Chapter 671: Sovereign and Minister of One Mind

An extra update for the book friends who have been tipping recently.

After considering Li Tao's suggestion for a moment, he said: "For the Huainan East Transport Commission, transfer Prefect Wang Qiwu of Haozhou to take up the post. He has been in Haozhou for over three years with outstanding achievements. With his abilities, entrusting him with just one prefecture's affairs is actually doing him a disservice!"

"As for the rest, no changes. For the missing officials at all levels, the central government and the Ministry of Personnel should select and appoint replacements as soon as possible, so as not to affect official business. We need capable officials — new officials should bring a new spirit. Tell them four words to take as a warning!"

"Yes!" Since Liu Chengyou had spoken, Li Tao thought it over and found nothing objectionable, but he still couldn't help asking: "What about Shen Gou?"

"Let him go to Guanzhong and serve in the Surveillance Office!" Liu Chengyou said directly.

After speaking, he looked toward Fan Zhi, the smile on his face as warm and gentle as this March spring breeze: "As for Minister Fan, this time in adjudicating the case, you acted personally, sparing no effort day or night — truly arduous work. Your judgments were fair and your handling proper. If I showed no recognition, I would be failing to appreciate my ministers.

So, from the imperial privy purse, allocate fifty strings of cash and ten bolts of Shu brocade! This is my sincere gesture — no need to decline!"

"Yes!" Zhang Dejun accepted the order from the side.

Fan Zhi, upon hearing this, did not put on airs of lofty integrity and refuse. He bowed deeply: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Even an honest official still needs to eat and dress. Fan Zhi might be incorruptible and self-disciplined, but he was after all the reigning chancellor. With his family to support, the daily expenses inside and outside the chancellor's residence, plus various extra outlays, even with the most careful budgeting, it added up to no small sum. It was precisely because of the Emperor's occasional rewards that his life was passably comfortable.

Speaking of it, among all the court ministers at the center, the one who argued most with the Emperor over official matters was Fan Zhi — but the one who received the most rewards was also him. If this bond between sovereign and minister could be maintained for long, all the way to the end, then it would not fail to become a fine tale, worthy of being passed down for a thousand years.

"His Majesty's generous treatment of Wensu is truly enviable. Watching from the side, I can't help but feel a bit of jealousy rise in my heart!" Walking out of Chongzheng Hall, Li Tao said to Fan Zhi — whether as a joke or using a joke to speak his true feelings.

Fan Zhi's expression also relaxed somewhat. He let out a breath and said with feeling: "His Majesty's grace and virtue — I can only repay them with utmost loyalty!"

Having said this, a hint of doubt appeared on his face, and he asked: "By His Majesty's intent, this case is now completely concluded?"

"I should think so!" Li Tao said with a somewhat relaxed smile: "It seems His Majesty has no intention of using this as an excuse to launch a nationwide crackdown. You and I were overthinking things!"

Fan Zhi's feeling was, of course, somewhat unexpected. However, his expression instead fully returned to solemnity as he said gravely: "This also shows that His Majesty has already made up his mind to march south into Jinghu!"

At this mention, Li Tao also grew more serious. After pondering for a moment, he said: "Given the current situation in Jinghu, it is indeed an opportunity. Moreover, Jinghu is the heartland of the realm — it ought to be our dynasty's target for conquest! Taking Jinghu first is at least far easier than crossing a thousand li of Shu mountain passes, where every step is a danger and every step a battle."

"Since the late Tang, war has raged year after year, military provinces have carved up the land, and many states have risen side by side. The Central Plains have been in turmoil for over seventy years. Now, the people's hearts yearn for stability, and the subjects of the realm have long thirsted for peace! The unification of all under heaven, the reunion of the four seas — it lies in the near future. That you and I should live in this time and join in this great undertaking is also a tremendous fortune!" Fan Zhi sighed heavily.

"We can only devote ourselves wholeheartedly to assisting His Majesty in achieving the great enterprise!" Li Tao's eyes also rarely showed two blazing glints of fervor.

Though the two chancellors, Li and Fan, had voiced considerable criticism of Liu Chengyou's choice to attack Shu, even directly opposing it — now that the situation of the realm had developed to this point, they would not hold back the cause of unification!

While the two chancellors were discoursing at length, Liu Chengyou in Chongzheng Hall likewise withdrew his thoughts from the Huainan East case. In fact, just as Fan Zhi had previously considered, in order to execute the Jinghu strategy formulated last winter, Liu Chengyou did not intend to expand this major corruption case in Huainan East to the whole country — though he did not deny that the thought had crossed his mind.

As for the actions Wang Pu and Zheng Renhui had taken in Yangzhou, he merely silently supported them. The situation in Huainan East was, after all, different from the other circuits and prefectures — that was territory conquered by force only in recent years, and the room for maneuver was far greater.

Therefore, after comprehensive consideration, he took Fan Zhi's adjudication as the final result, drawing a full stop on the matter. And through the Wude Office, Liu Chengyou also understood that there were no more hidden corners or dark recesses to this affair.

As for his indignation over the corruption, Liu Chengyou's anger had long since dissipated. He knew very well in his heart that wanting to eradicate corruption entirely was nothing but wishful thinking, and he did not entertain such fantasies. The reason he had made such a show of solemnity and fanfare was more about signaling an attitude — striking at corruption has always been a form of political correctness, only differing in degree from dynasty to dynasty, from era to era.

For him as Emperor, he did not actually distinguish between corrupt officials and clean ones — only between useful and useless. Officials like Zhao Feng were simply too stupid in their greed, too ostentatious in their methods, and too damaging in their influence — how could they not be dealt with?

As Liu Chengyou composed his expression and turned his thoughts to the Jinghu campaign, an announcement interrupted him: "Your Majesty, the Duke of Yu requests an audience!"

"The Duke of Yu?" Coming back to himself, Liu Chengyou was slightly taken aback. He furrowed his brow a little and muttered: "Why is he here!"

Then he quickly reacted, recalling Fan Zhi's earlier report that Li Hongxin had some connection with that Zhao Feng. The corner of his mouth curled up slightly, and Liu Chengyou seemed to take an interest. He instructed: "Summon him into the hall!"

Soon, a somewhat portly figure hurried up the hall. It had been a year since Liu Chengyou had last seen Li Hongxin, at the family banquet in Ciming Hall last spring — and this maternal uncle seemed to have grown even fatter. Clearly, this was the result of years of eating, drinking, and indulging in pleasure.

"Uncle, no need for ceremony!" Seeing Li Hongxin's somewhat hasty movements, Liu Chengyou simply excused him from the formal bow and asked: "Uncle, why aren't you enjoying your leisure in Luoyang? What brings you to the Eastern Capital?"

Li Hongxin's expression was somewhat grave, the fat on his face trembling as he spoke: "Your Majesty, I heard that someone in the Eastern Capital is spreading rumors about me. I feel uneasy in both body and mind, so I've come specially to seek vindication of my innocence!"

To be honest, hearing these words come from Li Hongxin's mouth was somewhat comical. Hearing this, Liu Chengyou chuckled lightly: "Uncle's ears and eyes are quite sharp!"

Li Hongxin paid no attention at all to Liu Chengyou's sarcastic tone. His face showed indignation as he said to him: "Your Majesty, let me speak frankly. That Zhao Feng and I did have some acquaintance — we had dealings in the past.

But ever since I retired to Luoyang, I cut off all contact long ago. Who would have thought that this man, corrupt and law-breaking as he was and deserving of death, would actually try to drag me down with false accusations, ruining my innocence and destroying my reputation!

In the two capitals, I have no small amount of property and land. I can't claim a hundred thousand in family wealth, but I do have several tens of thousands of strings — more than enough for me and my family to live on for a lifetime. Why would I care about the dirty money of that lot?

Your Majesty, you must see justice done for me!"

"Uncle, don't be anxious!" Seeing Li Hongxin somewhat agitated, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but smile, soothing him: "Have some tea first!"

Liu Chengyou had heard all of Li Hongxin's words, but he only believed half of them. At the same time, he was not particularly concerned. In fact, even if Li Hongxin truly had some connection with the Huainan East affair, whether to prosecute him was something he would have to consider carefully. Everyone has their private feelings — Liu Chengyou had to be mindful of the Empress Dowager's feelings. His previous arrangements and appointments of members of the Li clan had already wounded the Empress Dowager's heart considerably.

Moreover, Liu Chengyou was still quite satisfied with this maternal uncle, Li Hongxin. His character was distinctive — fond of amassing wealth, stingy by nature. Aside from that, there were no other shortcomings worth dwelling on, though of course there were no particular strengths either.

"Uncle, don't pay attention to those rumors — don't let them dirty your ears!" After a brief consideration, Liu Chengyou said to Li Hongxin: "How could I take seriously matters with no verified evidence? Just now, I already gave Fan Zhi, who handled the case, a stern reprimand. As for that Zhao Feng — refusing to repent even at death's door, still trying to drag others down with false accusations — his heart deserves death. I have already signed his execution order; he awaits only his execution!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Hearing Liu Chengyou's kind words, Li Hongxin's expression immediately relaxed, his face beaming with joy.

"Since you're here, stay in the Eastern Capital for a couple of days. Go first to Ciming Hall to see your mother!" Liu Chengyou said.

"Yes! Your Majesty, you go ahead with your business — your subject takes his leave!" Li Hongxin set down the tea he had barely taken two sips of, rose, and trotted off happily.