Chapter 602: The Yanzhou Affair

Inside Guangzheng Hall, Li Tao, Fan Zhi, Wei Renpu, Xue Juzheng, and Guo Rong sat in a row—these were the five men who held the core power in the Great Han court at present. Fan, Wei, and Xue, being of similar age, had already earned the elegant title of the "Three Worthies" both in court and among the populace.

Of course, the one who truly stood out was Guo Rong—after all, at just thirty-three years of age, he could already sit alongside the chancellors. Among officials outside the imperial clan, none received greater favor from the Emperor than the Guo family.

There was a rumor that Guo Wei's fifth daughter, once she turned sixteen, would enter the palace as a consort. Though it was only hearsay, and the Son of Heaven had never openly expressed such intent, where there is smoke, there may well be fire—perhaps he did harbor such thoughts.

"Let's all speak up—how should the Yanzhou matter be resolved?" Liu Chengyou tossed the memorial in his hand onto the desk, his gaze sweeping briefly over the several men as he said flatly.

"Gao Shaoji has taken military and civil authority into his own hands, seeking to inherit his father's post. This man knows no sovereign, no father—unfilial and disloyal. The court should deal with him sternly. Moreover, the world today is not what it was in former dynasties—how could the territory of the Great Han be placed in such a man's hands? Otherwise, where would the sovereign's authority stand? Where would the nation's dignity stand?" Li Tao was the first to voice his view, his attitude and words rather forceful, saying: "We should follow the precedent of the Feng family of Jinzhou—send an envoy with a cord, bind him, and bring him to court, thereby reclaiming authority over Yanzhou!"

What was being discussed in Guangzheng Hall today was a disturbance that had arisen in Yanzhou. Gao Yunquan, the Military Governor of Yanzhou—a man of prominence who had risen in the northwest of the Great Han since the fall of the Later Jin—was dead. Whether from illness or otherwise, unknown, but dead for certain.

And much like the Jinzhou affair of last year, Gao Yunquan's son, Gao Shaoji, had seized the opportunity to grab power, controlling the military and civil administration, intending to inherit his father's position. The difference from the Jinzhou situation was that Gao Shaoji was quite resourceful—he concealed the death, sealed off information, and quietly brought all of Yanzhou under his control.

Had it not been for Li Bin, the Administrative Assistant of the Yanzhou Surveillance Commission, who found an opportunity to secretly report to the court, they would still be in the dark, completely unaware. But now that word had arrived, how to handle it posed a dilemma, because the court had already missed the optimal window for intervention.

Li Tao's suggestion, if one did not examine the finer details, would be the appropriate response for the court, and it matched Emperor Liu Chengyou's recent attitude toward those military commands that had drifted beyond the court's control. However, the situation in Yanzhou was, in the end, different from that in Jinzhou.

After Li Tao finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment, then Fan Zhi spoke up: "Your servant believes that Yanzhou's situation differs from Jinzhou's, and the circumstances are even more distinct—the measures taken cannot be the same!"

Pausing, he glanced at Li Tao and continued: "First, Gao Shaoji has concealed the death for some time now—over twenty days is enough for him to have seized Yanzhou's military and civil power, controlled the situation, stabilized his position, and achieved actual control and succession over Yanzhou.

Second, the Gao clan is a powerful local family of Yanzhou. From his grandfather's generation onward, they have been deeply rooted there, and over the decades, their influence has spread through every level, with far-reaching entanglements. The Feng clan of Jinzhou, by contrast, was a newly transferred command with no local foundation, and the Feng sons were unworthy—hence easily seized by the court. The difference between the two is considerable.

Third, observing Gao Shaoji's conduct, he does appear to have real ability. If the court tries to replicate the Jinzhou affair, he will certainly be on guard—without dispatching a large army, capturing him will by no means be easy. And if troops are mobilized, one fears the gain will not outweigh the loss—it might even provoke great chaos in the northwest!"

After Fan Zhi finished, Guo Rong added: "Yanzhou and Gao Shaoji are not worth worrying about—the fear is that pulling one hair may move the whole body. The northwest has harbored many hidden troubles these years, and compounded by the court's policies, the Dingnan Army has kept the court at arm's length, fraught with suspicion and wariness.

If the court tries to seize Gao Shaoji, he will certainly not submit to arrest, and Yanzhou will surely descend into chaos. Previously, Your Majesty used Gao Yunquan of Yanzhou to counterbalance Li Yiyin, and the enmity between them runs deep. If the court acts in Yanzhou and Li Yiyin seizes the opportunity to scheme, how will the court respond?

Once the Dingnan Army moves, the Tangut and the miscellaneous barbarians of the northwest will inevitably rise up as well—this is entirely foreseeable. In such a case, the fragile balance of the northwest will be shattered into great disorder, and if peace is to be restored, the price the court will have to pay would be incalculable!"

Liu Chengyou listened to the views of Fan and Guo, yet his gaze rested on Li Tao. He noticed that this gentleman, even as Fan and Guo refuted his suggestion, showed no change in expression and did not grow angry. Instead, he lightly nodded twice, looking as if in approval, and said: "Your servant's considerations were incomplete—I beg Your Majesty's pardon!"

Liu Chengyou responded: "Minister Li was mindful of the court's dignity, and what you said had merit—nothing to fault!"

Of course, a slight unease did stir in his heart, but he quickly recovered and asked: "Then, by the two ministers' meaning, you do not approve of taking forceful measures against Yanzhou?"

"Your Majesty is wise—this is precisely your servant's meaning!" Fan Zhi nodded, affirming.

"The nation's strategy at present lies in the southwest; for the northwest region, maintaining stability should be the priority. Once the southwest matter is settled, we can then turn to the northwest. At that time, a single Yanzhou will be of no consequence—the Dingnan Army and the Tangut can all be dealt with together!" Guo Rong said.

It was clear that Guo Rong's mind was wholly fixed on the strategy against Shu, and anything else that might affect the southwest campaign was, in his view, to be pushed to the back burner.

"What does Minister Wei think?" Liu Chengyou turned to his chief strategist, Wei Renpu, who had not yet spoken a word.

Wei Renpu did not offer any novel insight, merely nodding lightly: "The gentlemen's views are thorough and well-reasoned—your servant concurs!"

"And Minister Xue?" Liu Chengyou asked Xue Juzheng.

Xue Juzheng: "Your servant seconds the motion!"

"Since all of you are of one mind!" He swept his gaze left and right, and Liu Chengyou made the final call: "Then we shall adopt a policy of conciliation!"

As luck would have it, just as Liu Chengyou finished speaking, an official of the central secretariat entered, holding a memorial, and presented it: "Your Majesty, a memorial from Gao Shaoji, Commander of the Yanzhou young lord's guard!"

His brow furrowed slightly, and Liu Chengyou asked: "What does it report?"

The man replied: "Gao Shaoji memorializes that Administrative Assistant Li Bin colluded with internal and external parties, murdered the Chief Commander and the Deputy Marching Commander, and seized the city for himself. He has already been executed, and orders have been given to arrest and detain his wife, children, and all his kin."

His sword-like brows lifted slightly. He reached out to take the memorial and scan it, and his forehead immediately creased. He passed it around to the assembled ministers and said: "How do you all view this memorial?"

"This Gao Shaoji has quite the nerve! An Administrative Assistant—killed without even seeking the court's decree! His ambition to establish himself is plain to see!" Li Tao's expression was stern, his words carrying anger.

This time Wei Renpu spoke up on his own initiative, his face remaining calm as he said: "From this memorial alone, one can see that Gao Shaoji's control over Yanzhou is indeed tight—Li Bin's report had barely arrived when his memorial followed right behind. Killing Li Bin was nothing more than framing him with a crime, and it only further reveals his intentions. The court must handle this with great care!"

Liu Chengyou's expression was none too pleasant. This Gao Shaoji had truly affronted him and the court—and the key point was that even under these circumstances, he still had to hold his nose and accept it.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Chengyou raised a finger and gave his orders: "Draft an edict—posthumously honor Gao Yunquan with a fine title, and appoint Gao Shaoji as Acting Military Governor of Yanzhou, temporarily administering military and civil affairs. Additionally, have the Ministry of Rites dispatch an envoy to Yanzhou to conduct an inspection and offer condolences, and make Gao Shaoji hold the funeral. If he refuses to be a loyal minister of the court, We shall first urge him to fulfill his filial duty to his father!"

One could sense the anger in the Son of Heaven's tone. Li Tao was the first to respond: "Yes!"

"Your Majesty, Li Bin, the Administrative Assistant of the Yanzhou Surveillance Commission, was close to the court and may be called loyal and good. Unfortunately, he was killed by Gao Shaoji. According to the report from Yanzhou, Gao Shaoji still intends to harm his family—the court cannot stand by!" Fan Zhi cupped his hands and addressed Liu Chengyou.

"Had Minister Fan not reminded me, I might have nearly overlooked it!" Liu Chengyou took a deep breath to calm himself, then said: "Send a simultaneous decree to Gao Shaoji—the crime shall not extend to his flesh and blood. Order him to release Li Bin's family!"

"Where is Li Bin from?"

"To answer Your Majesty, his registered origin is Ruzhou!" Li Tao said.

"Send Li Bin's family to Ruzhou for resettlement, grant them farmland, money, and grain, and the local authorities shall treat them well!" Liu Chengyou instructed.

"Yes!"

After giving the orders, Liu Chengyou's brow remained furrowed, and he could not help but sigh: "Such appeasement, letting Gao Shaoji run rampant—I fear it will damage the court's prestige!"

Clearly, even having chosen compromise, Liu Chengyou was deeply displeased at heart, with a knot of frustration.

Seeing this, Li Tao counseled him: "It will certainly not come to that. Matters have their priorities and degrees of urgency—the court's course is one of wisdom and decisive judgment, keeping the greater picture in view. Today's leniency toward him is but to await severe punishment on another day!"

Hearing Li Tao say this, Liu Chengyou's gaze drifted toward him, a hint of amusement in his eyes. And Li Tao, in turn, revealed a reserved smile and offered a cupped-fist salute.