, and already you are at each other's throats, attacking one another. Do you take me for weak and young, thinking I can be bullied?"

"Your servant would never dare!" Hearing Liu Chengyou's piercing words, Li Tao's heart trembled, his old face burning hot, his head buried low.

"Consider what you proposed as never having been heard by me!" After scrutinizing him for a long while, Liu Chengyou said calmly: "From now on, words like these—unconducive to unity between ruler and minister, and to harmony at court—are forbidden. If you offend again, I will not be lenient!"

"Yes!" Li Tao hurriedly said.

"Withdraw!"

"Yes!"

As he exited Chuigong Hall, the cool breeze outside finally snapped Li Tao back to his senses. Recalling what had just happened in the hall, he felt a crushing sense of defeat. In his heart arose the lament that "the sovereign's heart is unfathomable"—even when that sovereign was very young.

From his observations, Liu Chengyou and Yang Bin had long been at odds. With Yang Bin's overbearing arrogance meeting the young Son of Heaven's forceful nature, he ought to have wanted to drive him out. Yet the result of his memorial was not merely failure to achieve his goal—he had been dressed down instead.

If this matter got out, his days in the Hall of State Affairs would likely become even harder. This time, he had not only offended Yang Bin, but had also offended that venomous snake Su Fengji along with him.

"Sigh..." Letting out a heavy sigh, Li Tao walked toward Guangzheng Hall with somewhat leaden steps.

Inside Chuigong Hall, Liu Chengyou sat lost in thought, pondering deeply. As for Li Tao's suggestion just now, Liu Chengyou was not entirely disregarding it—it was just that, before the great situation of the state was settled, he truly did not want too many waves.

At the same time, Li Tao's move had made Liu Chengyou fully realize the current relationships among the Great Han's chancellors. Yang-Su, Yang-Li, Su-Li, the two Sus, Wang-Su... basically, between every pair of them, there were conflicts.

As an emperor, one might be pleased that one's ministers were not of one mind. But when chancellors attacked each other, with private grudges outweighing public duty and personal desires outweighing state affairs, that became a great peril to the peace of the court and the stability of the nation. Especially since this group of chancellors was truly lackluster in the art of governance, with bad policies piling up one after another.

To rectify the court's discipline, most of the current chancellors would have to be purged from the center of power! Liu Chengyou's resolve in his heart grew even firmer.

After a pause, Liu Chengyou instructed Fan Zhi, who was attending him in Chuigong Hall: "Send someone to the Bureau of Military Affairs to ask whether there is any latest development in the Fengxiang campaign."

"Yes!"

Since ascending the throne, Liu Chengyou had truly been handling a myriad of affairs daily—far more exhausting than when he had been Crown Prince overseeing the state. In just half a month, he was already feeling somewhat mentally and physically drained. Of course, accompanying that was the satisfaction of having his desire for power released.