Chapter 233: The Founding Ministers Are Mostly Base

Gao Fang could also be counted among Liu Chengyou's "old retainers." In the wave of the Jin's fall and the Han's rise, he had also set sail and steered his boat. Last year in Shangdang, he had aided the uprising to welcome Liu Chengyou as he led the vanguard of the Longqi Army southward. He had left a deep impression on Liu Chengyou at the time, and the post of Luzhou Patrol Inspector had been recommended by Liu Chengyou himself.

Of the "three heroes" of last year's Luzhou uprising, besides Gao Fang, the other two were Wang Shou'en, who had been secretly disposed of by the fledgling Liu Chengyou for his unchecked greed, and Li Wanchao, who remained in Zezhou—also appointed by Liu Chengyou, who elevated him to Zezhou Prefect after taking the throne.

Counting them up carefully, Liu Chengyou's "old retainers" were truly few, and those with whom he had some friendship were even fewer. Thus, since ascending the throne, he had shown recognition to all these retainers who had followed him in his rise.

Of course, in the five months since his accession, he had been overwhelmed with affairs of state, burdened by a hundred matters—how could he possibly concern himself with these old retainers at all times?

As for the discussion over the candidate for Youzhou Army Supervisor, Gao Fang had entered Liu Chengyou's field of vision because he had actively jumped out on his own. Not long ago, Gao Fang submitted a memorial to the court impeaching Zhaoyi Military Governor Chang Si, saying that in Luzhou he gave no thought to nurturing the people or enacting good governance, but instead was corrupt and took bribes, devoting himself to amassing wealth, causing military and civil affairs to fall into disrepair...

Chang Si was an old general of Hedong, a meritorious retainer from the founding, and his appointment as Luzhou Military Governor had been personally conferred by Gaozu, Liu Zhiyuan. His connections at court ran deep (Guo Wei had always called him uncle). Compared to him, how could Gao Fang possibly topple him? If Liu Chengyou had not happened to hear of the matter, the impeachment memorial would likely never have reached his desk before being dismissed.

As for what Gao Fang had reported, Liu Chengyou naturally believed it. Given Gao Fang's character, he would not resort to false accusations, especially against such a prominent figure as Chang Si.

If he hadn't known, it would have been one thing, but now that he did know, how to handle it gave Liu Chengyou a headache. Punishing Chang Si was something Liu Chengyou had never even considered. Chang Si's conduct was the common ailment of all the military governors under heaven, especially those martial men who held power as governors. If Chang Si were punished, then no military governor in the realm could escape punishment.

Moreover, Liu Chengyou still needed to give Guo Wei some face. That was right—Guo Wei was not immune to such things either. Even if he was loyal and devoted to the state, he could hardly avoid showing personal favoritism. He was not a sage, and he had spoken a few words on Chang Si's behalf.

And Chang Si's conduct, by the standards of this era and the prevailing customs of the time, was not yet too excessive. Corruptly amassing wealth, joining the trend of accumulation, neglecting governance and slighting the people—these truly did not count as great crimes. Compared to those who, on top of their greed and corruption, also disrupted people's lives, cruelly abused the common folk, and treated human lives like grass, Liu Chengyou's tolerance was always somewhat higher. Since that imperial uncle of Liu Chengyou's had been demoted to Xuzhou, he had become like a madman, taking pleasure in killing, and had already made Liu Chengyou want to bring out the "Dragon Head Executioner's Blade" more than once.

On Chang Si's side, when he heard that Gao Fang had dared to impeach him before the court, he flew into a rage. Afterwards, he sent yabing guards to surround Gao Fang's official residence, threatening his family. Fortunately, the man still had some bottom line in his actions. If he had dared to kill Gao Fang, then Liu Chengyou would have had no choice but to deal out harsh punishment. Everything has its limits.

However, the contradiction between Chang Si and Gao Fang was clearly already irreconcilable. At the same time, their conflict was not merely the surface-level problem; behind it lay a struggle for power. The Military Governor and the Patrol Inspector had overlapping jurisdictions. After Chang Si arrived in Luzhou, he directly stripped Gao Fang of his authority, seized control of Luzhou's troops, and lorded it over him. From the very beginning, the contradiction had been brewing.

Liu Chengyou had been pondering how to resolve the troubles in Luzhou when he happened to encounter Zhao Kuangzan's request and went along with it. As for consulting the assembled ministers, that was merely for show—matters on which he had already made a sovereign decision were not open to change.

When Liu Chengyou proposed Gao Fang, the first to rise and express agreement was, once again, Guo Wei: "Your subject concurs."

Because this matter also involved him, today he was showing great deference to Liu Chengyou's decisions.

"Your Majesty's judgment naturally cannot be wrong." Such flattering words came from either Su Yugui or Feng Dao.

As for the Northern Division Army Supervisor, the ministers in the hall did not actually place much importance on it, so when Liu Chengyou made his proposal, they all went along with it, including Yang Bin.

Of course, as for Chang Si, it was necessary that the court issue an edict of reprimand, dock his salary, and strip his title—there had to be some measures of punishment. This was also politically correct; for such matters, the court had to take a clear stance.

In fact, in the more than five months since ascending the throne, what Liu Chengyou found most mentally exhausting was that among all these founding meritorious elders and old retainers filling the court and the realm, there were scarcely any he could look upon with approval.

The generals and ministers Liu Zhiyuan had left him were either greedy, cruel, arrogant, lawless, or incompetent. And those who could be called capable could be counted on two hands—and that included Yang Bin, Wang Zhang, and Guo Wei.

A dynasty's founding hounds, all of them greedy, cruel, and despicable—throughout the ages, such a sight was rare indeed. How could it not fall? In the official histories, the young emperor Liu Chengyou lost his grip on power while petty men held sway, yet the Later Han still managed to hold the state for nearly four years. It cannot be denied that chancellor-ministers like Yang Bin and Guo Wei did have merit in propping up heaven.

"What's the situation on the Hezhong front?" By now, there was little fear left regarding Li Shouzhen; he could be discussed openly in council without worry of leaking information.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Tong'an Army Commander Yang Ye has reported that Hezhong, citing a poor grain harvest as its reason, has suspended that portion of military supplies to Tong Pass. However, according to investigation, the various counties of Hezhong have had a rather bountiful summer harvest!" Wei Renpu reported.

The corner of his mouth curled slightly—a small gesture of contempt. Liu Chengyou gave his orders coolly: "Send a dispatch. Interrogate Li Shouzhen."

"Yes!"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, due to the drought in Hebei, the summer grain output has been insufficient. Should the summer tax delivered to the capital by the military governors be reduced or remitted at discretion?" Vice Director of the Secretariat Li Tao stepped forward to ask.

At this, Liu Chengyou thought for a moment, then said: "The central government will reduce or remit as appropriate based on the drought conditions in the various prefectures of Hebei, but the reduction must not fall below ten percent!"

The grain and money of the military governors, delivered to the central government, had already fallen into disuse in many places. Liu Chengyou intended to restart the tax routes and reassert authority.

"Yes!"

Gradually, the assembled ministers in the hall entered a state of deliberating affairs. This round, what was reported and handled were all minor matters.

"Anguo Military Governor Liu Zaiming has died in office, and the governorship remains vacant. Your subjects propose that the imperial elder brother Liu Chengyun be sent out to govern Xingzhou. What does Your Majesty think?" Yang Bin rose again, asking sternly, his tone especially harsh.

Liu Zaiming had originally been the Jianxiong Military Governor (Jinzhou), an old minister. Last year, when the Khitan invaded, he had abandoned his post and entered Bian to have an audience with Yelu Deguang. Back then, after Liu Chengyou had dealt with the then Military Governor Xue Huairang in Xingzhou, the post had fallen vacant, and Liu Zhiyuan had subsequently appointed Liu Zaiming as Anguo Military Governor to win over the hearts of old retainers.

At Yang Bin's proposal, Liu Chengyou considered briefly, then said: "Approved!"

Having Liu Chengyun, his adoptive elder brother, take up a post in the provinces was not a major problem. But did Yang Bin's move carry some other meaning? Liu Chengyou subconsciously overthought it, though he could not find any issue.

"Brother Yang, why must you do this?" After the council dispersed, Wang Zhang took the initiative to find Yang Bin and said with a sigh: "The Son of Heaven is wise and resolute, yet he is not a ruler who refuses to listen to advice. Your intentions are public-spirited; you only need to remonstrate properly, and you can naturally persuade him. Why must you clash with His Majesty openly in court, in direct confrontation?"

Wang Zhang and Yang Bin were from the same hometown. In the era of Liu Zhiyuan, the two had jointly managed military and civil affairs and had been very close. But after Liu Chengyou came to power, the two had visibly grown distant, and Wang Zhang was no longer Yang Bin's echo.

At this moment, hearing his words and feeling his intent to advise, Yang Bin still gave a stubborn reply: "The Son of Heaven is young and self-opinionated. If I do not warn him with frank words, I fear he will only grow more arrogant and obstinate, unable to tolerate others' counsel!"

"But your methods have already lost the proper decorum of a subject. When you challenge him in open court, where does that leave the Son of Heaven's dignity and authority? The Son of Heaven is young after all—I only fear you will invite disaster!" Wang Zhang continued his persuasion.

Yang Bin smiled faintly: "If the Son of Heaven cannot tolerate us old retainers, he may simply take this old man's head. What is there to fear?"

"Does Brother Yang not consider his family?"

Yang Bin was silent for a moment, but soon took a deep breath, glanced at Wang Zhang, and said heavily: "Brother Wang, if anything happens in the days to come, please look after my few worthless nephews."

Having said this, Yang Bin went on his own way toward the Hall of State Affairs.

Behind him, watching his old friend's slightly lonely figure, Wang Zhang let out a heavy sigh.