Chapter 1058: The Ear-Eating General Also Returns to the Capital

Back then, whether it was Su Fengji or Yang Bin, their demotions were an earthquake for the central government of the Great Han at that time — political turmoil, restless hearts, and widespread discussion. These two men were also sacrifices in Liu Chengyou's process of launching reforms and strengthening imperial power, stumbling blocks that had to be removed. Of course, Su Fengji got what he deserved; he was once intolerable to Emperor Liu and barely managed to keep his life.

However, more than a decade later, when the two returned once again, they caused almost no ripples. Even if there were any, to the vast Eastern Capital, they were merely tiny waves. In comparison, those horses were far more attractive.

Things were no longer the same, and faces had changed. After more than ten years of personnel shifts and the development of circumstances, perhaps only a few people in the Eastern Capital still remembered these two white-haired, aged old men, and could vaguely recall what towering figures they had been back then.

But for Yang Bin and Su Fengji, having tasted both bitter and sweet, having endured hardships, being able to return to Kaifeng in a low-key manner was already immense fortune. How could they still hope for any glory? Returning quietly was perhaps the most suitable way.

While Yang and Su returned to Kaifeng City, sighing over how things had changed, inside the Han palace, the Son of Heaven of the Great Han, Emperor Liu, was busy. Having not been idle for long, Emperor Liu had recently been surrounded once again by heavy internal and external affairs — besides paying attention to the preparations for the Grand Kaibao Ceremony, he was receiving generals and ministers from all the circuits and prefectures across the realm.

During this period, the great frontier officials of the Great Han from all corners of the land arrived in the capital one after another. By the latter part of the first month, civil and military officials of the fourth rank and above already numbered over a hundred. Among these people were prefectural administrators, frontier-guarding generals, old acquaintances of the Son of Heaven, and meritorious veterans of the state.

Basically, the ministers who entered the capital — especially those civil and military officials who held real military and political power — all received personal audiences with Liu Chengyou. Through them, he learned about local conditions, understood the state of national development, discovered problems, and pondered solutions.

At the same time, Emperor Liu was also closely monitoring the recent public opinion and popular sentiment in the Eastern Capital. The matter of re-evaluating meritorious service had been intensifying — not only those with vested interests, but ordinary commoners were also participating and actively discussing. However, what the gossip-loving crowd focused on was which civil and military officials could be selected for the "Twenty-Four Meritorious Ministers of Qianyou" — naturally modeled after the Lingyan Pavilion, with the honor of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. This sparked tremendous discussion and also diverted some attention.

Of course, regarding the matter of evaluating merits and granting rewards, some were pleased, some were worried, some were calm, some were actively lobbying, and some were anxious — all manner of human reactions, too numerous to enumerate.

In this process, the discussion was loud — loud enough to constantly reach Emperor Liu's ears — but in reality, public sentiment was not exactly surging. First, the authority of the Emperor and the court stood there; second, the final outcome had not yet been revealed. Moreover, the true military and political heavyweights were all eyeing those twenty-four "seats" — it could be imagined that those would be the highest-status group among the Great Han's meritorious officials and nobles from now on.

Take Dang Jin, for example — although he appeared to be a rough brute, he actually hadn't done anything out of line or said anything out of line. The reason for his words and deeds was merely to deepen others' impression of him, to tell the Emperor and the ministers evaluating merits about the achievements of Patrol Inspector Dang...

"Arrogant soldiers and fierce generals!" Inside Chongzheng Hall, after Emperor Liu finished listening to Zhang Dejun's report, he smiled slightly and said in a relaxed tone words that made people think too much.

But looking at his expression, he truly didn't seem to care. Emperor Liu chuckled lightly: "This Wang Yansheng — after all these years, he's become much smarter!"

What Zhang Dejun reported on was Wang Yansheng, the Army Commander of the Dingbian Army who had returned to the capital from frontier duty. Since being demoted for his faults back then and sent to guard Yanzhou in the northwest, a full ten years had passed in the blink of an eye. For this frontier-guarding general, Liu Chengyou had specially issued an edict recalling him to his post.

However, after returning to Kaifeng, upon hearing the trend of evaluating merits and conferring titles, Wang Yansheng directly told people: when the Han was founded, he had pledged himself to the Liu clan, fighting north and south for the state, suppressing rebellions and quelling violence, achieving modest accomplishments. But since the fifth year of Qianyou, he had been defending the northwest continuously, and had not participated in the unification or the northern campaigns. Without spectacular military exploits, he was ashamed to claim merit and seek rewards when the court was now evaluating merits and conferring titles, or to consider himself a meritorious official...

Though the words were spoken this way, the implication was clearly reminding Emperor Liu and the court not to forget these generals who guarded the frontiers and silently contributed to the state.

"Erlang, what do you think of this matter?" Liu Chengyou looked toward the Crown Prince Liu Yang, who stood respectfully before the imperial presence.

After returning to the capital, Liu Yang was summoned to the Emperor's side every day for examinations and questioning, discussing Jiangnan military and political affairs with him, and allowing him to participate in or listen to Emperor Liu's thoughts on the next stage of reform and development for the Great Han.

The trip to Jiangnan had visibly benefited Liu Yang's development — this was the advantage of practice. At this moment, upon hearing the question, a smile couldn't help but appear at the corner of Liu Yang's mouth as he said: "Your son has also heard of this General Wang Yansheng — that he is brave and fierce, bold and forthright, his might shaking the western frontier. He even has a resounding nickname, 'the Ear-Eating General,' enough to stop children from crying. The various barbarian tribes of the northwest — whether Tangut, Uyghur, or Tibetans — all tremble with fear at the sound of his name..."

"You do have some knowledge!" Liu Chengyou looked at Liu Yang and suddenly said with amusement: "Don't you think that eating human ears raw is too cruel and cold-blooded?"

Meeting Liu Chengyou's gaze, Liu Yang frowned slightly, then clasped his hands and replied: "Your son believes that no one in this world would willingly give up fine delicacies to eat raw meat and drink blood, let alone eat human ears raw. Your son does not know whether General Wang had this habit of eating ears before guarding the northwest frontier. This practice is certainly brutal, yet it has the effect of intimidating the barbarian tribes. Therefore, the shallow views of a few censors should not be taken seriously. He should be understood, and generously rewarded, to comfort his heart!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou smiled faintly and continued to ask: "Then what do you think — how should the merits of generals like Wang Yansheng be calculated?"

At this, Liu Yang seemed somewhat hesitant. After pondering for a moment, he said: "Even if there is no merit, there is still toil. For over ten years, as the Great Han pacified the various states in the south and campaigned against the Khitan in the north, without these frontier-guarding soldiers protecting the borders and securing the people, the court could not have focused on one direction. Therefore, if the court is to evaluate merits, their contributions must not be erased — they need to be considered!"

Hearing his thoughts, Liu Chengyou finally revealed a satisfied smile.

"A decade gone just like that!" Putting away his smile, Emperor Liu sighed lightly, unable to help but exclaim: "Ten years of frontier duty, repelling barbarians and securing the borders — truly not easy!"

Then, looking at Liu Yang, he admonished: "The hardships of frontier soldiers, the hardships of the common people — these matters must be given attention and importance. Don't take them for granted; you should show more understanding!"

Upon receiving this instruction, Liu Yang actually couldn't truly empathize with Emperor Liu's emotions, but he still obediently acknowledged.

In fact, how could Emperor Liu ignore or forget generals like Wang Yansheng who had few battle merits but much frontier toil? Within the Great Han army, in normal promotions, frontier service experience was the most important criterion for evaluation and the easiest way to gain favor. Liu Chengyou was already considering continuing to raise the treatment of frontier soldiers and further perfecting the rotation system. While it was said to be out of consideration for the soldiers' hardships, the more important reason was his worry that soldiers stationed long on the frontier, having endured much hardship, might easily develop resentment — or even rebellion...

"Your Majesty, the two convicted ministers Yang Bin and Su Fengji arrived at the Eastern Capital today and are waiting for an audience at the palace gate. Will you receive them?" At this moment, Yan Tuo came to request instructions.

Upon hearing this, Liu Chengyou showed a slight expression of interest and waved his hand: "Make arrangements — send someone to welcome them. I will receive them at Wansui Hall!"

"Yes!"