When Guanqiu spoke, a complex emotion that couldn't be described or explained suddenly overflowed into Li Yan's heart.
There was anger, confusion, and resentment.
More so was disappointment.
My lord, your death was only seven years ago, yet as the trusted advisor to your son, I am so easily ousted from the court?
And reduced to a commoner?
What good is all the effort I've accumulated over the past few decades?
Li Yan's chest rose and fell, and he bravely stood up against the trend, staring at Guanqiu for a few moments before turning to look at Liu Can.
"My lord has decreed that I must comply. But before I accept the order, there are a few heartfelt words I must express to your majesty. After decades of service, I implore you to remember my past toil and fulfill my request. "
"Since things have come to this point, how can you be allowed to continue spouting nonsense here?"
Guanqiu squinted his eyes at Li Yan, then took two steps forward and handed the scroll of edict that he had been holding to Li Yan with a serious expression, saying: "Here is the order, Li Yan, quickly accept it!"
It's at this crucial moment that everyone can see it, your majesty will not make such a small thing to reprimand me, it must be the work of Guanqiu.
Li Yan showed no intention of stopping. Seeing that Liu Can did not make a clear statement, he immediately bowed and addressed Liu Can:
"Your majesty, although my words may have been inappropriate, I am after all one of the two who were entrusted to be the guardian of the late emperor. If I accept the demotion, why should it be to a commoner? I and Guanqiu are both assistant officials of the government, holding high positions as generals of the Han army. Yet he, as the prime minister, can dismiss me with just one word! His power is so great that all political matters are under his control. His behavior is so arbitrary that he is no different from Cao Songde. After decades of service……"
Li Yan's face turned crimson, speaking rapidly, as if now was the only opportunity to express his thoughts.
Being in the palace, Guanqiu couldn't possibly take personal action that would result in a loss of dignity, nor could he truly be 'autocratic' to the extent of not allowing Li Yan to speak. He stood there helplessly at the side, watching Li Yan with a stern and regretful gaze.
"Li Yan, stop for a moment."
Li Yan was still speaking, but Liu Can raised his voice to repeat the words, "Li Yan, stop for a moment!"
"According to your order." Li Yan pursed his lips, bowed slightly, and then fell silent.
"I have been on the throne since I was a young man, and now for over seven years. The Han dynasty is currently in a corner of Yizhou, and I can see at least six or seven things about the matters within the palace, the government, and the country."
"Li Yan, do you know what is the most important thing for the Han dynasty both now and in the future?"
Li Yan hesitated for a moment, wanting to say something, but ultimately shook his head and did not answer.
"The most important thing for the Han dynasty right now and in the future is the Northern Expedition!" Liu Can said calmly. "People say that I am the son of the Han emperor, but the capital of the Han empire should be Luoyang, not Chengdu! Only my father, as your majesty's prime minister, can lead the Han army to launch a Northern Expedition."
"Can Li Yan lead an army of a hundred thousand and lead the Northward Expedition? Can he make the state prosperous and ensure good governance?"
Li Yan wanted to say that he could as well, but since the topic was raised like this, there was no room for a positive response. Li Yan had to bow down and follow Liu Can's words: "I am ashamed."
Liu Can nodded: "The prosperity of the Han dynasty is a predetermined fate. At this crucial moment of the Northern Expedition, the entire country must work together and not have any changes. You are only fifty years old this year, Li Yan. If you follow the right path, you will definitely inherit blessings, which is a universal truth in the world."
"Qiu Wan, a loyal minister of Chu, was repeatedly depressed and exiled but finally recovered. Han's Han An Guo worked hard and made a comeback. Li Yan should first reflect on himself, and for a while, he should stay in Chengdu to rest."
Just as Li Yan was about to kowtow, Liu Can continued, "As for Li Yan's eldest son, Li Feng, he will be appointed to the post of Zhi Cheng in the Prime Minister's Office."
"I understand my mistake, thank you for your majesty's benevolent treatment!" Li Yan's mind was in a turmoil, he knew he was being placed under house arrest in Chengdu, and his son had been appointed to work under Guanqiu. All his prospects were blocked.
How can I show gratitude if not through this act?
"Rise, please," Liu Can said, waving his hand gesturefully.
After rising, Li Yan again bowed respectfully to Guanqiu, and followed the group of bodyguards out, his figure thin and somber. It's just like being a piece of meat for someone else's cutting board!
Han An Guo, with only a salary of two thousand stones, could be dismissed and then reappointed, rising from the ashes. In the world, how can there be a situation where a general who is demoted to a commoner can rise again? It's just a joke to deceive a three-year-old child!
Li Yan's figure became more and more distant as he walked away. Liu Can, with his clean and handsome face, sighed while sitting on the throne, looked at Guanqiu, who remained silent, and asked: "Father, how did you respond to what I just said to Li Yan?"
Guanqiu turned around, composedly bowed, and said: "Your Majesty's words are very appropriate. The situation and righteousness have been well explained to Li Yan. I hope he will remember the holy edict, seriously reflect on himself, and soon come to his senses."
"I was merely repeating what you have said, father, and there was nothing new," Liu Can continued and then asked, "But I have one more question, and I hope you will tell me the truth."
Guanqiu nodded and said, "Your Majesty, please speak."
Liu Can said: "I have dismissed Li Yan according to the advice of Prime Minister Guanqiu. However, I do not know to what extent Li Yan has repented, or how long it will take before the Prime Minister is willing to restore him to his former position?"
Guanqiu pondered for a moment before answering, "I must honestly admit that I do not know. Perhaps after this campaign against Wei is successful, we could make use of Li Yan's abilities and appoint him to a real position in Longyou or Liangzhou. We could use the northern expedition as an excuse to stabilize the people's minds, and dismiss Li Yan to warn the people in Chengdu. In my opinion, unless the northern expedition is successful, Li Yan should still remain at home."
"I understand," Liu Can slowly nodded. "What other arrangements does the Prime Minister have when he returns to Chengdu this time?"
Guanqiu bowed and said: "It would be better for the emperor to hold a court meeting on the third day after tomorrow. Then, I can explain things clearly to Du Qiong, He Zong, Lai Min, Pei Jun, and others in front of the emperor and all the officials."
"I will issue an edict to inform all the ministers," Liu Can said. "Since you are back in Chengdu, Prime Minister Guanqiu, do not rush into official business these days. Take care of your health and fully enjoy the family happiness."
"Speaking of which, I want to give Zhuge Zhen the position of a Duke's escort," Liu Can said. "What do you think, Prime Minister Guanqiu?"
Guanqiu sighed deeply in his heart again and responded seriously: "Four-year-old children have no merit, how can they deserve the emperor's award? It may bring disaster. I hope the emperor can understand."
Liu Can slowly rose to his feet: "I understand. Prime Minister, you may return. I will see you off."
Guanqiu answered: "According to your order."
So big is Chengdu City. The news that Li Yan had been demoted to a commoner had already spread in small circles by the time he stumbled back home after receiving the imperial edict.
Li Yan left the palace as if he had lost his soul, yet Guanqiu left the palace with a sense of concern as well.
Liu Can asked Guanqiu two key questions just then.
The first question is when Li Yan can be reinstated. The second question is about the arrangement for persuading all the ministers at the court meeting.
For these two questions, Guanqiu was uncertain about the time for Li Yan's reinstatement, and he intended to use Li Yan's demotion as a means to strongly persuade those who opposed the Northern Expedition.
It was clear that Liu Can was also worried about the Northern Expedition, but he chose to temporarily endure and fully trust Guanqiu's abilities.
The questions from his colleagues in Chengdu were not a big deal. Guanqiu could either use force or logic to persuade them. However, when Liu Can's trust, after enduring, was expressed, all the responsibilities fell on Guanqiu's shoulders alone. How many chances of success did the Northern Expedition have?
Who knows.
It is just to do one's best and accept the will of heaven! What is there to fear!
The news that Li Yan was demoted to a commoner quickly spread throughout the city of Chengdu. The news that a grand imperial court meeting would be held three days later also spread widely.
Du Qiong, He Zong, Lai Min, and Pei Jun, the four of them gathered at Du Qiong's mansion to discuss how to make their case at the court meeting.
Du Qiong and He Zong are both elderly figures in Shu. Du Qiong currently holds the position of a Counsellor of the Palace and He Zong is the current Grand Officer-in-Charge of ceremonies. Both of them are well-versed in divination and oracle interpretations, and they both advised Liu Bei to establish the Han dynasty during his accession to the throne.
Lai Min is an old minister of Liu Chang, and he can be considered as Liu Chang's uncle.
Pei Jun is particularly interesting. He is the younger brother of the current Wei imperial chamberlain Pei Qian and the elder brother of the censor Pei Hui. He is the second oldest in his family of five brothers. When he was over ten years old, he sent his brother-in-law to take up a post in Shu. Since the onset of chaos, he has never returned to his hometown and has settled in Shu ever since.
In summary, according to some methods of division in later times, these four people can be considered standard old officials of Yizhou, who are very conservative.
The four sat in the middle hall of Du Qiong's home, with no one else around.
Lai Min was clearly the most urgent, opening his mouth to ask, "Brother Yu said that according to astrology, the previous few years of the Northern Expedition were all very inauspicious. Li Zhengfang just returned to Chengdu and was demoted to a commoner. Prime Minister Guanqiu seems to have no good news this time as well."
"What should we do?"
"How should we respond?" Du Qiong sighed: "It's easy to understand the will of heaven, but hard to go against it. Jingda, to be honest, I'm beginning to regret sharing those astronomical and astrological signs with you."
"Observing the heavens day and night, enduring hardships, can one truly understand the secrets behind astronomical signs. But once one knows them, one often worries about the disclosure of predictions. It's better not to say anything."
He Zong was the closest to Du Qiong, snorting slightly: "It's too late to say this now! We also submitted a memorandum in the past in our loyalty to the court. Now we are in a difficult position. It's better to have a clear explanation with Prime Minister Guanqiu at the court meeting."
Pei Jun asked coldly, "Who will speak?"
"You, I, or both of them?"
He Zong also fell silent, sighing again: "What can we do? We can only follow the example of Yang Jiuxiu! We are ultimately insignificant and voiceless. There is no other way."
Yang Jiuxiu refers to the former director of Shu Prefecture, Yang Hong.
In the past, when Liu Bei was still alive, he used the land of Yizhou to compete with Cao Cao for Hancheng. As one of the old officials of Yizhou, Yang Hong was directly asked by Guanqiu what to do.
The situation Yang Hong was in at that time was similar to that of the four men in the hall. Facing Guanqiu's question, Yang Hong replied with the famous phrase, "Without Hancheng, there is no Shu. Men should fight, and women should support."
Lai Min sighed deeply and forcefully clenched his fist, pounding his thigh hard: "Northern expedition, northern expedition, we lost Hancheng and still pursued the Northern Expedition! If we continue to support like this for a few more years, I'm afraid the blood and bones of Yizhou will be drained!"
"According to Prime Minister Guanqiu's attitude, no matter how we explain, he will definitely suppress it this time. Although we agree now, if there is an opportunity in the future, we should still send a memorial to the court to persuade the government not to do so! Yizhou is still a small country. How can it survive by being so aggressive?"
The three remaining people nodded silently. (Chapter complete)
