Chapter 699: The Guo Family's Concerns

After the court discussion, the ministers dispersed, and Liu Chengyou kept Guo Rong behind alone. The sovereign and his minister strolled leisurely through the palace grounds. Liu Chengyou stood half a head taller than Guo Rong, and in terms of bearing, he was also somewhat superior.

Of course, there was nearly a full cycle of years between them in age, so there wasn't much basis for comparison. Liu Chengyou was still young, while Guo Rong, as the years had accumulated, had long occupied high positions, cultivating his bearing and nurturing his reputation—he possessed a different sort of temperament, that of a middle-aged man with a successful career.

"One report of victory from Liyang, and I can sleep soundly for several days!" Tilting his face up to feel the summer heat, Liu Chengyou sighed with some emotion.

He was being insincere. The campaign in Jinghu had never, from start to finish, reached a point that robbed him of sleep or appetite. He was merely finding a topic of conversation.

"With Murong Yanzhao holding the overall situation at the front, numerous elite troops and valiant generals exerting themselves in service, and the capable ministers at court managing affairs both internal and external, the minor trouble in Hunan is nothing Your Majesty need lose any sleep over!" Guo Rong said, revealing a restrained smile.

Liu Chengyou tilted his head, glancing at him sidelong, his eyes flashing with keen light: "In your words, you've left a few people out of the count!"

Guo Rong was slightly taken aback at this, and Liu Chengyou continued with a smile: "This troop mobilization and strategic arrangement were all coordinated by you, Commissioner Guo. I know you are cautious and reserved, but your contributions, I have seen them clearly!"

Guo Rong's expression turned somewhat more serious, and he lightly shook his head, replying: "Your subject truly dare not claim the credit!"

Liu Chengyou pointed a finger southward and continued, his tone somehow not quite right: "And Duke of Xing—the transport of the army's grain and supplies, never lacking, and the management of the rear—truly arduous and meritorious! In the entire court, only you father and son possess such pillar-of-the-state ability!"

Hearing the Emperor bring up Guo Wei and speak in this manner, Guo Rong's heart immediately tightened. Almost instinctively, he clasped his hands and said: "My father and I would never dare accept such praise. As Your Majesty's subjects, we are merely doing our duty and serving with all our might!"

Seeing Guo Rong's grave reaction, Liu Chengyou shrugged his shoulders, his countenance growing even more genial, his smile warmer than the summer sun: "I was merely speaking from feeling! Speaking of which, the Duke of Xing has been holding the central-south for me—three years now, hasn't he?"

"My father went south to take up his post in the spring of the fifth year of Qianyou!" Guo Rong replied.

"The Duke of Xing is a founding minister, a pillar of the state, with deep prestige and heavy standing. He should not remain long in the outer regions. Once Jinghu is pacified, it will be time to recall him to the Eastern Capital! All this time, father and son dwelling in separate places—my heart feels guilty about that too!" Liu Chengyou said in a faint, lingering tone.

"Your Majesty speaks too gravely. We are all serving the state, with no distinction between inner and outer!" Guo Rong echoed Liu Chengyou's words, but in his heart, his thoughts ran deeper.

The Emperor's words could not be taken at face value. If Guo Wei returned, he would surely occupy the position of chief minister or one of the Three Dukes. Then he, the son, would be due for another posting to the outer regions. Holding a central position and managing military affairs inevitably invited political struggle—many things, Guo Rong saw very clearly.

Liu Chengyou showed no intention of making that matter explicit, but suddenly brought up: "Guo Ning is eighteen this year, isn't she?"

Guo Ning was Guo Wei's fifth daughter, beautiful in appearance, not yet betrothed. Of course, the court and the public alike knew she had been reserved by the Emperor... Catching the hidden meaning in the tune, Guo Rong replied: "The fifth daughter has indeed reached the age of eighteen!"

"The Empress Dowager is ill, and prolonged treatment has not cured her. I am deeply worried. Since she has reached the proper age, I intend to bring her into the palace to dispel the evil influences. Have her come to the palace sometime and visit the Empress Dowager at Ciming Hall!" Liu Chengyou instructed as a matter of course.

Hearing this, Guo Rong's expression relaxed considerably, and he clasped his hands in reply: "Yes!"

After Guo Rong withdrew, Liu Chengyou leaned over the carved balustrade before Chongzheng Hall. The intensity of the midday sun was somewhat hard to bear, but it could not dispel the slight gloom on Liu Chengyou's face. The trace of brooding thought in his expression was somewhat frightening; even Zhang Dejun, who had served him for years, dared not approach to disturb him.

There was no denying it—because of the original history, Liu Chengyou had always harbored a measure of wariness and vigilance toward the Guo father and son. Though over the years, as his imperial throne grew ever more secure and his royal authority increasingly flourished, he had long shed that initial low-grade unease and suspicion. Moreover, because of their abilities, he trusted and employed them both, granting them ranks and titles. He also genuinely admired Guo Rong's talent and character.

However, everything fears a "but." After so many years of development, in the Great Han, the Guo family had become increasingly prominent—among the very top-tier families, in no way inferior to those consort clans, and in terms of hard power, perhaps even surpassing them.

Take the Bureau of Military Affairs alone: since the founding of the state, it had seen Yang Bin, Guo Wei, Zhe Congruan, and Guo Rong hold its leadership, but for the vast majority of that time, the power had rested with the Guo father and son.

As for influence within the military, despite Liu Chengyou's repeated rectifications and balancing, there remained no small number of generals bearing the "Guo" label who were heavily employed. Guo Rong went without saying—during the great Huainan campaign, he had single-handedly shouldered the burden of the Huai-east front, and one battle had cemented his reputation.

As for Li Chongjin and Zhang Yongde—Li Chongjin had long been a senior general of the imperial army, and now commanded the Longjie Right Wing cavalry. Zhang Yongde, having served on guard before the throne for many years and accumulated repeated merits, had also risen to Chief Inspector of the Wujie Army. As for the other officers who had risen through the Guo father and son's patronage, they were too numerous to count. For example, the cavalry general Guo Chong, who had rendered considerable merit in the great Huainan campaign, had served under Guo Wei for many years and was now in the Tieqi Army.

Take this southern expedition: Shi Yanchao had old ties with Guo Wei. Du Hanhui was a surrendered general from the previous dynasty who had also been on good terms with him in the early years of the founding. As for Pan Mei, he could now be considered independent, but originally he had basically been Guo Rong's household retainer, and it was Guo Rong who had actively recommended him to Liu Chengyou. No matter how much time passed, given Pan Mei's temperament, he would remember that debt of gratitude.

And from the surveillance reports of the Wude Office, even with Guo Wei far from the central government for three years, the generals and commanders of the southern expedition, from Murong Yanzhao on down, all held Guo Wei in great respect. Though one could not rule out those merely putting on a show, such prestige was still enough to draw Liu Chengyou's attention.

Moreover, all of this was the result of the Guo father and son not deliberately cultivating military connections—indeed, even intentionally keeping a low profile.

Liu Chengyou had reflected on why this situation had come about. First, there was the problem of the Emperor himself—at least on the surface, Liu Chengyou had been too indulgent and trusting in employing the Guo father and son.

Of those founding ministers and veteran generals who had held such prominent positions at the state's founding, how many remained at court now? Essentially only Guo Wei was left. One family with two ducal titles, father and son successively heading the Bureau of Military Affairs, with nephews, sons-in-law, relatives, and old associates spread throughout the military and civil administration.

But it could not be denied that the "Guo-faction" generals and ministers Liu Chengyou employed did indeed possess real talent. Liu Chengyou could not help but feel fortunate that he had rectified the imperial army early enough and had been continuously strengthening his control over it. Moreover, most of the young battle commanders and rising stars had grown up under his personal care, becoming the backbone of the Great Han's imperial army. Otherwise, Guo Wei's status as the "last founding minister" might not have been preserved.

Even so, contemplating the Guo family's influence across the military and civil spheres, Liu Chengyou could not but employ some measures and make some adjustments. For the state, for the sovereign, and for the Guo family itself, changes were needed.

But how to adjust was something Liu Chengyou would need to ponder carefully. He could divide their power, but could not suppress them without cause. Like wielding a scalpel to perform surgery—it was delicate work.

If Liu Chengyou took the Guo family's daughter into the palace, then the Guo family's prestige at court and among the public would rise another step. Perhaps it would also become the mark of their peak-and-decline.

The Fu, Gao, and Zhe consort clans had no small power within the military and civil spheres, but in reality, their influence on the core of the court's rule was not as great as imagined. The Guo family was different—one only had to look at the imperial army generals whose names could be readily called out.

In fact, for Liu Chengyou, if Guo Wei were to die at this time, then many problems could be resolved at once, and his concerns could be greatly dispelled.

The only one with the prestige to unite the Guo family's sons, nephews, sons-in-law, and old associates was Guo Wei alone. Guo Rong had the ability, but if Guo Wei died, he would have no room to exercise it.

In that case, the Guo family might still be a top-tier noble clan of the Great Han, but their influence would not be so fearsome, because many people gave face to Guo Wei personally.

Should he let Guo Wei die? A flash of cold severity appeared on Liu Chengyou's face, but it quickly vanished, replaced by a faint bitter smile.

Just moments ago he was thinking of marrying the man's daughter, yet in his heart he was hoping for his father-in-law's demise—too immoral...