Chapter 236: Where Fortune Gathers: Li Shouzhen

"Brother Yun, the state is hard to keep at peace, with troubles ceaselessly stirring. Among the imperial clan's peers, you are now the eldest—a noble of the highest rank, and you should set an example for all under heaven. In this posting, the lives of over a hundred thousand people across two prefectures are entrusted to your hands. You must enact good governance, nurture the scholars and people, soothe their hearts, and commit no harm!" Liu Chengyou summoned his foster brother Liu Chengyun before the throne and personally admonished him.

Liu Chengyun was not particularly talented. As an imperial relative, he served in the imperial army as Chief Commander of the Left Division of the Husheng Army, and had never held much prestige among the troops. He conducted himself honestly, acted by the rules, and never displayed arrogance or overstepping. Though his character seemed rather ordinary, he was still a dutiful man, appearing to harbor no excessive ambitions.

His relationship with Liu Chengyou was not particularly deep, but upon hearing this admonition, he responded with great reverence: "Your servant will surely keep His Majesty's teachings firmly in mind, never daring to forget them for even a moment. Upon arriving at my post, I will strictly obey the court's edicts and regulations."

"If my brother has such a resolve, that is enough—it will be a blessing for the people of Xing and Ming." Liu Chengyou said in a gentle tone.

Regarding Liu Chengyun's posting to govern Xing Prefecture, Liu Chengyou's demands were not high; his bottom line in his heart was simply that no trouble should arise.

He raised his hand, and Zhang Dejun, who was attending at his side, stepped forward bearing two cups of wine. Liu Chengyou rose, personally picked up one cup, and handed it to Liu Chengyun: "I offer this cup to see my brother off."

Liu Chengyun bent at the waist and received it solemnly with both hands: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

After seeing Liu Chengyun off, Liu Chengyou ordered maps of Hezhong Prefecture and its surrounding regions to be brought for his study. As for that thorn in Hezhong, Liu Chengyou had already formed the intention to pull it out. During this period, especially after the summer harvest, Li Shouzhen had grown increasingly restless, as if he could no longer contain himself.

A similar farewell had been given a few days earlier, when Liu Chengyou had seen off Song Yanwo. Because he had "demoted" his brother-in-law to a den of tigers and wolves, his sister, Princess Yongning, with a woman's heart, could not bear her husband's distant journey and had come to the palace to "reason" with Liu Chengyou—only to be dismissed by him with a somewhat stern manner.

Liu Chengyou ordinarily had little exchange with this sister, and their affection was not deep, but he had always been courteous and proper with her. This time, however, his "imperial might" erupted, which clearly frightened her. She went weeping to the Renming Hall to complain and seek redress from Empress Dowager Li. The Empress Dowager, understanding the greater good, naturally did not trouble Liu Chengyou over her unreasonable fuss, merely offering a few gentle words of consolation.

With Song Yanwo and Liu Chengyun successively transferred away, adjustments to the posts in the Eastern Capital followed. The post of Patrol Inspector of the capital was filled by Gai Wan, Chief Commander of the Wujie Army, who was thus transferred out of the imperial army. The Wujie Army, in turn, was taken over by the veteran general of the previous dynasty, Wang Quanbin. From this arose a series of promotions and transfers of personnel. Seizing this opportunity, the younger mid- and low-ranking officers in the army received promotions.

On another line, Liu Chengyun's former post as Chief Commander of the Left Division of the Husheng Army was succeeded by his subordinate, Guo Chongwei, senior officer of the Left Sixth Army. He too was a veteran general of Hedong, and last year had rendered merit as a vanguard—he was among the Han generals who first entered Kaifeng.

At the same time, seizing the opportunity, Liu Chengyou also adjusted the posts of his two brothers-in-law: Fu Zhaoxin became Chief Inspector of the Scattered Corps, and Gao Huaide became senior officer of the Husheng Army, holding command of troops.

Were it not for the unsettled situation in Youyan, with the threat of war, Liu Chengyou had intended to transfer his old subordinates such as Murong Yanzhao and Luo Yangui back to the Eastern Capital to command troops in the imperial army. They had been stationed on the Jizhong front line for a full year now, and in terms of record and merit, there were no problems. Moving them into the imperial army—even if not as senior commanders, at least at the level of Chief Inspector of an army or commander of a major division—they were certainly qualified.

In this process, the adjustment and replenishment of the military was led this time by the Bureau of Military Affairs, with the Imperial Guard Command assisting. In matters of personnel, the Bureau of Military Affairs was gradually establishing its authority—though this was carried out with the active cooperation of the imperial army's commander, Shang Hongqian. Moreover, these post adjustments were mostly promotions, with the worst being lateral transfers. The officers were satisfied, and so matters naturally proceeded smoothly.

As for whether the imperial army commanders would harbor resentment over the loss of power—since Shang Hongqian, the supreme commander, had no objections, how could the others who were not in those positions step forward to stick their necks out?

Hezhong Prefecture, Hedong City.

The atmosphere had grown increasingly delicate of late. Under Li Shouzhen's months of repairs, the city walls had become ever more formidable. After the summer harvest, the grain and money of all the counties and towns under his jurisdiction had been gathered into the city. Li Shouzhen had also summoned all the county soldiers and militia under his rule into the prefectural city, drilling them alongside his yabing guards. By now, the city held twenty thousand Pu troops. Of course, their quality was mixed, and their combat effectiveness remained to be tested.

Within the Military Governor's mansion, Li Shouzhen had gathered a group of trusted confidants for secret deliberations on "great matters."

"You see? Even though I cut off the grain and funds through Tong Pass, the court still dares not make a move—they only dare issue this document, some harmless reprimand!" Li Shouzhen sat astride the commander's desk, sweeping his gaze around the room, and let out a few chuckles, speaking with some smugness, his bearing arrogant and wild.

In the hall, a dozen or so civil and military officials sat in two rows, with military officers in the majority. It looked quite a full assembly—only, unfortunately, they were mostly men of no renown. His son Li Chongxun and the monk Zonglun sat at the heads of the two rows, making it clear that this monk's standing with Li Shouzhen had far surpassed that of both civil and military officials.

"What a pity—with that little emperor making such a fuss, the court still hasn't fallen into chaos." Li Shouzhen remarked with a disappointed tone.

By now, Li Shouzhen no longer concealed his rebellious intentions before his subordinates at all.

Upon hearing this, Zonglun, stroking his beard at the side, spoke with a smiling, heated manner: "The Liu clan obtained their state purely by chance, a stroke of heaven's fortune. Thus, the founder of the Han died after barely a year on the throne—because his virtue was shallow, too weak to bear the weight of the altars of state. And as for that young Son of Heaven in the Eastern Capital, what talent or virtue does he possess to sit high on the imperial throne and wield dominion over all under heaven?"

"Since summer began, first came famine in Xuzhou, then the breach of the Yellow River, then months of drought in Hebei, and then locust plagues in Qingzhou—these are all warnings that the Han Son of Heaven lacks virtue and that heaven above has grown weary of him. In contrast, Hezhong enjoys favorable weather and bountiful harvests—this is where your excellency's fortune is concentrated..."

Fooled by Zonglun's smooth talk, Li Shouzhen beamed with joy: "By that reasoning, heaven itself is truly aiding me!"

From an objective standpoint, one would only think Li Shouzhen utterly foolish, as if struck by a debuffing aura. But those trapped within a delusion often cannot see the situation clearly, cannot distinguish the circumstances, and are even less able to heed others' words. On the path of rebellion, Li Shouzhen had sunk deep into self-intoxication, and there was no road back long ago.

As for whether he would succeed—that was certain, Li Shouzhen was very confident. Where did this confidence come from? Besides the calculations of Master Zonglun's arts, many "auspicious omens" had recently occurred around Li Shouzhen.

For example, in the third month, Longmen County reported that people had seen carp leaping over the Dragon Gate, and from deep within the river gorge came the sound of dragon roars.

On the full moon of the fifth month, at dawn, magpies landed on the branches of the rear residence of the governor's mansion, lingering and circling, chattering their "blessings."

Not long ago, Li Shouzhen hosted a banquet for his subordinate officers. Half-drunk, seized by a whim, he pointed from afar at the "Tiger Licking Its Paw" painting hanging in the hall and said: "If I am to accomplish something extraordinary, let it be the tiger's tongue." Then he raised his bow, drew the string, and took aim—the arrow flew, and struck true with a single shot.

In short, the Great Han was in dire straits, while here in Hezhong Prefecture the weather was favorable and auspicious omens appeared without end...

Li Shouzhen was deeply mired in it, unable to extricate himself. Whoever dared to puncture his beautiful dream would likely be devoured by him at the first opportunity.

And were the officers of Hezhong Prefecture present wholeheartedly following Li Shouzhen? Of course not—Li Shouzhen did not have that kind of charisma. They merely sought wealth and rank. The Han court had been founded not long ago, yet had already suffered a great bereavement; a young lord had succeeded to the throne, and what they held was the Central Plains, a land of constant warfare—however one looked at it, it would be hard to hold the realm.

Following Li Shouzhen, if they succeeded, they would be founding ministers; if they failed, they would simply surrender. Over so many years, so many "predecessors" and "role models" had gone before—they were merely treading the old path.