Chapter 789: A Desk Full of Memorials

Zhao Yan and Zhao Pu accompanied Liu Chengyou as he reviewed government affairs, and the entire afternoon passed in this manner. The golden sun sank toward the west, casting a dim yellow glow that spilled across the eaves and doors of Chongzheng Hall, filtering through the gaps in the latticed windows into the interior. The early autumn evening was quite pleasant.

However, even Liu Chengyou felt weary, let alone Zhao Yan, whose health was not particularly good to begin with. Seeing that he could hardly conceal his fatigue, Liu Chengyou could not help but say: "Since your body is unwell, there is no need for you to endure here with me. Go down and rest!"

Upon hearing this, a humble smile appeared on Zhao Yan's face. Under the rays of the autumn sunlight, it seemed gentle and serene, giving one a sense of peace. Making a slight bow, Zhao Yan said: "Your Majesty remains immersed in official documents; how would I dare speak of fatigue and steal leisure? My body is of no consequence!"

"Don't force yourself!" Hearing his words, Liu Chengyou immediately chided him lightly, saying: "I have already learned a lesson from Hu Zai's affair—don't emulate him! With so many memorials, they cannot be reviewed in a short time. Go rest; this is my oral decree. Would you defy it?"

Seeing Liu Chengyou speak this way, Zhao Yan had no choice but to bow with a grateful tone: "Thank you, Your Majesty! I shall take my leave!"

Zhao Pu watched Zhao Yan's figure slowly retreating, and an involuntary trace of envy appeared in his eyes. He was envious from the bottom of his heart—even jealous—and truly puzzled as to why the Emperor valued and cared for Zhao Yan so much.

Noticing Zhao Pu's expression, as if he could hear the doubt in his heart, Liu Chengyou had no intention of resolving his confusion. The reason he was so close and solicitous toward Zhao Yan was simply that Zhao Yan had always given him a good impression, consistent for years on end—in Liu Chengyou's eyes, he was a pure and loyal minister. Throughout the entire court, those who could be called pure and loyal ministers were probably only Zhao Yan and Wei Renpu, those one or two.

"The appointments for Chuzhou and Sizhou—have they been decided?"

The Emperor's inquiry brought Zhao Pu back to his senses. Noticing a memorial in his hand, he immediately composed himself and explained: "After rejecting Governor Wang's recommendation, Chancellor Li immediately directed the Ministry of Personnel to conduct rigorous selection, and candidates have finally been chosen! However, the appointments to the prefectures still require Your Majesty's review and approval!"

Liu Chengyou thought for a moment, then asked in a leisurely tone: "What are the backgrounds of these two men?"

Sensing Liu Chengyou's tone and pondering his meaning, Zhao Pu said with slight tentativeness: "Both are officials who have served in local prefectures and counties, with solid records. In every annual assessment, they have ranked in the upper-middle tier. Moreover, they are not Chancellor Li's protégés or former subordinates!"

Giving Zhao Pu a meaningful look, Liu Chengyou pondered for a while, then asked: "Zhao Pu, Chancellor Li says that Wang Pu overstepped his authority—as a senior local official, promoting his own men and interfering with the court's selection of talent. What is your view?"

Upon hearing the question, Zhao Pu's spirits lifted slightly. After some deliberation, he said carefully: "I recall that in the fifth year of Qianyou, Your Majesty issued an edict stating that civil officials and senior local officers at court could recommend those worthy of serving as magistrates or recorders, and even close relatives by marriage were not barred. On the day of appointment, the names of the recommenders were to be recorded alongside; if the appointee proved corrupt, negligent, weak, or incompetent in office, the recommender would be held jointly liable according to the severity of the case!"

"An edict from several years ago—I had forgotten it, yet you still remember." Liu Chengyou laughed lightly: "But the appointments to prefectures—senior local posts—is that something Wang Pu, an Administration Commissioner, can interfere with?"

Noting Liu Chengyou's attitude, Zhao Pu was slightly startled inwardly. Could it be that His Majesty also harbored some dissatisfaction with Wang Pu? His mind raced, his gaze lowered, and Zhao Pu decided to maintain a consistent stance, responding: "Governor Wang is fiery in temperament, and his reputation for loyalty and integrity is known both inside and outside the court. Perhaps he was eager to recommend worthy men, and his wording may have been inappropriate in places, but I believe he had no ulterior motives."

"Wang Pu and I have shared a decade of sovereign-minister relations. I naturally know what kind of man he is, and I trust him—otherwise I would not have entrusted Huaidong to him. However, you have never even met Wang Pu, yet you heap such praise upon him!" Liu Chengyou said.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Pu subconsciously let out a breath of relief and said with a light smile: "Though we have never met, I have heard of his name. Governor Wang is known throughout the court as a fine official and capable administrator, bold in taking on responsibilities—truly a model for all ministers. I naturally admire him!"

Smiling, Liu Chengyou picked up his brush and wrote his approval on the appointments for Chuzhou and Sizhou, saying: "The two prefectures have been vacant for quite some time now, and no doubt much has been delayed. Follow the candidates proposed by the Ministry of Personnel, send the documents back, and the appointments can be drafted!"

"Yes!"

Chuzhou and Sizhou were important prefectures along the Huai River. The transfer and appointment of officials there should have been handled efficiently and properly, yet because of the discord between Li Tao and Wang Pu, it had been delayed for so long. Naturally, Liu Chengyou harbored some dissatisfaction over this matter in his heart.

"What is going on with those officials the Ministry of Personnel dealt with?" Liu Chengyou took out another memorial and asked with slight puzzlement.

Zhao Pu clearly knew the matter well and stated it directly: "To answer Your Majesty, after the pacification of Jinghu last year, regarding the retention of former Jinghu officials, the court dispatched special envoys south to assess and appoint them. Among the officials who went south, some behaved improperly, engaging in dealings of mutual benefit with the former Jinghu officials..."

"Ha! In times of upheaval, there are always those who fish in troubled waters! This is no small matter!" Liu Chengyou's brow arched slightly as he sneered: "Why did it take so long for this to come to light?"

At this mention, Zhao Pu laid out the full account: "This was mentioned in passing by an official of the southern faction. When I first heard of it, I sensed great corruption within, and so I investigated. Later, Chancellor Li also heard of the matter and immediately dispatched men to look into it..."

"And it only implicates this few people?" Liu Chengyou said coldly: "The officials involved in Jinghu—were none of them dealt with?"

Zhao Pu responded: "Chancellor Li's view is that after a year of recovery, the situation in Jingnan has only just stabilized. In particular, Hunan is exhausted and weakened, and it would not be appropriate to make major moves—it should be handled gradually. While ensuring stability in Hunan, the problem should be slowly rooted out. Furthermore, Jinghu is newly conquered territory; if we were to make a great show of force over this matter, it would inevitably affect the court's prestige and easily provoke turmoil in Jinghu's political situation, unsettling the surrendered officials..."

"Nonsense!" Rarely, Liu Chengyou let out a curse, leaving Zhao Pu stunned.

Probably feeling that he had lost his composure, Liu Chengyou quickly collected himself and chided lightly: "Knowing there is wrongdoing yet not correcting it, and instead clearing it out slowly—hmph, with all this covering up, can the court's prestige truly be preserved?"

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" Zhao Pu said.

"Calm my anger? Getting angry over these law-breaking, duty-neglecting corrupt officials isn't worth it!" Liu Chengyou said flatly, then stared at the names on the disciplinary document once more, furrowing his brow: "Li Guan and Hou Can—these two seem to be jinshi degree holders from the early years of Qianyou!"

Seeing that Liu Chengyou had noticed this matter, Zhao Pu spoke in a low voice, hesitantly: "Your Majesty, there is something I do not know whether I should say or not?"

Hearing this familiar tone and seeing his hesitation, Liu Chengyou immediately waved his hand: "Since you've already opened your mouth, what is there to hesitate about? Speak your mind directly!"

"Yes!" After a brief pause, Zhao Pu reported in a low voice: "Li and Hou are protégés of Lord Zhao of the Pacification Commission (Zhao Shangjiao). At the time they were admitted, there was already some criticism. Last year, when men were sent south to Jinghu, it was also Lord Zhao who recommended them, hence their appointments. Now that the two have been implicated..."

Before Zhao Pu could finish speaking, a sharp gaze was cast upon him, causing him to stop mid-sentence instinctively. After Zhao Pu mentioned Zhao Shangjiao, many thoughts flooded Liu Chengyou's mind at once. If what he said was true, then this matter must implicate Zhao Shangjiao—and Zhao Shangjiao was Zhao Yan's father. As such, Liu Chengyou had to consider the intent behind Zhao Pu's words.

After pondering silently for a moment, Liu Chengyou instructed: "Notify Chancellor Fan. This matter is to be handed over to him for thorough investigation. All those implicated, regardless of rank or position, are to be tried and punished according to the facts of their cases—there will be no leniency!"

"Yes!" Noting Liu Chengyou's attitude, Zhao Pu inexplicably felt a sense of relief.

This matter, entrusted to Fan Zhi, need not be worried about—given his consistent style of conduct, there was no concern that he would tolerate evil and harbor malefactors.

"It's getting late; you may withdraw as well!" Noting the time, Liu Chengyou waved his hand.

"I shall take my leave!" Seeing that the Emperor was in a poor mood, Zhao Pu tactfully took the several urgent documents with his approvals and withdrew.

The autumn night was slightly chilly. The candle flames in the hall flickered gently, casting dim and uncertain light. Draped in an outer robe and leaning against the imperial desk, Liu Chengyou continued reviewing memorials—he had already worked through half of them.

"Your Majesty, Commissioner of the Wude Office Li Chongju has come at your summons for an audience!" Zhang Dejun announced.

"Admit him!" Without even lifting his eyelids, Liu Chengyou's voice sounded somewhat ethereal and cold.