Chapter 1066: So This Is a Banquet

Those qualified to have their names proclaimed in Chongyuan Hall were all people of Marquis rank and above, plus some high-ranking honorary and scattered officials granted titles—all told, it consumed a full shichen before the reading was complete. And the atmosphere in the hall had entered a somewhat strange state, strange in the unusual stirring of people's hearts.

As it turned out, no one's attention was on the feast at all. The tables were laden with abundant food and drink, yet apart from the wine being drunk, not a single bite of meat or dish was touched—all eyes were fixed on Lü Yin and Shi Xizai, the two ministers doing the reading.

The scene at the banquet was like this: A didn't move, B didn't move, C followed suit and didn't move, and everyone else didn't move either. Those inside the hall sat calmly in place, and those outside also sat quietly as companions. Clearly their stomachs were empty, yet they sat watching the fine delicacies grow cold.

Seeing the occasion so solemn, it was Emperor Liu who broke the silence with a laugh: "Are none of you hungry? The food and wine have gone cold. I, however, am famished—come, let's dig in!"

"Convey my oral decree: let all the ministers attending the feast inside and outside the hall stop sitting idle—move your hands and mouths!" Liu Chengyou then instructed Yan Tuo: "Order the Imperial Kitchen to prepare more hot food and warm wine!"

"Yes!"

Led by Emperor Liu, the imperial banquet returned to its proper track, and the atmosphere truly warmed up. Whether disappointed or triumphant, at such a time there was nothing to do but speak through wine—or perhaps it was hunger, for even the cold dishes and wine were enjoyed with relish.

Ritual music sounded, song and dance began, lanterns blazed bright, cups clinked and passed, voices surged like tides—only now did the Chongyuan Hall banquet take on the splendor of a true imperial feast. Throughout this process, a group of painters led by Huang Quan and Gu Hongzhong each occupied a table, drinking wine while observing and recording the figures and scenes inside and outside the hall...

Naturally, they carried a political mission. To record this moment of glory, nothing was more direct than painting besides written description. And to completely capture this grand gathering at Chongyuan Hall required enough painters working together, along with sufficient brush skill and artistic mastery.

Huang Quan was a famed court painter of Chuanshu, skilled in painting people and scenery alike. As for Gu Hongzhong—he was the one who painted the *Night Banquet of Han Xizai*—he had come to the capital with Li Yu and been placed in the Hanlin Academy, and now it was his turn to display his talents again. However, the state of mind while painting this picture would surely differ; viewing the Great Han court from the perspective of a surrendered minister, one could hope another masterpiece would be born...

The scent of wine gradually permeated the air, and Emperor Liu began to immerse himself in it. First came representatives of the meritorious ministers toasting Emperor Liu in gratitude. Then came representatives of civil officials, representatives of military generals, imperial princes and princesses, the imperial clan, maternal relatives, the various circuits and prefectures, the various envoys, the various surrendered rulers, the various surrendered ministers...

Just this string of people alone left Emperor Liu unable to keep up. At first he restrained himself, but later his drinking spirits rose, and as his mood arrived, he gradually set aside his dignity and became much more casual.

Liu Chengyou's mood was genuinely joyful. The scene in the hall imprinted itself on his mind. He no longer bothered guessing what his ministers were thinking inside—he only wanted to relax for once and drink to his heart's content.

"Come, let's go toast the ministers!" Picking up his wine cup and rising, Liu Chengyou beckoned Liu Yang.

At this moment, Liu Yang was like a mascot—smiling, seated at his food table, and from start to finish, the only time he touched his cup was when everyone drank together and when toasting Emperor Liu. On such an occasion, Emperor Liu was the sole protagonist, and his position as Crown Prince was rather awkward.

By custom, the civil and military nobles should also pay their respects to the Crown Prince, but in reality, they did not—only a few courtiers like Dou Yi and Liu Wensou took the initiative. This was the first time Liu Yang felt somewhat out of place since becoming Crown Prince; perhaps it was also because he was growing older.

In truth, both Liu Chengyou and Liu Yang, father and son, needed to begin adapting to and growing accustomed to a Crown Prince who was gradually coming of age. And Emperor Liu seemed to have noticed Liu Yang's awkward state.

As the Emperor and Crown Prince descended the imperial steps, the atmosphere in the hall grew even more heated. On the other side, Noble Consort Gao cast a brief glance—her mood remained gloomy and depressed. Of course, this time she was not upset about Emperor Liu's affection for Liu Yang, but rather dissatisfied that her late father Gao Xingzhou had not been included among the Twenty-Four Meritorious Ministers.

Although he had passed away somewhat early, by the existing "standards," Prince of Linqing Gao Xingzhou absolutely qualified. Especially since Fu Yanqing, Zhe Congruan, and Guo Wei—all fellow elder statesmen—were on the list, how could Gao Xingzhou be omitted? At the thought of this, how could Noble Consort Gao be happy?

Of course, how could Emperor Liu possibly have forgotten Gao Xingzhou? It was simply that, with Gao Huaide already on the list, Gao Xingzhou had to be excluded—Emperor Liu's reasoning was that simple. Just as if Guo Rong still bore the surname Guo, then Guo Wei necessarily could not be selected either. Toward such matters of proper designation, Emperor Liu was placing increasing importance.

On the other hand, how could the so-called Twenty-Four Meritorious Ministers possibly be determined purely by merit and seniority?

Certainly not!

Why were there fully nine civil officials? Why were people like Li Shaoyou and Wu Xingde, who clearly couldn't command public respect, on the list? Why were only eighteen of the twenty-four still living, with several of the rest aged or failing?

If one carefully pondered these questions, one would discover that Emperor Liu was still Emperor Liu...

Noble Consort Gao was, after all, a woman—there were some things she could not see clearly. Still, she was no political idiot; at least she knew Emperor Liu could not be offended, and what Emperor Liu had decided was not to be challenged.

When she looked at her own son, her full bosom seemed to tremble with barely suppressed anger. Liu Xi carried none of Liu Yang's burdens—he was drinking merrily, arm-in-arm with Liu Fang, the two brothers having a grand old time, and even trying to entice their younger sister Liu Jian to drink...

Perhaps Noble Consort Gao's gaze was too piercing—Liu Xi sensed it, turned his head, noticed his mother's look, shrank his neck, and hastily dragged Liu Fang off to toast their relatives and elders.

Today, the several elder imperial princes were also important supporting players. Emperor Liu had granted them titles: Liu Xu was Duke of Qin, Liu Xi was Duke of Jin, Liu Fang was Duke of Zhao—clearly prepared to give these sons more opportunities for training. As for the rest, apart from Liu Min inheriting the title of Prince of Wei, even the fifth son Liu Yun, who had drawn Liu Chengyou's attention, received no recognition whatsoever.

On Emperor Liu's side, however, he extended courtesy to the disappointed ones—such as Han Tong, saying he was still the pillar of the military.

Such as Wang Qiwu—if he hadn't been sent to the provinces for tempering and had stayed in the center the whole time, perhaps Wang Qiwu would have held a different position. Toward him, Emperor Liu focused on encouragement; his heavy appointment was imminent, and the future court of the Great Han would be his.

Such as Li Chongju—as Commissioner of the Wude Office, he controlled the eyes and ears of the realm, low in rank but heavy in power, and he had held this post for a full ten years now. Given Emperor Liu's suspicious nature, if Li Chongju hadn't done his job too well, how could he have lasted so long? Just like his name, he was a minister who strictly observed the rules. Toward him, Emperor Liu felt that the title of County Duke of Wuxiang was somewhat meager, yet Li Chongju told Liu Chengyou that the reward was too generous and he was unworthy of it.

And Wang Quanbin—knowing roughly the frustration in his heart, Emperor Liu told him very directly to curb his impatience, take care of his health, and quietly await the right opportunity.

There was also a group in the hall—the surrendered ministers represented by Meng Chang and Li Yu. These people were seated together, and the atmosphere was equally strange. The title of Prince of Nanping had been reduced to Duke of Nanping, and it had passed from Gao Baorong to Gao Jichong. This young man of only twenty had no recourse whatsoever, though fortunately the inherited title and property were enough to let him enjoy a lifetime of wealth and honor.

Meng Chang's title of Duke of Zhao had also been taken back and given to Liu Fang, changed to Duke of Guangping instead. Li Yu's title of Duke of Peng hadn't been enjoyed for long either, becoming Duke of Guang'an. And Duke of Xun, Li Congyi, was directly reduced to Marquis of Jincheng—strictly speaking, he couldn't even be called a fallen sovereign, and there was no longer any need to treat him generously to win over hearts.

And there was a former lord of the realm—the Young Emperor of Jin, Shi Chonggui. At the time of the first Han–Khitan peace negotiation, he had been released, intended to sow confusion. In the end, Emperor Liu grandly sent people to welcome him, enfeoffed him as Duke of Huaiguo, and treated him to wealth and honor, raising him to this day. Speaking of it, perhaps Shi Chonggui's mood was the most complicated—watching his former minister become the true lord of the realm, proclaiming the Mandate of Heaven, exalted above all...

Of course, having endured so many hardships, Shi Chonggui, now nearly fifty, wouldn't harbor any superfluous thoughts. To be able to live peacefully and securely as the Duke of Yong'an of the Great Han was already great fortune.

Toward these people, Emperor Liu also adopted a lenient posture, toasting them. And amusingly, Liu Chang, who had been re-enfeoffed as Marquis of Yongle, was especially respectful, especially delighted, and the most proactive of all. Liu Chang's reason for being proactive was simple: they were all surrendered rulers, and the others' titles were still higher than his—if he wasn't proactive, wouldn't he be outshone...

Amid the endless clinking of cups, Emperor Liu rarely got drunk—drunk on the magnificent rivers and mountains he had conquered, the boundless splendor of it all...