Chapter 1118: The Death of Zhang Yanwei

Who was Zhang Yanwei, the Marquis of Anding? A founding meritorious official, a senior minister of the Great Han, and more importantly, a core figure of the early imperial faction, who played a certain role in Liu Chengyou's early development.

Especially when Liu Chengyou first took command of the Longqi Army, he provided considerable support. Otherwise, at that time, Liu Chengyou, relying merely on his status as Liu Zhiyuan's second son, would not have been able to suppress those arrogant soldiers and fierce generals. Of course, behind it all was the favor of Liu Zhiyuan's fatherly love, but in that process, Zhang Yanwei did genuinely win Liu Chengyou's goodwill.

During the campaign into Hedong and the march east through the Taihang Mountains, though he had no spectacular achievements, he still followed Liu Chengyou through life-and-death situations, experiencing what Emperor Liu considered the most important, most difficult, and most brilliant period of his military career.

He could be counted as one of the old generals who accompanied Liu Chengyou through his rapid growth, and it was precisely because of that bond from those years that Zhang Yanwei and his descendants enjoyed honor and glory.

But if one spoke of ability, Zhang Yanwei truly had nothing outstanding about him. Like the endless stream of warriors that emerged in the chaos of three generations, he rose from obscurity, relying on fists, feet, knives, and spears, step by step fighting his way to a military post.

Fortunately, Zhang Yanwei boarded Liu Zhiyuan's ship and also caught Liu Chengyou's carriage. Otherwise, he might well have been like many military officers who, when age withered them and their martial prowess faded, ultimately sank into mediocrity.

Since the founding of the state, Liu Chengyou considered himself to have treated Zhang Yanwei fairly well. Before he was summoned to the capital, knowing full well that Zhang Yanwei lacked the ability, he still recommended him to serve as Military Governor of Chengde, making him the most important military governorship in Hebei in the early days of the Great Han, and even assigned a chancellor-grade talent like Li Gu to serve as his deputy.

Before the Jinyang uprising, among the generals in Hedong, Zhang Yanwei originally did not rank at all. Later, when enfeoffments and honorary titles were granted to the various military governors, he was likewise shown respect. During festivals and holidays, Liu Chengyou would still think of him and send a gift whose sentiment outweighed its value.

Even later, when he was relieved of his post and entered the court, no longer holding any substantive office, he was still granted the title of Duke, like most military governors. It could be said that even after muddling along in Kaifeng for over a decade, Zhang Yanwei muddled along comfortably and contentedly. Up until the first year of Kaibao, Zhang Yanwei was thoroughly satisfied with his treatment, rejoiced in his fortune, and was deeply grateful to Emperor Liu, venerating him as a deity.

If one asked when things began to change, it was when his title was demoted—and demoted all the way from Duke to Marquis of a county. Clearly, this gap was something Zhang Yanwei found hard to accept.

In fact, although the Great Han's noble title system had now been fully implemented, and the assessment of meritorious officials had been settled at the Kaibao Grand Ceremony, absolutely not everyone was satisfied with it. Those with low titles naturally wanted higher ones; those not included among the founders wanted the "three generations without demotion" treatment. In short, people always pursue what is better, and few are easily contented.

The ranks and treatment of the Great Han's nobility had undergone several changes—from the initial indiscriminate conferrals, to Emperor Liu's gradual elimination, recovery, and control, and then to the great conferral. It was only in the first year of Kaibao that the system was truly perfected.

Emperor Liu's purpose was also clear: control the number, enhance the value. This was a change that touched the vital interests of the nobility. The Kaibao Grand Ceremony was the final verdict and a periodic assessment of the meritorious officials—that occasion could be called a great conferral upon all ministers.

However, since then, the Great Han Empire had not added a single new noble title. Only now did many people truly realize how precious and weighty the titles of the Great Han were.

Zhang Yanwei was a representative figure among those nobles whose titles had been demoted, and his heart was naturally filled with dissatisfaction and defiance, especially after experiencing firsthand the importance of noble rank.

Back when Wei Renpu and several ministers were deliberating merits and granting titles, when they discussed Zhang Yanwei, they counted up his achievements one by one. Aside from his deep seniority and participation in the early founding wars, he truly had no outstanding merits or accomplishments to show. Because many people shared the same experience (such as Murong Yanzhao, Guo Rong, Sun Li, Han Tong, Yang Ye, etc.), yet their performances were far more outstanding—and it did not stop there.

If one only cited his former position as Military Governor of Chengde, that would appear too pale. As a general, he was mediocre; in martial valor, the Great Han never lacked fierce warriors; in administrative talent, he truly had none.

That Zhang Yanwei could occupy a high position was mostly due to Emperor Liu's trust and care for him. Precisely for this reason, after deliberation, it was decided to follow Dou Yi's suggestion and change his title to Marquis of a county. In Dou Yi's view, this was already lenient treatment for him.

Matters of rewarding merits can never satisfy everyone; one can only strive for what is reasonable. All noble titles were subject to Emperor Liu's review before being finalized, so the final enfeoffment for Zhang Yanwei was also Liu Chengyou's decision.

When the result came out, Zhang Yanwei's mentality naturally exploded. Although he dared not make a scene given the occasion and the Emperor's authority, the seed of discontent was nevertheless planted.

Though he was not the only one demoted, the most indignant person was absolutely him. In Zhang Yanwei's view, since the title had been granted to him, how could it be so easily taken back? Was this not slapping his face?

More importantly, look at those who received high titles. The Twenty-Four Meritorious Officials—he did not aspire to that, nor did he compare himself to the others. Take Zhao Hui for example: merely a Military Governor of Shanzhou, bearing the label of "first to rise in righteousness," and yet he ranked among the Twenty-Four Ministers.

Then look at Murong Yanzhao—back then merely a junior officer; Han Tong—a cavalry soldier; Yang Ye—an infantry soldier; Ma Quanyi and Sun Li—these were all once minor generals under his command...

Even Guo Rong, when he was in the Longqi Army, had to bow respectfully when meeting him. Considering all this, Zhang Yanwei grew even more resentful. And if a demotion was necessary, at least he should have kept the rank of Duke.

Zhang Yanwei's mental activity was roughly this—he felt it was unfair, felt that Emperor Liu had treated him shabbily. However, in the current Great Han, no matter how much discontent one had, it could only be suppressed in the heart, at most vented a few words to those close to him.

Of course, when one talks too much, it is inevitable that some words reach Emperor Liu's ears. Regarding this, Liu Chengyou did not take it to heart. He knew Zhang Yanwei's crude nature and merely took it as venting, able to barely sympathize with his feelings. A few complaints were only normal.

But this time, he had finally provoked Emperor Liu's wrath.

Making a scene at Liu Xu's wedding banquet was not merely spoiling the mood—it was shaming the imperial family's face. To be sure, it was because he had drunk too much, but had he not accumulated too much discontent for too long, it would not have come to this.

Originally, when choosing a bride for Liu Xu, Zhang Yanwei also had a daughter of similar age to Liu Xu. He had entertained the idea and proactively recommended his own young lady. The result? She was not selected, which once again made him feel utterly humiliated.

At the wedding banquet, he completely erupted, talking at length with those around him about his days in the Longqi Army with Emperor Liu—how he had assisted him, how much effort he had put into helping Emperor Liu reorganize the army, and how he had followed Emperor Liu through life and death in the founding wars. He also said that Guo Rong, Murong Yanzhao, and other high-ranking nobles and officials had once all been his subordinates.

Had Sun Li not covered his mouth in time, he would even have blurted out the behind-the-scenes details of Liu Zhiyuan's "robe-donning" ascension. Still not satisfied, he grabbed anyone he could and recommended his own daughter for marriage...

A farce, though quickly resolved, had cast a shadow over the wedding banquet. And Emperor Liu, when he left, wore a face of deep gloom.

As the newlywed, early in the morning, Liu Xu brought his new bride into the palace to offer tea and pay respects to Emperor Liu and the elder Lady Fu. The young Lady Bai had clearly been well attended to; the blush on her face had not yet faded.

Of course, Emperor Liu's attention was still focused on Liu Xu. At sixteen, Liu Xu was already not much shorter than Liu Chengyou. Even having been married for only one night, he seemed to have undergone a transformation.

Looking at him, catching traces of his mother's charm in his features, Liu Chengyou said to him gently: "From now on, you have truly grown into a man, established your household, and begun your career."

Rarely did Liu Xu see the Emperor speak to him in such a solemn and reflective tone, and he was somewhat surprised, but he still responded humbly: "Your son still has much to learn from you!"

"Since you have established your household, you should also have a concrete post. I am placing you in the Ministry of Rites with the title of Vice Minister, to gain experience and learn!" Liu Chengyou announced his arrangement for Liu Xu.

"Yes!" Liu Xu never had any objection to Emperor Liu's commands and arrangements, and he bowed in acknowledgment.

"The young Lady Bai—you must treat her well!" Liu Chengyou added.

"Your son understands!" A hint of shyness actually appeared on Liu Xu's face.

"You haven't seen the Empress Dowager yet, have you? Take your new bride and go!" Liu Chengyou instructed. "Oh, and don't forget to pay respects at your mother's grave!"

"Yes!" Though he had no memories of her, every year Liu Xu would visit the tomb of Consort Geng Chen to pay his respects. For something as important as marriage, he naturally had to burn some paper offerings and inform her.

"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Anding is kneeling outside the hall, requesting an audience!" At this moment, Yan Tuo came to report.

Last night, Zhang Yanwei had merely been sent back to his residence, and apart from that, Emperor Liu had made no other indication. Clearly, after sobering up and learning of his drunken antics at the banquet, Zhang Yanwei had become terrified and rushed to the palace to confess his faults.

Upon hearing this, Liu Chengyou's expression remained unchanged. He gestured for Liu Xu and his wife to follow the elder Lady Fu to see the Empress Dowager. After they left, his face immediately darkened. After thinking for a moment, Emperor Liu instructed Yan Tuo: "Go personally to Wansui Hall and tell Zhang Yanwei to return home and properly be his Marquis of Anding. I wish him a long life, and he need not come to see me again in the future!"

Emperor Liu's words were calm, cold, even decisive. Zhang Yanwei's behavior this time had truly angered him.

However, that very evening, Emperor Liu received a piece of news that startled him: "He hanged himself?"

Seeing Emperor Liu's furrowed brow, Zhang Dejun reported cautiously: "After the Marquis of Anding returned to his residence, he was distracted and distraught. He locked himself in his room, ordered that no one disturb him, spoke not a word, ate not a bite, drank not a drop. By the time his family discovered him, his body had already gone cold..."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu opened his mouth, then closed it again, a complex emotion showing on his face: "Why did he have to be so shortsighted?"

Liu Chengyou knew that Zhang Yanwei had used death to dissolve the anger in Emperor Liu's heart and to avoid implicating his descendants. And judging from Emperor Liu's reaction, he had succeeded.

In the end, Emperor Liu let out a long sigh: "Let his family properly handle the funeral arrangements!"