Chapter 1260: The Crown Prince Takes Command

Ziwei City was the largest imperial palace in the Great Han. Officials serving in the various offices of the Southern Administration had to spend no small amount of time each day on the road out of the palace after finishing their work; even those at the Hall of State Affairs, which sat closest to the palace proper, had to walk nearly two quarters of an hour to leave.

Zhao Kuangyin had been granted an audience at Chongzheng Hall and taken his leave, so his time was naturally even longer. By the time he exited the imperial city, the sky had already darkened. Under the twilight, the Great Han's imperial city appeared even more profound and imposing. The palace lanterns hung sparsely, their hazy light falling upon the guards standing as rigid as mountain rocks, lending the scene an air of solemn stillness.

The imperial city sat right beside the Luo River. Under the court's governance, the river's waters ran somewhat clearer than usual. Three river bridges hung high above the water, their arches so spacious that ships of two thousand liao burden could pass beneath with ease.

Compared with the mysterious and forbidding character of the imperial city, the river bridges were far more vivid. From top to bottom, their bodies were densely and neatly arrayed with lanterns of every color, a riot of brilliance that made the river shine.

The Three Tianjin Bridges had become an especially beautiful landmark within the Western Capital. No one from outside the capital who came to Luoyang failed to visit them. Even now, with night fallen, no small number of sightseers lingered here. From this spot, one could not only enjoy the beautiful night scene but also gaze afar at the imperial city, look up at the Qianyuan Hall that pierced the clouds, and feel the majesty of the imperial house and the court...

The carriage slowly crossed the river bridge. Because the bridge stood so high, it felt as though one were traveling among the clouds. The wheels pressed over the blue-stone bridge surface, giving off a crisp sound. Late spring was nearly upon them, yet the night wind that kept seeping in still made Zhao Kuangyin feel a chill.

Still, this did nothing to dampen the somewhat fiery heart within him. Zhao Kuangyin naturally held expectations for the position of commander of the eastern route. What could be certain was that, just as Li Gu had once commanded the great army to pacify the south, the commander of this eastern route army would likewise nominally direct all the various northern expedition forces.

Securing this position — setting aside the added authority and status — would make establishing merit and leaving one's name in the annals of history all but certain. Moreover, he would become the "First Marshal" since the founding of the dynasty.

In all these years, no outside minister had ever commanded so vast an army on campaign! And Emperor Liu had summoned him, Zhao Kuangyin, and listened in detail to his views on the northern expedition, just as in that conversation beyond the passes while accompanying the imperial tour.

It had been a long time since Zhao Kuangyin had felt so anxious and uncertain. But by the time he returned to his residence, someone was already waiting for him. Dang Jin, Chief Commander of the Xingjie Army under the Patrol Inspectorate.

Among the great mass of military merit nobles in the Great Han, Dang Jin was a singular figure, one who enjoyed a resounding reputation both in court and among the common folk. Not because he was unlettered or of low cultivation, but because over the years he had personally produced a great many absurd and laughable incidents.

The body of Lord Dang was practically a treasury of anecdotes, providing the scholars and commoners of the capital with abundant material for idle chatter over tea and after meals.

Still, this man had a vivid personality. Though exceedingly crude, he was noble as a Marquis and had risen step by step to become a Chief General of the great army. There was no other reason — other things Dang Jin might not be good at, but he excelled at leading troops, and the crude simplicity he displayed made it easy to win trust. At the very least, no one feared him as a threat.

By now, among the generals who kept close company with Zhao Kuangyin, Dang Jin was the one of highest authority and status, second only to Li Jixun.

"Brother, what brings you here?" In the hall, looking at Dang Jin, who sat with his leg crossed, holding a teacup and putting on airs as he savored the tea, Zhao Kuangyin could not help but feel surprised.

"Nothing else — I've come to ask a favor of Lord Rong!" Seeing Zhao Kuangyin, Dang Jin's thick brows spread wide, and he set down the teacup and rose to his feet.

Zhao Dezhao then said, "Uncle Dang has been waiting for quite some time!"

"Sit!"

Zhao Kuangyin untied the cap band from his head, handed it to Zhao Dezhao, took the seat of honor, and accepted the tea offered by a serving maid. Moistening his throat, he said, "What trouble have you run into? In all the court and common realm, who else would dare make trouble for you, Marquis Shanyang?"

In the capital, there were many people with greater seniority, authority, or rank than Dang Jin, but few could actually make trouble for him — because he was a piece of stubborn gristle, a copper pea that could not be chewed, a man who feared nothing. Getting entangled with him was itself a trouble.

"Lord Rong, don't play dumb! In the court these days, besides the northern expedition, what other great matter could there be? Naturally, I've come for this!" Twenty years of comradery in arms — Dang Jin did not beat around the bush.

"You also want to take part in the northern expedition?" Zhao Kuangyin asked.

"Who wouldn't?" Dang Jin said carelessly. "Having stayed in the capital so long, idling about all day, I still want to get back on the battlefield and stretch my bones!"

"The deployment of troops and appointment of officers are all arranged by the Bureau of Military Affairs — I have no say in it!" Zhao Kuangyin said.

At this mention, Dang Jin could not help but feel indignant: "That Shi Shouxin is too underhanded! We're all imperial army, same training, same pay — how dare he look down on us soldiers of the Patrol Inspectorate! When troops were transferred north, not a single one of my men was taken!"

"Show some respect!" Seeing Dang Jin speak rudely, Zhao Kuangyin cut him off: "The transfer orders of the Bureau of Military Affairs were approved by His Majesty himself — they brook no question. Besides, even with a great army dispatched, the imperial army cannot be entirely transferred away. How could the defense of the capital be slackened?"

"Even so, there's no difficulty in transferring a few officers and commanders, is there? It's not as though we can't lift a blade or mount a horse anymore. To not give us even a single chance to kill the enemy and serve the state — that's hard to justify!" Dang Jin grinned.

Seeing his expression and manner, Zhao Kuangyin could not help but smile, then sighed: "In this deployment, His Majesty clearly intends to let the younger generation build their merits. How could the army's soldiers who hunger for titles and rewards all be satisfied?"

Dang Jin said discontentedly, "We're not old yet. To cast us aside like this — what a pity!"

Looking at him, Zhao Kuangyin said, "You're a seasoned veteran of the battlefield. You should know that military merit is not easily won — life and death hang by a thread at every turn. You're already a Marquis. Why keep striving so hard? Isn't it good to simply enjoy your estates, your concubines, your wine and meat?"

Clearly, his thoughts had been seen through, but Dang Jin was not embarrassed. He replied, "This Shanyang Marquis of mine is only a second-rank Marquis. Even if I have no designs on a Duke's title, if I could be raised to first-rank, that would be fine too!"

"This matter is also beyond my authority!" Zhao Kuangyin said.

"If you become commander of the great army, what difficulty would there be in requesting the transfer of a single officer? Speaking of it, it's been years since we fought side by side. Those days on the Huainan battlefield — I still miss them to this day!" Dang Jin said with feeling.

Zhao Kuangyin knew this fellow was shrewd to the core, so at these words his expression stiffened, and he said, "The command position is not yet decided. Who is spreading rumors and discussing military matters? Do they not want their lives?"

Dang Jin was taken aback and asked, "His Majesty summoned you to the palace for so long — was it not to discuss appointing the marshal?"

Zhao Kuangyin set down his teacup, his face assuming an expression of recollection, and sighed deeply: "The sacred heart is hard to fathom... The marshal's seat is not easy to occupy either. Succeed, and your merit will be unmatched in the age; but should something unexpected happen?"

"Me?" Inside Chuigong Hall, the Crown Prince Liu Yang, summoned once again, let out a rare exclamation of surprise.

Only father and son were in the hall, lending the setting an air of intimacy. Looking at Liu Yang, whose face showed complete astonishment, Emperor Liu nodded very seriously and said, "That's right, it's you! Here it's just the two of us, father and son, so I'll speak plainly!

For this northern expedition, I won't say we're sending the entire nation's forces or mobilizing all the realm's strength, but half of it at least. Though the Three Dynasties are far in the past, entrusting so vast an army to the hands of an outside minister is always hard to feel at ease about. That would be good for no one.

After much deliberation, if I do not campaign in person, then only you can go to war in your father's place! The malady of arrogant soldiers and fierce generals I have largely cleansed, but they dare not rebel or make trouble mostly out of awe for my authority — you may not necessarily be able to overawe them!

Therefore, take advantage of this northern expedition to accumulate some prestige. At the very least, you must not let those soldiers and officers think little of you!"

"But, your son has no experience leading troops. To place so great an army in my hands, I fear I would only bungle matters. It concerns the very lives of the soldiers and the success or failure of the northern expedition — I dare not accept this charge!" Liu Yang, apparently still not having recovered his senses, replied with considerable self-awareness, shaking his head repeatedly.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled instead, and said gently, "Your having this awareness has dispelled the last of my concerns! Having you take command is not about sending you to lead troops in battle or direct operations on the field — there will be senior ministers and veteran generals to assist you. You need only sit at the center of the army, unite the soldiers' morale, and play a leadership role. As for the actual command, there are others to do it!"