Chapter 1212: The Third Northern Tour

At the turn of late summer and early autumn, when the climate had not yet changed noticeably, Emperor Liu could not sit still in the Western Capital once again. An edict was issued, and with great fanfare, he once more set out on a tour. This time, the destination lay to the north — beyond the frontier.

By now, the court, both inside and outside the palace, and the entire government had grown quite accustomed to these imperial tours. Once the Emperor issued his command, all preparations were swiftly completed. This tour was not the largest in scale — the field headquarters numbered only a little over ten thousand men. Apart from the imperial guards and the imperial army escorting the imperial carriage, the number of attendants was not particularly great.

Among the high ministers accompanying the imperial carriage were Zhao Kuangyin and Li Ye. Originally, Guo Rong was also to be brought along, but his health had deteriorated again, so he remained in the Western Capital to recuperate.

As for bringing Li Ye along — on the one hand, a chancellor from the Hall of State Affairs was needed to consult at any time and handle various matters; on the other hand, it was to save Zhao Pu trouble. If Emperor Liu were absent, it was almost certain that the Hall of State Affairs would not be peaceful.

Among the consorts, only Noble Consort Gao, Worthy Consort Zhe, Noble Consort Guo, and Consort Yelu accompanied the imperial carriage. Empress Fu's health required rest and recuperation, and Emperor Liu could not bear to have her endure the rigors of the journey.

Among the imperial princes, all those who had reached the age of eight accompanied the tour, except for Duke of Qin Liu Xu and Duke of Jin Liu Xi — including Crown Prince Liu Yang. In fact, since his investiture as Crown Prince, this was Liu Yang's first time accompanying Emperor Liu on a tour. In the past, whenever Emperor Liu was away, Liu Yang had always remained behind to guard the capital.

The purpose of bringing Liu Yang was simple: Emperor Liu did not want Liu Yang, because of his status, to become a Crown Prince who sat idle, long confined to the capital. It was necessary for him to go out and see the great rivers and mountains of the Great Han, to understand governance and the conditions of the people. Especially, he should have a thorough understanding of the situation in the northern frontier.

This time, Emperor Liu did not appoint a regent, yet he was not particularly worried about stability in the capital. Within the palace, there was the elder Lady Fu; in the outer court, Zhao Pu and Song Qi presided over state affairs. With Wei Renpu, Liu Chenghsun, and other senior ministers and imperial clansmen keeping watch, Emperor Liu could rest assured.

The imperial carriage departed from Luoyang, crossed the Yellow River heading north, and passed through Heyang into Hedong. This route was taken for the first time — none of the previous tours had ever traveled this way.

Because of the long journey, the imperial carriage had been specially modified, with greater emphasis on comfort, shock absorption, and preventing jolting. It was not as spacious as those used when traveling through the Central Plains, but it was likewise drawn by six horses.

The weather was still hot. Emperor Liu wore only a single-layer garment, leaning against a bolster, casually flipping through memorials. This was not exactly a good habit.

Sharing the carriage with him was Noble Consort Gao, dressed in thin skirts and light gauze, her figure faintly visible through the fabric. Though Noble Consort Gao was no longer young, she was experienced in the art of seduction — she understood Emperor Liu's heart better than those younger Ladies of Beauty.

Using the phrase "a woman of middle age, her charms still lingering" to describe Noble Consort Gao today was entirely apt. Add to that the somewhat enclosed environment and the heat stirred by the climate — desire and passion seemed to be quietly brewing...

Unfortunately, Emperor Liu's attention seemed entirely fixed on those memorials, which left Noble Consort Gao somewhat disgruntled. Her movements betrayed her mood as she forcefully waved the silk fan in her hand.

Sensing the change in the breeze, Emperor Liu finally raised his head and looked at Noble Consort Gao. Fine beads of sweat had appeared on the beautiful woman's skin, emanating the scent of feminine allure.

Emperor Liu said: "If you're tired, stop fanning. It's not that hot!"

Noble Consort Gao said insincerely: "I'm disturbing Your Majesty's reading of the memorials!"

Emperor Liu smiled slightly. Seeing this, Noble Consort Gao spoke with a hint of petulance: "What urgent matter keeps Your Majesty from putting down the scroll even while on the move?"

"It's the memorial Liu Xi wrote about his travels in the south. He put great effort into it — there's a lot of content, and I haven't finished reading it yet." Emperor Liu said: "It records conditions in various cities of the Huguang region, mentioning the three cities of Jiangling, Changsha, and Panyu. If not for the south being relatively peaceful while the enemy lies in the north, I would truly like to go see it with my own eyes..."

Hearing that it was her own son's memorial, a trace of awkwardness appeared on Noble Consort Gao's face, a hint of discomfort. Should she let Emperor Liu continue reading?

"I won't read anymore!" Emperor Liu decisively set down the memorial, twisted his body, turned slightly, and laid his head directly onto Noble Consort Gao's plump thigh...

His eyes "dreamily" fixed on her full, slightly sagging bosom, Emperor Liu said with feeling: "This son of yours! Clearly a clever and quick-witted person — just like when you sent him on the southern tour, everything he observed and examined yielded results, hitting the mark with considerable insight.

But from childhood to now, he has always hidden his sharpness and played the fool in everything. Among all the princes, none is more precocious than him! This reserved and self-concealing nature of his — I don't know how it developed. There was no sign of it at all. Could it be that you were too strict with him in the past?"

While listening to Emperor Liu praise Liu Xi, Noble Consort Gao was quite pleased. But hearing the latter part, she grew unhappy and said: "He is your son too. You took the lead in his education. How could I truly control him?"

Emperor Liu said: "That lazy manner of his doesn't resemble me in the least. When asked to do something for the court, to handle some official business, he repeatedly declines. It seems that when you, his mother, speak, it might carry more weight than when I do..."

"Your Majesty says such things — I dare not accept that! You are the Son of Heaven; he is your subject. If you truly commanded him, could he refuse? In my view, it was your excessive indulgence of him in the beginning that fostered his current temperament!" Noble Consort Gao could not help complaining.

As she spoke, Noble Consort Gao suddenly raised her phoenix brows high and said: "From what Your Majesty says, am I really so fierce in the eyes of you father and son?"

"How could that be?" Emperor Liu quickly changed his tune: "Even if you were a tigress, I would love you dearly!"

These words made Noble Consort Gao even more annoyed. But sensing the joking tone in Emperor Liu's voice, she was not one to make unreasonable scenes. She shifted her body to make Emperor Liu more comfortable, then asked with concern: "What post do you intend to give Liu Xi?"

"Don't worry, I won't send him to tend horses again..." Emperor Liu closed his eyes and said leisurely: "I need to find him a position that will temper his character. Isn't he lazy? I'll give him no leisure — keep him busy!"

The Emperor and his consort chatted on, but the ambiguous atmosphere did not intensify further — they were an old married couple after all. Emperor Liu had no real intention of a tryst in the carriage; he simply accompanied Noble Consort Gao in conversation. For Noble Consort Gao, this was already quite rare, so she had no complaints.

"Reporting to Your Majesty — Commander-in-Chief Luo reports that the army has reached Gaoping. Shall we stop to rest?" Commissioner of the Palace City Zhang Dejun came forward to request instructions.

Emperor Liu had truly grown accustomed to Zhang Dejun, bringing him along wherever he went. Within the field headquarters, Zhang Dejun served before the imperial presence alongside Yan Tuo.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu gave his instruction without the slightest hesitation: "Convey my order to Luo Yangui — pass beyond Gaoping and make camp north of Yangtou Mountain!"

"Yes!"

The Commander-in-Chief of this field headquarters was the Marquis of Jingyang, Luo Yangui. As one of the important generals who had submitted to and followed Emperor Liu in the early days, after the founding of the state he had commanded the imperial army at home and guarded the frontier abroad. He had experienced battles great and small, with no lack of merit. Decisive yet measured, he was a general whom Emperor Liu held in considerable regard.

"Your Majesty passes by the county town without entering, declining their welcome — is it because you're worried about disturbing the locality?" Noble Consort Gao asked.

"That's part of the reason!" Emperor Liu replied, but then shook his head: "When the Son of Heaven visits, with this throng of over ten thousand people, it's impossible to avoid all disturbance to the locality. The reason for going to Yangtou Mountain is to commemorate the past.

In the year of the founding, I led the Longqi Army south, took Luzhou, gathered heroes, and pointed my troops straight at Zezhou. Continuing southward, we encountered a formidable enemy — Yelu Deguang sent Geng Chongmei leading several thousand troops north, and the battle erupted along the Yangtou Mountain line.

It was the first hard-fought battle I experienced since taking command of troops. Though small in scale, it was the true beginning of my rise. Even now, I remember it vividly. Without that complete victory, which united the soldiers' hearts and boosted morale, I fear I would not have had the courage to later raise troops and march east through the Taihang Mountains, let alone pursue the Khitan army alone with my forces..."

"In that case, it truly is meaningful and worth commemorating!" Hearing Emperor Liu speak of this past event, Noble Consort Gao naturally chimed in to echo him.

"I wonder if the battlefield of that year still exists today. Where the soldiers wrapped in horsehide met their end, I ought to offer some sacrifices..." Emperor Liu said.