Chapter 1153: Arrival at Licheng

Under a gentle breeze and bright sun, at the northern gate of Yuncheng, a courier rode swiftly from the direction of the marshlands. Reaching the foot of the wall, he finally reined in his horse, the abrupt stop sending the beast into a long neigh as its forelegs reared high into the air.

The rider wore official robes and clearly had good horsemanship, quickly bringing the warhorse under control. Circling twice without entering the city, he cupped his hands and reported to those atop the wall: "County Magistrate, the field headquarters has struck camp and is moving toward Shouzhang!"

Among the counties surrounding Mount Liang, Yuncheng was second only to Juye in population and was the most economically developed. That said, the county seat was not large, nor could it be called imposing, but the walls looked new and were solid enough.

Standing atop the earthen ramparts were several officials, all the county's masters, with everyone holding office below the County Magistrate present. The magistrate, surnamed Ma, was in his forties but already looked aged, having risen through the clerical ranks. His appearance was nonetheless quite distinguished—a few wisps of scholarly beard fluttered in the breeze, and his composure was well cultivated.

Upon learning that the imperial entourage had already departed, he let out a great sigh of relief and muttered: "Finally gone!"

Emperor Liu's inspection style had these local officials worried sick. By all rights, when the Son of Heaven passed through on tour, even if no tribute was required, receiving an audience so they could pledge their loyalty should have been expected.

Yet when the imperial entourage reached Yuncheng, it demanded no tribute, required no lodging arrangements, and granted no audiences. From start to finish, all Yuncheng County could do was provide assistance with the field headquarters' procurement matters.

Naturally, no one dared pry into the Emperor's movements, but word still spread that Emperor Liu had personally climbed Mount Liang, visited villages, and inquired into the people's condition.

And such conduct was precisely what made these officials most nervous. The common folk were base and ignorant—if their words or deeds offended His Majesty the Emperor, how could anyone bear that responsibility? More importantly, if they spoke without restraint and spouted nonsense, it could affect one's official career...

Judging by earlier reports, the imperial entourage rarely lingered more than two days when moving east, yet in his Yuncheng County it had stayed a full six or seven days. What agony this was for Yuncheng's officials could well be imagined.

So far, although there had been no opportunity to display loyalty or devotion, there had also been no ill omens. Now, finally, it was gone, and their taut nerves could at last relax.

"Vice Magistrate Sun!" Facing the warm spring sunlight, Magistrate Ma took a few deep breaths, steadied his mood, and instructed the slightly younger vice magistrate beside him: "Immediately take the runners and conscript laborers to clean up the mess left by the field headquarters!"

"Also, I will set out shortly for Licheng. While I am away, I leave all county affairs, great and small, in your hands!" Magistrate Ma said in a low voice.

"Yes!" Vice Magistrate Sun's eyes betrayed a hint of regret—he too would have liked to face the Emperor—but such opportunities generally belonged to the top official, rarely reaching their level.

Thinking this in his heart, his mouth nonetheless assented: "Rest assured, Your Honor, this subordinate will do his utmost. I wish Your Honor a smooth audience with the Emperor!"

Magistrate Ma was clearly well-versed in human affairs; such pleasantries were merely to be heard and forgotten. With officials from all the prefectures and counties of Henan Circuit gathering at Licheng, he was but a small county magistrate of clerical origins—the audience with the Emperor would likely be little more than a formality, lost among the crowd.

Of course, even so, his heart still stirred, and he was eager to distinguish himself. Even without conversing with the Emperor, merely catching a distant glimpse would give him capital for boasting upon return, and might even benefit his governance of the county.

In accordance with the court's regulations on the number of attendants for officials traveling, Magistrate Ma set out with only three companions—one civil and two military. However, before hurrying to Licheng, he made a detour to tour Mount Liang, also "observing" the people's condition there; the results of his inquiries set his mind somewhat at ease.

After leaving Mount Liang, he went straight to Qizhou.

At the field headquarters, despite the delay of some days at Yuncheng, the Emperor had previously decreed arrival at Licheng on the first day of the fourth month, and arrive on the first day of the fourth month it did. After quickening the pace, they arrived that very day, while also being required not to appear hurried—this once again tested the coordination abilities of Liu Tinghan, the field headquarters' director.

Henan Circuit governed thirteen prefectures in total, ranking among the top circuits in both land and population. Its jurisdiction basically covered what later generations would call "Shandong," and by precise reckoning, it was somewhat larger—Xuzhou, Dangshan, and other regions all fell under Henan Circuit in the Great Han.

Back then, there had been a dispute over the seat of government. Qizhou's Licheng, Yanzhou's Sishui, Qingzhou's Yidu, and Xuzhou's Pengcheng had all been considered.

In the end, however, Qizhou was chosen—Licheng was selected. The reasoning was ordinary enough: weighing geographic and economic factors, Yanzhou was relatively central but underdeveloped, Xuzhou dangled in the southwest, and Qingzhou leaned too far east.

After weighing all options, it had to be Qizhou. Though its position was also somewhat northern, it belonged to the cream of Henan Circuit—bordering Yun and Yan to the southwest, connecting to Zi and Qing to the east, while its canal transport ran directly to the Eastern Capital.

As the imperial entourage made its way to Licheng, the principal officials of the entire Henan Circuit also stirred at the news. Upon receiving the dispatch from the Administration Commissioner's office, none dared be negligent, and all set out posthaste.

Better early than late—by the twenty-ninth day of the third month, over two hundred principal officials from Henan Circuit's prefectures, counties, and districts had all arrived as ordered. Such a spectacle was absolutely unseen on ordinary days; only an imperial tour could produce such a commotion.

"Your servant Li Hongwei, Administration Commissioner of Henan Circuit, leading the officials and people under his charge, respectfully welcomes the imperial presence!" South of the Ji River, away from the main city, under the leadership of Li Hongwei, County Duke of Sishui, they knelt in welcome by the roadside.

The imperial carriage was wide and tall, draped in brocade, with Empress the elder Lady Fu riding alongside Emperor Liu. Leaning together with the elder Lady Fu, they stepped out of the carriage together. Gazing out, a dark mass of people knelt prostrate—besides the officials arrayed in orderly ranks of colored robes according to their grades, there were also great numbers of common folk who had come.

Though Emperor Liu had decreed that the people were not to be disturbed, if the populace came of their own accord, that was another matter. Many wished to catch a glimpse of His Majesty the Emperor's splendor, yet when the moment truly came, even surrounded by a great crowd, few dared look directly at the Emperor—most simply kept their heads down and knelt with the multitude.

Scanning the scene, Emperor Liu estimated there were absolutely over ten thousand people. The sight of ten thousand prostrate at his feet was nothing out of the ordinary for Emperor Liu. He raised a hand and said: "Rise, no need for ceremony!"

His voice need not be loud; palace attendants and guards conveyed the imperial will.

"Uncle, we have not seen each other for years—you remain as distinguished as ever!" His gaze falling on Li Hongwei, Emperor Liu said with a smile.

As mentioned before, of the Empress Dowager's brothers, only two were worth looking at—one was Li Ye, and the other was Li Hongwei. Now past fifty, Li Hongwei was an old minister. Seeing the Emperor's gentle attitude, he felt a small joy in his heart and replied with cupped hands: "Your servant is old, but Your Majesty strides like a dragon and steps like a tiger, with divine might beyond measure..."

Laughing twice, Emperor Liu then looked at the military commander beside him, Li Yun, and asked: "Marquis Chenyang, are you comfortable here?"

Li Yun had not been transferred to Henan Circuit long, hence the question. Upon being asked, the marquis, known for his arrogance, actually revealed a somewhat "bashful" smile and replied with a bow: "This place is excellent; your servant feels most at ease!"

"At ease is good!" Emperor Liu smiled, looked around, and gazing at Licheng, still far off, said: "So many people have come out to welcome us!"

Li Hongwei hurriedly explained: "We dared not violate Your Majesty's decree—these common folk all came of their own accord upon hearing the imperial entourage was arriving!"

"Let us proceed into the city!" Emperor Liu nodded and gave the order.

Li Hongwei and Li Yun together earnestly requested: "We wish to serve at Your Majesty's side!"

Looking at the two of them, Emperor Liu pondered for a moment, then waved a hand: "Granted!"

"We thank Your Majesty!"

Soon, with Li Hongwei and Li Yun personally driving the carriage, Emperor Liu stepped into Licheng!