Chapter 840: Fire in the Eastern Capital

After the great celebration, the hungover Son of Heaven of the Han slept in late. It was already high in the sky when he finally rose lazily from Wansui Hall. His stomach still churned with foul air, making him nauseous. Before he could even wash up, he received word that Governor Hou of Kaifeng, Hou Yi, sought an audience.

His mind was foggy and his body heavy. Perhaps seeing that Liu Chengyou appeared overly fatigued, the palace eunuch Sun Yanxi tentatively advised, "Your Majesty, it is currently a national holiday. If you are unwell, you may decline the audience!"

"How dare you speak nonsense!" Hearing the advice, Liu Chengyou immediately rebuked, "Hou Yi coming at this hour must mean there is important business. How could I not see him!"

Seeing the Emperor's displeased expression, Sun Yanxi was struck with fear and hastily said, "This humble one is truly foolish and inept. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

"Enough. Go and bring Hou Yi in!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand.

According to the Great Han's rest system, the first month was the happiest month for Han officials. The New Year's Day holiday lasted seven days, the Lantern Festival break three days, and if one added the regular ten-day rests and reported illness, one could stay off duty for half a month.

Thus, after the national celebration ceremonies, it was again a fine time for Han ministers to rest and relax. Setting aside those outside the capital, within the various offices of Kaifeng, aside from the necessary officers on duty rotation to maintain basic operations, most people were enjoying their holidays.

Of course, some special departments were exceptions—Kaifeng Prefecture being one. During festive celebrations, the whole city rejoiced, and with the curfew lifted, lanterns densely arrayed, and the myriad people strolling the markets day and night, the demands on public security were exceptionally high. Within the capital, besides the imperial army and Patrol Inspectors, Kaifeng Prefecture bore the main responsibility. Among all the government offices, the one that least liked the holidays was probably Kaifeng Prefecture...

Kaifeng Governor Hou Yi was nearly seventy-four years old. He came from a military background and had lived through the end of the Tang and the subsequent three dynasties in full. In the early years of Qianyou, he had been Military Governor of Fengxiang. At that time, the Great Han had just been established, the future unclear, and gripped by suspicion and fear, he had become entangled with the Meng Shu.

However, later, after Wang Jun led troops west into Guanzhong to repel the Shu, seeing which way the wind was blowing, Hou Yi decisively reined in at the brink, took the initiative to come to the capital, and actively confessed his faults. At the time, perhaps out of a desire to appease the regional governors, Liu Chengyou did not reproach him but instead expressed appreciation for the old general's "awakening," granting him the title Duke of Lu and appointing him Governor of Kaifeng.

Later he left that post to take over in Chen Prefecture, succeeding the deceased former chancellor Zhao Ying, then transferred to Qing Prefecture. When Li Gu was promoted to chancellor, the position of Governor of Kaifeng opened up again. After pondering for a long time, Liu Chengyou thought of Hou Yi once more and sent people to investigate the old man's physical condition. Hmm, healthy—could drink wine, could eat meat, teeth still good, body and mental state well maintained. So the decree was issued: Duke of Lu, Prefect of Qing Prefecture Hou Yi was transferred to the Eastern Capital to serve as Governor of Kaifeng.

Looking at Hou Yi's life resume, it could be described as legendary. Born of humble origins, three generations of poor farmers, born into turbulent times, he joined the military, distinguished himself with martial skill, and gradually rose in prominence. Over more than half a century, one could say he had fully experienced the changes of the times from the end of the Tang to the present. In an era when old ministers were withering away, he was one of the rare surviving witnesses to this chaotic history.

Throughout his wandering life, he had repeatedly vacillated between the Tang, the Jin, the Han, and the Shu. But after submitting to the Great Han, he managed to maintain a flourishing official career—high rank, glorious emoluments, and the Emperor's trust. Now, he was serving as Governor of Kaifeng for the second time—the foremost prefecture under heaven, a position of real power with no small standing at court, by no means something just anyone could do.

Hou Yi's extraordinary circumstances drew sighs of wonder, but even more, envy. Many people did not understand why this crude military man—slippery and without great talent, already past seventy, one foot in the grave—could still receive such heavy favor from the Son of Heaven.

On Liu Chengyou's side, regarding Hou Yi, he could only say his impression was very good—an inexplicable comfort. As for Hou Yi, as the saying goes, a man who lives long becomes a spirit. Having personally witnessed decades of worldly change and seen through the warmth and coldness of human relations, the man knew how to read the room, understood what to take and what to give up, acted with great discretion, and knew what could be done and what could not. Moreover, he was indeed quite old—no matter what position he was placed in, he could be adjusted at any time without causing any political waves.

In previous years, Liu Chengyou had dismissed a large number of old ministers on the grounds of "consideration," advocating for the use of young and capable men. But several years on, many old ministers still held powerful and substantive posts active in Great Han politics, and Hou Yi counted as one representative among them. The facts proved that what had happened back then was merely the Emperor's purge and power-grab against old ministers and meritorious nobles.

Soon, a short, stocky old man with white hair and snow-white beard, dressed in a purple robe, walked into Wansui Hall. Hunched over, he bowed to Liu Chengyou.

Liu Chengyou was brushing his teeth, the astringent taste of green salt spreading through his mouth. Glancing at Hou Yi, he said to him indistinctly, "Sit first! Wait until I've taken care of things!"

"Yes!"

After rinsing his mouth and washing his face, Liu Chengyou's spirits improved somewhat. He sat down at the imperial desk and looked at this little old man, Hou Yi. Hou Yi usually loved to smile, and he did so in front of Liu Chengyou as well. But at this moment, his face was bitter, stained with grime, as if smoked by fire—just short of writing the word "trouble" plainly across it.

Outside, the sun was high, casting spring light into the hall. Liu Chengyou asked, "Duke Hou, coming to the palace so early to seek an audience—could something have happened in the city last night?"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Hou Yi rose, somewhat nervously reporting, "Last night, a great fire suddenly broke out in the southern city!"

On a national celebration day, the Lantern Festival, with stability being paramount, a fire breaking out at such a time was a most dampening affair—like a sudden blot of ink staining a gorgeous painting. Thinking more deeply, if someone used this to spread rumors or prophecies, the impact would be even worse.

Hearing his report, Liu Chengyou furrowed his brow slightly and asked, "What was the cause? How was the fire? What were the casualties? What was the damage?"

At the question, Hou Yi answered, "Reporting to Your Majesty, upon investigation, it was a street lantern that collapsed, and the fire erupted suddenly, spreading to the houses. Your servant heard the news last night and urgently arranged for constables to join the Patrol Inspectors, soldiers, and civilians in rescue efforts. Fortunately, it was near water, and the fire was extinguished within two hours.

Last night's festivities saw many officials and commoners drunk. Because of the great fire, 42 people were burned or suffocated to death, 132 were burned and injured, 1 government office was destroyed, 3 warehouse grounds, 2 temples, and 245 civilian houses..."

Hearing the casualty statistics reported, Liu Chengyou felt a toothache. This was no mere fire—it was a major conflagration. Suppressing the slight anger within him, Liu Chengyou rebuked, "I have repeatedly mentioned the need to strengthen security patrols and guard against hidden dangers, especially during such festivals. Why did such a large fire still occur!"

"Your servant... your servant mismanaged, failed to prevent this, and brought about this disaster. Please punish me, Your Majesty!" Hou Yi immediately knelt and confessed his guilt.

With this attitude, plus the "smoke makeup" on his old face, Liu Chengyou calmed his emotions and waved his hand at him, saying, "Rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Hou Yi's old face relaxed with relief. Hmm, he had passed.

After pondering for a moment, Liu Chengyou frowned deeply and said, "Do you know how many fires have occurred in the Eastern Capital in recent years?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, your servant reviewed the case records. Since the seventh year of Qianyou, there have been 43 large and small fires, but none with casualties and losses like this one!" Hou Yi answered carefully.

Glancing at him—this little old man had indeed done quite a bit of work. Speaking of it, the frequent fires in the Eastern Capital were mainly due to the reconstruction of the capital, the great transformation of the city's layout, the breaking down of the ward-market boundaries, and the abolition of the curfew, which made the Eastern Capital a city that never slept. And being a city that never slept, the risk of fire naturally increased greatly.

The city was developing rapidly at high speed, but the supporting management had failed to keep up. There were no lack of insightful people at court, and Kaifeng Prefecture had issued some management regulations and measures, but achieving perfection was not so easy. Without suffering a great loss, how could one learn a lesson.

"This shows!" Staring at Hou Yi, Liu Chengyou said with a grave expression, "The management of the Eastern Capital harbors great risks and loopholes. The prevention and control of fires especially needs to be strengthened!"

"Your Majesty speaks truly!" Hou Yi followed the topic, saying, "After this great fire, your servant has become especially vigilant. I specially consulted with my subordinates and came up with some remedial measures. Please review them, Your Majesty!"

Presenting a memorial to Liu Chengyou, Hou Yi explained concisely, "First, strengthen fire-prevention publicity among the people of the Eastern Capital; those with fire hazards must rectify immediately. Second, increase punishments for those who cause fires. Third, increase patrols, especially at night. Fourth, conscript men from each street to form firefighting brigades; upon encountering a fire, they gather to extinguish it. Fifth, establish a fire-prevention station every five li in the city, staffed with three clerks each, for prevention and control management. Sixth, increase water storage for emergency use..."

Listening to his presentation and finishing reading the memorial Hou Yi had submitted, Liu Chengyou's stern expression finally softened somewhat. Looking at this old man, he responded, "Mending the fold after the sheep are lost is not too late! This set of regulations is good. If it had been brought out earlier, how could things have come to this? The considerations are quite comprehensive. Implement it as soon as possible!"

"Yes!" Hou Yi acknowledged.

Seeing his exhausted face, his body reeking of smoke and fire, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but say softly, "You have worked hard as well. At such an advanced age, it is truly no easy feat."

"Your Majesty is too kind! This old minister failed in his duties, causing casualties among the people and property losses. I am truly ashamed!" Hou Yi said again, his voice aged, his attitude most proper.

After considering for a while, Liu Chengyou instructed, "In that case, on my behalf, comfort the people who were injured or affected by the disaster. For those whose homes were destroyed, first find them places to stay. Regarding reconstruction, Kaifeng Prefecture may issue subsidies as appropriate!"

"Yes! Your Majesty is benevolent and virtuous. Your servant is deeply moved!"

Shortly after, Liu Chengyou received reports from both the Wude Office and the Palace City Office regarding the southern city fire. The Wude Office's report was very detailed.

Thereafter, a censor impeached Hou Yi over the southern city fire, requesting his dismissal and punishment. In response, Liu Chengyou only fined Hou Yi half a year's salary.