Chapter 524: Hedong Inspection Commissioner

In the Han Palace, at Shulan Hall — a newly named hall that had also welcomed a new mistress, the Pure Consort Zhou, newly ennobled by the Son of Heaven.

The hall was adorned with all manner of floral decorations, a riot of purple and red, still suffused with festive joy. Zhou Zong stood amid it all and performed a very formal bow: "Your subject pays respects to Lady Pure Consort!"

"Father, please rise quickly — how could your daughter bear such a salute!" The elder Lady Zhou's face was wreathed in smiles, her jade-like features betraying a hint of excitement as she took her old father by both hands and helped him to sit.

He studied his beloved daughter: cicada-wing temples at her brows, jade cheeks like frost, clear eyes that stirred the heart, clad in a resplendent palace gown. Her features were still somewhat youthful, but much of a girl's greenness had already faded.

Moved and gratified in equal measure, Zhou Zong asked with concern: "Have you settled in well at the Han Palace?"

The elder Lady Zhou gave a slight nod of her head and replied with a sweet smile: "All is very well! His Majesty treats me most kindly, the Empress Dowager is approachable and gracious, and His Majesty and all the ladies of the palace are likewise most cordial!"

Hearing this, Zhou Zong could not help but sigh. Seeing this, the elder Lady Zhou asked in surprise: "Why does Father sigh so?"

Zhou Zong glanced around on all sides, then said in a low voice: "Within these deep palace walls, it has always been as unfathomable as the sea, and never lacking in open strife and veiled struggle. Were we not surrendered subjects with no power over our own fates, I would not have been willing to send you to the side of the Han Emperor.

You have just entered the palace as a new favorite of the Han court, so the Son of Heaven naturally dotes on you in every way — but how can that last? And it is inevitable that you will draw jealousy and be targeted.

Within the Han Palace, every empress and consort comes from a military governor's household or a general's family, and their clans all hold high office and wield great power in the Great Han. Now, the rear palace already has heirs, and one can well imagine that henceforth it will not merely be a matter of vying for favor and currying affection.

And you, alone with no one to rely on, stand in the midst of this vortex. You must be as if treading upon a deep abyss, as if walking on thin ice — be cautious and careful!"

This speech of Zhou Zong's seemed to frighten the elder Lady Zhou; her small face went pale, and in her water-like eyes there was even a trace of fear. It pained Zhou Zong to see it, but there were some things he had to say, had to warn his beloved daughter about.

After a moment's hesitation, the elder Lady Zhou recovered herself and said in a low, soft voice: "Your daughter is already in the rear palace; I shall only read poetry and books, cultivate music and melody, excel at song and dance, and seek nothing more..."

Seeing the elder Lady Zhou's reaction, Zhou Zong wore the expression of one whose pupil was teachable, and stroking his beard, said: "Hold fast to this tranquil heart, and you may preserve yourself whole!"

As he spoke, he gently patted her hand, and in a comforting tone added: "Do you know, the palace once had a Pure Consort, the birth mother of the eldest prince. From the time before he ascended the throne, she served at the sovereign's side, and her bond with the Son of Heaven was deep. That the Son of Heaven should bestow this title upon you shows how much he values you. Therefore, you need only keep to your place, and you will naturally enjoy the sovereign's favor."

The elder Lady Zhou obediently nodded.

"My lady, His Majesty has come!"

Upon hearing the news, father and daughter hurriedly composed themselves and rose to leave the hall to receive him. It was clear that Liu Chengyou did indeed dote on this Pure Consort Zhou — one might even call it a novelty. Among the consorts, in terms of talent and artistry, none could match this maiden of sixteen; the feeling a talented woman gave Liu Chengyou was naturally something different.

"Are you unwell?" Entering the hall and taking his seat, Liu Chengyou looked at the elder Lady Zhou's face, which was still tinged with an unusual pallor.

Perhaps out of nervousness, the elder Lady Zhou shook her head and said softly: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty!"

Withdrawing his gaze, Liu Chengyou turned to look at Zhou Zong and asked in a gentle tone: "Lord Zhou, have you grown accustomed to the Eastern Capital? The climate of the north is after all different from the south. Have your family been properly settled? Has the inner court's arrangement shown any neglect?"

"Your Majesty's concern moves me to the depths of my heart!" Zhou Zong's aged face beamed with a humble smile, and he replied deferentially: "Thanks to Your Majesty's bounty, all has been settled. The Eastern Capital's splendor surpasses even Yangzhou and Jinling; I am so captivated here that I have nearly forgotten Jiangdu!"

"That is good, then!" Liu Chengyou chuckled lightly, satisfied with Zhou Zong's submissiveness: "If there is anything else you need, speak freely — I will have someone arrange it!"

"I thank Your Majesty!"

After conversing with the Zhou father and daughter for a while, Liu Chengyou rose and departed, leaving the two to their family talk — but just before leaving, he swept a few glances over the pair, sensing something slightly amiss.

Not long after, the conversation between Zhou Zong and the elder Lady Zhou reached Liu Chengyou's ears. Though not in full detail, the general gist was quite clear.

Strolling through the palace, bathed in the spring sunshine, Liu Chengyou could not help but shake his head and smile faintly: "This Zhou Zong — so sensitive, so suspicious and cautious, spouting such alarmist nonsense, worrying like the man of Qi who feared the sky would fall!"

"Still, the man is worldly-wise, and this caution of his is understandable." Liu Chengyou murmured: "He seeks peace and security — I shall grant it to him!"

"Issue the decree: enfeoff Zhou Zong as Director of the Chancellery and Grand Academician of the Duanyin Hall, with the title Duke Yi, to enter the Zhaowen Hall and await summons for counsel!" Liu Chengyou ordered: "Also, bestow upon the Zhou household a manor!"

"As you command!"

"I shall visit Shulan Hall less often!" Liu Chengyou waved a hand casually and instructed Zhang Dejun: "Notify Noble Consort Gao that tonight I shall lodge at Yaohua Hall!"

"This servant will send word at once!"

"Your Majesty!" Upon returning to Chongzheng Hall, the chancellor Fan Zhi had already been waiting for some time.

Among the various chancellors, Fan Zhi oversaw the Ministry of Justice, and with his upright and forthright temperament, he suited the post well. More importantly, the *Great Han Criminal Code* had been compiled under his leadership, and in recent years the court had expended great effort in promoting its implementation and enforcement.

The matter Liu Chengyou had summoned Fan Zhi to inquire about was also a question of Han law. Fan Zhi reported: "The *Criminal Code* has been in effect for three years, implemented throughout the prefectures and commanderies, with cumulative results. Within the two capitals, trials follow the statutes, judgments have legal basis, litigation is settled fairly, and wrongful imprisonment has been greatly reduced!"

Hearing this answer, Liu Chengyou asked: "So it is in the two capitals and their environs — but what of beyond the two capitals? What is the situation there, and does the court truly understand the actual conditions?"

Not waiting for his answer, Liu Chengyou continued: "I have examined the case files of the Ministry of Justice. In the past three years, fewer than seven hundred death sentences have been submitted from the localities to the Eastern Capital for review. Can it be that all the prefectures and commanderies of the Great Han have truly become so peaceful and orderly?"

Hearing this, Fan Zhi naturally understood what the Son of Heaven meant, and immediately bowed in salute, confessing fault: "In the local circuits, prefectures, and counties, there are still not a few who arbitrarily pass and carry out sentences on their own authority. This is negligence on your subjects' part — our oversight has been lax!"

Seeing Fan Zhi's stiff, formal manner, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said: "Enough! The military governors wield great power — I know this well. This is not entirely your fault, and I will not lay blame upon you! To extend the law nationwide and implement the statutes is no easy task — I can understand that!"

"At Your Majesty's words, your subject is truly ashamed!" Fan Zhi sighed softly.

Liu Chengyou then said: "The *Criminal Code* has been in force for three years. Within the two capitals and the nearby prefectures and counties, under the court's very nose, the results are plain to see. But how things stand in the various circuits is not so clear. I intend to dispatch special envoys to inspect the localities, review litigation, and assess the effectiveness — what do you think?"

Fan Zhi's mind stirred at once. After thinking for a moment, he promptly replied: "Your subject believes Your Majesty's proposal is most fitting!"

"Lately I have heard that among the officials of the prefectures and counties under Hedong, there have been no few cases of wrongful acquittals and unjust imprisonment, and popular resentment runs deep!" Liu Chengyou said in a leisurely tone: "I intend to appoint you, Lord Fan, as Hedong Inspection Commissioner, to go to Hedong — with the dignity of a chancellor, to investigate the officials, dismiss the corrupt and wicked, proclaim the law abroad, and incidentally offer sacrifices on my behalf at the Northern Capital!"

"As you command!" Fan Zhi's heart was now fully alert — the Son of Heaven clearly had his sights set on "Pei Gong." This mission was no ordinary one, and might even be dangerous, but Fan Zhi had no intention of shirking.

Noting Fan Zhi's expression and demeanor, Liu Chengyou knew that with this man's keen perception, he had clearly glimpsed some of his intentions.

"There is one more matter I would like you, Lord Fan, to consider with me!" He changed the subject with perfect naturalness.

"Your Majesty, please speak!" Fan Zhi said, composing himself with a solemn expression.

"Guo Wei has submitted a memorial, citing the impropriety of father and son serving at court together, requesting to resign his post and serve as an official away from the capital. Mindful of his advanced age, I cannot bear to let him leave the capital and suffer the hardships of travel!" Liu Chengyou said.

Hearing this, Fan Zhi replied with a measure of caution and a measure of probing: "In that case, perhaps Guo Rong could be posted away from the capital!"

Liu Chengyou said: "Guo Rong has served outside the capital for many years, rising through military and civil posts, with distinguished merit in the Huainan campaign. By seniority and experience, he could well enter the capital to take up power and office! Moreover, I have just appointed him Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs — it would not be convenient to change that lightly!"

Hearing the Son of Heaven say this, Fan Zhi understood — he still intended to send Guo Wei out of the capital. He even suspected that when Liu Chengyou had adjusted the appointments and made Guo Rong the Deputy Commissioner, he had already anticipated this very situation. With father and son both wielding power in the Bureau of Military Affairs, the hundred officials would all surely submit remonstrances calling for adjustment.

After thinking it over, Fan Zhi said: "Lord Guo is a man of great righteousness and understands the larger picture. I beg Your Majesty to consider his loyal heart in serving the sovereign and the state!"

Nodding, Liu Chengyou said slowly and deliberately: "What troubles me is that the realm is vast — where in it is a suitable place for Lord Guo?"

Fan Zhi considered for a while, then suggested: "An Shenqi, the Military Governor of Shannan East Circuit, has held his post for many years. According to court regulations, he should be transferred and reassigned. At present, there is trouble in Hunan — Wang, Zhou, and others have already fallen out, and disorder may erupt at any moment. If Lord Guo were to take up command at Xiangyang, he could regulate and control matters from nearby. What does Your Majesty think?"

A smile slowly bloomed at the corner of his lips. Liu Chengyou nodded and spoke but a single word: "Approved!"