My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 43 Either Stupid or Evil
Although the imperial court in Chang'an, the capital of the Western Capital, was almost ruined by Liangzhou warriors like Li Jue and Guo Si, the prestige of the imperial court in the local areas was still quite high.

Putting aside other things, at the very least, Yuan Sui of Guangling Commandery would not be as resistant to Liu Bei as he is now, and would most likely obey Liu Bei's orders and begin sending taxes, grain and other supplies to Tancheng.

This alone was extremely tempting to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei was somewhat tempted, and his expression became much more serious: "In your opinion, how should I send someone to Xijing? And who should I send?"

Han Xun immediately recommended, "This matter can be handled according to the old precedent set when Tao Gong was in office. Please ask the Prefect to take charge."

"The escort?"

Liu Bei remembered that the Chief Administrator was Mi Zhu. At present, many affairs in the state depended on Mi Zhu's coordination and Yuan Long's guidance.

Logically speaking, sending a subordinate official to Xijing would be the most sincere gesture. However, Liu Bei felt that he really couldn't do without the two of them. Moreover, Xijing was in chaos at the time, and sending Mi Zizhong there at such a risk might alienate him and even be suspected of repaying kindness with enmity.

"It's not right, it's not right."

Liu Bei shook his head repeatedly: "Zizhong is my right-hand man, and I cannot leave him for even a moment."

Han Xun did not continue to persuade him, but instead recommended other people: "Since the Prefect is unable to leave and the position of Chief Clerk in the prefecture is vacant, then we can choose one of the Chief Clerk or the Chief Clerk to go."

Among the provincial-level officials in the Han Dynasty, apart from the governor and the prefect, who were appointed from outside the province, the other four historians were all locals.

These four historians are the Prefect, the Chief Administrator, the Chief Secretary, and the Chief Clerk.

Among them, the position of Biejia was the most important, followed by Zhizhong Congshi.

The Chief Clerk and the Chief Clerk were next in rank.

At present, Mi Zhu, the Prefect of Xuzhou, and Chen Deng, the Chief Clerk, are definitely not going to Xijing, and the position of Chief Administrator is temporarily vacant.

Since the Prefectural Governor and the Chief Clerk are both unavailable, and the position of Chief Administrator is vacant, only the Chief Clerk Cao Hong remains.

However, Cao Hong had been claiming illness for a long time. Ever since Liu Bei took over Xuzhou, Cao Hong had been on sick leave, and it had been more than a month since then.

Even if Liu Bei disliked Cao Hong, he couldn't possibly force him to go on a mission to Xijing while he was ill.

This would not only cause Liu Bei to lose his popular support, but also be disrespectful to the court, and would also make the Danyang faction officials feel a sense of shared sorrow.

Liu Bei couldn't help but sigh: "The Prefect and the Chief Clerk are both burdened with important responsibilities and cannot leave, the position of Chief Administrator is vacant, and the Chief Clerk is seriously ill. For the time being, there is no one in the province who can take on this important task."

Han Xun felt the time was right and volunteered himself. He stood up, bowed deeply to Liu Bei, and said, "My lord, do not worry. I am unworthy, but I am willing to go to Xijing for you, pay homage to the court, and tell the court about your loyalty and obedience."

Liu Bei was deeply moved and stepped forward to help Han Xun up, saying, "I know your heart completely."

However, Liu Bei did not agree immediately. He had to discuss such an important matter with Chen Deng, Chen Qun, Mi Zhu, and his beloved son.

"I am aware of this matter. Please step back and allow me to consider it further."

Han Xun knew that further discussion would be pointless, so he took his leave.

After Han Xun left, Liu Bei paced around the hall a few times, deciding to first hear his son's opinion.

"Someone, go and invite the eldest young master here."

At this time, Liu Feng was in his room eating with Pan Zhang. Halfway through the meal, he heard that Liu Bei had sent someone to summon him, which puzzled him.

However, he didn't linger and left immediately after putting down his rice bowl. The fact that Big Ear Brother sent someone to find him while he was eating meant that there must be something important to discuss.

Soon, Liu Feng met Liu Bei.

Upon seeing Liu Feng, Liu Bei smiled and said, "Feng'er, come and sit down. I have something I'd like to hear your opinion on."

Liu Feng stepped forward, bowed, and then knelt down: "Father, what is the important matter?"

After considering for a moment, Liu Bei explained, "Just now, after I finished my shift, Han Xun, a scholar of the Confucian school, requested a private audience with me and suggested that I send someone to the Western Capital to pay homage to the Emperor and express my loyalty and righteousness."

He said that although the current emperor was young, he was divinely wise, and as a member of the Han imperial family, he would surely gain the emperor's favor. Afterwards, he would be granted official titles and ranks, and might even be appointed governor of Xuzhou by the court.

"I think what Han Xun said makes a lot of sense. However, Zizhong and Yuanlong are both tied up, and Chief Clerk Cao Hong is on sick leave at home. Fortunately, the position of Chief Administrator is still vacant. After some consideration, I intend to send Changwen as an envoy to be appointed Chief Administrator, and Han Xun as his deputy, to Chang'an to pay homage to the Emperor and seek the position of Governor of Xuzhou for me. What do you think, Feng'er?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Feng was taken aback for a moment, then fell into thought.

After a moment, Liu Feng chuckled: "Father, do you know which side this Han Xun is on?"

Liu Bei was somewhat surprised. After thinking carefully, he replied, "This man is from Danyang and is also an old subordinate that Tao Gong brought to Xuzhou. His position as a Confucian scholar was also appointed by Tao Gong when he was alive. However, he has always been low-key and does not interact much with his fellow Danyang natives. I have never paid attention to him before."

Upon hearing this, Liu Feng sneered, "Han Xun is either stupid or wicked. His plan seems good, but it is full of loopholes and may even be hiding a sinister plot to harm you."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's expression immediately changed.

He knew his son always spoke with purpose, so could he really have been deceived by Han Xun?
"Feng'er, what do you mean by this?"

Liu Bei suppressed his anxiety, looked at Liu Feng, and waited for the latter to explain.

“Father, it’s fortunate that you consulted me first. If Chen Gongcao had known about this first, he would have asked you to execute Han Xun immediately. At that time, things would have gotten much worse.”

Liu Feng's words made Liu Bei even more nervous. If Chen Yuanlong was willing to shout for killing, then something serious must have happened.

Liu Feng stepped forward and began to analyze the situation for Liu Bei: "Today, the emperor is far away in the western capital. Although he is called the emperor, all the power of the court has fallen into the hands of military men from Liangzhou such as Li Jue and Guo Si."

"The warlords of Guandong, especially the military men of Jizhou in Hebei and Liangzhou, are irreconcilable enemies and are still being labeled as traitors by the imperial court."

"Their official positions were mostly self-proclaimed and independent, without any endorsement from the imperial court."

"Father, once you take over as governor of Xuzhou, you will immediately reconcile with Yuan Jizhou and become allies."

"Under such circumstances, what would be the result of sending someone to Xijing to express your loyalty?"

"Not to mention Li Jue, Guo Si and others, even the emperor will not believe you, and Yuan Jizhou will begin to suspect that you have betrayed the alliance."

"Your actions will not please the Emperor and the military men of Liangzhou, but will offend Yuan Jizhou and Cao Yanzhou. You are making enemies out of thin air."

"What's worse is that your appointment as Governor of Xuzhou is a self-proclaimed title, a product of compromise and concessions among various factions in Xuzhou. There is no legal or procedural backing from the imperial court. Under these circumstances, using the excuse of dangerous roads can still maintain face and authority."

But if you send an envoy to Xijing but ultimately fail to bring back the appointment of the governor of Xuzhou, and the court even appoints another governor of Xuzhou, how will you face your father then?

(End of this chapter)