Chapter 881: Wang Pu Steps Down

In the fifth and sixth months, the Huai River was in flood season, with swift currents—the hundred-li stretch between Xuyi and Huaiyin being the most treacherous. Official and merchant vessels plying this route suffered sinkings every year.

Back during the great Huai East case, the corrupt officials of the Fiscal Commission had exploited the dangerous waterways to falsely report official vessels as lost, while secretly pocketing both ships and cargo for themselves.

The dredging and clearing of the lower Huai River channel had been done when the Han army marched south that year—to ensure the transport of grain, equipment, and troops, the people had been conscripted to open up a portion of the waterway.

However, with the opening of the Guishan Canal two years ago, official, merchant, and civilian vessels could now bypass the dangerous lower Huai route and pass through safely, with far less fear of capsizing. Over these two years, the Guishan Canal had gradually taken on the air of a golden waterway—after all, safety was the top priority for all fleets, especially civilian ships.

Wang Pu had served as Administration Commissioner of Huai East for a full six years. In those six years, he had governed the prefectures of Huai East and accomplished much. In terms of engineering works, his two greatest achievements were Hongze Lake and the Guishan Canal.

Beginning in the seventh year of Qianyou, after Hongze was completed, under Wang Pu's direction, the able-bodied men of Chu and Si were mobilized. Over two years, more than eighty thousand man-days of labor were expended, and a hundred-li-long Guishan Canal was carved out of the Huainan earth.

Judging by the time and the scale of labor mobilized, Wang Pu was very cautious and careful in his use of manpower—he did not seek quick results. When discussing canals, Emperor Yang of Sui was an unavoidable topic. Taking him as a cautionary example, Wang Pu often admonished his subordinate officials not to overwork the people, but to give them room to catch their breath.

Moreover, during the excavation, he personally inspected the canal works three times, meeting with the laborers, checking their conditions, and listening to their grievances. With Wang Pu setting the example, the officials below naturally remained vigilant, and none dared to overuse the people's labor for the sake of political achievements.

Thus, by the time the Guishan Canal was opened, only thirty-five laborers had died in total. Including the earlier excavation of Hongze Lake, the number of commoners who died did not exceed one hundred—this was extremely rare. Of course, no engineering project, from ancient times to the present, has ever been completed without some loss of life.

As for the injured and the families of the deceased, the Administration Commission naturally allocated special funds for compensation. In addition, Wang Pu personally went to pay his respects and visit the families to offer comfort.

Since ancient times, whenever a great project was undertaken, popular resentment was inevitable during its execution—but Wang Pu had achieved this. Until the Guishan Canal was completed and successfully opened to navigation, the people of Chu and Si had almost no complaints, and instead felt deep gratitude toward Wang Pu.

And Wang Pu, through these six years in Huai East, had used exactly this kind of hands-on leadership and personal example to help the Great Han consolidate its rule over Huai East, rapidly restore its vitality, and make it the true fiscal heartland of the Great Han today, supplying the Eastern Capital with abundant resources.

Even the common folk knew that Governor Wang was impartial and selfless, stern with officials and lenient with the people. In the present eleventh year of Qianyou, if one asked the people of Huai East whether they missed the Tang state of Jiangnan—to put it somewhat dramatically—they would likely spit and then curse loudly.

Of course, earning such a fine reputation in Huai East was not without its downsides. The Huai East officials who had long suffered under Wang Pu's whip and restraint—whether old hands or new appointees—both respected and feared him, and resentment had gradually festered.

At the same time, there was no shortage of criticism against him within the court at the Eastern Capital. Over and over, he was impeached for arrogating power, overstepping authority, and intimidating subordinates—the accusations never quite ceased. And as time went on, the objections grew. Had it not been for Emperor Liu Chengyou's protection, Wang Pu would long ago have been destroyed by accumulated slander.

One should note that of the two circuits of Huainan, Dou Zhengu of Huai West had long been transferred to Hebei to take charge, replaced by Liu Wensou. But Wang Pu had sat in his post for six years, his seat firmly planted, still having the final say. And among all the circuits of the Great Han, Huai East was a lucrative appointment—many above and below eyed it with envy.

In the fourth month, another censor submitted a report claiming that Wang Pu was currying favor with the people in Huai East, even going so far as to say that the people of Huai East knew only Wang Pu and not the Son of Heaven.

Sometimes Liu Chengyou was curious—was Wang Pu really so disliked? But this time, Liu Chengyou finally decided to move Wang Pu, transferring him away from the post of Administration Commissioner of Huai East. Wang Pu had served for many years; first, because he had worked too diligently and hard, taxing his spirit and body, and Liu Chengyou could not bear it; second, because criticism filled the court—even if Liu Chengyou maintained his trust and let him continue, it would not be a good thing for Wang Pu himself, for Liu Chengyou was not certain how much longer that trust could last.

It was not until the fifth month, before Li Gu left the capital, that Liu Chengyou finally issued an edict: citing Wang Pu's years of governance in Huai East and his arduous merits, he was to be transferred to the Eastern Capital for assignment. The moment this edict was issued, the qualified officials at court immediately began to stir—Yangzhou was a fine place, and there were many who scrambled and maneuvered for the post of Administration Commissioner of Huai East.

Liu Chengyou naturally did not let those people have their way. Instead, he directly issued a decree appointing Fiscal Commissioner Wang Qiwu to succeed him, dashing those people's hopes at once.

One edict and one decree flew from the Eastern Capital to Yangzhou, read to the two Wangs. Wang Pu departed as soon as the edict arrived. On the day Wang Pu left Yangzhou, people who heard the news gathered of their own accord to see him off, reluctant to part. An old man offered him a bowl of clear water, a handful of earth, and a bag of salt. Compared to the ostentatious "umbrella of the people," this affection was far more sincere. At the moment of parting, the Governor, who had always shown a stern face, could not help but shed tears.

Setting out from Yangzhou, Wang Pu brought only his family and a few servants, taking an official vessel north along the canal. The journey was unhurried, with stops along the way to observe the people's condition—even on his departure, he habitually made one final inspection.

When the people along the shore learned that Wang Pu was leaving his post to return north, many voluntarily came to tow his boat, seeing him off in this manner. However, from Yangzhou to Sizhou was not far—after a little over six days, he entered Xuyi territory.

Guishan Town had originally been a small village at the foot of Guishan Mountain, but after the Guishan Canal opened, it gradually flourished. Situated at the "turtle's head" location, its excellent geographical conditions facilitated rapid development. In just over a year, it gathered more than two thousand residents, with dense population and thriving industries. In the tenth year of Qianyou, Sizhou reported to the court and formally established Guishan Town.

At this moment, ascending Guishan Mountain and looking down at the prosperous little town below and the canal flowing north, Wang Pu was deeply moved. On the canal, within his line of sight, ships were always sailing, and the sounds of human activity from the town seemed like a song of praise to him. Gazing into the distance, he could faintly make out Hongze Lake to the north—that rippling scene had long been etched into his memory.

"When I first strongly advocated restoring Hongze and excavating the canal, there was opposition from above and below, who feared that with public order not yet secure, it would waste labor and money!" Wang Pu said. "But as long as one cherishes the people's strength, governs with benevolence, and benefits the common folk, how could popular resentment arise!"

Standing beside Wang Pu was the newly appointed Administration Commissioner, Wang Qiwu. He had accompanied Wang Pu northward on this journey, both to inspect and to see him off, and conveniently to handle the handover and discuss affairs.

Hearing this, Wang Qiwu pointed at the canal and the great lake, and said with a light smile: "Now the people of Huai and Si are all enjoying the beneficence of Lord Wenbo!"

"These are all the beneficence of His Majesty—I merely dispense it on his behalf! The naming of Hongze was His Majesty's decision. Without His Majesty's firm support back then, how could there be this fertile land and abundant waters today!"

From Wang Pu's words, one could tell that although his temperament was somewhat fierce, his political awareness was by no means low...

"Once past Xuyi, we'll turn into the Bian River. Qiwu, for accompanying me all this way, I am deeply grateful for this friendship. Let us part here!" After a moment of reflection, Wang Pu seemed to release the last trace of melancholy from his heart. Looking seriously at Wang Qiwu, he clasped his hands and said: "I entrust all matters of Huai East to you!"

Seeing this, Wang Qiwu naturally did not dare to be presumptuous. He quickly returned the salute: "Rest assured, Lord Wenbo! With what His Majesty has entrusted and what you have enjoined, how could I dare to be remiss!"

Looking at Wang Qiwu, seeing his dignified bearing and heroic demeanor, Wang Pu could not help but feel another surge of emotion. The two of them had both passed the imperial examinations in the first year of Qianyou. Now Wang Qiwu was in the prime of his youth, his official career smooth and rising steadily, while he himself was already growing old.

Wang Pu was only just past fifty, but years of rising before dawn and working late into the night, taxing his mind and spirit, had aged him rapidly.

Perhaps sensing Wang Pu's melancholy about aging, Wang Qiwu could not help but smile: "Lord Wenbo has sat in Yangzhou for six years, with outstanding achievements for state and people. This time, entering the capital, you should be promoted to the chancellorship!"

On this point, Wang Pu did have some confidence. Looking at Wang Qiwu, he smiled and said: "I am old. Qiwu is deeply valued by His Majesty, now a frontier official—one day you will be a pillar of the court!"

In fact, the Emperor's appreciation of Wang Qiwu was well known to all. As long as he made no mistakes, reaching the position of chancellor in the future was only natural. Compared to those who schemed and toiled, Wang Qiwu was exceedingly fortunate—the fame and status that others pursued tirelessly without obtaining came to him effortlessly, his path of promotion smooth all the way, as if it had already been arranged.

Of course, apart from luck, one also needed the capital to be valued. Just as with this succession to Wang Pu as Administration Commissioner of Huai East—besides being favored by the Emperor, Wang Qiwu's own record and achievements were outstanding. From governing Haozhou to serving as Fiscal Commissioner, he had handled all matters with composure, order, and remarkable results.

An official vessel docking at the wharf of Guishan Town caught Wang Pu's attention, and he stopped in his tracks on the way to boarding. With armored guards and military officers in attendance, this sort of display clearly indicated an important personage. Soon enough, he learned that it was Chancellor-Governor Li Gu, heading south to take up his post in Yangzhou.

For Li Gu's trip to Yangzhou, Liu Chengyou had given him a temporary assignment—Inspector of Jianghuai—holding the ceremonial staff with full authority over military affairs against Jiangnan, with the power to mobilize all land and naval forces in the Jianghuai region. Concerned for his health, Liu Chengyou had specially promoted Li Gu's second son, Li Gong, and ordered him to accompany and attend to his father. Additionally, Palace Attendant Zhao Yanjin was assigned as his accompanying military officer—Zhao Yanjin was the son of the late Duke of Shaan, Zhao Hui, a military official who had long served at the Emperor's side.

Upon learning this, Wang Pu and Wang Qiwu immediately went to pay their respects. At this chance encounter, Li Gu showed no airs whatsoever, setting aside the fatigue of the journey to meet them in person.

In the early years of Qianyou, the Great Han had two ministers most trusted by the Emperor—one in the south, one in the north: Li Gu in Hebei, and Wang Pu in Huai East. Li Gu was known for recognizing talent, and Wang Pu for recommending it; the two were thus spoken of together.

They had never met before. Now, by chance encounter at Guishan Town, the two famous ministers met for the first time. Though the occasion was modest, there was a certain grandeur to it—as if great forces were converging.

"Chancellor-Governor Li!" Wang Pu composed his expression, clasped his hands, and bowed.

"Governor Wang!" Li Gu smiled, bending slightly in return.

Two figures of the era, similar in age, comparable in fame, and equal in achievements, met and conversed like old friends, sitting and discussing affairs with great pleasure, with hardly any awkwardness between them.