Chapter 792: Songgong Pavilion

In early autumn of the seventh month, early chrysanthemums were blooming, and inside and outside Kaifeng, the splendor remained as ever, the forests dyed in layers of color. Having bid farewell to the "autumn tiger," the climate grew ever more pleasant, and the people of the Central Plains welcomed the season of harvest. Among the famous scenic spots and mountain wilds around the Eastern Capital, the number of autumn excursionists had also increased.

On both banks of the Bian River, human activity flourished, the clamor of voices filling the roads and fields, with carts and boats coming and going in an endless stream. At the long pavilion on the broad road, the drooping willows retained their former bearing, only their leaves had gained a touch of tender yellow. Standing in the cool autumn breeze, there was a sense of desolation. Having set down the burden on his heart, witnessing the splendid scenery on the outskirts of the Eastern Capital and gazing at the autumn ripples of the Bian River, Li Tao's heart could not help but give rise to a feeling of melancholy.

Songgong Pavilion stood south of Kaifeng city, with the Bian River on its left and the main road on its right. Standing there, one could look directly toward Kaifeng. No one knew since when, but this pavilion had become the treasured spot for civil and military officials leaving the capital to bid farewell. Zhang Yun, Dou Zhengu, Zhao Ying, Guo Wei, Han Tong, Zan Jurun, and a host of other Great Han civil and military officials transferred southward or banished had all stopped here to part with relatives and friends, expressing their feelings of reluctant separation.

Now, in this autumn of the seventh month of the ninth year of Qianyou, it was the turn of the Great Han chancellor, Duke of Ju, Li Tao.

After Li Tao submitted his letter of resignation, the Son of Heaven's attitude was ambiguous—he neither agreed nor refused, but merely had Li Tao temporarily continue managing affairs. Meanwhile, several important personnel adjustments were carried out in an orderly manner: Vice Minister of Personnel Shen Wenbing was promoted to Minister to record the matter, Vice Minister of War Wang Min was promoted to Minister of Justice, and Pacification Vice Commissioner Tao Gu was transferred to Minister of Rites. Of course, more importantly, Chancellor Fan Zhi was given the additional title of Director of State Affairs and Grand Academician of Guangzheng Hall, while Governor of Kaifeng Li Gu was made Chief Minister, becoming a chancellor.

Though not stated explicitly, the Emperor had used practical actions to respond to Li Tao's resignation letter.

The series of changes in high offices and key posts involved a redistribution of chancellorial power, and their impact was naturally considerable. The court and the public discussed it endlessly, so much so that even the storm of the shocking "Jinghu Corruption Case" that had shaken the realm was suppressed.

However, while the impact certainly existed, the political situation of the Great Han court was now stable, and with Li Tao's desire to retire and his full cooperation, no unmanageable turmoil was triggered. During this period, Li Tao clearly felt that the elusive, hard-to-describe yet distinctly present sense of targeting had disappeared, as if the rope constantly tightening around his neck had been loosened...

It was not until the end of the seventh month that Liu Chengyou finally issued an edict granting Li Tao's request. However, though his resignation was approved and he was to leave the palace halls, a fine place for rest and recuperation was chosen for him—Xiangzhou. Along with this came high rank and generous rewards: his title was elevated to Duke of Ju, in recognition of his ten years of loyal service to the royal house.

In comparison, Li Tao's ending was far better. Moreover, judging from the Emperor's arrangements, Li Tao had not been completely abandoned; otherwise, he could have simply been allowed to return to his hometown or been settled in Luoyang.

Li Tao had stood at court for ten years, enforcing the law with fairness, offering many remonstrances, and making no small achievements. The Great Han's current state of peace and order owed an indelible debt to his contributions. At the same time, such a chancellor with rich governing experience, even if no longer suitable for the central government, could still play his role in the localities. And since he had committed no great crimes or evils, completely forcing him into retirement would also be a pity. Though the Great Han court was now said to be a gathering of talents and an assembly of elites, Liu Chengyou did not feel he could afford to be that extravagant...

Before Songgong Pavilion, the number of people coming to see Li Tao off was considerable—officials from various ministries and bureaus plus scholars of the literati, amounting to over thirty people. His ten-year career as chancellor had allowed him to accumulate a vast network of connections. Led by the newly appointed Minister of Personnel Shen Wenbing, they respectfully bid him farewell.

"This old man departs from the court today, seeking carefree leisure. Matters of the court shall rely upon you all!" Li Tao, dressed in plain robes and a scholar's cap, appeared very neat and composed. Moved by the scene before him, he made a deep bow with solemnity and spoke.

"We subordinates will surely keep the Duke of Ju's teachings in mind!" Shen Wenbing and the others bowed even lower.

"That is well, then!" Li Tao revealed a smile and gestured with his hand: "Gentlemen, please return. Do not neglect your official duties because of this old and frail one!"

"Chancellor Fan has arrived!"

At this moment, a small commotion came from behind, and the crowd parted to make a passage to left and right. There was Fan Zhi, dressed in formal purple robes, approaching with proper bearing. Along the way, he was met with nothing but voices of greeting.

"Duke of Ju!"

"Wensu!"

After the two exchanged greetings, Li Tao looked at Fan Zhi with some surprise: "Wensu, your governmental affairs are heavy—how could you trouble yourself to come in person?"

"No matter how busy I am, I can still spare the time to see you off! Moreover, I have come also to convey the regards of Chancellor Xue, Chancellor Wei, and all the colleagues of the Hall of State Affairs to the Duke of Ju!" Fan Zhi said modestly: "I have specially brought a small jar of wine—fine aged Fenjiu, bestowed by His Majesty at the Mid-Autumn Festival last year. I have never been willing to drink it, and now I shall share it with the Duke of Ju!"

"Let us sit in the pavilion and talk!" Fan Zhi said with a smile, gesturing.

"Please!"

Seeing the cluster of officials gathered by the roadside before the pavilion, Fan Zhi's expression turned stern, and he said in a somewhat severe tone: "You have seen him off—now return each to your offices and your duties. Do not linger here and cause trouble for the Duke of Ju!"

With Fan Zhi's instruction, and Li Tao's earlier urging, the crowd obediently made another bow before dispersing. Soon, the carriages and horses waiting nearby also departed one after another.

Seeing Fan Zhi's imposing and dignified manner, Li Tao could not help but sigh: "Wensu is just as always—solemn and severe, without the slightest change!"

"The Duke of Ju is teasing me! In this entire court, those who curse me behind my back or criticize this Fan are probably not few!" Fan Zhi said with a faint smile: "As for driving away those who came to see you off and thus slighting the Duke of Ju's face, I beg your forgiveness!"

"Wensu speaks too gravely!" Li Tao shook his head: "I had originally wished to depart quietly, but I could hardly escape the burdens of reputation and friendship. Having them return to their offices also suits my wishes!"

Songgong Pavilion suddenly became quiet, with only the endless stream of passersby on the road occasionally glancing toward the pavilion out of curiosity.

A servant prepared the cups, and Li Tao's son Li Chengshen personally poured the wine. The rich aroma of liquor filled the pavilion, mingling with the faint fragrance of flowers in the air, intoxicatingly pleasant. Taking a light sniff, Li Tao looked at Fan Zhi and said: "At the moment of parting, His Majesty invited me to a meal, and Wensu invites me to drink. This old man is truly fortunate in his palate!"

"Please!" Fan Zhi raised his cup with both hands.

The relationship between the two men, Li and Fan, was rather complicated—from shared views to divergence, from friendship to conflict, almost mirroring the political changes of the Great Han court since the era of Feng Dao.

But now, with Li Tao's departure from office, all the complex grudges seemed to have vanished like smoke, and the two seemed to have returned to the tacit understanding of their early years.

Drinking together again, their hearts warmed by the wine, their emotions gradually deepening, Li Tao looked at Fan Zhi and said: "After I leave the court, the affairs of the Hall of State Affairs will rest solely on your shoulders, Wensu. The weight of responsibility is great—I hope you will be cautious.

You, Fan Wensu, are good in every way, except that your temperament is too fierce and your words too harsh. Now that you have risen to the position of chief chancellor, heed a sincere word from me: you must restrain your temper, harmonize with your colleagues, and serve the sovereign with one heart. Otherwise..."

The words trailed off, and Li Tao did not continue.

Observing his manner and listening to his words, Fan Zhi said with a composed expression: "If I changed my nature, would I still be Fan Wensu? In my conduct and dealings, I seek not a spotless reputation, but only a clear conscience! As for the name I leave behind, let later generations judge!"

In truth, Fan Zhi could sense that Li Tao was reminding him to be careful in dealing with the Emperor. Now that his position had risen again, things were no longer as before—if he kept butting heads with the Emperor on every matter, that would not be good. No matter how magnanimous and broad-minded the Emperor was, if he could tolerate it eight or ten times, could he tolerate it a hundred or a thousand times?

"Wensu is truly broad-minded!" Still, seeing his reaction, Li Tao could not help but praise him.

Gazing around at the surrounding scenery, especially lingering long on the city of Kaifeng behind him, as if trying to imprint the Eastern Capital into his memory, Li Tao sighed deeply: "In my youth, I set great ambitions, taking the salvation of the world as my duty. Yet I drifted through officialdom for decades, and only the Great Han gave me a place to display my abilities. Ten years of service—that is enough!"

Hearing his lament, Fan Zhi rose and noticed that the beams, pillars, and stone surfaces of the pavilion were densely covered with writing. Looking closely, they were poems, signed beneath by Zhao Ying, Dou Zhengu, and even Guo Wei. It could no longer be verified who had started it, but those who came later all followed suit. Of course, ordinary literati, seeing that string of famous signatures, would not dare leave their marks in the pavilion even if they had poetic inspiration.

Pointing at those carved inscriptions, Fan Zhi said to Li Tao with great interest: "The Duke of Ju's poetic talent is renowned throughout the court and the realm. Faced with this scene and these feelings, why not compose a poem to express your heart?"

Hearing this, Li Tao was momentarily startled, then his interest was also roused. He rose and paced within the pavilion. Seeing this, Li Chengshen hurriedly ordered someone to prepare a carving knife. After deliberating for a long while, Li Tao opened his mouth and recited:

"In the capital, a lofty man's abode, green moss winds deep along the path.

Rolling up the curtain, mountains enter the door; plucking leaves, birds move through the grove.

A stone pool nurtures turtle water; a moon terrace keeps guests' zither.

A lifetime with one jar of wine, fame and profit no longer concern the heart."

Finding a clean surface on a pillar himself, he carved the poem he had composed upon it, and Li Tao revealed a hint of unrestrained ease.

"A lifetime with one jar of wine, fame and profit no longer concern the heart." Fan Zhi murmured the line, then smiled: "The Duke of Ju's heart is fully contained within it!"

"Duke of Ju, a thousand words and ten thousand phrases, reduced to two characters: take care!" Turning around, Fan Zhi clasped his hands in a solemn salute.

"Many thanks!"

Just as he was about to set off, a burst of urgent hoofbeats came from the roadside. Sensing something, he looked over and saw Zhang Dejun, the chief palace eunuch at the Emperor's side, galloping toward them under the escort of several Inner Palace guards, heading straight for Songgong Pavilion.

"Duke of Ju, please wait!"