Lu Xiao immediately echoed: “Lord Dongfang has both the merit of surrender and years of service in the Southeast. He understands local customs and the economic culture of the people there. Moreover, he is virtuous and highly respected, deeply beloved by the people. He is truly the best candidate.”
“Hmph!” As soon as he finished speaking, a cold snort immediately came from among the South Chu ministers. South Chu’s Prince of Runan, Chu Lie, stepped forward and said: “Someone who could betray once—how do we know they won’t betray twice? Our ancestors long ago said that Qi people are the most untrustworthy. Wanting to govern the Southeast is simply a fool’s dream!”
Upon hearing this, all East Qi officials immediately flew into rage, everyone’s face flushing red. Dongfang Li, with his white hair and beard, maintained calm eyes and appeared deeply calculating as he said in a low voice: “What does Prince Runan mean by this? We willingly follow His Majesty’s side, surrendering our nation out of dedication—this was for the people in the city, for the Southeast’s hundred-year foundation, not for our own wealth and glory. The Qi imperial family, disregarding heaven’s anger and people’s resentment, has waged war continuously for five years, stirring up turmoil across the four seas and making life unbearable for the people—they have lost the people’s hearts. His Majesty replacing them is heaven’s mandate and the general trend. We are the people’s parent officials, with our hearts devoted to the tens of thousands of people in the Southeast. Submitting to His Majesty follows the will of both people and heaven. This sincerity of heart can be witnessed by heaven and earth, expressed by sun and moon. His Majesty is in his prime with great talent and strategy—how could we harbor different intentions? Moreover, His Majesty already trusts us, entrusting us with all Southeast affairs large and small. Prince Runan speaking this way—isn’t his temperament rather narrow?”
“Grand Marshal Dongfang’s words are wrong. The common saying goes, ‘A son of wealth doesn’t sit beneath a dangerous roof.’ How can we entrust the peaceful realm that our South Chu military and people fought to establish to the hands of fickle scoundrels? Years ago, South Chu’s ancestors mistakenly trusted Duke Qi Xian, causing the loss of half the Southeast territory and missing the opportunity to unify the realm. This lesson from the past remains vivid today. How can we be careless and casually hand over the Southeast Province to others? This minister recommends Prince Runan to govern the Southeast, guarding a peaceful sacred land for our Great Chu.”
“Your Majesty!” A miserable voice tinged with weeping immediately rang out. Chu Li frowned and looked down to see an old minister over fifty behind Dongfang Li suddenly rush forward, crying bitterly: “We have devoted hearts, full of hot blood, bodies of sincere bones, sincerely submitting to Your Majesty, wanting to use these heads to help Your Majesty achieve an unprecedented great enterprise through the ages. But Chu ministers’ exclusionary words—doesn’t this chill the hearts of countless Southeast people and scholars? Under heaven, all is the king’s land; within the four seas, all are the king’s subjects. We are all Your Majesty’s people—how can there be such obvious favoritism between near and far?”
Chu Li frowned tightly. This old man was the former East Qi Minister of Rites, with the most developed tear ducts. In the half month since Chu Li held court, this old man had already wept and remonstrated multiple times—when he wanted to cry, he cried without hesitation.
Just as he was about to speak to stop him, someone among the South Chu officials suddenly roared angrily—it was actually a military general. In court, military officers rarely spoke, not because they lacked competitive spirit, but because in verbal disputes, they truly couldn’t compare to those eloquent civil ministers with lotus-blossoming tongues. This time, more military officers had followed Chu Li’s eastern expedition than civil officials. A fully armored military officer stepped forward and said angrily: “How dare you be presumptuous in court! If you dare cry and wail again, this general will flay you first!”
“Silence!” Chu Li said sternly with a dark expression: “Do you still have any regard for me?”
“Your Majesty, this general…”
“Withdraw. After returning, report to the military law office for thirty military rod strikes.”
“Yes.”
“Your Majesty,” Dongfang Li stepped forward with a composed expression: “It’s not that this minister has fantasies about the Southeast Provincial Governor position. Speaking practically, this minister has several humble opinions I wish to present.”
Chu Li nodded and said indifferently: “Speak.”
“The position of Southeast Provincial Governor is of great importance, managing the entire Southeast coast. In governance, one must handle surplus grain and taxes, spring plowing and autumn harvesting, official appointments, heaven-worshipping ceremonies, and managing all Southeast affairs large and small. In military matters, one must command both Southeast land and naval forces, guard borders, protect territory against North Qin invasion, monitor Huarong Trail, clear Japanese pirates, and block Xiongnu. Moreover, one must be responsible for liaison with South Sea nations, supervise officials in seventeen prefectures and counties. East Qi was founded on trade and rose through sea salt—the complexity of responsibilities is truly incomparable. Therefore, this minister believes that the appointed person must be from East Qi locally, must be familiar with both military and political affairs, must be versed in South Sea nations’ customs, must have good relations with various noble families and merchants, and must be virtuous and highly respected. This minister has heard that South Chu Grand Marshal Ouyang Mingyuan is a talented young hero with brilliant abilities. This old minister requests permission for Grand Marshal Mingyuan to serve as Southeast Governor—we will all serve wholeheartedly at his disposal.”
Upon hearing this, the South Chu people immediately became furious. Grand Marshal Mingyuan managed many imperial duties and was the Chu Emperor’s most trusted person. With the coming confrontation against Xichuan, how could they do without him overseeing South Chu and coordinating military supplies? After all his words, he was still just creating momentum for himself.
“Mingyuan is indeed the most suitable candidate, but I have more important matters for him to handle. As for the Southeast Governor position, I already have someone in mind.”
As soon as Chu Li finished speaking, everyone was immediately shocked. Dongfang Li frowned and said: “Then, may I ask whom Your Majesty favors?”
Chu Li slightly raised his hand and said: “Summon.”
The eunuch beside him immediately called out in a drawn-out voice: “Summon Xia Qing for audience!”
Everyone immediately turned their heads, craning their necks to look at the doorway. They saw a young man in white robes slowly walking in. The person was not tall, with clear eyebrows and beautiful eyes, extremely handsome features, upright clothing, and a refined face with a faint smile—actually a young, handsome, graceful youth.
“Minister Xia Qing pays respects to my king. Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!”
“Rise,” Chu Li said in a low voice. “Dear ministers, this is Xia Qing, my trusted minister. From now on, he will serve as Southeast Provincial Governor. I hope you will all assist him wholeheartedly to rebuild the Southeast’s prosperous and wealthy scenery.”
All the ministers were stunned by this sudden blow. Even the South Chu ministers were baffled. After a while, Minister of Rites Sun Qingcheng was heard crying loudly: “Your Majesty, this absolutely cannot be!”
The court ministers immediately buzzed with noise, with people constantly stepping forward to remonstrate and oppose. Chu Li’s gaze briefly swept over Qing Xia, saw her nod, and said sternly: “If you want to oppose, speak one by one. With this chaotic babbling, whom should I listen to?”
“Your Majesty, state affairs are no child’s play—they involve millions of lives! This person is very young and cannot bear such great responsibility!”
“Your Majesty, this person has an unfamiliar face—we’ve never seen him before. For such an important position as Southeast Province, what qualifications, what abilities, what right does he have to ascend to the governor’s position?”
“Your Majesty, the lesson from the past is right before our eyes, our ancestors’ teachings still ring in our ears. The Southeast strategic region must be entrusted to trusted persons—only imperial relatives can serve!”
“Your Majesty, this person’s background is unknown and he’s too young to command respect.”
“Your Majesty is a wise ruler and should sympathize with the people’s feelings. You cannot listen to one side only and act arbitrarily, chilling the hearts of all civil and military officials!”
…
“Enough!” Chu Li snorted coldly and said: “Since I appointed Xia Qing, I’ve already considered everything. Do you see me as an incompetent ruler?”
Below immediately fell silent as death, but looking at everyone’s faces, they clearly disagreed. Chu Li glanced at Qing Xia and said: “Xia Qing, you speak.”
Qing Xia, in white scholarly robes with distinctive dignified bearing—handsome and carefree—stood up with a faint smile and spoke eloquently: “Thank you for Your Majesty’s trust. This minister is extremely honored. This kindness of recognition—even being ground to powder and bones broken couldn’t repay it. This minister will certainly do everything possible with full effort. But I wonder, dear lords, besides my young age and lack of experience, what else do you oppose?”
Ministry of Works Supervisor Peng Yunkun snorted coldly and said sternly: “Lord Dongfang just spoke very clearly—only those with both virtue and talent, high virtue and respect, who understand East Qi’s customs, trade, and salt production can bear this great responsibility. Weren’t you listening outside the hall?”
The entire court immediately buzzed with noise, everyone quietly attacking. Even the South Chu officials temporarily formed a united front with the East Qi ministers. The Chu Emperor was willing to employ young people after ascending the throne, but had always been respectful to court elders. Now, for such a major matter as the Southeast Province, he actually wanted to appoint such a young, beardless youth—who could accept this?
Qing Xia stood in the court hall, looked around in all directions with a smile, and said: “Since that’s the case, let me explain one or two points to you lords.”
“Although Lord Dongfang’s words were incisive, they inevitably have some bias. To summarize, what you mean is that the Southeast Province governs vast territory, and the governor position combines responsibilities for taxation, grain collection, conscription, border defense, bandit suppression, trade, salt production, and supervising all officials. With complex subordinate officials, only virtuous and respected East Qi veteran ministers can maintain authority. Apart from South Chu Grand Marshal Mingyuan whom you mentioned, only you, Grand Marshal Dongfang, could be competent. But in my view, so-called high virtue and respect really isn’t important. Everyone knows what His Majesty’s situation was like when he first ascended the throne—not only was he young, but the country had complex internal power struggles. Initially, not only South Chu ministers but even rulers and officials of the other three nations had no confidence in him. Yet in merely seven years, South Chu has opened its borders, extended its territory south by over three thousand li, annexed East Qi, and conducts political affairs in East Qi’s Ronghua Palace Qian’an Hall, leaping to become the continent’s strongest nation. How do you explain this?”
Dongfang Li was immediately speechless, secretly cursing this young man for being cunning and treacherous, actually pointing the spear directly at the Chu Emperor. Anyone who spoke against this now would immediately be equivalent to openly opposing Chu Li.
Qing Xia smiled, flicked his sleeve, and continued: “This shows that whether one can handle affairs well has nothing to do with being virtuous and respected or having a beard on one’s chin. Furthermore, what you said about the Southeast’s vast territory and complex affairs requiring experienced officials—why don’t you consider that throughout history, emperors with outstanding civil and military achievements governed territories invariably larger than the Southeast coastal region. Which of these emperors had experience when they first ascended? But as long as one knows how to employ people wisely, one needn’t personally handle everything. Great matters have great management, small matters have small management. Though I dare not compare myself to imperial talent, under your lords’ assistance, managing merely one province is more than sufficient.”