Chapter 197: Departing from Zhengzhou Station, Bound for Luoyang Station

Though he said he trusted Lord Liu's judgment, behind the scenes, Liu Chengyou still cautiously summoned Fan Zhi to inquire about Jing Fan. Coincidentally, Fan Zhi did indeed know something about Jing Fan, so Liu Chengyou didn't need to send a special message to the Eastern Capital to investigate.

Jing Fan had passed the Mingjing examination during the Later Tang and entered officialdom for over a decade, moving through various local posts as clerk and magistrate. In every position he held, governance was clean and his jurisdiction was orderly. However, in this era of "flourishing martial arts," even a capable man, like most literati, found his talents underutilized. Moreover, this man was too forceful in both governance and personal conduct. Along the way, he had offended many people. Now over forty, he was still stuck in the Eastern Capital holding the minor post of a Ministry of Justice official.

"From what you say, this Jing Fan is indeed a capable and forceful talent." Liu Chengyou clasped his hands together, looking at Fan Zhi, his expression slightly relaxing.

Liu Shenjiao and Fan Zhi had both spoken of this man's ability in succession, so having heard multiple opinions, Liu Chengyou dispelled all his doubts.

Fan Zhi, however, kept a plain expression and, in an objective tone, shifted his words: "Jing Fan is steady and upright, diligent and incorruptible, unyielding in the face of adversity — truly a capable man. But as I observe him, he excels at the big picture; handling complex affairs and managing chaos is not his strength."

"You mean Jing Fan is not suited to be entrusted with Zhengzhou's military and civil governance?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Fan Zhi shook his head: "That is not what I mean, Your Majesty. I merely wished to share all that I know for Your Majesty's reference."

Liu Chengyou slowly nodded and said: "The realm is hard to govern today precisely because we lack capable and forceful talents to administer the prefectures. If we can achieve clean governance, orderly jurisdictions, and stable popular sentiment, why would I worry about complex affairs being difficult to manage? Zhengzhou already has the foundation laid by Lord Liu. If we can get this Jing Fan to purify officialdom, then it will truly be completely pacified!"

With these words, Liu Chengyou essentially signaled his intention to employ Jing Fan. In fact, from Fan Zhi's description, what moved Liu Chengyou most were the two words "capable and forceful."

However, after a brief pause, Liu Chengyou still instructed: "Issue my decree to the Eastern Capital, ordering Jing Fan to come west to the imperial camp. I want to receive him in person!"

"Yes!" Hearing Liu Chengyou's final words, Fan Zhi's expression clearly showed a hint of approval.

Since he valued Zhengzhou so highly, how could he be careless about the post of Defense Commissioner? He couldn't simply appoint someone hastily based on a recommendation. It was merely that he had a certain preference in mind.

Having set aside one concern, Liu Chengyou watched as Fan Zhi sat by the desk and began writing the imperial decree.

Speaking of capable and forceful talents, Fan Zhi himself could count as one. Though he appeared composed and steady now, he was in fact fiery and impatient by nature — strict and forceful in governance and handling affairs. When he was at the central government, if he held a differing opinion, he dared to argue head-on with Yang Bin. Had Liu Chengyou not shielded him, he would have long been demoted to who knows where.

An outstanding talent still needs to meet an enlightened ruler to have a place to display his abilities. Liu Chengyou's skin wasn't thick, but he did consider himself an enlightened ruler.

After sending off the decree, Liu Chengyou, taking advantage of the lively conversation, ordered refreshments to be served and discussed current malpractices with Fan Zhi. Taking Zhengzhou alone — though under Liu Shenjiao's previous governance it was generally stable overall, the officialdom truly could not be called clean. How could a single old minister achieve perfection in everything?

The corruption of officialdom across the realm had persisted for so long that everyone had grown accustomed to it, and their standards for "great governance" had been lowered extraordinarily. Basically, as long as there were no rebellions and few bandit troubles, that was about good enough...

Fan Zhi's advice to Liu Chengyou was that if he wished to eliminate all vexing malpractices, everything had to start with restraining the realm through institutions and laws. But for the court to re-establish a complete system of governing the realm, it first needed the authority and strength. Where would these come from? In the end, the discussion turned back to the imperial army...

The military system, the official system, and the legal system all needed reform. Though the task was heavy and the road long, that didn't stop Liu Chengyou from preparing early. Given Fan Zhi's expertise in judging cases and clarifying laws, in his enthusiasm Liu Chengyou directly gave him a task: after returning to the Eastern Capital, assemble the academicians of the Three Halls and preside over the compilation of a new set of criminal laws for the Great Han. To this weighty responsibility, Fan Zhi accepted the decree with fervor.

"Your Majesty." Seeing Liu Chengyou strolling over, the female attendant serving by the Empress's side hurriedly bowed, somewhat nervous.

The night was growing deep. Liu Chengyou, rarely, did not stay up late. He had already been diligent enough in governance at the Eastern Capital, and these past few days of the western tour had been tiring enough — no need to keep tormenting himself.

Liu Chengyou glanced at the female attendant. She was the elder Lady Fu's dowry concubine, granted the title of attendant. She was good-looking, with a decent chest — quite perky. Unfortunately, Liu Chengyou's current interest was not on her.

"Where is the Empress?" Liu Chengyou asked.

While Liu Chengyou's gaze was appraising her, the female attendant felt both delighted and nervous, but after he shifted his attention away, disappointment was hard to hide in her eyes. Hearing the question, she immediately composed herself and answered: "His Majesty is bathing. Shall your humble servant go announce your arrival?"

"Seems I've come at an inopportune time." Liu Chengyou sighed, but nonetheless strode in naturally.

Inside the room with its layered curtains and screens, white steam already filled the air, misty and hazy. The humid atmosphere carried an alluring fragrance, and a graceful figure was playing in the water.

Not letting the female attendant announce him, Liu Chengyou ordered his ceremonial robe removed and, stark naked, launched a surprise attack. A crisp shriek soon sounded from within, followed by a bout of ear-tangling commotion, then slapping sounds — much like striking water mid-current...

Why did Liu Chengyou bring the elder Lady Fu and Gao Huaijin on his western tour? Besides adding splendor to the scene and showing favor, it naturally couldn't avoid physical needs. Since ascending the throne, Liu Chengyou had been under great pressure — both physically and mentally — so during these days of the tour, he planned to relieve stress with the assistance of his consorts and concubines in rotation.

Moreover, adding branches and leaves to the imperial family was also one of Liu Chengyou's important duties. Previously, Liu Chengyou had indeed been somewhat neglectful of the harem...

After passing Zhengzhou, Liu Chengyou could hardly maintain a good expression, though his face rarely looked pleasant anyway. Facts proved that the situations in Zhongmu and Zhengzhou were merely exceptions across the whole realm of the Great Han. Corrupt officials ruining governance, wicked clerks running rampant, and the people's livelihoods worn thin — that was the true picture.

The decrees Liu Chengyou had previously issued seemed to have little effect at the county and town level. Oppressive policies remained, miscellaneous taxes were still collected, and acts of bullying the people continued unabated. As for agricultural reclamation, they didn't deliberately sabotage it — after all, with the court's repeated strict orders, and besides, if the farmers didn't grow grain, how could they be squeezed? But expecting them to actively implement any encouraging agricultural policies was difficult. With officials like this, how could the common people live in peace?

At the local level, county and town officials were also mostly held by military men — some promoted through military merit, some appointed through personal favor by superiors like Military Governors or Surveillance Commissioners, and the rest either through connections with central ministers or by local strongmen and landlords bribing their way into positions. Those truly appointed by the court based on merit were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns...

Logically speaking, when the emperor toured, no matter how bad conditions were, one would think local officials would at least put up a facade and create a decent show. Yet the local officials seemed utterly indifferent. In the final analysis, imperial authority was weak. To local officials, the Son of Heaven's majesty was too insubstantial — who knew when the throne might change hands again?

The result was that along the entire route, any official found negligent or lawless was dismissed outright; those who were corrupt, tyrannical, and cruel had their heads chopped off by Liu Chengyou's order — regardless of their status or who their backers were, no mercy was shown. Wherever the imperial carriage passed, officials found no peace, wailing everywhere, while the people's morale soared.

On the journey of over two hundred li from Zhengzhou to Luoyang, through every prefecture, county, and town they passed, there was not a single one where officials escaped Liu Chengyou's rectification.

The two capitals were supposed to be directly governed by the court, yet even their officialdom and popular governance were like this — how much worse then for those military governors who still held local military and civil power? This made Liu Chengyou feel as if sitting on a bed of needles, as if thorns pricked his back, as if a fishbone stuck in his throat...

After this bout of severe punishment, Liu Chengyou felt satisfied, but new problems emerged. Having dismissed so many officials, who would replace them? Where could he find so many people to fill the vacancies in such a short time? It was true that the world never lacked people who wanted to be officials, but could just any Tom, Dick, or Harry govern a region?

In fact, in the short term, Liu Chengyou could only let the local "Tom, Dick, and Harrys" temporarily act in those positions.

The idea of selecting talent through the imperial examinations suddenly filled Liu Chengyou's mind. This realm truly needed to be governed by literati — literati selected by the court. At the same time, Liu Chengyou secretly resolved that after returning to court, he would send some of the sinecure civil officials currently kept idle at court out to local posts.

They say pedantic Confucians are useless, but given the current state of the nation, Liu Chengyou didn't need local civil officials to possess astonishing administrative talents — merely requiring them to maintain stability and not disturb the common people would suffice. Even governing through inaction and letting the people support themselves was better than a bunch of military men wreaking havoc on governance.