Chapter 43: The Audience

The banquet finally ended in a slightly awkward atmosphere. Wang Shou'en, feeling he had obtained Liu Chengyou's "promise," left satisfied, while Gao Fang let out a sigh. As for Li Wanchao, he was in low spirits, looking somewhat ashamed to be associated with the man.

"Your Highness, this Wang Shou'en truly doesn't know his place—he dares to beg for rewards right before you!" In the hall, several people remained behind, and Zhang Yanwei, being very "politically correct," was the first to launch a denunciation of Wang Shou'en.

Xiang Xun also gently shook his head and remarked with feeling: "This humble official long knew Wang Shou'en was greedy and base, but did not know his avarice could blind him to such a degree! To beg rewards from Your Highness before all the civil and military officials of Luzhou—this is coercing you into granting them!"

Liu Chengyou, however, had already regained his composure, his expression calm. He looked at Guo Rong and asked: "What do you think of this man?"

"A petty villain! But in all the prefectures under heaven, such men are by no means few. Your Highness need not trouble yourself overmuch about him!" After a moment's thought, Guo Rong replied calmly, then looked at Liu Chengyou: "As for his request, how does Your Highness intend to respond? Will you truly comply?"

Liu Chengyou withdrew his gaze, looking down at a dish before him. He let out a gentle breath and said: "Even if Wang Shou'en had not raised it, I would still have drawn from the treasury to reward and comfort the soldiers. Winning men's hearts—gold, silver, and silk may not be the most effective method, but they are the most direct means, and they let the soldiers feel how much I value them!"

Hearing Liu Chengyou's words, Zhang Yanwei could no longer sit still, taking it that he intended to "soften" toward Wang Shou'en. He widened his eyes and said: "Your Highness, would this not be playing right into Wang Shou'en's hands? If so, I fear this man will only grow more arrogant."

"It won't come to that!" Liu Chengyou raised a hand to stop the somewhat agitated Zhang Yanwei: "Rewarding the soldiers was my own intention—how could a single Wang Shou'en sway that?"

Zhang Yanwei fell silent, stunned. Guo Rong and Xiang Xun, however, looked at Liu Chengyou, as if waiting for him to continue.

Sure enough, after only a pause, Liu Chengyou added: "Since we are to reward the soldiers with grace, we must know the numbers. Prepare a detailed roster of the soldiers of Shangdang. This task, I leave to you."

Meeting Liu Chengyou's gaze, Guo Rong was slightly surprised, then quickly understood something. A smile bloomed at the corners of his mouth as he raised his hand in acknowledgment: "Yes!"

Seeing that Guo Rong had grasped his intent, Liu Chengyou nodded with satisfaction. After pondering for a moment, he asked Xiang Xun: "This Wang Shou'en—he truly has no real foundation in Luzhou, does he..."

At the question, Xiang Xun nodded: "Correct. He was appointed Patrol Inspector by Zhang Cong'en before he left the prefecture for Bian. In terms of influence in Shangdang, he is far inferior to Gao Fang and Li Wanchao!"

Blinking several times in succession, Liu Chengyou said: "During this period, grow close to the two of them, Gao and Li."

"Your Highness, both Gao and Li are capable men. Gao Fang is honest and steady, Li Wanchao is brave and resolute—neither can be compared to Wang Shou'en." While acknowledging the order, Xiang Xun could not help but suggest to Liu Chengyou: "You might consider receiving them..."

"You seem to admire these two, Gao and Li, quite a bit?" Liu Chengyou looked at Xiang Xun.

Xiang Xun lowered his head and said softly: "This humble official is merely one who serves at Your Highness's side in menial matters. Gao and Li are both generals and ministers of the state—older than I, more accomplished than I, of higher character than I. I merely express my heartfelt respect, unwilling to see Your Highness miss out on true talents of the realm!"

Xiang Xun was ordinarily a very confident man, with pride in his heart. But seeing him speak so humbly, praising Gao Fang and Li Wanchao to such a degree, Liu Chengyou thought to himself that, setting aside the modesty in Xiang Xun's words, those two must indeed possess some ability.

"But in my view, Xingmin is resolute and decisive—one who can be entrusted with great matters, a true talent of the realm!" Liu Chengyou then let his gaze show appreciation as he spoke to Xiang Xun.

"Your Highness flatters me!" Liu Chengyou's direct praise made Xiang Xun even more modest.

"Counting it up, you have mentioned these two before me more than once. It would indeed be worth meeting them. If we are to fully control Luzhou, these two are also key!" Liu Chengyou waved a hand and said: "The dynasty has just been established, the realm is not yet pacified—this is precisely the time when we urgently need talented men."

"But for now, the Khitan remain a great threat. I wonder where Geng Chongmei's army has reached?" As he spoke, a hint of gravity appeared between Liu Chengyou's brows. He raised his eyes and asked: "What is the situation on Han Tong's side?"

At the question, Xiang Xun shook his head: "This morning, Han Tong led his cavalry directly south to scout. As of now, no word has come back yet."

"We must not be careless!" Liu Chengyou's voice turned slightly deep, then he relaxed and said to the three men: "Have all the camps hold the key positions in the city—tell them all to stay alert! The moment Han Tong returns, notify me at once!"

"Yes!"

That night, Liu Chengyou lodged directly at the Military Governor's residence, holding court in Shangdang. At this time, Liu Chengyou's subordinates could be said to be teeming with talent—especially Guo Rong and Xiang Xun, both capable in letters and arms. With their assistance, the mere city of Shangdang was naturally well within his grasp.

A little later, Gao Fang was summoned. Under a guard's guidance, he went straight into the inner hall to pay his respects. More than a dozen candles burned in the hall, illuminating every corner with exceptional brightness.

Liu Chengyou was buried in his work at the desk, perusing some local gazetteers and records of Luzhou. The volumes were all old, and much of the information was several years out of date—population figures, land conditions, tax matters, the governance of successive officials, and so on.

Though the information was somewhat outdated, Liu Chengyou read it with great relish. He paid particular attention to the county officials under Luzhou's jurisdiction, though unfortunately he did not see any "familiar" names.

The only thing that brought Liu Chengyou comfort was the abundance of the treasury—it could truly be described as overflowing. Zhao Xingqian and the Khitan's levy commissioners had indeed scraped a layer of skin off Luzhou; according to their accounts, the money and silk they had collected was worth over ten million in cash...

As Gao Fang entered, he saw Liu Chengyou bent over the desk, perusing a volume. The earnest expression on his face made Gao Fang feel somewhat surprised.

Liu Chengyou was putting on a bit of an act, seeming not to notice anyone entering, until the guard announced the arrival. He then appeared to come to his senses, saw Gao Fang, and rose to greet him in person.

"I pay my respects to Your Highness!"

"Administrative Assistant Gao, please take a seat!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!" After sitting down, Gao Fang asked directly: "May I ask what instructions Your Highness has in summoning this humble official at night?"

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou set down the account book in his hand, leaned his elbow on the desk, appearing entirely relaxed, and studied Gao Fang by the bright candlelight.

Facing Liu Chengyou's gaze, Gao Fang sat upright, not glancing sideways. From beginning to end, this man was thoroughly proper in etiquette, carrying a natural air of composure—by his very bearing, he had the style of a worthy scholar.

"I have heard that from ten years ago, Administrative Assistant Gao has served continuously under Zhang Cong'en. When Zhang Cong'en was Defender of the Northern Capital, you were an official of the Taiyuan administration; when he was transferred to be Defense Commissioner of Chanzhou, you followed as his Administrative Assistant; when he entered the central court, you accompanied him to the capital; when he was left to guard the Western Capital, you served him as Judge; and after observing mourning for your mother, upon its completion, you followed Zhang Cong'en as he was transferred to govern Yunzhou, Jinzhou, and Luzhou, serving as Administrative Assistant through three commands..."

As Liu Chengyou narrated slowly, surprise could not be suppressed on Gao Fang's face. This had essentially laid out his entire career of over ten years since he turned thirty. Liu Chengyou had clearly conducted a detailed investigation into him.

Without paying attention to Gao Fang's change in expression, Liu Chengyou continued: "Ten years of attending him, moving from place to place, never once leaving—Administrative Assistant Gao and Zhang Cong'en may be said to share deep feelings. How is it that this time, you so resolutely chose to turn your back on him, disregarding years of lord-subject bond?"