Chapter 1364: The Pall Over the Qianyuan Hall

At the end of the eighth year of Kaibao, Luoyang was bustling from top to bottom, from the government offices to the common folk. Being the year's end, there were countless matters to wrap up and summarize, and with the northern expedition—an event that shook the entire court and country—having occurred this year, the busyness was only further compounded.

Emperor Liu's return served as a tremendous spur to the Great Han's bureaucrats. Whether he was present or not, the atmosphere throughout the court, all the ministries, and the various offices was markedly different.

Everyone perked up, aiming not necessarily for brilliant performances but at least to avoid mistakes. A flood of administrative orders issued forth from the Hall of State Affairs, and the transmission of directives from above to below was extremely smooth—so much so that there was no longer any need, as before, for Zhao Pu to monitor and urge things along in real time. The court's efficiency reached unprecedented heights.

These changes were all brought about by Emperor Liu. Many times, he didn't even need to say a word—just his physical presence was a spur to the ministers below.

For the vast populace of the Western Capital, there was also reason for joy—not entirely because of the Emperor's return or the great victory in the northern expedition, but because the New Year was approaching. Moreover, although prices in Luoyang remained stubbornly high, the supply of goods intimately tied to their daily lives—grain, oil, rice, flour, and cloth—had, after a period of decline, now stabilized completely. Large-scale purchasing still continued in the city's markets, even some panic-buying, but all of it was for the sake of celebrating the New Year.

All of Luoyang was immersed in an extremely festive atmosphere, with the vitality of the common folk fully unleashed. Under the organization and guidance of the government, two sensational events also took place within a matter of days.

The first was, naturally, the suburban sacrifice to Heaven, with over a hundred thousand commoners accompanying the imperial procession to observe the rites.

The second—the most sensational and the most lively—was a grand victory ceremony. Arranged by Zhao Pu, Zhao Kuangyin, and Shi Shouxin, it was carried out in perfect order. Tens of thousands of people warmly welcomed the returning soldiers. Onlookers stretched from outside the city walls all the way along Heavenly Street to the imperial palace gates. The crowds were packed like walls, cheers surged like waves, and the momentum overshadowed the entire city, far exceeding even the fanfare of the original departure for the campaign.

These two matters alone had already consumed a great deal of Zhao Pu and the others' energy, and hot on their heels came the New Year's celebration ceremonies. A series of major events, with tens of thousands participating, sharing joy with the people—against the grand backdrop of the northern expedition, this year-end transition carried an extra measure of significance.

Originally, holding the celebration in the tenth year of Kaibao would have been more solemn and more fitting, but with Emperor Liu's demand coming first, that no longer mattered.

It was before Emperor Liu arrived in the capital that Zhao Pu and the other ministers had been ordered to make advance preparations for these matters. Otherwise, no matter how capable he was, amidst such a continuous stream of affairs, mistakes would have been all but inevitable.

Even so, it left Zhao Pu scrambling, and he still had to divert attention to other duties. Of course, the one bearing the greatest pressure was the Luoyang Prefecture. Such a large-scale celebration, with hundreds of thousands of participants, was in every way more difficult than commanding an army of hundreds of thousands—it was an even greater test of coordination and dispatch.

To maintain order and stability, nearly all the runners under the Luoyang Prefecture and the Patrol Inspectorate's personnel were deployed, and in addition, twenty thousand troops were borrowed from the imperial army for security. Fortunately, the Luoyang Prefecture didn't need to worry too much about the actual ceremonial procedures of that series of celebrations.

Emperor Liu naturally wouldn't trouble himself over all the toil and effort behind the scenes. And on the first day of the first month of the ninth year of Kaibao, what he saw was, naturally, a scene of thriving prosperity.

Dukes and ministers accompanied the imperial carriage, all officials followed in attendance. Emperor Liu personally ascended the Dingding Gate of the imperial city to receive the homage of the myriad people and deliver his New Year's address. Fireworks erupted like geysers, brilliant against the sky. Under the dusk, row upon row of lanterns illuminated the imperial city, the river bridges, and Heavenly Street. In the cold night breeze, the assembled people of the Eastern Capital danced and sang at the top of their lungs.

This was also the climax of the New Year's celebration—Emperor Liu's most people-friendly performance. Even so, he still looked down from on high, gazing upon the masses from above.

And after this, the distinction between ruler and ruled was laid bare. The Great Han's nobles and bureaucrats, dressed in resplendent finery, were able to accompany the imperial carriage into the palace, participating in the imperial banquet in that brilliantly lit Qianyuan Hall, savoring the extravagance of a prosperous age.

The middle and lower classes of the common folk, in another world, could only amuse themselves in the lantern markets and linger in the taverns. This so-called "sharing joy with the people" carried a hint of charity. In all likelihood, only gathering with family behind closed doors for the New Year was where true warmth lay.

Inside the Qianyuan Hall, it was naturally a different scene altogether—dazzling lights, gorgeous colored silks, a vista exuding opulence from every corner. Emperor Liu and his ministers together composed a tableau of an imperial palace banquet.

The painters Huang Quan and his son, as was their custom, quietly recorded the scene, preparing to capture it with their masterful brushes. In recent years, the father-and-son pair had been extremely prolific, a series of their paintings depicting the Great Han's court scenes since the beginning of the Kaibao era with remarkable vividness.

The center of the banquet was, without question, Emperor Liu. The ruling class present was separated from the scholars and commoners outside the palace by a vast chasm, and between Emperor Liu and these dukes and ministers, there was likewise a distance like a natural moat.

The Qianyuan Hall was, without a doubt, the most magnificent palace in the Great Han at present. Hosting an imperial banquet for over two thousand people was more than sufficient—not a hint of crowding.

At the feast, the happiest and most unrestrained were, of course, the meritorious soldiers who had returned from the northern expedition front. This was, in itself, a celebration banquet for the northern expedition. Though somewhat hastily arranged, though the specific rewards had yet to be announced, it was enough to make them rejoice. The Emperor had already publicly commended them, and those able to attend the banquet all represented that they would be among those receiving titles and honors.

Seated firmly upon the Qianyuan throne, appearing inscrutable and profound, Emperor Liu swept his downward gaze over these illustrious nobles of the Great Han. Watching the singing and dancing, listening to the clinking of goblets, he inexplicably felt a chill—not the chill of early spring, but the cold of standing at the summit where none can accompany you.

In the past, Emperor Liu had advocated frugality and abhorred indulgence, but imperceptibly, he seemed to have grown accustomed to this kind of life. Extravagance and luxury no longer seemed to provoke much resistance in him.

Was this a change in himself, or was this his true nature all along? Emperor Liu couldn't help but feel a sense of daze. His high officials and senior ministers seemed perfectly adapted to this lavish splendor, thoroughly enjoying it, still deferential and fawning toward him—but the smiles that came from their hearts, as Emperor Liu looked upon them now, seemed somehow grating...

"Your Majesty!" Imperial Uncle Li Ye, goblet in hand, ascended the imperial steps and stood still to offer a toast.

"The Imperial Uncle has worked hard this past year as well. I raise this cup as a small token of appreciation!" Emperor Liu snapped back to attention and raised his cup in return.

"Your Majesty flatters me! This is all this subject's duty!" Li Ye's demeanor was utterly deferential, the corners of his mouth nearly splitting with a grin.

The hall buzzed with voices, and even the court ritual music carried an air of nobility. Yet to Emperor Liu's ears, it inexplicably grated, and a note of irritation crept into his otherwise pleasant mood.

Looking at Li Ye, Emperor Liu beckoned: "Imperial Uncle, step forward and speak with me!"

Hearing this, Li Ye was instantly overjoyed. Many noble ministers had come forward to offer toasts, but only he, so far, had been granted such "special" treatment.

Hurrying up the steps, ascending the high platform until he stood before the imperial presence, finally able to clearly see Emperor Liu's countenance, Li Ye grew even more reverent: "Your Majesty, your command!"

Looking at him, Emperor Liu asked: "How much was spent to prepare this celebration?"

On the Hall of State Affairs' side, this celebration had been specifically managed by Li Ye. Hearing the question, Li Ye was momentarily stunned, somewhat puzzled, and a murmur of unease rose in his heart. He had assumed Emperor Liu had called him close to speak some intimate words, never expecting to be asked this.

Could it be that someone had slandered him on this matter? Li Ye couldn't help but overthink, looking at Emperor Liu with some confusion. Though the Emperor's face bore a slight flush of wine, his gaze was extremely intimidating. With a tremor in his heart, Li Ye hurriedly replied: "In response to Your Majesty, the various expenditures are numerous; they will need to be tallied before the figure is known."

"You managed this matter—do you not have a number in your head? You don't even know the approximate cost?" Emperor Liu's expression did not change as he pressed further.

Li Ye grew increasingly uneasy. Facing Emperor Liu's oppressive gaze, he lowered his head and answered in a low voice: "Approximately three million strings of cash..."

"Oh!"

Emperor Liu acknowledged with a single syllable and asked nothing more. But for the remainder of the imperial banquet, his countenance seemed shrouded in a faint pall of gloom—even his smiles were forced.