Chapter 545: Hedong Restructuring

Inside Chongzheng Hall, a brand-new map of Hedong was slowly unfurled and hung up by the palace eunuchs, displayed before the sovereign and ministers of the Great Han. Because over the past three generations, the prefectures and counties of the realm had suffered severe damage, with chaotic administrative structures and many that were nominal in name only, Liu Chengyou had long harbored the intention of conducting a fresh reorganization of the realm's prefectures and counties—re-registering households, clearing land, and fixing borders—and so, seizing the opportunity, he began the new administrative planning starting from Hedong.

Liu Chengyou was present with the high officials of the Hall of State Affairs, the Bureau of Military Affairs, and the State Finance Commission, with two new faces among them: Commissioner of Military Affairs Zhe Congruan, and Deputy Commissioner Guo Rong. Guo Rong needed no introduction; ever since Guo Wei had left his post, Liu Chengyou had deliberated back and forth, weighing the matter repeatedly, and finally placed Zhe Congruan, who had returned from establishing merit in the northwest, into the position of Commissioner of Military Affairs.

Chief Minister Li Tao stood before the map, introducing it to Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty, your ministers, by imperial decree, have redefined the prefectures, fu, and counties of Hedong Circuit. This is the preliminary arrangement.

From north to south: the Northern Capital Taiyuan has its counties reestablished, governing nine counties—Jinyang, Meng, Shouyang, Yuci, Qingyuan, Jiaocheng, Wenshui, Qi, and Taigu—with the seat at Jinyang;

The two prefectures of Xin and Dai are abolished, and Yanmen Fu is established, governing six counties—Yanmen, Fanchou, Guo, Wutai, Xiurong, and Dingxiang—with the seat at Yanmen;

The two prefectures of Lan and Xian are abolished, and Kelan Fu is established, governing six counties—Yifang, Langu, Ninghua, Hehe, Jingle, and Loufan—with the seat at Yifang;

The two prefectures of Fu and Lin are abolished, and Baode Fu is established, governing five counties—Fugu, Anfeng, Liangu, Xinqin, and Yincheng—with the seat at Fugu;

Shi Prefecture is abolished and made into Jinning Fu, governing six counties—Ninghe, Linquan, Fangshan, Dinghu, Lady Li, and Pingyi—with the seat at Lady Li;

Liao Prefecture is abolished and made into Pingding Fu, governing six counties—Pingding, Leping, Pingcheng, Heshun, Liaoshan, and Yushe—with the seat at Pingding;

Fen Prefecture is changed to Fenyang Fu, governing six counties—Xihe, Xiaoyi, Pingyao, Jiexiu, Lingshi, and Mianshang—with the seat at Xihe;

The two prefectures of Lu and Qin are abolished and made into Longde Fu, governing nine counties—Wuxiang, Tongdi, Xiangyuan, Licheng, She, Lucheng, Tunliu, Shangdang, and Huguan—with the seat at Shangdang;

The two prefectures of Xi and Ci are abolished and made into Daning Fu; the three prefectures of Jin, Jiang, and Ze keep their names unchanged; Huai Prefecture is merged into Heyang Fu.

After this restructuring, our Great Han's Hedong Circuit governs a total of ten fu and three prefectures, comprising ninety counties..."

As Li Tao spoke, Liu Chengyou listened, a string of fu, prefecture, and county names falling into his ears, yet his gaze was fixed intently on the map. After a moment of deliberation, Liu Chengyou said: "Lu, Qin, Jin, Jiang, Ze, Huai, and Heyang—their administrative structures remain unchanged for now, set aside; after the territories originally under the Hedong Military Governor are converted from prefectures to fu, then adjustments will be made!"

"Yes!" Li Tao hurriedly responded.

Liu Chengyou further instructed: "The officials for the newly converted fu and counties must be put in place as soon as possible; local administrative operations cannot be disrupted—stable and orderly. Fan Zhi is in Jinyang, overseeing the restructuring matters and cleaning up the official ranks; the Ministry of Personnel must actively cooperate. Additionally, for Baode Fu, converted from the two prefectures of Fu and Lin, no Prefect shall be appointed for the time being!"

"As commanded!"

Liu Chengyou looked toward Zhe Congruan and Guo Rong, saying: "The lands of Dai, Lan, Fu, and Lin are border prefectures. The garrison armies defending the frontiers should be adjusted and reorganized accordingly, with new Army Commanders appointed for defense deployment. The Bureau of Military Affairs should draft a memorial on this!"

"Yes!" The two acknowledged the order.

"With Hedong restructured like this, the realm is sure to be shaken! Locally, the shortage of officials will be even greater; the central government must also be prepared!" Liu Chengyou sighed.

Upon hearing this, Feng Dao said: "Your ministers have deliberated. The officials of Hedong, after review and assessment, those who pass may remain in their posts. For the remaining vacancies, Your Majesty may open the special selection, proclaiming it to officials within and beyond the two capitals; after examining their administrative and governing abilities, they may be directly promoted and dispatched to fill the posts in Hedong!"

"So be it!" Without much thought, Liu Chengyou agreed, then added a reminder: "Local education administration—in these years, there has been no major change; it must be given attention. The three-tier examinations—prefectural, provincial, and palace—must continue to be implemented. This autumn, hold the special examination again; talent for governance must still be selected from among the scholars..."

"Your Majesty is sagacious! Ruling the realm by the kingly way is a blessing for the subjects of the Great Han!" Feng Dao said with a smile.

After the discussion dispersed, Liu Chengyou took out a list, a brush pinched between his fingers, and buried himself in thought. This list contained over seventy names, all officials of Hedong's prefectures and counties, covering various governing posts up and down. These people shared a common trait: all were deeply entangled with Liu Chong.

Of course, this had already been reviewed—either they had no record of misdeeds, or they possessed some administrative talent. What Liu Chengyou needed to consider was whether to retain these people, and if he did use them, how they should be used. Although Liu Chong's affair had been handled discreetly, Liu Chengyou could not help but have a thorn in his heart, affecting his attitude toward these military and civil officials.

After pondering for a moment, Liu Chengyou quickly set pen to paper, checking off one by one those of lower rank, retaining them all. In a single stroke of the pen, more than ten people were marked, and he felt somewhat irritated.

His gaze then fell upon the various Administrative Assistants, staff officers, and clerks under the Hedong Military Governor's office. Zheng Gong, Zhao Hua, Li Xiang, Wei Rong, Wang Dezhong, and others—these were the officials most deeply entangled with Liu Chong.

He then took out another memorial, on which were recorded assessments of these people's abilities, official reputations, and public standing, submitted by Wang Jingchong.

After considering for a long time, Liu Chengyou finally suppressed the slight displeasure in his heart, chuckling softly in self-mockery: "When did my heart become so small? As long as they have the ability, why quibble over every detail?"

"Summon Li Fang!"

Soon, Academician Li Fang hurried in, standing in the hall awaiting instructions. Liu Chengyou waved the list in his hand and said: "Mingyuan, deliver this list to the Hall of State Affairs and give it to Li Tao. Tell him: the former Hedong Military Governor's Administrative Assistant Zheng Gong is retained and appointed Prefect of Taiyuan; Zhao Hua is appointed Prefect of Yanmen; Li Xiang, Wei Rong, Wang Dezhong, and the other officials of the Military Governor's office are all transferred to the two circuits of Huainan; all other prefectural and county officials are retained, assigned posts according to their abilities!"

"Yes!"

"Have the Secretariat issue an edict to Fan Zhi, telling him to handle matters properly in Taiyuan and straighten out the entirety of Hedong Circuit for Us!"

Compared to civil and criminal administration, the military side was somewhat easier—those who needed to be purged left no room for consideration, and with Zhao Kuangyin's style of conduct, it was handled very cleanly. The Bureau of Military Affairs had already received several reports from Hedong concerning military reorganization.

Both Zhe Congruan and Guo Rong reported that Zhao Kuangyin was a capable man, having already selected three thousand elite soldiers, who were currently en route southward.

"Your Majesty, Commissioner of the Wude Office Wang Jingchong requests an audience!"

Since being formally established as the head of the Wude Office, Wang Jingchong's frequency of entering the palace to request audiences and report matters had noticeably increased.

Hurrying inside, Wang Jingchong's expression was somewhat grave. After paying his respects, he reported in a low voice: "Your Majesty, urgent secret intelligence from the Western Capital: the Prince of Taiyuan has passed away!"

"Hm? Hm!" Liu Chengyou raised his head, his brows instantly knitting together, his voice rising several notches: "What happened? When? His family in Luoyang—they probably haven't even settled in yet!"

Wang Jingchong said: "To report to Your Majesty, the Prince of Taiyuan was old and frail, and having suffered great upheaval, his mind and spirit were both damaged. On the westward journey, he endured the fatigue of carriage and horse, and had only just arrived in Luoyang when he caught a chill, took to his bed, and passed away that very night!"

"What 'great upheaval,' what 'mind and spirit damaged'—illness and death is illness and death!" Liu Chengyou said angrily.

"Yes, your minister misspoke!" Wang Jingchong hurriedly lowered his head.

"I know. You may withdraw!" Liu Chengyou sighed and instructed.

Sitting alone at the imperial desk, after a moment of silence, Liu Chengyou said to Zhang Dejun: "When the death report from the Western Capital arrives, you directly convey My decree: instruct Jing Fan, the garrison commander of the Western Capital, to act on behalf of the court in helping to manage the funeral affairs of the Prince of Taiyuan."

"Yes!"

Shaking his head slightly, Liu Chengyou could not help but sigh, muttering softly to himself: "I was already exceptionally lenient, sparing your life and letting you enjoy your old age in peace. A pity—you didn't have that fortune. This cannot be blamed on Me; Heaven kept you for this. With so many descendants to honor you in filial piety, go in peace..."