Chapter 1301: Audience with the Emperor

"I recall Your Majesty once said: when the seas surge and rivers run wild, true heroes reveal themselves! The state is in troubled times, precisely when talent is needed most, and it is all the more necessary to have capable officials who dare to take responsibility like this County Magistrate of Hengshui!" Riding at an easy canter, Li Shaoyou could not help but remark.

"It seems the Duke greatly admires this Magistrate Zhang!" The old Participating Administrator riding beside him responded with a smile.

"A single leaf can block one's view, but a single spot on a leopard reveals the whole!" Li Shaoyou said: "On this trip, I have investigated quite a few prefectures and counties, and only this Hengshui County can be called a place that fully implements the policies and orders of the court and the circuit government without any disorder, with proper handling of affairs and a relatively stable populace. Though I have never met him, I am indeed curious about this Magistrate Zhang. If all the counties under Hengshui's jurisdiction are in such good shape, then that counts as discovering another capable official for the court!"

"The Duke may not know this, but this Zhang Qixian is something of an extraordinary man!" the Participating Administrator said.

Li Shaoyou turned his head to look at him: "What do you mean?"

"Back then, when the Crown Prince made his western tour to Luoyang, Zhang Qixian was still a commoner. He boldly blocked the imperial procession, drew diagrams on the ground and presented strategies, and nearly had his head chopped off by the guards. Though His Highness did not adopt any of his ten strategies, he greatly admired the man's courage and quick wit, and bestowed money and goods upon him, supporting his studies and training. Later he went to the capital for the spring examinations and placed first in the provincial examination, though in the palace examination His Majesty named him Tanhua..." the Participating Administrator explained.

"Haha!" Hearing this, Li Shaoyou burst into hearty laughter and said: "After all these years, everyone inside and outside the court knows that the Tanhua personally selected by His Majesty is never an ordinary man, and is not necessarily inferior to the Zhuangyuan. This Zhang Qixian is also quite fortunate—not only does he have the Crown Prince backing him, but he has also caught His Majesty's eye. With such performance, why worry that he cannot rise swiftly through the ranks!"

"Indeed!" The Participating Administrator's voice was also full of emotion.

Zhang Qixian is not yet thirty years old, a jinshi graduate, already with impressive achievements in his post as county magistrate, with the Crown Prince as his backer and having left an impression on the emperor—such fortune is something most officials across the realm could only hope to encounter but never seek. As long as he makes no mistakes, his future is bright, with boundless prospects ahead...

In comparison, they, these old ministers, though occupying high posts in a circuit, could basically already see the ceiling of their official careers. After all, those who can be transferred to the central government each year are truly as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns—ability, achievements, background, and luck are all indispensable.

"Does the Duke wish to meet this Zhang Qixian?" Seeing that Li Shaoyou was in a good mood, the Participating Administrator could not help asking.

"No need! The journey is urgent!" Li Shaoyou refused, saying calmly: "As long as he is under the jurisdiction of Hebei Circuit, will there not be plenty of opportunities in the future?"

"Pass the order—speed up, and make haste for Dezhou!" With that, Li Shaoyou cracked his whip and urged his horse eastward.

Emperor Liu had already set out and continued northward. Upon receiving the news, Li Shaoyou naturally would not return to Daming Prefecture but instead went directly toward the imperial entourage. Hengshui was only a little over a hundred li from the prefectural seat of Dezhou, and by the afternoon of the following day, Li Shaoyou arrived. Noticing the military camp outside the city with dragon banners flying high, he knew that the emperor's traveling court was still there and had not yet left Dezhou.

Having received word, the Prefect of Dezhou, along with two subordinate officials, hurried to the west of the city to welcome him, personally holding Li Shaoyou's reins and stirrup. Ignoring his attentiveness, Li Shaoyou asked: "Where is His Majesty? Is he within the imperial camp?"

Not daring to be verbose, the Prefect answered directly: "To report to the Duke, His Majesty arrived in Dezhou yesterday, and the traveling court is set up in the prefectural office!"

"Lead me to the government office!" Nodding, Li Shaoyou instructed.

"Yes!"

And so, paying no heed to his travel-worn state, Li Shaoyou raised his whip and struck his horse's haunches, riding straight into the city to go pay his respects and have an audience with the emperor.

In the rear hall of the prefectural office, there was a scene of bustling activity. Several palace eunuchs and servants were coming and going, carrying trays and serving dishes, preparing a banquet. The air was filled with the aroma of food, whetting one's appetite.

And personally directing the proceedings before the hall was the Chief Eunuch Yan Tuo. Seeing him, Li Shaoyou could not help showing a somewhat surprised expression. Noticing Li Shaoyou, Yan Tuo immediately came forward to greet him, maintaining a very low posture, cupping his hands in salute and saying respectfully: "This humble one pays respects to Duke Shou!"

"Eunuch Yan, no need for such ceremony—you'll be the death of this old man with such formality!" Li Shaoyou chuckled. His relationship with Yan Tuo had always been handled well, and of course, it would be difficult for them to have any conflicts.

"It is Duke Shou's words that would be the death of this humble one!" Yan Tuo chuckled in response.

Pointing at the busy palace attendants, Li Shaoyou joked: "The Eunuch personally preparing all these fine delicacies—surely it can't be to welcome me!"

Yan Tuo immediately indicated: "If it were to wash the dust off Duke Shou, this simple fare would hardly be sufficient—a more lavish banquet should be prepared!"

Noticing Li Shaoyou's gaze, Yan Tuo still generously explained the matter: "Several officers and soldiers from the northern expedition who went beyond the frontier have returned from Mobei. His Majesty has specially issued an order to feast them!"

Li Shaoyou understood and nodded slightly, then immediately asked: "Does His Majesty have time? I should go have an audience with him—please announce me!"

"Duke Shou is too courteous. His Majesty is currently bathing. Should he learn that you have come to the traveling court, he will surely be overjoyed!" Yan Tuo said.

After briefly arranging matters before the hall, Yan Tuo personally led Li Shaoyou to the rear garden. As they walked, Li Shaoyou discreetly slipped a night pearl to Yan Tuo, who did not decline but deftly tucked it into his sleeve.

Yan Tuo did not accept gifts from just anyone—he was discerning about people, and Duke Shou of the State, Li Shaoyou, was someone worth cultivating good relations with. Seeing Yan Tuo's natural manner, showing not the slightest surprise at the rare night pearl, Li Shaoyou thought to himself that this eunuch had remarkably refined tastes—he must have seen no shortage of rare treasures in his daily life.

"Eunuch Yan, I have a matter I wish to consult you on!"

"Duke Shou is too polite! Whatever you wish to say, please speak frankly—what this humble one can say, I will not hold back!" Yan Tuo smiled slightly.

Seeing this, Li Shaoyou asked in a low voice: "I heard that when His Majesty was in Daming Prefecture, he dismissed Prefect Tao Gu. I wonder how His Majesty feels about that..."

Understanding the implication behind the words, Yan Tuo grasped Li Shaoyou's meaning the moment he raised the topic. Looking left and right, he also answered in a low voice: "His Majesty's thoughts are not something this humble one can fathom. However, since Duke Shou has asked, this humble one will presume to offer a word: His Majesty believes that Tao Gu was lazy in governance and unfilial."

Having said this, Yan Tuo quickened his pace. Li Shaoyou understood, sighed silently in his heart, shook his head, and followed. Tao Gu, while alive, had had a good relationship with Li Shaoyou, and during Tao Gu's tenure in Daming Prefecture, Li Shaoyou had often looked after him, after all, it was right under his own nose. Now that Emperor Liu had personally dismissed Tao Gu, he could hardly speak up for him, and he also had to consider whether Tao Gu's affair might affect himself.

Inside the flower hall, the air carried a faint scent of soap. Emperor Liu had just finished bathing, wearing only a set of undergarments, his hair loose and still slightly damp. Upon learning that Li Shaoyou had arrived, he summoned him directly.

"Your minister pays respects to Your Majesty!" Li Shaoyou knelt in audience, somewhat moved.

Emperor Liu was clearly delighted by Li Shaoyou's arrival, and greeted him with a smile: "Brother You, between you and me, no need for such ceremony—get up quickly, have a seat first!"

That intimate address of "Brother You" stirred unexpected emotion even in Li Shaoyou's heart, a kind of inexplicable feeling of being moved. Though the intimacy between sovereign and minister was no longer what it had been in those early years.

Emperor Liu sat with his legs crossed, while a beautiful, jade-like palace maid dried his hair. Appraising Li Shaoyou for a few moments, Emperor Liu said: "Brother You, it's been years since we last met, and you still carry yourself with the same distinction!"

Li Shaoyou responded with a smile: "Your Majesty is in the prime of life, radiant and shining. Seeing Your Majesty in good health, this minister feels greatly reassured!"

"You! Still so smooth with words!" Emperor Liu smiled and said: "You were busy with official duties—I had not intended to summon you, yet you still hurried over!"

"Your Majesty is on an inspection tour of Hebei, and this minister failed to come pay his respects in time—that already makes me uneasy! Now that affairs have been temporarily settled, it is only right that I come to have an audience!" Li Shaoyou responded.

Nodding, Emperor Liu said: "In this northern expedition, apart from the various central government departments, among the local authorities, it is your Hebei Circuit that has borne the most affairs and the heaviest responsibility! I hear that in these past months, you have spent half your time touring and coordinating across the region—you have worked hard!"

"The ones who suffer most are the soldiers of the Great Han fighting bloodily on the front lines. If this minister found even the mere fulfillment of his duties to be hardship, then I would be failing the court's trust and unworthy of this position!" Li Shaoyou said.

"This mobilization has exhausted the strength of the north and drained the grain of the south. To ensure our soldiers can fight with peace of mind, we must guarantee stability in the rear, so that the troops have no worries behind them and can fight with full commitment!" Emperor Liu sighed slightly: "To achieve this, we need you great regional officials to lead by example. The purpose of my inspection tour is precisely this. Though I have only had a cursory look at Hebei's situation, it is quite good!"

Hearing these words, Li Shaoyou secretly relaxed—he had been worried that Emperor Liu might discover some problem he had failed to address.

Li Shaoyou answered: "This still depends on the guidance of Your Majesty and the court. This minister has also observed the people's conditions, and the situation among the populace is fairly stable. This is all due to Your Majesty's more than twenty years of benevolent governance—the people are grateful and support you enthusiastically..."

Seeing Li Shaoyou start to flatter, Emperor Liu waved his hand repeatedly: "Don't go crediting me with achievements. We have sent the fathers, brothers, and sons of the common people to the battlefield—if they don't curse me, I'll already be satisfied!"

"Your Majesty's magnanimity can embrace all things!" Li Shaoyou said.

"Alright, you've traveled quite a distance, haven't you! Just in time—I've had a table of food and wine prepared here, one host inviting two guests. Consider it also a welcome feast for you. Stay and drink a few cups with me later!"

Li Shaoyou immediately rose and bowed: "This minister could not ask for more!"

The palace maid had already tied up Emperor Liu's hair and was helping him dress. In the bronze mirror, Emperor Liu's somewhat out-of-shape figure was reflected. Li Shaoyou took the initiative to receive the dragon robe from the palace maid's hands and helped Emperor Liu put it on, saying as he did so: "This minister heard that the soldiers who went beyond the frontier to campaign in Mobei have returned?"

"Yes!" Emperor Liu nodded, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upward: "Having survived countless battles and life-and-death ordeals, they have returned to report. I want to personally feast them!"

"Your Majesty's love for the troops is truly admirable!" Li Shaoyou said.

"Prince Wei and Duke Zhao are young heroes—surely they have galloped across the battlefield and dealt heavy blows to the various barbarian tribes of Mobei!" Li Shaoyou said.

"Just a couple of boys. Liu Min is still wet behind the ears, with no experience leading troops in battle—what could they possibly accomplish!" Emperor Liu said with an air of indifference, though the upward curve at the corners of his mouth betrayed his true feelings.