Chapter 413: The Puzhou Case (1)

"I have a past connection with that Zhang Jianxiong. After Zhang Jianxiong was killed, it was his servant boy who rode south at speed to the Eastern Capital to inform me!" Facing Liu Chengyou's questioning, Li Ye's gaze wavered somewhat.

Liu Chengyou could not help but show a mocking expression, speaking in a sarcastic tone: "It seems my maternal uncle's connection with Zhang Jianxiong is more than just a past acquaintance. Matters of life and death, and he informs you first—and at such speed, truly swift indeed!"

Choked by Liu Chengyou's words, feeling somewhat stifled, Li Ye's expression also turned unpleasant, feeling that this nephew of his did not respect him.

Outside the hall, the first light of dawn was beginning to show, soft radiance spilling down. A beautiful morning, a beautiful mood—disturbed by Li Ye's memorial of impeachment.

At the news of "Guo Rong killing the Prefect of Puzhou," Liu Chengyou's expression was heavy and solemn, his mind turning rapidly. He had a vague sense that this matter was likely true. What he wanted to figure out was exactly what the situation was, and why his maternal uncle, who should be minding his own affairs, was meddling in it—was it merely because of that "old friendship"?

Seeing the Son of Heaven's utterly indifferent expression, Li Ye below rolled his eyes a few times, then could not hold back and said: "Your Majesty, though I considered my old friendship and came forward to plead Zhang Jianxiong's case, Guo Rong killing him is indeed true. That Guo Rong, relying on the trust and authority bestowed by Your Majesty, throws his weight around in the localities, and even dares to kill a Prefect of a prefecture without authorization—what place does he leave for the laws and statutes of the state..."

Seeing Li Ye so impatient, wanting him to deal with Guo Rong, Liu Chengyou somewhat suspected—when had Guo Rong ever offended him? He responded with an indifferent tone: "I said, first get the facts straight. Besides, even if it happened, it is not within the purview of the Commissioner of Palace Attendants!"

Liu Chengyou's words were already quite impolite. It was clear that he truly did not think much of this maternal uncle, and this memorial, from the very start, had made Liu Chengyou uncomfortable.

For the proud and arrogant Imperial Uncle Li, the embarrassment in his heart was now written on his face, filled with shame and indignation—he had come bearing a "sincere and loyal heart." But no matter how displeased he felt, he had to endure it. These days, there was basically no one in the court who dared to throw a tantrum before the Emperor.

Soon, Zhang Dejun returned from the Hall of State Affairs, and accompanying him were the chancellors Li Tao and Fan Zhi.

Liu Chengyou asked about the matter. The two ministers exchanged a glance, then Li Tao produced a memorial booklet and respectfully presented it: "Your Majesty, it is indeed true. This is the memorial from the Zhenning Army Military Governor received this morning. Military Governor Guo Rong reports that the Prefect of Puzhou violated the legal order of the Great Han, did not respect the court's decrees, imposed excessive taxes and levies, and cruelly abused the people—so in anger, he killed him. Guo Rong, knowing his crime, has already surrendered himself to the Puzhou prison and requests the court's disposition!"

"Audacious! What audacity!" Hearing this, Liu Chengyou immediately became angry, his gaze sweeping with a fearsome aura.

"I have always known Guo Rong to be solemn and fierce in temperament, but I never imagined he would be so reckless. That Zhang Jianxiong, even if guilty of crimes deserving a thousand cuts, was not his to kill! By doing this, what does he take the court's laws to be?" Liu Chengyou let out a long sigh: "Guo Rong has failed my expectations!"

"Your Majesty, calm your anger!" Seeing the Son of Heaven so agitated—a rare sight—Li Tao and Fan Zhi hurriedly urged.

Quickly calming his emotions, Liu Chengyou rose and slowly paced about the hall, then turned and asked: "What do the two Chancellors think should be done regarding Guo Rong's matter?"

At the question, it was Fan Zhi who stepped forward, cupping his hands: "Your Majesty, Guo Rong has served in the Zhenning Army for over three years. His governance has been clean and upright, the soldiers and people at peace—he may be called excellent, and all praise him. He has rendered great merit to the state. Your servant also knows that Your Majesty has always valued his talents."

"However, as Your Majesty has said, the state has just been established, the governing framework is just being constructed, and the laws and regulations are still being continuously refined to bind the realm. At such a time, as a high minister of the court, one must not be the first to break the laws."

"Therefore, in terms of merit, he should be rewarded and promoted; in terms of crime, he should be severely punished. In your servant's view, Guo Rong should be strictly punished to serve as a warning to others. Let all the Military Governors of the realm see and be alerted to their conduct!"

The Great Han's first edition of the Criminal Code had been compiled by Fan Zhi leading the effort over the course of a year. Naturally, he would vigorously defend this legal code. Therefore, even knowing his words would offend the immensely powerful Guo clan at court, he did not hesitate and spoke boldly.

Though in these past few months, Guo Wei had been at home feigning illness and the Guo clan's power had been somewhat suppressed, smart people would never underestimate them because of that.

"Your Majesty, your servant believes Chancellor Fan has spoken with impartiality and is most reasonable!" Li Ye, who had been listening from the side, hurriedly said.

At Li Ye's eagerness, Liu Chengyou finally nodded, then looked at Li Tao: "What does Minister Li think?"

Li Tao had also been considering, but almost guessing at Liu Chengyou's intentions, he said cautiously: "Your servant concurs!"

After thinking it over, Liu Chengyou said directly: "Go. Have Vice Censor-in-Chief Zhao Li make a trip to Puzhou and investigate the matter thoroughly. As for Guo Rong, have him escorted back to the Eastern Capital first, to be dealt with later!"

"Yes!"

After the ministers withdrew, Liu Chengyou's expression calmed, his gaze deep as a still pool. Upon hearing of the Puzhou matter, Liu Chengyou had been somewhat surprised at first, but in terms of emotion, he was not as angry as he had shown before Li Tao, Fan Zhi, and the others.

The matter had already happened. What Liu Chengyou needed to consider now was how to handle the aftermath. Killing a high official of a prefecture without authorization—if the matter were escalated to the highest level, it would warrant the death penalty. But killing Guo Rong was impossible for Liu Chengyou, at least at this stage.

As for the specifics of how to handle the aftermath, Liu Chengyou only had some vague notions in his head, not yet formed. But as Fan Zhi had said, using this opportunity to uphold the court's legal system, warn the Military Governors of the realm, and restrain the conduct of the regional commands—such an effect could be achieved.

As for Puzhou Prefect Zhang Jianxiong, Liu Chengyou did have some impression of him, because over the past few years, Puzhou's annual tribute to the court had always exceeded the standard, and his service had been exceptionally submissive.

But the position of Prefect of Puzhou had been obtained when Zhang Jianxiong, taking advantage of the founding year of the Great Han, killed the Prefect appointed by the Khitan, took charge of the prefecture himself, and submitted to the Han court. Gaozu Liu Zhiyuan had accepted him.

Since then, the position of Prefect of Puzhou had never changed. After Liu Chengyou ascended the throne, given his nature, it should have been changed, especially for a prefecture in the Central Plains like Puzhou. However, Zhang Jianxiong had indeed been respectful and submissive to the court, so it had not been attended to.

As for why Guo Rong had come into conflict with Zhang Jianxiong, Liu Chengyou had some slight speculation. According to the court's division of prefectures and commands, the Zhenning Army governed two prefectures—Chanzhou and Puzhou—with Puzhou belonging to the subordinate prefectures.

Given Guo Rong's character, having governed the military and civil affairs of Chanzhou for three years, how could he tolerate the subordinate prefecture of Puzhou being long controlled by Zhang Jianxiong? The emergence of conflict was something that could be anticipated. What Liu Chengyou had not expected was that Guo Rong would respond with such drastic measures.

After deep deliberation, Liu Chengyou formed a plan and ordered someone to summon Wang Jingchong, Deputy Commissioner of the Wude Office.

Wang Jingchong came to the audience upon the summons. Liu Chengyou did not waste words and directly instructed: "Regarding Guo Rong killing Zhang Jianxiong, go personally to Puzhou and investigate the full cause and effect of this case for me. Some things, the censors cannot see!"

"Your servant obeys!" Seeing the solemn tone of the Son of Heaven, Wang Jingchong immediately responded.

"Also!" Liu Chengyou pondered for a moment, then added another order: "While you're at it, investigate what connection Commissioner of Palace Attendants Li Ye has in this matter. Also, how did he come to know of it, and faster than the court at that! Why did the Wude Office not detect this matter, and why was no report submitted!"

Hearing this order, Wang Jingchong was somewhat startled inwardly, able to sense that the Son of Heaven seemed somewhat dissatisfied with the Wude Office's work.

Not daring to be negligent, he bowed and said: "Yes! Your servant will see to it immediately."

After Wang Jingchong withdrew, Liu Chengyou pondered for a moment, then instructed Zhang Dejun: "Send someone to the Guo residence to inform the Duke of Xing of the Puzhou matter!"