Chapter 1559: The Crown Prince's Arrangements

"Your Highness, shall we return to the palace?" Ma Huaiyu's voice pulled Liu Yang back from his thread of wistful melancholy.

Turning his head to look at the tall, sturdy Ma Huaiyu with his earnest expression, Liu Yang suddenly felt an urge to speak his mind. He called the two men to sit with him, facing a pot of wine that had long since been drained.

Looking at Ma Huaiyu, Liu Yang said: "Huaiyu, you are the descendant of a meritorious martyr, and you hold the high rank of Commandery Duke. All these years, serving as a mere guard at my side—this has truly been an injustice to you!"

A hint of guilt was faintly discernible in Liu Yang's words, and Ma Huaiyu sensed it, his expression stirring with emotion as he replied: "Why would Your Highness say such a thing? Your subject was orphaned young, and it was only through His Majesty's kindness in taking me in that I was kept safe and raised to adulthood.

For over ten years now, His Majesty and Her Ladyship have treated me as a son, and Your Highness has treated me as a younger brother. Such profound grace and favor—I have always been moved to tears of gratitude, with no way to repay it.

Why did my late father name me Huaiyu—'Remembering Grace'—if not in the hope that I would forever bear in mind the kindness His Majesty showed to us father and son? To serve as a humble attendant, standing guard at Your Highness's side, is already my honor; I only regret that I am not worthy—how could I speak of injustice?

Moreover, in these years at Your Highness's side, I have constantly listened to your teachings and broadened my knowledge. I feel I have grown greatly. Such an opportunity is one others envy but cannot obtain—I can only feel gratitude.

As for the rank I bear, that is His Majesty's grace and my late father's merit—not something I earned through my own efforts..."

Hearing Ma Huaiyu's sincere declaration, before Liu Yang could react, Murong Defeng appeared deeply moved and praised him: "Huaiyu is loyal, brave, upright, and magnanimous—truly admirable! The late Duke of Ji, Ma, must have carried himself in much the same manner!"

Then, in a joking tone, he teased: "What a pity—a man of such lofty ambitions as yours inevitably invites envy. How many soldiers, charging across the battlefield and fighting their whole lives, can hardly earn a single enfeoffment..."

These words were half true and half false. After all, Murong Defeng had a certain reputation at court—a promising young talent, a confidant of the Crown Prince, and quite well regarded by the Emperor as well. Even when Duke Weiguo Murong Yanzhao was still alive, he had once declared that the one to carry on the Murong family's fortunes would be this second son.

But one immutable reality was this: the one who had inherited the bulk of Murong Yanzhao's political legacy and assets was his elder brother, Murong Deye. Even if in many people's eyes Murong Defeng was indeed more capable than Murong Deye, the current Duke Weiguo of the Great Han bore the name Murong Deye.

Therefore, even among the many sons of powerful families pursuing official careers, Ma Huaiyu's fortune was something that could hardly be described even with envy, jealousy, and hatred combined.

And hearing Ma Huaiyu say before the Crown Prince that his rank was a gift from the Emperor, the merit of his late father, and not something he had fought for himself—if he hadn't known Ma Huaiyu, Murong Defeng would have been tempted to wonder if the fellow was showing off. It was like the well-fed not knowing the hunger of the starving...

In comparison, Liu Yang's feelings were not so complicated. Toward this "younger brother" who had practically grown up at his side, to be perfectly honest, Liu Yang's affection was even closer than toward his own blood brothers.

A warm smile spreading across his face, Liu Yang reached out and patted Ma Huaiyu on the shoulder, saying: "Huaiyu, you will surely achieve great things one day!"

"However, staying by my side forever means you will ultimately lack real-world experience!" Liu Yang spoke with the concern of an elder brother, his words unhurried: "Now that your foundation has been polished solid enough, you need to go out into the world and put what you've learned into practice!"

Facing Liu Yang's earnest words, Ma Huaiyu felt a warmth in his heart. Without overthinking, he clasped his hands and said: "Your Highness's concern moves me to tears of gratitude!"

"You! I suspect you've been wanting to be posted away for a long time already!" Looking at Ma Huaiyu, Emperor Liu said in a relaxed tone.

A simple, honest smile appeared on Ma Huaiyu's face—if he had raised a hand to scratch his head, he would have looked even more guileless—as he replied: "Your Highness sees through everything, your subject..."

"Alright! No need to flatter me!" The moment he opened his mouth, Liu Yang could roughly guess what he was about to say. He waved his hand and said: "As for where you'll go, I imagine you've given it some thought yourself—let's hear it!"

At these words, Ma Huaiyu's expression turned serious. After a moment's deliberation, he clasped his hands and requested: "Your Highness, your subject wishes to go to the Northeast!"

"Oh?" Liu Yang seemed somewhat surprised.

Ma Huaiyu said earnestly: "My late father fell at Yu Pass in his time, and it was his lifelong regret that he could not lead troops eastward to take Liaodong for the Great Han.

Now the court has already broken through Liaodong and pressed our forces to the eastern seas. My talents and virtue cannot compare to my late father's, so I can only follow his final wish and build my achievements in the Northeast, to repay His Majesty and the court for their great kindness to us two generations of father and son!"

"Excellent!" Murong Defeng was faithfully playing his role as the enthusiastic supporter. The moment Ma Huaiyu finished speaking, he clapped his hands in praise, stopping just short of giving a thumbs-up: "In this way, two generations of father and son giving their utmost loyalty and devotion to serve in the Northeast will surely become a celebrated tale!"

Liu Yang smiled as well, affirming Ma Huaiyu: "During the northern campaign back then, you were also at the field headquarters, so you'll be more familiar with the local conditions. The Northeast is not an unsuitable posting. However, back at the field headquarters, you only went as far as Liaoshen with me. Now the key matters in the Northeast lie beyond Huanglong Prefecture—you must be prepared for that and not take things lightly!"

"Your Highness's instruction shall be engraved in my memory!" Ma Huaiyu rose to his feet, clasped his hands and bowed, as if making a vow.

"Sit! No need to be so formal!" Seeing this, Liu Yang quickly gestured for him to sit back down.

Having settled Ma Huaiyu's arrangements, Liu Yang turned to Murong Defeng and said: "Rixin, what are your thoughts?"

"Hm?" Caught off guard by being addressed, Murong Defeng was briefly at a loss, but quickly recovered. After a moment's hesitation, he said: "If Huaiyu goes to the Northeast, and I were to go as well, I fear Your Highness's side..."

Liu Yang smiled freely and teased lightly: "What, are you afraid I'll lack capable men at my side?"

"Of course not!" Murong Defeng said immediately: "Your Highness bears the bearing of a dragon and phoenix, born to command heroes. All the talented men under heaven are at your disposal—how could you lack a mere Murong Defeng?"

Capable men were naturally not in short supply, but those who were easy to work with and could be entrusted with one's innermost thoughts—those were not easy to come by.

But since Liu Yang had raised the question, he had clearly already made up his mind. He said to Murong Defeng: "You have served in the capital for many years now. At my side, though you have advised on military and state affairs, you still lack experience in governance and administration.

Even I myself have shortcomings when it comes to governing and administering the people. His Majesty often teaches me that I must be willing to humble myself and observe the lives of the common people, but achieving that is no easy task.

Every time I receive local officials reporting on their duties, I always gain something. Why? Because they understand local conditions better, while I can only learn and speculate from memorials—such understanding is ultimately shallow and not deep enough.

If you continue to stay at my side, you will also encounter obstacles in advancing further. It would be better for you to be posted to the provinces, to carve out a new world elsewhere..."

"Your subject understands!" Murong Defeng was naturally a clever man. After a moment's thought, he understood Liu Yang's intent to cultivate and promote him, and said gratefully: "Thank you, Your Highness!"

"Where would you like to go?" Liu Yang asked openly, soliciting Murong Defeng's own preference.

Compared to Ma Huaiyu, Murong Defeng perhaps had more considerations. After pondering for a while, he said solemnly: "Your subject wishes to go to Monan!"

Hearing this, Liu Yang's brow furrowed involuntarily. He gave him a once-over and said: "Have you thought this through? Going to Monan—you'd best be prepared to endure hardship!"

If he wanted to show off his learning, Murong Defeng could have produced a whole essay to express his aspirations and resolve, but he simply replied earnestly with three words: "Your subject understands!"

Looking at Murong Defeng, a hint of satisfaction appeared in Liu Yang's eyes. After pondering briefly, he said: "In Monan, the various tribes are of primary importance. You understand this as well. I will make arrangements for you to oversee the promotion of civilizing governance among the local tribes. You must cooperate well with the Prince of Jin and the local officials in their administration. This matter is of great importance to the Great Han—it concerns the peace and security of our borders—so you must act with prudence!"

"Yes!"

"Once you're there, remember to write!" Liu Yang added with a light sigh.

"Yes!"

"The same goes for you!" Liu Yang looked at Ma Huaiyu as well.

Looking at the clean, empty pot and cups in the pavilion, Liu Yang's tone turned lighter, and he said: "The wine here is finished, but there's more in the palace. Come, let's return to the palace and drink—consider it my farewell toast to you both in advance..."

Murong Defeng and Ma Huaiyu, these two diehard loyalists of the Crown Prince's faction—one heading to the Northeast, the other to Monan—perhaps even Liu Yang himself wasn't sure whether there was any other purpose behind it.

Ma Huaiyu might not think too deeply about it, but Murong Defeng would absolutely make full use of his own initiative.