Chapter 44: A Thousand in Gold for a Withered Bone

Liu Chengyou's question was somewhat sharp, even directly implying that he harbored intentions of betraying his lord.

Meeting Liu Chengyou's somewhat cold and scrutinizing gaze, Gao Fang did not flinch, though a solemn expression involuntarily appeared on his face. He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Zhang Cong'en had a kindness to me in recognizing my talents. In every matter he entrusted me with, he treated me as a close confidant. To repay that kindness, I naturally served him with all my heart. Yet personal kindness is, after all, a minor matter. Zhang Cong'en abandoned the greater cause of family and country, preferring to submit his prefecture to the Khitan barbarians—this I could never agree with!"

"Had Zhang Cong'en fulfilled his duty as a subject, even if only to hold the passes steadfastly and protect the people, I would certainly have continued to follow at his side, serving with utmost sincerity. However, the day he abandoned the prefecture and fled was the day our bond was severed!"

By the end, Gao Fang's voice was impassioned, and a hint of emotional loss of composure appeared on his face.

"Ten years of kindness cannot outweigh the greater cause of family and country!" After hearing his explanation, Liu Chengyou's gaze softened, and he murmured a phrase before cupping his hands toward him: "Administrative Assistant Gao, you are truly righteous!"

"I only seek to have no shame before my own conscience!" Gao Fang said in a deep voice, his expression gradually calming.

Gao Fang's words were indeed words of great righteousness, displaying noble integrity. Perhaps this was his true inner conviction, or perhaps there were other reasons. But Liu Chengyou had already concluded in his heart that this man was indeed worth winning over.

Setting aside that somewhat "weighty" topic, Liu Chengyou turned to ask: "Just now, regarding Wang Shou'en's request, what does Administrative Assistant Gao think?"

Gao Fang seemed not yet to have fully emerged from his own emotions. Startled by the sudden question, he paused for a moment, but he also detected the dissatisfaction in Liu Chengyou's tone toward Wang Shou'en. Lowering his head in brief thought, he said somewhat vaguely: "Patrol Inspector Wang must be concerned for the soldiers under his command, and so set aside his own dignity to plead on their behalf..."

"I have already heard of what happened at the governor's office this morning, and I have also heard something of his conduct in office and in life. By all reason, Administrative Assistant Gao and Wang Shou'en had no particularly close friendship, and after your dispute, your relationship ought to be quite strained!" Liu Chengyou looked at Gao Fang, his eyes filled with suspicion: "Yet from beneath the city walls to the banquet, and now to this moment, listening to you speak, I faintly sense you shielding Wang Shou'en. What is the reason for this?"

Hearing Liu Chengyou's question, Gao Fang was silent for a while before sighing: "Patrol Inspector Wang, though greedy for wealth and fond of profit, arrogant and boorish, is nevertheless the foremost civil and military figure in Luzhou. This time, the execution of Zhao was also initiated by him. I know well his eccentric temperament, and I truly cannot bear to see his overbearing conduct provoke Your Highness's anger, leading him to disaster..."

Hearing Gao Fang speak thus, Liu Chengyou's eyebrows rose slightly. He recalled that Xiang Xun had also mentioned that Gao Fang, in his official career, had once borne punishment on behalf of another without offering any defense, solely to save that person's life. Thinking of how he now defended Wang Shou'en, this man's warmth and generosity was indeed admirable—though in Liu Chengyou's view, it seemed somewhat pedantic.

His mind turning, Liu Chengyou asked Gao Fang in a low, measured tone: "Administrative Assistant Gao's words carry a faint hint of admonishing me. Could it be that you fear I lack the capacity to tolerate Wang Shou'en?"

"I would not dare!" Hearing this, Gao Fang shook his head repeatedly in denial.

But Liu Chengyou sat up straight, his expression turning cold as he fixed his gaze on Gao Fang: "To be frank with Administrative Assistant Gao, I am indeed dissatisfied with Wang Shou'en. Men of his sort, wherever they hold office, inevitably devote themselves to amassing wealth—they are no blessing to the people. I intend to kill him, to rid the realm of one pest. As for Luzhou, I shall report to Jinyang and request that Administrative Assistant Gao be made Military Governor. What do you think?"

Though Liu Chengyou's tone was calm, his killing intent was chilling. Gao Fang was startled with alarm. Staring at Liu Chengyou in astonishment, there was not a trace of joy on his face. Instead, he said urgently: "Your Highness must not!"

Seeing his agitated reaction, Liu Chengyou's expression instead returned to normal: "Why not?"

Gao Fang answered without hesitation: "In this uprising, Wang Shou'en's contributions cannot be erased. Had it not been for his vigorous assistance, Luzhou would likely not have fallen so easily in its entirety. Had he led Luzhou's troops to collude with Zhao Xingqian and awaited the Khitan forces, the situation in Luzhou would long since have deteriorated into ruin!"

Speaking urgently, Gao Fang already addressed Wang Shou'en by his direct name: "One Wang Shou'en amounts to nothing—Your Highness could kill him as easily as killing a chicken. But if you kill him without cause, how would the people of the realm view Your Highness, view Jinyang? In the world today, the Khitan remain powerful. Though Lord Liu has established his reign at Jinyang, what he truly controls is no more than the ten prefectures of Hedong. This is precisely the time to unite the military governors of the Central Plains and Hebei to strike against the Khitan together."

"Having just taken prefectures and counties, to immediately kill a meritorious official would not only chill the hearts of Luzhou's officers—spread abroad, it would surely make the military governors of the realm harbor doubts. This would do real harm and no good to the great cause of resisting the Khitan. I beg Your Highness to think thrice!"

Gao Fang's words sounded somewhat reasonable, but in reality, it would not be so exaggerated. The life of a mere Wang Shou'en was not qualified to sway the situation of the realm or affect the great enterprise of "driving out the Liao."

But at this moment, Liu Chengyou was convinced that Gao Fang genuinely wished to preserve Wang Shou'en's life, likely out of concern for the overall situation, plus a bit of kindness.

The corner of his mouth curling slightly, Liu Chengyou remarked lightly: "Though Administrative Assistant Gao and I are only newly acquainted, I did not expect to hear such heartfelt words from you."

Noting Liu Chengyou's demeanor—appearing nearly persuaded—Gao Fang's mind turned, and he said again: "Has Your Highness heard the story of buying a horse bone with a thousand in gold?"

"Naturally." Liu Chengyou glanced at him, already able to guess what he would say next, and said directly: "Thinking on it carefully, this Wang Shou'en truly is like a bone—a dry bone in a tomb!"

"Enough. I shall this time accept Administrative Assistant Gao's counsel, and emulate that lord of whom Guo Wei spoke, carrying out a 'thousand in gold for a withered bone'..."

Hearing Liu Chengyou say this, Gao Fang was briefly at a loss—the turn seemed rather sudden. Calming himself, he looked at Liu Chengyou's placid face and instinctively asked: "Your Highness... you never intended to kill Wang Shou'en?"

"As you said, the life or death of one Wang Shou'en amounts to nothing. He is greedy for wealth and fond of profit, arrogant and overbearing, but none of this warrants death. This time he did indeed render merit. Killing him rashly would bring me no benefit beyond venting my dissatisfaction, and would easily earn me the reputation of burning the bridge after crossing and killing the donkey after the millwork is done!" Liu Chengyou said calmly: "As for the future..."

As for what the future held, Liu Chengyou did not say. But Gao Fang had already bowed respectfully to Liu Chengyou: "Your Highness is wise!"

Letting out a breath, Liu Chengyou continued: "Not only will I not kill him, I will also report to Jinyang and appoint Wang Shou'en as Military Governor of Zhaoyi (Luzhou), to reward his merit!"

"As for Administrative Assistant Gao, I intend to make you Patrol Inspector of Luzhou, in charge of Luzhou's military affairs, and recommend you as well! This time, you will not refuse, will you..."

Gazing at Liu Chengyou, Gao Fang dared not harbor the slightest contempt for this youth who was two cycles of twelve years younger than himself. He took a deep breath and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Your Highness."

"No need for ceremony. I have long heard of your talents. Tonight's frank conversation has not disappointed me!" Liu Chengyou's expression had fully returned to natural ease, and he began again with words to win hearts: "The accounts show the treasury holds ten million in cash. But to me, gaining ten million from the treasury is not worth gaining one Gao Fang!"

Hearing these words, even with Gao Fang's experience, he would not be moved to the point of prostrating himself in gratitude, but he did feel some emotion in his heart. He solemnly bowed to Liu Chengyou once more: "Thank you for Your Highness's regard. Your humble servant is unworthy of such praise!"

After chatting a few more words with Gao Fang, Liu Chengyou allowed him to take his leave. As he was withdrawing, Liu Chengyou casually reminded him: "Tonight's conversation between you and me... hmm... do not speak of it to others!"

"Yes!"