Chapter 1271: The Eunuch's Concern

After spending a full two hours in the Bureau of Military Affairs, engaging in deep discussion with Shi Shouxin, Xiang Xun, Cao Bin, and other ministers on the great undertaking of the northern expedition, and after making a thorough review of the matter, Emperor Liu finally returned to the palace with satisfaction. His purpose in coming, besides concern over the war, seemed more like seeking reassurance, and Shi Shouxin and the others continued to give him peace of mind.

The sky had already darkened, dusk deepening, and throughout the palace city, lamplight was sparse and scattered. One by one, palace eunuchs lit the lanterns, illuminating the halls and corridors. The lights intermingled and reflected off one another, as if mirroring the brilliance of the Great Han today.

Emperor Liu rode in an imperial palanquin carried by sixteen bearers, its presence imposing. The majesty of the emperor seemed embodied in the heavy palanquin seat itself. Though sixteen men carried it, their strength seemed to issue from a single person, and they walked with great steadiness, so much so that Emperor Liu felt almost no jostling.

The dim yellow lamplight fell upon Emperor Liu's face, revealing only half of his stern, cold countenance—the look of a man with something weighing on his mind.

"Yan Tuo!"

Yan Tuo, head of the palace eunuchs, had been walking silently beside the palanquin with head bowed and hurried steps. Hearing the emperor's summons, he immediately perked up and answered in a soft voice: "This humble servant is here. What does His Majesty command?"

Perhaps his eyes had been dazzled by the lamplight, for Emperor Liu raised a hand and said in a flat tone: "The lamplight in the palace is arranged too densely. Pass the word down—in the main halls and along the main roads, extinguish half of all lanterns and candle stands, and remove the rest entirely. The court is in need of funds right now; all expenditures within the palace must also be reduced!"

"Yes!" Yan Tuo showed not a moment's hesitation toward any of Emperor Liu's instructions—nor, of course, did he dare to be remiss.

The Great Han's fortunes had long since improved. While in the Eastern Capital, Emperor Liu had already felt the extravagance was excessive, but upon arriving at Luoyang in the Western Capital, the situation seemed even worse—the pomp and expenditure had only expanded. Simply lighting up the Ziwei Palace alone cost no small sum every night.

"His Majesty personally practices frugality and leads by example—ministers and commoners alike will surely be moved and sing His praises!" In passing, Yan Tuo, as usual, diligently flattered the dragon's backside.

"Mm!" Unfortunately, Emperor Liu's reaction was tepid. Even the tone of the "mm" was indistinct, making it impossible to discern his attitude.

"Your Majesty, the sovereign is the guide of his ministers. Since the palace is doing this, should the outer court be informed as well, so that all the various offices and bureaus also practice strict frugality?" Yan Tuo volunteered, seeking to distinguish himself.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu's gaze immediately slanted over, a cold glint seeming to flash in his eyes: "Since when do you concern yourself with the affairs of the outer court!"

Though it was but a lightly spoken sentence, it struck Yan Tuo's heart like a heavy hammer. Fear clearly flickered across his face as he said nervously: "This humble servant spoke out of turn!"

For perhaps ten breaths' time, Emperor Liu finally withdrew his gaze and replied: "No need!"

In truth, there was no need for Emperor Liu to issue such instructions personally. He could be certain that the moment news of the palace's changes spread, Zhao Pu would surely follow closely in the emperor's footsteps, produce a set of measures for frugality and economy, and implement them efficiently—without even reporting to Emperor Liu of his own accord.

"Yes!"

That deathlike stare had chilled Yan Tuo to the very bottom of his heart. After Emperor Liu withdrew his knife-like gaze, Yan Tuo could not help but breathe a sigh of relief, while inwardly cursing himself, wanting to slap himself several times—why had he opened his mouth? He had offended His Majesty's taboo again!

Yan Tuo was deeply vexed, and Emperor Liu's mood likewise seemed to be cast under a shadow. He naturally felt some displeasure toward this eunuch. In the end, the man had grown a bit too full of himself—presuming upon favor and growing arrogant.

As the chief steward of the palace and the most intimate eunuch at the emperor's side, Yan Tuo's rank was not high, but his position and power were illustrious. Inside and out, no one dared refuse him face, no one dared offend him—all had to flatter and accommodate him respectfully.

Even a seventh-rank official must bow before a chancellor's gate, let alone the emperor's personal eunuch. For certain matters, Emperor Liu did not mind—his own household servant ought to have his share of glory; this too was a manifestation of the flourishing imperial authority.

Moreover, Yan Tuo was an old hand who had come out of the Prince's residence in Jinyang and Taiyuan. His roots ran deep, his foundation was solid, and with Emperor Liu's favor on top of that, it was inevitable that he had acquired more than a little arrogance.

With such favor and the advantage of being first to the well, maintaining humility and caution year after year for a decade was no easy feat. Add to that the fact that eunuchs were, by nature, incomplete men—physical defects influencing character, and changes in character manifesting in conduct and style.

How humble and deferential he was before Emperor Liu, so arrogant and overbearing was he before others. Emperor Liu had heard something of this; Commissioner of the Palace City Zhang Dejun had not failed to put in bad words about Yan Tuo before him.

It was only that Emperor Liu did not care much—after all, friction between eunuchs was inevitable. Besides, Yan Tuo always maintained a certain measure; perhaps he was arrogant, but he had never crossed the bottom line.

Having a eunuch at one's side who was handy to use and comfortable to serve was no easy thing. Since Zhang Dejun's time, several had come to grief, all because their service had failed to satisfy Emperor Liu.

Moreover, as he grew older, Emperor Liu had also begun to cherish the old days...

However, no matter the favor, there was ultimately a bottom line. If one could not stay put in the inner court and showed intentions of meddling in the outer court, that naturally touched Emperor Liu's sensitive nerve.

A word was a rap on the knuckles, a look was a warning—after that, it would depend on his conduct. There were many things Emperor Liu could tolerate, but once the line was crossed, past tolerance would transform into doubled vengeance.

At the same time, doubts stirred in Emperor Liu's heart. He had drawn a line for the duties of his inner attendants and eunuchs, yet as time passed, to a certain degree, these eunuchs always seemed to have an impulse to cross that line and take a look at the scenery outside...

While pondering Yan Tuo's matter, Emperor Liu could not help but think of Zhang Dejun as well. Between these two most powerful grand eunuchs of the Han palace, there was no shortage of friction—plenty of mutual vying for favor and mutual accusations.

Yan Tuo had his arrogance, but was Zhang Dejun one to keep his own hands clean? After all, he was the leading hand of the Palace City Office, that secret agency. Having developed over so many years, the spies under the Palace City Office could be said to be spread throughout both capitals, with especially heavy surveillance placed upon the high ministers and nobles.

Though it lacked the power of enforcement, this surveillance power alone was enough to intimidate and inspire fear. Compared to his cautious, humble service at Emperor Liu's side, after long immersion in the authority of the Palace City Office, Zhang Dejun too had failed to keep his footing—he was, after all, no Li Chongju...

Recently, criticism of Zhang Dejun had also begun to increase. Of course, Emperor Liu knew that the Palace City Office was inherently fraught with controversy, even more resented than the Wude Office. Besides the rampant espionage and some unscrupulous surveillance, it was also because this was a hawk-and-hound agency run by eunuchs—that alone made it inherently odious.

Therefore, Emperor Liu let things be for the time being. But some rumors displeased him—for instance, that Zhang Dejun had taken five adopted sons, all serving under the Palace City Office, and their reputations were very poor.

For instance, that Zhang Dejun's food, clothing, and daily expenses were extravagant and wasteful, and his comings and goings were extremely ostentatious.

For instance, that Zhang Dejun had once declared drunkenly that he had served Emperor Liu for over twenty years, toiling like an ox or horse, and that with his merits, he ought to be enfeoffed as a marquis...

When news and rumors of this sort reached Emperor Liu's ears, how could his heart be at ease?

"Eunuchs..." Emperor Liu murmured softly under his breath, his voice nearly inaudible, but the light flickering in his eyes was enough to make one's heart tremble.

He did not return to Chuigong Hall, but went directly to Empress Fu's quarters. By the time he stepped into Kunming Hall, Emperor Liu had already changed to a smiling face, brimming with warmth. He intended to exchange words with the Empress and rekindle some passion between the old married couple.

However, the younger Lady Fu was also there, and the two sisters were still discussing something. After he took his seat, palace maids served tea, and the formal greetings were completed, Emperor Liu looked at the elder and younger Lady Fu and asked with interest: "What are you two discussing?"

With the passage of years, the elder Lady Fu had begun to age. Though she remained as dignified and elegant as ever, her place in Emperor Liu's heart had never wavered.

At the question, the elder Lady Fu smiled lightly and said: "Just now, I summoned the wife of our eldest son's Duke of the Realm into the palace for a chat!"

"Is it related to what you two are discussing?" Emperor Liu looked at the two sisters with confusion.

Seeing this, the younger Lady Fu, whose beauty remained radiant, explained: "We were discussing the marriage of our children!"

"Marriage!" Emperor Liu's brows rose. He looked at the younger Lady Fu, then at the elder, and said: "Liu Jia has taken a liking to Li Chuyun's son?"

The elder Lady Fu nodded.

"This little lady! When I asked her before, she wouldn't say!" Emperor Liu's tone carried complex flavor, then he said: "Still, Li Jilong is not a bad choice..."