Chapter 643: Not Beyond Human Nature

Under Yang Guangdou's guidance, Xu Fengnian toured all the offices, large and small, within the Prefect's Mansion of Liuzhou. Scenes of officials toiling late into the night, the young, unsophisticated faces of many, and the constant movement of numerous efficient couriers in and out of the heavily guarded mansion gave the impression of a remarkably vibrant atmosphere. Xu Fengnian and Prefect Yang mostly refrained from disturbing the officials as they conducted their affairs. They simply walked around and observed, often discussing the troop movements in Beimang. The new Southern Court King, Dong Zhuo, had nominally taken sole command. Although Empress Murong supported the corpulent man, he might not be able to fully integrate the Southern Court's forces in a short time. The old retainers from the Spring and Autumn period had brought advanced Central Plains etiquette and culture to the Southern Court, which, while beneficial, also introduced many vices unknown in Beimang. The extravagant customs were even worse than those in Beiliang. While it was true that in Beiliang, upon news of war, three or four out of ten wealthy merchants and gentry in Lingzhou would flee, had there ever been a shortage of high-ranking officials and nobles escaping north from Beimang's Southern Court? It's human nature to seek advantage and avoid harm. Furthermore, the deep-rooted and historically sharp North-South confrontation in Beimang meant that the wealthy Southerners, by aligning themselves with the powerful nobles of the northern steppes, inadvertently bolstered the Northern Court's influence and further weakened the already feeble authority of the Southern Court. The corpulent Dong Zhuo was likely to lose a few pounds.

Xu Fengnian and Yang Guangdou conversed whenever a thought struck them, and before they knew it, dawn had arrived. Yang Guangdou, a high-ranking border official of the third rank, held two official meetings daily, one in the morning and one in the evening. Dressed in civilian clothes, Xu Fengnian naturally joined as an observer. He did not sit in the main seat; instead, he took the still-vacant position of Liuzhou's Assistant Prefect. All other key officials of the prefecture were present. These were not seats just anyone could occupy; those present were no longer naive young men. They were officials in their forties and fifties who had received excellent evaluations in the old three prefectures of You, Liang, and Ling. Although their youthful vigor was naturally diminished, they were all well-versed in their respective duties, like experienced drivers, ensuring that the newly established Liuzhou would not suffer any major setbacks in its initial stages. None of these seven or eight officials, holding ranks of fourth or fifth grade, had ever met the young Prince before. This was not surprising, given their limited exposure; before their promotions, their ranks were not high, and as civil officials, they had never had the opportunity to enter the Qingliang Mountain Prince's Estate to pay respects to General Xu Xiao and the Heir Apparent Xu Fengnian. In a world where information was obstructed and names of respected figures were often concealed, most common people in Beiliang probably didn't even know the new Prince's name. In Beiliang, over the past decade, the truly well-known figures whose names everyone, including women and children, could recite were, of course, Xu Xiao. After him, Chen Zhibao and Chu Lushan were equally prominent. Yuan Zuozong's reputation stood alongside veteran generals like Yan Wenluan and Zhong Hongwu. Beyond them, the list included Xu Weixiong, whose talent was unmatched in Beiliang, and Wang Chudong, the Xu family's new arrival in Liang. Xu Fengnian looked at the officials before him, their eye bags swollen, yet they forced themselves to sit upright with solemn expressions. Being old, their energy was naturally limited, and Liuzhou's affairs were demanding. Moreover, serving under an old fox like Yang Guangdou, with the entire Beiliang officialdom watching, these old fellows truly rose earlier than chickens and slept later than dogs. Xu Fengnian listened to each person's slightly trembling report. He did not comment on their official duties but instead jested, "Most of you have toiled all night, so don't be hard on your backside. Relax and sit comfortably; feel free to lean boldly against the chair back. In Beiliang, we don't follow the practices of Liyang's officialdom, where one must perch on the edge of the chair when facing a superior."

Yang Guangdou was the first to kick off his boots and simply sat cross-legged on his chair, laughing heartily. "This official has been pulled along by His Highness all night; my old legs are aching terribly."

With the Prefect having set the example, the other officials immediately felt much more relaxed. Though they still didn't dare to be as unrestrained as Yang Guangdou, they certainly settled their buttocks firmly onto their chair seats. Several of them, by coincidence, leaned back and sighed in relief. Xu Fengnian smiled and continued, "You haven't seen how those old generals like Liu Yuanji and Wei Tieshan used to meet Xu Xiao when they visited Qingliang Mountain for New Year's, especially during drinking bouts—they were no different from common ruffians. And I don't see anything wrong with that. In the future, I will frequently visit Qingcang City for inspections, so everyone should feel at ease. By the way, Master Liu, I need to speak up for you here. Over a thousand monks have entered Liuzhou, and their resettlement all falls under your responsibility—a grave duty. Yet, everyone in the temporary Protocol Office acts as if they're stepchildren. Which fellow pushed you all to a spot so close to the latrines? Tell me, and I'll scold him for you."

Liu Zhen, the Liuzhou Supervisor of Education, was taken aback. His eyes instinctively darted to his two colleagues across from him, but he dared not speak. In Liuzhou, his position as Supervisor of Education was practically honorary, carrying little real power. Any junior official unfortunate enough to be assigned to him would be considered to have met with extreme bad luck. He couldn't possibly compare to powerful figures like the Civil Administrator or the Adjutant, who wielded actual authority. Of course, he couldn't compete with them over territory either. To this day, he hadn't even found the Scholarly Advisor who was supposed to manage the prefecture's educational affairs with him. What could he do? Who would be willing to carry scholarly books while dealing with refugees? The two officials whom Liu Zhen had glanced at immediately became uneasy. This young Prince, who seemed amiable to everyone, was none other than the Lord of Beiliang, capable of dealing with Zhong Hongwu on a whim. Even border army magnates like Yan Wenluan had been tamed. The reform of the Beiliang army had proceeded smoothly from start to finish. Moreover, Xu Beizhi had previously leapfrogged seven or eight ranks to become the Prefect of Lingzhou, seizing the seat from Grand Administrator Li Gongde, who had refused to budge. He had even been escorted directly by the three Lingzhou generals—one chief and two deputies. Who dared to utter a word of dissent? If such a cunning and deep-scheming Prince set his sights on them, whether they could leave Liuzhou alive would be debatable.

Xu Fengnian smiled faintly, "Commander Wang, Censor Huang, you two gentlemen are sweating profusely. The sun isn't even up yet, and you're already feeling hot? If you're feeling unwell, or if Liuzhou's climate doesn't agree with you, and you wish to take leave while I am at the Prefect's Mansion, you don't need the Prefect's permission; I will grant it. I hear you two are relatives by marriage. You'll have company on your journey back to Lingzhou, so you needn't fear loneliness on the road."

Commander Wang Xiuqing and Censor Huang Yucheng immediately broke out in a cold sweat. They rose from their chairs and knelt heavily on the ground. Yang Guangdou, sitting cross-legged, watched the scene with a smile. He neither offered help to his two subordinates by pleading on their behalf before the Prince nor did he disparage them further. Xu Fengnian's smile vanished. Leaning an elbow on the armrest of his chair, he stated calmly, "One of you is in charge of military deployments within Liuzhou, and the other is responsible for overseeing all officials within the prefecture. Both are top-tier positions in Liuzhou. Together, excluding paintings, calligraphy, and antiques, you gave Li Gongde sixty-eight thousand taels of silver just to get letters of recommendation. However, I reviewed your resumes and checked your past administrative achievements, which were indeed commendable, so I agreed. Are you so eager to recoup your money that you're already exploiting Liuzhou? Couldn't you two gentlemen have waited a little longer before acting? It seems your skill in officialdom is not yet perfect. Wang Xiuqing, the Fufeng County Commandant Yu Wanqing and Wenhui County Magistrate Li Zhaoshou whom you recommended, and Wu Xiaoxian and Hong Poshu whom you, Huang Yucheng, promoted—have collectively gained six thousand taels of silver. Am I right?"

Xu Fengnian lightly tapped his fingers on the armrest of the chair, which was made of top-grade huanghuali wood—a valuable item left by the former master of Qingcang City, envied by all who saw it. Wang Xiuqing, a tall man who looked more like a military officer than a civil one, hesitated for a moment and was about to speak. His relative by marriage, Huang Yucheng, subtly tugged at his sleeve. In the end, neither of the two derelict Liuzhou newcomers offered a single word of rebuttal. Xu Fengnian saw a burly military general enter the courtyard and stand by the door, his hand on his sword. It was Wei Shihui, the Commandant of the Qingcang military garrison in Liuzhou, who, like the Commandant of the Linyao garrison, hailed from the Dragon Elephant Army. Xu Fengnian stood up and said, "I once told Prefect Yang that all Liuzhou's affairs, big and small, are entirely entrusted to him. If you have anything to say, address it to the Prefect."

Xu Fengnian left the room and, accompanied by Wei Shihui and a retinue of elite guards, departed the city to meet Chen Xiliang at a location forty li outside. Inside the room, silence was so profound that a dropped pin could be heard. Yang Guangdou coughed, then lowered his feet, planting them firmly in his official boots, which had just arrived from Lingzhou's Golden Brocade Weaving Bureau. He said, "Commander Wang, Censor Huang, please rise. The law is not without compassion. Liuzhou is in ruins and awaiting reconstruction, a huge mess. For now, I truly cannot find suitable talents who won't hinder Beiliang's grand enterprise. Even if you are to atone for your misdeeds by rendering meritorious service, should you achieve good results later, I will speak on your behalf to His Highness. However, while His Highness is in Qingcang, you two should refrain from showing yourselves."

Wang Xiuqing stood up, his face grim. Huang Yucheng shakily rose, wiping sweat from his forehead, looking as if he had lost a parent. Even though the Prefect had given them some leeway, they had left a terrible impression on the Prince. Could they truly redeem themselves through meritorious service? Huang Yucheng was not so naive, but he still had to appreciate Yang Guangdou's appeasement. He bowed deeply, and as he lowered his head, he caught a glimpse of his relative, Wang Xiuqing, still standing foolishly upright. Not wanting to add fuel to the fire, he pretended not to notice. Yang Guangdou smiled as he looked at the disgruntled Commander, not angered. After putting on his boots, he stamped his feet on the ground and laughed, "Commander Wang, do you think I was playing the 'good cop, bad cop' routine with His Highness?"

The hot-tempered Wang Xiuqing indeed thought so, but he hadn't expected the Prefect to be so direct. He felt a little startled, and his gloomy expression lightened somewhat.

Yang Guangdou waved his hand and burst into laughter. "Then you underestimate me, and even more so, His Highness! I don't possess the Prince's ability to uncover exactly how much silver you gave away or how much you took in bribes. In truth, everyone here knows full well that Liuzhou is a desolate land, and serving as an official here is a difficult task. Yet, no matter how little profit there is, being able to sit on these huanghuali wood chairs in this room signifies a genuine official rank that even the imperial court acknowledges. Every one of us here received documents from the Ministry of Personnel in the capital. As for me, I'm swamped with work, so I tend to simplify complex matters. I've heard a little about Yu Wanqing, Li Zhaoshou, Wu Xiaoxian, and Hong Poshu. Like you two gentlemen, they don't come from wealthy families; they had to sell everything they owned just to open doors and become officials after much difficulty."

At this point, Yang Guangdou rubbed his chin, unable to suppress a chuckle. "Among the four, I am most familiar with Li Zhaoshou. I spoke with him just a month ago. He truly is a man of vast learning. What's amusing is that when the Weaving Bureau had just delivered his official robes but his boots hadn't yet arrived, the fellow wore his brand-new robe with a pair of worn-out shoes. While chatting with me, he would occasionally touch the smooth official insignia on his chest, as if caressing a pretty young lady's face. He seemed utterly delighted. I thought to myself then: this person gave up being a magistrate in a prosperous county of Lingzhou to become a county magistrate in Liuzhou, getting a promotion but losing money. Such a character, at heart, still retains the integrity of a true scholar."

Yang Guangdou looked at Wang Xiuqing and chuckled softly, "What you're thinking is nothing more than: 'I helped people gain official positions because I valued their character and knowledge first. My purse grew heavier with silver, yet I also unearthed talent for Beiliang. It's a win-win situation. Why is the Prince of Beiliang so unyielding about it?' Wang Xiuqing, isn't that what you're thinking?"

Wang Xiuqing, being honest and firm, stated in a deep voice, "No!"

Yang Guangdou shook his head and said, "Alright then. Whether it's you, or even I, the Prefect of Liuzhou, holding a third-rank position, we all fall prey to the flaw of not thinking beyond our immediate positions. For instance, I have few capable people at hand and am strapped for resources in everything. By law, you two should have had your official caps removed and been sent packing back to Lingzhou. But I still have to clean up after you. This is me, Yang Guangdou, considering only the gains and losses for the prefecture of Liuzhou. However, if every Commander and Censor in Beiliang operated like you two gentlemen, disregarding rules, then over time, everything would descend into chaos, and Beiliang's officialdom would become utterly corrupted. Therefore, what I said earlier—that the law is not without compassion—isn't entirely correct. Compassion should be shown, but too much of it is certainly not a long-term strategy. You poor fellows who spent ten or twenty years in Lingzhou's official circles without achieving prominence certainly understand the lessons from Lingzhou's past far better than I do. Ask yourselves, will Liuzhou become another Lingzhou? War is imminent. We officials, who don't even need to wave flags or shout, shouldn't give His Highness this kind of worry so early. Once Beimang is destroyed, everyone here will be in a prime position to grab a prefectural post in Beimang for a taste of power, and then pocket some silver. I refuse to believe that the Prince of Beiliang will still quibble with us then!"

Wang Xiuqing cracked a smile.

Many of the officials present couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Liu Zhen joked, "Then we old bones had better live a few more years, otherwise, no matter how many or how big the official positions, they won't be ours."

Yang Guangdou pointed to the youngest official in the room, who managed Liuzhou's finances and records. "Qin Tianxia, you're only in your early forties, you're the luckiest. When the quarterly stipend is issued, you should treat us to a meal."

The man scratched his head and said with a wry smile, "It's not that I'm unwilling to part with this stipend, but truthfully, my wife at home is a terror. If I don't send my stipend back to Youzhou, she'll surely think I've been 'picking wildflowers' in Liuzhou, and then I'll be in for a terrible beating. Prefect, please do us a favor and let Sir Zhou, who has the deepest pockets among us, host the meal. That fellow doesn't even care about a small stipend like this."

A plump middle-aged official blurted out angrily, "Qin Tianxia, what nonsense! You told me yesterday that you secretly saved over forty taels for brothel visits!"

The entire hall erupted in laughter, and a sense of harmony filled the air.

When Xu Fengnian met Chen Xiliang, he barely recognized him.

The scholar, who was originally frail and bookish in appearance, was now dark-skinned and had lost over ten jin.