Chapter 399: Personnel Adjustments

As the twelfth month drew to a close, the bitter cold of heaven and earth gradually receded. Inside Chongzheng Hall, several senior ministers from the Secretariat-Chancellery and the Bureau of Military Affairs waited with utmost deference. This time the Son of Heaven had not yet arrived, so they all remained standing.

Feng Dao, Li Tao, Zhao Ying, Fan Zhi, and Wei Renpu — each wore an expressionless face. All knew that the Son of Heaven was in poor spirits due to Liu Shenjiao's passing. In recent days, old ministers at court had successively "retired." Others might not see it, but how could these high officials fail to perceive the "sinister" intent behind the Son of Heaven's solicitude toward his aged ministers?

Li Tao, Fan Zhi, and Wei Renpu were relatively at ease — their ages were just right, and they were mostly relied upon by Liu Chengyou. Of those present, the most tense was Feng Dao, for he was the eldest among them. No matter how heavily the Emperor had favored him all along and been willing to delegate power, one could never tell when he might be "solicitously retired."

In a chaotic dynasty, Feng Dao had no interest in being chancellor to a doomed Son of Heaven. But now that the Great Han's fortunes were steadily rising, the old fox Feng was still willing to linger at court for a few more years, to contribute what warmth he had left...

Accompanied by the palace eunuch's high-pitched announcement, Liu Chengyou strode in with wind at his heels, crossed the hall threshold, and made straight for the imperial desk.

"Dispense with the formalities!" He flicked his ceremonial robe — a short, forceful motion — and instructed the ministers who were bowing in salute.

Once the several men had taken their seats, Liu Chengyou set down the scroll in his hand and went straight to the point: "I have summoned you, gentlemen, regarding the staffing of several important posts at home and abroad! Luoyang, Ruzhou, Yunzhou, Yanzhou, Anzhou — every one is a vital prefecture of the realm. The selection of officials must be handled with care!"

With that, he looked toward Fan Zhi: "I long ago had you gentlemen deliberate on Duke of Zheng's reassignment. Including the three days of suspended court, five or six days have passed — still no result?"

Sensing a trace of displeasure in the Son of Heaven's attitude, Fan Zhi found it hard to maintain his usual grave bearing, and dared not show his customary impatience. He hurriedly rose to report: "Your Majesty, after our deliberation, Duke of Zheng is a valiant general of the army — skilled at commanding troops, but not at governance. To place him over a prefecture as a shepherd of the people would do more harm than good. Better to use him to garrison the frontier. This would both resolve Luoyang's misgovernance and put his abilities to use!"

Fan Zhi and the others were less deliberating than guessing at the Emperor's intentions.

"This consideration is acceptable!" Sure enough, after only a moment's thought, Liu Chengyou nodded in approval and asked: "Is there a target prefecture among the frontier garrisons?"

Fan Zhi hurriedly said: "The land of Shuofang hangs isolated in the northwest. Though it is Han territory, it has no good governance, allowing the barbarian tribes to run rampant and ravage the Han lands — a name without substance. At present, His Excellency the Imperial Father-in-Law, Duke Zhe, is leading troops in the northwest to subjugate the Wild Chicken and Ox-Killing tribes. Ningzhou has already been recovered, and come spring next year, it will surely be a time for further campaigning. Duke Zheng's arrival would be just the help needed!"

Having finished his report, Fan Zhi watched the Emperor's reaction. To his relief, Liu Chengyou showed not a moment's hesitation and agreed directly: "Excellent! Execute it accordingly. Transfer Shi Hongzhao to be Military Governor of Shuofang — let him go to Lingzhou."

"Yes!"

"With Duke Zheng leaving his post, who should be entrusted with the Western Capital's garrison? Luoyang is the heart of the realm, the Great Han's secondary capital — of paramount importance!" Without any pause, Liu Chengyou asked again.

"Jing Fan, Defense Commissioner of Zhengzhou, has served three years in office with outstanding achievements. He merits promotion. Your ministers believe he can guard the Western Capital!" Feng Dao reported carefully in his aged voice.

"Jing Fan has administrative talent and the ability to govern the world. For him to govern Luoyang suits my wishes well — the court can rest easy! So be it!" Liu Chengyou agreed directly once more.

Two personnel proposals in a row had both won Liu Chengyou's approval, and the atmosphere in the hall relaxed considerably. Feng Dao and Fan Zhi both unconsciously let out sighs of relief.

"With Jing Fan leaving, who can succeed him at Zhengzhou?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Feng Dao said: "Zhang Zhao, Chief of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, is keen-witted and experienced, a veteran minister of successive courts. He can govern Zhengzhou!"

Zhang Zhao had made no infrequent appearances before Liu Chengyou, especially in the early days of his succession, where he had rendered some service in constructing the court's ritual and ceremonial systems.

He responded: "Acceptable. Let him administer Zhengzhou!"

"Who can succeed at Ruzhou?"

Fan Zhi said: "Yu Chongliang, Secretariat Drafter..."

Before he could finish, Liu Chengyou cut him off directly: "Minister Yu holds a post in the Secretariat. The drafting of edicts is burdensome and complex, and his handling and dispatch of affairs suits my wishes well. He will not be sent to the provinces! Choose someone else!"

"Yes!" Fan Zhi paused, then said: "Vice Minister of Rites Situ Xu has long been known for his competence. He is an upright official, versed in the classics and their meanings, with experience in local posts. He can serve at Ruzhou!"

Liu Chengyou said nothing, seemingly recalling this man's record. After considering for a moment, he said: "Then let Situ Xu administer Ruzhou!"

"And Yanzhou?" Liu Chengyou's expression had gradually turned cold.

This time it was Feng Dao who stood: "Ma Yisun, Supervisor of the Household of the Crown Prince..."

No sooner had the name left his mouth than Liu Chengyou rejected it: "Minister Ma is a pure Confucian. The military and administrative affairs of a prefecture are complex and tangled — not something he can handle. Better keep him at court, where he can pursue scholarship and compile books in the Three Institutes!"

The Son of Heaven's attitude gave Feng Dao a start. He unconsciously glanced up,

and catching sight of Liu Chengyou's inscrutable face, spoke even more cautiously: "Vice Minister of Revenue Yan Kan is honest and filial, long renowned for his administrative achievements, with rich governing experience. Your Majesty, what do you think?"

A cold gaze swept over Feng Dao twice, making the old fox somewhat uncomfortable, before Liu Chengyou finally replied flatly: "Demote Yanzhou to a defense prefecture, and make Yan Kan its Defense Commissioner!"

"Yes!" For no discernible reason, Feng Dao let out a sigh of relief.

Reflecting on his recommendations in this exchange, and noting the Son of Heaven's forbidding cold face, the old fox Feng suddenly understood. Had he not feared losing composure before the throne, he truly would have yanked out a few strands of his grizzled beard...

And so, when Liu Chengyou again asked who should take the post at Yunzhou, Feng Dao began to fix his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, leaving it to the others to speak.

At this moment, Chancellor Li Tao seized the opportunity and spoke first: "Your Majesty—"

But Liu Chengyou had no intention of letting him speak, and once again brusquely cut off his minister's words, chuckling: "So Chancellor Li also has worthy talents to recommend? It seems you gentlemen all have candidates ready, having thought it all out for me — I needn't trouble my own mind at all..."

The moment Liu Chengyou uttered these mocking, sardonic words, Feng Dao, Li Tao, and Fan Zhi hurriedly rose and bowed: "Your Majesty speaks too gravely — your ministers dare not!"

By now, who could fail to sense the Emperor's displeasure? Liu Chengyou had summoned them to deliberate — not to have the ministers arrange things for him!

"However, I still wish to place one or two people myself!" Liu Chengyou swept his gaze over the several chancellors, his words like blades, their edge piercing to the heart.

The old ministers' bodies trembled simultaneously. They all bowed their heads, not daring to meet the Emperor's knife-sharp gaze.

"As for Yunzhou — my imperial uncle has long had no heart for governing there. These past two years, all military and civil affairs have come from his staff. I consider that Yunzhou lies in the heartland of the Central Plains, free from foreign invasion, and has no need for a Military Governor, Surveillance Commissioner, Defense Commissioner, or Militia Commissioner. Henceforth, the garrison shall be abolished and it shall become a regular prefecture. As for the man to govern it, I have in mind Shi Decheng, son of Duke of Zheng. I have observed him for a long time — he is an upright man. Let him administer Yunzhou!"

"Your Majesty has keen eyes for talent!" At such a moment, who would dare raise objections? Feng Dao offered praise as usual, seeking to draw close to the Son of Heaven.

"As for Anzhou..."

"We await Your Majesty's imperial appointment!" This time, Feng Dao wisely petitioned.

The old fox had shown good sense, and Liu Chengyou could hardly fault him further. As he pondered candidates, Chancellor Zhao Ying, who had remained silent throughout, stepped forward: "Your Majesty, this old minister has a candidate."

"Oh?" Liu Chengyou's brow unconsciously furrowed as he turned his head to fix his gaze on the man. In his impression, this remnant of the former Jin was not one to lack tact.

"Speak!"

"This old minister is aged and dim-witted, often feeling his energy flagging. He feels himself no longer able to remain long at the center of power, occupying the chancellor's seat. He humbly requests to be appointed to administer Anzhou..."

Zhao Ying's request was, indeed, beyond Liu Chengyou's expectations.