Chapter 1229: Smug Satisfaction

"Has Your Majesty truly decided to tour Yulin in the west?" Hearing this important news from Yang Ye, Wang Shenqi's spirits lifted, and he asked.

Yang Ye nodded, his expression showing both anticipation and solemnity, and replied: "The decision has been made. The edict arrived yesterday. The hunt between Your Majesty and the Liao sovereign has already concluded, and the imperial carriage has already set out!"

"The hunt has already concluded?" Wang Shenqi's tone carried surprise: "Ended just like that?"

Noticing his astonished expression, Yang Ye couldn't help but smile and said: "What else? Though the Han and Liao have occasional friction, in the end they restrain each other. A decade of peace means relations won't easily deteriorate. Moreover, this time Your Majesty invited him mainly for a meeting between sovereigns, to demonstrate the friendship between the two states. With the meeting concluded, each going their own way is only natural…"

This was where Yang Ye had grown up. Had it been in the past, making him utter such insincere pleasantries would have been difficult indeed.

At this, Wang Shenqi sighed softly, his expression relaxing, and said: "I had thought this would be the start of a new round of great war between Han and Liao!"

In fact, during the preparations for the hunt beforehand, not only the Han army within Shanyang, but also the Yan Mountains to the east, Hedong to the south, and Yulin to the west had all been put on alert, essentially prepared as if for a campaign.

Not only the officials and people of the borderlands, but even within the Great Han army, many soldiers who did not know the true situation assumed the two states were about to go to war. Now, with the hunt concluded safely and harmoniously, the dark and uncertain clouds hanging over the border dispersed with it, and the tension that had gripped the region for nearly twenty days was relieved.

Of course, for some generals who had looked forward to battle and longed for merit and titles, disappointment was inevitable. Naturally, Wang Shenqi was among them.

Wang Shenqi was honest, prudent, and steady by nature. He managed his troops well, was deeply beloved by his subordinates, enjoyed an excellent reputation in the army, and possessed political foresight. He could not be called a warmonger—compared to generals like Wang Yansheng and Guo Jin, he was entirely a moderate—but none of this diminished his longing to distinguish himself on the battlefield.

The reason was not complicated; it lay in his title of Marquis of Neihuang, a second-class marquisate. Under the Great Han's current title system, princes and dukes occupied the top tier with few openings, while the various marquisates formed the largest share—the backbone of the system.

And among the marquises enfeoffed, Wang Shenqi was relatively weak in both military merit and seniority. Often, no matter how hard and steadily he worked, without outstanding performance or dazzling battlefield achievements, his contributions would be overlooked.

That was how it was for Wang Shenqi—because he was not conspicuous enough, after receiving his title, he naturally drew no small amount of criticism and slander from others. But Wang Shenqi was not made of clay; he had a temper. A veteran of the battlefield who had led troops for over twenty years, he was hardly all gentleness and deference.

Even if only to clear his name, he longed for an opportunity to build achievements. His transfer to the Yulin circuit was also an opportunity given to him by Emperor Liu. He had missed the several campaigns since the Kaibao era began, and as a general long stationed at the frontier, constantly dealing with the Khitan, his gaze could only rest upon the powerful neighbor to the north.

Therefore, when he had earlier received the warning to prepare for battle from field headquarters, Wang Shenqi's heart had been full of anticipation.

"What a pity…" But now, the clouds of war had dispersed after all, and Wang Shenqi could not help feeling conflicted.

Yang Ye could sympathize with Wang Shenqi's feelings—not merely from the bond between comrades-in-arms, but because the problem Wang Shenqi faced applied equally to himself.

Yang Ye's new title of Commandery Duke had stirred no small controversy either. That fellow Wang Yansheng, for instance, though he might be accused of throwing his weight around as an old hand, still reflected the genuine mentality of some veteran generals and marshals. Striving for merit and titles, contending over interests and status—such things could never be avoided.

In the end, it came down to Yang Ye being too young—he was not yet even forty. In the Great Han at present, among those enfeoffed for merit, Yang Ye was the only duke under forty. Earlier, sensing the Emperor's partiality toward him, Yang Ye had even taken the initiative to submit a memorial requesting a reduction in his rank, hoping to quell the criticism.

The result? He received a very "stern" rebuke from Emperor Liu. Titles of nobility were weighty and never lightly conferred—how could you, Yang Ye, simply decline them? The Emperor directly demanded whether Yang Ye thought his conferral was unjust, or whether he lacked confidence in his own achievements, asking why he would belittle himself and be swayed by jealous gossip. In the end, he simply said: you, Yang Ye, assess your own merits and state what title you think you deserve—Emperor Liu would agree outright.

Though the wording was harsh and the tone pressing, Emperor Liu's almost unreserved trust and regard moved Yang Ye deeply, and he never again made any superfluous response regarding his title. But he remembered it firmly in his heart—he did not want to rely on grinding out seniority, waiting for time to pass and his age to rise, before those dissenting voices and stares faded away.

Noticing Wang Shenqi's expression, Yang Ye patted his shoulder and comforted him: "Though no war has broken out this time, war between Han and Liao cannot be avoided forever. Your Majesty's resolve to campaign north has never wavered. Zhongbao, you will yet have your day to show your mettle!"

"I understand that too!" Wang Shenqi nodded as well, patting the sword at his waist, and said: "A great northern campaign cannot be rushed. The Great Han is not yet fully prepared; launching suddenly would not yield great odds of success! Moreover, at this season, the advantage lies with the enemy, not with us!"

Yang Ye also sighed with feeling: "Indeed! According to the Bureau of Military Affairs' dispatches to the various circuits, the priority should be sharpening weapons and building strength. The southern campaign, though short in duration, consumed no small amount of national resources. Time is needed to recover and build up reserves!"

"Given Your Majesty's consistent style of planning thoroughly before acting, we'll have to wait!" Wang Shenqi said.

Yang Ye smiled slightly: "However, the results of Yulin's preparations and training can also take this opportunity to be reviewed and displayed before Your Majesty!"

"For now, maintaining public order and making thorough preparations to receive the imperial carriage are the foremost priorities!" Yang Ye's expression gradually turned serious as he said: "Of the Great Han's twenty-seven circuits, Yulin was established only before the three newly created circuits in the southwest. How many prefectures and circuits have yet to receive a visit from Your Majesty? This time, Your Majesty spares no hardship, traveling north on inspection and turning to the northwest—this shows the importance placed on the northwestern frontier defenses.

As the first circuit prefecture to receive the imperial carriage, we must be even more vigilant and make thorough preparations to receive His Majesty. We cannot afford any mistake. Commander Luo has also sent dispatches to the offices, requiring us to purge and secure public order, lest any accident disturb the imperial progress!"

"Those Tangut—they still need a warning!" Wang Shenqi said in a forceful tone.

"That won't be necessary. Just do what falls within the scope of our duties!" Yang Ye shook his head and said: "When Your Majesty tours, if we do too much, it would only make us seem guilty, leading people to think we're covering something up. What Your Majesty wants to see should be Yulin's most genuine military and administrative conditions!"

When it came to discerning the imperial will, Yang Ye had a distinct advantage.

"However, there is one matter that still requires Zhongbao to arrange!" Yang Ye added.

"General, your orders!" Wang Shenqi clasped his hands in salute.

"The several major Tangut tribes within our borders—summon all their chieftains, not one missing, to accompany us in receiving the imperial carriage!" Yang Ye said.

"Mm!" Wang Shenqi acknowledged with a casual wave of his hand: "That's easy! Receiving the imperial carriage is their honor as well; they wouldn't dare refuse!"

"But—" He looked up at Yang Ye: "The Tangut tribes are still under the management of the prefectural government. Is it appropriate for us to intervene on our own?"

Wang Shenqi was also a general with political awareness.

Hearing this, Yang Ye laughed heartily and said: "Lord Wu has already discussed this with me. Just go and carry it out—no need for further concern!"