Chapter 1004: The Triumph Command, Liu Fang Requests His Mission

In the Han palace, at Shulan Hall, the Emperor graced the premises with his presence.

After the southern expedition edict was issued, Liu Chengyou seemed to have become idle, far less tense and busy than before. And such a major matter as pacifying the south had not even stirred much of a ripple in the court — it was almost a foregone conclusion.

The officials of the various bureaus, each under the leadership of their own superiors, managed their respective affairs, and those matters concerning the military received full support. As for Liu Chengyou, perhaps because he had done all the work ahead of time and had already sorted out the myriad tangled threads, after the strategy was launched, all he needed to do was stay safely in the Eastern Capital and wait for the results.

Enjoying this rare leisure, Liu Chengyou went to Shulan Hall, both to visit Pure Consort Zhou and his fifth daughter, Liu Xuan, and also because Lady Zhou had newly choreographed a musical dance, which he had come specially to appreciate.

Seated upright behind the imperial desk, holding Liu Xuan in his arms, this Fifth Princess, now just past two years old, possessed the excellent genes of the imperial house. Naturally, her appearance was adorable — delicate as carved jade, her bearing strikingly resembling her mother's.

Moreover, she was very tranquil, unlike her other siblings, who at this age tended to be somewhat restless. And Liu Xuan, in Liu Chengyou's arms, did not move much either, simply staying quiet and peaceful, accompanying Liu Chengyou as he appreciated her mother's dance.

Unlike the usual songs of warblers and dances of swallows, this time, perhaps to match the backdrop of war, both the music and the dance carried a measure of stirring valor. The Pure Consort had also changed into a set of form-fitting male military attire, making her appear utterly heroic, with a distinctly valiant bearing. Her sword dance, matched to the clanging rhythm, along with her brows like painted strokes and jade-white face with a delicate nose — the striking beauty of it all still made Liu Chengyou's eyes shine bright.

"Does your mother's dance look good?" As the Pure Consort sheathed her long sword and gave a military salute, the dance concluded, and Liu Chengyou lowered his head to ask Liu Xuan.

With her father asking, the little girl also answered obediently, in her milky, childish voice: "Good..."

Then she continued to stay quietly in Liu Chengyou's arms, only her pair of eyes bright and moving. This appearance truly made Emperor Liu feel both pity and affection.

"This outfit of yours has a charm all its own!" His gaze fixed on Lady Zhou's proud, upright bosom, Liu Chengyou praised her lavishly.

Lady Zhou's breath was slightly ragged, her beautiful eyes looking at Liu Chengyou with expectation: "Your Majesty, how do you find this musical dance?"

Ever since the northern expedition long ago, Pure Consort Zhou had harbored the intention of choreographing a musical dance extolling the achievements of the Great Han. Naturally, this also made use of her strengths, both satisfying her interest and pleasing the Emperor. It had taken three years of continuous refinement before it was perfected, and now she had brought it for Liu Chengyou to appreciate.

Of course, Emperor Liu had truly made no progress in the appreciation of music and dance, and could only judge by the most superficial of senses — it felt good. In comparison, he clearly preferred appreciating the beauty's many charms.

Therefore, regarding the fruits of Pure Consort Zhou's efforts, Liu Chengyou still maintained an attitude of affirmation. Taking the initiative to hold her hand and have her sit beside him, he smiled: "Very good — vigorous and powerful, the music moving, the dance agile, and the person even more beautiful..."

Knowing full well what the Emperor's level of appreciation was like, Pure Consort Zhou was already satisfied with his assessment. She smiled faintly at him: "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty!"

"Does this dance have a name?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"Not yet. I beg Your Majesty to bestow a name upon it!" The Pure Consort's beautiful eyes gazed at the Emperor.

Liu Chengyou also became interested. After a moment's thought, he said: "To be straightforward and fitting for the occasion, let's call it 'The Triumph Command'!"

"Then your concubine will offer her advance blessings for the imperial army's triumphant return, and congratulate Your Majesty on pacifying Jiangnan and unifying the realm!" Lady Zhou said to Liu Chengyou.

"I too await that day!" Liu Chengyou was in a good mood, and smiled: "You should also find some people to rehearse this dance together. When the great deed is accomplished, at the meritorious banquet, it can be performed in Chongyuan Hall!"

"Yes!" Lady Zhou's beautiful eyes brightened slightly as she replied.

"You've stayed in Jinling before, haven't you?" Liu Chengyou said.

Clearly, no matter how composed Emperor Liu appeared on the surface, in his heart he was already thinking about the situation of pacifying the south. Upon the question, Pure Consort Zhou said: "When I was young, I once lived in Jinling with my father for a period of time. But that was long ago, and my memories have grown hazy. I imagine the Jinling of today must be quite different from my childhood recollections!"

Nodding his head, Liu Chengyou waved a hand, his calm tone conveying infinite confidence: "That's no matter. When I tour the south in the future and take up residence in Jinling, you can compare for yourself. I'll accompany you in reminiscing — perhaps it will have a special charm of its own?"

"Your Majesty, please sit for a moment. I'll go bathe!" After conversing with the Emperor for a while, the Pure Consort said. The vigorous activity just now had made her break out in a bit of sweat, which was both uncomfortable for her body and unsuitable for attending to the Emperor.

However, just as she lifted her shapely rear, before she could stand up, she was pulled into Emperor Liu's embrace. Almost pressing against Lady Zhou's ear, he chuckled: "No need. You smell just as good right now..."

Sometimes, a little sweat doesn't dampen the mood at all — on the contrary, it's more likely to stimulate a burst of hormones.

Emperor Liu's hands were getting a bit unruly, and the flush on Pure Consort Zhou's pretty face grew ever deeper. The pair of them flirted shamelessly, seemingly overlooking something. But when they turned their heads, they discovered that the little Princess Liu Xuan was watching her parents with her innocent, bewildered eyes. Feeling the slight confusion carried in that pure gaze, Emperor Liu's old face rarely showed a trace of embarrassment.

As for Pure Consort Zhou, her military attire in disarray, she simply buried herself directly in Liu Chengyou's embrace, looking for all the world like someone too ashamed to show her face. Her daughter's gaze made her whole body abnormally sensitive...

Leaving Shulan Hall contentedly, Liu Chengyou headed straight for Chongzheng Hall. On the way, he had already sent someone to the Bureau of Military Affairs to inquire whether any military dispatches had arrived. Although he knew it wouldn't be that fast, he simply couldn't suppress that anxious concern.

No matter how confident Emperor Liu always was that the southern pacification campaign would surely succeed — after all, it had been considered and compared from every angle, with absolutely ample preparation — he still feared the one-in-ten-thousand chance, feared an accident. The last part of a journey is the hardest; throughout history, there had been examples of great undertakings being ruined at the final juncture by a moment's negligence.

Logically speaking, given Emperor Liu's consistent track record, he ought not to be so anxious and uncertain. Yet the fact was that after achieving a series of victories that could be called brilliant, unease had instead grown in his heart. He feared that the next time, he might encounter his own "Waterloo."

Of course, this might also be because Liu Chengyou cared too much about the matter. As the saying goes, concern breeds confusion. Before the earth-shattering undertaking of leveling the realm, clearing the world, and achieving a feat like the opening of heaven and earth, Emperor Liu also found it difficult to truly maintain a calm and ordinary heart.

However, even so, he had not lost his basic qualities. He knew how to employ people, understood delegation of authority, and dared to delegate.

Regarding the question of the southern expedition's commander-in-chief, Liu Chengyou ultimately chose Li Gu. When Li Gu had suggested that the court pacify the south, he had also submitted a letter of resignation, candidly stating his physical condition, saying that in order not to delay military affairs and to consider the greater good, he was willing to yield his position to other generals.

At the time, Liu Chengyou was deeply moved. As far as he knew, although Li Gu's health was not good, it had not yet reached the point where he could not handle affairs. And Li Gu, having likely heard of the Emperor's concerns, had taken the initiative to resign in order to spare him difficulty.

For such a minister, what more could Liu Chengyou say? He immediately wrote Li Gu a long letter in reply, expressing his merits, telling him to rest assured and manage military affairs, and assuring him that there was no alternative choice for the position of commander-in-chief — he should have no worries.

Thus, when the southern pacification edict was issued, the name of the commander-in-chief was clear and unambiguous: Commandery Duke Li Gu of Ruyin.

When Liu Chengyou returned to Chongzheng Hall, he saw a young figure loitering about there. Due to his age, he was not tall, but he looked sturdy and vigorous — it was the Fourth Prince, Liu Fang. The guards informed Liu Chengyou that the Fourth Prince had been waiting for quite some time.

Seeing Liu Chengyou return, Liu Fang immediately stepped forward and saluted with great solemnity: "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!"

At this moment, Liu Fang was wearing a suit of armor, bright silver in color, adding further to his martial bearing, with a saber also strapped at his waist. Seeing his attire and his expression, Liu Chengyou asked: "Coming to see me dressed like this — what is the matter? Don't tell me you intend to emulate the generals and also request to join the southern expedition!"

Even though the roster of generals for the campaign had already been set, during this period there were still no small number of imperial army commanders petitioning Liu Chengyou to join the southern expedition, all wanting to catch this ride on the pacification of the south train and earn some more military merit. For example, Sun Li — this old general of the Son of Heaven had, in the previous military reorganization, finally stepped down from his position in the Xiaodi Army. This time he was also refused; Liu Chengyou's reply was to give the young men more opportunities.

For this southern pacification, besides mobilizing troops with local armies as the main force, the generals dispatched were also mostly garrison commanders from the south. The meritorious senior generals of the past were essentially not employed. This was both to give opportunities to those coming up behind and for the sake of balance.

Facing the Emperor Father's question, Liu Fang was also very direct. Clasping his fists, he said: "To answer Your Majesty, your subject has indeed come to request permission to join the campaign, to go to the battlefield of the southern pacification!"

At this, Liu Chengyou was not particularly surprised. Observing his taut expression — no excitement, no frivolity, only resolve.

"At such a young age, you don't know your own limits. Do you take war for a game? Is it there for your amusement?" However, Liu Chengyou lightly rebuked him.

"Your Majesty, your subject is no longer young. These years, I have read military texts and practiced martial arts. Now that the great war in the south has just begun, is this not precisely the time to put my skills to use and build achievements? Otherwise, what use is all my study?" Liu Fang rarely talked back to Liu Chengyou, displaying considerable bold spirit.

In fact, having experienced accompanying the imperial carriage on the northern expedition, even without truly experiencing the bloodshed and slaughter of the battlefield, Liu Fang's heroic temperament and courage had been tempered. Calculated by nominal age, Liu Fang was already thirteen years old — an age at which some sons of noble families were already fathers...

"Where did you get this suit of armor?" After a moment of deliberation, Liu Chengyou asked.

"I had the Armory Bureau forge it for me!" Liu Fang answered honestly: "Your Majesty, by the time I grow a bit more, this suit of armor won't fit me anymore. Wouldn't it be a waste then?"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou was amused into laughter by him. But Liu Fang did not laugh, simply looking at him with earnest seriousness. After thinking it over, Liu Chengyou asked: "Does your mother agree?"

Liu Fang said bluntly: "If Your Majesty agrees, I'll find a way to handle my mother!"

Watching this boy address him as "Your Majesty" at every turn, Liu Chengyou could not help but feel a pang of emotion in his heart. Still, he was indeed seriously considering the feasibility of the matter, even though it would only take a single word from him.

"The three armies on the Jianghuai, Ezhou, and Lingnan routes — which one do you want to go to?" Liu Chengyou stared at Liu Fang and said calmly.

Upon hearing this, a look of joy finally appeared on Liu Fang's face. Then he fell into thought, and finally said: "Lingnan!"

"Why?" Liu Chengyou was somewhat surprised.

Liu Fang said with head held high: "I am joining the army this time to temper myself. Lingnan has many mountains and a harsh environment. Wherever it is hardest, that's where I'll go!"

Liu Chengyou finally smiled. Reaching out to ruffle his head, he said: "I'll write you a note shortly, letting you serve at the front in Lingnan. As for your position, you'll be a bodyguard for Pan Mei!"

As Liu Fang left in high spirits, Liu Chengyou could not help but let out a sigh — part gratification, part worry. Regarding the cultivation of his sons, Liu Chengyou had indeed put in considerable effort. Previously, he had even considered letting the Crown Prince, Liu Yang, lead the campaign, to build up his prestige and experience.

However, he later abandoned this idea. Even so, for this southern pacification campaign, Liu Chengyou had Liu Yang participate in the entire logistics and supply operation, further honing his practical administrative abilities.

Shortly after entering the hall and taking his seat, Liu Chengyou summoned Lü Yin and directly instructed him: "Go investigate who in the Armory Directorate presumptuously forged armor for Liu Fang, and deal with them according to regulations!"