Chapter 232: Confrontation Head-On

"What is the meaning of this Ye Renlu? I have emphasized time and again that in suppressing bandits, we must combine pacification with force and minimize bloodshed. Yet he turns a deaf ear, defies the sovereign's command, disregards the laws of the realm, and even dares to employ cruel punishments, killing innocents to claim merit. How dare he be so rampant?" Inside Guangzheng Hall, Liu Chengyou's voice thundered, opening with a stern interrogation.

As these words fell, among the civil and military officials present, two men's expressions changed—one was Yang Bin, the other was Guo Wei.

Ye Renlu, Prefect of Weizhou, was renowned for his ferocity in dealing with bandits under his jurisdiction, and had achieved considerable results. Not long ago, upon receiving word that remnant bandits were harassing villagers under his governance, he personally led troops to capture them. At the time, a dozen or so able-bodied villagers had gathered to chase the bandits, pursuing them into the mountains, where the bandits scattered. Ye Renlu arrived with his troops afterward, and seeing the villagers who had been chasing the thieves, mistook them for bandits, seized them all, severed their Achilles tendons, and left them exposed in the wilderness, where they writhed and screamed for days before dying. All who heard of it felt their injustice keenly.

"I have long heard of this Ye Renlu—when he captures bandits, he invariably tortures them to death, sparing none. His heart is cruel and fierce, his deeds venomous. How can such a man serve as Heaven's representative to shepherd and protect the people?"

"And the central government even issued an edict commending him—what is that supposed to accomplish? To make every prefect in the realm emulate Ye, to become cruel and brutal men who enforce harsh and oppressive governance?" Liu Chengyou's words were practically spat directly at Yang Bin.

Yang Bin's appearance looked noticeably more aged than before. Being targeted and reprimanded by Liu Chengyou's veiled accusations, his face stretched long with rising anger. During this period, he felt he had acted with public-mindedness, toiling over state affairs, sharing the heavy burden for the young emperor, filling gaps and correcting oversights. Toward the Son of Heaven's "willful recklessness," he had been sufficiently tolerant, yielding again and again—yet the emperor still would not let up. It was simply going too far.

"Your Majesty!" Yang Bin shouted in a hoarse voice, then rose and clasped his hands in salute, his robe sleeves sweeping with the motion as he stared directly at Liu Chengyou: "Regarding the matter of Weizhou, we ministers made our decision after comprehensive consideration. Though Ye Renlu has faults, they cannot obscure his merits. The rectification of Weizhou and the disappearance of bandits are all his achievements. How can Your Majesty dismiss all his accomplishments for a single error?"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou was clearly enraged. He flicked his sleeve, leaned forward over the table, and faced Yang Bin: "Cruelly abusing the people and treating human lives as grass—this is merely a momentary lapse?"

"He merely mistook them for bandits!" Yang Bin replied without lowering his voice, refusing to concede: "Bandits and thieves disrupt public order—they are the great evil of the mortal world. Your Majesty has repeatedly emphasized showing leniency toward bandits. Is Your Majesty's benevolence meant to be spent on these wicked robbers and thieves?"

"You! How dare you!" The rebuke slipped out involuntarily.

However, Yang Bin's words left Liu Chengyou somewhat speechless. He was not a man given to impotent rage. Though Yang Bin's words were unpleasant, they did serve to alert Liu Chengyou. Though he had racked his brains to increase the population, his attitude toward bandits did indeed appear somewhat "soft," which could easily lead local officials to misunderstand, and could also give those still engaged in banditry a false impression. He needed to recognize that going too far was as bad as not going far enough—it might embolden the bandits to run rampant.

But even with this reflection, there was no reason to back down. Taking a deep breath, Liu Chengyou's tense body resumed its upright seated posture, and he did not continue arguing with Yang Bin.

The ministers in the hall, having witnessed this scene, were somewhat slow to react—who would have thought the opening would be so explosive? Many gazes cautiously darted toward Yang Bin. Truly audacious—in the entire court, only Yang Bin still dared to confront the Son of Heaven so hard, questioning and even reprimanding him.

Those like Feng Dao, Su Yugui, and Zhao Ying instinctively lowered their heads slightly, as if doing so could reduce their presence.

Without waiting for Liu Chengyou's instruction, Yang Bin sat down on his own, his expression indifferent. The hall fell quiet.

"Your Majesty." At this moment, Guo Wei stepped forward, breaking the silence with a respectful voice: "Ye Renlu, having recognized his error, already feels remorse and dares not accept the court's commendation. He has voluntarily confessed his guilt. To atone for his wrongdoing, he has dispersed his family wealth to console and compensate the families of the commoners who were wrongly killed."

Guo Wei immediately drew Liu Chengyou's attention to himself. Liu Chengyou swept a glance at him, seeing his cautious demeanor, showing no trace of arrogance.

Taking a light breath, Liu Chengyou's emotions calmed. Toward Guo Wei, he felt some mixed emotions—his words were clearly an attempt to exonerate Ye Renlu. Indeed, Liu Chengyou suspected that Ye Renlu's remedial measures had been orchestrated by Guo Wei himself.

Ye Renlu was a veteran general from Hedong. After the founding of the state, he had been appointed Prefect of Weizhou. During his time in the army, he had fought bravely and had personally led soldiers under Liu Zhiyuan in Hedong to break the Khitan. Most importantly, he was Guo Wei's old subordinate. For that reason alone—even if he was inwardly dissatisfied with Ye Renlu's conduct, even knowing it would displease Liu Chengyou—Guo Wei had to speak up for him.

But Guo Wei had clearly underestimated Liu Chengyou's magnanimity. On this matter, Liu Chengyou took it in stride and bore no intention of blaming him.

After thinking it over, Liu Chengyou finally spoke: "Have Ye Renlu erect a stele for the wrongfully killed commoners and hold a public memorial. Treat their families well with consolation and compensation. Merit is merit, fault is fault—demote him to another prefecture!"

"Yes!"

Though Liu Chengyou's stance remained firm, it was nonetheless an attitude of compromise.

For the same matter, Liu Chengyou's attitude toward Yang Bin and Guo Wei was markedly different. Perhaps it was inherent prejudice—but more importantly, Yang Bin simply did not know the proper bounds of a minister.

His emotions were reined in perfectly; nothing unusual could be discerned from Liu Chengyou's face, as if the fierce confrontation between sovereign and minister moments ago had been merely an illusion. After another moment of silence, Liu Chengyou cleared his throat, swept his gaze around, and said: "The Prince of Yan, Zhao Kuangzan, has submitted a memorial requesting that the court dispatch a senior minister northward to serve as Army Supervisor of the Yan army. What do you ministers think—who should be sent?"

"Your Majesty, Youzhou is the key territory blocking the Khitan to the north. The one dispatched must be a trusted and capable minister, a man of outstanding talent, with strategy, keen wit, proper handling of affairs, and the ability to adapt..." At this, Chief Minister Li Tao stepped forward and spoke at length, expressing his views.

Liu Chengyou asked directly: "Minister Li, speak plainly—who can be entrusted with the northern responsibility?"

Upon the question, Li Tao was taken aback, then replied with some embarrassment: "I have racked my brains, but all the ministers at the central court hold vital posts and cannot be spared. Thus, I find it difficult to name a candidate at this moment."

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou looked to the others, but all remained silent. The candidate for the north was indeed difficult to decide.

"Minister Feng, do you have anyone to recommend?" Liu Chengyou asked the old fox Feng Dao directly.

The old fellow had previously been sent as envoy to Hezhong to convey imperial comfort, where he had received enthusiastic hospitality from Li Shouzhen, being detained for over a month before being comfortably released back to the Eastern Capital.

Feng Dao wore a look of deep thought and replied: "Please allow me to consider it for a moment."

This was not something to recommend lightly. In Feng Dao's view, the north faced the Khitan's military edge directly—it was no place of comfort. If he recommended someone he knew well, he would be harming him. If he recommended the wrong person and something went wrong, he too would be implicated...

"Your Majesty, I recommend one man who can be entrusted with this heavy responsibility!" A minister stepped forward and declared in a clear voice.

Liu Chengyou looked and furrowed his brow slightly. This man was named Nie Wenjin, holding the posts of Chief Recipient of Petitions in the Bureau of Military Affairs and Grand General of the Right Guard. He was an old retainer of the late emperor, arrogant by nature.

"Speak!" Liu Chengyou said flatly.

"Academician Wei Renpu of the Bureau of Military Affairs is eloquent, resourceful, talented and virtuous, outstanding among his peers. If he were sent north, he would surely pacify the northern territories, harmonize military affairs, and consolidate the border defenses!" Nie Wenjin glanced at Wei Renpu beside him, the corner of his mouth curling slightly, as he spoke.

Hearing this suggestion, Liu Chengyou felt some anger in his heart. From a practical standpoint, Nie Wenjin's suggestion was not bad—with Wei Renpu's talent, he was certainly capable of bearing heavy responsibility. But Nie Wenjin's intentions were impure; the recommendation was a pretext—the real aim was to push Wei Renpu out of the court.

In the Bureau of Military Affairs, driven by jealousy, Nie Wenjin found Wei Renpu highly disagreeable and had insulted him on multiple occasions, but Wei Renpu had tolerated it all with magnanimity. Many knew that Liu Chengyou held Wei Renpu in high regard. Yet Nie Wenjin still made this recommendation—either he lacked any reverence for his sovereign, or he was simply stupid!

Before Wei Renpu could react, Guo Wei took the initiative to speak: "Academician Wei is a capable man who manages the confidential affairs of the Bureau with meticulous precision and no oversight. Holding a vital post, he should rightly exercise his abilities at court. To send him north would be a waste of his talents."

Guo Wei understood Liu Chengyou's thoughts and proactively spoke for him, saving Liu Chengyou from having to personally refuse—he could simply take the path of least resistance. As for Nie Wenjin, seeing his scheme come to nothing, he was rather displeased.

"Have you all only considered ministers in the capital? Have you thought of capable officials in the provinces?" Liu Chengyou mused briefly, then inquired, his gaze casually flicking toward Guo Wei.

"Please enlighten us, Your Majesty." Su Yugui asked with great eagerness.

"Gao Fang, Patrol Inspector of Luzhou—he is discerning, prudent, and steady, with administrative talent and strategic ability. What do you think of sending him north?" Liu Chengyou revealed the candidate he had in mind.