Chapter 314: The Governor

Under the Han system, a Grand Administrator of the two-thousand-bushel rank bore the duty of defending his territory and could not lightly leave his jurisdiction without authorization.

In other words, of the five Grand Administrators who appeared before Liu Yu, the Governor of You Province, aside from Cui Min, the Grand Administrator of Zhuo Commandery — which was itself subordinate to Fanyang — the other four were all now guilty of serious offenses. If Liu Yu wished, in theory he could immediately exercise his gubernatorial authority: memorialize Luoyang to impeach them while simultaneously taking provisional disciplinary action against these four men.

But that was only in theory.

In practice, Liu Boan, who had served a term as Inspector of You Province and understood the region to some degree, faced a full five Grand Administrators and chose to turn a blind eye to their transgressions. He even took the initiative to welcome them warmly, and they all feasted grandly within Fanyang City — it could be said that both high and low enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

Afterward, the five Grand Administrators obediently escorted the General of the Guards’ staff of authority and set off for Lulong Pass… At this point, even Cui Min, the Grand Administrator of Zhuo Commandery, had broken the law.

“The General of the Guards is overbearing!” At the relay station in the capital precincts where the Governor of You Province was lodging, upon hearing that the five Grand Administrators had departed without taking leave, Liu He, son of Liu Yu, could not help but grow indignant. “The court may have placed him in charge of military affairs, but the commandery Grand Administrators are directly subordinate to Father, the Governor. For him to now drive the five commandery Grand Administrators about like subordinate clerks — is this not deliberately trying to embarrass you, my lord?!”

“It matters not.” Liu Yu, sitting barefoot on the couch and reading a book, was rather philosophical. “The Son of Heaven sent me here precisely with the intent of using me to rein in the General of the Guards, to keep him from meddling in the situation in Luoyang. It is only natural that the General of the Guards harbors some misgivings toward me… But once the rebellion in You Province is quelled, both he and I will return to Luoyang to attend to affairs. There, whether we are friends or foes will have to be determined anew. So why create estrangement with him over trifling matters here, to the detriment of the greater situation in Luoyang in the future?”

Liu He thought it over and more or less understood the reasoning, but how could a young man’s sense of grievance be so easily set aside?

“Father.” Liu He paced several circuits below the couch and, sure enough, still had arguments to make. “Be that as it may, we must not show excessive weakness. Otherwise, if we let this General of the Guards look down on you today, then later, even when we are in Luoyang assisting the Grand General in administration together, he will still ride roughshod over us. When all is said and done, though the men of the border commanderies are undeniably fierce and valiant, their conduct is ultimately savage, frivolous, and treacherous…”

“My son, did you only learn today that the General of the Guards is a man of border commandery origin? I thought the whole world knew that?” Liu Yu could not help but laugh at these words, and then set down the book in his hands. It was a new volume printed by the Anli Press — the very *Simin Yueling* (Monthly Ordinances for the Four Classes of People), authored by the renowned official Cui Shi of the Anping Cui clan, a masterwork synthesizing the Han dynasty’s manorial economy.

Liu He was momentarily at a loss for words.

“My son.” Seeing this, Liu Yu, sitting cross-legged on the couch, stopped laughing and instead grew somewhat reflective. “Let me ask you again: since the whole world knows the General of the Guards is from the border commanderies, why has he still risen to become General of the Guards at such a young age, and why does everyone believe he will eventually enter Luoyang to assist the Grand General and participate in the empire’s governance?”

Liu He, after all, had reached thirty years of age, so after a long sigh, he could speak frankly: “Because the General of the Guards built his achievements and forged this grand situation precisely under the banner of his border commandery origins! I recall that before he had even undergone his capping ceremony, he once came to our home to pay a visit, but because of his border origins, Mother barred him outside the gate… In other words, the world has long known him to be treacherous and overbearing, but the man is simply too formidable. Even so, he has repeatedly accomplished great things, and thus people have repeatedly relied upon and depended on him. Of course, the changing times and the empire’s growing chaos also play a part — after all, a renowned general like him is always the first choice for pacifying the realm.”

“Indeed.” Liu Yu grew even more reflective. “The General of the Guards’ achievements today were built entirely by being overbearing all along and fighting bitterly for them. To criticize him for his overbearing style is, frankly, laughable. Not to mention, we are now in You Province, surrounded by border commandery men, and what we face is precisely a military situation involving foreign tribal rebellion. If we try to forcibly match strength and arm-wrestle with him, we would only be inviting humiliation.”

“Father is right.” Liu He honestly admitted his error. “My thinking was misguided. But given this situation, how does Father intend to respond? Do you mean to simply act as a wooden puppet?”

“Of course I am unwilling to be a puppet.” Only now did Liu Yu’s expression grow serious. “But my son, just as Gongsun Wenqi has reached this point by bearing the hindrance of his border commandery origins and can thus continue his overbearing style, so too have we, father and son, reached this point bearing the titles of imperial clansmen and Confucian ministers, and we must abide by our own rules. It is not that we cannot contend, but we must have the right opportunity, a righteous cause that leaves no room for criticism, and a posture befitting our origins and image. Otherwise, we would rather be puppets!”

Liu He finally saw the light: “My lord is right. The foundation of our standing is utterly different from the General of the Guards’. The General of the Guards relies on awe and virtue to win hearts and accomplish his enterprise. Whereas you, Father, and indeed our Donghai Liu clan, rely on never failing in loyalty to our superiors and never failing in leniency and grace toward our inferiors… If we were to lose our posture of magnanimity over a moment’s anger, that would be the most fatal thing.”

“That you can speak such words means I can rest assured in letting you take office independently.” Liu Yu could not help but stroke his beard in gratified sigh. “The Son of Heaven is in poor health, and as a subject, one ought to maintain a demeanor of sorrow. But that man is incorrigibly obstinate in his vices; to force me to preserve my integrity and scheme on his behalf is also laughable… Once this You Province rebellion is quelled and Luoyang is stabilized, we shall return to the central pivot. As an imperial clansman and minister, if I make concessions to the Grand General, the General of the Guards, and their ilk, they will surely reciprocate. When that time comes, you need only serve in one esteemed and unsullied post, and then you can easily be sent out as the two-thousand-bushel administrator of a major commandery.”

Liu He immediately bowed his head.

And so, father and son, having rarely shared such heartfelt words, spoke no more. The next day, they rendezvoused with the provincial clerks who had come to welcome them and, as if nothing had happened, continued their journey toward Ji County in Guangyang, where the Inspector of You Province had customarily been stationed in the past. Along the way, they caused no disturbance to the localities, nor did they interfere with the unified deployments of the General of the Guards’ headquarters.

Liu Yu’s conduct indeed drew much secret sneering and mockery from many provincial clerks… Previously, they had assumed that a Governor would be far more powerful than an Inspector, but who would have thought he would be such an honest, wooden figurehead? He was even less impressive than the previous Inspectors, who had at least made symbolic struggles. Thus, they could not help but hold him in contempt.

In reality, however, on the other side, many truly perceptive people in the province could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. After all, Liaoxi was still in turmoil, and a battle was imminent ahead. Liu Yu, as a high minister of the imperial clan, had been appointed Governor of You Province — it was not that he lacked the capital to resist. Yet after being so forcefully suppressed by Gongsun Xun upon his arrival, he had not stirred up any trouble at all, instead giving the impression of someone mindful of the greater picture.

Later, as Liu Boan traveled slowly along, gradually soothing the people’s hearts… Not only did he refrain from contention or argument, but his style was simple, plain, and serene. Moreover, despite being the Governor of an entire province, he was able to treat the worthy with courtesy and condescend to men of lower station. Whether they were officials of rank far below his own in the province and commanderies, or powerful local clans and scholars without official position, he maintained courtesy and forbearance toward them all… Thus, gradually, people could not help but recall the lenient and benevolent style he had shown during his earlier tenure as Inspector of You Province. And the further he traveled, the more the scholars and commoners of the provinces and commanderies along the way came to hold him in genuine respect.

Indeed, as Liu Boan’s prestige gradually recovered, some had already taken the initiative to express their loyalty to him, and others had begun to gradually submit provincial public affairs to him…

Of course, to put it that way misses the point, because Liu Yu himself was, in the strictest sense, the legitimate Governor of You Province. Moreover, after Liu Yan was appointed Governor of Yi Province, he had been chosen by the Son of Heaven as an imperial clansman entrusted with the orphaned sovereign. So in theory, all the scholars and commoners of You Province were originally his subjects, and the entire military and administrative authority of You Province should originally have rested in his hands.

On this day, just as Liu Yu and his son, traveling light with a modest retinue, arrived before the Guangyang River (later known as the Yongding River) and prepared to cross to take up residence in Ji County, a man suddenly came forward to request an audience, claiming to be a former subordinate clerk. He also said he had been waiting here for a long time.

“Who are you, sir?” Liu Yu halted his carriage in the open ground beside the pontoon bridge and then directly summoned the man before him, as gentle and courteous as ever… Given his status, he actually began his address with the word ‘sir.’ “Why do I not remember you?”

“I am Xianyu Fu of Yuyang, courtesy name Bozhong!” The man, tall and powerfully built, immediately bowed deeply once more upon hearing this. “In former days, when Lord Liu served as the regional governor of this province, I was a clerical officer in the provincial office. But at that time, this humble clerk had not yet undergone the capping ceremony, whereas now I am already a father… Having not seen Lord Liu again for many years, it is only natural that Lord Liu does not remember me.”

Liu Yu immediately laughed, then personally descended from the carriage to help the man up: “Indeed, you have changed so much that I did not recognize you at first. But the moment you said your name, I understood immediately… A son of the Xianyu clan of Yuyang — that is a surname hard to forget.”

Xianyu Fu was overjoyed at these words.

“To have an old acquaintance come seeking me is a tremendous blessing.” Liu Yu continued to inquire amiably. “But I wonder, where does Bozhong serve in office now? And why have you come specifically to wait for me by the riverbank?”

“In reply to Lord Liu.” Xianyu Fu answered, his expression turning somewhat solemn. “I was previously a clerk in Yuyang Commandery, but the commandery’s affairs are now repeatedly handled by the General of the Guards’ headquarters in Changping, so it can be considered effectively vacant. Therefore, a few days ago, hearing that Lord Liu had arrived here, I simply resigned my post and came to seek you out, Lord Liu… And my coming specifically to wait by the riverbank is because I have a certain scheme in mind that I wish to present to Lord Liu.”

Liu Yu slowly nodded, then slowly shook his head: “Sir Xianyu, you have come seeking me, and I am more grateful than I can express. Therefore, if you wish to take office, I can, even with my limited power, at least give you a position as an Attendant Clerk to settle you. But if you wish to persuade me to contend for power with the General of the Guards, I may not be able to grant your wish.”

“Though I, your humble clerk, abandoned my post because the General of the Guards’ headquarters seized the commandery’s real authority, I have no intention of advising Lord Liu to contend for power.” Xianyu Bozhong immediately composed his features solemnly. “Quite the contrary. This humble clerk believes that the General of the Guards’ roots in You Province are deep, his awe and virtue widespread; Lord Liu truly cannot contend against his edge.”

Liu Yu stroked his beard and nodded.

“However, Lord Liu, your position as Governor of You Province is just and legitimate, and your lenience and harmony win the hearts of the multitude. If you can avoid the General of the Guards’ sharp edge, then in You Province, it is not necessarily impossible to achieve something,” Xianyu Fu unexpectedly shifted his tone.

“What do you mean by that?” Liu He, standing in attendance nearby, could not restrain himself for a moment.

“In reply to the Young Master.” Xianyu Fu frankly cupped his hands toward Liu He and said, “What I mean is, Lord Liu has no need to cross the river to Ji County… The General of the Guards’ headquarters is in Changping, just north of Ji County. If Lord Liu enters Ji County, it would be no different from falling into a net. Now, You Province has eleven commanderies and principalities, nearly a hundred counties and townships. Although the General of the Guards has been overbearing this time, there are places he has overlooked. For instance, Shanggu and Dai commanderies — the General of the Guards has explicitly ordered that no troops be conscripted there, no deployments or disturbances be lightly made, and no heroic men from these two commanderies be readily accepted into the army.”

"The General of the Guards has not meddled in the affairs of Shanggu and Dai Commanderies?" Liu He was slightly taken aback. "Why is that? On our way here, we heard that in Changshan and Zhongshan, because they were placed under his command authority, there have been repeated instances of sons of good families and wandering swordsmen going in groups toward Lulong Pass…"

“In reply to the Young Master, the General of the Guards is concerned that Shanggu and Dai commanderies face the Xianbei threat externally and harbor hidden dangers from the Wuhuan internally… In these chaotic times, he merely wishes for these two commanderies to remain stable.” Xianyu Fu immediately smiled. “Though both commanderies are famously poor, they are, after all, two commanderies, and free from the General of the Guards’ hindrance. Why does Lord Liu not go there on an inspection tour? Moreover, in the midst of wartime, might it not be possible to achieve merit and accomplish something there?”

“What do you mean by that?” Liu He was about to ask again when Liu Yu beside him grasped the meaning in his heart. “And Bozhong, let me ask you once more, and answer honestly: in resigning your seal and office this time, do you truly bear no resentment whatsoever toward the General of the Guards?”

“Lord Liu, your discernment is clear!” Xianyu Fu bowed deeply once more, and only then spoke earnestly. “I am a man of You Province. No one knows the General of the Guards’ awe and virtue better than I. But this man, whose sharpness is said to be the greatest under heaven, is truly excessively overbearing in some respects… So, I dare not harbor resentment or grievances, but as for feeling a sense of injustice in my heart, that is indeed unavoidable.”

“For example?” Liu Yu asked solemnly, stroking his beard.

“For example, his implementation of the so-called well-field system in the three commanderies of Guangyang. In reality, it is using the military agricultural colonies of Jizhou refugees to forcibly bring the land of the three commanderies under the control of his headquarters, and then conducting land surveys and forcing the great households to release their servants and bondmen…” Xianyu Fu shook his head. “Clans like the Tian, Zhang, and Wen — most of the great provincial families bowed their heads and accepted their fate, and many even sent their sons into the White Horse Volunteers as hostages. But there are also those like me who, though accepting their fate, have not bowed their heads.”

Liu Yu slowly nodded.

“Beyond that.” Xianyu Fu continued. “The General of the Guards also seems to have his own plans for the Xianbei, the Wuhuan, and the miscellaneous Hu tribes beyond the frontier, and does not wish for others to interfere. For instance, regarding the profits from communications and trade beyond the You Province frontier — originally, we had nothing to say, and were even sincerely convinced and pleased. Because on this route from Yuyang north to the Xianbei, the Anli Company gave our Yuyang great clans a considerable share of the profits. But for some unknown reason, after Lady Gongsun went to Liaodong and the General of the Guards personally took charge of matters here, he actually built a city called Chengde, positioned right on the vital communication route north of Yuyang, completely monopolizing the profits from You Province’s northern route to the Xianbei… If one were to say that our several powerful clans of Yuyang have no discontent over this matter, I fear no one would believe it.”

“So you resigned?” Liu Yu asked with a light laugh.

“No.” Xianyu Fu could not help but smile bitterly. “Lord Liu does not know… these things we could still endure. But then, did that fool Zhang Ju not rebel? He too is of a great Yuyang clan, also one who accepted his fate regarding the ‘well-fields’ but did not bow his head, also one who lost the profits from the northern Xianbei trade. Yet now he has actually joined with the Wuhuan and Xianbei in treason, and even calls himself some kind of Son of Heaven! This wretch is certainly a laughingstock to the whole world, but in such a situation, how would I dare remain in Yuyang as a commandery clerk?!”

“No wonder you advise my father to go to Shanggu and Dai commanderies.” Liu He could not help but laugh at these words. “So it turns out Sir Xianyu also seeks to avoid the sharp edge?”

“That is part of it, but not all of it.” Xianyu Fu quickly grew serious again. “Lord Liu, Young Master, what I said about being able to achieve merit and accomplish things in Shanggu and Dai is by no means empty talk… As long as Lord Liu nods his assent, I can, without expending a single soldier or a single weapon, immediately halve the power of Kebineng’s forces north of the border wall. It might even be possible to compel him to turn toward the Han and act as a hunting dog to fetch Lord Liu the head of that fool Zhang Ju!”

Liu Yu stroked his beard ceaselessly, merely gazing at the other man in silence.

Xianyu Fu knew that at this point he could no longer hold anything back, so he cupped his hands and laid out his entire plan.

It turned out that this also involved another great clan of You Province, one that was likewise discontented with the ‘well-fields’ and with the building of Chengde City… However, this family was not from Yuyang, but was local to Guangyang itself, where General of the Guards Gongsun Xun’s headquarters was located.

This family was surnamed Yan. They could only be considered a great clan of Guangyang, not a commandery-level eminent lineage. But the eldest son of a certain branch of the family, Yan Rou, was a rather legendary figure.

When Yan Rou was very young, he accompanied his parents to visit his grandfather, who was serving as an official beyond the frontier. It was then, outside the border wall of Yuyang, that he lost his way and went missing. He was picked up by miscellaneous Hu tribes beyond the frontier and subsequently drifted among the Wuhuan and Xianbei peoples there, growing to adulthood among them.

What was even more interesting was that after growing up, he became highly skilled in archery and horsemanship, versed in both civil and military strategy, and was greatly esteemed by the Hu people beyond the frontier, even becoming the chieftain of a Xianbei tribe. But the most crucial point was that later, he found his way back to his family, restored contact and blood ties, and through this, established connections with many powerful and eminent clans in the Guangyang and Yuyang region. Thus, he secured an exclusive resource channel beyond the frontier, which allowed his power to grow even stronger.

It also happened to be at this time that Tanshihuai died. Then, Tanshihuai’s son Helian also perished while out raiding. Helian’s son was too young, so the succession fell to Helian’s nephew… In any case, with all this upheaval, the former Xianbei steppe hegemony collapsed almost immediately, and the entire steppe descended into chaos.

This situation was a natural hunting ground for a brave and resourceful young man like Yan Rou, and he soon gathered a following of seven or eight thousand, becoming a force on the steppe that could not be underestimated.

It must be added here that it was not that Yan Rou had never thought of connecting with Gongsun Xun, nor that Gongsun Xun had never taken notice of this man. But first, Gongsun Xun felt this man’s strength was too great and intended to suppress him. Second, at the time, Mo Hutuo appeared to be a more trustworthy person… Furthermore, the core of Gongsun Xun’s strategy for managing the frontier lay in protecting the Liaoxi corridor; he had little real interest in Xianbei hegemony. It was for these reasons that he chose to build Chengde City and entrust its defense to the Mohu tribe.

But once this city was completed, it became even more impossible for Yan Rou to cooperate with Gongsun Xun.

"Lord Liu." Xianyu Fu sneered coldly. "That Kebineng may seem to command tens of thousands across the grasslands, swaggering as if none could rival him... but in truth, his current position is only three-tenths his own ability. Another three-tenths comes from General Wei straddling Youzhou and acting too overbearingly, forcing the former eastern Xianbei tribes to seek a stronger chieftain to serve as their alliance leader. And the final three-tenths lies in the fact that Yan Rou is a Han man, unsuited to be that alliance leader, and had no choice but to defer to him. If Yan Rou brings his followers to submit to Lord Liu, and General Wei marches north from Lulong Pass, then Kebineng will surely be unable to pacify his subordinates. He will either have to come and surrender as well, or sit by and watch the great tribes under him scatter in disarray."

"Does this Yan Rou have sincerity?" Liu He suddenly asked, apparently sensing his father's gaze.

"His parents and family are all in Guangyang. His younger brother Yan Zhi and my clansman Xianyu Yin are right across the pontoon bridge, awaiting Lord Liu's decision. How can one say he lacks sincerity?" Xianyu Fu answered hastily. "Moreover, please consider this carefully, Lord Liu... Yan Rou wields such power beyond the frontier, yet because he is a Han man, he is suppressed by Kebineng and cannot rise. Because he commands barbarian troops, he cannot be trusted by General Wei. And now, with barbarians and Han at war, he is unwilling to make himself an enemy of the Han throne... What path does he have left besides submitting to Lord Liu?"

"But given his circumstances, how should he be settled?" Liu He continued to ask on his father's behalf.

"I have a plan!" Xianyu Fu finally revealed the dagger hidden in his map. "Please, Lord Liu, allow Yan Rou to replace Gongqi Chou as Colonel Protector of the Wuhuan. Let him use his own Xianbei troops to suppress the Wuhuan people of Shanggu and Daijun... In this way, not only will Kebineng's power collapse immediately before us, but the perilous situation in Shanggu and Daijun, with Wuhuan within and Xianbei without, will also be resolved at once. And when that time comes, the people of Youzhou will be grateful for Lord Liu's deeds; all under Heaven will praise your magnanimity as far surpassing General Wei's blades and soldiers!"

Liu He could not restrain himself and turned his head, looking at his father with eyes full of expectation.

"I have no intention of contending with General Wei for supremacy." Liu Yu pondered for a moment, then clasped his hands behind his back and spoke with a solemn expression. "You must understand, General Wei's situation is not confined to Youzhou alone..."

"Lord Liu!" Xianyu Fu grew so anxious that tears fell, and he simply knelt and kowtowed. "I truly have not the slightest thought of goading you into opposing General Wei, nor is this merely for personal motives... Please, Lord Liu, consider this: if this succeeds, will not Shanggu and Daijun be spared the suffering of blades and soldiers? Will not the people of Youzhou be able to rest and recover as much as possible? Besides, even from General Wei's perspective, are we not helping him quell the rebellion by doing this? With the Xianbei rendered powerless, his efforts against the Wuhuan and Zhang Ju would yield twice the result with half the effort! If, despite this, he still resents Lord Liu for contending with him, then he is nothing more than a petty, narrow-minded false hero, a false general!"

"Insolence!" Liu Yu flew into a rage at once. "How dare you presume to speak of General Wei's character?"

"Yes... yes!" Xianyu Fu could only kowtow again in resignation.

"Summon Yan Zhi here. I have questions for him." Liu Yu's tone suddenly softened.

"Yes... yes!" Xianyu Fu kowtowed a third time in response, but could not help feeling overjoyed.

——————I am the dividing line of keeping the Way and convincing men——————

"From the scions of the imperial house and royal dukes, all are raised in fat and luxury, ignorant of sowing and reaping. Those among them who can strictly conduct themselves and refine their persons, standing eminent and unmatched, have perhaps never been heard of. Only Liu Yu kept the Way and esteemed his name, shepherding himself with loyalty and generosity. He upheld virtue in Xiangben, fortified the city walls north of Yan. His benevolence could harmonize those below; his loyalty served to guard the realm." — New Book of Yan, Scroll 62, Biographies, Chapter 12

(End of Chapter)