Luoyang, Northern Palace.
After leaving Yuyang, it took Zhang Rang another two months of slow travel before he finally returned.
"Your Majesty!" The moment he saw Liu Hong, Zhang Rang dropped to his knees and burst into tears. "This servant has suffered greatly!"
"Oh?" Liu Hong said with a teasing smile. "Did Zhang Xin mistreat you?"
He had just returned from inspecting the repair of horse hooves and was in an unusually good mood.
"Not at all, not at all." Zhang Rang wiped his tears. "It's just that the journey to Youzhou is over four thousand li round trip. The constant jolting has nearly shaken my body apart."
"Your Majesty, look—look! I've lost so much weight…"
Though Zhang Rang had spent the entire journey in a carriage, shielded from wind and sun and far more comfortable than the accompanying soldiers, long-distance travel in ancient times was still grueling. He had indeed grown thinner.
"You've worked hard, Father," Liu Hong said with a smile. "Take a few days to rest at home. There's no need to come to the palace."
Zhang Rang, usually pampered, had genuinely endured hardship this time. Liu Hong was willing to indulge him a little.
"How could I not serve Your Majesty?" Zhang Rang chuckled as he rose. "Serving you is no hardship."
Liu Hong nodded. "What about Zhang Xin?"
"A loyal minister—a truly loyal minister!" Zhang Rang said, raising a thumb.
"Oh?" Liu Hong leaned forward with interest. "In what way?"
"Zhang Xin is deeply respectful toward Your Majesty and governs Yuyang well. During my stay, the people all spoke highly of him."
That much was true.
After a pause, Zhang Rang added, "Not only that—when he heard the court planned to wage war against Xiliang, he even took the initiative to send Your Majesty a gift."
At the mention of money, Liu Hong's eyes lit up.
"How much?"
"Forty million."
Zhang Rang remained perfectly composed.
"This newly appointed man paid the full amount?" Liu Hong burst into laughter. "A truly loyal subject indeed!"
The price Liu Hong had set for selling offices was ten million coins for major posts and five million for lesser ones. The Three Dukes and Nine Ministers were exceptions, usually reserved for renowned scholars, so their price was kept modest.
Local officials, however, paid according to rank—ten thousand coins per shi. The Prefect of Yuyang, a two-thousand-shi post, amounted to twenty million coins.
Yet Zhang Xin had sent forty million—double the expected amount.
Even more surprising, Liu Hong had never expected a recently surrendered rebel to offer such a generous "gift."
Two months earlier, Chu Yan had submitted a petition for surrender and was appointed General Who Pacifies the Difficulties. Not only had he refused to pay, he had even demanded one million shi of grain from Wang Fen, governor of Jizhou—greatly angering him.
Compared to that, Zhang Xin was far more sensible.
"Where's the money?" Liu Hong asked eagerly. "Where is it?"
"It has already been placed in the imperial treasury," Zhang Rang replied.
"Let's go take a look."
Liu Hong immediately headed to the inner treasury. The chief attendant hurriedly opened the doors.
Inside, aside from rare treasures, the most striking sight was rows of newly added chests filled with copper coins.
Liu Hong opened one, scooped up a handful, and let them cascade through his fingers with a crisp clinking sound.
Delightful.
Extremely satisfying.
Turning to Zhang Rang, he said, "Speak. What does Zhang Xin want from me?"
"Your Majesty is wise," Zhang Rang flattered. "Zhang Xin says he lacks experience governing a commandery and requests that the court send a renowned scholar to serve as Prefect of Yuyang."
Liu Hong blinked in surprise. "He's asking the court to send someone to oversee him?"
"That is why I say he is loyal," Zhang Rang replied with a smile.
"My cousin has good judgment," Liu Hong said approvingly. "Who does she recommend?"
"Tian Feng, a renowned scholar from Jizhou."
"Tian Feng…"
Liu Hong frowned, thinking for a moment before recalling, "Is that Tian Yuanhao, who was appointed Imperial Censor last year?"
"The same."
Liu Hong hesitated. "If I remember correctly, he's a Maocai. Would he accept a post like Yuyang Prefect?"
"Your Majesty need only issue the edict. I will handle the rest," Zhang Rang assured him.
"Very well."
Liu Hong returned to the palace, drafted the edict, and handed it over.
Zhang Rang wasted no time and went straight to the Censorate.
Since the money had been accepted, the matter had to be done properly.
"The imperial edict has arrived!" he announced.
All officials rose and bowed.
"Where is Imperial Censor Tian Feng?" Zhang Rang asked.
"Reporting to Your Excellency—Tian Feng resigned yesterday."
Zhang Rang froze.
Resigning by hanging up one's seal was common in the Eastern Han. Officials had great freedom—appointments could be declined, and resignations carried little consequence. Even those who performed poorly could resign to avoid punishment and later be reappointed.
Thus, scholars frequently resigned when dissatisfied or when facing trouble.
With Tian Feng gone, Zhang Rang's prepared persuasion was useless. He could only return to report.
"Anyone else?" Liu Hong asked.
"Ju Shou of Jizhou, and Jia Xu of Liang Province," Zhang Rang replied.
Liu Hong considered. "Ju Shou likely won't agree. What about Jia Xu?"
"He is serving as an aide to the Grand Commandant."
"Then go ask him—but no edict this time."
After all, repeated refusals would damage imperial dignity.
Zhang Rang went—and soon returned, crestfallen.
"Your Majesty… Jia Xu resigned a few days ago due to illness."
Liu Hong's patience wore thin. "Then forget it. No chief clerk. If Zhang Xin is as loyal as you say—and he's my relative—there's no need."
"But Zhang Xin is only seventeen and inexperienced," Zhang Rang pressed. "If Your Majesty intends to cultivate him, someone should guide him."
"You took his money?" Liu Hong shot him a glance.
"Absolutely not!" Zhang Rang protested. "He is Your Majesty's brother-in-law—how would I dare?"
Liu Hong fell silent.
Zhang Rang had a point. He Jin was unreliable, and relying solely on eunuchs made it difficult to counter the scholar-officials.
Zhang Xin was young, loyal, commanded troops, and had familial ties. He was worth cultivating.
After a long pause, Liu Hong suddenly looked up.
"Where is Cai Yong?"
"Your Majesty, he has not yet been pardoned. He is hiding in Jiangdong."
"Send word to him," Liu Hong said decisively. "Tell him to stop hiding and stop pretending. I have pardoned him."
"He is to go to Yuyang immediately—to serve as Chief Clerk."