Chapter 1870: Good Intentions

"Chancellor Zhao, this Pan You can be considered your protégé. This spring's assessment—have him come to the capital in person to report on his duties in the Metropolitan Circuit!" Emperor Liu said coldly and softly to Zhao Pu: "Jiannan Circuit is a critical region; its stability concerns the entire southwest. When the time comes, you must have a thorough talk with him—besides being decisive and bold in action, one also needs to pay attention to methods and approach!"

With Emperor Liu having said this much, how could Zhao Pu not understand the implication? He silently sighed for Pan You—his actions had ultimately touched Emperor Liu's sore spot.

The appointment to Jiannan Circuit was both a heavy trust and a heavy burden. If he did well, achieving results as outstanding as in the Metropolitan Circuit, then past offenses would be forgiven. But if any mishap occurred, then old and new matters would be combined—two crimes punished together.

Emperor Liu could accommodate a hundred rivers when magnanimous, but when petty, he could hold a grudge for a lifetime. Pan You was shrewd and capable, self-disciplined and devoted to duty, repeatedly reporting directly to the throne—yet what reached Emperor Liu's ears was never good news, and never left a good impression.

Emperor Liu's principle in employing people had always been to use both talent and virtue, with talent placed before virtue. In the past, there had been countless ministers with flawed private conduct, some even reaching the rank of chancellor, yet Emperor Liu had always used them without issue.

But someone like Pan You, who consistently made Emperor Liu feel ill at ease—in all the Great Han, he was likely the only one. Both were models of defying the powerful and serving with integrity, both hailed from Jiangnan—look at Deputy Commissioner Zheng Qi of Henan Circuit: what a reputation he had. Clearly, to have ended up so universally despised, Pan You's own problems were equally significant.

It had to be said—only Emperor Liu could tolerate this. Under any other sovereign, it would be hard to endure Pan You's presence for long. Crown Prince Liu Yang was known for his generosity and tolerance, but in truth, in terms of magnanimity and breadth of mind, he was far inferior to Emperor Liu. Liu Yang's tolerance was largely shaped by cultural education—the way of Confucius and Mencius, which subtly demanded and constrained him.

Zhao Pu silently sighed for Pan You in his heart, but rationally refrained from speaking further on his behalf, so as not to provoke Emperor Liu. He genuinely sensed that Emperor Liu was somewhat sensitive at this moment, especially after just taking that fall.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Pu asked again: "Your Majesty, the overall situation in the Metropolitan Circuit still needs maintaining, and the achievements of the reforms still need protecting. If Pan You is removed from office, who should succeed him?"

In recent years, appointments of chief officials across the Great Han's circuits had basically been selected, assessed, and recommended by the Hall of State Affairs and the Ministry of Personnel, with the proposed candidates then submitted to Emperor Liu for approval. Generally speaking, Emperor Liu would not reject the results of the court recommendation.

But there were four places that were exceptions, requiring Emperor Liu's personal endorsement and appointment: the Metropolitan, Henan, Hebei, and Hedong Circuits. This had held throughout Emperor Liu's entire reign, never changing even during periods of delegated authority.

Clearly, no matter how vast the Great Han Empire's territory, in Emperor Liu's heart, the most core ruling regions were these four circuits—this was the center, the Central Plains, the Central Kingdom.

Zhao Pu understood the reasoning, and so directly asked. To this, Emperor Liu pondered briefly, then named a person: "Duke Hui of the State, Song Yanwo! With his familiarity with the Metropolitan Circuit and his prestige, he should be more than sufficient to keep things under control and ensure the smooth progress of the tax reform!"

Zhao Pu nodded and cupped his hands in agreement: "Duke Hui is highly esteemed and fully worthy of such a great responsibility! However, I have heard that Duke Hui was previously unwell—I wonder if he can bear the heavy burdens of Metropolitan Circuit governance!"

Emperor Liu's brow furrowed slightly. He turned his head to look at Liu Yang and instructed: "I am not physically well. Go in my stead to the Duke Hui's residence and visit your uncle-in-law, offer your regards, and see how his health is. If there's nothing serious, have him assume office on an auspicious day!"

"Yes!"

The original decision to appoint Pan You to the Metropolitan Circuit had carried a certain element of chance. Now, with Pan You having pulled that stunt in Yangdi, Emperor Liu had returned to his old rhythm—the selection of chief officials for the four Central Plains circuits needed to consider "one's own people" as much as possible, especially imperial relatives.

And Duke Hui of the State, Song Yanwo, was clearly among the imperial relatives one who possessed both prestige and ability, while also being someone Emperor Liu felt relatively assured about. Over the past thirty-plus years, Song Yanwo had no particularly dazzling achievements, but Emperor Liu had always placed him in critical positions.

Even if Song Yanwo couldn't make the trip, Emperor Liu's choice of other backup candidates would most likely still come from the imperial kin. Of course, Song Yanwo's reappointment to the Metropolitan Circuit was essentially a foregone conclusion.

Regardless of how Song Yanwo's health actually was, with Emperor Liu having spoken and the Crown Prince personally coming to invite him, where was there room for him to refuse? To put it extremely—even if he had to be carried in a coffin, he would go to Yingchang. This awareness, Song Yanwo did possess.

"Chancellor Zhao, withdraw. Crown Prince, remain!" Having finished this matter, Emperor Liu issued Zhao Pu his dismissal.

Hearing this, Zhao Pu felt relieved, though his face showed nothing unusual. He simply rose naturally and bowed with clasped hands: "Your Majesty, take care of yourself. This old minister takes his leave!"

Only the father and son remained in the hall. After another stretch of silence, Emperor Liu asked weakly: "Do you know why I agreed to the Hall of State Affairs' request to bring all imperial family properties uniformly under the court's tax administration?"

Facing this question that carried a hint of examination, Liu Yang thought for a while, then analyzed seriously: "First, public sentiment is surging—people at all levels are watching this matter. Acting at the right moment shows Father's impartiality, can somewhat appease the resentment caused by the tax reform, and ensure the reforms continue to advance in an orderly manner."

At Liu Yang's answer, Emperor Liu smiled faintly, then said: "All nonsense!"

Liu Yang never expected Emperor Liu to give such an evaluation of his answer, and his face was full of astonishment. Looking at him, Emperor Liu said with some melancholy: "You brothers and sisters number twenty-three. Counting the imperial grandsons, over thirty. If we add the clan members, the number doubles again.

The Great Han, up to now, has only spanned four generations. The court's treatment of the imperial clan can be called generous—the court's support, in annual expenditure of money and grain, is already considerable. Now is still the early founding period, with national strength at its peak and the court possessing ample financial reserves to sustain this. But what about the fifth generation, the sixth generation after?

The scale of the imperial clan will only grow, multiplying. If such treatment is maintained, how enormous will the cost of court support become in the future? You can calculate it yourself!

My intention in doing this is also simple—I do not wish for the imperial children to ultimately become leeches sucking blood from the body of the Great Han! My past treatment of my children has already been generous enough—that was my loving care, and there's nothing wrong with that. The realm I conquered, my descendants enjoying its blessings is only natural.

But now, my thinking has changed. Blessings can be given, but not without limits. Previously it was my neglect; now, change is necessary. Henceforth, not only will they not increase—on the contrary, if one makes no contribution to the state, they will be reduced generation by generation, and titles likewise. The Great Han's system of ranks and stipends also needs unification—the imperial house is no exception!

I will issue an edict on this matter shortly. You may begin making preparations!"

Hearing Emperor Liu's explanation, Liu Yang was stunned for a long while, then finally bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty's public-mindedness fills your subject with the deepest admiration!"

From the perspective of the state, Emperor Liu's considerations could truly be called painstaking. Liu Yang, having governed for many years, naturally felt this deeply. And if Emperor Liu's intent were carried out, the Great Han's system of ranks and stipends would be further perfected—at the very least, fairness on the surface would be further guaranteed.

"As for the matter of imperial dignity that Liu Shu keeps shouting about—that's also nonsense!" Emperor Liu said flatly: "As long as imperial power remains stable, these minor disturbances and all those schemes—what are they worth mentioning?"

"There's one more thing—I wonder if you're aware!" Emperor Liu continued: "According to the Palace City Office's investigation, the lands under the Duke of Chu's residence are quite extensive, and many were transferred to him by certain people only recently.

This foolish son of mine—I don't know whether he has any idea in his head, or whether he's been lured by those land profits, willingly used by others, playing the role of the bird that sticks its head out!" Mentioning Liu Shu, Emperor Liu showed a pained expression and sighed: "The taste of cutting flesh is painful. Cutting flesh from one's own body is even more agonizing."

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