Chapter 1518: Inspection of Chanzhou

"As for the Fengshan sacrifices, let us set them aside for now. State affairs must take priority at the moment. We shall see how things stand next year!" When Zhao Pu raised the primary purpose of this visit, Emperor Liu gave this reply after only brief consideration.

This was also the first time Emperor Liu had given substantive direction on the Fengshan sacrifices. Zhao Pu carefully observed Emperor Liu's expression—no sign of displeasure, entirely composed—which put Zhao Pu somewhat at ease.

Of course, Zhao Pu understood the implication behind the Emperor's words. "Set aside for now"—this "for now" was worth noting, meaning that preliminary preparations could still proceed, just without such urgency. Most importantly, he had received clear direction from Emperor Liu, and with that, there was no worry of going astray on the general course. This was a matter of principle.

And judging from Emperor Liu's attitude, he did not seem to place great importance on the matter—at least, as Zhao Pu perceived it, not as much as he did on the barbarian problem along the northern frontier.

"We have been in the Eastern Capital for over half a month now—a lengthy stay. It is time to set out!" Quickly moving past the subject, Emperor Liu looked at Zhao Pu and said.

Zhao Pu was well prepared for this as well. Compared to the many concerns during the eastern tour, Zhao Pu was now far more at ease. In the intervening time, nearly a month had been gained, and under his supervision, the epidemics in various regions had largely been brought under control.

"Regarding the itinerary, please instruct, Your Majesty, so that the field headquarters may make preparations!" Zhao Pu clasped his hands and requested.

Emperor Liu answered without hesitation: "The day of departure shall be the fifth of the ninth month. First to Chanzhou, then on to Daming Prefecture!"

"Yes!" Zhao Pu understood. These two places were precisely where the floods and epidemics had struck most intensely, the two most severely affected areas.

"As always, issue an edict that the prefectures and counties along the route must not hold welcoming ceremonies—let them attend to their own duties!" Emperor Liu added another instruction.

"Your servant obeys!"

Chanzhou, Heyin Wharf.

Along the pier, several dozen vessels lay neatly moored, official and civilian boats intermingled. Since the floodwaters receded, a thousand sails had raced upon the great river, with large quantities of relief supplies transported by water to the disaster zones. As the hardest-hit area, Chanzhong received the greatest support, and the various riverside wharves had flourished for two months.

Today was clearly a special day. The bustle of the wharf had ceased, and silence reigned all around. Warehouses and taverns were all closed; laborers and coolies enjoyed a rare rest, while sailors and boatmen stayed quietly aboard their vessels. An atmosphere of complete tranquility prevailed, broken only by the sound of wind and water mingled with the creaking of boats.

On the straight road before the wharf stood a group of people in silence. Aside from the soldiers and constables maintaining the cordon, the most conspicuous were the small cluster of richly dressed figures on the left side of the road.

Though few in number, each was of considerable standing: Duke of Shouguo Li Shaoyou, Duke of Huiguo Song Yanwo, Duke of Gengguo Wu Xingde, Duke of Xiangyang An Shouzhong, and Marquis of Fuyang Han Chongyun—these were the high dignitaries of the capital region, Henan, and Hebei.

By comparison, the Prefect of Chanzhou and the Prefect of Daming—officials who would ordinarily cut impressive figures before others—seemed rather ordinary. Of course, both the Prefectural Administrator and the Prefect were still in the early stages of their tenures. As the hardest-hit prefectures in the disaster, the destruction was severe and the losses enormous. No matter how many objective factors and difficulties existed, as those in power, they must bear some subjective fault—this was the view of the court as represented by Zhao Pu, and naturally also his reading of the Emperor's mind.

Therefore, over these past months, Zhao Pu had pursued accountability against a large number of officials in the Central Plains, involving more than three hundred officials and clerks across dozens of prefectures and counties in the two river regions, especially along the river.

Some among them may have been innocently implicated, but under the prevailing circumstances, no one had sympathy to spare—each was too busy looking after himself. The court needed to display such an attitude. And the Prefect of Chanzhou and the Prefect of Daming were the most typical unlucky ones.

Of course, it was not all demotion and punishment. Balance had to be considered—execute some, demote some, exile some, while simultaneously promoting some and filling vacancies with others.

Officials who narrowly escaped disaster dared not be negligent again; those who received promotions had to seize the opportunity; the newly transferred had examples before them and added a measure of caution, not daring to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors.

No matter what matters the court encountered or what problems needed solving, it always began with personnel appointments—both the roles chosen and the methods of appointment determined the direction of affairs.

The autumn winds of the ninth month were always bleak, and on a wharf heavy with moisture, the wait was unpleasant. But whether the dukes and nobles or the lower-ranking officials and soldiers, all stood silently, without a trace of impatience—nor daring to show any.

Not until past noon, when the autumn sun finally broke through the overcast clouds and the sky brightened, did black specks finally appear at the far edge of the view to the southwest, bobbing and surging forward.

Outriders had already galloped ahead with the news that the imperial procession was approaching. Everyone roused themselves, preparing to greet it with their most spirited bearing. Hoofbeats struck the dust-covered stone road, the crisp clatter growing ever clearer. The high-flown dragon banners and ceremonial canopies came into view with an air of lofty pride.

After nearly two quarters of an hour more, the imperial guards took up positions around the wharf, forming a cordon, and Emperor Liu's carriage finally arrived. Toward this welcome from Li Shaoyou, Song Yanwo, and the others—simple in appearance yet of the highest protocol—Emperor Liu showed no displeasure. Since he had come all the way to Chanzhou, and had no intention of conducting any incognito inspections, this formal welcome was necessary—at the very least, it proclaimed to the locals that His Majesty had personally come to console and comfort them.

"Minister Song, it has been some time—you remain as distinguished as ever!" Though Song Yanwo was his own brother-in-law and also a marriage relative, with a close relationship, formal occasions required formal address.

Still, looking at Song Yanwo, who remained elegant and debonair, the very picture of a handsome middle-aged man, Emperor Liu's words carried genuine feeling. After all, Song Yanwo was older than he was, yet he maintained himself so well in both spirit and physique that Emperor Liu could not help but feel admiration and envy.

Generally speaking, officials favored by Emperor Liu never lacked one basic quality: caution and deference. Facing the smiling Emperor Liu, Song Yanwo remained as respectful as ever, bowing in reply: "Your Majesty flatters me—I truly dare not accept such praise. Your servant is but a mortal; it is Your Majesty whose majesty grows ever greater and whose bearing shines brilliantly!"

Emperor Liu smiled and did not continue the pleasantries. His eyes swept across the wharf buildings, which had clearly been repaired, and noting the silence so at odds with the dense clustering of boats, he instructed: "Let us cross the river first—do not delay the normal operations of the wharf!"

"Yes!"

Preparations for the crossing had long been completed. This journey north with Emperor Liu had also shed much of the cumbersome entourage—only two thousand cavalry as escort and a small number of ministers and attendants.

In less than half an hour, everything including the ceremonial equipment and baggage had been ferried across the great river. As a major town along the river and a key lock guarding the northern approach to the Eastern Capital Kaifeng, Chanzhou's city walls had always been sturdy. Yet after the dike breach, under the assault of the great flood, they had indeed suffered considerable damage.

The foundations had been weakened and destroyed, the wall bases damaged, and several sections of the walls were newly built. As with the towns passed along the way, in accordance with the court's epidemic prevention requirements, lime had been spread everywhere—here in Chanzhou, the smell was even somewhat pungent.

Conditions within the city remained rather dire. Even if sweeping could clean away the filth and mud, the damaged houses and collapsed buildings could not be rebuilt in a short time.

Even though Chanzhou was currently engaged in vigorous disaster relief and recovery efforts, an air of desolation still hung over the city. The influx of large quantities of supplies could not restore Chanzhou to its former state quickly.

Emperor Liu walked, stopped, looked left, glanced right—taking everything in—yet offered no comments. Li Shaoyou, Song Yanwo, and the others accompanying him several times wished to offer explanations, but none dared to speak first.

The brief autumn sun retreated once more behind the layered clouds, and the sky was again shrouded in the dimness of late autumn. The chill wind grew stronger, and the mood of the assembled company grew ever more somber and uneasy.

Many could not help but wonder whether the Emperor was displeased with something. The most anxious of all was the Prefect—if any problem existed, he would surely be the first to suffer.

After a long while, Emperor Liu finally spoke: "There is still time—let us first go see the military camp!"

At these words, everyone unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.