Chapter 640: Qinfeng Secured

"Western Capital Defender, your subject Jing Fan, pays respects to Your Majesty!" Inside the hall, an old man of imposing bearing and upright countenance performed the audience ceremony toward Liu Chengyou with meticulous formality.

This man was Jing Fan, Defender of the Western Capital, who had been summoned by imperial decree to return to the capital to report on his governance.

"Minister Jing, rise quickly, no need for ceremony, sit!" Liu Chengyou's attitude toward Jing Fan was excellent, his words and expression warm, and he casually handed a soft cushion from behind his desk to Zhang Dejun: "Change this cushion for Minister Jing!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" This was likely the first time Jing Fan had experienced such consideration from the Son of Heaven, and beyond his surprise, his expression softened considerably.

His gaze resting on Jing Fan, Liu Chengyou observed this elder—his face aged, temples streaked with white hair, the wrinkles on his face seeming almost ready to droop. Liu Chengyou sighed: "Minister Jing, in but a few years, you have labored yourself to such a state. How lamentable!"

"Time flows on, old age approaches—this is the natural order of things!" Jing Fan wore a look of complete equanimity.

"You have governed Luoyang for nearly four years—the people's livelihood is peaceful, all industries prosper, taxes and provisions are abundant. Your achievements are outstanding!" Liu Chengyou praised Jing Fan.

Jing Fan replied: "Your subject was ordered to govern Luo, and merely fulfilled his duties, not daring to be remiss. Any slight accomplishments are hardly worthy of pride!"

This man Jing Fan was upright in character, understood the greater picture, kept the overall situation in view, was diligent and incorruptible, and handled matters with strict adherence to principle—a truly unyielding official. In the first year of Qianyou, recommended by Liu Shenjiao, he governed Zhengzhou. When Liu Chengyou received him and conversed with him at that time, he had already come to greatly appreciate him. At that time, the state had just been established, and Liu Chengyou had only recently ascended the throne; both within and without, all was unsettled, and officials of Jing Fan's capable and resolute caliber were precisely what was needed to maintain order.

During three years in Zhengzhou, civil governance was exemplary. In the fourth year of Qianyou, when Shi Hongzhao was transferred to garrison Lingzhou, Liu Chengyou thought of Jing Fan as his successor at once. At that time, under Shi Hongzhao's governance, officials in Luoyang could hardly live, and the people found no peace either. After Jing Fan took office, he vigorously set about restoring order and developing production.

Of course, one thing that did not change was his strict enforcement of the law, executing justice as immovable as a mountain. He showed no courtesy whatsoever to Luoyang's meritorious nobles—though compared to Shi Hongzhao, Jing Fan did everything according to regulations. Even so, the nobles and officials of Luoyang, high and low, bore him much resentment and rancor.

At this moment, looking at Jing Fan, Liu Chengyou was full of emotion, and with a hint of jest in his tone, said: "You have long been known for your uprightness. In Luoyang, you enforce the law like a mountain, showing no deference to the powerful, to the point of seeming somewhat inhuman. Among the people, there is much resentment and criticism—even I, in the Eastern Capital, have heard of it..."

Facing these words, Jing Fan showed not the slightest reaction, but said very calmly: "The court compiled the Criminal Code to promulgate throughout the realm; high and low, noble and base, all must obey it, to uphold fairness—otherwise, what use is legislation? In Luoyang, every case I judged, every matter I decided, was done according to Han law.

Luoyang is the Great Han's Western Capital, with many meritorious nobles, and these people all the more need to be restrained by strict law. If they slander me because I apply the law strictly and show them no leniency, that only further proves the value of what I do. What I seek is simply this: above, not to fail the court; below, not to shame my own conscience—nothing more!"

"Minister Jing's words are thought-provoking and fully display the loftiness of his character. All officials, within and without, should emulate him!" Liu Chengyou remarked with feeling.

Jing Fan: "Your Majesty's praise is so lavish, your subject truly dares not accept it."

"You are too modest!" Waving his hand, Liu Chengyou's expression gradually grew serious, and he said: "I summoned you back to the capital this time because I have important matters to entrust to you!"

Pausing for a moment, Liu Chengyou said: "At present, there is a vacancy in Kaifeng, and I intend to make you Governor of Kaifeng! The Commandery Prince of Changli has served for three years, and though he has made measures for prosperity, he excels at litigation and is somewhat lacking in matters of people's livelihood. These past two years, the common folk under Kaifeng have had many grievances difficult to resolve. I have set my mind on you, Minister Jing, to give full play to your talents!"

Jing Fan had anticipated being transferred into the central government for this trip to the capital, but Liu Chengyou directly entrusting him with Kaifeng still could not help but startle him. Rarely, Jing Fan showed a trace of hesitation, and clasping his hands, said: "Your Majesty, such a heavy responsibility—your subject fears he may not be able to bear it!"

"What, with your abilities, Minister Jing, do you lack confidence in governing Kaifeng well?" Liu Chengyou looked at him and asked with a smile.

Jing Fan pondered a moment, then said: "Your subject is advanced in years, decrepit and failing, my body growing daily more unwell. I often feel my strength cannot match my will, and fear I am hardly fit for so great a charge!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou took it merely as modesty, and waved his hand: "Do you know of Duke Hou Yi of the State of Lu? In his day, past sixty, he still sat in the Kaifeng court and did it well. You are only now at the age of knowing Heaven's mandate—how can you speak of decrepitude? A great city like Luoyang you governed in perfect order; Kaifeng, though the capital, should be no trouble at all. As for other matters, you need have no misgivings—just as before, enforce the law impartially!"

Seeing the Emperor's resolute attitude, Jing Fan no longer insisted on declining, and rising, bowed deeply: "Your Majesty places such trust in me—your subject can only devote himself utterly, even should his liver and brains be smeared on the ground, even should he exhaust his heart's blood, he will not refuse!"

"Good!" Liu Chengyou laughed heartily and ordered: "Go, prepare some food—make it a bit more lavish today. I will dine with Minister Jing!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Jing Fan bowed again. Whether it was show or not, for the Emperor to treat an outside official with such warmth and to such a degree was already rare.

"Come!" Having sat at the desk for a long while, Liu Chengyou beckoned to Jing Fan: "Accompany me for a walk outside, and tell me about your governance of Luoyang!"

"Yes!"

"Reporting to Your Majesty—a victory dispatch from the southwest! The Shu army has been defeated again, and the four prefectures of Qinfeng are secured!" While Liu Chengyou and Jing Fan were dining, the Bureau of Military Affairs sent a man to report.

Compared to the previous great victory, this time Liu Chengyou's bearing was naturally more composed, and he immediately ordered: "Notify them—I will visit the Bureau of Military Affairs shortly. Summon Chancellor Wei as well!"

Then looking at Jing Fan, pointing at the half-eaten meal, he smiled: "Minister Jing, with this southwestern military dispatch, I fear I cannot finish this meal with you!"

"Your Majesty handles a myriad of affairs daily, forgetting food and sleep—your subject is filled with admiration. Having come to the capital this time and received such generous hospitality from Your Majesty, I am truly moved to tears. Your subject respectfully wishes Your Majesty another victory in the southwest, and will take his leave now!" Jing Fan rose and bowed.

"Very well!" Liu Chengyou nodded: "You have traveled a long way and must be weary—return to the guesthouse and rest first. Hmm, you have no residence in the Eastern Capital. I will later order someone to select a new house in the inner city for you to stay in!"

"Your Majesty's concern, your subject..." Jing Fan was clearly so overcome with gratitude that he was rendered speechless.

Smiling faintly, Liu Chengyou strode toward the Bureau of Military Affairs, leaving Jing Fan behind, on whose old face there was boundless emotion.

In the main hall of the Bureau of Military Affairs, several key ministers were seated, listening to Li Chuyun report on the front-line situation: "After the Battle of Liangquan, news spread and morale wavered across the prefectures. The main army rested for five days, then Commander-in-Chief Xiang personally led the troops out of Guzhen, advancing west into Chengzhou. The Shu army gathered over ten thousand remnant troops and laborers to defend Tonggu, and was defeated again in a single battle. Under the cover of Shu general Han Baozhen, they retreated south along the Jialing River to Xingzhou.

With the Shu army routed, the two prefectures of Cheng and Jie surrendered to the Great Han under the leadership of Zhao Pin, Administrative Assistant of the Shu Jianxiong Army's Surveillance Commission. At present, Commander-in-Chief Xiang has dispatched troops to take over the prefectures and counties, posting notices to reassure the people."

"The Shu army in Qinzhou, hearing of the defeat in the south, lost all morale. Zhao Jizha, Military Governor of the Shu Jianxiong Army, seeing no hope of reinforcement from the rear, actually abandoned his troops and fled. The ten thousand Shu soldiers at Chengji, leaderless, surrendered en masse. The entire city of Chengji fell, and the remaining counties of Qinzhou vied to submit memorials of allegiance..."

Mentioning the situation in Qinzhou, Liu Chengyou could not help but say with keen interest: "Tell me, since the war between Han and Shu began, what exactly has this Zhao Jizha accomplished in Qinzhou?"

Sensing the mockery in the Emperor's tone, Guo Rong deliberately put on a solemn expression and said: "At the Battle of Longcheng, he lost several thousand troops; besieged in Chengji, he abandoned his army and fled the city... For our dynasty, however, he has been quite productive!"

"Hahaha..." At these words, the ruler and his ministers could not help but laugh heartily a few times.

Wei Renpu shook his head and remarked with feeling: "The Shu army in Qinzhou totaled nearly fifteen thousand men—no small force—yet under Zhao Jizha's command, they accomplished nothing at all! For the Shu sovereign to appoint such a man as commander—how could he not be defeated!"

"Indeed! I must thank Meng Chang! When the day comes that I capture him in the Eastern Capital, I may well thank him for this achievement!" Liu Chengyou was in high spirits.

"Minister Wei, do you think we should continue pursuing the Shu army southward and expand our gains further?" Looking at Wei Renpu, Liu Chengyou's gaze was intense.

Previously, Wei Renpu had held a conservative opinion. But this time, seeming to have guessed Liu Chengyou's thoughts, Wei Renpu considered briefly and replied: "One may let the southwestern commanders decide as circumstances warrant, and press the advantage with their troops!"

"Draft the order!" A faint smile appearing, Liu Chengyou looked at Guo Rong: "Have Xiang Xun advance on Hanzhong!"