Chapter 529: Storm in Hedong (1)

Hedong, Taiyuan Prefecture, Jinyang.

The former Prince of Taiyuan's mansion and the Jinyang palace complex still stood as majestic and magnificent as ever, quietly situated within the city. In earlier years, some subordinates, catering to Liu Chong's sentiments, had suggested he move into the royal palace or the palace city, but Liu Chong had "difficulty" refusing them. However, his newly built Northern Capital Acting Governor's residence, though not matching the scale of the Jinyang palace, surpassed it in opulence and splendor.

In the hall brimming with extravagance and ostentation, Liu Chong once again summoned several of his trusted military and civil subordinates to discuss affairs. Liu Chong's complexion did not look well; he seemed somewhat weakened overall. After years of luxurious living without restraint, his body had clearly suffered some depletion.

Nevertheless, he still maintained the imposing bearing and pomp of the Prince of Taiyuan, seated upon the throne, waiting until the Hedong officers and officials had completed their obeisances before speaking.

Holding a document in his hand, Liu Chong's tone carried displeasure: "The Bureau of Military Affairs has once again issued an edict, ordering me to select able-bodied men to replenish the imperial army in the Eastern Capital! And they've even sent that so-called Chief Inspector of the Palace Command, Zhao Kuangyin, to bring men to Jinyang to select soldiers. This is simply going too far!"

He nearly hurled the edict to the ground. Liu Chong's breath rose and fell as he swept his gaze across the room: "You all, last time, told me to ignore it as a show of protest. But now it seems the court simply doesn't care! Edict after edict has come down, and Qinzhou reports that Zhao Kuangyin has already entered our borders via Luzhou. How should I respond?"

"Your Highness, how many men has the court sent?" the yabing officer Li Chan asked involuntarily.

"No more than one command of the imperial army!" Liu Chong said.

"A mere five hundred soldiers! Nothing to worry about—can be dealt with in the turn of a hand!" Li Chan said immediately.

Hearing his tone, before Liu Chong could respond, the Governor of Taiyuan, Li Xiang, immediately spoke up: "Your Highness, General Li, this would be an act of rebellion, a path to disaster. Such thoughts must not be entertained! The court is powerful and holds the moral high ground. Since an edict has been issued, how can we not comply!"

"Governor Li speaks lightly!" Li Chan said in a loud voice: "Five thousand able-bodied men—they want to drain our Hedong elite dry! The armies of Hedong were accumulated by Your Highness and us over many years. With a single sheet of paper from the court, we're to hand them over willingly? Where in the world is there such a principle? Moreover, if we hand over our troops, won't we be at their mercy?"

Li Chan's words clearly voiced what was in Liu Chong's mind, as he could be seen subconsciously nodding.

Seeing this, Li Xiang grew somewhat agitated. He stood up, glaring at Li Chan, and said sternly: "General, your words are greatly mistaken! Hedong is a prefecture of the Great Han, and Your Highness is a subject of His Majesty. The troops under your governance should likewise belong to the state! When there are requisitions and reductions, how can a subject complain and resist!"

"Li Xiang!" Hearing this, Li Chan roared: "Are you still a subject of His Highness or not? Don't you forget—if not for His Highness granting you that official robe, you'd be nothing but a down-and-out scholar! Not knowing gratitude, and daring to prattle on about the greater good of the state in this hall—this is outrageous!"

"It is precisely because your subject is grateful for Your Highness's kindness that I do not wish to see Your Highness, due to momentary suspicion, take a wrong step and bring disaster upon yourself!" Li Xiang responded with equal agitation, kneeling in obeisance toward Liu Chong.

"Enough!" Liu Chong's gaze toward Li Xiang was somewhat unkind as he waved his hand: "I summoned you here to discuss solutions, not to listen to the two of you bicker! This is the prince's main hall, not some village alley—do you think you can run wild here!"

Taking a deep breath, Liu Chong said coldly: "The Emperor's ambitions have grown lofty; he finds fault with everything. These years, changing this and altering that, never a moment's rest. And now, having won a great victory in the southern campaign, he's even more insufferable. No wonder his edicts come down with such force!

And who are the people on the Great Han's court these days? Of the founding meritorious veterans and seasoned generals, how many remain? I, his imperial uncle, am likely no longer even in his sight!"

After venting, Liu Chong gasped for breath, and sweat actually beaded on his forehead. He abruptly looked at the Administrative Assistant to the Military Governor, Zheng Gong, his most trusted subordinate: "Zheng Gong, why have you not spoken?"

Zheng Gong seemed somewhat distracted. Upon hearing himself addressed, he couldn't help but shudder slightly. Meeting Liu Chong's gaze, he replied in a low voice: "Your Highness, your subject believes that the court's edict cannot be disobeyed!"

The moment these words left his mouth, he sensed Liu Chong's expression change, and hastily amended: "However, though we should not resist the edict fiercely as General Li suggests, we could delay and stall. And though the court speaks of five thousand able-bodied men, if our Hedong can only muster two thousand soldiers, well, there's nothing to be done about that!"

Zheng Gong stroked his beard, revealing a shrewd smile, and suggested: "Your Highness need only submit a memorial to the court explaining the situation fully. Surely the court will not press too hard!"

Hearing this, Liu Chong perked up somewhat, his eyes brightening. But upon reflection, he said with slight hesitation: "How can the court believe that? That Zhao Kuangyin has already entered Hedong. I hear the man is quite capable, having rendered great service in Huainan. How can we deceive him?"

Li Chan hurriedly said: "Your Highness has governed Hedong for many years—this is Your Highness's territory. Who is this Zhao Kuangyin? He has only a mere five hundred men under his command. It's not his turn to throw his weight around!"

Li Chan appeared somewhat rash, but Liu Chong appreciated this very attitude—his loyalty! A smile appeared on his face. After thinking for a moment, he instructed Li Chan: "Take two thousand yabing guards to go greet this Zhao Kuangyin. Select the elite of Jinyang for the soldiers, and let Zhao Kuangyin see for himself the strength of our Hedong troops. We must not let our prestige be diminished!"

"As you command!" Li Chan looked as if he had found something to relish, a smirk curling at the corner of his mouth, quite audacious in appearance.

"Is Your Highness seeking to intimidate him with this? To make the court wary?" Zheng Gong asked.

"It's not that I wish to do this, but the court presses too hard. If I am nothing but weak, I fear the Eastern Capital will think I am easy to bully, at their mercy!" Liu Chong replied: "I do this only to make the court a bit more cautious!"

"Additionally, have the people in Ze and Lu keep a close watch for me, to see if there are any unusual movements. Also, tell Li Cungui in Xinzhou to guard Daizhou well—that Yang Ye is the Emperor's loyal hound and prone to biting! And the garrison troops in Jinyang—put them all on alert!"

After Liu Chong finished his instructions, the faces of the Hedong civil and military officials present all changed. They exchanged glances, none having expected that Liu Chong was already planning such a fierce "resistance."

The Governor of Taiyuan, Li Xiang, reacted most strongly. He stood up, looking directly at Liu Chong, and said in a loud voice: "Your Highness must absolutely not do this! Such actions will only deepen the court's suspicions and the contradictions between the two sides. Your Highness and the Son of Heaven are blood relatives, and you are also his subject. How can you commit such rebellious acts!"

"Li Xiang!" Hearing this, Liu Chong's face showed anger as he glared at him: "Shut your mouth!"

"Your Highness, do you intend to rebel?" Li Xiang glared back.

"You are audacious! You are insolent!" Liu Chong exploded completely, staring at him fiercely. However, his gaze quickly swept across the civil and military officials in the hall, observing their expressions.

But his demeanor showed uncontrollable rage as he glared directly at Li Xiang: "You have grown arrogant! Presuming on your learning, seeking favor through bluntness—do you think I can be bullied? Guards! Take this man to prison!"

After Li Xiang was led away, the atmosphere in the hall had become quite strained—after all, he was the Governor of Taiyuan, and he had been arrested on the spot. Liu Chong then said: "Li Xiang does not understand the times. His reckless words were out of line. He can no longer hold a position in this government!"

Taking a deep breath and sweeping his gaze around the room, Liu Chong sighed: "Gentlemen, I am the late Emperor's own brother. I was ordered to guard Hedong precisely to preserve a path of retreat for the Great Han. As for my loyalty to the Great Han's realm—heaven and earth can bear witness, the sun and moon can attest. My conscience is clear.

Now, the Son of Heaven favors outsiders like Guo Wei while slighting his own kin. You have all seen—I have kept to my place, yet the court seeks to strip me of my authority. I fear the Son of Heaven has been beguiled by petty men and sycophantic ministers, leading to this act that grieves his kin and gladdens his enemies.

I truly have no intention of rebelling, but in the face of reckless orders, I must respond somehow!"

Pausing, Liu Chong lowered his voice and said with exceptional gravity: "Look at that Fan Zhi—entering Hedong under the banner of inspecting the prefectures and counties and reviewing criminal cases, striking at the officials under my governance, dismissing them from office, seizing their authority, throwing them in prison and interrogating them. In how short a time—over twenty officials at the prefecture and county level have already been removed.

Most of you were personally promoted by me since I came to guard Hedong. You have followed me for many years, and I rely on you as my trusted confidants. If I allow the court to continue its rectification unchecked, I fear that none of you will be able to protect yourselves in the future!"

Hearing this, many of the civil and military officials present were visibly moved. After all, as Liu Chong had said, most had been promoted by him and were close to him.

"Your Highness's pains are understood by your subjects!" Zheng Gong said: "However, in your subject's view, a modest show of force is sufficient. Unless absolutely necessary, we must not resort to arms. Otherwise, once we completely break with the court, it will benefit no one—not the state, not Hedong, not the Son of Heaven, and not Your Highness!"

"I am well aware of that!"