Chapter 546: The Political Situation in Jinling

On the twenty-first day of the fourth month in the fifth year of Qianyou, the Han Emperor issued an edict, appointing Yan Kan, Grand Academician of the Duanyin Hall, as Administration Commissioner of Hedong, and Dou Yi, Hanlin Academician, as Judicial Commissioner of Hedong; Wang Yanchao, Chief General of the Xingjie Army, as Chief Commander of Hedong.

At the same time, the Hall of State Affairs and the Bureau of Military Affairs each selected capable officials to rush to Hedong to take up their posts. In this way, the central court formally began to intervene in regional military and civil affairs. Unlike in the past, this time the court's reach extended directly down to the prefectures and counties—personnel appointments, removals, and transfers were all controlled by the central government.

Weakening the military governors was merely a means; separating military from civil authority, strengthening central power, and tightening control over regional military and civil affairs—that was the true goal. Steadily implemented, barring any unexpected developments, within two or three months Hedong's military and civil administration would be completely transformed.

Compared to the court's reform experiments in the newly occupied Huainan territories, the restructuring of Hedong drew far more attention.

……

"Your Majesty, a report from Jinling—Song Qiqiu is dead!" Wang Jingchong entered the palace again to present a piece of news that Liu Chengyou found rather interesting.

"Oh?" Liu Chengyou, who had been in discussion with Feng Dao, showed a look of keen interest upon hearing this, and asked: "Wasn't he released by Li Jing to retire at Mount Jiuhua? I hear that although he is nearly seventy, he has always been hale and hearty. This hardly seems like a natural death!"

"Your Majesty is perceptive!" Wang Jingchong said: "According to our secret agents, Li Jing had Song Qiqiu confined in seclusion at Mount Jiuhua, and not long ago, cut off his food, causing him to starve to death!"

"Heh heh!" Liu Chengyou could not help but laugh, saying: "Everyone says Li Jing is benevolent and kind-hearted, yet toward this elder statesman, why is he so cruel? A decrepit old man dying of starvation—that is far more agonizing than a white silk cord or poisoned wine!"

Wang Jingchong continued: "Furthermore, after Song Qiqiu's death, Li Jing issued an order stripping him of his titles and ranks, charging him posthumously with the crime of plotting rebellion, and granting him the derogatory posthumous name 'Chou Miao'! In addition, the exiled Chen Jue and Li Zhenggu were also executed!"

Upon hearing this, Feng Dao could not help but sigh: "Song Qiqiu's reputation was renowned throughout the southern states—resourceful and cunning as a spirit, said to be worth a hundred thousand troops. At the height of his power, he dominated the court. Yet in the end he met no good death, and his legacy is one of infamy. Truly lamentable!"

Liu Chengyou pondered for a moment, then said: "Killing Song, executing Chen and Li—it seems the Huainan campaign had a profound impact on Li Jing, to the point where he disregarded his reputation for leniency and struck without mercy! With Song Qiqiu dead, the Song faction has been uprooted entirely, with no possibility of revival. This is the bitter fruit of having allowed factional strife to run unchecked..."

"Your Majesty, in this way, the false Tang has eliminated its factional troubles. If this enables them to unite as one and plot a resurgence, that would not be good news for the Great Han!" Feng Dao cautioned Liu Chengyou.

Nodding in acknowledgment of Feng Dao's view, Liu Chengyou nonetheless did not appear overly worried, saying: "If they had been able to reform and control factional strife before our campaign against Huainan, I might indeed have had some concerns. But at this point—too late! And what is the current state of the false Tang court?"

"Since Han Xizai became Chancellor and took overall charge of state affairs, northern scholars and officials have been given important positions. Feng Yansi still holds the chancellorship, but he seems deliberately to be avoiding Han Xizai's sharp edge. With the northerners in power, Han Xizai has proposed reforms and submitted his Ten Policies for National Revitalization, which Li Jing has already approved..."

Liu Chengyou could not help stroking his short beard, and said with a light laugh: "This Han Xizai has finally had the chance to display his talents! What a pity he has neither the right ruler nor the right time! As for his Ten Policies for National Revitalization, I had heard of them before—every single one targets the false Tang's bureaucrats, meritorious officials, powerful clans, and merchants, reforming taxation, eliminating privileges, and benefiting the common people. Every one of them diagnoses the ills of the times and benefits the state and the people!"

"This Han Xizai is indeed a talent! If his reforms succeed, he will surely enrich their state and strengthen their army. We must take this as a warning!" Feng Dao cautioned Liu Chengyou.

Looking at Feng Dao, Liu Chengyou said calmly: "The false Tang of today has lost Huainan in a painful blow, leaving its ruling foundation with only half of Jiangdong and the single region of Jiangxi. Li Jing now heavily relies on the northern scholars led by Han Xizai, allowing them to grow powerful. Although this unifies administrative orders, how can the southerners be willing to accept it? Han Xizai's reforms seize their private interests—it is no different from cutting flesh from the bodies of Jiangnan's bureaucrats and nobles. The pain cuts to the bone. Just watch—the false Tang's political situation is bound to see reversals. Whether Li Jing can suppress them is itself the question!"

"Your Majesty's vision is like a torch, your insight truly penetrating—I am full of admiration!" Feng Dao suddenly understood, his face filled with emotion as he clasped his hands in salute.

"Furthermore!" Liu Chengyou said: "Even if Han Xizai's reforms succeed and Li Jing withstands the backlash, wouldn't the accumulated wealth and grain be just right for tribute to the Great Han?"

Of course, Liu Chengyou had another thought he did not voice—namely, that when the Han army eventually took Jiangnan, they would certainly carry out their own reforms of the false Tang's malpractices, and there would surely be a redistribution of Jiangnan's land, wealth, and other social resources. In Liu Chengyou's view, what Han Xizai was doing suited his purposes well—it was, in effect, a trial run on his behalf.

Indeed, Liu Chengyou even entertained the thought that after the south was pacified, if Han Xizai were still alive, he would let the man continue his work of reform and eliminating abuses.

"Your Majesty, there is one more matter!" Wang Jingchong said.

"Speak!"

"Li Jingsui has repeatedly declined the position of heir, and Li Jing has finally agreed, instead designating the false Yan Prince Li Hongji as his successor!" Wang Jingchong reported: "However, according to reports, Li Hongji has a violent and cruel temperament. Since taking up residence in the Eastern Palace, he has been arbitrary and overbearing, repeatedly exceeding his prerogatives, and privately forging ties with military officers—he does not find favor in Li Jing's eyes."

Tapping the surface of his desk, Liu Chengyou said: "I had thought this succession struggle would stir up a major storm, but who would have expected it to end this way! That Li Jingsui really did spoil the fun!"

Raising his eyes to sweep across Feng Dao and Wang Jingchong, he smiled slightly: "But then—what becomes of a crown prince who does not find favor in his sovereign's eyes?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Dao and Wang Jingchong could not help but laugh along in agreement.

"Keep watching the news from Jinling!" Liu Chengyou waved a hand at Wang Jingchong, then looked to Feng Dao: "Send an envoy to Jinling to press Li Jing for this year's tribute. Before I withdrew my troops, I allowed him to pay a portion first, and now that the summer harvest is approaching, we need to give him a nudge!"

"Yes!"

"As for the choice of envoy, may I ask whom Your Majesty has in mind?" Feng Dao inquired first.

Liu Chengyou pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked: "Where is that Zhong Mo now?"

To this, no one could answer—a detained Tang official, escorted back to the Eastern Capital, was of little concern to anyone.

"Your servant will investigate immediately!" Seeing the Emperor's displeased expression, Wang Jingchong hurriedly responded, and upon receiving permission, withdrew and departed in haste.

Feng Dao asked: "Does Your Majesty intend to use this Tang official as the envoy?"

"That is indeed my intention!" Liu Chengyou raised a finger and said: "When Li Jing originally sent envoys to seek peace, there were Zhong Mo and Li Deming. Li Deming submitted to us and worked actively on our court's behalf to bring about the peace agreement. Zhong Mo, however, was protective of his reputation for integrity, remaining silent and taciturn. But as I observed him, he is not lacking in the ability to read the times—he simply cannot let go of his pride. I intend to make use of him..."

"If you release him to return south, I fear he will not come back north!" Feng Dao said.

"Then I can only wish him well—that the Tang court will accept him and grant him a fairly high office!" Liu Chengyou said with a light laugh.

Slightly taken aback by this, Feng Dao could not help stroking his white beard. He seemed to grasp something, yet truly could not quite fathom the Emperor's intentions.

"By the way!" Liu Chengyou changed the subject, saying to Feng Dao: "There is a matter on which I would like to hear your views, Chancellor Feng!"

"Your Majesty, please speak!"

Liu Chengyou said: "I have received a memorial reporting that Li Hui, the Military Governor of Heyang, has been corrupt and lawless in his post, oppressing the people, so much so that grievances are heard everywhere. What do you think, Chancellor Feng?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Dao's aged brows immediately knitted together. He cautiously glanced at the Emperor—the Hedong matter was not yet settled, and now he was planning to make a move on Heyang? Previously, the Emperor had clearly said that prefectures like Heyang should not be rushed.

Of course, compared to Hedong, although the three cities of Heyang occupied a strategic pass guarding Luoyang, their weight was far lighter. What truly concerned Feng Dao about this matter was that Li Hui, the Military Governor of Heyang, had been recommended by none other than himself, the old Chancellor Feng. He could not help but wonder what the Emperor's purpose was in soliciting his opinion on this matter.

After considering for a moment, Feng Dao said: "Your Majesty, Li Shunguang is a veteran general of Gaozu's era and a founding elder of the state, known for his loyalty and integrity. In his years at his post, he has never acted against the court. I have heard that he is fond of empty reputation—that he dispenses small favors to the gentry and common folk to court hollow praise—this I can believe. But as for any great villainy or wickedness, this old servant believes Your Majesty might send someone to Heyang to investigate..."

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou nodded: "Your words are reasonable, Chancellor Feng. We should send someone to verify the facts, and then render judgment!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Glancing at Feng Dao and seeing that the old man seemed somewhat unsettled, Liu Chengyou dismissed him back to the Hall, having no intention of frightening him further.