Chapter 287: Rectifying Conduct

On the day of Yichou in the ninth month of the first year of Qianyou, it snowed. As the month was about to enter its final third, this year's snow had come somewhat early, somewhat strangely, making Liu Chengyou unable to suppress his concern—what if another snow disaster struck?

In Chuigong Hall, warm incense permeated the air, and the faint crackling of charcoal fire made the imperial hall seem even quieter. Guided by a palace eunuch, a robustly built Central Plains official walked casually before the emperor.

"Your servant, Nie Wenjin, Chief Recipient of Petitions of the Bureau of Military Affairs, pays respects to His Majesty!"

"Rise!" Liu Chengyou only slightly lifted his gaze, his tone somewhat cold, still burying his head in handling the memorials before him. One was a report from Hebei concerning post-withdrawal matters after the Liao army's northward retreat; the other was a memorial of audience requests from various military governors.

Zhe Congruan of Yong'an Army, Zhang Yanwei of Chengde Army, Wang Jing of Henghai Army, Liu Zhu of Pinglu Army, and Murong Yanchao of Taining Army—in recent days, they had all, as if by unspoken agreement, submitted memorials to the Eastern Capital, requesting to enter the capital for an audience.

"Reply to the Secretariat: issue an edict permitting the various military governors to enter the capital!" Liu Chengyou instructed the attendants beside him. Though his voice was low, it was exceptionally clear and awe-inspiring.

Nie Wenjin, left standing aside, felt his heart sink at this sight. Though he held an important post in the Bureau of Military Affairs, Liu Chengyou had never before summoned him alone. As Liu Chengyou's authority grew daily, no one in military or civil affairs dared to underestimate this young Son of Heaven. Nie Wenjin had already been somewhat uneasy in his heart, but seeing Liu Chengyou's cold attitude, he grew even more anxious.

The position of Chief Recipient of Petitions of the Bureau of Military Affairs was considered quite high in rank and authority. This Nie Wenjin, by virtue of his status as a founding follower, was quite arrogant and overbearing there, jealous of the worthy and envious of the able—rampant for a time. Liu Chengyou had previously made no move, merely sitting back and watching his misconduct; the Great Han's court did not lack such a contemptible minister.

But now, while rectifying the military, Liu Chengyou was also formally beginning to address the rectification of official governance. The atmosphere of the Great Han court had to change—change greatly. And it would start first with the emperor's close ministers.

"May I ask what instructions His Majesty has for your servant?" The oppressive weight in Liu Chengyou's gaze made Nie Wenjin's heart grow even more uneasy, and even his voice trembled slightly as he bowed.

Unlike when receiving other ministers, Liu Chengyou did not bid him to sit and reply. He scrutinized the minister who was still behaving obediently before him, as if comparing him to the person described in the secret memorials—one could hardly see how this man was usually so arrogant and hard to control.

"Tea and Wine Commissioner and concurrently Saddle and Bridle Depot Commissioner Guo Yunming—is Minister Nie familiar with him?" Liu Chengyou finally withdrew his gaze from Nie Wenjin, which had made him quite uncomfortable, and asked lightly.

"I dare not conceal from His Majesty—your servant and Commissioner Guo served together under the late emperor's banner in our youth, and have been friends for many years!" Though uncertain of Liu Chengyou's purpose, Nie Wenjin answered readily, and did not forget to mention Liu Zhiyuan, seemingly trying to use Liu Zhiyuan to draw closer in relation.

Liu Chengyou gently shook his head, a hint of a smile on his lips, and spoke to him in a calm tone: "Guo Yunming, as a close minister managing the imperial household's private affairs, grew arrogant from favor, reckless and overbearing, utterly lacking in propriety and respect. He even cultivated relations with outside ministers, going so far as to present imperial wine as gifts—his heart of overstepping and defying authority can truly be called rampant!"

Hearing this, Nie Wenjin hastily bowed: "Your servant knew absolutely nothing—that what Guo Yunming gifted was actually imperial wine!"

"Is that so?" Liu Chengyou asked. "If I remember correctly, the prohibition on alcohol—I have not yet issued an edict lifting it, have I..."

"Your Majesty, please forgive your servant!" Nie Wenjin could not help but shrink his neck as he replied.

"I have been taught by my late father and the Empress Dowager to treat the founding followers of Taiyuan with great leniency. But for close ministers, excessive leniency breeds insolence. If they treat even me thus, how much more so others?" Liu Chengyou said coldly. "Just moments ago, I ordered Guo Yunming arrested, taken to the palace gate, and beheaded before all, to uphold the nation's law!"

At these words, Nie Wenjin's expression changed drastically. As a fellow old minister of Gaozu, Guo Yunming's relationship with the imperial house was, to a certain degree, far closer than his own—yet for committing such a "minor fault," he had been directly seized and executed.

Liu Chengyou's words were clearly not spoken in jest, and their cold ruthlessness sent a chill through Nie Wenjin's heart, once again revising his understanding—though the Son of Heaven was young, he truly could not be lightly insulted.

More importantly, why had he been summoned alone to hear this matter? That was what truly filled Nie Wenjin with dread.

"Minister Nie has also followed my late father for many years, has he not?" As if sensing the trace of tension in Nie Wenjin's heart, Liu Chengyou turned the topic back to him.

"Blessed with the late emperor's trust, your servant has served him for nearly fifteen years!" Nie Wenjin calmly displayed his seniority.

His lips curling with cold mockery, Liu Chengyou said: "No wonder..."

Liu Chengyou's words seemed to carry an unspoken remainder, and he continued with a sigh: "After the Great Han was established, when merits were rewarded, Minister Nie was treated rather generously, was he not?"

Nie Wenjin followed up: "The late emperor's great grace—he granted your servant the post of Recipient of Petitions of the Bureau of Military Affairs, and additionally conferred the title of Grand General. Your servant is deeply grateful!"

"So then, it is I who have treated Minister Nie harshly?" Liu Chengyou's tone turned cold, his knife-like gaze sweeping toward Nie Wenjin.

"Why would Your Majesty say such a thing!" Nie Wenjin clasped his fists tightly and hastily replied, his demeanor already strained to the breaking point.

For one should know, after Liu Chengyou ascended the throne, when rewarding the various ministers, he had not overlooked Nie Wenjin either—promoting him to Chief Recipient of Petitions of the Bureau of Military Affairs and conferring the title of Grand General of the Garrison Guard.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou stood up, picked up a small stack of memorials from the imperial desk, walked slowly to Nie Wenjin, and personally handed them to him: "Take a look!"

Taking them, tucking them under his arm, he pulled out one volume and opened it to read. His gaze seemed to be seized tight, a shifting expression flashing across his face. Nie Wenjin spoke rapidly: "These are all words of slander and revenge! Though your servant's conduct has occasionally been excessive and immoderate, I am deeply resented by petty men who retaliate with impeachments. Your Majesty, in your wisdom, must never lightly believe such slander!"

This stack of memorials were all impeachments, from various times, targeting Nie Wenjin's violations of law and discipline. The most recent was from the Palace Censor Zhao Li, who had accompanied Liu Chengyou east from Luoyang to Kaifeng, accusing Nie Wenjin of abusing his authority. When the need arose, Liu Chengyou brought them out to make his point.

Nie Wenjin's defense was pale and feeble, and somewhat familiar—it seemed that when Shi Hongzhao had faced a barrage of impeachments back then, his reaction had been just the same. However, in comparison, Shi Hongzhao's confidence had been far greater than Nie Wenjin's.

Liu Chengyou's shrewd eyes stared fixedly at Nie Wenjin, watching fine sweat break out on his forehead, and said coldly: "You said I am discerning—do you think I am so easy to deceive? Whether there is evidence, whether it is the truth—can I not distinguish clearly? Before me, do you still wish to argue and quibble stubbornly?"

"With Minister Nie's weighty qualifications, you ought to have been my right-hand minister, a trusted aide—and that is what I had always hoped for!" Liu Chengyou's face took on a grim expression, still staring at him: "It is only a pity—I have been disappointed!"

Liu Chengyou's expression and tone grew increasingly severe, increasingly indifferent. Nie Wenjin's body trembled, his legs involuntarily going weak, and he collapsed to his knees, trembling lips forcing out a single sentence: "Your servant admits his guilt! Your Majesty, please forgive your servant!"

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou's expression finally softened somewhat. He slowly returned behind the desk, sat down, and calmly looked at Nie Wenjin.

"In consideration of your merit as a founding follower and your many years of service to the late emperor, I will spare your life!"

At these words, Nie Wenjin immediately let out a great sigh of relief and hastily bowed in thanks: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Don't be so quick to thank me!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand. "You cannot remain at court. Go to Tongzhou and serve as Prefectural Administrator!"

"As commanded! Thank you, Your Majesty!" Nie Wenjin hastily replied again. At this moment, he could not afford to worry about anything else.

"Once you reach your post, you must restrain your conduct and care well for the people. I hope that the bond between us, sovereign and minister, can last a while longer..." Liu Chengyou admonished.

"Yes! Your servant will certainly reform his ways completely!"

Only after Nie Wenjin retreated with hurried, flustered steps did Liu Chengyou mutter quietly to himself: Can he really change?