Chapter 291: Grand Tutor to the Prince of Huaiyang

"Your Majesty, Chancellor Feng requests an audience!" Before Liu Chengyou could wander for long, the palace eunuch of Chuigong Hall hurried in to announce.

Outside the hall, blowing in the cold wind with a clear head, Liu Chengyou had originally wanted to summon Feng Dao—the sovereign and his minister engaging in a "discourse on the Way" in the winter breeze. But recalling that the old fox was advanced in years, and fearing he might catch a chill, he suppressed the whim that had arisen.

Quickly returning to the hall, a wave of warmth rushed to meet him. He unfastened the fur robe draped over his shoulders, and a servant immediately stepped forward to take it away for storage.

"Your old minister Feng Dao pays respects—" Catching sight of Liu Chengyou, Feng Dao, who had been savoring the imperial tea, hastily rose and performed a proper bow.

Liu Chengyou directly raised his hand to cut him off, gesturing: "Minister Feng, no need for ceremony."

Though he had cut a dashing figure braving the north wind outside the hall, once back indoors, he habitually gravitated toward the brazier. Inside the stove, charcoal burned quietly, the flames quite vigorous, laced with fragrant spices. He pressed both hands close, warming them for a while, and only then did his stiff, frozen fingers begin to loosen up considerably.

"The weather is bitterly cold—Minister Feng, you must take care of your health!" Liu Chengyou made casual conversation with Feng Dao.

At such concern from the Son of Heaven, an expression of gratitude immediately appeared on Feng Dao's aged face, and he very naturally put on a moved demeanor, bowing: "This minister thanks Your Majesty for your concern."

Seeing the old fox standing there with a bowed back, looking rather strained, Liu Chengyou promptly waved his hand: "Minister Feng, please sit!"

Liu Chengyou was standing—how would Feng Dao dare to sit? He shook his head, insisting on upholding the rites of a subject. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou had no choice but to return to the imperial seat, and only then did Feng Dao sit down respectfully.

"May this minister ask what instructions Your Majesty has?" Feng Dao raised the matter at hand.

"The Commandery Prince of Huaiyang is establishing his household. The Empress Dowager is uneasy and wishes to select a Grand Tutor for him—this matter falls upon me. The imperial bloodline is not abundant; I have only this one younger brother. Though he has moved out of the palace to establish his own residence, he is still young in years and unsettled in temperament. He needs a strict teacher to restrain and discipline him..." Liu Chengyou wasted no words, stating his intent directly.

Not long ago, with the Empress Dowager's permission, Liu Chengyou had formally released his imperial younger brother Liu Chenghsun from the palace, enfeoffing him as Commandery Prince of Huaiyang, with the nominal post of Governor of Huainan. Even a mere title could hardly conceal Liu Chengyou's restless ambitions.

Toward Liu Chenghsun, Liu Chengyou displayed great solicitude. He staffed the Huaiyang Prince's household with a full complement of subordinate officials and clerks to assist in his studies and martial training, and also transferred a squad of elite soldiers from the Konghe Army to serve as the household's guards. At present, the only thing lacking was a Grand Tutor to oversee all instruction.

To put it inauspiciously—if anything unexpected happened to Liu Chengyou, given the current circumstances, the one who would succeed to the great throne would be none other than Liu Chenghsun.

And on this very issue, Chancellor Yang Bin had committed another grave taboo—he had actually taken the initiative to volunteer, expressing his willingness to personally instruct Liu Chenghsun. This sent the jealousy and suspicion in Liu Chengyou's heart, which had somewhat eased, surging back to its peak—not directed at the ignorant lad Liu Chenghsun, but at Yang Bin.

And now, hearing these words, Feng Dao began muttering to himself inwardly. Judging by the Son of Heaven's meaning, it seemed he wanted Feng Dao to teach Liu Chenghsun? The old fox swiftly began weighing the pros and cons...

However, he soon heard Liu Chengyou say: "Minister Feng holds a reputation as a senior elder of this age, well acquainted with the worthy and capable throughout the realm—do you have any candidates to recommend?"

Hearing this, Feng Dao realized he had been overthinking. Meeting Liu Chengyou's gaze, he pondered seriously for a moment, then cupped his hands and replied: "Li Song, Academician of the Jixian Hall, served through the Tang and Jin dynasties, rising to the position of chief minister. He has long enjoyed renown, with proven merit and ability. What does Your Majesty think?"

Li Song—Liu Chengyou chewed over this name. Over all this time, he had gained some understanding of these former Jin remnant ministers, including this Li Song.

Especially during the earlier Su Fengji case, when investigating his crimes, a report had come up regarding a property dispute between this man and Su Fengji. After Su Fengji was demoted, Liu Chengyou had even taken it upon himself to return the residences in the two capitals to Li Song.

As for Li Song as a man—if one spoke of literary talent, perhaps he was not particularly remarkable; many in this age and court could surpass him. However, this man had an exceptionally rich résumé. He had held many offices—prefectural and garrison posts, the State Finance Commission, the Six Ministries, the palace Hanlin—accumulating his way up to chancellor. One could say his experience in officialdom and governance was extremely extensive.

During the former Jin, his career had reached its peak; even recommended by Yelu Deguang, he had been treated with considerable favor. However, since submitting to the Great Han, his luck had turned. Though the court had continued to grant officials like him sinecures and support, he had previously offended Su Fengji and nearly been persecuted. Since then, he had been idling away his days in the Jixian Hall, under Su Yugui's authority.

"In the battle of Luancheng, among the Jin ministers rescued—he was one of them, was he not?" Liu Chengyou asked casually amid his deliberations.

"Indeed. Speaking of it, Your Majesty has shown Academician Li the grace of saving his life!" Feng Dao said with a smile.

"When the Khitan ruler previously entered the Eastern Capital, among the Jin ministers he seized, only Minister Feng and Li Song received the greatest favor and honor. To be ranked alongside Minister Feng—I have some confidence in his abilities!" Liu Chengyou said slowly.

Hearing these words from Liu Chengyou, Feng Dao's heart tightened instead. From his understanding of the Son of Heaven, he would not speak without purpose. Why bring up the Khitan affair? Could it be he had some opinion about "ministers who surrendered to the Liao"?

Thinking of this, Feng Dao carefully shifted his tone: "As for Li Song's abilities, this minister also greatly admires them. No man is perfect—his only flaw is that his judgment of men is occasionally clouded."

"What Minister Feng refers to—could it be Shi Jingtang? Du Chongwei?" Liu Chengyou said.

"Your Majesty is perceptive—this old minister is in awe!" Feng Dao praised.

Shi Jingtang was dispatched to garrison Hedong, and Du Chongwei led the army to resist the Liao—both of these were recommendations Li Song had strongly advocated. Though they may have been made out of consideration for the circumstances and national conditions of that time, looking at the results, the fall of both the Tang and the Jin were greatly tied to Shi and Du.

Automatically filtering out the flattery, Liu Chengyou thought of something else and said: "Li Zhi and Li Yu, investigated and punished in Luoyang—they are his brothers, are they not?"

During the return march from the western campaign, when stopping over in Luoyang, Liu Chengyou had dealt with a batch of lawbreaking officials. Those two Lis had been among them, made examples of.

Hearing this, Feng Dao finally caught on. He reported: "If Your Majesty harbors concerns, you need only select a different worthy teacher for the Commandery Prince of Huaiyang. The court is full of talent—Hanlin Academician Li Huan has outstanding literary talent and profound learning..."

Li Huan was the younger brother of Chancellor Li Tao.

"Let it be Li Song then!" Liu Chengyou suddenly raised his hand, instructing those around him: "Have Tao Gu draft the decree—appoint Li Song as Grand Tutor to the Prince of Huaiyang!"

"Yes!"

With one matter settled, Liu Chengyou's mood relaxed somewhat. He glanced at Feng Dao and took the opportunity to ask: "Is there anything new at the Secretariat-Chancellery?"

"This minister was just about to report to Your Majesty. Daming Prefecture has reported that the Prince of Linqing has executed Zhang Peng, Deputy Military Governor of the Chengde Army!" Feng Dao observed Liu Chengyou's expression and answered cautiously.

Sure enough, hearing this, Liu Chengyou's brows knit deeply. With an indescribable feeling, he muttered to himself: "Why is it always a Deputy Military Governor of some garrison!"

"Has it been ascertained why he was killed?" Liu Chengyou asked: "I want to hear the truth!"

After a flicker of hesitation, Feng Dao answered honestly: "Zhang Peng had mocked the Prince of Linqing over the matter of 'surrendering to the Liao'!"