Chapter 1434: The Guesthouse

The Guesthouse of the Western Capital was located southeast of the imperial city, close to the Luo River. Without a doubt, it was also built during Murong Yanchao's reconstruction of Luoyang back then. The renovation of Luoyang in those days had been thorough, and many buildings and facilities in the Western Capital had risen from the ground during that great undertaking.

Compared to the Guesthouse in the Eastern Capital, the one in the Western Capital was somewhat less luxurious, yet it carried more majesty and the bearing of a great power. It occupied a vast area with complete facilities, boasting a full one hundred and ninety-two guest rooms. Luoyang was not lacking in places that drained one's money, nor was it short of extravagant taverns and inns, but when it came to scale and grandeur, the Guesthouse still took the crown.

This could be considered a calling card of Luoyang, and also the main venue where the court entertained guests from all directions. "To host the guests of the realm, to receive visitors from ten thousand nations"—these were Emperor Liu's words.

Those lodged within were mostly foreign envoys, leaders of various regions, tribal vassals, and high-ranking local officials who had come to the capital on business or to report on their duties. And as the Great Han grew ever stronger, its prestige spreading far and wide, the various states and powers that came from thousands of li away to pay homage and exchange visits came in an unending stream, ensuring that the Guesthouse never lacked guests and was always full to the brim.

Back in the early years of Qianyou, the Great Han's Guesthouse had been practically deserted, entertaining very few people in a whole year. During the few months when Emperor Liu had been Crown Prince, a single Uyghur envoy could be treated as an honored guest, and could even draw Emperor Liu to visit in person to show his concern.

At that time, even any foreign guest from a distant land could receive good treatment. But now, the situation had changed—not just anyone had that qualification anymore.

In the past, all expenses of the Guesthouse were borne by the court, with funds allocated by the Ministry of Revenue. After all, it was an institution for entertaining state guests, not operating for profit. However, two years ago, a corruption case occurred: the Director of the Guesthouse, colluding with the eunuch supervisor and a clerk of the Ministry of Revenue, fabricated the identities of foreign guests on the rolls to line their own pockets.

The affair came to light because of an unequal division of spoils—someone grew envious and resentful, and reported it to Chancellor Zhao Pu. Thereupon, Zhao Pu ordered a strict investigation, and the result was a foregone conclusion: the truth came to light, everything was laid bare. The circumstances were extremely serious, and the nature of the offense was utterly vile.

Corruption and profiteering could never be completely eradicated, but to play such tricks and employ such schemes at the Guesthouse—a window to the outside world, the very face of the court—was clearly going too far.

After the affair leaked out, it indeed provoked Emperor Liu's great wrath. He issued an edict for severe punishment: the several principal offending officials involved were all beheaded, and guilt by association was applied—their families and all those with vested interests were exiled to the frontier.

The institutions involved were subjected to a major overhaul. The Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue received stern reprimands, and the Guesthouse Bureau was reshuffled from top to bottom. The Guesthouse corruption case was also a major case handled by Zhao Pu after he came to power to preside over state affairs. It had wide-reaching impact, established his authority, and showed immediate results.

Of course, unlike some envoys and leaders who lingered in the Western Capital, Xu Xi's stay in the Han capital was mainly for coordinating relations between the Great Han and Goryeo.

In last year's great Han–Liao war, Goryeo had only played a bit part from start to finish, but the blow it suffered was profound, the price it paid was enormous, and the pain endured by Goryeo's officials and people was heavy.

This spring, Xu Xi had come to court, rushing back and forth many times, negotiating repeatedly, and had finally obtained the court's understanding and reached a series of peace terms, barely managing to preserve his country.

By now, the Eastern Sea Fleet had long ceased its raids on Goryeo's coastal regions, but within the country, unrest still prevailed. In the western regions that had suffered slaughter and plunder by the Han army, a rebellion of considerable scale had broken out, aiming to overthrow King Wang Zhao's rule. At the same time, the Han army had still not fully withdrawn—five thousand naval troops remained on Jeju Island, building a military port and docks, in the posture of long-term occupation, and making clear their intention to intervene in Goryeo's internal strife at any moment.

The Great Han was recuperating and building its strength, while those forces that had offended the court and the disobedient little brothers were suffering hardship. This gave Emperor Liu a feeling of leisure, a strange sense of satisfaction.

When other nations were in dire straits while one's own country prospered and its people were well-off, that was when the world was at peace. Emperor Liu's hegemonism and mentality of power were growing ever more pronounced.

Xu Xi was fully aware of Goryeo's internal situation—perpetually turbulent and growing worse by the day. He was a man of vision and insight, and he knew that the root of all order and chaos lay next door, in this powerful and overbearing Great Han Empire.

Behind those rebellious nobles and peasants at home, there was absolutely the shadow of the Great Han's official apparatus. The reputation of the Wude Office was no longer known only within the Great Han—it had spread to neighboring countries as well, with the greatest impact falling, without question, on the Khitan and Goryeo.

But knowing where the problem lay was one thing; solving it was another. Goryeo lacked the strength to deal with the one who created the problem. On the contrary, it needed to be servile and fawning, offering humble words and lavish gifts, serving carefully—at least so it no longer had to face the endless raids and plundering of the Great Han's navy.

And for King Wang Zhao of Goryeo, as long as the Great Han did not directly enter the fray, the rebellious forces at home were ultimately not a fatal threat. Of course, regaining the court's tolerance and once more obtaining the support of "Father" Emperor Liu was what Goryeo's "royal faction" had been pursuing during this period.

Because Xu Xi had been sent on several diplomatic missions and performed admirably, Goryeo had stationed him in the capital, entrusting him with the mission of seeking peace for the nation. Xu Xi did exactly that, working very hard. But once Emperor Liu had drawn a red line over Goryeo's head, all his efforts ultimately had a ceiling—no matter how much he lobbied or how frantically he ran about, it was all in vain.

Having stayed in the Guesthouse for so long and suffered repeated setbacks, Xu Xi had grown somewhat disheartened, and had felt the Great Han's contempt and schadenfreude. By now, Xu Xi had already petitioned his homeland, confessing his faults to Wang Zhao while also requesting permission to return home. Since matters with the Great Han could not be accomplished, he would rather go back and assist Wang Zhao in putting down the rebellion.

Of course, there was one precondition: that the Great Han abide by the peace treaty they had begged for through groveling, submission, and tribute—and not personally enter the fray...

Compared to Xu Xi, Xiao Siwen's days after arriving in the capital were much better. He enjoyed the highest treatment at the Guesthouse with a clear conscience and complete comfort. He was not short of money, and besides, he was an envoy of Liao, and his visit also involved major matters of state.

Xiao Siwen had long admired the Great Han's capital by reputation, and he held great enthusiasm and expectation for this city where he might dwell for a long time to come.

Though he had not yet succeeded in having an audience with the Emperor, he was already beginning to enjoy the sights and customs of the Western Capital. Han cities were not unfamiliar to Xiao Siwen, and he was certain he could adapt.

Toward the barbarian noises of the various tribes within the Guesthouse, he harbored a discriminatory attitude, often looking down on them with contemptuous glances. At least on the surface, he was still an envoy of the Great Liao, a true honored guest of the Great Han. Even if the Great Liao was now declining day by day and gradually sinking, it was still not something ordinary states and powers could compare to.

Moreover, in the future, Xiao Siwen still had the chance to become a high minister of the Great Han. Mm—that was the position Xiao Siwen had set for himself.