Chapter 791: Letter of Resignation

"That settles it!" Liu Chengyou looked at Li Tao and said mildly, "Come to think of it, since I ascended the throne, I have yet to meet the Kong clan. Have a decree drafted and sent to Qufu, telling that Kong Yi to come to the capital once his mourning period is over..."

"Yes!"

Noting Li Tao, Liu Chengyou leaned forward slightly and said with concern, "I hear that you, Minister Li, have been working most diligently these past few days. Today, you even entered the palace to hold court before dawn! That is far too taxing. State affairs are important, to be sure, but you must also mind your health!"

"This minister thanks Your Majesty for your concern!" Li Tao replied, "Your minister is lacking in ability and shallow in virtue, yet has been entrusted with great responsibility by Your Majesty, holding the reins at the center. It is like treading on thin ice — I fear only that I might neglect state affairs and bring harm to the state and to my sovereign, and so I must expend extra effort. Of late, there has been much turmoil both within and without, and I dare not delay in the slightest!"

"You are too modest, Minister Li!" Liu Chengyou seemed quite moved by Li Tao's words.

"Still, one thing you said is indeed true — the state is indeed beset with troubles! This only proves that all is not well under heaven, and that there are many things we have not yet done properly. We are troubled by such mundane affairs and cannot afford a moment's respite!" Liu Chengyou said.

Looking at Li Tao, he pointed at the desk and said, "In the months I was away from the capital, memorials have piled up like a mountain on this desk. Reading through them one by one, I find myself utterly exhausted, with a feeling of both mental and physical fatigue!"

"Your Majesty's diligence in governance and personal attention to all matters has always earned this minister's admiration!" Li Tao bowed.

"Were it not for capable ministers like you, Minister Li, to share my burdens and ease my toils, I could not sit steadily upon the dragon throne to govern the realm!" Liu Chengyou said.

"Your Majesty overpraises me! This minister does not deserve it!"

Raising his eyes to look at Liu Chengyou, a trace of complex emotion flashing across his face, Li Tao prostrated himself: "In my recent handling of affairs, my thoughts and judgments have often been improper, and my heart is truly fearful. I beg Your Majesty to hold me to account!"

Seeing him behave thus, Liu Chengyou was somewhat surprised, then revealed a smile: "Why does Minister Li say such things? You exaggerate! A man's energy is ultimately limited, and besides, you are advanced in years. With state affairs so heavy, it is only natural that there should be occasional oversights — that is understandable, so do not dwell on it!"

Liu Chengyou's words seemed comforting, but to Li Tao's ears, they truly left a bitter taste. Noting the Son of Heaven's warm and genial expression, a trace of bitterness coiled about his heart, impossible to dispel. He lowered his head and clasped his fists: "Your Majesty's words fill this minister with shame!"

Checking the time, Liu Chengyou rose and beckoned to Li Tao, saying, "It is time for the midday meal. Minister Li, set aside your work for now — come, join me for a meal!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Unable to decline such hospitality, Li Tao followed.

"On this inspection tour, I have tasted local delicacies from all over, and I discovered that folk dishes have many distinctive qualities, no worse than those of the palace. Today, I specially had people prepare some famous dishes of the Eastern Capital — you shall share them with me..."

The weather was crisp and clear, and the autumn sun of the afternoon cast soft, gentle light upon Li Tao. Walking among the palace halls, Li Tao's spirit was somewhat dazed, and within that daze, there was also a deep sense of defeat.

The Son of Heaven's words and expression still floated before his mind's eye, and at his ears seemed to linger that gentle voice. The bitterness beneath the faint smile could not be concealed no matter what. The Emperor's words were like knives, each one carving into his heart. The implication — no, it was an explicit statement — he had fully grasped the Emperor's intent.

To be honest, Li Tao still could not understand why he had incurred the Emperor's suspicion. Compared to Yang Bin of earlier days, he was far more humble and deferential. And as for bringing up age — was fifty-eight really that old?

Perhaps it could only be explained by the inscrutability of the imperial heart...

From his brother Li Huan being transferred away, to the Guanzhong affair, to the Jinghu case. And just now, the matter of the Kong clan — clearly it was all a means to rap him on the knuckles...

"Chancellor!" At the southern offices, when Li Tao reached the Ministry of Personnel, a Bureau Director immediately came forward to greet him.

"Where is Vice Minister Shen?" Li Tao asked.

"He is in the main hall! This subordinate will go announce you at once!"

"No need!" Waving his hand to stop the somewhat eager Bureau Director, Li Tao instructed, "I shall go myself!"

"Yes!"

Stepping into the Ministry of Personnel offices, every arrangement was so familiar. He had managed affairs here for many years, and from top to bottom, inside and out, everything bore his imprint.

The moment he stepped into the main hall, Li Tao finally understood something. A hint of sudden realization appeared on his aged face. Perhaps the words "personnel governance" were the crux of the problem...

Thinking back over the years, how many people had he promoted? How many disciples and former subordinates? It seemed countless. But if anyone said he had formed cliques for private gain or harbored secret ambitions, he would absolutely never admit it.

"Why has the Chancellor come?" From behind the official's desk, Shen Wenbing was processing documents while sipping tea. Looking up and seeing Li Tao, he hurriedly rose to greet him: "Someone, bring tea at once!"

"Please, take the seat of honor!" Shen Wenbing gestured to the main desk and said deferentially, "If the Chancellor has instructions, you need only send word, or summon this subordinate to come to you. Why trouble yourself to come in person?"

But Li Tao found a seat among the guests and sat down. The dejection had already vanished from his face. Pointing at that large official desk, he said to Shen Wenbing, "Guohua, this desk shall henceforth formally belong to you — it is only fitting and proper!"

"What does the Chancellor mean by these words?" Shen Wenbing was slightly taken aback.

Looking at Shen Wenbing, Li Tao said, "I am advanced in years, and handling affairs both within and without has become beyond my strength — I can no longer bear the burden, let alone concurrently managing personnel governance. Just now, I have already petitioned His Majesty to resign the post of Minister of Personnel, and I have recommended you to succeed me. His Majesty has agreed, and the decree will be issued within a day or two!"

Shen Wenbing was of a somewhat slow temperament. Upon suddenly hearing this news, he did not react at first. After a moment of stunned silence, he belatedly said, "What virtue or ability does this subordinate possess to take on the post of Minister of Personnel?"

"Guohua, there is no need for modesty!" Seeing his reaction, Li Tao said calmly, "You were already Vice Minister of Personnel, and you have managed personnel governance for some time now, with a reputation that has always been praised by others. For you to take over is only natural and logical!"

After considering for quite a while, Shen Wenbing finally digested the news. Noting Li Tao's expression, suspicion grew thick in his heart, along with a measure of unease — his instincts told him something was amiss.

Perhaps sensing Shen Wenbing's doubts, Li Tao said with a smile, "You need not have any concerns — just do your duty well!"

Saying this, Li Tao's expression turned somewhat serious, and in a solemn tone he admonished, "The Ministry of Personnel is the most complex of all the ministries, with great entanglements above and below. Guohua, in governing it, you must uphold fairness and place prudence above all!"

"This subordinate will bear the Chancellor's teachings in mind!"

After a moment's deliberation, Li Tao smiled again: "In my view, Guohua, your prestige and ability in court are in no way inferior to Fan Wensu and the others. It is only that your temperament is too mild, so your talents have not been fully displayed. This time, His Majesty has appointed you Minister of Personnel — in the future, elevation to Chancellor is also something to look forward to!"

Hearing this, Shen Wenbing appeared composed: "This subordinate has self-awareness and dares not harbor such hopes!"

"You are simply too generous and modest!"

By the time Li Tao left the Ministry of Personnel, his expression had fully relaxed. Returning to the Hall of State Affairs, he behaved as usual, sitting in the hall to handle affairs, as if nothing at all had changed.

He did not work overtime. In the early evening, he drove back to his residence.

"Father!" Somewhat to his surprise, his son Li Chengxiu was already waiting for him at the residence.

"Why have you returned to the residence?" Li Tao looked at him.

Ushering Li Tao into the hall, Li Chengxiu wore a hint of joy on his face and reported, "Your son has been transferred to the post of Bureau Director of the Waterworks Ministry. Father has finally agreed to let me be promoted?"

Hearing his words and seeing his manner, the fleeting astonishment on Li Tao's face went unnoticed by his son. He said flatly, "You think I arranged this for you?"

"Was it not?" Li Chengxiu was taken aback.

A flash of contemplation crossed his aged face. Li Tao waved his hand and admonished, "Waterway projects, boats, and bridges are matters of national importance, and His Majesty has always valued them. Since you can hold this post, do your work well!"

"Yes!" Li Chengxiu replied with a clasped fist, immersed in the joy of his promotion, not noticing anything unusual about his old father.

When night fell, after finishing the evening meal, Li Tao went to his study on his own. He sat silently behind the desk for a long time, the candlelight flickering and casting shadows across his face, making his expression ever more profound and calm.

After a long while, he heaved a sigh, spread open a blank memorial, personally poured water to grind ink, dipped his brush, and after a moment's thought, wrote: "Your servant Li Tao, Minister of Personnel and Chief Minister of the Secretariat-Chancellery, humbly petitions Your Majesty. Your servant is but a mediocre man, raised up by the court, graced by Your Majesty's favor, presumptuously occupying a high position for ten years already..."

This was a letter of resignation! After careful consideration, Li Tao had finally decided to step back and avoid disaster. Everything the Son of Heaven had done was practically telling him directly that it was time to retire. If he still failed to read the situation, he would be showing the Emperor no face at all. He, Li Tao, was ultimately not Yang Bin — he did not have the courage, nor the strength, to stand in direct opposition to the Emperor.

Li Tao's literary talent was considerable — in ordinary times, many essays and poems of his circulated in the world. This time, the memorial he composed with such feeling poured out his true heart. When he finished writing the last character, his eyes were actually somewhat reddened.

"Alas..." In the old minister's sigh, all his melancholy was laid bare.