Chapter 963: The Tang-Yue Question

After the Chongyuan night banquet, it also signified that the Great Han's military and political affairs had escaped from the tense and eventful state of the first half of the twelfth year of Qianyou. What remained was merely to implement the matters of ceasing hostilities, repairing governance, and pacifying the people.

Emperor Liu Chengyou also began to cast his gaze southward once again, contemplating the affairs of unifying the realm. The great enterprise of unification might be delayed, but his thoughts never stopped.

Inside Chongzheng Hall, Fan Zhi, Wei Renpu, Xue Juzheng, Wang Pu, and Li Chuyun, several senior ministers, were all present. Liu Chengyou instructed Li Chongju, who was waiting in the hall: "What is the situation in Jiangnan and Lingnan? Tell it to the assembled lords!"

It was news from the south—the two states of Tang and Yue had undergone changes once more. Li Chongju was not the least bit dilatory, narrating in his consistently steady tone: "News has come from Jinling: their sovereign Li Jing was suddenly stricken with a heat illness, with continuous high fever that would not subside, unable to attend to affairs. He has changed the designation of his sixth son Li Congjia as Crown Prince, who has entered the Eastern Palace. In Jinling, both court and commoners are panicked, restless, and unstable!"

"If that is so, then this sovereign of Jiangnan is about to perish, and the political situation in Jinling is about to change!" Fan Zhi perked up.

Li Chongju said: "Over these past several years, Li Jing's worries have turned into illness, and his body has long since ceased to be healthy. Add to that the decline of the state's power and internal unrest, and he has only worsened with each passing day, suffering repeated illnesses. Now he is already at death's door. Even if this bout of illness should ease, with his physical condition, he cannot hold on much longer!"

"Looking at it this way, Li Jing's earlier polite refusal to come to the capital was indeed not an excuse—he truly suffers from illness!" Liu Chengyou said lightly.

Li Chuyun then said: "The illness is real, and the excuse is also real. If we wish to make the sovereign and ministers of Jinling travel north to the Eastern Capital, we must still wait for the imperial army to cross the river and smash through their city walls!"

When Li Chuyun's words fell, Fan Zhi subconsciously glanced at him, and his heart immediately grew wary—this newly appointed Commissioner of Military Affairs surely would not be egging on the Emperor to attack Tang while taking advantage of the opportunity!

Liu Chengyou's thoughts were clearly not on that matter either, and he asked again: "I hear their new Crown Prince has quite a reputation?"

Li Chongju: "Li Congjia, the sixth son of Li Jing, aged twenty-three. He was first enfeoffed as Commandery Duke of Anding, then elevated to Prince of Zheng. He excels at poetry and prose, is skilled in calligraphy and painting, and his talent is overwhelming—surpassing even his father. He has a broad forehead, crowded teeth, and a double pupil in one eye. In his early years he devoted himself to lyrics and rhapsodies, was obsessed with the classics, and paid no attention to governance."

"Since ancient times, those with extraordinary appearances have often possessed remarkable qualities. This Li Congjia seems no ordinary man!" Liu Chengyou said with keen interest.

Who Li Congjia was, Liu Chengyou naturally knew—the eternal Emperor of Ci Poetry, his fame was simply too great. Hearing Liu Chengyou's words, Wei Renpu offered his view: "Your subject has heard that among Li Jing's sons, those who were older have mostly met with misfortune. After Li Hongji died, Li Congjia became the eldest legitimate son, hence this appointment! However, from what has been said before, this young man is likely not fit to be a sovereign."

"Minister Wei's words are most apt—I think so too!" Liu Chengyou said.

Noticing Fan Zhi's expression, as if he wanted to speak but held back, seeming slightly tense, Liu Chengyou said again: "Minister Fan, if you have anything to say, speak freely!"

Fan Zhi responded: "Your Majesty, Jiangnan has established a Crown Prince without first reporting it to the court!"

Liu Chengyou picked up the thread: "Minister Fan, are you not suggesting that I should use this as a pretext to dispatch troops and call Jinling to account?"

"Your subject would never dare such a thing!" Hearing this, Fan Zhi immediately grew anxious, hastily rising to his feet, and said: "Your subject merely suggests sending an envoy to investigate and issue a mild reprimand. The state is exhausted and lacks the strength for military conflict. Resting the troops and nurturing the people is the national policy—how could it be lightly abandoned? I beg Your Majesty to be prudent!"

Seeing Fan Zhi's agitated manner, Liu Chengyou also hastened to say: "I likewise have no intention of moving troops; Chancellor Fan need not be nervous. As for the matter of Jinling, envoys must be sent. An inquiry is acceptable, but a reprimand is unnecessary. Since Li Jing is unwell, you may convey my condolences on my behalf, to express my concern! Arrange this matter, Chancellor Fan!"

"Yes!" Fan Zhi breathed a sigh of relief.

Of course, when envoys of the Great Han traveled to Jinling, judging by past circumstances, even a condolence visit would ultimately turn into a fright.

"What is the situation with the Yue state?" Liu Chengyou looked at Li Chongju.

Li Chongju said: "Spies in Lingnan have reported that the sovereign of Southern Yue, Liu Chang, intends to reassume the exalted title of Emperor!"

When these words fell, everyone was quite taken aback. Fan Zhi, in particular, said in a tone of utter disbelief: "How dare he?"

Regarding this piece of news, the sovereign and ministers of the Great Han were extraordinarily astonished, truly unable to understand where Liu Chang found the courage. But the reality was that he indeed had such an intention.

Back then, under the awe-inspiring military might of the Great Han, Liu Sheng, in order to protect himself and also to avoid the Han army turning its gaze upon his counterfeit Han regime, had been forced to change the state's name, abandon the imperial title, and submit as a vassal with tribute. Liu Sheng's goal had been achieved—at least he was not the sovereign who lost his state.

But, just like with Jinling, inside Xingwang Palace, behind closed doors, he still styled himself Emperor. After Liu Chang succeeded to the throne, however, he felt that while he enjoyed the treatment of an Emperor, his nominal status was merely that of a small state's sovereign—was this not plugging one's ears while stealing a bell?

His father and grandfather had both been Emperors; now that he was in charge, how could he not taste the flavor of being Emperor? Thus, Liu Chang discussed this matter with his close confidants and favored ministers, which naturally drew a wave of opposition. But the opposition was futile—his mind was made up.

And so, after Li Chongju finished explaining, the sovereign and ministers of the Great Han were still somewhat dazed. The reason was just that simple—Liu Chang merely wanted to taste what it felt like to be Emperor.

"The ignorant know no fear!" Xue Juzheng, who had not spoken much, sighed.

Li Chongju continued: "That Liu Sheng was already muddle-headed and tyrannical, yet in the face of the Great Han's majesty, he still knew reverence and fear. However, this Liu Chang—his fatuousness, absurdity, and cruelty surpass even his father's. He has slaughtered his own brothers, purged civil and military officials, allowed shamans and eunuchs to usurp power, exacted harsh levies upon the people, constructed grand palaces on a massive scale, and indulged in arrogance, extravagance, and dissipation..."

Speaking of these matters, even Li Chongju, who usually showed little emotion, grew somewhat indignant. Wang Pu immediately said: "With a sovereign so fatuous, cruel, and tyrannical, how can he not perish? How can he be tolerated in this world? The people of Lingnan suffer greatly!"

Compared to the ministers' righteous indignation, Liu Chengyou's brows could not help but furrow, and he felt somewhat troubled. From the bottom of his heart, he naturally hoped that Liu Chang would be as fatuous as possible, and that Lingnan would be as chaotic as possible—but there had to be a limit.

Earlier, when Liu Chang had succeeded to the throne, he had failed to promptly send envoys to report, and his annual tribute had also been neglected. Now, with this intention to claim the imperial title, it was practically a contempt for and challenge to the court's authority. His fatuousness and ignorance being what they were, it posed a problem for the current Great Han court.

"If Liu Chang truly proclaims himself Emperor, how should the court deal with him?" After a moment of deliberation, Liu Chengyou asked.

"Dispatch troops southward, break his army, destroy his state, and capture Liu Chang—that is the most effective method!" Li Chuyun said this, but then sighed: "However, given the court's current condition, this truly is not the time for war!"

"Your subject believes we should still send envoys to issue a stern reprimand and prevent his rebellious act of overstepping!" Fan Zhi's expression was also somewhat displeased, but he still spoke calmly.

Liu Chengyou's gaze then turned cold, and he indifferently instructed: "Then send someone to tell that Liu Chang—if he truly dares to usurp the imperial title, then when the imperial army marches south, he will surely be seized and subjected to the punishment of being torn apart by five horses, to atone before the realm. Let it not be said that he was not forewarned!"

"Yes!" Liu Chengyou's words were dripping with murderous intent; everyone could feel his anger, and the assembled senior ministers hastily acknowledged.

At the same time, they all understood the Emperor's attitude toward this matter—though angry, he still maintained his rationality. Even if Liu Chang truly proclaimed himself Emperor, he would not rashly dispatch a great army to punish and retaliate, interrupting the national policy of resting and nurturing.

However, after a moment's consideration, Liu Chengyou instructed Li Chuyun again: "Draft orders to be sent to Pan Mei and Cao Bin in Hunan, telling them that if Liu Chang refuses to heed the admonition and insists on proclaiming himself Emperor, have them make a move and teach him a lesson. A great battle cannot be fought, but keep the scale controlled—administer a small punishment first!"

"Yes!" No one objected to this still-rational command from Liu Chengyou. If the situation truly developed in that direction, the court ought to have some reaction.

After the ministers withdrew, Liu Chengyou still harbored anger—the feeling of being offended was rather strong. Liu Yang had also been listening from the side, and seeing his father's displeasure, he proactively offered tea, saying: "Father, please calm your anger!"

Turning his head to look at his son, who was being so careful, Liu Chengyou's angry expression subsided, and he said to him: "That Liu Chang is a sovereign destined for ruin. His wantonness, cruelty, and tyranny should serve as a warning!"

Liu Yang clasped his hands and acknowledged.

"When your time comes, you must treat your brothers, ministers, and people well!" Liu Chengyou added another abrupt remark.

Liu Yang solemnly acknowledged once more.

"Your Majesty, Liu Congxiao, Military Governor of the Pinghai Army, requests an audience!"