Chapter 1000: Tailai Tower

"Your Majesty, where shall we go next? We've walked for so long—are you tired? Shall we find a place to rest?" Walking slowly, Zhang Dejun noticed Liu Chengyou's expression gradually turning serious, and couldn't help but draw closer, asking with concern in a low voice.

"Then let's find a place!" Feeling his legs somewhat swollen, and glancing at the elderly Gao Fang, Liu Chengyou followed the advice readily and nodded.

Without waiting for Zhang Dejun to make arrangements, Liu Chengyou was struck by a passing thought and said: "I hear the Prince of Chen's family has properties in the Eastern Market—are there any good places there?"

The Prince of Chen's family, of course—everyone knew it was the Prince of Chen's estate. Zhang Dejun took the hint and immediately ordered someone to lead the way, while Gao Fang couldn't help but shoot Liu Chengyou a surprised glance. After all, being in the midst of affairs, and recalling the court's adjustments to northern military governance in recent years—could it be that the Emperor had some opinion of the Prince of Chen, Zhao Kuangzan?

Perhaps it was a politician's sensitivity that made Gao Fang unable to stop his thoughts from wandering. He did have a certain friendship with the Prince of Chen, Zhao Kuangzan—he could only hope the Emperor meant nothing else by it.

"Send someone to find the younger Lady Fu, and see whether the mother and daughter have tired themselves out. If they're tired, have them come to me!" Liu Chengyou instructed further.

"Yes!"

Generally speaking, whenever Liu Chengyou went out, he would always bring a consort along to attend him, and this time was no exception. For this outing to the Eastern Market, the younger Lady Fu, Consort Hui, accompanied him together with their eldest daughter Liu Jia.

Tailai Tower was one of the Prince of Chen Zhao Kuangzan's properties—a three-story tavern, said to have been personally named by Zhao Kuangzan himself. Though newly renovated, it carried a sense of history; standing before it, one could feel a weight of accumulated years.

"Tailai Tower!" Gazing at the lofty plaque, Liu Chengyou read it aloud: "'When misfortune reaches its extreme, fortune arrives'—a fine name!"

The location wasn't the best, but it sat at the crossroads of two market streets, with heavy foot traffic; from within the building, one could take in the surrounding street scenes at a glance. The stewards, accountants, cooks, menial servants, and entertainers numbered over thirty. The interior environment was also of the highest quality, well-ordered—after all, it was an upscale tavern, receiving guests who were for the most part people of some standing, wealth, and position.

Liu Chengyou's party was clearly of extraordinary status, and were ushered in with great solicitude, led directly to a private room upstairs.

"Be seated!" Liu Chengyou extended a hand in a courteous gesture toward the respectfully standing Gao Fang.

"I thank Your Majesty!"

Surveying the room's furnishings, which were somewhat ornate, Liu Chengyou said: "How many taverns of this standard are there in the Eastern Capital?"

Gao Fang did not know, and so did not answer. When the Emperor's gaze turned to him, Zhang Dejun promptly replied: "From what this humble one knows, no fewer than twenty."

"They must all have some backing to be able to open at all," Liu Chengyou remarked.

To this, Zhang Dejun could only express that His Majesty was most perspicacious.

"Your Majesty, have a drink of water!" They did not use the tavern's tea—that would require inspection, too troublesome—instead using the water pouch they carried with them.

After moistening his throat, he said: "Just now, my conversation with that palm-leaf fan vendor—you all heard it, didn't you?"

"Yes!"

"What are your thoughts?" Liu Chengyou asked, directing the question mainly at Gao Fang.

Knowing that the Emperor was angered by certain circumstances revealed in the old vendor's words, Gao Fang thought for a moment, then said in a soothing tone: "Your Majesty, when the sun and moon shine, even in a world illuminated by light, it is inevitable that demons lurk forth by night, and specters work their villainy. Since something has been perceived, it need only be investigated and dealt with—Your Majesty need not brood overmuch!"

"I understand the principle well enough!" Liu Chengyou said: "But this shows that even under the so-called civilizing reign, demons and monsters still run rampant. In places my eyes cannot reach, the suffering of the common folk is still great!"

"Regarding the matter of compensation for soldiers and corvée laborers—over the years, I have repeatedly issued warnings and admonitions, yet some still pay no heed, deceiving those above and concealing from those below, thinking themselves clever at seizing opportunities, thinking they can escape the sovereign's sight and hearing. Had I not happened upon this matter by chance today, I truly would not have known that the compensation after the Yuezhou campaign back then had such twists and turns..."

What angered Liu Chengyou most was that the compensation to the people back then was supposed to include all civilian laborers who had served with the army at the front. If the court had not issued such directives, then setting aside rewards due to "nationality" issues might have been somewhat understandable—and even then, one could have submitted a memorial to petition the court. But the facts were precisely the most infuriating situation.

It was almost certain that in the rewards of that year, there was no shortage of embezzlement—there are always "clever people" who find loopholes in such times.

"Investigate! It must be thoroughly investigated!" Liu Chengyou suddenly said sternly: "Whether for soldiers or civilians, all matters of reward and compensation ought to undergo an inspection. Hmm, and we should also issue an edict, allowing soldiers and civilians to report on their own..."

Seeing the Emperor's reaction, Gao Fang's brow furrowed slightly—he felt this was somewhat of an overreaction.

Liu Tinghan, standing guard at the side, for once took the initiative to address Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty!"

"You have a view as well? Speak frankly!" Looking at this general who had made his name on the northern expedition battlefield and been promoted by himself to serve before the throne, he said mildly.

Liu Tinghan said: "Your Majesty, this minister is not certain about other matters, but regarding compensation for soldiers, the court has always been generous and thorough. Otherwise, after all these years, how could there have been no reaction from below at all? The Yuezhou affair is ultimately an isolated case, owing to its special circumstances..."

"What you say also has merit!" Hearing this, Liu Chengyou pondered for a moment, then nodded in acknowledgment, though his tone still carried a hint of doubt: "However, wealth and riches stir men's hearts—this world will never lack those blinded by greed, who betray virtue and violate regulations, risking the law with their own persons.

Back then, when the Great Han was first established and I was still in my princely residence, there were already incidents of soldiers' rewards and compensation being docked. The soldiers grew resentful, and it was I who personally presided over the investigation—the results were shocking.

Though more than a decade has passed, I still remember it vividly. It is fitting that we conduct an inspection—if there are no problems, then all the better; if there are, they must be sternly corrected!"

"Your Majesty speaks most rightly!" Since the Emperor had spoken thus, Gao Fang and Liu Tinghan could only express their concurrence.

It could be foreseen that a storm was inevitable once more. One could only hope it would not have too great an impact on the Great Han's political situation—though of course, if it were limited to this matter alone, it would not cause any major upheaval.

Perhaps Liu Chengyou himself had not noticed that he had formed an instinctive wariness toward the officials below him, always feeling they would rely on their privileges to break the law and defy discipline...

Having voiced his thoughts, Liu Chengyou's mood improved somewhat, and a smile returned to his face as he said: "It seems I should come out and walk about more often when I have the time. No matter how much or how little, good or bad, as long as there's something gained, it's not a wasted trip out of the palace!"

"Your Majesty is close to the people and loves the people, personally investigating and observing—truly a sage sovereign! How could the realm not be well governed!" Hearing this, a smile also appeared on Gao Fang's aged face—though it was flattery, it came from genuine feeling.

Looking at the spotless table, Liu Chengyou said to Zhang Dejun: "I'm hungry as well. Since we're at a tavern, we ought to order some food and drink—go make the arrangements!"

"Yes!"

Then turning his gaze to Gao Fang, Liu Chengyou smiled: "Minister Gao, let us use this table of wine and dishes here to celebrate your assumption of the governorship of Kaifeng!"

At this, Gao Fang immediately clasped his hands and responded with a smile: "This minister thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"

"Tinghan, you sit down as well!"

The atmosphere in the room visibly relaxed. During their conversation, the tavern's steward did try to come and socialize, but was unsurprisingly refused.

This party was clearly of special status—not to mention the burly guards, but even the food was watched from cooking to serving, and they didn't use the tavern's staff for service either. In all these years, the tavern's people had never seen such "particular" guests; one wondered which noble house they came from.

By the time the table of food and wine was fully laid, it happened that the younger Lady Fu, the Consort of Virtue, arrived with Liu Jia.

Time flowed like water—the former young sister-in-law was now fully thirty years of age, a young matron in the prime of her charms. Setting aside everything else, her lovely features paired with mature grace still greatly endeared her to Emperor Liu. Accompanying Liu Chengyou out of the palace this time, she felt delighted as well, dressing herself beautifully, radiant and dazzling, with the bearing of an elegant noble lady that made one dare not gaze upon her irreverently—yet no matter how breathtakingly beautiful she was, it was only to please Emperor Liu alone.

Liu Chengyou smiled warmly, holding Liu Jia in his arms, and asked affectionately: "Tired from all the walking?"

Liu Jia nodded, but said: "Not tired!"

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou laughed: "The street performers were fun to watch, weren't they!"

"So fun!" At the question, Liu Jia immediately perked up and said: "So wonderful, so amusing—those people seem to know magic! If only we could see such things in the palace too..."

Clearly, those acrobatics and variety shows had captivated the little girl's eyes. Hearing this, Liu Chengyou immediately turned his head and said to Zhang Dejun: "See if you can arrange something—invite some folk performers to put on a show in the palace."

"Yes!"

At this, the younger Lady Fu's jade-like countenance couldn't help but show a trace of hesitation as she said: "Your Majesty, please don't spoil Liu Jia too much!"

Liu Chengyou smiled slightly: "We've seen plenty of court music and dance in the past—occasionally watching folk performances lets the palace connect with the customs of the people, sharing joy with them..."