Chapter 97: Court Deliberation
In an imperial court session, Xiao Yi had no right to speak, but it was not boring.
He observed each speaker’s performance, guessing their intentions.
For instance, Wang Jun.
“Your subject believes that Liu Xun, son of Gaozu and brother of the late Emperor, is nearing the age of majority and can be enthroned to inherit the Han dynasty!”
Xiao Yi felt that “nearing the age of majority” was quite telling; Liu Chengyou was simply too young. If they replaced him with an even younger Liu Xun, he could be easily manipulated.
He looked at Empress Dowager Li.
He had expected the officials to bully Empress Dowager Li today, but to his surprise, she was quite composed and softly gave an instruction to an eunuch.
“Please invite him in.”
After a short wait, four eunuchs carried a couch into the hall.
Xiao Yi stood at the hall entrance and could see clearly. A young man lay on the couch, of similar age to Liu Chengyou. He was covered with a thick fur cloak, his face sallow, his eyes tightly shut, and his breathing rapid.
He also detected a familiar medicinal smell.
Phellodendron, turmeric, morning glory seed… the medicinal paste Liu Xun had applied to his face was the same formula Xiao Yi had used to disguise the Guo siblings last time; quite a coincidence.
“Cough, cough, cough.”
As if sensing Xiao Yi’s scrutiny, Liu Xun let out a deathly cough, appearing utterly spent.
Before Liu Xun could be carried further inside, Wang Jun strode forward, his brow furrowed, his expression stern. He bent down to examine him.
“Hmph, you were still well yesterday, and today you are ill? It seems you have no interest in the state!”
Liu Xun was greatly alarmed, his pupils widening. He would likely have been scared sick even if he weren’t already ill. He stammered, “Minister Wang… I have no intention, no intention… No, I am powerless…”
If a person pretending to be sick cannot be cured, Wang Jun was powerless. He returned to his position with a gloomy expression.
Xiao Yi watched Liu Xun being carried out, quite impressed with his acting.
The first round of the exchange had clearly been won by Empress Dowager Li.
A moment passed, and seeing that no one spoke, Empress Dowager Li had to personally press her advantage.
“Liu Chong and Liu Xin are both brothers of Gaozu Emperor, close relatives of the Liu bloodline, and capable of shouldering great responsibility.”
Xiao Yi had read the dossiers of Liu Chong and Liu Xin in the Shi Residence study. Shi Hongzhao had placed great importance on these two “imperial uncles.”
Both men were over fifty years old and had fought since Liu Zhiyuan declared himself emperor. They lacked neither military merit, seniority, nor capability. Compared to Liu Chengyou, they were the ones who could truly contend with Guo Wei.
Liu Chong served as Military Governor of Hedong, entrenched in Taiyuan with deep roots. Liu Xin had formerly been Military Governor of Yi Cheng Army but was replaced by Song Yanwo two years ago and appointed Military Governor of Zhongwu in Xu Prefecture, demonstrating Shi Hongzhao’s apprehension.
If the two were to join forces, one in the north and one in the south, they could threaten Kaifeng, making it difficult for Guo Wei.
With all the elite troops from Ye Du having moved south, if they were to then contact the Khitan, and Guo Rong could not hold them off, the situation could indeed be reversed.
Xiao Yi mused that Empress Dowager Li had insight; to propose this plan, besides understanding human calculations, she must also understand some military matters.
He thought that if it were him, he might recommend Liu Xin as Emperor, causing the Liu brothers to fight amongst themselves, then suppress the stronger Liu Chong, and finally kill Liu Xin and establish himself.
But he was an outsider and did not know the difficulty of inviting a wolf into the house; it would depend on Guo Wei’s response.
Looking at the assembled officials, Wei Renpu was absent. Wang Jun likely had no backup plan and was frowning in silence. The others were all martial men, capable of fighting but not adept at debate.
Finally, Wang Yin stepped forward, his voice steady, and spoke eloquently.
“Speaking of Liu Chong, this old subject recalls several past incidents. When Gaozu raised his army, Liu Chong was in command of the troops and engaged in gambling with his officers. He lost three months’ worth of provisions and even withheld soldiers’ reward money to make up the deficit, nearly causing mutiny. Gaozu personally used his own funds to cover his losses, yet he showed no remorse, and as Military Governor of Hedong, he gambled away the profits from salt and iron. Last year, when the Khitan envoy arrived in Taiyuan, he set up a high-stakes gamble and lost the annual tax revenue of three counties! The army universally says, ‘Liu San is a scoundrel, addicted to gambling,’ such a man who treats national interests as child’s play and stakes territories, if he were to ascend to the throne, would he not force us to become slaves to the Khitan again?!”
The officials in the hall immediately erupted in discussion, with cries of “better to fight than surrender” echoing.
“Precisely!”
Wang Jun, having recovered, immediately stepped forward and said, “Liu Chong is without virtue, but Liu Xin is even worse. This year, Xu Prefecture suffered a great flood, and the people were starving. Liu Xin kept his granaries closed and did not provide relief, instead forcing conscripts to build his private residence, causing over ten thousand refugees to flood into Kaifeng. Lord Shi summoned him to court, but he used ‘a festering sore on his back’ as an excuse to refuse. Such a person who deceives superiors and oppresses the people, if he were to ascend to the imperial throne, would bring ruin upon the populace!”
Having spoken, he advanced a step towards Empress Dowager Li, his tone firm and his attitude resolute.
“Does Your Majesty not see that Emperor Min was without virtue and died after only four months? Now, to forcefully install these two men would be to repeat the same mistake. At best, it would cause turmoil in the imperial court; at worst, the Khitan would invade, and by then, even if we were to risk our lives, it might be difficult to salvage the critical situation.”
Xiao Yi heard very clearly; Wang Jun’s emphasis was on the words ‘risk our lives.’
This was a public intimidation.
The military officials shouted their support, while the civil officials lowered their heads, their eyes cast down, daring not to speak, as if even their breathing had become lighter.
Empress Dowager Li’s face turned pale. She clutched her handkerchief, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, remaining silent for a long time.
Empress An, who was kneeling nearby, appeared as detached as ever, motionless.
Only when the great hall fell silent, so quiet one could hear a needle drop, did Guo Wei speak.
He did not express an opinion but looked towards Feng Dao.
“The state cannot be without a ruler for a day. I hope, Master Feng, you can show us a way forward.”
Xiao Yi understood. Feng Dao would likely propose a solution beneficial to all parties, and Guo Wei would make the final decision later, ensuring the desired outcome.
Feng Dao slowly stepped forward.
He tapped his wooden staff on the ground, his voice agonizingly slow.
“Tap.”
“Tap.”
“Tap.”
All the high officials in the court listened patiently.
Finally, the old man spoke.
“This old subject’s humble opinion is that at this extraordinary time, the selection of a ruler should prioritize stability and peace, not necessarily adhering to seniority or kinship. The throne cannot remain vacant. I request that the Empress Dowager preside over the court, to reassure the various feudatories and avoid the pretext of ‘outsiders wielding power’.”
As soon as these words were spoken, Xiao Yi was greatly surprised.
Empress Dowager Li’s eyes held a look of delight, her gaze brightening.
The generals behind Guo Wei immediately became restless, but Guo Wei did not object; instead, he raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.
Why?
Xiao Yi replayed Feng Dao’s words in his mind and understood. The crux lay in the phrase “various feudatories”; he was appeasing Liu Chong and Liu Xin, not the hearts of the subjects.
Feng Dao paused for a long time. Seeing that no one wished to interrupt him, he continued.
“As for the crown prince, this old subject has a candidate – Liu Yun. He is the eldest son of Liu Chong, has already reached the age of majority, and is currently the Military Governor of Wuning in Xu Prefecture.”
Whispers began to arise in the hall.
Xiao Yi forgot to observe others’ reactions and fell into deep thought.
Bypassing the powerful Liu Chong and Liu Xin, and instead enthroning Liu Chong’s son as Emperor?
This idea… was brilliant!
More masterful than enthroning Liu Xin.
At present, whether Guo Wei abdicated or enthroned someone else, Liu Chong would surely raise an army. Guo Wei should have considered this; this battle would be difficult to fight for the time being.
It would be different if Liu Yun ascended.
Liu Chong could not possibly rebel against his own son, and even if he wanted to raise an army, he would have no legitimate reason. Guo Wei would have temporarily stabilized the situation, and could then slowly manipulate the young Liu Yun, making arrangements at his leisure. Empress Dowager Li would have preserved the Liu dynasty’s rule and gained the dignity of presiding over the court. No official, civil or military, could find fault.
Feng Dao’s move, on the surface, seemed like a compromise, taking into account the interests of all parties.
Indeed.
Guo Wei said mildly, “Master Feng’s words greatly align with the state’s grand strategy. This subject concurs.”
The decision was made.
“Your subjects concur, we request the Empress Dowager’s decree!”
“Your subjects concur…”
Xiao Yi looked back at Feng Dao. He saw the old man, leaning on his paulownia wood mourning staff, slowly retreating back into the ranks, as if the words that decided the fate of the nation were just ordinary remarks.
Lightly spoken, as if it happened naturally.
He benefited greatly and thought that if he could learn even a fraction of Feng Dao’s skill, he wouldn’t fear not being able to establish himself in the new dynasty.
After settling this matter, Guo Wei did not linger and took his leave. He passed by Xiao Yi, saying nothing, but reached out and gently patted his shoulder.
It was a gesture of closeness, like addressing a nephew, and his gaze was warm.
Xiao Yi was startled, clearly feeling Guo Wei’s trust.
Afterwards, Wang Jun passed by, not even looking at him.
Wang Yin, however, stopped and said meaningfully, “From now on, you will accompany the Empress Dowager to court and guard the inner palace. You must protect the Empress Dowager.”
“Yes.”
After watching the military officials stride away, Xiao Yi turned and found all the civil officials looking at him.
His mind raced, and he ignored their gazes, turning towards the hall entrance and loudly addressing Guo Wei’s retreating figure.
“Farewell, Marshal!”
The civil officials dared not look at him any longer. They averted their eyes, lowered their heads, and silently walked past him.
Feng Dao was the last to leave. As he passed Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi clearly saw a look of sad helplessness in his eyes.
In an instant, Xiao Yi had a deeper reflection.
Feng Dao was not the only one who was formidable.
Guo Wei had long planned for Empress Dowager Li to preside over the court and for Liu Yun to ascend the throne. Having Feng Dao voice this was likely a deliberate display of weakness, a tactic of retreating to advance.
This was a smokescreen to stabilize the situation.
To lull Liu Chong, Liu Xin, Liu Yun, and the Khitan into a false sense of security, then to divide and conquer them one by one.
This was not courtly scheming, but military strategy.
It was exactly the same approach Guo Wei had used when pacifying the three garrisons.
…
The officials dispersed.
Only the two empresses remained in Zi Chen Hall, keeping vigil.
A contest without the clash of swords. Feng Dao’s strategy secured the feudatories, Guo Wei controlled the overall situation by retreating to advance, and Empress Dowager Li struggled to maintain her position in a desperate situation… it dissipated like the smoke before the imperial coffin.
The plain banners fluttered in the wind.
Empress Dowager Li turned towards the hall entrance and said, “Xiao Yi.”
“Your subordinate is here.”
“You are granted leave for the next two days. On the 27th of the eleventh month, the late Emperor’s funeral procession will take place, and you are to escort it.”
“Your Majesty, I am on rotation with Li Chongjin…”
“The deceased are paramount, and even more so an Emperor. Would you dare to refuse when the Son of Heaven is being laid to rest?” Empress Dowager Li’s tone was unquestionable. “Accept the decree.”
She used the immense importance of the Emperor’s funeral procession to override the minor matter of Xiao Yi’s rotation, leaving him no room to refuse.
Perhaps, in her view, one exception might lead to another. She was attempting to break through Guo Wei’s surveillance and control bit by bit in this manner.
A gust of wind blew, stirring the soul-calling bells.
It seemed a new storm was brewing.
Xiao Yi looked outside the hall. The vast landscape of Kaifeng City spread out, as if submitting to the steps of Zi Chen Hall.
He was at the center of the storm.
