Chapter 585: The Third Commissioner of the Wude Office

Although he was being banished from the capital, Bian Guidang's departure was still relatively composed. His carriage moved at no great speed, and after pursuing him for a little over three li, they caught up. A single lone carriage, a husband and wife, one male and one female servant, plus a driver—this was the entire party of Bian Guidang's journey to his post.

A Judicial Commissioner of a circuit was also a major court official, especially at this time when the governance structure was just being established, wielding great power, with all matters of criminal law in his hands. Regardless, Bian Guidang's conduct was exactly as he had always advocated—honest and frugal. His words matched his deeds, and that was worthy of respect.

In the whistling north wind, Bian Guidang descended from the carriage, knelt in the middle of the road, holding the winter robe with both hands, facing north. Hearing Li Fang convey the Son of Heaven's intent, he could not help but shed tears of gratitude, weeping freely as he kowtowed three times.

"Please ask Academician Li to report back to Your Majesty, saying that this old minister is deeply moved by his kindness! Going to Huaixi, I will surely enforce the laws strictly, proclaim the court's institutions, and not fail the emperor's grace!" Bian Guidang's ordinary old face was full of emotion, his tone resolute.

Although nominally he was going out to serve a circuit to sort out criminal matters, in reality it was a demotion. Bian Guidang, whose spirits had been somewhat depressed, found himself recovering somewhat from the blow through this move by the Son of Heaven.

Their political views might differ, but the emperor's ability to maintain this degree of respect toward him was enough to move Bian Guidang.

Helping Bian Guidang up, he looked at his somewhat shabby traveling party and could not help but sigh, saying: "Lord Bian, why not take a boat south? The weather is freezing cold; with this old horse and worn carriage, it will take time and effort!"

Bian Guidang said: "I have but four or five masters and servants, and some household belongings. A boat is not as convenient as this carriage, and it also saves on travel expenses. Along the way, I can also observe the people's livelihood, inspect the laws, and see the rivers and mountains of the Great Han."

"Lord Bian is incorruptible and devoted to public duty—this subordinate admires you greatly!" Li Fang gave a respectful bow: "The road ahead is long; take care!"

"Many thanks!"

As for the Inner Palace Guard of the Palace Command, one wing of this army was stationed in Kaifeng city, guarding the capital, with their barracks established north of the palace city. The other wing was stationed at the Western Capital, Luoyang.

Among the other troops of the two commands of the imperial army, commanders and chief generals were frequently transferred and reassigned, but the command structure of the Inner Palace Guard had always remained very stable. Since the winter of the first year of Qianyou, when the imperial army was first reorganized, the Chief Commander had always been Li Chongju.

Li Chongju had risen from Liu Chengyou's personal guard. Back when Liu Chengyou led troops to take Luzhou, he was recommended and taken into his service as a guard squad leader. From that time on, he had been at his side through thick and thin, through life-and-death situations. His name was not renowned, but his contributions were many.

After Liu Chengyou ascended the throne, his position naturally rose even higher, but compared to the Son of Heaven's other favored generals—such as Murong Yanzhao, Han Tong, Sun Li, Yang Ye, and even the younger Zhao Kuangyin—his reputation was truly unremarkable.

Yet examining his record, he was a general who had followed the dragon from the start, holding high position at a young age. Defeating Geng Chongmei, marching east through the Taihang Mountains, pursuing the Khitan, the great battle at Luancheng, exterminating bandits, pacifying Li Shouzhen... Li Chongju's figure appeared in every one of these events, yet his fame simply never spread.

Li Chongju was not old—still under thirty—but he was extremely low-key, with a deep and steady temperament, loyal and true to his word. Though his reputation was not grand, he strictly kept to his duties, doing his job in his position with meticulous care, never complaining or resenting.

On the training ground, Li Chongju observed the drill of two battalions of infantry, wearing a stern expression, but speaking without pause to those around him: "An army may go a thousand days without being used, but cannot go a single day without preparation. We train hard for three years, precisely for the day His Majesty uses us. From now on, anyone who speaks words of complaint and disturbs military morale will not get off with just a few strokes of the cane!"

"Yes!"

Off to the side, a dozen or so soldiers had stripped off their upper garments and loosened their military trousers, doing push-ups while receiving corporal punishment—twenty strokes each—their cries of pain unceasing.

The soldiers of the Inner Palace Guard were mainly recruited from the vicinity of the capital. Before winter set in, officers and men who had gone home to help with farming gradually returned, and with that came the great training exercises. Every summer and winter were the most intense training periods for the imperial army.

Enduring wind and cold to train was never pleasant for officers and men. Recently, rumors had spread in the army that no matter how actively they trained, there was no battlefield to use it on.

Quite a few people harbored such thoughts, because since the campaign against Li Shouzhen, the Inner Palace Guard had had no other missions besides garrison duty, palace guard, and training. It was inevitable that some would grow lax.

Li Chongju naturally noticed this, and so whenever such signs appeared, he used military law to severely crack down on this negative thinking. And this time, he was also well aware that it was clearly soldiers who, due to the cold weather, had grown lazy and slack in their training. Li Chongju was not polite about it—he simply grabbed a dozen or so typical offenders and dealt with them sternly.

"One winter and one summer—neither is farming season, and there is little warfare, so it is the best time for training troops. Strengthen their bodies, temper their wills, to prepare for campaigns! Pass down the order: no one, from top to bottom, may slack off!" Li Chongju instructed.

"Chief Commander, an envoy has come from the palace—His Majesty has an edict!" An officer hurried over to report.

"You all continue drilling! Switch to formation combat!" Leaving behind that order, Li Chongju immediately went to find the palace envoy.

Entering the palace, awaiting the edict, entering the hall, paying respects. From start to finish, every move Li Chongju made was plain and composed.

"Shouze, rise quickly, sit!" Toward Li Chongju, Liu Chengyou's attitude was very gentle, and his speech carried a rare hint of intimacy toward a subject.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Chongju straightened up, sat properly in his seat, posture upright, eyes not straying, waiting for the emperor's instruction.

This obedient and humble demeanor—among so many imperial army generals, only Li Chongju made him feel comfortable. Too many people's deference was displayed on the surface; only Li Chongju's seemed natural.

Looking at Li Chongju's meticulous, calm, and composed appearance, Liu Chengyou could not help but say: "Shouze is also an old hand who has followed Us for many years, having served from Our side. In terms of closeness, few in the military can match you.

Yet in these past few years, We have placed you in the Palace Command, and for years you have seen no change. Others have established achievements, been promoted and ennobled, with fearsome reputations. Has Shouze ever felt vexed, envious, or resentful?"

Upon hearing the question, a slight smile finally appeared at the corners of Li Chongju's mouth. He cupped his hands toward Liu Chengyou and said: "Your servant feels his virtue and ability are insufficient. Raised from obscurity, repeatedly placed in high positions, in daily affairs I only fear mishandling matters or making errors in commanding troops, failing Your Majesty's trust. I can only be diligent and cautious—how could I have the mind to think of all those other things..."

Had anyone else said this, Liu Chengyou would have thought them clever and quick-witted, but when Li Chongju said it, Liu Chengyou simply felt it was genuine. Some people simply had that kind of personal charisma.

"Shouze, you have not changed your original heart, just as in those days!" Liu Chengyou sighed.

"Your Majesty overpraises me; your servant does not dare accept it!" Li Chongju said.

Nodding, after a moment's deliberation, Liu Chengyou said: "We summoned you today because We have an important task to entrust to you!"

"Please give your command, Your Majesty!" Li Chongju did not hesitate in the slightest.

"The Commissioner of the Wude Office, Wang Jingchong, died of a sudden illness. The Wude Office is a sharp instrument of the state—it serves as Our ears and eyes, establishes Our claws and fangs, observes the realm, and understands public sentiment. It must be controlled by a trusted and capable minister. We have pondered long and hard without deciding, but now We wish to transfer you, Shouze, to be Commissioner of the Wude Office, to manage the Wude Office on Our behalf!" Liu Chengyou slowly laid out his thoughts.

Upon hearing this, Li Chongju's expression froze slightly. As for the Wude Office, of course he had long heard of it. Even if he normally minded his own affairs and paid it no attention, he understood the special nature of this institution.

After a moment's hesitation, Li Chongju said: "Your Majesty, your servant has always been leading troops in the military, with no experience in administrative affairs. If I am abruptly transferred to the Wude Office, I fear my abilities will not match the position and I will delay official business!"

"No matter!" Liu Chengyou smiled calmly: "Do We not know your abilities, Li Chongju? You are someone worthy of being entrusted with Our innermost confidence! The Wude Office's organization and structure are now increasingly complete, and there is a batch of capable officials within. With their assistance, given Shouze's talents, you are more than sufficient for the post!"

Hearing the emperor speak thus, knowing his mind was made up, Li Chongju did not make further excuses. He cupped his hands and bowed: "Your servant accepts the command!"

"We have appointed Commander Li Jixun of the Fengchen Camp to succeed you in the Inner Palace Guard. After you hand over military affairs to him, you may take the edict and proceed to the Wude Office." Liu Chengyou reminded him in a caring tone: "The first thing upon taking office is to familiarize yourself with the office's affairs! During Wang Jingchong's tenure, many malpractices and wrongful cases accumulated within. Eliminate them all at once for Us, and clear out the unhealthy atmosphere!"

"Yes!"

In using Li Chongju, Liu Chengyou naturally trusted him first, and second, he wanted to use this gentle-natured minister to ease some of the aggressive energy that had accumulated in the Wude Office.

Liu Chengyou had said before: if all generals and ministers were like Li Chongju, why worry about the realm not being at peace.