Chapter 267: The Great Adjustment

The exchange with Wang Jun did not last long—deep in the night, with the cold and fatigue, what was there to discuss? In a distinctly awkward atmosphere, they did not continue any further exchange about the state of the city gates, nor did they mention his belated arrival. After only a brief pleasantry, Liu Chengyou sent Wang Jun down to rest. To show consideration for his subordinates, he directly allowed him to lodge at the imperial camp and sent men to attend to him well.

Once Wang Jun withdrew, Liu Chengyou's easygoing demeanor finally faded. He knitted his brows, leaning back in his seat, his thoughts unsettled. The gaze released from his eyes, cast under the dim lamplight, seemed to have grown far sharper.

From that simple conversation alone, Wang Jun had left Liu Chengyou a very poor impression. In particular, the man seemed quite surprised that Liu Chengyou had personally campaigned against Li Shouzhen and smoothly put down the rebellion. He even joked that he had been prepared to raise the troops of Fengxiang and come east to assist...

"Your Majesty." Zhang Dejun shuffled forward with slow, small steps and asked softly, "Will you retire for the night?"

"In merely half a year's time, how could a man change so greatly?" Liu Chengyou turned toward Zhang Dejun, murmuring as if to himself, yet also as if asking him, his voice very low.

Zhang Dejun was taken aback and asked cautiously, "What did Your Majesty say?"

"Wang Xiufeng has always had ability. Though he was somewhat self-satisfied and carried a measure of pride before, he was never arrogant to this degree. Before me, he is quite unrestrained..." Liu Chengyou said flatly. "The three military governors of Jingyuan, Fuzhou, and Yanzhou all rushed here upon hearing my edict, bearing faces of submission. Fengxiang borders Jingyuan—Wang Jun is younger than Lord Shi, and Lord Shi has already arrived. Why does Wang Jun come late? Surprise? The long road? Or has the man grown lax? Hmph—"

That cold snort made the listening Zhang Dejun shudder involuntarily. Though this eunuch was young, he was already the palace attendant who had served at Liu Chengyou's side the longest. He had keen eyes and a quick mind. He had heard the entire conversation between sovereign and minister just now, and at this moment, he could naturally somewhat fathom Liu Chengyou's anger.

"Speak your mind!" Liu Chengyou's heart was clearly somewhat oppressed, and he said to Zhang Dejun rather casually.

"This servant dare not speak more, still less presume to discuss a great minister." Zhang Dejun said.

"I command you to speak!" Liu Chengyou flared up.

Seeing this, Zhang Dejun only then replied with great unease: "Governor Wang previously led troops to a great rout of the Shu bandits, his might shaking the western frontier. He was then appointed by Your Majesty as Military Governor of Fengxiang, entrusted with authority. The spring breeze is just right for his pride, and his spirits are just soaring..."

"Nonsense!" Liu Chengyou suddenly burst out with a crude oath. "It's already mid-autumn now—what is there to be proud of? Huh? You might as well just say outright that he presumes upon favor and grows arrogant!"

Zhang Dejun was badly startled. He clasped his hands and bowed even lower, wearing an expression of extreme fear. Even with reverence in his heart, this eunuch could not help but mutter inwardly—since His Majesty was already clear in his own mind, why make him, a mere palace attendant, pass judgment? At the same time, he grew even more cautious and circumspect. The Son of Heaven had always been solemn and grave; for him to utter such vulgar words now showed the depth of his anger.

"Anything I say tonight—if a word of it leaks out, mind your head!" After a moment of silence, his mood somewhat settled, Liu Chengyou said coldly.

"This servant heard nothing at all." Meeting Liu Chengyou's indifferent gaze, Zhang Dejun's still rather handsome face instantly turned pale. With a thud he knelt down, matching his lie with wide-open eyes.

"Also, do your proper duty, keep your mouth shut, and do not presume to discuss great ministers." Liu Chengyou added.

"This servant dare not!" Zhang Dejun answered immediately.

Seeing the aggrieved look plainly written on his tensely drawn face, Liu Chengyou said flatly, "From this day forth, among the eunuchs at my side, you are the chief."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Delighted at the words, Zhang Dejun prostrated himself in gratitude. Whatever grievance he felt was cast entirely to the back of his mind.

Wrapping his robes about him, he slowly returned to the couch and curled into the bedclothes, sighing faintly: "What a pity..."

Wang Jun was indeed a man of ability. In the early days of the founding, among the officials of the Liu Han, he was one of the few who had grown close to Liu Chengyou, and so Liu Chengyou had always thought highly of him.

And Wang Jun had rendered service to both the state and to him personally. Liu Chengyou greatly cherished capable men and relied on him heavily. When the Shu army invaded early in the year, he sent Wang Jun to command the troops as marshal, and Wang Jun did not disappoint him. Appointing him Military Governor of Fengxiang was in truth nearly handing over the entire western frontier's defense to him. Though it sounded somewhat hypocritical, Liu Chengyou wished to exhaust Wang Jun's talents and harbored a very heavy sense of "entrustment" in placing him in Guanzhong.

However, it was precisely after taking up his post in Fengxiang that Wang Jun began to get a bit carried away. Having been sent out from a central post, enjoying the trust of the Son of Heaven, and crowned with the resounding prestige of the Jifeng Mountain victory, Wang Jun in his gubernatorial seat could be said to have his every word obeyed as law—none above or below dared defy him.

In his daily correspondence, his words were often arrogant. Toward the officials of surrounding prefectures, he was also frequently contemptuous and rude. Every time he traveled, he made a great show of it—prefectural troops clearing the way, cavalry escorting him. When inspecting the counties under his jurisdiction, he often forced the officials in charge to exhaust their wealth and exhaust all courtesy to entertain him, greatly harassing the people. He also often told people how things were when he was in the Eastern Capital, how close his relationship with the Emperor was, and how Liu Chengyou would always grant him face...

Of course, Wang Jun was not doing bad things exclusively. In suppressing the Later Shu's influence, he did quite well. However, during the two states' "honeymoon period," repeatedly stirring up trouble in Longshang was also not conducive to the two states' "diplomatic relations."

Liu Chengyou had naturally heard of Wang Jun's deeds. Though dissatisfied, he had taken it as a temporary fit of arrogance. After all, Wang Jun's impression on him had always been good. But now, having met him in person, he finally understood that the local memorials had not exaggerated.

The changes in a man are sometimes truly too hard to predict.

On Mid-Autumn Festival day, Liu Chengyou held a military review at the great camp outside Yongji. The Guanzhong military governors and the officials and local worthies who had answered the summons were able to watch together, putting on a fine display of the imperial army's might and flexing some muscle.

This was a show of deterrence. Liu Chengyou believed that as long as those present spread word of the spectacle, the Great Han's military prestige would sink even deeper into people's hearts.

Afterward, he once again rewarded the three armies, fully sharing in the Mid-Autumn celebration with the officers and men above and below. The atmosphere was built up quite well. At the same time, he held a great banquet within the camp, entertaining the various military governors of Guanzhong, the senior generals accompanying the army, and the officers who had distinguished themselves in battle, drinking and viewing the moon together.

On the sixteenth day of the eighth month, within Yongji city, Liu Chengyou set about the final urgent matter before his return march. Carrying out a major adjustment of the various garrisons in Guanzhong—this was also the reason he had lingered in Hezhong, patiently waiting for the various military governors to come pay homage.

First, for Hezhong Prefecture, the very place where the rebellion had risen, Liu Chengyou no longer appointed a Military Governor. Instead, he made Hu Yanke, Commissioner of the Northern Court of Palace Attendants, Prefectural Administrator of Hezhong, in charge of the prefecture's military and civil affairs. Separately, Zhou Hui, Chief Commander of the Xiaodi Army, was stripped of his military post and made Judge of Hezhong military affairs. Hu Yanke was entrusted with an important post; Zhou Hui was demoted. At the same time, a certain balance could be achieved between the two. This could barely count as an initial attempt at "separation of military and civil administration."

As for Hua and Tong Prefectures, similar arrangements were made—the court dispatched civil officials to serve as Prefectural Administrators. On the military side, Wu Qianyu, Chief Commander of the Right Wing of the Husheng Army, was made Patrol Inspector of Hua and Tong.

Bai Wenke, on account of his old age, was transferred back to the Eastern Capital to succeed Hu Yanke as Commissioner of the Northern Court of Palace Attendants. Liu Chengyou's brother-in-law Song Yanwo was again given an important post, transferred to guard Jingzhao as Military Governor of Yongxing Army.

Yao Yuanfu was transferred to guard Fuzhou, appointed Military Governor of Baoda, with the added title of Grand Tutor, and bestowed ceremonial robes and an imperial horse. Zhang Yanchao was transferred to guard Jinzhou, appointed Military Governor of Jianxiong Army, with his honors and rank unchanged; because of his limp, Liu Chengyou specially bestowed upon him a gilded walking cane inlaid with jade. Wang Yan was transferred to guard Binzhou, appointed Military Governor of Jingnan Army, with the added title of Grand Minister of Works, and bestowed ritual vessels, silks, and saddled horses.

Wang Jun was replaced by Liu Chengyou without the slightest hesitation, with Zhao Hui transferred in. Letting Wang Jun remain in the provinces—Liu Chengyou had no confidence in that.

Of course, toward Wang Jun, Liu Chengyou still chose to endure. Though arrogant, he had yet to commit any great fault. He had rendered great service to the state and meritorious deeds to Liu Chengyou personally, and he was moreover one of his "old ministers." Even if only for show before others, Liu Chengyou had to put on a fine performance on stage. Considering his feelings, Liu Chengyou promoted him to Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs, enfeoffed him as Commandery Duke of Guangping, and kept him at his side—letting him bounce around, all within control.

The post of Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs had originally been intended by Liu Chengyou for Wei Renpu. On the other hand, the Bureau of Military Affairs had been controlled by Guo Wei for too long, and Wei Renpu did not enjoy contending for power—Guo Wei's influence had grown somewhat too great. With Wang Jun's ability and temperament entering the Bureau of Military Affairs, Liu Chengyou could continue to strengthen the Bureau's authority while also reining in Guo Wei.

This point was inevitable. The Wang Jun of today was hard to get along with. Even if his relationship with Guo Wei had been good before, times change, and when power was involved, the likelihood of the two turning on each other was very high. Liu Chengyou had considered all this very clearly.

As for Shanzhou, after Zhao Hui departed, Liu Chengyou had Liu Ci, Chief Commander of the Guangrui Army, succeed him as Military Governor—a reward for his service as well.

In this process, veteran generals of the imperial army such as Zhou Hui, Wu Qianyu, and Liu Ci were all naturally placed by Liu Chengyou into local posts. While strengthening control over the localities, this also further reduced the old generals' influence over the imperial army, strengthened Liu Chengyou's grip, and facilitated the reforms he wished to carry out.

The only two left unchanged were Shi Kuangyi of Jingyuan and Gao Yunquan of Yanzhou. However, Liu Chengyou sent some horse-breeding officers to Jingyuan, and in Yanzhou he established an oil commissioner, tasked specifically with extracting fierce-fire oil and transporting it to the Eastern Capital.

This string of edicts from Liu Chengyou virtually gave the entire Guanzhong region and part of Hedong a great "renovation." It was impossible for all to be convinced at heart, but Liu Chengyou had borrowed his authority very cleverly, allowing him to relatively easily overawe the various military governors of Guanzhong. In fact, this had also been one of the purposes behind Liu Chengyou's original decision to campaign in person. Most of these plans had long been calculated in Liu Chengyou's mind.

After this round of adjustments, the court's influence over and control of Guanzhong rose in a straight line.

PS: The virus is ruthless but people are compassionate. Believe in the frontline medical workers, believe in Academician Zhong, believe in the nation—just as seventeen years ago, we will surely overcome this disaster. I only hope that day can come sooner.

Everyone, take care!