Chapter 1231: The Northernmost Point of the Great Han

Fengzhou was, without a doubt, the northernmost city of the Great Han at present, and the seat of the Tiande Army. The Tiande Army was a military designation with deep historical roots, traceable back over two hundred years—it had been an important military institution on the northern frontier during the mid-Tang, serving as the cornerstone of regional stability.

Of course, as the Great Tang gradually declined, remote borderlands like this one were essentially forgotten, until they were abandoned altogether. Later, it was taken by Yelu Abaoji, the founding emperor of Liao, who, to strengthen control, relocated the entire establishment eastward, and the Tiande Army that had belonged to the Central Plains became history.

It was not until Emperor Liu's northern campaign, when Li Wanchao advanced westward and seized the old territory in one stroke, that after five years of management, the name Tiande Army was restored—both to commemorate those who came before and to inspire those who would come after.

After Liao's power contracted, Liao's Tiande Army was not withdrawn either, but was renamed the Yingtian Army. Among the Jiashan mountains of the front loop, there was a city called Yunnei, which was the seat of Liao's Yingtian Army, garrisoned with a thousand men, keeping close watch on the situation and movements of the Han army in the Feng-Sheng region.

As for the Great Han's garrison in Fengzhou, in the early years it still maintained a force of five thousand cavalry and infantry. Later, seeing that Liao was relatively docile, the garrison was adjusted and gradually reduced to the current two thousand men. Of course, even with only two thousand men, the court's expenditure in grain and coin to maintain this border army was counted in multiples.

Fengzhou city, on the north bank of the river, was also rebuilt on the old site. Though ten years had passed, its development could hardly be called good. A small town built of rammed loess, its walls no more than two or three li around, crude in the extreme, it was known as "Earthen City" — compared to other cities of the Great Han, it could only be called a shelter. And with the field headquarters arriving, with its throng of people, this small border town seemed even more "cramped."

Since its reconstruction, Fengzhou had probably never been as lively as it was now, surrounded by clamor. When the field headquarters arrived, the first thing done was naturally to set up camp, and the soldiers accompanying the emperor showed considerable enthusiasm for it.

In the imperial camp, a squad of guards was working hard at unloading tents and other equipment from the carts, with similar scenes all around—a picture of bustling activity.

"Finally reached the prefectural city! This time, we can rest for a while, right?" one of the guards shouted.

"With weather like this, where else could we keep going!" another person said, pointing at the somewhat dim sky overhead.

"Hope it doesn't rain, or we'll have more suffering ahead!"

"The worst would be a mix of rain and snow!"

"This northern wind is truly biting. It's only early winter, yet it cuts across the face like a knife!"

"I served on the Yan Mountains road before, thought it was cold enough, but never imagined it would be worse here!"

"......"

They had endured great hardship along the way, and many were discussing how Li Wanchao, the Marquis of Jiuyuan, had managed to advance westward so smoothly back then and recover the Sheng-Feng lands. Of course, the difference in climate was still obvious.

"All of you, shut up!" Amid the chatter, the squad leader in charge seemed to have grown irritated from listening, glaring at his men: "Do you want to end up like those who were punished, tied up and made to walk on foot?"

The moment the squad leader spoke, silence fell at once—not because the leader had such great authority, but because the "example" before them was striking enough. Among those punished a few days ago, the weaker ones had collapsed from the cold directly, and reportedly one had died.

These men belonged to the Inner Palace guards, with extremely high standards in every respect, yet none of them wanted to experience that. Among them were not a few of special background, but within the already special group of Inner Palace guards, they were unremarkable.

"Greetings, General!" Yang Yanzhao approached with two guards, seemingly on patrol, and this squad of guards immediately set down what they were holding to salute.

Yang Yanzhao held the nominal title of Mobile Strike General. He had performed outstandingly in the grand hunt earlier and received rewards from Emperor Liu, and now served on duty in the imperial camp. Though young, everyone knew that with his excellent family background and being a favorite before the emperor, his future was boundless, and these Inner Palace guards dared not be discourteous.

Yang Yanzhao wasted no words, directly instructing: "Your squad, set aside your current tasks for now and go to the baggage camp to draw five carts of firewood and charcoal!"

"Yes!" Without any question, the squad leader immediately acknowledged.

At their response, Yang Yanzhao could not help but feel admiration inwardly—the quality of the Inner Palace guards was indeed high. No wonder there was a saying that the most elite soldiers of the Great Han were all in the Inner Palace army.

After giving the order, Yang Yanzhao turned and left, still needing to arrange and coordinate the matter of drinking water. His position as an officer of the imperial camp was not just about standing guard—there was a mountain of miscellaneous affairs. By comparison, simply leading troops in battle was the simplest and most satisfying task.

While the field headquarters was carrying out its setup operations, Emperor Liu was conducting his first inspection of Fengzhou. He had already gained an understanding of the Tiande Army's situation and had received the Tiande Army Commander. Though he placed greater emphasis on military matters, he was equally interested in this border prefecture.

"Fengzhou Prefect, your servant Feng Guang, respectfully welcomes the imperial carriage!" Before the pitifully crude earthen city wall of Fengzhou, the prefect Feng Guang, over forty years old, knelt in obeisance before the imperial carriage with a handful of subordinates.

"Rise!" Emperor Liu's steady voice came through the carriage.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Hearing that familiar voice, as if drifting down from the nine heavens, the prefect breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly gave thanks.

Feng Guang had seen the emperor before—he had been one of that batch of County Magistrates and Prefectural Administrators personally summoned by Emperor Liu back then, and he had been appointed Prefect of Fengzhou, serving for several years now.

Under the Great Han's current official system, the difference between Prefectural Administrator and Prefect lay in the method of appointment. Administering a prefecture or a county meant being dispatched by the central court, granted the authority to manage the affairs of that prefecture or county—these were essentially court officials sent out, belonging to the court's "direct line."

As for Prefects and County Magistrates, apart from court officials sent out, they were those promoted through other official positions, including officials appointed by local Military Governors, Surveillance Commissioners, and Defense Commissioners back when military provinces still existed.

Prefectural Administrator and County Magistrate were in fact a system of official appointment—merely a means by which Emperor Liu strengthened central authority and the court's control over the localities. And after more than a decade of achieving this goal, they had gradually become synonymous with official titles.

Moreover, it had created certain negative effects, such as a chain of contempt among local officials—Prefectural Administrators looked down on Prefects, County Magistrates looked down on County Magistrates. Why? Because the former were of court official origin, personally appointed by the Son of Heaven, representing the court and the emperor, and many held the right to submit exclusive and secret memorials.

Emperor Liu was well aware of these phenomena and already intended to further reform, to unify the authority and status of Prefectural Administrators and Prefects, and to continue reducing the chaos in the official system.

As for Fengzhou Prefect Feng Guang, he was one who had risen from among the "despised." The curtain was drawn open, and Emperor Liu, wrapped in a thick fur robe, stepped out of the carriage with the support of Yan Tuo.

The ground beneath his feet was cold and hard. Emperor Liu looked at Fengzhou city, then observed the Fengzhou officials like Feng Guang who had come to receive him—it could be fully described as desolate and sparse.

His gaze fell on Feng Guang, who stood bowed with head lowered. He wore an old official robe, puffy and bulging, stuffed inside with who knew what—cotton wadding or some other warming material. Seeing him in this state, Emperor Liu felt immediate goodwill; his first impression was that this was an honest official.

"Feng Guang, I remember you!" After sweeping his gaze over the city walls and officials several times, Emperor Liu finally sighed: "They all say the frontier is bitter and cold, and today I have finally glimpsed its face. Had I not seen it with my own eyes, could I have imagined that a fifth-rank Prefect of the Great Han would cut such a figure? The soldiers and garrison troops defending the northern frontier work hard, and you officials loyal to your posts of governance—you are not any less deserving!"

Feng Guang stood in the cold wind, and upon hearing these words from Emperor Liu, his eyes immediately reddened. He clasped his hands and bowed again: "To receive such words from Your Majesty, your servants have no further wishes—this life is complete!"

From the choked tone of Feng Guang's voice, Emperor Liu could feel the bitterness and hardship of his tenure in Fengzhou. Lifting his eyes to look at the weather-worn characters "Fengzhou" above the city gate, Emperor Liu sighed and said: "Take me into the city for a look!"

"Your servant has lost his composure!" Feng Guang wiped his eyes and begged forgiveness.

"Never mind!"

Feng Guang added: "Fengzhou is crude, and where it has been remiss in receiving the imperial carriage, I beg Your Majesty's pardon!"

"The land of Fengzhou is the territory of the Great Han, and the people of Fengzhou are my subjects!" Emperor Liu said, facing this crude city wall directly, his tone resolute.