Chapter 1137: The Eldest Imperial Grandson Is Born

"Your Majesty, how should we reply to the request from the various Tangut chieftains to enter the capital for an audience?" Shi Xizai asked again.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's face showed little change; he merely said lightly, "This is a good thing. If they wish to come and see the sights of the Eastern Capital, I welcome them. When the time comes, have the Bureau of Frontier Affairs receive them properly!"

"Yes!"

"How is the relocation of Lady Li and the Xiazhou troops progressing?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"According to earlier reports, Yang Ye and Wang You have already begun implementation!" Shi Xizai replied. "I shall write a letter shortly to inquire about the details!"

"This matter must be taken seriously. Issue an edict to Yang Ye and Wang You to remain especially vigilant—I do not want any trouble arising from this!" Liu Chengyou emphasized.

"As you command!"

Relocating powerful families and commoners within the interior had already caused no small amount of trouble and produced many problems, let alone forcibly relocating these Tangut barbarians who had yet to submit to imperial rule. For this reason, Liu Chengyou had to exercise extra caution and offer extra words of admonition.

However, the Tangut of Xia-Sui differed from those in the interior—they were in fact a conquered people, with little room for choice in this regard, and with the army present, that was the most powerful guarantee for implementing court policy.

Emperor Liu had said before that if the Tangut tribes ultimately refused to submit to imperial rule and still stirred up trouble, opposing the court, then he would spare no cost and withhold no means to pacify and destroy them. Now, Emperor Liu was growing increasingly resolute.

After a moment of deliberation, Liu Chengyou continued, "Regarding the governance and garrison command of the four prefectures, has a conclusion been reached?"

"According to the memorials from the Hall of State Affairs and the Bureau of Military Affairs, the status quo will be maintained for now—Wang You will oversee the civil affairs of the four Xia-Sui prefectures, while Yang Ye will take command at Xiazhou to garrison and pacify the region. Once the legal system is implemented and hearts are somewhat settled, adjustments can be made then!" Wang You replied.

"Mm!" Emperor Liu acknowledged, clearly having no other objections. He said, "Previously, I considered the Guannei territory too vast for convenient governance, but because the Tangut had carved out the north, no adjustments were made. Now that Xia-Sui has fallen and Guannei is pacified, the old system should no longer be maintained. The Guannei circuit should be split into two. As for the specific division and which prefectures and counties should be abolished or retained, have the Hall of State Affairs deliberate and draft a proposal!"

"Furthermore!" Liu Chengyou continued, "Military defense arrangements in the northwest should also be adjusted in tandem—have the Bureau of Military Affairs produce a proposal as well!"

"Yes!" Shi Xizai replied with a cupped-fist salute.

The resolution of the Dingnan Army was undoubtedly like cutting away a great abscess from the skin—its impact on the Great Han, especially the northwest region, was enormous, touching every aspect of military and civil affairs.

Take military deployment, for instance: previously, the Han army garrison troops and local forces around Xia-Sui were all essentially positioned against the Tangut. Now that Xia-Sui had just been pacified, while eliminating a hidden danger that could erupt at any moment, it would also greatly ease the military and administrative pressure on the heartland of the northwest.

"If there is nothing else, you may take your leave!" Having asked what needed asking and heard what needed hearing, Emperor Liu had no intention of keeping his guest.

"Your servant takes his leave!" Liu Chengyou had given so many instructions that Shi Xizai also needed to go convey and execute them, so he naturally rose.

In the hall, Liu Chengyou let out a soft breath. Though time was still needed to digest and consolidate, for Emperor Liu, the matter of Xiazhou in the northwest had essentially come to a close.

What came next would be left to Wang You and Yang Ye. Emperor Liu might not know Wang You well enough, but he trusted Yang Ye's abilities.

And with the initial resolution of the Tangut problem at Xiazhou, it could be said that the Great Han's northwest had achieved true unification. Though hidden dangers remained considerable, beneath the empire's surging momentum, they were merely minor ailments.

At present, perhaps only the matter of Annam could tug at Emperor Liu's heartstrings. However, Emperor Liu did not regard Annam with the same gravity as the Tangut—and besides, the Tangut of Xiazhou had submitted in surrender under the pressure of a great army, let alone mere Annam.

Though no further developments had yet arrived, Emperor Liu only needed to sit securely on the dragon throne and await good news. Emperor Liu did not believe that Annam—torn by internal collapse and incapable of sustained warfare—could withstand the advance of the Han army.

This was not arrogance, merely confidence. Though Pan Mei thought highly of that Ding Buling, Emperor Liu did not regard him in the least—merely a savage who had risen from caves and stone dens...

"Your Majesty!" Yan Tuo's voice, carrying obvious delight, sounded as Liu Chengyou's thoughts wandered.

"What is it?" Looking up at the man's nearly beaming face, Liu Chengyou asked.

"Someone has come from the Duke of Qin's residence, reporting that Lady Bai, wife of the Duke of Qin, has given birth to a son!" Yan Tuo said.

His brows arched upward—Liu Chengyou was clearly overjoyed, his body even leaning forward slightly as he asked urgently, "Already born? A boy or a girl? No problems, I trust?"

"It is an imperial grandson! The delivery went smoothly—mother and child are both well!" Yan Tuo said with a smile. "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations!"

"Let's go! Leave the palace—prepare the carriage for the Duke of Qin's residence!" Liu Chengyou said directly, paying no mind to the winter rain still falling.

"Also, summon the Empress, and notify the Empress Dowager of the good news!" Liu Chengyou instructed.

"Yes!"

In the sky, layers of dark clouds still hung heavy, with ceaseless drizzling rain, and the entire city of Kaifeng was shrouded in gloom. However, the poor weather did nothing to dampen the joyful atmosphere at the Duke of Qin's residence.

The servants and maids were all beaming with happiness—not only because the Duke of Qin had distributed rewards, but also because they rejoiced at the birth of the residence's young master. The Duke of Qin, Liu Xu, and his wife had always been gentle and modest, treating their servants well and winning people's hearts. Now that Lady Bai had delivered a son smoothly, even the lowliest attendants in the residence felt genuine joy.

By the time Emperor Liu and the elder Lady Fu arrived, the eldest imperial grandson had already been properly settled in a warm, clean nursery. After two years of experience, Liu Xu's face was still youthful, but his greenness had completely faded.

Becoming a father at eighteen—well, just like Emperor Liu back in the day. But upon seeing him, the first thing was a scolding: "Your wife was in labor—why did you not notify the palace? I said I felt something would happen today—so this was the happy event!"

Facing Emperor Liu's scolding, which was filled with concern, Liu Xu smiled and replied, "The residence lacks no caretakers—physicians were in attendance, and the midwives were experienced. To spare Father and Mother worry, I did not report it in time!"

Hearing this, the elder Lady Fu said, "Liu Xu was just afraid of worrying you—no need to scold him. Mother and child being safe is what matters!"

Liu Chengyou grunted twice and asked, "Where is my grandson? I want to go see him!"

Liu Xu naturally dared not be negligent and immediately personally led the Emperor and Empress to visit. Emperor Liu had fathered so many children and seen many newborns, so there was nothing particularly remarkable about it.

But this was, after all, his eldest grandson—because of that connection, he was exceptionally delighted, laughing continuously. Were it not for how fragile a newborn was, Emperor Liu would truly have wanted to play with the child a good deal.

Before long, another commotion of receiving the imperial carriage arose at the residence. Upon learning the news, the Empress Dowager had also personally left the palace, braving the rain to come.

Emperor Liu personally supported the elderly Lady Li inside, saying with concern, "The rain is cold and the weather chill—why trouble Mother to personally leave the palace?"

Knowing that Emperor Liu was concerned for her health, Lady Li still could not help a small complaint: "You're allowed to come see your grandson, but this old woman isn't allowed to come see her great-grandson?"

Further persuasion was useless. Seeing the Empress Dowager in high spirits, Emperor Liu wisely fell silent and accompanied her to see the great-grandson...

Though he had not yet reached forty, with the birth of his eldest grandson, Emperor Liu's feeling of lamenting the passage of years grew ever deeper.