Chapter 969: The Lingzhou Appointment

The summer sun blazed, oppressive and unpleasant. Summoned for an audience, Murong Yanzhao first enjoyed a bowl of iced drink, savoring the chill that pierced to his heart, before turning his mind to serious matters. Among the civil and military officials of the Great Han, those who could enjoy such treatment before the Emperor were growing fewer and fewer.

Setting down the ice-chilled cloth he had used to wipe his sweat, Murong Yanzhao clasped his hands toward Liu Chengyou and asked, "May I ask what Your Majesty has summoned me for?"

"How has your rest been these past days? Has your body recovered?" Liu Chengyou did not broach official matters directly, instead inquiring about Murong Yanzhao's health.

During the northern campaign, enduring wind and snow, and having commanded great armies in battle on several occasions, bearing immense pressure, his body and mind both exhausted, his health had begun to falter. In fact, after this northern expedition, quite a few veteran generals—especially those who had commanded independently on one front—had developed various ailments from the high-strain military marches.

Since the founding of the Great Han, over a decade had passed, and Murong Yanzhao had participated in most of the foreign wars, always entrusted with heavy responsibilities. Fighting in the south and campaigning in the north, ever busy with military affairs, with age his accumulated toil had turned into illness.

Therefore, after returning to court this time, he had taken the initiative to request rest to recuperate. Liu Chengyou showed extraordinary concern for his condition. Besides bestowing large quantities of imperial medicines and tonics, he had also specially ordered the Imperial Medical Institute to dispatch a physician to reside permanently at his mansion for his care, and inquired after him every few days.

Now, facing Liu Chengyou's concern once again, Murong Yanzhao replied modestly and cautiously: "I thank Your Majesty for your care! These are chronic ailments of many years; a full recovery may be difficult. A thousand thanks for Your Majesty's grace—with the physician's attention, I already feel much better!"

"That is good then!" Liu Chengyou nodded. "You are a pillar of the state, a minister of great merit. You must take care of yourself!"

These words of Liu Chengyou came from the heart. Among the generals of the Great Han, if merit were to be weighed, Murong Yanzhao ranked first. To put it bluntly, he was the representative of the Han army. But on the other hand, to say Liu Chengyou was deeply wary of him would not be quite true—first, because Murong Yanzhao had always conducted himself with propriety and humility; second, because while his military achievements were brilliant, his influence in military administration was limited. Moreover, by the twelfth year of Qianyou, no one in the Han army could pose too great a threat to Liu Chengyou anymore.

In recent years, Liu Chengyou's adjustments and rotations in key military and political posts were driven far less by wariness of his ministers, and more by considerations of balance in the court, military affairs, and power. For instance, removing Guo Rong and letting him rest was mainly for this reason; letting him recuperate was merely a "warm-hearted" pretext.

"The Duke of Zheng is gravely ill, his body no longer able to bear heavy burdens, and he finds it difficult to manage affairs. He has garrisoned Lingzhou for many years, taxing his mind and body—I cannot bear it either. I have already issued an edict summoning him back to the capital to rest. But the affairs of Lingzhou still need someone to oversee them. Whom should be selected—I would like to hear your view?" Liu Chengyou stated his purpose.

Shi Hongzhao's health had already been failing during the previous northern campaign; his withdrawal south from the Hetao region at that time was due to his physical condition. Yet after resting in Lingzhou for so long, instead of improving, it had worsened. Only then did he memorialize the Eastern Capital, reporting his situation and requesting the court to make arrangements.

As for Shi Hongzhao, because of his experiences in Luoyang, and his achievements in garrisoning Lingzhou and stabilizing the northwestern frontier, Liu Chengyou no longer bore any of his original ill will toward him. As a loyal old minister of Gaozu, his feelings for the Great Han court were worthy of recognition. With his temperament, holding military power at the center would have been a disaster, but at the frontier he was a sharp blade—a good, serviceable knife. Bold in taking responsibility was also a quality Liu Chengyou had come to appreciate in him.

Shi Hongzhao was only in his fifties now. Liu Chengyou certainly hoped his health would recover, for there were not few places where he could still be of use.

However, upon learning of this situation, Liu Chengyou asked Murong Yanzhao's opinion on the personnel arrangements for Lingzhou. While expressing regret, Murong Yanzhao did not immediately offer a suggestion, but instead said: "The appointment at Lingzhou is naturally for Your Majesty and the Bureau of Military Affairs to consider; at the very least, the Ministry of War may also propose someone. How would I dare offer my humble opinion?"

This was Murong Yanzhao displaying his contentment with his position, not overstepping his authority. Of course, Liu Chengyou did not take it at face value. Given Murong Yanzhao's current standing, there were many who had been promoted or benefited because of him—and not all of those had followed the court's institutional rules.

Moreover, when the Son of Heaven consulted a minister on official matters, there was nothing to avoid. The fact that he had not directly asked those in power revealed a political attitude of the Emperor—or perhaps he was sending a political signal.

Liu Chengyou then said directly: "Since your health has recovered well, you should come out and continue serving the court. I intend to have you serve in the Ministry of War as Minister of War!"

Murong Yanzhao certainly understood politics. Hearing this, he was momentarily surprised. Wei Renpu had been Minister of War for quite long enough. After power had been carved away from the Bureau of Military Affairs and restored to the Ministry of War, he had remained in that position ever since. Now it seemed he too would be moved. And recalling the rumors in court since the Emperor had returned from the campaign, perhaps a major reshuffling of the court was inevitable.

Murong Yanzhao was very clever. He did not dwell on this matter, nor did he continue to evade Liu Chengyou's inquiry. After considering for a moment, he said: "What of having Wang Yansheng of the Dingyuan Army succeed at Lingzhou? He has long garrisoned the northwest and enjoys considerable renown—he is fully capable of holding it!"

"Wang Yansheng's ability and reputation are sufficient, but his temperament is too rough. Lingzhou commands the key terrain of Hexi, linking east and west—its situation is even more complex than Yanzhou. When the Duke of Zheng was there, his rule over the local people and tribes was more harsh than benevolent. I hope for a change—I want to select a general who can balance both severity and kindness!" Liu Chengyou explained his considerations.

Hearing this, Murong Yanzhao thought again. The Great Han had many generals, and not a few who met these conditions and were competent for the post. But those suitable to be sent to Lingzhou—those were few.

Names flashed through his mind one after another. Murong Yanzhao pondered for some time, and Liu Chengyou was in no hurry, waiting for him. Finally, Murong Yanzhao raised his eyes and let a name fall from his lips: "What of Kang Zaiyu, Chief Commander of the Right Wing of the Guardian Sacred Army?"

"Agreed!" Hearing this, Liu Chengyou considered briefly and consented directly: "Him it is!"

Kang Zaiyu was the general who had previously served as Shi Yanchao's deputy commander, following him in pursuit. He was a military officer of low rank in the imperial army but with deep seniority. When Yang Ye made the second pursuit and turned the tide, Kang Zaiyu had managed to wash away the shame of the "defeat."

Later, when the specific circumstances of Shi Yanchao's defeat were investigated, Kang Zaiyu's performance had also caught Liu Chengyou's eye. Now, Liu Chengyou's approval of Kang Zaiyu to succeed at Lingzhou was based on two qualities he saw in him: calm and rational, not lacking in strategy—though without dazzling battlefield achievements, he was someone who could be entrusted with weighty responsibilities.

Speaking of Shi Yanchao—though he had lost the battle and the imperial cavalry under him had suffered heavy casualties, in consideration of his desperate fight to the death and refusal to surrender, Liu Chengyou ultimately showed him mercy. He did not pursue charges against him, and treated his descendants well, allowing his son to inherit his title at a reduced rank. Likewise, men like Wang Yin were posthumously honored, with their descendants given patronage—the best consolation for these fallen heroes.

After Murong Yanzhao took his leave, Liu Chengyou took out a blank sheet of paper and began writing and sketching on it, occasionally falling into thought. What eventually took shape on the paper was an organizational chart of the various court offices and agencies, with the names of their principal chiefs written beside them.

Indeed, regarding personnel arrangements, he did intend to make another round of adjustments. The upper echelons of the Great Han had remained unchanged for too long—so long that they had become somewhat rigid. He had been back in the capital for over a month now; major and minor matters had all been settled. It was time to put this matter on the agenda.

Summoning Murong Yanzhao today to ask about the Lingzhou arrangement was merely a beginning.