Chapter 971: A Great Upheaval in the Court

On the third day after Qian and Liu took their leave of Kaifeng and headed south, at the southern outskirts of Kaifeng, the same old place, Songgong Pavilion. Another farewell, another bleak autumn, another weighty minister leaving the capital. This time, unsurprisingly, the protagonist was yet another towering figure in the Great Han political arena, a chancellor renowned throughout the court—Fan Zhi.

Regarding Fan Zhi's removal from office, there had long been signs, and it was caused by multiple factors. His temperament was one, his frequent behavior of angering the Emperor was another, and his gradually growing conflict with the Emperor's philosophy of governance was yet another. Of course, the most important reason lay in Liu Chengyou's considerations regarding the adjustment of the Great Han court over the past decade or more.

From before and after Liu Chengyou's succession, Fan Zhi had been valued by him and repeatedly promoted. When Liu Chengyou ascended the throne as Emperor, Fan Zhi, as a minister who had supported him from the start, was ennobled as a marquis and made chancellor in a short time, becoming a representative of the imperial faction balancing the founding ministers.

However, more than a decade of service as chancellor made Liu Chengyou feel that he had served too long. Especially his three years as Chief Chancellor—Liu Chengyou believed that Fan Zhi could serve as a chancellor, but was not suited to be Chief Chancellor, because his temperament and style of work fell far short in harmonizing with colleagues and working diligently together.

Overall, Fan Zhi's personal character was qualified, with no blemish on his private virtue. Given Liu Chengyou's current authority and prestige, throughout the court and the realm, the only one who truly dared to defy his will and consistently uphold personal integrity was Fan Zhi.

Fan Zhi also had administrative ability, and considerable ability at that, but he lacked a certain magnanimity—whether in personal conduct or in handling affairs. And with age, he had grown increasingly conservative. Conservatism was not inherently bad; it simply was not to Liu Chengyou's liking at this stage.

Therefore, Fan Zhi was dismissed from the chancellorship. At the same time, among the chancellors dismissed over the years, only Fan Zhi could be said to have left office normally, without intense political struggle, and with a bit more human warmth.

From beginning to end, Liu Chengyou merely released some signals about replacing the chancellor. Fan Zhi received them, then voluntarily submitted his resignation. Unlike his predecessor Li Tao, who was almost forced to resign. From this perspective, Fan Zhi was not completely stubborn, oblivious, or inflexible. Perhaps it was simply that in his position, he handled his duties, bore his responsibilities—nothing more.

Before Songgong Pavilion, quite a number of people had come to see Fan Zhi off. The Six Ministries, the Nine Courts, and various government offices either sent representatives in person or dispatched delegates, plus some relatives and friends. There was a fair bit of bustle, which diluted some of the sadness of parting.

During his years as chancellor, Fan Zhi had not extensively formed factions. He had few political allies, and the political force centered on him was, overall, not strong. This also meant that during his tenure, there were inevitably delays, procrastination, and matters where his will could not be carried through. Whenever that happened, it became a dispute, and the result was often Fan Zhi suppressing it by force—and with his temperament, he offended quite a few people.

Whether due to damaged interests, blocked promotions, or personal conflicts, for various reasons, there were indeed many officials who resented Fan Zhi from top to bottom. However, now that Fan Zhi had left office, past grievances seemed to dissipate overnight, and more people began to recall his achievements and praise his virtue...

Fan Zhi's dismissal was also not without the purpose of alleviating contradictions at court and calming the resentment of courtiers. Of course, the ultimate result was the further strengthening of imperial power. Once Fan Zhi left office, look at the court—who still dared to directly challenge the Emperor's edge? Rationally speaking, for the empire, this was not necessarily a good thing.

The post Liu Chengyou arranged for Fan Zhi was to serve as Administration Commissioner in Huaixi. However, unlike ordinary Administration Commissioners, he was additionally given the title of Chief Minister, which was called Chancellor-Governor. But this Chancellor-Governor was fundamentally different from the past military governors with the Chief Minister title.

As for Liu Wensou, the original Administration Commissioner of Huaixi Circuit, his performance there had ultimately not been entirely satisfactory to Liu Chengyou. The facts proved that a man of moral integrity, flawless in character, could hardly avoid problems in governance when relying solely on moral instruction and using virtue to restrain officials and the people.

Sending Fan Zhi to Huaixi was also intended, through Fan Zhi, to rectify the officialdom of Huaixi and reverse the prevailing atmosphere. No matter the time, in Liu Chengyou's view, practical governance outweighed moral doctrine, and law outweighed virtue.

As for Liu Wensou, he was recalled to the capital to teach at the Directorate of Education. Perhaps educating people suited him better.

Fan Zhi was quite familiar with Songgong Pavilion. Over the years, he had seen off many people here. Now it was his turn. Yet even when dismissed from the chancellorship and posted to the provinces, facing the farewell of many colleagues, Fan Zhi still did not show much emotion or warmth. Maintaining that stiff expression, he said solemnly: "I thank you all for seeing me off. For this kindness, I bow in gratitude. However, you all hold important posts. For an old man like me leaving his duties, your lingering here risks neglecting your own responsibilities and giving others cause for gossip. Please return at once!"

Seeing this, the assembled officials felt somewhat deflated. They returned his salute, exchanged a few perfunctory pleasantries, and gradually departed. Afterward, Fan Zhi also scolded his relatives back—indeed, scolded them—and warned that although he would no longer be in the Eastern Capital, if any of them dared to flaunt and act recklessly under his name, he would not forgive them.

Being a relative or friend of a minister like Fan Zhi was indeed not easy. Not only were there few benefits, but they were subject to stricter constraints. His strict household management was famous throughout the court and the realm. Of course, this is not to say that Fan Zhi's relatives lived miserably—after all, they were still of the privileged noble class—but compared to others, their privileges were severely restricted.

Fan Zhi could urge officials to leave and scold his relatives, but he could not drive away Xue Juzheng. Among the officials who came to see Fan Zhi off, Xue Juzheng held the most power and the highest position.

Looking at his still stern face, Xue Juzheng could not help but say: "Wensu, you are still too harsh with your colleagues and family!"

"After all these years, my temperament can't be changed!" Fan Zhi rarely showed a smile, self-deprecatingly saying: "They all say I, Fan, have poor personal relations, but today's send-off is not small in number!"

Fan Zhi's mental state looked quite good, and Xue Juzheng also appeared fairly calm. Neither showed signs of sorrow. Standing together in the pavilion, appreciating the poems inscribed there, Xue Juzheng said: "When Lord Li left the capital that year, he composed a poem. Now that Wensu is here, won't you chant a verse or two?"

Hearing this, Fan Zhi's face was full of composure. He waved his hand and said: "This time I leave with a clear conscience. I need not pour my feelings into poetry. Rather than expend the effort, why not share a cup of wine together?"

"I would be glad to keep you company!" A smile also appeared on Xue Juzheng's refined features.

Attended by servants, the two drank and talked freely. The topics of their conversation could not escape court affairs and governance—these were things ingrained in their very bones.

However, during their conversation, Fan Zhi's gaze would occasionally drift toward the official road, with a hint of expectation hidden within. He appeared composed, but how could his heart truly be as calm as still water?

Yet, after nearly two quarters of an hour, the only travelers on the road were still ordinary folk. Finally, Fan Zhi rose and clasped his hands toward Xue Juzheng: "The wine is finished. I should also set off. Brother Ziping, let us take our leave here!"

"Take care!" Xue Juzheng returned the salute.

Sighing inwardly, just as he turned abruptly, a line of light cavalry rode up at a leisurely pace. Among the guards was a youth dressed in purple silk. Seeing the arrival, both were surprised. They hurried out of the pavilion and bowed low in greeting. The arrival was none other than Crown Prince Liu Yang.

"I am late. Lord Fan, please do not take offense!" Liu Yang steadied his breath, a respectful smile on his young face that already bore some authority. Liu Yang had come, naturally, to represent the Emperor in seeing him off.

"How could I trouble Your Highness the Crown Prince to come in person?" Although pleased inwardly, Fan Zhi remained composed on the surface, responding with cautious humility.

"You also wish to resign?" In Chongzheng Hall, the Emperor Liu Chengyou's tone carried a hint of surprise.

If Fan Zhi's resignation was within his control, then facing Xue Juzheng's request to resign at this moment, he was truly surprised. And surprise was something Liu Chengyou disliked. Studying Xue Juzheng standing before the imperial presence, Liu Chengyou's first reaction was to suspect his motives. State Finance Commissioner Xue Juzheng was not within the scope of his current adjustments to court personnel.

Meeting the Emperor's somewhat piercing gaze, Xue Juzheng's face was calm. His hands held before his chest, he replied composedly: "I report to Your Majesty: having received Your Majesty's trust, I have been placed in charge of the State Finance Commission, managing the finances, for over eight years now. The affairs of the Commission have always been heavy and complex. Though I dare not claim to have exhausted my every effort, I have been reverent and cautious. With my limited abilities, I have barely managed. Now that I am advancing in years, I increasingly feel that my strength is not equal to my duties. To avoid delaying state affairs, I beg Your Majesty to select another worthy person to fill the post!"

Liu Chengyou took Xue Juzheng's words as mere pretext. He stared at him for a while, various thoughts flashing through his mind. After a long moment, when the pressure on Xue Juzheng was mounting, he finally spoke: "If Minister Xue feels the affairs of the State Finance Commission are too heavy, you may speak plainly. I can assign others to share the burden. Why must you resign?"

In fact, all along, he had been quite satisfied with Xue Juzheng's management of finances. If he had done poorly, he would never have been allowed to serve for eight years.

"It is truly that my energy and ability are no longer adequate for the post. I beg Your Majesty to grant my wish!" Xue Juzheng said.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou smiled, and even his gaze seemed to grow several degrees colder. He said: "Since that is the case, I will not force you, Lord Xue. If you wish to abandon me and leave, I cannot very well insist on keeping you!"

"Your Majesty's words are too heavy!" Sensing the hidden displeasure in Liu Chengyou's tone, Xue Juzheng's expression shifted slightly. He hurriedly said: "Though I leave the State Finance Commission, I hope to seek another post from Your Majesty!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's expression finally softened somewhat, and he became interested. He asked: "Oh? What post could make you give up the important position of the State Finance Commission?"

"Compiler of the Three Halls!" Xue Juzheng replied: "Since the end of the Tang, the world has been in chaos. Only under the Great Han has order been restored. The Liang, Tang, and Jin dynasties, though lasting only a few decades, bridged the past and the present. They need to be organized and their events recorded..."

Hearing his idea, the displeasure in Liu Chengyou's eyes finally dissipated for the most part. After considering for a moment, he said: "I have always enjoyed reading history. Since you have this aspiration, it is a good thing. However, a mere compiler is hardly worthy of you. You may serve as Grand Academician of the Jixian Hall and Supervisor of National History. As for the selection of compilers, you may freely draw upon the literary talents of the Three Halls and the Hanlin Academicians!"

"I thank Your Majesty!" Xue Juzheng hurriedly bowed in gratitude.

"However, if you leave your post, who can succeed you at the State Finance Commission?" Liu Chengyou again fixed his gaze on Xue Juzheng and inquired: "On this matter, you have the most say. You should recommend several capable men to me!"

Xue Juzheng had originally wanted to avoid the subject, but noting his gaze, he still thought seriously for a while and reported: "Fiscal Commissioner of the Capital Region Yan Jinqing, Water and Land Fiscal Commissioner of Chuanshu Zhang Mei, and Salt and Iron Fiscal Commissioner Lei Dexiang—these three all possess the talent to take charge!"

"Hmm, I will consider it..."

The successive departures of Fan Zhi and Xue Juzheng were like a thunderclap to the Great Han court. What followed was a series of personnel changes, involving both military and civil affairs, from top to bottom, from the center to the localities. In the second half of the twelfth year of Qianyou, Liu Chengyou's main energy was devoted to adjusting officials both inside and outside the court.

The one who succeeded Fan Zhi as Chief Chancellor was Wei Renpu. After he took overall charge of state affairs, the post of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince was taken from him and given to Xue Juzheng instead.

Murong Yanzhao was appointed Minister of War and Chief Minister, formally transitioning from general to chancellor; Tao Gu, after years of patient waiting, was transferred from Minister of Rites to Vice Director of the Secretariat and Chief Minister, finally becoming a chancellor; Commandery Prince of Changli Murong Yanchao was appointed Minister of Justice and Chief Minister; additionally, the new State Finance Commissioner Yan Jinqing was also made a Chief Minister.