Chapter 1852: Duel of Wits

As he pondered, Pan You's gaze toward Li Shouyuan gradually turned cold. However, Li Shouyuan remained as calm and composed as ever, showing not the slightest fear.

The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense. The first direct confrontation between the two envoys had been this fierce, and the subordinate officials present felt the strain of the situation, lowering their heads once more, not daring to show any hint of schadenfreude, lest they be caught in the crossfire.

After a moment of deliberation, Pan You suddenly broke into a faint smile. Under Li Shouyuan's astonished gaze, he said in a relaxed tone: "This envoy is not one to refuse counsel. As long as what is said is reasonable and substantive, it is not beyond acceptance.

Vice-Envoy Li has spoken at length in this hall today, raising many objections to this envoy's governance. But if it remains merely at the level of accusing this envoy, it is truly meaningless!

Today, since all our colleagues are present, I invite Vice-Envoy Li to share his views. In your opinion, what measures should be adopted to advance reform and accomplish the tax reform task entrusted to us by the court?

If this envoy's measures are unacceptable, then I ask Vice-Envoy Li to produce a new set of methods and measures for all our colleagues to discuss. If they prove viable, then they are not beyond trying, are they?"

Seeing Pan You speak these words with such equanimity, Li Shouyuan's brow furrowed involuntarily. He thought to himself that although Pan You acted with haste, he was by no means reckless, not simply charging ahead with brute force. This was, once again, kicking the ball back to Li Shouyuan, and striking right at the vital point. If he were truly asked to produce a new set of measures, it wasn't that he couldn't, but he dared not guarantee completing the task assigned by the court. Moreover, Li Shouyuan's purpose in launching this attack in the hall today was never really about getting things done.

Meeting Pan You's scrutinizing gaze, Li Shouyuan pondered briefly before replying: "In short, governance must not be hasty or reckless!"

"Correct!" Pan You nodded, then put on a serious expression and said: "Then I ask Vice-Envoy Li to produce a more moderate policy approach. Here in this hall, in the light of day, speak freely — this envoy will never obstruct you.

This envoy can hardly wait to hear Vice-Envoy Li's insightful views. Speak quickly, and I shall listen with rapt attention..."

At this, Li Shouyuan fell silent, brows furrowed, his expression somewhat troubled. Just as he was about to speak, Pan You seized the opportunity to cut him off, his demeanor and tone carrying a chilling edge as he stared directly at Li Shouyuan and said:

"If you cannot produce a set of practical and effective new policies, then this envoy cannot help but question the true intentions behind Vice-Envoy Li's indiscriminate attacks on this envoy's governance today!

What was said in this hall today was nothing but sophistry and obstinacy. So-called impartial advocacy, in this envoy's view, is utterly useless — no different from dog farts!"

These words of Pan You's were both a strike at the heart and a bare-faced slap to Li Shouyuan's dignity. Li Shouyuan, who had always maintained good composure, could hardly endure such humiliation. Of course, perhaps he also harbored the thought of changing the subject to extricate himself from his embarrassment.

Therefore, Li Shouyuan's eyes blazed with fury as he rose to his feet, pointing at Pan You and declaring indignantly: "Governor Pan, you are a man of letters! In this hall, during a policy discussion, how dare you utter such vulgar words! Speaking so harshly and humiliating a colleague — is this not beneath the dignity of an official?"

"Heh heh!" Seeing Li Shouyuan's fury turning to shame, Pan You sneered twice and said nonchalantly: "This envoy now deals with mundane affairs and manages vulgar matters daily. What harm is there in speaking a few crude words? If being like Vice-Envoy Li — all refined speech and elegant demeanor — would help advance reform and relieve the worries of officials and commoners alike, then this envoy would gladly be a gentleman, spouting moral essays all day..."

The mockery on Pan You's ugly face was now completely undisguised, while Li Shouyuan's scholarly countenance was flushed red with rage, the hatred in his eyes nearly taking tangible form. Pan You was playing the "rogue," and he could not readily come up with a good counter. What galled him most was that before so many officials of the Capital Circuit, he, Vice-Envoy Li, had suffered a great loss of face.

Seeing him flustered, Pan You became even more composed. Scanning the room, he said unhurriedly: "His Majesty has said more than once that idle theorizing will not do. Governing and serving the people requires down-to-earth pragmatism and capable doers.

If Vice-Envoy Li cannot produce his own measures for the moment, then go home and think it over carefully. Once you've figured it out, come find this envoy. My doors are open to you, and I will listen at any time. Until then, do not come out to mislead the people and disrupt this envoy's governance!"

"Court adjourned!" With those words, Pan You swept out with his sleeves, leaving behind the officials of the Capital Circuit with varied expressions. Among them, the most embarrassed was unquestionably Li Shouyuan, the Deputy Administrative Commissioner, whose face had been ground into the dirt beneath Pan You's feet.

The court session ended somewhat anticlimactically. Li Shouyuan's challenge had indeed disrupted Pan You's rhythm. After this incident, advancing his work according to his original plans would likely not go smoothly. Who knew what moves Li Shouyuan had in store next.

At the same time, Pan You realized that to complete the reform work smoothly, struggle was unavoidable, and it would have to begin with personnel matters. In the months since taking office, he had already made considerable adjustments to establish his authority, but clearly it was not enough. What happened in the hall today gave him a profound sense of the opposition and resistance lurking throughout the Capital Circuit government.

In the rear hall of the office, Pan You sat with his back ramrod straight at the desk, holding a document and leafing through it slowly, though his attention was clearly elsewhere. His face was dark and grim, almost dripping with gloom, his brows heavy with worry. Clearly, although he had forcibly suppressed Li Shouyuan, his heart was not as relaxed as his outward appearance suggested.

As a vanguard of reform, the pressure he bore from all sides was immense, especially in a core region like the Capital Circuit, a place teeming with all sorts of characters and endless disputes. He had to face the pressure of political tasks from above while also ensuring no chaos erupted under his jurisdiction — otherwise he could not answer to either superiors or subordinates. One misstep could mean the loss of both reputation and life.

Worried and contemplative, yet not a trace of weakness showed on Pan You's face. The layers of resistance did not make him want to retreat; instead, they made him think about how to do things well and complete the task.

"Governor!" As he was deep in thought, a steady and composed staff advisor walked in, bowed, and said softly: "Vice-Envoy Li's behavior in the hall today was truly unusual. We must remain vigilant!"

Hearing this, Pan You looked up, his expression instantly composed, all negative emotions dissipating. He glanced at the advisor and chuckled lightly: "When has this envoy ever let down his guard?"

Then Pan You said coldly: "What happened today only strengthens this envoy's conviction! Some people can no longer sit still — which precisely proves that our measures are effective and have struck their sensitive spots. Li Shouyuan has been playing games with this envoy for so long, and clearly he too can no longer contain himself.

A pity the man is somewhat cunning. But in the end, he is only overestimating his own cleverness. With His Majesty's wisdom and Chancellor Zhao's keen insight, how could they be deceived by his petty wordplay and rhetorical tricks?

Reform is the tide of the times, a surging wave that cannot be stopped by the likes of these. Those who try to block it like a mantis raising its arm against a chariot will only bring disaster upon themselves..."

Seeing his patron so confident, the staff advisor naturally felt somewhat reassured. After a moment's thought, he could not help but say: "What the Governor says is reasonable. But what should be done next? Although the various prefectures and counties are compelled by the Governor's authority to implement the new policies, they do so unwillingly, and their discontent grows by the day. I fear that sooner or later, problems will arise!"

"Problems have already arisen!" Pan You said with a furrowed brow: "Although Li Shouyuan harshly criticized this envoy's governance today, what he said was not entirely without merit. At the very least, as he said, if we coerce with raw power, even if the prefectures and counties complete their assigned tasks, the results will likely be incomplete and untrue. These land registers submitted to the office are probably unreliable as well!"

"Since the Governor understands this, then why...?"

Pan You said flatly: "If we don't pressure them, we probably wouldn't even see these registers. Since His Majesty issued the edict on the new tax system, from deliberation to formulation, from promulgation to implementation, over half a year has passed with no progress — is that not precisely due to a lack of prodding? Pan has self-awareness. His Majesty and Chancellor Zhao placed me here precisely for this purpose! As Li Shouyuan said, autumn harvest is busy, manpower is insufficient — difficulties here, difficulties there, the tax reform especially difficult. If we followed the considerations of people like him, the tax reform would never be accomplished."

"As for what comes next!" Pan You thought for a moment, then said in a deep voice: "Perhaps it is time to ease off a bit. We cannot push them too hard! But this easing is not slackness or delay, not retreat or compromise — it is easing on the outside while tightening within, continuing to advance. Those registers must be carefully examined by the office, and new provisions and measures drawn up. Before this winter, at the latest by next spring planting, the land and fields under the Capital Circuit's jurisdiction must be fully surveyed!"

"Yes!" the advisor replied: "What about Zhengzhou?"

"Li Hang..." Pan You lowered his head slightly, murmuring the name, his tone somewhat cold.

Seeing this, the advisor could not help but remind him: "Governor, this Prefectural Administrator Li was personally selected by the Crown Prince to implement the new system in Zhengzhou!"

His brow twitched slightly, and Pan You said with a grave expression: "Send a dispatch ordering Li Hang to Yingchang. This envoy would like to hear what explanation he has to offer!"