Chapter 216: The Chief Commander's Post That Fell From the Sky

When the edict reached Liu Xin's residence, he was amusing himself in the manor, ordering household servants to fight each other in pairs, blood drawn without cease, to entertain his mood.

Upon first hearing of the matter, facing the envoy bearing the edict, Liu Xin paid it no mind, instead arrogantly berating him, angrily accusing him of "forging an imperial decree." Only after confirmation did he refuse to believe it, declaring outright that he was an imperial uncle, and the Son of Heaven could not possibly banish him.

"Imperial Uncle, His Majesty's intent is that the edict having been proclaimed, you depart at once. Though the day grows late, you may now pack your belongings and effects, and leave the capital to take up your post at Xuzhou!" The envoy bearing the edict was named Yan Jinqing, who calmly addressed the fury-filled Liu Xin.

This man was a protocol officer of the Court of Ceremonial Reception, and could be counted a close minister of the Son of Heaven. He was a retainer of the late emperor, quite trusted and employed. When Liu Chengyou succeeded to the throne, he was appointed to serve in the Inner Palace for his loyalty and diligence in royal affairs.

"What do you think you are!" Liu Xin's attitude remained overbearing.

"I will go see the Son of Heaven!" In his great rage, Liu Xin paid no heed whatsoever, a murderous look on his face as he ordered horses saddled and rode off toward the imperial palace.

"Protocol Officer, His Majesty's command—" Unable to stop Liu Xin, the accompanying guards could not help but look at Yan Jinqing.

Yan Jinqing raised a hand to halt them, his demeanor still calm, a trace of composure seemingly upon his very beard, as he said softly: "After all, he is the imperial uncle. Let him go. We can serve as overseers, and pack the imperial uncle's luggage..."

As for Liu Xin, he galloped swiftly through the streets of the Eastern Capital, all the way to the palace gates, then urged his horse up the imperial steps, where he was blocked by guards. He sought to see Liu Chengyou, but Liu Chengyou would not receive him. He then went to Renming Hall, where Lady Li naturally maintained tacit understanding with her son, merely sending someone to admonish Liu Xin, telling him to cultivate his character in Xuzhou, and to nurture the people on behalf of the Son of Heaven and the court.

Unable to see the Emperor or the Empress, Liu Xin finally understood that his nephew was playing for real, truly wanting to drive him out of the Eastern Capital. Though not clever, when it came to his own future, Liu Xin also understood that on the surface this was going out to govern a region, but in truth it was demotion. How could Xuzhou compare to the comfort of the Eastern Capital, or to the power of the Imperial Guard Command?

Agitated and frantic, he desperately wanted to see Liu Chengyou, but the guards under orders simply would not let him through. As for forcing his way in, Liu Xin did not dare gamble on whether that Zhao fellow commanding the palace guards would dare draw his blade and cut him down.

Liu Xin was "escorted" back to his residence by the palace guards, his gaze dazed, as if struck a heavy blow, completely stripped of his usual arrogant bearing. Seeing that his lavish mansion was already being packed up under Yan Jinqing's supervision, anger flickered across his face: "In such a hurry, are we?!"

Ignoring Yan Jinqing, that "petty man," a surge of savage rage welled up in his heart, and he shouted somewhat hysterically at his household servants and retainers to pack up the mansion's treasures, silks, and finery... In the end, he sat silently in the hall.

The things Liu Xin needed to pack for his departure were indeed considerable—it was not until dawn of the next day that everything was finished. Amid the crowing of roosters, dozens of large and small carts exited through the southern gate of the Eastern Capital. Liu Xin still rode in his ornate carriage, but there was a certain dejected, slinking quality about it.

As the convoy passed over a rainbow bridge spanning the Bian River, Liu Xin could not help but lift the carriage curtain and look back at the Eastern Capital city beneath the morning haze. A look of pent-up fury flashed across his face as he complained: "Liu Chengyou truly is not as virtuous and worthy as Chengxun. So cold and heartless—he hasn't been emperor for more than a few days, and already he treats his imperial uncle this way. Hmph, I'd like to see how, without me, he manages to keep those proud soldiers and fierce generals in check, how he holds this Great Han realm together!"

Liu Xin naturally harbored resentment in his heart, and it was heavy resentment at that. He believed he had rendered support to Liu Chengyou's ascension—when Liu Zhiyuan had passed away back then, he, the imperial uncle, had exerted great effort and care to protect him and ensure he smoothly mounted the throne.

Of course, Liu Xin had played some role at that time, but it was limited. The truly critical matters, how could Liu Chengyou have entrusted them to Liu Xin? However, Liu Xin clearly did not see it that way.

It is valuable for a man to know himself, but Liu Xin's self-assessment was clearly quite off the mark.

"Imperial Uncle, please watch your words!" Liu Xin's complaints had not been kept quiet, and a staff advisor riding alongside on horseback was startled, nervously urging: "If these words reach the Son of Heaven's ears, there will be trouble!"

"Hmph!" Liu Xin yanked the carriage curtain shut heavily, saying angrily: "This time I leave the capital—even if he begs me later, I won't come back!"

Liu Xin's external posting was very sudden, surprising the entire court, its impact even greater than Su Fengji's imprisonment. After all, this was still an age of warriors. The number one and number two commanders of over a hundred thousand imperial troops leaving the capital one after another had an enormous impact on the court, especially on the military.

However, the high-ranking ministers and chancellors did not appear overly shocked or tense about it. Liu Xin's demotion was both unexpected and within reason. From Shi Hongzhao being sent to guard the Western Capital, one could already see the signs—the Son of Heaven wished to curb the imperial army commanders. But for court officials like Yang Bin, they wholeheartedly supported Liu Chengyou's move. After all, the seat determines the thinking.

Of course, how to handle the aftermath and soothe military morale still required Liu Chengyou and his ministers to rack their brains. Even someone as arrogant as Shi Hongzhao, as brutal as Liu Xin, still had some influence and some personal followers in the army. Compared to the entire imperial army, the strength of these people might not amount to much, but neither could it be neglected.

Regarding Liu Xin's removal from office, there was considerable reaction among the imperial troops in the Eastern Capital—fortunately, it was on the positive side. Just as Li Shaoyou had previously reported, the officers and soldiers of the various armies both hated and feared Liu Xin. During the time he held power, too much resentment had accumulated. Though it would not dissipate just because he was transferred away, their hearts were greatly pleased.

To be honest, in this present age, Liu Xin daring to treat his subordinate officers like pigs and dogs, casually beating, cursing, and abusing them, truly took considerable "courage."

On the guisi day (the fifteenth) of the fourth month of the first year of Qianyou, Liu Chengyou did not hold the great court audience, but instead reviewed the troops outside the Xuanwu Gate of the imperial city. From the various armies under the Imperial Guard Command, over twenty thousand elite soldiers were selected for Liu Chengyou's inspection. This was the first time since Liu Chengyou's accession that he had so formally reviewed the rank-and-file soldiers, and also allowed them to behold their new Son of Heaven. Liu Chengyou addressed the troops before the ranks, with a speech drafted by Fan Zhi. Whether it truly had any effect, or how much the imperial troops identified with him as emperor, could not be said—but from the scene alone, the effect was clearly quite good.

"Minister Guo, an army of three cannot be without a commander. Who do you think could serve as Chief Commander of the Imperial Guard?" While observing the military drills from the reviewing platform, Liu Chengyou suddenly turned to Guo Wei, who was accompanying him at the front.

This was a sensitive question. Faced with Liu Chengyou's inquiry, Guo Wei's nerves instantly tensed. The Eastern Capital had seen much trouble lately, and the Son of Heaven's words were clearly not a simple inquiry directed at him. Thoughts raced wildly through Guo Wei's mind as he watched Liu Chengyou's expression, and he chose a conservative answer: "The Great Han has no shortage of famed generals. Your Majesty need only promote an old general of both virtue and ability."

"The one Minister Guo speaks of as possessing both virtue and ability—who might that be?"

Guo Wei said slickly: "Your Majesty must already have candidates in mind to weigh."

"It is precisely because I am hesitant at heart that I consult with you, Minister Guo..."

Within Chuigong Hall, Liu Chengyou sat steadily upon the imperial throne, flipping through memorials—all recommendations from civil and military officials for the position of imperial army commander. In truth, there were few viable candidates. Aside from the old generals who had followed from Hedong, no one else was qualified, or if qualified, had to withstand the test of trust.

Surveying them all, among those in the capital, his maternal uncle Li Hongxin had the loudest support, which did not surprise Liu Chengyou. From an outsider's perspective, Li Hongxin was indeed a suitable candidate.

Additionally, Bai Wenke, Gao Xingzhou, and Fu Yanqing could also be considered. As for those who proposed Guo Wei, Liu Chengyou simply ignored them.

After careful consideration, Liu Chengyou ultimately made his decision, selecting a new commander for the Great Han, and neither civil nor military officials objected.

Shang Hongqian.

He was also a meritorious veteran general who had followed Liu Zhiyuan since the days of Jinyang, having served successively as Chief Commander of the Right Wing of the Xingjie Army and Chief Commander of the Right Wing of the Husheng Army, and now concurrently served as Commander of the Xingjie Army and Chief Commander of the Imperial Guard cavalry. From Jinyang to the Eastern Capital, he had risen steadily, always a high-ranking general.

However, this man was very mediocre, ordinary in every respect. He held military power, but in the Great Han's court, he was like an invisible man, with little ambition. Even as a senior general of the imperial army, in the original course of history, he died in battle suppressing a rebellion, without even the qualification for a standalone biography...

Of course, it was precisely Shang Hongqian's mediocrity that Liu Chengyou valued. Call him mediocre, but when one counted up his credentials, they were more than sufficient, and would not stir unrest or discontent among the troops.

When he received the edict, the old man himself was dumbfounded, even asking the envoy who proclaimed the decree whether there had been some mistake.