Chapter 571: The Camel Lad

Between Wang Jun and Han Tong, Liu Chengyou ultimately treated them differently. Han Tong was demoted to Xiangyang, but still had a chance of restoration—in the future, when Jinghu was pacified, the Xiangzhou troops would be needed. As for Wang Jun, demoted to Shangzhou, it was different—his official career basically ended there.

If from now on, Wang Jun could reflect on his faults, restrain his aggressiveness, and cultivate his character, then he could still live out his years in peace. But if he refused to repent, or even grew worse, he would likely come to no good end.

In the eyes of those who understood nothing of the underlying principles and only saw the surface, the commander of the Imperial Guard Command had merely offended the Emperor and violated court regulations, and was thus demoted several ranks in succession. This still had some effect in maintaining the Emperor's authority.

Of course, the reasons for Wang Jun's demotion were hardly limited to the Mid-Autumn banquet incident—the clash at Chongzheng Hall was ultimately just the trigger. Liu Chengyou had long been dissatisfied with Wang Jun, dating back as far as the first year of Qianyou, when Wang Jun served as Military Governor of Fengxiang after the great victory at Jifeng Mountain, where he had been insufferably arrogant and difficult to control.

Acting out of a desire to employ his talents, Liu Chengyou had transferred him to the central government and entrusted him with important duties. But his temperament remained unchanged—his conflicts and disputes with court officials may have been within Liu Chengyou's expectations, but his greed and power-grabbing, his domineering behavior and repeated violations of protocol, made Liu Chengyou even more displeased.

When attacking Huainan, with Wang Jun as commander, the moment the reins were loosened even slightly, he was like a wild horse, wantonly arrogant. After some pressure was applied, he restrained himself somewhat. Upon his return to court, Liu Chengyou did not dwell on his faults and still promoted Wang Jun to the position of commander of the Imperial Guard Command based on his merits—the highest military post in the Great Han's imperial army.

Yet even so, Wang Jun remained unsatisfied, feeling that his rewards did not match his achievements, and repeatedly voiced complaints. He promoted his own confidants from within the imperial army—though many of those appointments were rejected by the Ministry of War—and within the various offices, he suppressed and squeezed out other generals.

That might have been tolerable, but this year, during the imperial examinations, Wang Jun actually went to He Ning, the chief examiner, and recommended a batch of "worthy talents and outstanding men." He Ning did not dare offend Wang Jun to his face, so he agreed, then immediately reported the matter to the Emperor. The result was predictable—none of those Wang Jun recommended were selected.

And Wang Jun's grandiloquent speech at Chongyuan Hall, despising the civil officials, had its reasons as well. Moreover, what angered Liu Chengyou most was precisely his statement that "the Son of Heaven favors civil officials and looks down on military generals"—it was like touching the dragon's scales, striking Liu Chengyou's most sensitive spot.

To put it seriously, this was not merely reckless speech deceiving the sovereign—it could practically be described as "stirring unrest among the troops and plotting treason." The anger and dissatisfaction accumulated over many years burst forth at once; that Liu Chengyou did not directly order Wang Jun's execution was already a sign of restraint.

Of course, there was also the motive of protecting Han Tong, because judging from the scene in the hall, Han Tong, who had resorted to violence, had committed a more egregious offense.

After Liu Chengyou made the decision to demote them, the Xuanwei Office, understanding His Majesty's intent, publicly criticized and condemned Wang Jun's domineering and insubordinate behavior. Zhao Shangjiao and Tao Gu each wrote an essay, distributed to the military, government, and civilian spheres, emphasizing the depth of Wang Jun's crimes while highlighting the Son of Heaven's great benevolence.

"Your Majesty, Wang Jun has already departed, heading to Shangzhou to take up his post!" The one reporting to Liu Chengyou was Zhang Dejun.

"Did he say anything?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"Before boarding his carriage, Wang Jun said to those seeing him off: 'Before the birds are all gone, the good bow is already put away; before the cunning hare is dead, the hunting dog is already boiled.'" Glancing cautiously at the Emperor, Zhang Dejun replied.

"That does sound like something he would say!" Liu Chengyou's hand flipping through the documents paused slightly, and he smiled faintly.

Zhang Dejun said with some dissatisfaction: "This Wang Jun has always been arrogant about his achievements. Now that he has committed a crime and been demoted, instead of reflecting on his faults and seeking to change, his resentment only grows..."

"Who saw Wang Jun off?" Liu Chengyou interrupted Zhang Dejun and asked.

Zhang Dejun, realizing he had spoken too much, quickly stopped and answered: "Shen Shihou, a clerk in the Ministry of War, along with several of Wang Jun's former subordinates and retainers!"

"I understand. You may withdraw!" Liu Chengyou said.

"Yes!"

From beginning to end, Liu Chengyou never once looked up, continuing to review memorials.

The autumn wind was bleak, waves surging; along both banks of the Bian River stood dense yellow willows. In a thatched hut by the riverside, Han Tong sat on a wooden stool, drinking bitter wine alone. Those who had come to see him off were few—he had sent them all away.

For this demotion, Wang Jun was dissatisfied, while Han Tong felt wronged. But there was nothing to be done—after all, he had made a mistake. He only regretted that his mind had not been clear, that he had failed to read the occasion.

"Aren't you supposed to be on duty at the Ministry of War? Why are you here? Didn't I say there's no need to see me off!" Han Tong looked at his son Han Hui, who had ridden up on horseback.

Han Hui was Han Tong's only son, long doted upon by his father. A young man in his twenties, his features were ordinary, but his bearing was excellent. Entering the hut, he bowed respectfully: "When Father travels far, how could a son not see him off!"

"Moreover, I have come on His Majesty's orders, to see Father off!" Han Hui said, weighing the small jar of wine in his hand: "This is imperial wine bestowed by His Majesty!"

Hearing this, a gleam of brilliance flashed through Han Tong's eyes. Somewhat moved, he bowed toward the direction of the imperial city: "It seems His Majesty still remembers me!"

"Quick, open the seal and fill your father's cup!" Han Tong poured out the wine in his own cup and said to his son.

Han Hui appeared exceptionally composed, unhurriedly pouring wine for Han Tong and then filling his own cup. Raising his cup, he said: "Father, as you go to Xiangzhou, please take care of yourself. I will pray day and night in the Eastern Capital for your good health!"

They drank a cup together, then refilled. Han Tong studied his beloved son, growing more satisfied with his composure and magnanimity the longer he looked. He said: "Do your work well at the Ministry of War. Wei Renpu is the chancellor, his abilities praised by the entire court, and he is deeply trusted by His Majesty. To work and gain experience at his side is a rare opportunity!"

"As for me, don't worry. I made a mistake, so being demoted is what it is. Xiangzhou is a good place, and Duke of Xing is a good superior. My days will be far better than that fellow Wang Jun's!" Han Tong laughed heartily.

Drinking to drown sorrow only deepens it, but the Emperor's imperial wine seemed to truly have the effect of dispelling gloom—Han Tong's face was now bright and cheerful.

"Did His Majesty have any message for me to pass along?" Han Tong drank another cup of wine and asked with some anticipation.

Han Hui shook his head and replied: "Only a palace eunuch from the Palace Domestic Service brought His Majesty's oral decree and a jar of imperial wine. Beyond that, there was no other message!"

Hearing this answer, Han Tong could not help but feel somewhat disappointed.

Seeing this, Han Hui chuckled lightly and said: "However, although His Majesty did not speak directly, his words are all within the wine!"

Han Tong's brows furrowed, and he immediately said: "Speak plainly—don't imitate those pedantic scholars, hiding and concealing, putting on airs of profundity!"

Facing his father's rebuke, Han Hui looked somewhat helpless, but he clasped his hands and spoke fluently: "Father is an old general of His Majesty, a minister who followed him from the very beginning. His Majesty also knows Father's temperament. Although Father has committed a grave error this time, His Majesty still intends to protect him. In my view, His Majesty's demotion of you to Xiangzhou serves several purposes: first, naturally, to punish the crime and correct the fault, to uphold court ritual and regulations, to warn the civil and military officials, and to deter those who would follow suit; second, to allow Father to reflect and improve in Xiangzhou; third, in the future the court will surely take Jinghu, and with Father in Xiangzhou, how could the court not make use of you? When that time comes, as long as you fight bravely and earn merit, there will naturally be a day when you return to the capital."

Hearing his beloved son's words, Han Tong's round eyes grew increasingly bright, his worried expression completely dissipated. After pondering for a moment, he found it all made great sense. Looking at Han Hui, Han Tong could not help but say: "My son is so clever and astute—why didn't you win the top scholar title in the examinations?"

"How easy is the top scholar title?" Han Hui appeared very open-minded, saying: "Look at that young Lord Lu from Henei—all the Academicians of the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy praised him, yet the one who took first place was still young Lord Dong. I am not skilled at poetry and rhapsodies; I only have some small cleverness. Passing the jinshi examination at all may well be thanks to Father's influence!"

"No matter! Being capable of handling affairs is what counts!" Han Tong seemed even more open-minded, saying: "After all, what His Majesty values is men of practical ability. Those who can only compose poetry and rhapsodies but cannot govern, manage the people, or command the army—what use are they!"

"Father speaks truly!" Han Hui assented calmly.

"Come, drink this jar of wine with me, and then I'll be on my way!"

"Father, please!" Han Hui continued pouring wine for Han Tong.

Before long, Han Tong, slightly tipsy, boarded his carriage. Looking back at the city of Kaifeng, he gave Han Hui another round of instructions, then turned and climbed into the carriage.

Han Tong departed for Xiangzhou with three carriages carrying his concubine and valuables, five retainers, and several servants, traveling south at a leisurely pace.

By the roadside, Han Hui bowed deeply. Only after they had gone far did he straighten up, mount his horse, and return to the city, composed throughout.

Han Tong's son, possessed of wisdom and strategy, was known as "the Camel Lad."