Chapter 218: The Su Fengji Case Concluded

A new official always burns three fires upon taking office. With Shang Hongqian assuming command as the new commander, with the assistance of the Bureau of Military Affairs, an adjustment was carried out on the imperial army in the Eastern Capital. Basically, following Liu Chengyou's instructions, the focus was on strictly enforcing military discipline, strengthening training, and carrying out a small-scale reshuffling of officers across the various armies. Among them, officers who had been favored by Shi Hongzhao and Liu Xin were either transferred to other units on equal terms or sent out to prefectures and garrisons.

As for Shang Hongqian, despite his previously weak presence and modest prestige, the man's reputation was still decent—at least no one disliked him. Of course, when truly ordered to command the imperial army and enforce military discipline, Shang Hongqian's methods were by no means soft; he simply was not as vicious and excessive as Shi and Liu. Any junior officer who broke the law was dealt with according to military law without leniency.

Still the same saying: in this era where tigers and wolves run rampant, how could anyone who fought their way up from the ranks to the heights of generalship have gotten there purely by luck? Even if Shang Hongqian's talent was insufficient and he was "at peace with the world," how could he be purely regarded as an "honest man"?

While the post of imperial army commander had found its owner, the long-vacant position of Governor of Kaifeng had already been decided upon by Liu Chengyou. A man who surprised many: Duke Hou Yi of Lu, whom he had kept in the Eastern Capital to participate in deliberations on state affairs.

Liu Chengyou had no intention of appointing his elder or younger brothers. In his original thinking, he wanted to select a capable minister of merit to administer the affairs of Kaifeng Prefecture. Liu Shenjiao, Jing Fan, Li Gu, and Wu Xingde were all under his consideration—these few being among the rare individuals Liu Chengyou believed had the ability to govern Kaifeng.

As for Liu Shenjiao and Jing Fan—one had not yet brought Ruzhou under control, and the other bore the burden of grain affairs in Zhengzhou. Moreover, Liu Chengyou could promote Jing Fan to Defense Commissioner of Zhengzhou with a single word, but he could not entrust him with the affairs of Kaifeng Prefecture all at once.

Li Gu, a former court official who had submitted to Liu Chengyou in Hebei last year—though their acquaintance was not deep, after several months of working together, his ability had proven itself. When Liu Chengyou ascended the throne, he had promoted him to Surveillance Commissioner of Chengde, overseeing civil affairs in the northernmost prefectures of Heng, Ji, Zhao, and Shen, and supervising agricultural matters. Over this period, he had done well and simply could not be pulled away.

As for Wu Xingde, this minister had left an excellent impression on Liu Chengyou. When he was previously transferred away from Heyang, where he enjoyed some popular support, he had voiced no complaints. However, he had only recently moved to take up his post in Xuzhou; whether by reason or by sentiment, Liu Chengyou could hardly put him through more upheaval, even if it meant entrusting him with Kaifeng.

After much deliberation, when summoning Hou Yi to consult on matters concerning the western frontier of the Great Han, Liu Chengyou's thoughts turned to this "old slippery loach."

Just as with Shang Hongqian, Liu Chengyou harbored similar intentions in employing Hou Yi. The difference was that this old fellow Hou Yi was slick and shrewd—using him to head Kaifeng Prefecture ought to prove quite handy.

Of course, this was not to say the Great Han lacked other sufficiently capable talents. The Great Han court supported no small number of old and new officials and courtiers, but those with enough seniority, sufficient prestige, high ability, and who could also put Liu Chengyou at ease—those were few.

And since Liu Chengyou sought achievement, would Hou Yi, as a clever man placed in the position of Governor of Kaifeng, simply muddle through his days doing nothing? On this point, Liu Chengyou still held a measure of expectation.

A "crash" sounded through the hall—the sound of a memorial being hurled down with force—followed immediately by Liu Chengyou's furious questioning: "Is this realm still my realm? In the lands near the capital, facing imperial edicts, they still turn a deaf ear. To so despise the majesty of the court—do they truly think I am young and can be bullied?"

Liu Chengyou stood before the imperial desk, his gaze terrifying, venting his fury as he coldly swept his eyes over the chancellors in the hall. The chancellors all sat, though their seats were likely not as steady as they appeared, each wearing a face devoid of extra expression.

This was, in fact, the first time Liu Chengyou had flown into such a rage since ascending the throne.

The reason for Liu Chengyou's anger lay in the implementation of edicts issued after his western inspection tour and return to court at the beginning of the month. The court had explicitly decreed the abolition of all miscellaneous taxes of the past and strictly forbidden officials of the Great Han's various circuits and prefectures from levying taxes privately. The edict was proclaimed throughout the realm—some followed it, and naturally, some turned a blind eye.

And today, Liu Chengyou received a report from Li Shaoyou that in the prefectures and counties near the capital, officials were ignoring the court's edict and still imposing heavy taxes, extorting wealth and harassing the people. Then Liu Chengyou began this imperial conference with a great outburst of rage.

"Your Majesty, please restrain your thunderous wrath for a moment." Yang Bin stepped forward and said with a firm attitude: "Among local officials and military officers, there may be unworthy ones who disregard the court's edicts. It is precisely right that they be dealt with, to warn the rest and restore the court's authority!"

"I second that." Wang Zhang spoke in agreement.

A chorus of assent followed immediately. After all, those who had committed offenses were all low-level county and garrison officers—using them to establish authority carried little psychological burden. Moreover, judging by the Son of Heaven's reaction, if the court did not produce countermeasures, how could this be settled?

Sure enough, Liu Chengyou said sternly directly: "In all prefectures of the capital region, every official who violated the edict shall be held accountable and dismissed. Minister Yang, local officials are mostly crude sorts—for the dismissed posts, draw court officials from the Eastern Capital to administer those places! Additionally, issue another decree to all military governors, ordering them to strictly implement it!"

"Yes!" Yang Bin acknowledged.

Court officials serving as county magistrates—this was Liu Chengyou's means of strengthening the court's influence and control over the localities. Of course, given the current situation, he could only make waves in the court-directly-administered prefectures and garrisons near the capital for now. As for those officials who ignored the decrees—other garrisons were temporarily beyond reach, but under the very feet of the Son of Heaven, would he allow such arrogance to run rampant?

Regarding this matter, Liu Chengyou's furious reaction was clearly somewhat excessive—there was a feeling of overexertion. In fact, that was exactly the case. When issuing the decree, Liu Chengyou had already anticipated such a situation. This realm had been in chaos for decades and was just like this—if local officers and soldiers could faithfully execute every policy the court issued, that would be the real problem.

Liu Chengyou's anger was a posture. Being able to raise his voice and display his authority before the chancellors also represented a subtle shift in power and status. It could be said that this young Son of Heaven had now basically shaken off the suppression of the chancellors.

After venting, Liu Chengyou resumed his usual solemn bearing—calm and restrained—and could properly discuss matters...

"Your Majesty, after joint review by the three courts, the case of the criminal minister Su Fengji may now be concluded." After discussing the two vital matters of grain and salt-iron that concerned the court's financial lifeline, Yang Bin reported to Liu Chengyou.

"Oh? There's a result?" Liu Chengyou glanced at Yang Bin, feigning surprise.

Regarding the interrogation of Su Fengji's case, Liu Chengyou had in fact heard about it long ago. This matter had caused no small stir in the Eastern Capital. Yang Bin personally tried it at the Kaifeng Prefecture court—the two mortal enemies had a splendid "debate" in the public hall. Even in confinement, in a state of being interrogated for crimes, Su Fengji remained wildly arrogant. Or perhaps, facing great calamity, he had a sudden awakening, realized it was the emperor who wanted to deal with him, sensed his prospects were bleak, and simply abandoned himself to despair.

During the trial process, Yang Bin ordered notices posted throughout the Eastern Capital for officials and commoners alike: regarding Su Fengji, anyone with grievances could come to the Kaifeng Prefecture court to lodge accusations and plead their wrongs. Once this notice was issued, it stirred the masses of the Eastern Capital into a surge—in a single day, over a hundred people of every description came to the court to expose him. And among them, the most unexpected were the mother and son of Duke Xu.

Liu Chengyou had likewise heard of the "splendors" within, and was quite surprised. He even felt a slight urge to meet that "Hua Jianxiu," who had provoked Su Fengji into growing the gall of a leopard, unable to restrain his covetous heart...

"After joint deliberation by us ministers, the crimes committed by Su Fengji are clear in name and precedent. Fourteen capital offenses are listed, all with conclusive evidence. According to the penal code, he should be sentenced to death by dismemberment!" Yang Bin said with a cold face.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou merely nodded. Yang Bin truly showed not the slightest intention of showing mercy. After pondering for a moment, Liu Chengyou looked at the others: "What do all of you think?"