Chapter 1968: The Turning Point of Change

Emperor Liu's intention was already quite clear, which surprised those familiar with Emperor Liu, especially the close attendants in the hall—to provoke the old emperor so greatly, yet not only escape unscathed, but even show signs of promotion. Even "Wang Wandou" couldn't have a neck that stiff, could he?

Wang Yucheng, after a brief moment of thought, asked a question that startled those around him: "Your Majesty, I presume to ask—what post does Your Majesty intend to appoint me to?"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu felt a sudden inexplicable irritation and regarded Wang Yucheng with a strange gaze: "I had originally planned to have you return to the capital to take charge of the Censorate, but from the sound of your words, it seems you have other ideas!"

Wang Yucheng was somewhat surprised. The head of the Censorate—that was a high-ranking official of the third grade, a giant among the powerful departments of the court. By his expectations, Emperor Liu would at most give him an Academician position, or perhaps a court attendant.

It must be said that for a moment, Wang Yucheng was somewhat tempted. The authority of the Censorate combined with him, Wang Yucheng—what kind of power that could unleash, he himself found hard to imagine.

However, facing Emperor Liu's scrutinizing gaze, Wang Yucheng, after calming his emotions slightly, clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the authority of the Censorate is so weighty that I fear my qualifications are insufficient to bear it. Moreover, I once served in the Censorate in years past—I could neither harmonize with my colleagues, nor was I favored by the court officials.

As for my personal aspirations, rather than impeaching officials in the capital, I would prefer to be in the northwest, encouraging farming and herding, and nurturing the people. I advocate for literary reform, and I should practice what I preach, being the first in the realm—otherwise, how could I convince the masses?"

Wang Yucheng's words were fairly sincere, yet when they fell upon Emperor Liu's ears, they always felt somewhat unpleasant. But no matter how much pressure was applied, Wang Yucheng always maintained that same candid demeanor.

The scrutiny gradually turned into a fixed stare. Emperor Liu finally gave up, and with a mix of anger and helplessness, said: "Wang Yucheng, when will you ever go along with my wishes, even just once?"

"Your Majesty—" Wang Yucheng began to speak.

However, the moment he opened his mouth, Emperor Liu flinched, as if he could already hear what he was about to say. His head buzzing, he immediately cut him off: "I shouldn't say this, but sometimes, I truly want to kill you!"

Wang Yucheng bowed deeply: "Your servant's death is not worth regretting! But if I am made to stay silent, or to speak against my conscience, that would be more difficult than death."

Emperor Liu laughed again, though this time there was more ease in his smile. As the laughter gradually faded, Emperor Liu suddenly looked at Zhao Pu and asked: "Zhao Qing, in your view, how should I arrange Wang Yucheng appropriately?"

Zhao Pu knew Emperor Liu all too well—he could tell from the tone alone whether the Emperor was genuinely asking or merely going through the motions. At this moment, Zhao Pu wisely said: "I await Your Majesty's instruction!"

"Judicial Commissioner of Longyou!" Sure enough, Emperor Liu said without any hesitation. "Excellent! Most fitting!" Zhao Pu echoed: "Having Wang Yucheng oversee Longyou as Judicial Commissioner is just right! However, what of the current Judicial Commissioner of Longyou—how should he be arranged?"

"Who is it?" Emperor Liu asked.

Zhao Pu: "Wang Kegong, grandson of the late Duke of Yongqing, Wang Yanchao!"

"How long has he been at his post?"

"Less than two years!"

"That's not short either!" Emperor Liu said coldly: "In all that time, he had no awareness whatsoever of the people's livelihood and public sentiment in Longyou—or was he simply turning a blind eye?

Let him swap positions with Wang Yucheng. Send that Wang Kegong to Shanzhou to serve as Prefect! Keep an eye on him—if the situation in Shanzhou does not turn around within a year, then he need not hold office any longer!"

"Yes!"

In truth, Emperor Liu was still considering Wang Kegong's background. After all, Wang Yanchao had only been dead for a year, so some face had to be given—otherwise, Wang Kegong's punishment would not have been merely a demotion.

If Wang Kegong was treated thus, then as for the others, one could well imagine—passing this test would by no means be easy. Wang Yucheng had already exposed the situation in Longyou to the heavens. With the wrath of heaven stirred, what unpredictable upheaval would befall the officialdom and politics of Longyou, Hexi, and indeed the entire northwest?

Having just settled the arrangement for Wang Yucheng, Emperor Liu once again turned his fire toward Zhao Pu, and with a grave expression instructed: "Zhao Pu, I care not what your original considerations were, but now that Wang Yucheng has clearly laid out the maladministration in He-Long, with the people's suffering so dire, if the court still fails to attach importance to it, I shall hold you all guilty of dereliction and negligence!

Send dedicated personnel to the northwest, conducting open inspections and secret investigations—from the circuits and prefectures above, down to the counties and towns below—to verify point by point what Wang Yucheng has said, investigate and punish according to law, and set things right!"

Hearing Emperor Liu's instructions, Zhao Pu did not directly accept, but instead probed: "Your Majesty, may I ask how the proper measure and limits are to be grasped?"

"What do you mean?" In Emperor Liu's view, Zhao Pu's question carried a strange flavor, and he immediately retorted: "What exactly do you mean by 'proper measure'?"

Zhao Pu clasped his hands: "If the situation in He-Long is truly as dire as Wang Yucheng described, or even more severe, how should the court handle it?"

Emperor Liu knew that Zhao Pu was asking for a definitive word from him. He calmly sank into thought. After pondering for a long while, Emperor Liu looked down at the unflappable old fox before him and said in a deep voice: "Corrupt officials who prey upon the people shall be severely punished according to law—for clerks, one degree heavier; for officials, three degrees heavier!"

Having said this, seeing that Zhao Pu still gazed at him with eyes as calm as a still well, Emperor Liu grew somewhat annoyed and slapped the imperial desk in frustration: "If truly necessary, halt the western campaign, pacify the officers and soldiers, remit taxes, and reassure the people!"

Hearing Emperor Liu's declaration, Zhao Pu finally gave his response: "Yes! We shall strictly follow Your Majesty's will and restore peace to He-Long!"

"Peace..." Emperor Liu murmured the word to himself. Hearing those two characters now always felt grating to his ears, even feeling like a mockery of himself.

After a moment, snapping out of his daze, Emperor Liu solemnly instructed Wang Yucheng: "I hope that in the position of Judicial Commissioner of Longyou, you can put your aspirations into practice—plead for the people often, and write much about the myriad conditions of their lives. I restore your privilege of submitting secret memorials directly—if anything arises, report directly to me! You are right—I truly have not toured the realm in many years. What sort of world the Great Han is today is indeed unfamiliar to me as well."

"Your servant can only repay with utmost loyalty, and not disappoint Your Majesty's expectations!" Hearing a hint of weakness and melancholy in Emperor Liu's tone, Wang Yucheng was somewhat moved and bowed sincerely.

Emperor Liu was growing weary. His peripheral vision caught Kou Zhun, but he had no mood to inquire about the situation in Guannei Circuit. He directly said to Zhao Pu: "As for Kou Zhun, Zhao Qing, arrange a post for him as you see fit!"

Zhao Pu also glanced at Kou Zhun, who subconsciously bowed and clasped his hands. After pondering for a moment, Zhao Pu proposed: "Your Majesty, how about Judge of the Luoyang Prefecture?"

"So be it!" Emperor Liu decided directly, then looked at Kou Zhun: "Kou Zhun, work hard! Among your peers, even counting the sons of nobles and meritorious families, you are at the forefront—do not disappoint your aspirations and opportunities!"

"Yes!" Perhaps because Emperor Liu's words carried some genuine emotion, Kou Zhun was somewhat moved and kowtowed to the ground: "Your servant will surely remember Your Majesty's teachings!"