gnovel Chapter 66 Undercurrents
Chapter 66 Undercurrents
On the 23rd day of the twelfth month of the seventh year of Emperor Wen's reign (winter of 176 BC, after the rebellion was quelled), in Chang'an. (The early Han dynasty used the Zhuanxu calendar, which was changed to the Taichu calendar during the reign of Emperor Wu; this has been adjusted.)
At the end of the year, Chang'an was covered in a blanket of white snow.
The smoke of the Rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms seemed to have been covered by the new snow, and the streets returned to their usual hustle and bustle, even more lively than in previous years due to the triumphant return of the army and the generous rewards.
The Weiyang Palace and Changle Palace were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, in preparation for the New Year and the Lantern Festival.
However, beneath this peaceful facade, the astute can detect the undercurrents surging beneath.
In the study of Zhang Keran's residence, the heir apparent of the Liang Kingdom, the newly promoted Marquis of Guannei, and the Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, the charcoal fire was burning brightly, but it could not dispel the thoughts etched on his brow.
He held in his hand a scroll of family letters that had just been delivered through secret channels of the Liang Kingdom; it was written by his father, King Zhang Wuji of Liang.
Besides the usual greetings and instructions, the letter contained more analysis and concerns about the political situation.
"...My son has achieved unparalleled merit and gained His Majesty's trust. However, the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind. Chao Cuo, having gained power, is rapidly reducing the power of the regional lords, and his ambitions are already evident, not only towards rebellious princes. The court desires to consolidate power in one's own hands; this is an inevitable trend that Liang cannot reverse. Only by being obedient and cautious can it be preserved. However, Chao Cuo is impatient and ruthless, and his laws are harsh, which may not be a blessing for the country. Zhou Yafu commands the army and has achieved great merit, and although he is calm and composed, his political views differ greatly from Chao Cuo's. Rumors are already circulating in the court that there is discord between the general and the minister. My son, you are in the eye of the storm. You must be careful in your words and actions, protect yourself wisely, and observe more than you act. Remember, the safety of Liang lies not in its prominence, but in its longevity..."
The father's insight was confirmed by what Zhang Keran had seen and heard recently.
After Chao Cuo completely overthrew the conservative forces in the court and gained the full support of Emperor Wen, his new policies went beyond simply stripping the rebellious vassal states of their power.
Under the guise of learning from past mistakes and strengthening the central government while weakening local power, he is directing his efforts to reduce the power of the vassal states at all the feudal lords.
This includes those who remained neutral or even supported the imperial court during the rebellion, such as the Liang Kingdom, the Dai Kingdom, and the Changsha Kingdom.
The specific terms proposed included that the vassal kings would no longer govern the people, that officials of the rank of prime minister, inner historian, and lieutenant general, and that officials of the rank of two thousand shi or above would be directly appointed and evaluated by the court, that the vassal kings would only receive rent and taxes, and that the size of the vassal kings' guards would be further reduced. Each of these terms directly targeted the core of the vassal kings' power.
On the other hand, the newly appointed Grand Commandant Zhou Yafu, although he rose to a high position due to his great achievements in suppressing the rebellion, did not change his strict military discipline and his indifference to the powerful.
He raised objections to some of Chao Cuo's policies that were too hasty and might even exacerbate conflicts in several small-scale court discussions, believing that it was better to proceed slowly in order to appease the imperial clan.
Although he spoke with restraint, the seeds of discord between the generals and the ministers were already quietly sowing in the officialdom of Chang'an.
Even more subtle is the attitude of Crown Prince Liu Qi.
As the crown prince, he firmly supported his father's policy of weakening the power of the vassal states and also recognized Chao Cuo's loyalty and ability.
But Liu Qi, having been tempered by war, was no longer the easily angered and impulsive young man he once was; he was now better able to find balance and compromise.
He relied heavily on and admired Zhou Yafu, and the friendship between the two in the army was extraordinary.
Therefore, between Chao Cuo and Zhou Yafu, the Crown Prince seems to be playing a mediating and buffering role intentionally or unintentionally, as can be seen from some of his recent personnel arrangements and political actions.
Zhang Keran put down the letter and walked to the window.
The snow has stopped, and the afterglow of the setting sun has gilded the snow-covered eaves with a layer of gold.
He knew that he was now at the crossroads of several forces.
His status as the heir apparent to the King of Liang naturally connected him with the feudal lords.
His position as a close advisor to the Crown Prince allowed him to become deeply involved in central power, and his experience working with Zhou Yafu in the military added another layer of personal bond.
How one makes a move in this intricate game of chess is not only a matter of personal safety, but also of the future of the entire Liang Kingdom.
"Your Highness, someone from the Crown Prince's palace requests that you enter the palace immediately." His thoughts were interrupted by his family's report.
East Palace, Warm Pavilion.
Crown Prince Liu Qi, dressed in ordinary clothes, was sitting opposite Zhou Yafu, talking to each other.
On the chessboard, black and white pieces clashed, and the battle seemed to be at a stalemate. Seeing Zhang Keran enter, Liu Qi waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for formalities, and gestured to the seats beside him.
"Ke Ran is here, have a seat. He's playing chess with the Grand Commandant, why don't you come and see for yourself?" Liu Qi's tone was relaxed, but there was an inescapable melancholy between his brows.
After bowing, Zhang Keran sat quietly to the side and watched the game.
He was an expert in this art. After observing a few moves, he could tell that the Crown Prince's style was steady and solid, with hidden cunning, while Zhou Yafu's style was cautious and conservative, but in fact, every move he made was aimed at the vital points, showing great resilience, just like his military style.
At the end of the game, Liu Qi won by a narrow margin. He pushed aside the chessboard and sighed, "Grand Commandant's military strategy is divine, and his chess skills are flawless. I won by sheer luck."
Zhou Yafu cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness's chess skills are profound, far surpassing mine. That sharp move just now, which broke through my dragon's eye position, was truly a brilliant move."
Liu Qi smiled, gestured for the eunuch to bring hot tea, and dismissed everyone else, leaving only the three of them in the warm pavilion.
"I invited you two here today for two reasons. First, to enjoy a game of chess, and second," Liu Qi's tone turned serious, "there are some things I'd like to hear your heartfelt words about. There are no outsiders here, so please speak freely."
Zhou Yafu and Zhang Keran exchanged a glance and both sat up straight.
"I'm sure you two have both read Minister Chao's new policy proposals." Liu Qi picked up a scroll of silk from the table. "His intentions are commendable, and his ambitions are admirable. However, some of the clauses, such as taking away all the power to appoint and dismiss officials from the princes and limiting the guards to no more than five hundred, are they... too hasty? The King of Qi, the King of Dai, my uncle, the King of Changsha, and the King of Liang," he glanced at Zhang Keran, "have all been loyal and steadfast during the rebellion. Now, to suddenly strip them of their power may discourage the imperial family and cause the world to criticize the court for being harsh and ungrateful."
Zhou Yafu pondered for a moment and said, "Your Highness's concerns are very valid. Reducing the power of the vassal states is a strategy to strengthen the foundation, but governing a country is like waging war; one must consider the timing, location, and the people. Now that the rebellion has just been quelled and the world yearns for stability, the priority should be appeasement. We should first focus on reforming the newly established prefectures and counties, selecting capable officials, and restoring the people's livelihood. Loyal vassal states should be generously rewarded to recognize their achievements, while their power should be gradually reduced to demonstrate the court's benevolence. This will naturally quell any rebellion. If we push too hard, it may cause other problems."
Liu Qi looked at Zhang Keran: "Keran, you are both the heir apparent of a feudal lord and a minister of the court. What are your thoughts on this?"
This is an extremely sensitive issue.
Zhang Keran said slowly, "Your Highness, Grand Commandant, I believe that both Minister Chao and the Grand Commandant have valid points. The only difference lies in the urgency of the matter. Your Majesty and Your Highness wish to consolidate power in the central government, which is a great undertaking for the ages and an inevitable trend. However, as the Grand Commandant said, it requires the right timing, favorable location, and harmonious relationships."
He then changed the subject: "But what is harmony among men? It is not merely the hearts of the feudal lords, but also the hearts of the people and officials of the court. Minister Chao's methods are swift and decisive, achieving rapid results and deterring rebellion. The Grand Commandant's strategy is steady and methodical, reassuring the people and consolidating the foundation. The two may seem contradictory, but they can actually complement each other."
"Oh? How can they complement each other?" Liu Qi asked with interest.
"For example, in controlling floods, it is better to dredge than to block, but if we do not block at all, the dike may collapse," Zhang Keran said. "The court can issue a decree to the whole country that the policy of weakening the vassal states is intended to permanently eliminate the calamity of rebellion by the vassal states and to ensure the eternal stability of the Han Dynasty, not to deprive the imperial family of their power."
"Regarding the terms proposed by Minister Chao, they can be implemented in stages with clear time limits. For example, the power to appoint and dismiss officials of the rank of two thousand shi (a unit of grain measurement) of the feudal lords can be revoked first, starting with the former territories of rebellious states and feudal lords with bad records. Those who are loyal and meritorious can be given a grace period of several years, and they can be allowed to recommend virtuous and capable people for evaluation and appointment by the court, as a sign of leniency. The number of guards can also be differentiated according to the size of the feudal state and the importance of its location, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach."
He paused, then continued, "The key is to give rather than take. While consolidating power, the court can compensate the feudal lords by increasing their share of taxes or by allowing their sons to serve as officials in the court, thus strengthening their connection with the central government. In this way, although the feudal lords lose their real power to govern the people and command the army, they will benefit economically, have a political path, and their grievances will naturally be appeased. This is what is meant by taking away their power and giving them benefits, removing their influence and pacifying their hearts."
This argument acknowledges both the necessity and the general trend of reducing the power of the feudal lords, points out the potential risks of Chao Cuo's strategy, and proposes a concrete and feasible compromise, attempting to find a balance between centralizing power in the court and appeasing the feudal lords. It even transforms the reduction of the power of the feudal lords from a simple stripping of power into a partial exchange of interests and political absorption.
A look of appreciation flashed in Zhou Yafu's eyes. Zhang Keran's argument coincided with his own thoughts and was even more feasible.
Liu Qi listened and nodded slowly. After a long while, he sighed, "Ke Ran's words are wise and insightful in governing the country. I also know that Chao Shi is a bit too hasty. However... Father Emperor trusts Chao Shi greatly, and he approves of his new policies. Moreover, there are many people in the court who support Chao Shi now."
His words revealed a sense of helplessness, indicating that even the Crown Prince could not openly and drastically change Chao Cuo's course while Emperor Wen was still alive and his attitude was clear.
"Your Highness," Zhou Yafu said in a deep voice, "His Majesty is wise and Your Highness is benevolent and filial, which is a blessing for the nation. However, political affairs are complex and require collective wisdom and effort. Minister Chao's proposal can serve as the main framework, but the specific details of its implementation should be carefully considered from the perspective of all parties to ensure its appropriateness. I am willing to work with Marquis Zhang and other experienced and prudent ministers in the court to carefully examine the terms and draft a sound plan before presenting it to His Majesty and Your Highness for their decision. This is not to obstruct the new policies, but to ensure their steady and long-term success."
This was an extremely eloquent statement, showing respect for both Emperor Wen and Chao Cuo while also proposing a pragmatic approach, transforming potential ideological clashes into concrete technical discussions.
Liu Qi's spirits lifted: "The Grand Commandant's words are quite right! Then I will trouble the Grand Commandant and Ke Ran to join forces with the Chancellor, the Censor-in-Chief, and others to carefully discuss the terms of this new policy, how to divide it into steps, how to differentiate between different groups, and how to provide preferential treatment, and to draft a detailed proposal. It must be reasonable, just, and legal, so that the authority of the court can be upheld and the hearts of the imperial clan will not be resentful."
"Your subjects obey," Zhou Yafu and Zhang Keran replied, bowing.
As I left the East Palace, the city lights were just coming on. The snow had begun to fall again, a light, drizzling sound.
Zhou Yafu and Zhang Keran rode side by side, with their personal guards following at a distance.
"Zhang Hou's words today resonate deeply with me," Zhou Yafu said softly, gazing at the dimly lit palace lanterns ahead. "Chao Cuo possesses extraordinary talent, yet his actions border on tyranny, not a path to long-term stability. Your Majesty... may employ him because of his ambition, but Your Highness..."
He turned to look at Zhang Keran, "Your Highness, when you inherit the throne, you will need ministers who can harmonize the internal affairs and bring peace to all directions. Crown Prince of Liang, you should take good care of yourself."
Zhang Keran felt a chill run down his spine and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Grand Commandant. I, Keran, only know to be loyal to the king and not fail your grace."