Chapter 380: The Emperor Favors Yang Ye Especially

Of course, the Great Han had not been stable for long, and although Liu Chengyou's will was resolute, he was unwilling to provoke greater turmoil because of it. After a moment's thought, he instructed Feng Dao: "Issue an edict to the Military Governors, Surveillance Commissioners, Defense Commissioners, Militia Commissioners, and Prefects of all circuits and prefectures—strengthen control over their jurisdictions, ensure the rectification of Buddhist temples proceeds as decreed. Monks and nuns who reveal wicked intentions, commoners who cannot distinguish right from wrong, and those who gather crowds to cause disorder—suppress them immediately, and enforce the national law sternly!"

Liu Chengyou's words carried a ruthless edge, and the few ministers in the hall could not help but feel a chill run through their bodies. Once this edict of the Son of Heaven was issued, more blood would inevitably be spilled among the people.

Liu Chengyou was also helpless. His will was resolute—the matter of abolishing Buddhism would be carried through to the very end, eliminating all its harms. Though this edict seemed cold, when weighing two harms, one chooses the lesser. Only with the harshest attitude and the most severe measures could the ignorant masses in all directions be cowed.

Turmoil might be unavoidable, but Liu Chengyou's intent was to keep it contained at the smallest possible intensity—this too, was to avoid shedding even more blood.

After pondering for a while, Liu Chengyou said: "On the Hedong side, the rectification work has been handled well. The Imperial Uncle, Wang Jingchong, and Yang Ye have ultimately not disappointed Us. Issue an edict of commendation and circulate it throughout the realm, so that the Military Governors, officers, and officials of all other garrisons may emulate them!"

"As you command!" Feng Dao replied, joy dancing upon his aged brows—after all, Yang Ye was his grandson-in-law.

Mentioning the affairs of Hedong brought his beloved general to mind, and Liu Chengyou's expression softened. He said: "The Guo County rebellion was settled by Yang Ye in a single day—decisive in action, proper in handling, deeply pleasing to Us. Minister Feng, what reward do you think We should bestow?"

"This..." Though his heart was delighted for his grandson-in-law, Feng Dao's habitual caution made him instinctively glance at the Emperor: "Your Majesty, given Yang Ye's relationship with this old minister, this old minister truly finds it inconvenient to speak on this matter."

"Ah..." Liu Chengyou seemed to be in high spirits, raising his hand and sweeping his sleeve: "The ancients said, when recommending within one's own circle, one need not avoid kin. We hold military and civil authority, and have always been clear in rewards and punishments. The righteous path flows grandly, and there is nothing to avoid. Since Yang Ye has merit, he naturally deserves reward. If I have Minister Feng determine the reward, it will be done openly and properly—there is no reason to suspect favoritism!"

Even hearing the Son of Heaven say this, the old Chancellor Feng still shook his head, unwilling to give others grounds for gossip. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou could not help but laugh: "Since that is the case, We will not force the old Chancellor. Hmm... given the merits Yang Ye has accumulated over these past two years, let Dai Prefecture be restored as a defense prefecture, with Yang Ye as its Defense Commissioner!"

"This old minister begs Your Majesty to withdraw the decree!" Just as he was about to bestow generous favor, Feng Dao unexpectedly voiced his opposition.

Meeting the Son of Heaven's scrutinizing gaze, Feng Dao clasped his hands and explained: "Yang Ye is still young after all—his seniority and ability are both insufficient. Holding command over a single prefecture's militia is already a high position for one so young, let alone defending an entire prefecture. This minister knows that Your Majesty holds Yang Ye dear and appreciates his talent, and he too has expressed gratitude and loyalty to Your Majesty. However, this old minister believes that overly rapid promotion is nothing less than pulling up seedlings to help them grow—it would not be a good thing for Yang Ye. Better to let him remain in the border prefectures, to be tempered further, to spur his abilities, so that in the future he may better serve Your Majesty and the court with full loyalty..."

Hearing Feng Dao's discourse, Liu Chengyou found it truly rare—it seemed only when it came to matters concerning those close to him would the old fox exert himself so.

Understanding Feng Dao's protective intentions, and considering that his reasoning did indeed hold some merit—within the Great Han's military system, both central and local, Yang Ye had indeed risen somewhat too quickly for his age—Liu Chengyou, though fond of promoting young talents, also needed to follow basic principles. Yang Ye still needed to build a stronger foundation.

Having made his decision, Liu Chengyou accepted the admonition readily and said directly: "Minister Feng's considerations are most reasonable. However, merit must be rewarded. For pacifying the Guo County rebellion, Yang Ye shall be elevated to Marquis of Guo, with a fief of five hundred households, one hundred households in actual enfeoffment, plus twenty bolts of silk and one hundred thousand cash. Hmm... and grant his wife a fifth-rank titled lady's honor!"

"This old minister thanks Your Majesty for the generous grace!" Feng Dao directly expressed gratitude on behalf of his junior.

"We hear Yang Ye has recently been blessed with a son—congratulations are in order!" The atmosphere in the hall turned somewhat peculiar, as Liu Chengyou actually began making small talk with Feng Dao.

Feng Dao could only adapt on the spot and replied: "Indeed! Previously, a letter came from Dai Prefecture bearing the happy news. This old minister named the child Yanzhao..."

"Yang Yanzhao?" Liu Chengyou could not help but smile: "Excellent!"

Inwardly he mused—so Yang the Sixth Son has become Yang the Eldest Son? His eyes flickered as he looked at Feng Dao and said: "Your granddaughter has been stationed at Dai with Yang Ye for nearly two years now. Grandfather and granddaughter are separated by mountains and a thousand li, unable to meet—surely she misses you greatly. Very well, We shall grant your family another favor: once the situation in the Xin and Dai region stabilizes, let Yang Ye bring his wife back to the Eastern Capital to visit their families!"

"This old minister thanks Your Majesty!" Feng Dao immediately bowed in gratitude, his expression visibly moved.

Xue Juzheng, standing nearby, silently recorded this exchange between sovereign and minister. He was gifted in letters and bore the task of compiling the *National History*, widely collecting anecdotes of the present dynasty. Should he one day write a biography of Yang Ye, today's events in the hall could be briefly noted as supplementary material—the Son of Heaven held Yang Ye in special favor!

At the same time, he admired the Son of Heaven's skill in winning hearts. In Xue Juzheng's view, summoning Yang Ye back to the capital to hear his report was likely the true purpose, yet spoken from Liu Chengyou's mouth, it became the Son of Heaven's gracious consideration for his subject... And Feng Dao and Yang Ye would indeed have to express their gratitude.

"Your Majesty, if there is nothing else, we shall take our leave!" After briefly discussing some more court affairs, Feng Dao and the other took the initiative to withdraw.

Liu Chengyou did not detain them long, letting them go. Alone once more, he leaned over the imperial desk, ordered someone to spread out a blank sheet of paper, and picked up his brush to write a single character—"Buddha." He stared at it, lost in thought, his expression turning serious. After pondering for a long while, he took up a vermilion brush and drew a single stroke through it, the force pressing through the paper.

"Summon someone—call Vice Director of the Secretariat Fan Zhi and Supervising Secretary Wang Qiwu!" After another long silence, Liu Chengyou ordered messengers to be sent.

Soon, Fan and Wang arrived and were granted an audience before the hall.

Liu Chengyou was very direct, revealing his intentions plainly: "There is no one else in the hall—you two are Our most trusted ministers, so We shall speak frankly. In this abolition of Buddhism, We do not seek to sever the Buddhist tradition's lineage. It is only because the monks have hidden population, occupied land, and amassed wealth—long since become a chronic ailment—that it truly hinders the court's governance and the recovery of the Great Han's national strength."

"At present, the abolition of Buddhism across the realm has reached a certain stage. Yet Buddhism's influence among the common people remains considerable, and in various places, deluded commoners have been stirred into disorder, occurring repeatedly of late. Now that things have reached this point, it is time to consider the matter of wrapping up!"

Fan Zhi and Wang Qiwu exchanged a glance, and Fan Zhi bowed: "Your Majesty is wise and enlightened! Please grant Your Majesty's instructions!"

The two of them had long held the same view, but had previously been unable to discern the Emperor's intentions and dared not offer unsolicited advice.

"The Buddhist faith aids the world and encourages goodness—its benefits are considerable. The previous deterioration was due to the lack of prohibitions and regulations. To elevate the faith, one must distinguish good from bad. After this matter, the banner of 'restoring old statutes and reforming past abuses' must not be lowered. As for the temples throughout the realm, they must not be left unchecked—they need to be constrained by regulations, lest in time the old ills resurface. When you return, gather your subordinates, pool your wisdom, and draft a set of regulations to govern this matter, to serve as standing law!"

Both men were men of talent and easily discerned the imperial intent. They answered in unison: "Yes!"