Chapter 1898: The Chancellors' Dissent

Like a withered tree rousing from deep contemplation, Emperor Liu merely raised a hand, and Song Zhun's heart trembled slightly: "The memorials from the chancellors of the Hall of State Affairs have all arrived, I presume. Tell me, what is their stance on this enfeoffment?"

Upon the question, Song Zhun quickly steadied his composure, clasped his hands and reported: "Your Majesty, the young Chancellor Zhao greatly praised Your Majesty's grand vision and far-sightedness, strongly endorsing the proposal for enfeoffment, and further suggested swiftly advancing the establishment of the various vassal states."

There were now two Zhaos in the Hall of State Affairs, and the "young Chancellor Zhao" in Song Zhun's mouth naturally referred to the Earl of Guangyang, Zhao Kuangyi. But before he could finish speaking, Emperor Liu could not help but ask: "Zhao Kuangyi is actually so actively in favor? Tell me, what specific suggestions did he put forward?"

Lifting his eyelids slightly, Song Zhun reported: "The young Chancellor Zhao's memorial suggests that if the vassal states are to be enfeoffed, one must first conduct a thorough pacification campaign, clearing out those barbarian states and native savages within the fiefs who do not submit to imperial civilization, so as to form a stable situation and clear the obstacles for the princes to assume their states;

Additionally, the young Chancellor Zhao suggests further promoting overseas migration, changing the past laissez-faire approach to targeted migration — each of the vassal states in the South Seas should receive five hundred thousand to one million migrants to secure their foundation for survival overseas.

At the same time, besides the past agricultural and commercial migrants, he also advocates encouraging mid- and lower-level officials, the literati, teaching personnel, physicians and medical students, apothecary workers, and other artisans to head south in droves, to fill the vassal states and consolidate governance..."

After hearing Song Zhun's description of Zhao Kuangyi's suggestions, Emperor Liu fell silent for quite a while before speaking in a stiff tone: "Our young Chancellor Zhao seems to be getting active again, and his tone is quite grand — hundreds of thousands to millions of migrants at the drop of a hat... Tell me, what do you think Zhao Kuangyi has in mind?"

Facing this question from Emperor Liu, Song Zhun was visibly taken aback. Having served in the provinces for many years, he naturally had little grasp of the relations at the upper echelons of the central government, especially between emperor and chancellor. This transfer back to the capital as a Grand Academician of the Inner Cabinet was his first real exposure to the core ruling stratum of the Great Han.

But sufficient political sensitivity was a necessary quality for rising to the upper ranks, and Song Zhun evidently possessed it. The Emperor's tone at this moment clearly carried some suspicion toward Zhao Kuangyi. Suppressing the ripples in his heart, Song Zhun steadied his nerves and replied cautiously: "The young Chancellor Zhao must surely be following Your Majesty's will!"

"The edict has not even been formally drafted and promulgated yet — where does 'will' come from?" Emperor Liu said flatly.

Perhaps it was a matter of age, or perhaps a grudge that had always lingered in his heart, the current Emperor Liu found Zhao Kuangyi more and more displeasing the more he looked at him — any word or deed of his could trigger the Emperor's speculation.

Take this enfeoffment matter for instance: Zhao Kuangyi had shown such active enthusiasm in his attitude, and Emperor Liu could not help but wonder — was he deliberately pandering to him, or did he harbor some other consideration? If the former, what was his purpose in pandering? If the latter, what details might there be that he had not considered, or perhaps some hidden conspiracy too shameful to reveal...

When Emperor Liu held such an attitude toward Zhao Kuangyi, this spokesman of the meritorious nobility group, this standard-bearer of the Zhao family's military-political faction, was destined for difficult days ahead — indeed, they were already hard to endure. Such a situation might well persist until Emperor Liu's death. And if things went badly, it was not impossible that Emperor Liu, on some whim, might directly take harsh measures to eliminate this eyesore who disturbed his peace of mind.

And speaking purely of the enfeoffment matter, to be fair, Zhao Kuangyi's suggestions could hardly satisfy Emperor Liu — they were too grandiose. His very idea of migrating several million people was utterly impractical. The court had deep experience with the various troubles and difficulties involved in migration. Andong, with court support and Liu Xu's painstaking management over more than a decade, still had fewer than five hundred thousand registered Han residents. For Zhao Kuangyi to casually claim each state needed an additional five hundred thousand to a million — even as a long-term goal, it would not be easily achieved.

As a chancellor, Zhao Kuangyi could not possibly be unaware of these circumstances, yet he still sang such high-flown tunes, following along with Emperor Liu's wishes. And if Emperor Liu remembered correctly, Zhao Kuangyi had previously held a conservative attitude toward external expansion, opposing the court dispatching large forces and squandering money and grain on opening borders and colonization.

How was it that now his attitude had undergone such a complete reversal? When things are abnormal, there must be something behind them — there was certainly a problem here.

Of course, not everything in Zhao Kuangyi's suggestions was without merit — at least his proposal on improving the quality of migrant output showed considerable insight. The past laissez-faire style of support, relying solely on the spontaneous actions of Great Han merchants and commoners, had indeed formed a trend along the coastal regions, but the scale was still insufficient, the pace slow, the efficiency low, and the balance lacking. Now was the time for the court to strengthen its intervention.

His thoughts were in a jumble, various ideas drifting about, but Emperor Liu still maintained a somber expression. Seeing that Song Zhun had fallen silent, he continued asking: "What about the others?"

"Chancellor Han believes that if enfeoffment is to proceed, the court will face a new massive expenditure in the short to medium term, and there may be some difficulty on the fiscal front." Song Zhun reported.

"Is crying poverty the instinct of every finance minister? Han Hui was such an upright man originally — he's only been in this finance post for a single year, and before anything has even begun, he's already crying hardship to me?" Emperor Liu could not help saying.

Upon hearing this, Song Zhun lowered his head and continued: "Chancellor Han believes that the tax reform is still gradually advancing across the realm, court revenues are not yet stable, and the Finance Commission must make advance preparations. Even if the vassal states are to be enfeoffed, there should be priorities — it would be best to proceed in stages. The standards for aid to the vassal states should also be clearly defined, and it must be done on the premise of the court's fiscal health and stability — the nation's strength cannot be consumed without limit!"

As he spoke, Song Zhun glanced up to observe Emperor Liu, and seeing that he was merely listening attentively, continued: "Chancellor Han suggests that among the vassal states, Lin Yi, Andong, and Xin Qi should be prioritized for completion first; the great war in Anxi has just ended, yet the smoke of gunpowder rises anew, and being unable to stop, it should be postponed and established when the opportunity arises; as for the various islands in the outer South Seas, the timing is not yet ripe, and they can be set aside even later, giving the court and the princes more time to prepare. If done in haste, it would neither benefit the smooth establishment of the vassal states nor the safety of the princes..."

There are clearly differences between people. Had Zhao Kuangyi raised such opinions, Emperor Liu would surely have taken a different attitude. But because they came from Han Hui, he only pondered briefly before evaluating in a calm tone: "Perhaps the Great Han's finance minister needs a conservative person to serve in that role. Han Hui's suggestions, though somewhat conservative, do have substance — a mature and prudent counsel for the state!"

Inwardly sighing slightly at Emperor Liu's "double standard," Song Zhun continued: "As for Chancellor Lü, he did not say much, only that the enfeoffment proposal involves grave matters, concerning the imperial house and the court, and must not be taken lightly. One should calculate meticulously, consider thoroughly, and only then advance — haste will not do..."

Hearing Song Zhun say this, Emperor Liu suddenly could not help but laugh, reaching up to cover his forehead: "That sounds just like something Lü Duan would say!"

Of Lü Duan, Emperor Liu had no further comment — he had always been a minister he could trust. After thinking for a moment, he asked again: "What is the reaction from the Bureau of Military Affairs and the Ministry of War?"

Song Zhun said: "Minister Yang of the Ministry of War has not submitted a memorial. Commissioner Pan of the Bureau of Military Affairs believes that the Anxi War has already consumed a great deal of the court's troops and military reserves — the enfeoffment proposal is acceptable, but foreign wars cannot be expanded for the time being. Deputy Commissioner Guo, on the other hand, believes that those barbarian petty states in the South Seas are easy to conquer, and the local products are abundant — one can fully live off the land, requiring only a detached force to be dispatched. The operational consumption differs from that on land, so the South Seas can be subjugated. He firmly supports Your Majesty's enfeoffment of the South Seas..."

A slight smile once again spread across his lips, and he muttered to himself: "Guo Liangping — it seems he can't sit still either!"

Emperor Liu naturally knew that things would never be as simple as Guo Liangping claimed, but he still greatly approved of his attitude and the spirit he displayed. Guo Liangping was, after all, the banner figure of the Great Han's expansionist faction and a faithful practitioner of Emperor Liu's pioneering doctrine. The Emperor's appreciation for him was genuine.

Nodding and pondering for a long while, Emperor Liu finally asked about the person he cared about most: "What about Zhao Pu? Has Zhao Pu's memorial arrived?"

"Your Majesty, Chancellor Zhao has not yet submitted a memorial!"