Chapter Forty-Four: Recommendation and Appointment

Li Heng gave a gentle smile. “What is it, then? Zhixun, speak frankly, I am listening.”

“Your Majesty, this scholar, Kong Sheng, is still young, but his talent is hardly ordinary. Yet this ‘Song of Everlasting Regret’ presumes to speak of the affairs in the former emperor’s inner palace; regardless of his gifts, it is exceedingly audacious. Moreover, his memorial requesting the capital be moved to Jinling is pure fantasy. In my view, it is nothing but youthful arrogance and not worth consideration.” Du Hongjian spoke in a measured tone. “Your Majesty, at present, the court’s foremost concern is quelling the rebellion. As for this reckless young scholar, he need not occupy our thoughts for now. If he truly possesses talent, when the court restores the imperial examinations, he will surely distinguish himself.”

Had Kong Sheng heard Du Hongjian’s words, he would have been furious. He had toiled and schemed to earn the recommendations of Sima Chengzhen and Guo Ziyi, and if all were to be undone by Du Hongjian’s hand… how lamentable!

From Du Hongjian’s perspective, his judgment was not unreasonable. In these troubled times, what matters most is subduing the rebels and reclaiming the Central Plains. Clever, opportunistic young scholars have little use in such affairs.

Li Heng sighed softly.

He had read Guo Ziyi’s memorial, and what drew his attention was not the request to relocate the capital, nor Kong Sheng’s poetic prowess, but that ‘Song of Everlasting Regret.’ As for the sordid tale of the old emperor Li Longji and Lady Yang, he always harbored misgivings; the popular poems mocking Li Longji’s passions left him feeling complicated.

Yet one crucial point remained: in Li Heng’s mind, if such a poem could spread throughout the land, it would easily shape public opinion and legitimize his claim to the throne—since the old emperor chose beauty over his realm, leading to ruin, and the crown prince rose to save the nation, was he not righteous beyond compare?

But such thoughts could not be voiced aloud, lest ministers and commoners laugh at him and tarnish the new emperor’s noble image.

Another matter weighed on Li Heng. To suppress the rebellion, he must rely on famed generals like Guo Ziyi. No matter what kind of person Kong Sheng was, since Guo Ziyi had personally recommended him, Li Heng felt obliged to give Guo Ziyi face.

Yet Du Hongjian was also a leading minister; Li Heng could not ignore his opinion. His hold on the throne was precarious—if he alienated his ministers, how could he one day claim the empire or return to the Chang’an he longed for?

Li Heng was indecisive by nature. Even if he had made up his mind, hearing Du Hongjian’s objections left him uncertain once more.

On Li Fuguo’s ugly face, a cold smile appeared. As a favored close attendant, the grand eunuch Li Fuguo looked down on ministers like Du Hongjian, believing their empty talk harmed the nation, that they spent their days boasting and maneuvering for power, and were far less reliable than generals like Guo Ziyi who charged into battle.

With this thought, Li Fuguo suddenly stepped forward and bowed. “Your Majesty, my opinion differs from Lord Du’s.”

Li Heng frowned and glanced at Li Fuguo. “Fuguo, what is your view?”

Li Fuguo smiled. “Your Majesty, I have also heard of this southern scholar, Kong Sheng. He is a direct heir of the Confucian lineage; both his grandfather and father served in the court, making him a scion of a distinguished family. I have heard he is also an outer disciple of Master Baiyunzi, adept in both letters and martial arts, and said to possess extraordinary strength, much like the illustrious Prince Wei Xuanba of old.”

Li Heng was surprised. “Fuguo, where did you learn all this? Baiyunzi—is that Sima Chengzhen, the former head of Shangqing who traveled to Chang’an?”

“Indeed, Your Majesty. I gathered these tidings from the military; Sima Chengzhen is now with Guo Fengyang’s forces assisting the court in suppressing the rebellion. Kong Sheng’s poetry and his memorial requesting the capital be moved were submitted by Sima Chengzhen to Guo Fengyang, who then forwarded them.” Li Fuguo bowed deeply. “Your Majesty, the court is in urgent need of talent. When a scholar from the south comes forward with loyalty to the realm, how can the court ignore him? That is the first point.

“Sima Chengzhen is a master of unfathomable Daoist skill; his disciples are not ordinary. Moreover, Guo Fengyang’s recommendation is not to be taken lightly. The court should value and trust Guo Fengyang’s discernment of men. That is the second.

“In weighing both, I humbly suggest the court should publicly decree an appointment for Kong Sheng, and issue an edict praising his resolve in coming forward to serve the nation in its time of peril.”

Du Hongjian listened to Li Fuguo’s confident words, his brows knit and mouth curled. He wished to refute him, but feared becoming an enemy of this favored eunuch—arguing over an unknown southern youth and risking enmity with the emperor’s confidant would be most unwise.

Li Fuguo’s words struck directly at Li Heng’s heart and pleased him greatly. In national crisis, talent is needed; granting a minor post to win someone’s loyalty, and inspiring others across the land to rally for the imperial house, was a transaction with no downside.

But Li Heng still considered Du Hongjian’s feelings, turning to him gently. “Zhixun, I find Fuguo’s words reasonable. What do you think?”

Du Hongjian was unconvinced, but he was shrewd—seeing that the emperor and Li Fuguo were already in agreement, he knew opposing them would not only offend Li Fuguo but also upset the emperor. Yet Du Hongjian was aloof by nature; to speak against his conscience was difficult for him.

He weighed his words carefully. Just then, a young eunuch came in to report, “Your Majesty, Master Li requests an audience.”

Li Heng waved his hand and smiled. “Invite him in!”

Li Fuguo noticed the emperor used ‘invite’ instead of ‘summon,’ his brow twitched, but he silently bowed his head.

Du Hongjian was delighted—the so-called ‘Master Li’ was none other than Li Mi. Li Mi was a renowned figure of the era, a famous recluse and statesman who moved between court and wilderness. He had been summoned as an imperial scholar during Emperor Xuanzong’s reign, serving as a junior official in the Eastern Palace, but was later forced to retire due to the jealousy of Yang Guozhong.

When An Lushan rebelled, Li Heng, newly enthroned at Lingwu, again summoned Li Mi, but Li Mi refused official rank, agreeing only to serve as a guest adviser in military affairs. Li Heng respected him deeply, thus called him ‘Master.’

Li Mi was close to Du Hongjian, who thought it best if Li Mi, upright and detached from officialdom, spoke on the matter. As a minister, it was unwise to offend the emperor and his favorites.

Li Mi entered, clad in white, his long beard flowing, exuding a touch of immortal grace. He walked slowly in, bowed deeply to Li Heng. “The mountain man Li Mi greets Your Majesty!”

Li Heng smiled, rose, and lightly helped him up. “Master, no need for ceremony. Someone, bring a seat.”

Li Mi turned to the side and bowed slightly to Du Hongjian. “Brother Du!”

“Master!” Du Hongjian returned the bow deeply. If even the emperor called him ‘Master,’ how could he dare address him by name?

Li Mi sat cross-legged below, cupping his hands in salute. “Your Majesty, I have come at another’s request, to recommend a talent to the throne.”

Li Heng made a sound of interest. “Please speak, Master.”

“Half a month ago, I met Grandmaster Sima of Shangqing in Guo Fengyang’s camp. He told me he had taken a secular disciple in the south, a youth of extraordinary poetic talent, born with remarkable strength, skilled in both literature and arms, a rare hero among young men… Most precious of all, this youth bears great ambition and concern for the nation. Now, with the court in need, I believe Your Majesty should decree his appointment, to rally scholars across the land in service to the court and the restoration of the realm.”

Li Mi’s words made Du Hongjian frown inwardly. Li Mi had come to recommend the southern scholar Kong Sheng! It seemed Sima Chengzhen spared no effort for this youth’s future, persuading both Guo Ziyi and Li Mi to recommend him. Perhaps this young man truly had some merit.

Li Heng smiled. “The one you recommend, Master, is the southern heir of the Confucian line, Kong Sheng?”

Li Mi nodded. “Indeed. Your Majesty, I have read his poetry and writings; they are brilliant, revealing depth and insight. For such talent, the court cannot let him slip away.”

Li Heng nodded. With Li Mi’s support, he no longer needed to hesitate, and so he waved his hand decisively. “Zhixun and I were just discussing this matter. Since Master also recommends him, it proves the youth is exceptional. I intend to appoint him, but am uncertain what post is appropriate. Zhixun, what do you think?”

Du Hongjian let out a long breath. His gaze moved from the calm and composed Li Mi to the grim-faced eunuch Li Fuguo, and he rose to bow deeply to the emperor.