Chapter 132: Entering the Palace

Peering past the guards' banners, one could see that the area outside Kaifeng's walls had been cleared very thoroughly. On the surface, everything appeared orderly, as if there were not the slightest sign of chaos. Only, it was so quiet that it felt somewhat oppressive.

Withdrawing his gaze, he let the carriage curtain fall. The autumn sunlight faded from Liu Chengyou's face as he suppressed all expression. His movements paused for a moment, then his gaze turned sharp as he asked: "Regarding the matter targeting me, who in the court has been making the biggest fuss!"

"Besides Shi Hongzhao, who else could it be?" Mentioning this, Li Shaoyou's expression grew much more cautious. He glanced at Liu Chengyou and replied: "However, this reckless fellow has been used by others to stick his neck out, and he doesn't even realize it."

"Speak." Li Shaoyou seemed to want to keep him in suspense, but Liu Chengyou gave him no chance, his eyes pressing straight at him.

"Earlier, when the army entered the Eastern Capital, His Majesty discussed merits and rewards, intending to rank you first..." Li Shaoyou said in a mocking tone: "But Shi Hongzhao and others believed that marching south and securing the Central Plains was the result of all the armies fighting hard. Although you, Second Young Master, defeated the Khitan in Hebei, it was merely taking advantage of circumstances—coinciding with the Liao emperor's death, you seized upon good fortune. Moreover, it brought no benefit to the overall situation, and instead forged a mortal enmity with the Khitan..."

Even Li Shaoyou himself felt somewhat embarrassed to voice such remarks.

"And so, Father awarded Shi Hongzhao the first merit?" A faint smile curled at the corner of Liu Chengyou's mouth.

"Later, when word came that you had entrusted troops to Zhao Yanshou for the northern expedition to Youyan, the court buzzed with discussion. A wave of rhetoric targeting you suddenly arose, saying Zhao Yanshou was fickle and untrustworthy, that you were raising a tiger to bring disaster, using the nation's army to supply the enemy. There were also those who said you did not inform the Eastern Capital, that you arbitrarily started hostilities, provoking the Khitan and bringing calamity upon the state."

"Originally, when the army was dispatched to Hebei, there were already people who opposed it, proposing to recall you and let the Khitan leave, so that relations between the two states could be repaired later and the northern border secured. But by moving your troops like this, you completely disregarded the greater situation and brought disaster upon the Great Han..."

"Fine then—in the mouths of the court officials, striking hard against the barbarian invaders has actually become a fault! Hm?" Liu Chengyou could not help but interrupt him.

"Isn't that so? I heard that now that Zhao Yanshou has actually taken Youzhou, the very same people who opposed it are claiming credit for proposing the expedition..."

Somewhat unable to contain his anger, with a "bang," Liu Chengyou slammed his fist against the carriage wall, startling Li Shaoyou into a shudder.

"Your Highness, what's wrong?" The sound of hooves drew near, and Li Chongju's inquiring voice sounded outside the carriage.

"Nothing!" Liu Chengyou suppressed his anger and replied.

"When Elder Brother Xun returned, seeing the sentiment in the court, he actually spoke up for you, saying the northern expedition was his proposal, and reported the details to His Majesty." Li Shaoyou continued: "Of course, the court cannot have only one voice. Chancellor Su has been arguing vigorously on your behalf. And Deputy Commissioner Guo, along with a small number of imperial army commanders, have also spoken a few fair words for you."

"Su Fengji?"

"Yes."

"I'm afraid he's not simply speaking for my sake." Liu Chengyou asked.

Li Shaoyou nodded: "The Yang-Su rivalry."

"I ask myself—since taking up my duties, I seem never to have offended Yang Bin." Propping his chin on his left hand, Liu Chengyou said in a cold voice.

"The tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be battered by the wind; the pile that juts from the shore is the first to be swept by the current; the man who rises above others is the first to be criticized by the crowd." Li Shaoyou quoted a line of classical wisdom, then his eyes flickered, and he shifted his sore backside closer to Liu Chengyou, lowering his voice:

"Yang Bin has always been close to Elder Brother Xun. Back when he was assisting with military and political affairs at the headquarters, it was he who mentored Elder Brother Xun. The Great Han has just been established, and His Majesty has not yet named a Crown Prince. Although Elder Brother Xun was previously the heir apparent, there is ultimately a gap between heir apparent and Crown Prince. In founding a new state, you've made such a great show of force—that poses a tremendous threat to Elder Brother Xun's position."

The words were spoken so plainly. Hearing this, Liu Chengyou instead relaxed, pointing a finger at Li Shaoyou: "These words of yours are quite piercing to the heart!"

Li Shaoyou chuckled: "I'd only dare say this in front of you."

Looking levelly at Li Shaoyou, Liu Chengyou said: "And on Elder Brother's side—"

Clearly understanding what Liu Chengyou meant, Li Shaoyou spread his hands and replied: "That, I'm afraid I wouldn't know. Since Elder Brother Xun arrived at the Eastern Capital, he's been busy with state affairs. I've barely been able to see him..."

His eyes blinked slowly a few times, and after pondering for a moment, Liu Chengyou's tone showed slight hesitation: "And on Father's side... what is his attitude?"

Seeming to understand Liu Chengyou's concerns, Li Shaoyou said: "You needn't worry too much. Before, you were away; now that you've returned with unparalleled merit, those people will shut their mouths. After all, you are His Majesty's son. Moreover, with Aunt on your side, would she allow outsiders to bully you?"

Tapping his forehead in thought, Liu Chengyou suddenly raised his head, studying Li Shaoyou with a curious gaze: "Brother You, you haven't been idle in the Eastern Capital. Matters of state and military, court politics and people's livelihood—you see them all at a glance!"

Hearing this, Li Shaoyou gave a slightly "bashful" smile, lowering his head a little: "With nothing else to do, and since you'd asked me to keep an eye out, I've paid some attention to these matters..."

Liu Chengyou gave him a long, deep look.

"Your Highness, we have arrived at the Eastern Capital!" The carriage stopped, and Li Chongju came forward once more to report.

Lifting the curtain and stepping out, Liu Chengyou breathed in the fresh air outside the carriage, his mind clearing as he exhaled a turbid breath. The autumn sun fell upon his face, most comfortable. Raising his head, the first thing to meet his eyes was the towering city wall of Kaifeng, its crenellated parapets stretching east and west until the very edge of his vision.

Kaifeng city was the most massive city he had ever seen, far more imposing than Jinyang. Below the walls stood two rows of honor guards, with a dozen or so officials in front—clearly there as decoration—and leading them was none other than Guo Wei. Sending Guo Wei to receive him showed a fair degree of regard. To the side, Ma Quanyi, Sun Li, and other Longqi Army officers who had arrived at the capital earlier were also waiting in neat formation.

"Your servant, Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs Guo Wei, by imperial decree respectfully welcomes Your Highness's return with the army." Seeing Liu Chengyou descend from the carriage, cross through the ranks of soldiers, and walk slowly toward him, Guo Wei's stern face carried a slight smile as he bowed in greeting.

"I am obliged to Deputy Commissioner Guo for coming in person to receive me." Gazing calmly at Guo Wei, Liu Chengyou returned the courtesy with great poise, his posture impeccable, displaying considerable refinement.

Guo Wei's expression was composed. His eyes swept over the several civil and military officers accompanying Liu Chengyou, pausing briefly on his adopted son Guo Rong, then replied: "Your Highness has secured Hebei for the Great Han with great toil and merit. To be commanded to receive Your Highness is your servant's honor."

Though he spoke flattering words, Guo Wei's face showed not a trace of sycophancy—as if he were merely stating facts, which felt quite pleasant. Liu Chengyou was the same; no one dislikes flattery, provided it's done well.

"Your Highness must be weary from the journey. Would you care to rest a while before entering the palace to see His Majesty?" Guo Wei asked with great consideration.

Waving his hand, Liu Chengyou said directly: "No need. It has been long since I paid my respects to my parents. My heart flies home—I'll enter the palace first."

Guo Wei nodded, then looked past Liu Chengyou at the several thousand fierce troops behind him, and clasped his hands again, saying: "His Majesty has decreed that the victorious army be treated generously. I have already arranged camps within the Eastern Capital and prepared supplies to reward the troops, ready for their billeting."

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou seemed to catch on—he suspected that settling the returning Longqi Army was Guo Wei's true task.

"With Deputy Commissioner Guo handling it, I am naturally at ease." Liu Chengyou's gaze swept around once more, and he said no more.

The Bian Palace at this time was not yet large, and after the Khitan had looted it before their hasty departure, though some things had been added, everywhere still felt empty and desolate, quiet to the point of bleakness. There was little vitality either—apart from the tightly guarding Konghe Army soldiers, there were only the palace women who had been moved from Jinyang, barely a hundred or so, utterly insufficient to fill the Bian Palace.

From entering the city to entering the palace, passing through layer upon layer of halls, Liu Chengyou quietly observed along the way. No matter how chaotic things were outside, the palace was very calm. And from the look of it, Liu Zhiyuan had not let success go to his head.

After walking for over two quarters of an hour, which gave Liu Chengyou a certain understanding of the Bian Palace's layout, they stopped before a palace hall.

Looking up—Chuigong Hall.

PS: We've made it onto the Sanjiang recommendation list. For a salted fish like me, this is somewhat unexpected. I can only thank my editor, the great beauty Huya. That said, from now on I'll do my best to write a full four thousand characters every day—not sleeping until it's done...

Congratulations to FPX!