Chapter 1363: Return to the Capital

On the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth month of the eighth year of Kaibao, just before the new year arrived, after a long and frigid journey, the imperial carriage finally reached the capital. After nearly half a year away, Emperor Liu once again returned to Luoyang.

Before crossing south over the Yellow River, Emperor Liu had originally planned to go to Kaifeng—after all, since the court had moved west to Luoyang, he had never formally returned to Kaifeng.

However, after some consideration, he gave up the idea of returning to Kaifeng. The main body of the court was now in Luoyang, the state was in need of stability and recuperation, and a series of post-campaign matters from the northern expedition required handling. If he stayed in Kaifeng, it would seem rather inappropriate—after all, moving the court temporarily to the Eastern Capital again would bring a host of troubles, entirely unnecessary.

That said, although he had grown accustomed to living in Luoyang, he still found himself occasionally missing Kaifeng. After all, it was a place he had spent nearly twenty years in—it was hard not to feel some attachment.

"Your ministers welcome Your Majesty's triumphant return!" Before the Qianyuan Hall, led by Chancellor Zhao Pu, the assembled civil and military officials gathered to greet the imperial carriage.

Although, as usual, Emperor Liu had issued an edict against any grand welcoming ceremony, within the imperial city Zhao Pu had still organized a reception ceremony. The principal officials of all ministries and bureaus in the capital, along with the dukes and ministers, were all present.

Having not seen them for nearly half a year, Emperor Liu felt a sense of unfamiliarity looking at these high officials and heavyweights of the Great Han—though their reverence and awe toward him was still familiar. The Han palace was still the same, only it was deep winter now, making it more cold and solemn. But with the return of its master, it would eventually recover its former warmth.

"All ministers, rise!" Emperor Liu descended from the imperial carriage, swept his gaze across the crowd, and waved his hand.

"We thank Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty personally attended to affairs and toured the north to oversee the campaign. Now you return with glory—the entire court is invigorated, and officials and commoners alike, within and without, can rest easy!" Zhao Pu stepped forward to accompany Emperor Liu. The man who had always shown a cold face since becoming chancellor now wore a humble smile.

"Oh? My absence from the capital made the ministers and people uneasy? The reports I received say that under your leadership, Chancellor Zhao, the court has been well, running smoothly and in good order!" Emperor Liu said to Zhao Pu with a smile.

Emperor Liu knew well that during his absence, Zhao Pu had been riding high in the capital. Though one could hardly call him arrogant or domineering, it was fair to say his word carried immense weight, with great power in his hands. Dominating the court and governing the realm—that was perhaps what he had truly pursued and rarely attained in the past.

However, with Emperor Liu's return, everything had to revert to its former state. Even if Emperor Liu boldly delegated authority, as long as he was in the palace, for these ministers—no matter how high their power—they would all be under the pressure exerted by Emperor Liu!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Pu immediately began to flatter: "Your Majesty is the backbone of the Great Han. Your minister, unworthy as he is, was entrusted by Your Majesty with state affairs, yet could only struggle to maintain them, treading as if on thin ice. Now that Your Majesty has returned, the people's hearts are settled, and your minister can finally be relieved of some burden!"

"Haha! Chancellor Zhao is too modest. Entrusting state affairs to your hands—I am very reassured!" Emperor Liu raised his hand, patted Zhao Pu's shoulder amiably, and laughed heartily.

The towering and majestic Qianyuan Hall stood like a mountain in the north wind. Emperor Liu gazed at it, a hint of warmth flashing in his eyes. However, he did not enter the hall to hold court; instead, he followed the stepped imperial path toward Chuigong Hall.

The Chongzheng Hall in the Eastern Capital and the Chuigong Hall in the Western Capital were both Emperor Liu's daily residential chambers, and the difference between the two also revealed Emperor Liu's transformation.

"I told you not to welcome me, yet you welcomed me anyway!" Sitting boldly on the still-cold dragon throne as the assembled ministers paid their respects, Emperor Liu said bluntly: "Chancellor Zhao says you were all uneasy at heart. Now that I have returned to court and you have seen me, you can put your minds at ease!

Everything in the capital is as before. Return to your respective duties—don't let my return cause agitation and stir up unnecessary waves! I am weary from the journey and somewhat tired. You may withdraw; I shall hold court again tomorrow!"

"Your ministers take their leave!" Emperor Liu's words left the assembled officials somewhat disappointed, but they still dutifully acknowledged and withdrew.

"Zhao Pu, Song Qi, Shi Shouxin, Pan Mei—stay!" Emperor Liu added another sentence. These four were the most important ministers remaining in the capital.

"Yes!"

"You have all worked hard during my absence!" As the ministers dispersed, Emperor Liu also set aside his imposing bearing. Looking at the few ministers with a warm expression, he said: "Especially you, Chancellor Zhao and Minister Song—overseeing the entire government, harmonizing yin and yang—it has not been easy!"

"Your minister will only exhaust himself to the utmost, giving his all until death!" Receiving Emperor Liu's praise, Zhao Pu immediately bowed in acknowledgment. Pan Mei and Shi Shouxin did the same.

Among these four ministers, it was Zhao Pu who appeared most spirited and confident. Power seemed to have a nourishing effect—the heavy burden of governance had not crushed Zhao Pu but instead made him more vigorous and charismatic.

In comparison, Song Qi's complexion was somewhat worse, a faint shadow seeming to linger on his face. He could be said to be truly concerned for the state and its people—overthinking and overworking himself.

"There are a few matters I wish to assign," Emperor Liu said, raising a finger as he looked at the several ministers.

"Your Majesty, please instruct!" Hearing this, Zhao Pu and the others immediately became solemn.

Emperor Liu's words were concise and forceful: "First, set up an altar in the southern suburbs to worship Heaven and Earth and offer sacrifices to the ancestors;

Second, for the army's triumphant return, prepare a ceremony for entering the city and presenting captives;

Third, regarding the northern expedition—the money and silk expended from the treasury, the grain and funds consumed from the official granaries, the military equipment used from the armories, the civilian labor conscripted from various regions, and the soldiers lost at the front—I need a detailed report, and the court also needs to make a comprehensive summary;

Fourth, I intend to implement a policy of giving the people rest. The central government should produce a plan for recuperation and recovery;

Fifth, for meritorious service in the northern expedition, the Ministry of War should determine the merits as soon as possible, and prepare measures for rewarding and compensating the officers, soldiers, officials, and civilians, to comfort those who have rendered distinguished service;

Sixth, the new year is approaching. The Western Capital should prepare a celebration. This year, the court above and the officials and common people below have all had a difficult time—let us welcome the new year with a grand celebration."

Emperor Liu's speech was not fast—indeed, it seemed somewhat slow—but delivering all these instructions in one breath flowed very smoothly. To Zhao Pu and the others listening, however, it brought great pressure. The moment the Emperor returned, there were a thousand threads to untangle. Although some matters had already been handled ahead of time, being calmly pressed by Emperor Liu like this still gave them a sense of frantic scrambling.

Still, there was no room for objection. Zhao Pu took the lead in acknowledging. Emperor Liu was naturally satisfied with their attitude, and his tone softened as he said with a light smile: "The affairs may be heavy, but they are all urgent matters. I must trouble you all!"

"How dare we speak of hardship!" Zhao Pu responded. For him, perhaps it was these very tasks that gave him more motivation—if he handled them well, it would further demonstrate the abilities of Chancellor Zhao and win Emperor Liu's favor.

Having given his instructions, Emperor Liu did not keep them longer. He ordered them to withdraw. Having returned to the capital, Emperor Liu subconsciously felt a sense of relief, but once he relaxed, the physical and mental exhaustion from before suddenly surged over him.

Emperor Liu truly felt his energy was failing him—he could no longer bear the burden.

"Father, since you have returned to the capital, you should rest well and take care of your health!" Crown Prince Liu Yang, seeing Emperor Liu's undisguised fatigue, advised him gently.

Emperor Liu leaned back against the dragon throne, looked at Liu Yang, and instructed: "I'll give you a task as well. Over these past six months, the central government has processed many official memorials—go and review them. I don't expect you to find problems or errors, but you should at least understand the state of governance during the northern expedition!"

"Yes!" Liu Yang replied.

"Also!" Emperor Liu added: "Now that you've returned to the capital, you are no longer the commander of the northern expedition. You must promptly adjust your identity and mindset—base yourself on the whole nation and take in the overall picture!"

"Your son understands!"