Chapter Forty-Five: Indecision

With Li Bi’s support and recommendation, Du Hongjian understood that no matter how much he opposed, it would be futile. Since that was the case, why should he play the villain?

With this thought, Du Hongjian cupped his hands and solemnly said, “Your Majesty, since the esteemed gentleman recognizes this young man as an extraordinary talent, and with the endorsements of Guo Fengyang and Sima Chengzhen, I have nothing more to add. Now, with the nation in peril and rebels blocking the roads, the court cannot personally examine this youth’s abilities. We must therefore temporarily set aside court protocol and adapt to circumstances.”

As Du Hongjian spoke, Li Bi glanced at him. Li Bi knew well that Du Hongjian was, at heart, upright and puritanical. Since he was the first to support Li Heng’s ascension, he had no ulterior motives toward him. Yet Du Hongjian, as the leader of the scholarly ministers, was deeply calculating and acutely aware of crisis. At present, quelling the rebellion took precedence above all, and the status of military commanders was rising to unprecedented heights, showing signs of overshadowing the civil officials.

The faction led by Guo Ziyi was flourishing. Should they succeed in suppressing the rebellion, the military class would truly come to power, trampling the civil ministers beneath their feet. In Du Hongjian’s view, the role of civil officials in governing the realm was irreplaceable. If the military faction grew too dominant within the court, it would inevitably sow the seeds of greater chaos in the empire.

Thus, in Du Hongjian’s deeper calculations, suppressing and weakening the military’s power was essential. Of course, at this pivotal moment of rebellion, he could only endure for now. But if opportunities arose to subtly undermine the military faction, he would instinctively seize them—Guo Ziyi had already recommended many to the court, and if this trend continued, how would the Guo faction’s power be balanced in the future? Should Guo Ziyi become another An Lushan, could the Tang court withstand another upheaval?

This was the true reason Du Hongjian deliberately “targeted” a Jiangnan scholar he had never met, Kong Sheng.

Li Bi sighed inwardly. This was why he refused to serve in officialdom. The imperial court was fraught with hidden currents and intrigue, where one misstep could lead to ruin. Matters, great or small, once touched by the court and power, became riddled with peril and conflict.

Li Heng smiled, “Zixun, I intend to select a county in Jiangnan and entrust its governance to Kong Sheng. If he truly has talent and ability and fulfills his duty, it would not be impossible to promote him to a post in the court.”

Du Hongjian’s gaze flickered at these words.

The counties and county magistrates of the Great Tang were not all the same. Counties were divided into four grades: upper, middle, lower-middle, and lower. Large counties such as Wannian and Chang’an were called “capital counties,” with magistrates of official fifth rank. Counties under the jurisdictions of Jingzhao, Henan, and Taiyuan prefectures were known as “garrison counties,” with magistrates of official sixth rank. Upper counties’ magistrates held subordinate sixth rank, middle counties seventh rank, lower-middle counties subordinate seventh rank, and lower counties official eighth rank. Thus, not every county magistrate was a “seventh-rank minor official.”

The emperor’s proposal was indeed in line with regulations. The magistrate of a lower county, of official eighth rank, was at the bottom of the Tang bureaucracy, hardly a prestigious position. However, Du Hongjian saw another aspect: Jiangnan, prosperous and stable, with a large population, had become the last granary and hope of the Tang court. Entrusting a county in this land of grain and fish to a young man who had merely written a few poems seemed reckless.

Having considered this, Du Hongjian smiled slightly and said, “Your Majesty, you must know that the court’s appointment of a scholar as an official disregarding usual conventions is also meant to inspire scholars across the realm to join the national cause. For the greater good, in my humble opinion, it would be better to appoint Kong Sheng as magistrate of Songcheng in Suiyang. If he truly has ability, he will surely contribute to quelling the rebellion.”

Li Bi frowned quietly but said nothing. He was a man of principle; since he had promised Sima Chengzhen, he would fulfill it by recommending Kong Sheng to the new emperor. As for how the court would employ Kong Sheng, that was beyond his influence.

Li Fuguo curled his lips, inwardly sneering: Du Hongjian was indeed exceedingly sly. Suiyang was right between the rebel and imperial armies, destined to be the main battlefield. Sending a Jiangnan scholar there as magistrate of Songcheng was no different from sending him to his death.

Yet Li Fuguo had no desire to expose this. After all, Kong Sheng’s fate was irrelevant to him. He merely opposed Du Hongjian out of personal dislike. What did the life or death of an insignificant young scholar matter to him?

Li Heng was silent for a moment. At length, he waved his hand decisively, “Enough. Issue a proclamation: Kong Sheng of Jiangning, a scholar of both literary and martial talent, brave and wise, devoted to the nation—this gladdens my heart. Bestow fine wine, red flowers, gold and silk as reward. In this time of national crisis, we must make use of all talents. I personally appoint Kong Sheng as a student of the Son of Heaven, and magistrate of Songcheng in Suiyang, Henan Route. He is to take up his post immediately, and serve as a model for all young scholars in the realm…”

“Publish the poems composed by Kong Sheng, with my imperial commentary, and circulate them throughout the land…”

Li Heng rose slowly, his gaze radiant. At this moment, he was filled not only with boundless hope for restoring the Tang mountains and rivers, but also recalled his father, Li Longji, who had fled to Shu in disgrace, stirring both pride and cold resolve in his heart.

Li Bi pondered, then said softly, “Your Majesty, this humble man has a few words, though I am unsure if they are appropriate.”

Li Heng turned toward Li Bi and nodded slightly, “I regard you as my teacher and advisor in military and state affairs—speak plainly, and I shall listen attentively.”

Whether Li Heng meant this sincerely or as mere performance, Li Bi, though fully aware that Li Heng was not a ruler of Taizong’s caliber, was still moved by his respect.

He rose and bowed deeply, “Your Majesty’s great kindness, I am overwhelmed.”

“Your Majesty, since the Han and Sui dynasties, Jiangnan has been a land of prosperity and wealth. According to what I know, the Eastern Jiangnan Route encompasses nineteen prefectures, governing over a hundred counties, with flourishing commerce and ample grain, and commands fifty thousand seasoned troops. Now, as the court is at a critical juncture in suppressing the rebellion, it would be wise to order the Jiangnan Route’s commissioner, Yang Qi, to take full charge of organizing the troops and provisions in Eastern Jiangnan, and lead fifty thousand soldiers across the river into Guanluo to join the battle, creating a response with Guo Fengyang’s main army… Thus, the great task may be accomplished.” Li Bi spoke with eloquence and confidence.

Li Heng, having ascended at Lingwu and issued decrees to rally the realm, found the regional commanders in areas untouched by war eager in words but slow to send troops. Li Bi’s suggestion struck exactly what Li Heng desired. He had long considered such action, yet was worried that wielding strong authority at this delicate moment might provoke rebellion among regional lords.

“What you say is very true. Yet I have always… hesitated to complicate matters…” Li Heng spoke hesitantly, his expression shifting.

Li Bi sighed inwardly. This new emperor’s vision was narrow, his temperament gentle, lacking decisive courage and thunderous resolve. If not for Du Hongjian and his fellow civil ministers holding the court together, and Guo Ziyi and the military commanders fighting desperately, this so-called “little court” would surely become a laughingstock.

Li Bi cast a subtle glance toward Du Hongjian.

Du Hongjian took a deep breath, bowed, and declared loudly, “Your Majesty, the gentleman’s plan is most suitable. Yang Qi, the commissioner in Jiangnan, has long been famed for loyalty; the court recently issued a commendation for him. In my view, Yang Qi has been training horses and soldiers in Jiangnan, awaiting imperial orders.”

Li Heng was somewhat moved by Du Hongjian’s words, but instinctively turned to the eunuch Li Fuguo at his side.

Seeing the supreme emperor so indecisive, seeking a eunuch’s counsel at a critical moment, Li Bi felt disappointed and could not help lowering his head.

Du Hongjian frowned privately, prostrated himself, and called out loudly, “The matter is urgent—Your Majesty, please make your decision swiftly.”