Chapter 2075: Taizong Chronicles 17: The Compromising, the Playing Dumb, and the Going Off Track

Leaving the Prince of Wei's residence, Liu Fang hurried straight to the Prince of Andong's residence without pause. This was determined by practical considerations—at least for now, Andong and Anxi were the two strongest fiefs under the Great Han Empire's rule. Add to that the capital left behind by his father, Prince of Qin Liu Xu, and Liu Wenyuan was certainly worth a personal visit from Liu Fang.

Of course, with Liu Wenyuan he couldn't have heart-to-heart talks the way he had with Liu Min. It started from his father's generation—Liu Fang and their branch had never been on the same path. As for the conversation itself, he also didn't want all the back-and-forth entanglements he'd had with Liu Min. As it turned out, Liu Wenyuan was quite sensible, respectfully seeing Liu Fang out of the residence.

Although Liu Wenyuan was young and hot-blooded, that didn't mean he was completely single-minded. Restlessness was one thing, but when it came time to yield, he wasn't overly stubborn either. Of course, the fundamental reason was that neither his fourth uncle who came calling in person nor the Emperor, his second uncle behind the scenes, was anyone Liu Wenyuan could contend with—especially here in the capital.

Make a fuss, and maybe you'd get some milk, but if you made too much noise, what awaited you was probably the rod. What Liu Yang had Liu Fang convey to the various princes was basically this message, and Liu Wenyuan naturally understood it.

However, while admitting defeat, Liu Wenyuan couldn't help raising his true demand—the title of Prince of Qin. This matter had already become an obsession for Liu Wenyuan. If the court had treated everyone equally it would be one thing, but that wasn't the case at all, and what had blocked him from inheriting the Prince of Qin title in the first place was precisely those people in the Eastern Palace.

Although Liu Wenyuan was Liu Xu's legitimate heir, without the "Prince of Qin" title, it was like a perfect puzzle missing its finishing piece.

Regarding the "Prince of Qin" title issue, Liu Fang could understand to a certain extent, but he also stated directly that he was only passing along the message—whatever the Emperor decided was beyond his influence.

Their surface interaction was already quite reserved, and after synthesizing the exchange, Liu Fang's opinion of his eldest nephew Liu Wenyuan couldn't help but sink. Compared to his father, the gap was far too wide—whether in conduct or in handling affairs. Most importantly, he lacked that bearing and charisma that ordinary people didn't possess.

However, "a hero's son is a hero" as people liked to say was actually a low-probability event, and those who surpassed their predecessors were even rarer. Never mind a mere Liu Wenyuan—even the current Emperor, though Liu Fang bowed and obeyed with respectful submission, who could know what he truly thought inside? After all, he was the son of Emperor Shizu, gazing upon his father's back, following in his footsteps, having grown up through an entire glorious era.

After Liu Wenyuan, Liu Fang visited the last household of the night—the ninth prince, Liu Shu. In Liu Fang's view, among all the princes, the one most likely to stir up trouble was actually Liu Shu, because he was the most uncontrollable, had no sense of proportion, followed his whims, and was capable of any absurdity.

However, if Liu Shu knew what Liu Fang was thinking, he might well laugh at his fourth brother—blocked by a single leaf from seeing the mountain, not knowing that a scholar deserves a new look after three days' absence. Times were different now.

Liu Shu was indeed absurd and carefree, and he had done plenty of disgraceful things in the past, often acting unpredictably. But occasionally making a clever choice was actually normal for him—and that "occasionally" tended to come at critical moments.

In fact, when Liu Fang arrived, Liu Shu even threw a fit of morning grumpiness at him, then with an innocent face expressed "bewilderment" over the Taihe Tower affair. He'd merely been invited to Taihe Tower for a banquet and to watch the excitement—how had that provoked Fourth Brother, the Prince of Zhao, to come knocking at midnight with such solemnity, making it seem like some enormous problem had arisen?

Before Liu Fang, Liu Shu appeared exceptionally transparent, stating plainly that as long as the court didn't cut off communication with Linyi, didn't impose heavy taxes on Linyi merchants, permitted emigration there, and provided protection for Linyi's security, he had no other demands.

In Liu Shu's words, the late emperor had shown him fatherly affection, the current emperor had shown him brotherly kindness, and the court's rewards to him had already been generous enough. He was not a greedy man, and so he was satisfied.

Liu Shu spoke so candidly that he left Liu Fang utterly bewildered, and Liu Fang returned home satisfied. However, this was vastly different from the scene at Taihe Tower that Liu Yang had received reports of—Liu Shu had been the most vehement among the princes, cursing Lü Duan the most viciously.

The difference perhaps lay only in the time and place.

After leaving the Duke of Chu's residence, Liu Fang made no further visits. Not only because it was late—already past midnight—but also because he had taken on this task partly to give face to Liu Yang as Emperor and partly to maintain the overall stability of the court.

But having come this far was already enough. For the others, sending someone with a handwritten letter to their residences would suffice. Even the Emperor, his second brother, couldn't work him like an ox or a horse.

Liu Fang remained in the capital out of lingering attachment, and also because of the Dowager Consort Zhexian, but if pushed too far, he could simply return to his fief.

——————

This night was destined to be sleepless. Also brooding sleeplessly in the deep night was the Duke of Liang, Liu Ye, whose face still seemed to be smarting even though over an hour had passed since the incident.

That damned Administrative Assistant Kou Zhun had dared to come right to his ducal residence to make an arrest, spouting high-sounding nonsense with righteous indignation—national law this, court regulations that—showing not the slightest regard for him, the Emperor's younger brother, Duke of Liang, King of Kangju.

Though he'd tried hard to restrain his temper, having someone barge into his home and take away one of his honored retainers was too humiliating for Liu Ye, and he felt deeply aggrieved. Once word spread tomorrow, his august "Thirteenth Prince" status would become the laughingstock of the capital region. No—perhaps it had already spread. News like this always traveled faster than imagination in the upper circles of the capital.

Just as Liu Xin had said earlier, Liu Ye's actions in the marketplace had been highly inappropriate and would bring trouble. Liu Ye himself knew that killing someone in the street was wrong, but even if there was trouble, it should have come from the palace, from the Court of the Imperial Clan—how could it be Luoyang Prefecture's place!

But then this fellow surnamed Kou, an Administrative Assistant, had jumped out, baring claws and teeth, acting in the dark—bullying him beyond endurance! Of course, Liu Ye also understood in his heart that the law was the law, and reason was reason, but the man wasn't under Luoyang Prefecture's jurisdiction.

And yet Kou Zhun hadn't directly "targeted" him either—his target was the killer Zhou Sun, apprehending him for justice. That seemed to make it passable... as if!

Because of this matter, Liu Ye couldn't even sleep! The hall was brightly lit with lamps, and Liu Ye paced with his hands behind his back on a fine Persian carpet, while four military officers stood at attention to the side, all looking dejected.

"Why is no one speaking? What are you hanging your heads for?" Seeing his subordinates' dispirited appearance, Liu Ye's anger flared even more.

But no one dared make a sound—they'd already been thoroughly cowed by the prince's scolding! Seeing this, Liu Ye swept his gaze over the four men, his eyes landing on one sturdy military officer, and called him out by name: "Qin Gang, you speak!"

Serving at Liu Ye's side and surnamed Qin—it was easy to guess that Qin Gang was of Yao descent, a member of the Qin clan, the largest Yao family, and the son of Qin Zaihong, the Marquis of Hongjiang.

The fact that he'd even sent his own biological son to serve in Anxi showed how deeply bound the Qin clan was to Liu Ye. Of course, Qin Zaihong having many children was also a factor—Qin Gang wasn't the only one arranged to support Liu Ye.

At the same time, beyond the Qin clan, other great families among the Yao and Miao peoples—such as the Fu, Pan, Bai, and Ma clans—also answered the call, each sending their sons, clansmen, and mountain folk westward. Over the past few years, waves of Yao and Miao had gone to support the frontier, each batch ranging from dozens to several hundred, with the great clans and major surnames as the backbone. Thus, the civil and military officials around Liu Ye were mostly from the Xiang River region, Guangdong, Guizhou, and Sichuan—many of them talented men, the crystallization of decades of sinicization among the southern barbarian tribes.

Under Liu Ye's oppressive gaze, Qin Gang dared not remain silent—he had to say something. So he steeled himself and said: "Your Highness, Zhou Sun is a meritorious officer! He bears over a dozen wounds, large and small, all earned in loyal service to Your Highness!

That fellow surnamed Kou is no decent man—daring to come to the residence to make an arrest, clearly prepared for this, intending to execute Zhou Sun. We must save him, or I fear Luoyang Prefecture truly dares to sentence Zhou Sun to death!"

"Utter nonsense!" Liu Ye's brows knit tightly at the words, and he snapped.

Qin Gang gave an awkward smile, thought for a moment, then continued: "How about I take some men to Luoyang Prefecture and snatch Zhou Sun out?"

This outrageous idea left Liu Ye utterly stunned, his eyes bulging wide, and he immediately cursed: "Idiotic words!"

Struggling to control his emotions, Liu Ye continued his tirade: "What do you think this place is? Suyab? This is the capital of the Great Han, the foremost city of the realm! Breaking into a government office to seize a prisoner—what a thought! What are you trying to do, incite me to rebellion?"

"Your subordinate wouldn't dare!" Hearing Liu Ye frame the matter so gravely, Qin Gang hastily knelt to beg forgiveness.

If he'd had a whip in hand, Liu Ye would have lashed him several times, stinging him awake. But looking at his simple, honest, stammering demeanor, Liu Ye found his anger hard to vent, and for a moment felt deeply stifled.

"Get out, get out, get out!" Liu Ye waved his hand at Qin Gang impatiently, as if shooing away a fly.

"All of you, withdraw as well!" Liu Ye ordered the other three.

"Yes!" The group, as if pardoned, hastily withdrew.

Clearly, Liu Ye wasn't truly enraged—just filled with pent-up frustration. Even if he was angry, it was directed at Luoyang Prefecture, at Kou Zhun, not at these subordinates who had risked their lives for him.

Still, after this long stretch of anxiety and venting, Liu Ye's emotions gradually stabilized. But as for going to bed and sleeping—he truly had no mood for that.

Continuing to pace in the hall for a while, Liu Ye muttered a few things to himself, then suddenly let out two cold laughs: "This Kou Zhun—'even princes who break the law are judged like commoners,' isn't he just using this to make a name for himself? Fine, I'll help you—I'll let you make a great big name!" His mind made up, Liu Ye immediately summoned his subordinate officers, gave them instructions, strictly forbidding them from doing anything rash, then mounted his horse with two personal guards and rode straight for Luoyang Prefecture.

It wasn't hard to guess that Luoyang Prefecture was also in a state of panic, the atmosphere stifling. In the spacious, bright second hall, Administrative Assistant Kou, who had just accomplished a major deed, stood with perfect composure. Song Bai, the Governor of Luoyang, known for his elegance and eloquence, could no longer maintain his usual poise—he paced around Kou Zhun, raging: "Kou Zhun, what exactly do you think you're doing!"

Song Bai had received the news at his own residence. He'd been enjoying the refined pleasures of a beautiful concubine when his elegant mood was directly shattered. On the way back to the office he'd heard a rough summary of the situation, and now he was sitting on pins and needles.

This Kou Zhun—arrogant, self-important, overbearing, always acting on his own—was simply unreasonable! Wasn't this stirring up trouble for no reason, asking for it? Why did you have to go provoke the Duke of Liang's residence?

Anger and resentment built up along the way, nearly boiling over by the time he reached the office. And when he saw Kou Zhun's "open and unruffled" demeanor, his fury only grew.

Facing Song Bai's interrogation, Kou Zhun remained composed as ever, answering calmly: "To answer the Governor, I was merely enforcing the law as prescribed!"

"Who gave you the authority? Who told you to act on your own? Do you know what terrible repercussions this will have? Do you know how much trouble this will bring Luoyang Prefecture?" Song Bai raged.

Hearing Song Bai's words, Kou Zhun, who had been keeping his eyes lowered all along, finally raised his eyelids slightly, wearing a puzzled expression: "May I ask the Governor, what could have worse repercussions than a murderer walking free in broad daylight while the authorities do nothing? Heaven's justice shines upon all, before everyone's eyes—the people's hearts cannot be deceived!"

"Don't fob me off with that official claptrap!" Song Bai wasn't buying it, staring hard at Kou Zhun: "You know exactly what I mean!"

This was probably the harshest Song Bai had been since taking office. An ordinary subordinate would have long since backed down and softened, but was Kou Zhun an ordinary man?

Having dared to make an arrest at the Duke of Liang's residence, his mind had long been made up. Still, perhaps to save Song Bai some face, Kou Zhun avoided the matter Song Bai was concerned about and instead explained with all seriousness: "Governor, even for an ordinary homicide case, it's legal and proper for me to summon and interrogate the suspect! The victim's body is still lying in the morgue of this very office—surely we must provide some explanation!"

"Kou Zhun!" To Song Bai, Kou Zhun's tone and demeanor were naked provocation, and he exploded: "Do you think I'm easy to bully?"

"Your subordinate wouldn't dare, nor do I intend to show contempt for the Governor!" Seeing Song Bai's old eyes nearly bulging from their sockets, a hint of hesitation finally appeared on Kou Zhun's face—but it was brief, and soon he bowed with clasped hands and replied: "Your subordinate is merely enforcing the law as prescribed, handling official business by the book—which is precisely what the Governor has always taught!"

"Enough!" Song Bai truly didn't want to keep wrangling with this arrogant subordinate, and said directly: "Release that Zhou Sun first!"

At this instruction, Kou Zhun's face immediately turned displeased as well, but after all, this was his direct superior. He steadied his emotions, yet his tone grew considerably more serious: "Governor, that Zhou Sun committed murder—the facts are clear, the evidence conclusive. How can such a grave murderer be casually released!"

"Release the man first!" Song Bai's tone grew heavier.

Kou Zhun forcefully pushed back: "As for bending the law to serve personal interests, I dare not comply!"

"You!" Song Bai said angrily. "Since when does this Luoyang Prefecture take orders from you, Kou Zhun?"

"Handling cases according to the law is the authority granted to me by the court's legal system!"

He stared at Kou Zhun with cold, piercing eyes, but Administrative Assistant Kou remained fearless, standing straight and facing him directly. Seeing this, Song Bai directly summoned one of the trembling subordinate officials at the side and said, "Go, transmit this prefecture's order—release the man!"

"Hold!" Kou Zhun shouted loudly. But seeing Song Bai's determined manner, he stepped forward, took a deep breath, and said with utmost solemnity:

"If the Governor insists on having his way, my authority is limited and I dare not forcefully obstruct. However, the criminal Zhou Sun has not yet been interrogated or examined. If he walks out of the prefectural office tonight, then the Luoyang Prefecture's reputation will be utterly destroyed!"

Hearing Kou Zhun speak thus, Song Bai's ferocious expression finally eased somewhat. In fact, to have climbed to the position of Luoyang's governor, even if one's temperament was somewhat weak and pedantic, one still possessed basic political acumen. Song Bai knew full well in his heart that from the moment Kou Zhun brought the man back to the prefectural office, the Luoyang Prefecture had been put in a bind—and he, as Governor, was in the same position.

This was perhaps the true reason for Song Bai's fury! Kou Zhun's approach was genuinely infuriating.

After a complex process of psychological adjustment, Song Bai suppressed all his anger, then instructed with a cold, stern expression: "Interrogate quickly, close the case quickly!"

"Cause any more trouble, and you will not be forgiven! You'd best watch yourself!" After throwing out these words, Song Bai left with a grim expression, flicking his sleeves.

As he turned away, Song Bai had already resolved to transfer this Kou Zhun away. On ordinary days, Kou Zhun was shrewd and capable, and favored by those above, so Song Bai had tolerated his self-willed ways as much as he could—he, Song Bai, was not a man of narrow measure.

But today's matter had touched Song Bai's bottom line. Such a thorny subordinate would only bring trouble; he absolutely could not allow him to continue being presumptuous. Otherwise, fools would truly think that he, Song Bai, was easy to bully, unable to even suppress a Kou Zhun.

"I shall obey the Governor's command!" Behind him, Kou Zhun bowed with clasped hands, making a gesture of seeing him off.

His face still wore that composed, unhurried expression, but there was a hint of depth in his eyes. He naturally understood that this affair had thoroughly offended Governor Song. But from the moment he had made his decision, Administrative Assistant Kou had already prepared himself for everything.

After this matter, he would either be promoted or demoted, but regardless, his reputation for upholding the nation's laws and defying powerful influence would be thoroughly established. Even if he were sent out to a remote post, the Luoyang Prefecture would no longer be his concern. Therefore, how Song Bai viewed him was entirely unimportant—to accomplish things and make a name for oneself, one always had to pay some price.

Just as Luoyang's Governor Song Bai was distressed and racking his brains, an even more unexpected matter occurred.

Duke of Liang, Liu Yang, personally came to the office in person. His purpose was simple—he had come to surrender himself. According to his statement, the murder case on Yankang Street was his idea; Zhou Sun had merely killed on his orders. If the Luoyang Prefecture wished to enforce the law, it should charge him, the mastermind.

Then he walked himself to the Kaifeng Prefecture's prison cells, and no one's obstruction was of any use. Liu Yang's unexpected move left even Kou Zhun utterly astonished.

When Song Bai heard of this, his head nearly exploded. How could he dare let Liu Yang carry on so recklessly? A direct imperial clansman and prince of the royal house—how could he go to a place like a prison cell!

He hurriedly rushed back to the prefectural office and finally blocked Liu Yang before the prison cells. He pleaded every which way, nearly kneeling, but Liu Yang remained utterly unmoved. He walked straight into the Kaifeng Prefecture prison, found himself a cell, and checked in for "lodging."

Liu Yang's baffling behavior plunged the entire Luoyang Prefecture into an awkward predicament. In the decades since the founding of the dynasty, it had never happened that a local government detained an imperial clansman and prince. Regardless of the cause or the process, looking at the result, the Luoyang Prefecture had inevitably landed itself in serious trouble.

At the lightest, it was overstepping authority and exceeding regulations; at the most serious, it was contempt for imperial power. Understanding the severity of the problem, Song Bai's final look at Kou Zhun was nearly murderous enough to devour him.

As for Kou Zhun, his composure clearly could no longer remain as steady as before. Though his mouth remained resolute, a great stone had already hung in his heart. Even if the esteemed Duke of Liang wanted to counterattack, he needn't use such an inauspicious method—it was truly too... not only embarrassing for himself, but also damaging to the imperial family's dignity.

At this point, the matter was no longer something the Luoyang Prefecture could resolve. Song Bai immediately suspended Kou Zhun from his post, then stayed up through the night writing a memorial detailing the entire affair. He didn't sleep for the rest of the night, and early the next morning, with bloodshot eyes, he entered the palace to report and beg forgiveness from Emperor Liu Yang...