Chapter 1157: An Abrupt Halt

As the largest spy the court had planted in Jiangnan back then, after the pacification of the south, Zhong Mo also enjoyed ample rewards — not only was he ennobled as Count Chong'an, but he also received high office and generous emoluments. His name was on the list of Jiangnan ministers who were rehabilitated, and he later served as a key figure in the purges of Jiangnan. After the situation in Jiangnan stabilized, he was further appointed to the post of Judicial Commissioner.

It could be said that toward Zhong Mo, Emperor Liu had shown sufficient favor and reward to compensate for his merits. After all, in Jiangnan, he had secretly communicated with the court — not only paying the price of his personal reputation, but also living in trepidation for ten years.

After all, being a turncoat carried its own risks. At the same time, Zhong Mo was also an example Emperor Liu had set for the old Jiangnan officials and literati, and the effect had been quite good. In the early days of the pacification of the south, when Jiangnan was in turmoil, Zhong Mo had made some contributions in soothing the hearts of the scholar class.

During Han Xizai's purges of Jiangnan, many people were preserved through Zhong Mo's intercession, and over the past years, Zhong Mo had become a representative of the Jiangnan literati. Quite a number of old Jiangnan officials had rallied under Zhong Mo's wing.

A very realistic problem: in the scholarly world, there were too many who held Zhong Mo's moral character in contempt and disdain, yet on the surface they actively flattered him, and there were plenty who wished they could take his place.

These conditions in Jiangnan's officialdom naturally reached Emperor Liu's ears through various channels, and it was precisely for this reason that Emperor Liu had posed his question about Zhong Mo to Wang Zhu. The word "faction-forming" was, in fact, a rather severe accusation.

To this, Wang Zhu deliberated for a moment, then reported to Emperor Liu in a measured tone: "Lord Zhong is an open-minded man. Since I took up my post in Jiangnan, he has been sincerely helpful and cooperative, and there have been few conflicts between us!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu nodded slightly. He knew that Zhong Mo was absolutely a clever man, and clever men did not do foolish things. In fact, Emperor Liu's mention of Zhong Mo was not really directed at him.

After thinking for a while, Liu Chengyou asked: "I have a mind to transfer Zhong Mo to another post — either bring him into the capital, or send him out to Jiangxi. Which do you think would be more suitable?"

At this, Wang Zhu appeared somewhat surprised. He muttered inwardly, then replied: "Your Majesty, this is not something your servant ought to inquire into!"

"Haha!" Emperor Liu smiled wryly, glanced at him twice, then laughed: "I must be getting absent-minded — I keep thinking it's still the old days when you served before me..."

Wang Zhu naturally did not take Emperor Liu's words seriously in his heart, but on the surface he cooperated, putting on an air of reminiscence. Even ten years hence, his record of service at Emperor Liu's side would remain a major asset to his seniority and standing.

Garments are better when new, but people are better when old — the longer the time passed, the deeper Emperor Liu's feelings for those "old hands" grew.

"Alright, it's getting late. I'm returning to the palace! You should rest early as well!" Emperor Liu let out a breath and said: "Tomorrow, you will lead me on a tour of the areas around Jinling!"

"Yes!"

Before leaving, Emperor Liu pointed at the writing desk and added: "Still, drink less wine!"

"Yes!" Wang Zhu replied.

Jiangnan's summers were equally hot, and with the plum rains coinciding, Emperor Liu did not run around much during his time in Jiangnan, spending most of his time in Jinling. But the days were still full — receiving representatives from all walks of society, expounding his governance philosophy, then various gatherings, and whenever he had free time, leading his beautiful wives and concubines on outings to admire famous scenic spots and historical sites.

It had to be said that this inspection tour was indeed the most relaxed one yet — fewer burdens, and more leisure and elegance.

Likewise, although he delighted in Jiangnan's prosperity and splendor, Emperor Liu felt little reluctance to leave this place. This land, no matter how flourishing and resplendent, was ultimately not Emperor Liu's cup of tea.

It was not until mid-June that, having seen, observed, and toured everything he should, and feeling fully satisfied, the imperial entourage set out again, passing through southern Jiangsu on the way down to Wuyue. "Above there is paradise, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou" — having witnessed Suzhou's splendor, his expectations for Hangzhou were even higher.

Hangzhou's great development had begun in the era of Qian Liu — a single Qiantang dike laid the foundation for Hangzhou's prosperity. Of course, when going down to Wuyue, Emperor Liu had to be far more serious, for that rebellion which had nearly engulfed the entire region had caused no small shock to the court.

Traveling slowly along the way, the results of his inspections still left Emperor Liu satisfied. At least among the voices of the people he heard, most were content with life under the Great Han's rule.

The "most" here referred to the common folk — the court's Kaibao New Policies, when implemented, had genuinely lightened their burdens. Those who truly yearned for the past and were dissatisfied with the present were the upper and middle strata.

However, a great upheaval, though it caused enormous losses, had also cleared away many chronic ills, greatly easing the original social contradictions. The Liangzhe of today had gradually become the "shape" Emperor Liu had hoped for.

After setting foot in Jiangnan, Emperor Liu's itinerary mostly followed waterways. He had originally entertained the idea of taking a ship out to sea to experience the ocean's waves, but ultimately gave it up. Not only because of the unanimous opposition of the accompanying officials, but also because Emperor Liu himself worried about safety — the spontaneous idea was ultimately extinguished by his own hand. After all, Emperor Liu was the sort of man who deliberated even over taking a river boat; for him, keeping his feet on solid ground was best.

The chief administrator of Liangzhe was Lü Yin. Sending him to Hangzhou was a recognition of his administrative talent — this was a man with an iron hand. Though he had been in office for less than a year, his authority was already established; it was said that none above or below dared to defy his orders.

Nearly three years had passed since Lü Yin had left office to observe mourning for his parents, and Emperor Liu had not seen him in those three years. Meeting again in Hangzhou, emperor and minister, Emperor Liu naturally appeared quite delighted, showing particular closeness — this was also a show of support, a firm endorsement of him.

Originally, according to the established itinerary, after touring Wuyue, Emperor Liu was to head south to Fujian, then to Liangguang, and then north through Lianghu back to the Central Plains — in this way he would have basically traversed all of southern China.

Among the southern circuits, there were four places he valued: Jiangnan, Wuyue, Liangguang, and Lianghu. Jiangnan and Wuyue needed no further mention; as for Liangguang, it was because he wanted to keep a close eye on the war in Annam.

That's right — after seizing the central and northern parts of Annam, the rested Han army naturally continued pushing south, though progress had been relatively slow. That fellow Ding Buling had a stubborn fate — he had managed to organize a force in the south, uniting various factions to resist the court's army. Of course, it was also because the Great Han, this mighty dragon, had returned to the Indochinese Peninsula, stirring up shifting winds and clouds and making the situation increasingly complex. This also raised some concerns in Emperor Liu's mind — what he least wanted to see was Annam becoming a quagmire that dragged the court in.

As for Lianghu, that was the court's key development region, especially Hunan — over the past decade or so, there had been almost nothing but good news. Emperor Liu also harbored a hope of "when Huguang ripens, the world is fed," and thus planned to see it for himself.

However, all plans came to an abrupt halt with the arrival of dire news from the Eastern Capital. The southern terminus of Emperor Liu's tour was to be Hangzhou.

In the seventh month of the fifth year of Kaibao, Emperor Liu issued an edict to return to the capital, ending his four-month inspection tour. He departed with extraordinary haste, abandoning a large number of his entourage, and traveled almost day and night back to Kaifeng.