Chapter 543: Loyal or Treacherous—Hard to Tell

"Since I inherited the great enterprise, I have borne a burden as heavy as a thousand jun. Thinking of the realm in collapse, the state impoverished and the people weak, I have worried day and night, focusing solely on enriching the state and strengthening the army. Having held the reins of state for five years, without false modesty, I have managed some gains and achieved modest accomplishments!" With hands clasped behind his back, strolling leisurely through the palace halls, Liu Chengyou's tone was full of lament.

Stopping in his tracks, standing tall against the wind, leaving Li Shaoyou a solitary and lofty silhouette, Liu Chengyou said: "Yet, without my noticing, I have found that while the court has more worthy ministers and loyal and brave generals, the number of those around me with whom I can share my innermost heart grows fewer and fewer!"

"Your Majesty rules over all under heaven, like the rising sun ascending high, radiating brilliance in all directions. As your subject, I can only prostrate myself before the crimson steps, not daring to look up..." From behind, hearing the Son of Heaven's words of heartfelt revelation, he responded respectfully.

"Look at you!" Liu Chengyou laughed out loud, turning his head to look at Li Shaoyou: "That mouth of yours just gets better and better at talking! Everyone loves to hear good words, and I am no exception. I truly fear that one day, I will lose myself amidst the lavish praises of you ministers."

Li Shaoyou smiled lightly: "Your subject speaks from the bottom of his heart, telling the truth plainly!"

"Enough!" Liu Chengyou cast a sidelong glance at Li Shaoyou and asked: "The Wude Office bears great responsibility and wields great power. If you step down, who can succeed you?"

Hearing this, he was delighted—the Emperor's words clearly meant he had agreed to his request. Li Shaoyou asked: "One who can hold this post must possess keenness, competence, and loyalty—none can be lacking. Does Your Majesty have someone in mind?"

"I am seeking your opinion!" Liu Chengyou turned around, staring at Li Shaoyou.

Meeting the Emperor's gaze and sensing the gravity of his tone, Li Shaoyou dared not play word games any longer. He thought seriously for a moment, then said: "What about Deputy Director Wang Jingchong?"

Liu Chengyou said: "Have you two not always been at odds, clashing repeatedly?"

"How can personal grudges outweigh public duty!" Li Shaoyou said calmly: "Wang Jingchong excels at handling affairs, with outstanding courage and insight. When working for Your Majesty, he has always been single-minded and devoted. Though your subject does not care for his manner of doing things, I cannot deny his merits.

In terms of seniority and ability, he is fully qualified for the position, and he is familiar with the office's affairs. If he succeeds me, the smooth operation of the Wude Office can be guaranteed, unaffected!"

"Since you say so!" Liu Chengyou raised his hand and said: "Then let Wang Jingchong take charge of the Wude Office!"

"However, I will not so easily let you off to enjoy leisure!" Having said this, the corners of Liu Chengyou's mouth curled up slightly: "I will elevate your title to Duke of Shou, increase your fief by three hundred households, and add the posts of Director of the Chancellery and Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince. Additionally, I will grant you one month of leave, after which you will go to Hengzhou to serve as Governor of Zhending!"

In the current Great Han, titles and ranks were still somewhat excessive, but the number of Dukes was not particularly large.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Shaoyou immediately prostrated himself in gratitude: "But is Hengzhou not under the command of Military Governor Zhang of Chengde?"

"Zhang Yanwei has already submitted a memorial, requesting to resign his post and return to the Eastern Capital to retire!" Liu Chengyou said lightly.

Chengde Military Governor Zhang Yanwei—a man of mediocre talent, lacking administrative ability and with little skill in commanding troops. Yet it was precisely such a mediocre person whom Liu Chengyou had entrusted with the important garrison of Chengde, keeping him there for over five years. Why? Only because this man was obedient.

In his fief, he had committed no misdeeds or oppressive governance, no overstepping of bounds. Moreover, he understood how to delegate authority and did not try to do everything himself. The border troops long followed the orders of the Bureau of Military Affairs, while civil administration and judicial matters were entirely entrusted to Li Gu.

But even so, he could not be allowed to remain in the north any longer. Of course, Zhang Yanwei had not submitted the memorial on his own initiative—he had received a hint from the Emperor. It was also a test of whether, after all these years, his attitude toward the Son of Heaven and the court remained unchanged. In the end, he did not disappoint Liu Chengyou.

As for Li Gu, while overseeing the governance of the four prefectures of Heng, Ji, Shen, and Zhao, he was also responsible for the logistics and supply of the entire central Hebei border army—a position of considerable power.

This Duke possessed the talent of a chancellor. That he had not been transferred to the central government was because Liu Chengyou wished to apply his administrative talents to the localities. Moreover, Liu Chengyou intended to add further burdens to his shoulders, making him the Inspector of Hebei. Once the Hedong matter was concluded, the rectification of military and civil affairs in Hebei would also begin.

"Your subject has no experience in governing a region or shepherding the people." Li Shaoyou raised another question.

"You—why are you so lazy and reluctant?" Liu Chengyou immediately said: "Once you take office, handle affairs according to the regulations. Encourage farming and sericulture, nurture and educate the people, and do no harm—that is all that is needed!"

Since the Emperor had spoken thus, Li Shaoyou could only obediently reply: "Your subject accepts the decree!"

"You have worked hard on the journey—return to your residence and rest!"

"Yes, your subject takes his leave!"

Li Shaoyou withdrew slowly, his steps appearing cautious and careful. Liu Chengyou stood motionless, watching his retreating figure. He had always had the habit of examining his ministers from behind—some people showed no flaw from the front, but from their backs, one might detect a few traces of clues.

Recalling the heartfelt words he had just spoken to Li Shaoyou, Liu Chengyou smiled slightly. He was the Emperor, holding the sun and moon in his hands, treading upon heaven and earth, with the power of life and death over all under heaven in his grasp. Though he often spoke of sharing hearts and baring his liver and gall, he never needed to reveal his true thoughts to anyone—especially not to ministers outside the inner circle.

Regarding Li Shaoyou's request, Liu Chengyou was both moved and surprised. This was a very obvious strategy of retreating at the height of one's power to protect oneself. However, the magnanimity this maternal cousin had displayed still earned Liu Chengyou's newfound respect. Such people were often hard to distinguish as loyal or treacherous. The last person who had given Liu Chengyou this feeling was Guo Wei. But whether one was loyal or treacherous could only be tested by time.

"May you and I, sovereign and subject, end as well as we began!" Liu Chengyou sighed softly, feeling moved.

"Your Majesty, the wind is picking up—perhaps you should return to the hall!" Amid his thoughts, Zhang Dejun suggested in a low voice.

As they returned to the hall, Liu Chengyou suddenly asked Zhang Dejun: "Zhang Dejun, has Li Shaoyou ever given you gifts?"

Startled by the sudden question, Zhang Dejun could not help but tremble twice. Lowering his brows and clasping his hands, he said: "I dare not deceive Your Majesty. Only on the occasion of my adoptive father's birthday did I receive a bit of gift money—but that was merely social courtesy, with no other intention!"

"Come to think of it, you have been by my side for quite some time now!" Liu Chengyou nodded: "All this while, I have not given you any rewards. I hear your father still lives in an old residence in the southern part of the city. Very well—I will grant you a residence, so that you may care for your aged father!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhang Dejun was somewhat overcome with emotion, prostrating himself in obeisance, his voice choked with tears.

"Why are you crying?" Liu Chengyou looked down at him.

Zhang Dejun indeed squeezed out quite a few tears and said: "To serve Your Majesty is the fortune my past lives have accumulated. Such heavenly grace is a rare blessing. Your Majesty's concern moves me so deeply that words cannot express my gratitude!"

"Rise!" Flicking his sleeve, Liu Chengyou strode forward first.

Behind him, Zhang Dejun rose, wiped away two handfuls of tears, and hurried to catch up.

On Li Shaoyou's side, as he slowly walked out of the palace, cold sweat ran down his back and terror gripped his heart. Judging from the exchange before the throne just now, he felt increasingly certain that his resignation was the right decision. His imperial cousin was becoming harder and harder to serve. The sovereign's heart was unfathomable—if this continued for long, he feared he would not come to a good end.

Returning to his own residence, the night had already grown deep. Before Li Shaoyou could rest, he gave orders to gather all the concubines in his Commandery Duke's mansion together. A flutter of beauties, more than thirty in number—each one he had chosen for some quality: beauty, figure, or talent.

Seeing this host of beauties, gorgeously attired, adorned with gold and silver, gazing at him with a hint of fervor in their eyes. To be honest, the competitive pressure in the rear chambers of the Commandery Duke's mansion was far greater than in the Han palace itself.

Staring at this group of beautiful concubines, Li Shaoyou sighed and said: "Those with children, return to your own rooms first!"

At these words, nine women immediately withdrew. Li Shaoyou rose, looked over the remaining twenty-odd women, and then selected four whom he had favored most in daily life.

His behavior was already highly unusual, and among the remaining women, many wore expressions of tension.

Finally, Li Shaoyou said: "Though I am reluctant, let us part on good terms. I am but one man—in the end, I cannot divide myself among you all. Keeping you by my side, I cannot attend to you all, and would only waste your finest years.

From this day forth, you are all free. Each of you, draw one hundred taels of silver from the accounts, leave the mansion, return home, and marry some good man of respectable family. Live well from now on, and it will not have been in vain—this bond between us. In the future, if you encounter difficulties, you may also come to the mansion. Where I can help, I will not be stingy with my aid!"

When Li Shaoyou finished speaking, the twenty-odd women present looked at one another, all stunned. Who would have thought Li Shaoyou harbored such intentions?

Immediately, one concubine began sobbing: "Is the young lord abandoning us?"

That single cry seemed contagious. Soon, half the women had tears welling in their eyes, their pitiful, about-to-weep expressions stirring sympathy. Of course, there were also those with joy on their faces—in great households, there was never a shortage of caged birds longing for freedom.

"It is not that I am abandoning you—only that our fate has run its course, and it cannot be forced!" Li Shaoyou steeled his heart and waved his hand: "Let it be so!"