Jingzhou’s chaos had only disadvantages and no advantages for the court and the Emperor.

Currently, Youzhou and Jizhou were suffering from drought with frequent disturbances. They already needed support from grain-producing provinces like Jingzhou. With Jingzhou in chaos, the pressure on the Emperor and the court was even greater.

Wang Cheng was the Jingzhou Governor selected by Wang Yan during the Prince of Donghai’s period and wasn’t the Emperor’s man. Even if Wang Cheng claimed to support the Emperor, would the Emperor and the court dare to believe it?

Moreover, Wang Cheng not only didn’t say so, he didn’t even act on it. After three years in Jingzhou, he had successfully thrown it into chaos.

Therefore, the Emperor had long wanted to replace Wang Cheng. Court officials like Zhao Zhongyu and others wanted this even more.

But although the Langya Wang clan had lost Wang Yan, their foundation remained deep.

Currently, there were few Langya Wang clan members in Yuncheng, but throughout all the provinces and regions, Langya Wang clan descendants occupied important positions.

Wang Dun was now Governor of Guangzhou, Wang Han was also in Guangzhou, and Wang Dao was in Xuzhou as a close friend and confidant of the Langya Prince. The younger generation were scattered everywhere. To say nothing of distant places—weren’t Wang Yan’s twin daughters serving under Zhao Hanzhang’s command?

Then there was Wang Rong’s son Wang Xing, who was reportedly now the county magistrate of Yiyang County in Hongnong Commandery.

So they wanted to replace Wang Cheng, but couldn’t.

Wang Cheng was bad at everything, but excellent in one thing—his reputation was very high, pushed to the pinnacle in literary circles. In the past, whenever there was literary commentary, Wang Yan always praised him. Any article he had reviewed, Wang Yan would not review again.

So although he did unconscionable things in Jingzhou, few among the realm’s aristocratic families cursed him. Only the local gentry of Jingzhou secretly resented him, since the rod fell on their backs.

In the current realm, even Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi couldn’t simply say they’d replace Wang Cheng’s governorship and make it happen. Otherwise, Gou Xi wouldn’t have been holed up in Yanzhou all this time, wanting to control the Emperor to command the allegiance of all the lords. Zhao Hanzhang would have already moved south to take Jingzhou.

Only because Wang Cheng was now willing to resign and leave, and the successors were Wang Yifeng and Wang Xuan—otherwise, Jingzhou would have to be conquered before the governor could be replaced.

Zhao Hanzhang submitted a memorial to the Emperor, stating that Jingzhou Governor Wang Cheng was unwell, and with Jingzhou’s affairs being numerous and complicated, coupled with rebellious troops causing chaos, she requested that the Jingzhou Governor be replaced.

Zhao Hanzhang recommended Wang Yifeng, stating that she was a Wang clan descendant, intelligent since childhood with the ability to remember everything she saw. Moreover, she was firm as rock yet had a compassionate heart, and should be made a provincial governor.

Wang Yifeng had previously served as Chief Clerk of Luoyang County, then worked as a clerk under Zhao Hanzhang. Her highest official rank had been seventh grade subordinate. Now she was being recommended to leap to provincial governor.

Even though these were chaotic times, the court officials still felt Zhao Hanzhang’s recommendation was too bold. Even Zhao Zhongyu privately grumbled but still had to make excuses for Zhao Hanzhang.

“Your Majesty, Governor Zhao also recommended her elder brother Wang Xuan as Jingzhou Chief Administrator.”

Only then did the court officials react, immediately saying, “Why not make Wang Xuan the governor with Wang Yifeng assisting?”

“Wang Yifeng has served as Chief Clerk and clerk before. Wang Xuan has never held office—he may not be able to manage a province’s military and political affairs well.”

“But Wang Xuan has great talent and considerable reputation. He’s someone who can be compared with Wei Jie.”

“Hmph! Selecting officials not by ability and virtue but only by reputation—Jingzhou fell into great chaos because of this. In terms of reputation and talent, Prime Minister Wang even said Wang Cheng was number one in the realm. Did he manage Jingzhou well?” Jia Pi snorted coldly. “The court should select officials like Governor Zhao does—those who command troops should be valued for military talent, those who govern people should be valued for civil talent and virtue. Benevolent people who love the people, each fulfilling their proper responsibilities—this way the realm can be at peace.”

Zhao Zhongyu immediately echoed, “Exactly. Since Governor Zhao recommended Wang Yifeng, it must be because she has the talent to govern people.”

The Emperor thought for a moment, then turned to summon an attendant. “Go to the Grand General’s Mansion and ask the Grand General’s opinion.”

The court officials fell silent, waiting for Gou Xi’s response.

Gou Xi had shut himself up in the Grand General’s Mansion again, refusing to come out. Every day when passing below his estate’s walls, one could hear music and singing from inside. For minor matters, the Emperor could basically make his own decisions. For major matters, he still had to send people to consult with him.

If major matters weren’t discussed with him, even if the edict was issued, he would have it recalled and re-deliberated after learning of it. A few days ago, the Emperor had issued an edict to comfort the people of Youzhou and Jizhou, calling on officials and gentry of both provinces to resist the disaster together. To this end, he exempted both provinces from taxation for two years.

This matter had been decided after deliberation in court, and the edict was issued. But within half a day, the person delivering the edict was seized and brought back by Gou Xi’s men. He didn’t agree to directly exempt both regions from two years of taxation.

Direct tax exemption meant only that the provincial governments of Youzhou and Jizhou wouldn’t send the taxes owed to Yuncheng. They themselves would certainly still collect taxes from the people.

He believed the Emperor’s action couldn’t benefit the people, so he disagreed.

Having an edict recalled after leaving the capital greatly embarrassed the Emperor. The conflict between sovereign and subject deepened. Thereafter, when deliberating major matters, the Emperor would send people to the Grand General’s Mansion to inquire first, to avoid losing face before all officials again.

And Gou Xi, without leaving his residence, made the restless court quiet down. Those who had been secretly wanting to join the Emperor’s side had to weigh the pros and cons and quietly stayed put like chickens, not daring to betray Gou Xi.

Their bodies remained in place—it seemed those who should be Gou Xi’s men were still on his side—but their hearts had scattered. Gou Xi’s insulting of the Emperor this way, his own indulgence in pleasures without attending to government affairs, had long lost him popular support.

Today, Jia Pi’s words weren’t only about Wang Cheng but also cursing Gou Xi. An official who doesn’t attend to court affairs might as well go home and farm. Occupying a position without performing its duties—what difference was there from the Wang Yan he had previously cursed?

Waiting for Gou Xi’s response would take some time. The Emperor then discussed other government affairs with them, such as the summer solstice heavenly sacrifice that he was particularly concerned about.

Zhao Zhongyu said with difficulty, “Your Majesty, the sacrificial platform has been mostly completed, but the remaining golden nanmu and fir wood required has not yet arrived, so…”

The Emperor pressed his lips together and asked, “Why hasn’t it arrived yet?”

Zhao Zhongyu said, “Your Majesty, the golden nanmu was purchased from Shu and should have arrived in Yuncheng at the beginning of the month, but because of the Jingzhou rebellion, the convoy escorting the timber was trapped in Jingzhou and temporarily cannot get out.”

“The fir wood was shipped from Guilin Commandery, following the waterway all the way to Jingzhou, and is also currently trapped in Jingzhou, unable to leave.”

An official nearby immediately said, “Your Majesty, the grain purchased from Changsha and Hengyang is also trapped in the Wuchang and Jiangxia areas. Right now it’s not only Youzhou and Jizhou waiting for grain relief—Yuncheng also needs grain shipped from Jingzhou.”

Currently, the areas with the most serious chaos in Jingzhou were Wuchang Commandery and Jiangxia Commandery.

The grain convoys were trapped in these two places. In a while, they wouldn’t even be able to pay officials’ stipends.

Relying solely on Yanzhou’s summer harvest wasn’t enough.

An official said, “All regions of Yanzhou are already harvesting wheat. Looking at the data reported by various commanderies and counties, this year Yanzhou was also affected by climate, with per-mu yield lower than previous years.”

So Jingzhou was very important—it was one of the transportation hubs connecting east, west, south, and north.

The Emperor pressed his lips together and said, “Have them find a way to go through Yuzhou and Xuzhou, first bypassing Wuchang and Jiangxia.”

He said, “Resolve the Jingzhou matter as soon as possible.”

Merchants and travelers from the west and southwest could first detour to Shu, then pass through Yuzhou. Those coming to Yuncheng from the south and southeast could detour to Xuzhou.

By detouring this way, they could indeed reach Yuncheng, but the cost would be much higher.

The Emperor was displeased and seriously considered Zhao Hanzhang’s proposal. Could the siblings Wang Yifeng and Wang Xuan truly stabilize Jingzhou?

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