Chapter 698: Deliberating on the Governance of Huxiang

"Fan Qing's words are quite right. What suggestions do you have?" Looking at Fan Zhi, Liu Chengyou asked.

Fan Zhi had clearly already thought this through in advance. Almost without hesitation, he said: "When the people have enough food, they will be at peace. The crux of my suggestion lies in a single word: 'grain.' Hunan is in ruin, the common people struggle to make a living, and they cannot fill their stomachs. Simply sending grain for relief would be enough to win their hearts.

Last year's great famine, Zhou Xingfeng opened the granaries, and the hearts of the Hunan people were greatly pleased. The court can achieve the same effect. Supplemented by court policies—abolishing harsh governance, exempting taxes and levies, dispatching capable officials, pacifying the gentry and common folk, and restoring cultivation—then the people's hearts can be settled, and Hunan will quickly submit to the court!"

Fan Zhi's suggestion was not difficult to guess. Everyone present could only think of these same points, so they all expressed agreement. Liu Chengyou also nodded and said: "As things stand now, for Hunan's situation, grain can solve problems better than weapons!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Fan Zhi offered a ceremonial compliment.

Without destruction there can be no construction; after great chaos there must be great order. Although Hunan had been ruined by Zhou Xingfeng, this likewise reduced the resistance to the court's governance, and in the future the ruling order could be established at leisure.

"How is the grain situation at the field headquarters? Is there enough for post-war relief?" Liu Chengyou looked at Wei Renpu. He was clearly eyeing the military grain supplies.

"Reporting to Your Majesty!" Wei Renpu did a quick calculation and reported clearly: "Before the edict to march south was issued, the court had stockpiled 200,000 dan of various grains at Xiangyang. Over the past twenty-odd days, deducting combat consumption and transport losses, the 50,000-plus troops and civilians have consumed about 20,000 dan. After taking all of Jiangling, we obtained over 70,000 dan of grain from its granaries.

With continuous redeployments and operations, plus over ten thousand Jingnan land and naval troops assisting in the fighting, the transport routes grow ever longer, and daily grain consumption continues to rise. Moreover, with the large number of prisoners taken, that is another expense.

However, judging by the current progress of the war, barring unexpected developments, by the time the campaign concludes, the southern grain reserves will still have over 200,000 dan to supply the southern expeditionary army, and will also be sufficient for relief!"

"So then, there's no need for the court to make additional allocations?" Liu Chengyou's brows relaxed as he spoke.

Wei Renpu nodded, giving Liu Chengyou a clear signal. State Finance Commissioner Xue Juzheng also spoke: "For the Jinghu campaign, the court's official reserves, the granaries near the capital, and the stored grain of the southern prefectures have been nearly exhausted. Before the summer harvest comes in, the court cannot transfer much grain in the short term.

From Hedong, Hebei, and the Huai north, the distances are great, the losses enormous, and the gain would not justify the cost. Moreover, this year's spring plowing in Hunan was not delayed. Even if output has diminished somewhat due to the war, once the grain ripens, it will be enough to alleviate Hunan's grain shortage.

Therefore, on the matter of grain, Your Majesty need not worry overmuch!"

"With grain in hand, the heart does not panic!" Liu Chengyou raised a finger and sighed with feeling.

After a moment of deliberation, Liu Chengyou said: "Hunan has endured the ravages of war, with wounds everywhere. If we wish to bring order to Hunan, after the great battle, we must dispatch capable ministers to govern and restore civil affairs. Gentlemen, is there anyone suitable to take charge of the overall situation in Hunan?"

Upon hearing the question, Li Tao immediately said: "Right Remonstrance Grand Master Zan Jurun can handle this duty! Lord Zan, whether at court or in the field, has always been known for diligence and prudence. He handles matters with skill and has the talent to govern and defend a region. Moreover, he is gentle in temperament and noble in conduct—fully capable of restoring order to Hunan!"

Hearing Li Tao's recommendation, Liu Chengyou could not help but glance at him. After pondering briefly, although he nodded, he did not directly express his stance. The meaning revealed in his expression seemed to hover between approval and disapproval.

The Emperor's attitude gave Li Tao a strange sense of obstruction in his heart. Shifting his gaze, Li Tao continued: "Your Majesty, if we wish to bring Hunan back to proper governance, besides dispatching good officials and capable ministers from the court, we must also rely on the scholars of the Huxiang region. As for the former—Zhou Xingfeng came from humble origins, with a crude and violent temperament, cruel and fond of killing. The scholars mostly despise him, and the tyranny of Zhou Xingfeng's field headquarters, which exclusively favored men like Li Guanxiang, has further alienated the literati.

The lands of Huxiang are not lacking in men capable of managing affairs or those with far-reaching vision. If we can win all their hearts, Hunan's return to proper governance will not be far off!"

Hearing Li Tao say this, Liu Chengyou responded: "I have indeed had this intention!"

"That Shi Wende is still in Lizhou, is he not?" He suddenly brought up a person.

Upon the question, Li Tao immediately explained: "Indeed! In those years, when the Ma brothers contended for the throne, Ma Xiguang sent Shi Wende as an envoy to the capital to request aid from Your Majesty. Your Majesty appointed him as the Pacification Commissioner of Hunan, and he went south to Lizhou to spread the civilizing influence and good governance of the Great Han, and the wisdom and grace of Your Majesty."

"In that case, Minister Li, you may make arrangements for Shi Wende to continue recruiting and pacifying the worthy and capable scholars of Hunan on behalf of the court." Liu Chengyou immediately instructed: "Changsha is also a place where culture and talent gather. When Ma Xifan set up the Eighteen Academicians of the Tiance Mansion back then, I wonder how many remain now!"

"Yes!"

"Have the officials transferred from Jingnan been properly arranged?" Liu Chengyou asked again.

"A total of 11 civil officials were selected from the court and the nearby capital region, and they have already been ordered south to take over the governance of the three prefectures!" Li Tao answered.

"The Ministry of Personnel should also dispatch special envoys to assess the original Jingnan officials in their posts. Take those with ability, promote and make good use of them; those without virtue, deal with immediately!" Liu Chengyou was clearly satisfied with his efficiency, and said leisurely: "Jingnan is now under the court's rule. We must eliminate the indolent governance and bad practices from the time of the Gao family's administration, and establish the governing style of our Great Han!"

"As you command!"

"After pacifying Jinghu, you gentlemen must have given prior consideration to the administrative arrangements for the two regions!" Liu Chengyou raised another matter.

On this, Fan Zhi spoke in reply: "Jinghu is vast, enough to be divided into two circuits. However, considering that it has only just been taken, it can temporarily be organized as a single circuit. After governance is stabilized and the people are at peace, and after the various southern states are eliminated, adjustments can then be made. What does Your Majesty think?"

Although it was phrased as a question, Fan Zhi was clearly quite confident in his own idea. And from Liu Chengyou's reaction, he also approved.

"If so, then for the administrative, surveillance, transport, and military command offices, the central government must also make preparations in advance. To govern, one must first promote the worthy. Jinghu is a vast region with two million registered souls—this must be taken seriously!" Liu Chengyou admonished.

"Yes!"

Having raised this matter, Liu Chengyou's expression fully relaxed. He looked around, a hint of relaxed smile on his demeanor: "Now, the battle at Lizhou has just ended, Lang and Tan have not yet fallen, and the fierce fighting at Yuezhou is still underway—yet we, sovereign and ministers, are already here discussing matters of post-war rehabilitation! Are we being too relaxed?"

Though he said this, his expression was clearly one of taking it for granted. Guo Rong's demeanor also relaxed somewhat, and he said calmly: "Such is the military situation! For the matter of Hunan, the task of rehabilitation weighs heavier than military conquest!"

"The military report from Liyang mentioned that Yang Shifan's army had a contingent of Yao soldiers and barbarian troops?" Liu Chengyou suddenly asked.

Upon the question, Guo Rong explained: "This Yao force belongs to the Chenzhou barbarians, about three thousand strong. Though their armor and weapons are poor, their fighting ability is considerable. Their leader is named Qin Zaixiong, rumored to be both brave and resourceful, and was appointed General by Zhou Xingfeng. At the decisive battle of Liyang, he led his men in surrender!"

"Barbarians..." Liu Chengyou muttered, his expression turning somewhat serious again. "What of the situation with Fu Yantong, the barbarian chieftain of Xuzhou? We sent envoys to establish contact before—is there still no word?"

Guo Rong said: "The envoy Wang Qianlang set out immediately upon receiving his orders, but to this day there is still no result. Perhaps he has been detained by Fu Yantong. However, in my view, the southern barbarians of the five prefectures are no longer a concern. The rebel Zhou is about to be defeated, and they would not dare to oppose the court.

According to reports from the Military Intelligence Bureau, Zhou Xingfeng sent envoys to Xuzhou three times in succession, trying to persuade Fu Yantong to send troops, but all received no response. My guess is that Fu Yantong is merely watching how the situation develops!"

After hearing Guo Rong's explanation, Liu Chengyou said to the chancellors: "The governance of the Hunan barbarians also needs a framework proposed. Their degree of sinicization is not low, but they are ultimately a different people. Policy must be carefully calibrated. But one thing is certain—transform their customs, and bring them out of the wilds to become farming subjects!"

"Yes!" Li Tao responded.

After considering for a while longer, Liu Chengyou asked Guo Rong: "How have the Yao chieftain Qin Zaixiong and the prisoners been handled?"

"For now they are detained at Liyang, with their men organized to serve as auxiliaries for the main army!" Guo Rong said.

"Transmit an order to the front: have Qin Zaixiong and the barbarian commanders escorted to the Eastern Capital. I want to see them!" A hint of a sinister smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as Liu Chengyou raised his hand and flicked his sleeve.