Chapter 857: What Follows

"Your Majesty!" It took Fan Zhi a considerable amount of time to finish reading the materials Liu Chengyou had given him. He looked up, observed the Emperor's expression, and remarked with some feeling: "The officers and men in the army are mostly uneducated, bound by harsh military discipline, and rough in their conduct. They can maintain public order, but many lack the talent for administrative affairs and have even less ability to mediate with the people. Given this state of affairs, it is hardly surprising! May I ask what instructions Your Majesty has?"

Hearing the question, Liu Chengyou appeared very calm and said: "Since the problem has arisen and we are now aware of it, the court naturally must take strong measures to correct it and return peace to the villages! What suggestions do you have?"

Seeing the Emperor's stance, Fan Zhi considered the matter seriously and replied in a deep voice: "Regarding the military officials in the villages, I have three suggestions!"

"Please speak, Chancellor Fan!" Liu Chengyou sat up straight and looked at him.

Fan Zhi spoke steadily: "First, regarding the existing local military officials who have neglected their duties, perverted the law, or committed evil deeds, orders should be issued for local authorities to investigate them thoroughly and deal with them according to law, so as to uphold discipline and return peace and fairness to the villagers!"

"That is only natural! Though they are men of merit, I have granted them official posts, money, grain, and land, letting them return home in glory. This is both to reward their service and to let them benefit their hometowns and spread imperial grace — not to let them throw their weight around and oppress the people. Now that they have violated the criminal law and committed offenses, they must of course be dealt with sternly as a warning to others!" Liu Chengyou declared.

Seeing the Emperor's clear eyes and his expression of one who accepts remonstrance, Fan Zhi inwardly breathed a slight sigh of relief. He had genuinely worried that Liu Chengyou might have other ideas and use imperial power to override the law.

Cupping his hands, Fan Zhi continued: "Second, for the many military officials serving in prefectures, counties, towns, and villages, the local prefectural and county governments and supervisory officials should be ordered to strengthen oversight, conduct periodic evaluations, and mete out promotions, demotions, rewards, and punishments accordingly."

Follow the public account

"In that case, I fear it will add to the burden of local governance. For those lazy and incompetent officials, things are about to get difficult again!" Liu Chengyou said, seemingly in a teasing tone.

"Tell me the third one!" Liu Chengyou asked again, clearly also approving of the second.

At this, Fan Zhi hesitated slightly, then said solemnly: "For the third, I beg Your Majesty — for meritorious officers and men, you may grant them land, money, and grain, and you may appoint them to posts in public security, bandit suppression, militia, or prison service. But the responsibility of handling administrative affairs and governing the people should be given with great caution.

After all, the root of this problem lies in the fact that a great number of military officials lack the ability to manage affairs and the heart to love the people, yet they bear the responsibility of governing them. How could errors not arise under such circumstances?

Though village official posts are humble and lowly, not even ranked in the official hierarchy, they are the most direct personnel through which the court governs the people and manages countless households. Their role is even more important than that of the ranked officials in prefectures and counties. Your Majesty should understand this principle.

Therefore, when the court appoints officials, it should select them for their moral standing and examine their abilities — it should not appoint them solely on the basis of military merit. Otherwise, if this continues, the accumulated problems in the villages will grow worse day by day, and popular resentment is certain to arise.

Moreover, over the past ten years, a great number of military officials have filled the local villages, causing a sharp increase in redundant officials and adding to the financial burden of local governments..."

Hearing Fan Zhi's third point, Liu Chengyou's face clearly showed a slight hint of displeasure, as if he did not agree. After thinking for a while, Liu Chengyou said: "This does indeed have its drawbacks, but one cannot look only at the disadvantages and ignore the benefits. The court has appointed tens of thousands of officials — are they all villains who do evil? How can we condemn an entire class for the sake of a few?

Take the newly conquered Chuanshu — over forty prefectures, more than two hundred counties, and countless villages. If we do not use these trusted officers and military officials, how can the court's grace and authority reach the countryside? Was the lesson of the recent uprising of powerful families not deep enough?

As you say, if all local officials were to be selected for their moral character and talent, where would the court find so many talented people to serve as village officials? Among military officers and officials there may be some unworthy ones, but increased oversight, education, and deterrence should suffice. How can we deny them all with a single word?"

Hearing the Emperor's words, Fan Zhi's brows knitted tightly. There was no resentment on his aged face — he was simply thinking hard. Seeing his state, Liu Chengyou smiled and said: "However, what Chancellor Fan worries about is not without reason. Military officers and officials lack education, and governing the people by military law is absolutely unacceptable. So let it be this way: from now on, for those granted office for military merit, the responsibility of governing and administering the people must first undergo strict examination by the government before appointment. Those who are unqualified will be assigned elsewhere!

Also, oversight and supervision must be strengthened!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Understanding Liu Chengyou's meaning, Fan Zhi bowed earnestly, his attitude respectful.

In fact, in his heart Liu Chengyou was inclined to foster the military landlord class of the Great Han. Those low-ranking military officials were merely the foundation; the core was the upper-class military aristocracy. Although the state had already entered bureaucratic politics and the bureaucratic landlord class was growing and developing, Liu Chengyou still hoped that the state and the court would have a force distinct from the scholar-official bureaucratic group.

"Let this matter be handled this way for now!" Looking at Fan Zhi, Liu Chengyou instructed: "You should work with the gentlemen of the Hall of State Affairs and the relevant departments, following this line of thinking, to draft a specific memorial and implement it. Investigate what needs investigating, and deal with what needs dealing with!"

"As you command!" Fan Zhi replied.

After a moment of deliberation, Liu Chengyou spoke again: "This time, regarding the case of Zhao Li, I have reflected deeply on the pain it caused. Since ancient times, the problem of official governance has always been difficult to cure at the root — the only remedy lies in oversight and restraint by law. Zhao Li was promoted by me from obscurity and given great supervisory power, yet he knowingly broke the law, neglected his duties, and served his own interests. Every time I think of it, I feel troubled and ashamed!"

Hearing his lament, Fan Zhi rarely offered words of consolation: "Your Majesty need not worry overmuch. Zhao Li failed to repay Your Majesty's grace because he fell from his original aspirations — it is not a failure of the court's institutions. So long as the state's laws are strictly upheld, so that those who come after him feel awe and dare not act recklessly, that will suffice!"

"Speaking of those who come after — now that Zhao Li is gone, who does Chancellor Fan think can take over the Censorate?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Facing the Emperor's inquiry, Fan Zhi fell silent, seemingly not daring to offer a rash suggestion. After all, the Censorate was a relatively independent office among the various ministries and departments, and its authority and status were almost on par with the State Finance Commission.

Moreover, having served Liu Chengyou for ten years, Fan Zhi was not unskilled at gauging the imperial will. Fan Zhi could already sense that although the Zhao Li case had made the Emperor particularly angry, it had not shaken his confidence in the court's supervisory system. Rather, he would continue to strengthen and perfect its institutions, allowing it to continue bearing the function of overseeing military, political, and civil affairs both inside and outside the court.

And as the Chief Censor was the head of the Censorate, this position had become all the more sensitive and important. Fan Zhi, now serving as the leading chancellor and wielding great power in governing state affairs during this period when the Emperor had delegated authority, had to be even more cautious under such circumstances.

After thinking for a while, Fan Zhi replied: "Li Weizhen (Li Gu) is renowned for his knowledge of people. Why not ask him, Your Majesty?"

At this answer, Liu Chengyou could not help but smile, looking at this chancellor known for his uprightness and integrity. It was rare to see Fan Zhi being so cautious.

Not wasting time, Liu Chengyou said directly: "What do you think of Cui Zhoudou, the Chief Judge of the Court of Judicial Review?"

Seeing the Emperor's attitude, it was clear he already had someone in mind — this inquiry was probably just a formality. After considering, Fan Zhi replied: "Cui Zhoudou is an upright man. He came from the ranks of censors and remonstrance officials, is familiar with the law, and acts with gravity and restraint, always following regulations. His abilities are fully sufficient for the post. However, his temperament is rather fierce..."

Hearing Fan Zhi raise doubts about Cui Zhoudou's character, Liu Chengyou thought to himself: speaking of temperament, how much better are you than Cui Zhoudou, Fan Zhi? The court was not lacking in anecdotes and amusing tales, and some rumors were more than just rumors. For instance, when Fan Zhi was at court and disagreed with a colleague, he would always stubbornly argue, speaking with fierce words and spittle flying, until the other party agreed with his view or fell silent...

Many times, people can see the shortcomings of others but not their own faults. Even a minister with the makings of a famous official like Fan Zhi was no exception.

Of course, Liu Chengyou could not voice such a complaint directly. Instead, he answered Fan Zhi with a light laugh: "Since Chancellor Fan thinks Cui Zhoudou has the ability to head the Censorate, that is enough. As for temperament — people differ in many ways. So long as it does not hinder public affairs, it can be tolerated!"

Since the Emperor had spoken thus, Fan Zhi could hardly express further dissent.

"The Secretariat should draft the appointment. The Censorate is a place of great responsibility for the court and needs to be put back in order as soon as possible!" Liu Chengyou instructed.

"Yes!"

"Furthermore, I think the matter of Zhao Li also lay in the fact that he alone controlled the Censorate, holding great power in his hands with no one to check him, which caused his reverence to diminish and prevented him from maintaining his original aspirations and keeping to his proper role. Where there is a left, there should be a right. I intend to establish, below the Chief Censor, a Deputy Chief Censor to jointly handle supervisory affairs. What do you think?" Liu Chengyou asked again.

The moment Liu Chengyou finished speaking, Fan Zhi immediately understood the Emperor's intention — this was again about dividing power and creating checks and balances. After weighing the matter, he found that Zhao Li's previous monopoly had indeed been improper, and there was no reason to object. He promptly replied: "Your Majesty's consideration is most fitting! I have no objections!"

"Good! Then so be it!" Liu Chengyou once again showed a satisfied expression.