Chapter 217: Sorting Out

"Your Majesty, Commander-in-Chief Shang has arrived in accordance with the imperial summons."

"Summon him in."

Shang Hongqian entered the hall for an audience, performing his ceremonial bows with precise, measured formality, displaying the utmost respect toward Liu Chengyou, the Son of Heaven — very much in keeping with his consistent style.

Though Liu Chengyou kept his face taut in his usual manner, his attitude was calm and composed. He bade Shang sit and converse, saying: "The Imperial Guard Command oversees a total of over a hundred thousand cavalry and infantry, guarding the Eastern Capital, garrisoning the realm, and consolidating the state. No office in the Eastern Capital bears heavier responsibility. Minister Shang is a veteran pillar of the state, ever loyal in serving his sovereign. Entrusting the Imperial Guard to you, I may rest at ease!"

Liu Chengyou spoke the pleasantries, and Shang Hongqian duly played along — not to the point of trembling with fear, but his words were guarded: "I am deeply honored by Your Majesty's trust, and I am filled with trepidation."

"Minister Shang has spent many years in the military, well-versed in martial affairs and thoroughly familiar with the business of the Imperial Guard. Taking command of the imperial army should present no obstacle." Liu Chengyou then asked with pointed intent: "Of late, for various reasons, the army's affairs have fallen into discord and disorder. Has Minister Shang given thought to how you will proceed with your work and handle military matters going forward?"

Upon hearing this, Shang Hongqian could not help but glance at Liu Chengyou, and answered almost without hesitation: "Forgive this humble minister's dullness — faced with military affairs, I find myself at a loss. I beg Your Majesty to instruct me and point the way."

Liu Chengyou took another measure of Shang Hongqian with his eyes. The old general wore a look of utmost caution, yet from his response, Liu Chengyou could not help but think privately: Is this man truly mediocre? It seems he is simply echoing my own thoughts...

Setting aside these stray musings, Liu Chengyou issued his directives directly to Shang Hongqian: "I have heard that among the armies of the Eastern Capital, officers and men alike have grown lax and weary, discipline has slackened, and morale is unsteady. Therefore, the first thing Minister Shang must do is lead the various commanders in stabilizing morale, tightening military discipline, and intensifying training. Anything may fall into chaos — but not the army!"

"Yes!" No sooner had Liu Chengyou finished speaking than Shang Hongqian responded as if suddenly enlightened: "What Your Majesty says is most true. This minister understands."

Liu Chengyou ignored his flattery outright and waved a hand, saying: "Since the start of the year, the imperial army has been redeployed frequently — campaigns to the west, bandit suppression, garrison shifts. Promotions, transfers, and replacements among officers and men have piled up in disorder. Minister Shang should begin adjusting the personnel and duties of the various armies to restore proper order."

Shang Hongqian nodded instinctively, then a look of difficulty crept across his face, and he spoke up on his own: "Your Majesty, the affairs are numerous and tangled. With my limited abilities, I fear I may not fully discharge the duties or fulfill Your Majesty's intentions."

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou thought for a moment, then said very naturally: "I will have the Bureau of Military Affairs assist the Imperial Guard Command in sorting things out. Minister Shang may rest assured."

"Yes!" Shang Hongqian replied without overthinking it.

Liu Chengyou's move was intended to strengthen the Bureau of Military Affairs' authority over the Imperial Guard.

The Bureau of Military Affairs and the Imperial Guard Command shared a large portion of overlapping jurisdiction — rosters of officers and men, garrison assignments, rewards and punishments, promotions and transfers — both offices could manage these. However, when Shi and Liu had held the Imperial Guard Command, they had been overbearing and monopolized its affairs, and under normal circumstances the Bureau of Military Affairs could not get a hand in the imperial army. Matters of state discussed by the Bureau all had to be submitted to Liu Chengyou, and then pass the approval of Shi Hongzhao and Liu Xin before they could be smoothly implemented.

With the Imperial Guard Command holding such weight, how could Liu Chengyou not regard it with apprehension? Of course, this was not simply a matter of generals and commanders — rather, since the Imperial Guard Command had first been established, its influence had continuously expanded, its authority swelled, and it had gradually become a system unto itself.

It was only because Shi Hongzhao and Liu Xin were addicted to punishment and bloodshed, and had lost the people's support, that Liu Chengyou's plan to dissolve and remove them had gone so smoothly. And now, Liu Chengyou intended to continue suppressing the Imperial Guard Command — to put it in nicer terms, to "sort it out" and "optimize" it.

Of course, this could not be accomplished overnight. In military matters, Liu Chengyou constantly reminded himself: never act in haste.

Having the Bureau of Military Affairs participate in managing the imperial army's rosters, promotions, rewards and punishments, and deployments — this was Liu Chengyou's means of curbing the Imperial Guard Command's authority, augmenting the Bureau's prestige to check the Imperial Guard Command.

As for deeper reforms, these would require Liu Chengyou to consolidate his sovereign power and elevate the authority of the Son of Heaven while advancing step by step. Of course, in this process, he also had to consider the feelings of the Imperial Guard's generals.

And even the present move required Shang Hongqian's cooperation. But clearly, with Shang Hongqian's abilities and means, when faced with Liu Chengyou's "scalpel," he could offer no effective resistance — or perhaps he had no intention of doing so.

After receiving Liu Chengyou's instructions, Shang Hongqian respectfully withdrew from Chuigong Hall. Standing before the hall, he looked back once, then lowered his head slightly, as if something had dawned on him.

"Commander-in-Chief Shang." A greeting sounded, its tone carrying an unpleasant, sinister quality.

Shang Hongqian started back to his senses and looked up to see Li Shaoyou strolling over with one hand behind his back, a "spring breeze" of a smile on his lips. Seeing the man, Shang Hongqian responded flatly: "Commissioner Li!"

Before the Son of Heaven one could keep a low profile, but before a junior like Li Shaoyou, there was no need to lower one's posture.

Li Shaoyou took no offense, asking with a faint smile: "Has the Commander-in-Chief finished his audience with His Majesty?"

"His Majesty is still in the hall!" Shang Hongqian nodded, gestured toward Chuigong Hall, then took his leave on his own, heading back to the Imperial Guard Command. He remained deep in thought, as if considering how to carry out Liu Chengyou's admonitions.

Watching Shang Hongqian's retreating figure, Li Shaoyou's smile slightly faded, and he sighed inwardly: "What a fortunate man! What a pity..."

With the position of Imperial Guard Commander settled, Li Shaoyou had gradually come to understand — he now knew where his old father had lost. The most seemingly suitable candidate was often the least suitable!

Shaking his head slightly, Li Shaoyou turned, straightened his robes, and requested that his audience be announced.

"Your Majesty, this is the establishment roster for the subordinate organs of the Wude Office that your servant has compiled. Please review it." He presented a notably thick memorial to Liu Chengyou with solemn ceremony.

Liu Chengyou's interest was piqued. He set down the matters at hand, took the document, and began browsing through it. Li Shaoyou stood below, explaining as he went.

According to Li Shaoyou's plan, the Wude Office would be divided into three investigation departments — military, civil, and popular — each headed by a Chief Investigator, beneath whom were Left and Right Commanders, and below them four Executive Officers overseeing a number of investigators.

As for personnel establishment: eight hundred military investigators, and four hundred each for the civil and popular branches — all to be selected from the elite. Attached was also a detailed set of regulations for the Wude Office.

It was clear that Li Shaoyou had put real thought into this, and indeed possessed a measure of talent. Moreover, from the report he submitted, Liu Chengyou could sense the ambition in this cousin of his — that desire to "make a big splash."

Li Shaoyou stood slightly hunched, waiting for Liu Chengyou's response. His expression was steady, but inwardly he could not help but feel anxious. He did not know whether Liu Chengyou would agree to his ideas. In the past, he would never have had such concerns, but now, this younger cousin was becoming harder and harder to read.

"Try it out for now!" Finally, Liu Chengyou set down that "Wude Office Establishment Outline" and gave his approval.

"Yes!" Li Shaoyou breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of joy rising in his brows and eyes as he clasped his hands in salute.

"I want only one result — everything of note in the Eastern Capital, military, civil, and popular, must reach my ears. No sign of trouble, however slight, may be overlooked!" Liu Chengyou instructed coolly.

"Yes!" Li Shaoyou acknowledged again, head bowed, feeling that the "majesty of the Son of Heaven" emanating from Liu Chengyou was growing ever more intense.

With Liu Chengyou's approval secured, the Wude Office would transform from a makeshift outfit into a formal intelligence organ.