Chapter 546: Where Shall I Find Brave Warriors to Guard the Four Corners of the Realm?

"Since ancient times, the rise of a sage sovereign has always depended on ministers destined to aid him, to assist in the enterprise of kingly governance. In the past, Xiao He held the passes, and the Han Founder was thus able to achieve his enterprise east of the mountains. Now we recommend the Colonel-Director of Retainers and Marquis of Guanjin, Dou Rong — complete in both civil and military virtues, possessed of the talent to shepherd the people and command the multitudes, sharing with me a fated meeting of wind and cloud, repeatedly offering plans from within the command tent, and bringing about a transformation of peace and prosperity in the office of the Director of Retainers. He may be specially appointed to the office of Chancellor of the Right."

Diwu Lun's political promises were not mere words; the ceremony for appointing the Chancellor was even more solemn than the enfeoffment of a marquis, and was held in the Southern Palace at Luoyang.

As the reading of the edict concluded, Diwu Lun personally took up the golden seal and purple cord and presented them to Dou Rong, who was dressed in purple robes — Diwu Lun had reformed the carriage and dress regulations, stipulating that the Three Excellencies use purple, and the Nine Ministers and officials of the two-thousand-bushel rank use vermilion.

According to the customs of Han times, the Chancellor held an exalted position, and when the Son of Heaven appointed a Chancellor, he truly had to "bow" — after all, he was entrusting the affairs of state to an assisting minister, much like a chairman appointing a professional manager to help run the family enterprise.

Yet Dou Rong absolutely dared not accept it, and instead knelt and bowed before the assembly, raising his hands high so that Diwu Lun could easily place the seal and cord into his palms.

Seemingly satisfied with Dou Rong's attitude, Diwu Lun did not stint on giving him face; he helped Dou Rong to his feet and even personally tied the golden seal and purple cord onto his sash for him.

"Your Majesty, you must not..."

"What, does the Duke of Zhou intend to tie the seal and cord himself?"

Diwu Lun paid no heed to Dou Rong's demurral, tying it slowly and deliberately, precisely to make a show for all to see. He forced Dou Rong to bow his head even lower than the Emperor, trembling with trepidation, scarcely daring to breathe, while at the same time seeming to see the civil and military officials of the State of Wei behind him exchanging glances, and hearing their whispered murmurs.

When at last the knot was tied, the Emperor patted Dou Rong with satisfaction.

"I hope the Duke of Zhou will continue to extend his loyalty and coordinate his plans, forever serving as a worthy aide."

Dou Rong immediately declared: "Your servant shall labor day and night for the public good, holding to the measure and balancing the scales, guarding it without fail!"

Only after the ceremony ended was Dou Rong able to return to the ranks, but this time, he did not have to stand humbly behind the various titled Generals and Nine Ministers; instead, he took his place openly and honorably at the very front of the civil officials.

Dou Rong did not turn his head back in triumph to observe the expressions of the crowd; his eyes remained fixed on Diwu Lun, awaiting his every command, ready to execute it as swiftly as the keenest hunting hound.

Diwu Lun swept his gaze over the assembly, suppressing the faint murmur of noise, then gestured toward Dou Rong: "Chancellor of the Right, announce the commencement of the Luoyang court session."

Dou Rong acknowledged the order, turned around, and faced the assembled ministers. The gazes of the civil and military officials of Wei directed at him held either doubt, or mockery, or dissatisfaction, or bitter envy...

The several major power factions at court — the Boar-Sallying Meritorious Generals, the Yecheng Original Followers, the Shanggu Clique, the Hebei Faction, the Five Tombs Crowd — were like so many circles, and Dou Rong only barely touched the edges of the last one. But because he had long been in the east, and his governance had to defer to Luoyang's interests, he was instead ostracized by the Five Tombs circle of the Guanzhong region.

As a surrendered general of the previous dynasty, he had not brought territory or troops to buy in, and had also missed the raising of the standard at Hongmen. He had no military merit to speak of, even bore the name of a defeated general, and now he had vaulted directly over the rank of the Nine Ministers to be appointed Chancellor of the Right. According to the customary tradition of honoring the right, he even stood a head above the Emperor's in-law and Chancellor of the Left, Geng Chun — who would be willing to accept that?

Having finally ascended to a position beneath only one man and above ten thousand others, he felt the chill even more keenly! Dou Rong understood what it meant to tread on thin ice and stand at the edge of an abyss.

The seal and cord that Diwu Lun had personally tied at his waist felt quite heavy, pulling him downward, while the countless pairs of eyes before him also represented countless hands, all straining to reach up and drag him from this position, to send him crashing to his utter ruin.

And the only person who could hold him up from behind was Diwu Lun!

From this moment of turning around, Dou Rong understood exactly how he must act.

"There is no other way. Only by leaning on the Emperor, serving my sovereign with utter loyalty, and working with tireless diligence can I stand firm, until my achievements are complete and I can retire from the stage!"

Watching Dou Rong ascend to the Chancellorship of the Right and stand in the place nearest the Emperor, one man's heart was filled with a tumult of emotions.

"Is it the times? Is it fate?"

The one sighing with emotion was none other than the General of the Vanguard, Jing Dan, who had just concluded his term as Inspector of You Province and returned to Luoyang for an audience with the Emperor.

Jing Dan felt that his own fate and Dou Rong's seemed to have been transposed.

"The circumstances under which the Duke of Zhou and I came to serve His Majesty were separated by barely more than a month. Yet, relying on the bond of old friendship, when His Majesty personally campaigned in Left Pingyi, I was already entrusted with a heavy task, annihilating the ambush troops at Dragon Head Canal and earning my first merit. At that time, Dou Rong had just hurried over, only to be scattered by the Yue Cavalry Camp and become a laughingstock."

"Afterward, at the battle of Tongyuan, I defended Henan and fought the Greenwood Army to the death. Meanwhile, Dou Rong was in Hedong, tasked with pursuing the routed enemy, but was ambushed by Deng Fengxian at the great river bend and defeated — mocked once more by the army."

After that battle, Jing Dan became Imperial Counselor, ranking among the Three Excellencies, while Dou Rong yielded all credit to Zhang Zong and silently, amid the mockery of the ministers, bent his head and devoted himself to governing Hedong.

At that time, Jing Dan regarded the position of Chancellor of the Right as something already in his grasp! As an old friend of the Emperor, a subordinate from Shanggu, and a scion of a great Guanzhong clan, he had connections to nearly every faction, and his military merit was sufficient to command respect — he was only a hair's breadth away...

The Hebei campaign seemed to be his opportunity, but the towering Taihang Mountains shattered Jing Dan's dreams. His old superior, Geng Kuang, out of selfish motives, deliberately refrained from giving Jing Dan his full support. By the time Jing Dan, dragging his ailing body, staggered onto the plains, the great battle was nearly over. After the war, Jing Dan was dispatched by Diwu Lun to You Province. Although full civil and military authority rested in his hands, Jing Dan knew that His Majesty was somewhat disappointed in him.

The campaign to exterminate the Red Eyebrows between the Yellow River and the Ji was a fine opportunity, but You Province had the sheer bad luck to erupt in rebellion, which even required aid from Ji Province to pacify, nearly delaying His Majesty's grand plans. Jing Dan also fell gravely ill and never recovered, and no longer dared to hope for the Chancellorship.

His situation and Dou Rong's seemed to have completely reversed. During the Red Eyebrow extermination campaign, Dou Rong rose early and retired late, supporting the grain and fodder for every army, managing logistics impeccably. Moreover, when confronting Wang Mang, he had thoroughly demonstrated his stance and attitude.

Such a "pure minister," such an "isolated minister" — what sovereign would not cherish him?

Thus, though Jing Dan felt admiration for Dou Rong, he harbored no bitter envy. With the Duke of Zhou's ability, he was certain to be an excellent Chancellor!

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly heard his own name.

"The General of the Vanguard and Inspector of You Province, Jing Dan, received the imperial mandate to guard the lands of Yan. He caused Liaodong and Lelang to bring their full tribute, quelled the rebellion in Zhuo Commandery, and dispatched the Shanggu and Yuyang shock cavalry to reinforce the He-Ji campaign, achieving merit in coordination. Subsequently, Jing Dan's ailing body could not endure the cold, and he could not remain long in You Province. He is now recalled to the central court and reappointed as Imperial Counselor!"

This move was within the expectations of the ministers, but Jing Dan felt rather as though he had spent these years going in a great circle only to return to the starting point. Coupled with his still-poor health, his enthusiasm was not very high, and he was about to decline on grounds of illness — who would have expected Diwu Lun to issue another edict.

"Master Sun has followed me for many years. His understanding is broad and far-reaching, his conduct long-standing and exemplary, his service scrupulous and diligent — he may be entrusted with great affairs. He is additionally appointed Grand Preceptor to the Crown Prince!"

For a moment, the assembled ministers were in an uproar. Though the court had the six posts of Grand Preceptor, Grand Protector, Grand Mentor, Junior Preceptor, Junior Protector, and Junior Mentor, these were all nominal titles, concerned only with education and ritual sacrifices. In the early days, they had been tossed to a few surrendered generals of the former dynasty to win hearts, and the entire court treated them as air.

But Grand Preceptor to the Crown Prince was different — it was the teacher the Emperor had found for the little Crown Prince. Although Diwu Lun was in the full vigor of life, younger than most of his ministers, and by ordinary logic would easily outlive them, the Crown Prince's education could not be neglected. To bestow this singular honor upon Jing Dan was undoubtedly a mark of extraordinary trust.

Diwu Lun smiled and said, "The Crown Prince is still young; let him remain by my side for a few more years. Once he has gained some understanding, and Master Sun's health has recovered, he shall be entrusted to Master Sun. You must teach him well!"

Jing Dan was so deeply moved in that moment that all thought of retirement vanished, and he bowed low to accept the command.

Although this was Diwu Lun killing two birds with one stone — in earlier years using a childhood betrothal and Geng Chun to doubly secure Hebei, and now using the Crown Prince's tutor to soothe Jing Dan's wounded and sensitive heart — the reason he did not make Jing Dan Chancellor of the Right was, in truth, born of careful consideration.

How could Diwu Lun not know that Jing Dan had some connection to every regional clique in the court and beyond? Those with high emotional intelligence might praise him as the choice of the masses; those with low emotional intelligence might curse him as mired in entanglements.

"What's more, Master Sun is a good man."

Diwu Lun knew very well that Jing Dan was kind-hearted and soft-eared, often unable to be ruthless when facing acquaintances. This was one reason his independent commands in peripheral campaigns often fell short of expectations. He truly was not the right man to stand in the front line for Diwu Lun. It was better for him to remain Imperial Counselor, smoothing things over from the rear and maintaining harmony at court.

Dou Rong, by contrast, had barely a handful of men in his so-called "Hedong faction," and the Luoyang scholars likewise had little voice at court. By elevating him to Chancellor of the Right, Diwu Lun was certain to draw the envy of the multitude upon him, which was tantamount to cutting off Dou Rong's path of retreat, leaving him no choice but to steel himself and carry out the "great affairs" for Diwu Lun.

Moreover, in the Great Han dynasty, what was a Chancellor? A scapegoat! To say nothing of the grim tragedies under Emperor Wu of Han, where of thirteen Chancellors, seven were dismissed and five committed suicide or were executed — even under weak sovereigns like Emperor Yuan and Emperor Cheng, their Chancellors often met no good end. Look no further than Zhai Fangjin, who, because of a single natural disaster, inexplicably died in the Emperor's stead.

After Diwu Lun reshaped the realm, he abolished the Inner Court Grand General system, which had been prone to monopolizing power, and the authority of the Outer Court Chancellor was somewhat restored. Even split into Left and Right Chancellors, it was still far stronger than those pitiful human seals of the Former Han.

But as the north neared unification, the court's reforms would gradually enter deep waters. Should a major problem arise, the Chancellor of the Right, as the head of the hundred officials, would still have to bear responsibility!

"Master Sun is an old friend of over ten years' bond; I cannot bear to let him suffer such great grievances."

Diwu Lun turned his gaze to the court above, to the man exerting himself to proclaim edict after edict on his behalf, and felt quite pleased.

"The Duke of Zhou, however, is different."

"He can endure loneliness, withstand temptation, hold fast through prosperity, and pass through plainness with ease. And at the critical moment, he can also shoulder the blame — truly the finest choice for Chancellor of the Right!"

"I've only arrived a few days late, and His Majesty's Luoyang assembly has already seen so many personnel changes."

When the General of Agile Cavalry, Ma Yuan, hurriedly arrived in Luoyang, it was already mid-September. He had not only missed Dou Rong's appointment as Chancellor and Jing Dan's appointment as Crown Prince's tutor, but also a whole series of subsequent "minor maneuvers."

It turned out that Diwu Lun had expanded the authority of the Inspectors — not only could they conduct oversight, they could also intervene in civil administration, the economy, and education. Apart from being barred from touching military command, they were now nearly equivalent to the Provincial Governors of the Xin Dynasty.

After that, Diwu Lun also redrew the jurisdictions of the provinces. The most conspicuous change was the abolition of the Colonel Director of Retainers, replaced by what was now called "Si Province," which governed the five commanderies of Right Fufeng, Left Pingyi, Hongnong, Hedong, and Henei.

"What about the two commanderies of Jingzhao and Henan?" Ma Yuan had not yet reached Luoyang; hearing this news at his post station, he found it strange.

The messenger told him, "Because of the establishment of the Western Capital and the Central Capital, they — together with Weicheng Yin, where the Northern Capital at Yecheng is located — have been made directly-administered commanderies. The court appoints officials to them directly; they are no longer under provincial jurisdiction!"

"Directly-administered?"

The term sounded unfamiliar and discomfiting, but the civil and military officials of the court quickly accepted it, even privately consoling themselves one after another:

"His Majesty has merely adjusted the jurisdictional boundaries a little. That's far better than Wang Mang recklessly changing names!"

Apart from the slight adjustments to jurisdictions, the turnover of Provincial Inspectors was also substantial. Except for Inspector of Bing Province Guo Ji, a veteran of three reigns, and Inspector of Liang Province Diba Jiao, an imperial relative, who remained unchanged, all the others were replaced.

Ma Yuan heard that after Jing Dan returned to court as Imperial Counselor, Kou Xun, an official of the Shanggu faction whom Jing Dan had always valued, had naturally become Inspector of You Province.

The Inspector of Ji Province was assumed by Pi Tong, who had once cooperated deeply with Ma Yuan during the great Hebei campaign.

The Inspector of the newly established Si Province was Chen Zun, the former Intendant of Jingzhao. This knight-errant of the Han and Xin dynasties was highly regarded by Diwu Lun and could be said to have soared straight up the ranks.

However, the newly seized Yu Province and Yan Province were not assigned Inspectors. For one, both provinces still had commanderies and counties in enemy hands; for another, the common people were scattered and order was in chaos — they could not be governed under normal administrative structures. They remained designated as military control zones. In the south, Yingchuan, Nanyang, and Runan were entrusted to General Who Guards the South Cen Peng for garrison. In the east, the commanderies of Chenliu, Huaiyang, Liang, and Pei were held by General of Sweeping the Wilderness Zheng Tong. Several commanderies in Yan Province were garrisoned by General Who Pacifies the East Zhang Zong. The three generals cooperated with the newly appointed Governors, with military-agricultural colonies as their primary task.

It seemed a prudent policy, but Ma Yuan grumbled privately, "Most likely His Majesty has simply run out of people to use."

Diwu Lun's current pool of talent was indeed somewhat stretched. Who could blame him, when the expansion had been so breathtakingly swift? The Nine Ministers could not be lightly moved, and among those who had recently surrendered, the capable were not necessarily loyal, and the loyal might not be capable. County Magistrates were often used as Governors, and Governors pressed into service as Inspectors. It seemed the civil service examinations would probably have to be held once a year to suffice.

Thus, Diwu Lun had no choice but to resort to expedient measures: he had Imperial Counselor Jing Dan permanently stationed at the Western Capital, Chang'an; Chancellor of the Left Geng Chun permanently stationed at the Northern Capital, Yecheng; and Chancellor of the Right Dou Rong permanently stationed at the Central Capital, each assisting in handling the government affairs of those three regions.

By the time Ma Yuan arrived at the Southern Palace in Luoyang, he had, one might say, been following the drama the whole journey. He could clearly sense that Diwu Lun intended to straighten out internal administration before the next great war began — putting the most suitable people into the most suitable positions!

He never expected that once he entered the palace and came face to face with Diwu Lun, Ma Yuan would discover that the drama he had been following had landed squarely on his own head!

"Wenyuan, you've come at last."

Diwu Lun waived the formalities, then sighed with emotion: "A great wind rises, and the clouds fly and scatter. Where shall I find fierce warriors to guard the four quarters? Now, at last, I understand the worries of Han Gaozu!"