Chapter 157: Proposing a Marriage

With grain in hand, the heart does not panic. Liu Chengyou's understanding of this plain saying had grown deeper. The state policies of successive dynasties—agriculture as the foundation, emphasizing farming while suppressing commerce—all made good sense, fitting the actual conditions of the nation. There was nothing more important than filling one's belly. For the common people, they could endure hardship and suffer punishment, but if they were made to go hungry and cold, unrest was inevitable, leading to social turmoil and the breakdown of public order.

And for the army, it was even more terrifying. If the people rioted, they could still be suppressed by military force. But if the army's stomachs went empty—they themselves being instruments of violence—given only a spark, they would be enough to overturn heaven and earth.

With the wealth from Du Chongwei's household, the pacification army's days became somewhat easier, and Liu Chengyou could handle affairs with greater composure. His pressure on officials like Wang Jingchong, who were responsible for water and land transport, also relaxed. As the weather grew colder, transporting supplies became increasingly difficult, and losses along the way grew greater. If the campaign dragged on, the Han court's logistical support would collapse sooner or later. Very likely, in the original history, the reason Liu Zhiyuan agreed to accept Du Chongwei's surrender during his personal expedition to Yedu was precisely because military supply had become a problem.

Liu Zhiyuan wanted to use Du Chongwei's family wealth to reward meritorious soldiers on the spot, and put Liu Chengyou in charge of it. This order was another sweet date, and it actually made Liu Chengyou somewhat uncomfortable.

Under Liu Chengyou's overall coordination, he began to disband the garrison troops, militia regiments, and local militias of the various prefectures, distributing grain and reward money. At the same time, the able-bodied men conscripted from various regions were released by their prefectural officials to return home, and more or less, some grain and money were distributed to compensate for their toil.

For those able-bodied men who died beneath the walls of Yedu, he only ordered the various generals and officials to complete the tallies, and instructed the prefectural and county officials to properly console and compensate their families. This was actually a useless order—even if the court issued the decree, how could local officials actually carry it out and waste grain? Not only was the national treasury empty, but the local granaries could probably starve rats to death. However, the court's order still had to be issued.

Reality was just that screwed up. The living could receive compensation, the wounded could get a bit more, but those who had given their lives were basically ignored by everyone. Being able to avoid leaving their corpses in the wilderness and to send word of their deaths to their families was already the "benevolence" of the government.

Liu Chengyou could already face all of this with sufficient calm. It wasn't that he had become more indifferent, only more realistic. The state was newly founded, public and private coffers were exhausted, poverty was extreme, and the court truly had no surplus strength to attend to every aspect. It could only prioritize what was most critical—for example, settling and stabilizing the army.

Based on the previously assessed merits, Liu Chengyou, acting as the "chief carver," distributed rewards and honors to the soldiers of each army. The main force of the pacification was naturally the imperial army, and among the earlier operations, the Xingjie Army, the Scattered Commands, and the Xiaodi Army that broke the city received the most generous rewards. The next tier received compensation for toil, and the tier below that only received participation awards. Though the amounts varied, they were well-founded and reasonable, and no army dared to complain. Of course, there might have been some in the army who were dissatisfied, but the military was ultimately not a place where everything was decided by reason.

For the fallen and wounded soldiers, compensation was even heavier. All soldier information was thoroughly collected and recorded, with dedicated personnel handling it later. This was necessary—it was done for the soldiers to see!

As for post-war adjustments to military positions—promotions, transfers, demotions—those would have to wait until the court returned, when the Bureau of Military Affairs would compile the details, carefully deliberate, and then make arrangements. On the one hand, this matter was more time-consuming and labor-intensive; on the other hand, Liu Chengyou couldn't very well do all the Bureau of Military Affairs' work while still in Yedu.

Additionally, apart from rewards for the soldiers in the army, the officials and clerks of the other meritorious offices and departments would all have their merits discussed later. After all, fighting a war wasn't only the merit of the soldiers at the front. The court officials in the capital, who stabilized the rear and transported grain and equipment, also had contributions that couldn't be overlooked. Though the rear wasn't exactly peaceful, at least no major chaos had broken out.

As for Liu Bang's theory of meritorious men and meritorious dogs, the courtiers of the Great Han, though they couldn't quite qualify as "meritorious men," had still played some role. In Liu Chengyou's view, among the ministers in the Eastern Capital, Wang Zhang deserved the highest credit—this man had been diligent and conscientious in the collection and supply of military provisions all along.

With the demobilization and release of local troops and large numbers of civilian laborers, the army outside the walls of Yedu suddenly shrank considerably. Still, the army's scale remained enormous. With the war over, the vacant camps began to be dismantled, and the timber taken down was all used for burning fires to keep warm.

In the city, in a quiet little courtyard, several "old Longqi Army" officers who had joined the campaign gathered together, drinking and chatting. Guo Rong, Sun Li, Ma Quanyi, Han Tong, Xiang Xun, and even Yang Ye—several commanders. The war was over, and everyone was relaxed. The host footing the bill was Li Chongju. Liu Chengyou didn't show himself, but basically everyone knew what was going on.

In the courtyard, a fat sheep was roasting. Two personal guards turned it, occasionally sprinkling on some salt and mustard, then brushing on some oil and sauce. Their movements were very practiced, and the fragrance spreading through the air quickly made the atmosphere even more lively.

Several battalion commanders fortunate enough to attend couldn't help but take a deep sniff—whether they were smelling the aroma or savoring the atmosphere, who could say.

Because it had been raining on and off, the weather had been very cold lately, nearly like deep winter. The generals formed a circle, warming themselves. Wine was being heated at the side, and they had already started drinking.

"This weather, it's getting colder and colder. Sun here is missing more and more the warm bed of the concubine in my house in the Eastern Capital. Last time I took a new one—so delicate, those two lumps of flesh on her chest, truly soft and warm..." Sun Li spoke lewdly and crudely without restraint.

As soon as he said this, everyone burst into laughter, and Yang Ye laughed along too. Han Tong fixed his eyes on him and teased: "Yang Ye, what are you laughing at? You don't even have a woman at home—you're probably still a virgin who's never tasted a woman's flavor!"

Of everyone present, Yang Ye was the youngest. Having served in the army for years, he truly had never tried it. But with so many people watching, how could Yang Ye lose face? He bragged directly: "Commander Han, this Yang already tried it with the neighbor girl when I was thirteen!"

"Oh? Is that so? Tell everyone, what was it like?" Han Tong asked.

Directly stumped, he was about to make up a story when Guo Rong gave a light cough, cutting off this bunch. Otherwise, who knew how far they might have drifted.

"Since the reorganization in the Eastern Capital, we haven't gathered together like this for a long time..."

Li Chongju rose at the right moment, holding up his wine, and said with a composed expression: "Generals, this humble officer drinks a toast to you all on behalf of His Highness. His Highness could not come in person and sent me to convey his regards to everyone!"

Having said this, he drained his cup, and the generals all followed suit. Sun Li said cheerfully: "General Li, you just reply to His Highness that we all understand. Tell him to rest assured."

Understand what, and how much—perhaps only each person knew in their own heart. These people present, back when they were in the Longqi Army, had never been this "harmonious." Even this current amity—how much of it was genuine—was hard to say.

Guo Rong once again gave their gathering a meaningful definition: "Our little get-together today is only for comrades-in-arms to sit together, chat idly, drink wine, and eat meat..."

"General Guo speaks truly. Quick, bring out the meat and eat." Sun Li urged impatiently: "Just smelling this aroma, I'm already hungry."

On this cold autumn day, a group of people gathered together, leaning on mutton, drinking hot wine, and chatting—it was quite pleasant.

"I must also congratulate General Guo. From now on, we'll have to call you Governor Guo." Xiang Xun raised his cup and toasted Guo Rong from afar.

Hearing this, those around him all offered their congratulations as well. In this pacification campaign, in truth, only Guo Rong had stood out and gained the most. Next was Sun Li, who had earned merit for breaking the city. The rest, like Han Tong and Xiang Xun, had basically just gone through the motions and accumulated some seniority.

Though Liu Chengyou was the protagonist, he couldn't guarantee that in every battle, his people would perform outstandingly while everyone else was incompetent...

Facing everyone's congratulations, Guo Rong appeared very modest, cupping his hands: "I still rely on the promotion of Your Majesty and His Highness. In truth, this Guo's heart is trembling with anxiety."

Guo Rong's head remained very clear. He understood that without Liu Chengyou's influence, his previous military merits and Guo Wei's influence alone would not have been enough to help him ascend to the position of a military governor—especially for such an important place as Chanzhou.

But the others, looking at Guo Rong, all carried more or less envy. After all, eight months ago, he had only been an adopted son managing miscellaneous household affairs in Guo Wei's residence. Now, at such a young age, he had already risen to military governor, a governor of a region. The fortunes of life were truly miraculous.

Guo Rong of today was clearly one of those outstanding figures standing at the crest of the era's tide, taking off directly.

As for Liu Chengyou, he was called by Liu Zhiyuan to pay a visit at Gao Xingzhou's lodgings.

Facing the personal arrival of father and son, Gao Xingzhou was flattered and overwhelmed, even a bit flustered in his greetings and bows. They had personally brought meat, and in the courtyard, with attendant palace servants waiting on them nearby, they roasted meat and drank wine.

At first, it was basically just polite small talk—useless, yet necessary. After drinking some wine, Liu Zhiyuan asked: "Minister Gao, Weibo is a tripod-leg region of the state. I believed you, with your maturity and steadiness, your authority and virtue that command respect, to be fit to stay and guard it for me. And to enfeoff you as a prince for your merit in commanding the army would only be proper. Why did you refuse?"

As if he had been waiting for Liu Zhiyuan's question all along, Gao Xingzhou answered directly: "Your servant is old and decrepit. Leading the army this time has already exhausted me in body and mind. I fear I lack the strength to bear the heavy burden of guarding Yedu."

He paused, then continued: "As for the matter of being enfeoffed as a prince, that is even more absolutely impossible. In the pacification campaign, your servant's conduct was dull and inept, causing the state to waste money and grain—I am already deeply ashamed. Breaking the city and destroying the rebels was the majesty of Your Majesty and the merit of the soldiers. How would your servant dare to claim that merit and accept a princely title?"

Liu Zhiyuan was very satisfied with Gao Xingzhou's humble attitude. Hearing his words, he smiled: "In my view, Minister Gao does not trust me or the court. You fear I might grow suspicious, and your heart cannot find peace!"

"Your servant would not dare!" Gao Xingzhou immediately clasped his fists, somewhat agitated.

Liu Zhiyuan waved his hand: "My purpose in coming this time is to bring Minister Gao a dose of reassuring medicine."

"My younger brother Yanchao caused Minister Gao great grievance in this campaign. I know this clearly in my heart and have already reprimanded him. If he remains in Chanzhou, I fear you cannot be at ease. Minister Gao has likely heard as well—I intend to transfer Murong Yanchao to another post, and make Guo Rong the military governor of Zhenning Army. This young man is quite good." Liu Zhiyuan spoke to Gao Xingzhou slowly in that increasingly magnetic voice:

"Furthermore, I have heard that Minister Gao has a daughter—intelligent, beautiful, and unflappable in the face of crisis. I wish to take her as a secondary consort for my son Chengyou. Let us, sovereign and minister, become in-laws. What do you think?"

Gao Xingzhou had listened attentively to the earlier words, but when Liu Zhiyuan truly stated his purpose, he was somewhat stunned. He glanced at Liu Chengyou, who was holding a wine flask to warm his hands at the side, and said in astonishment: "Your servant's daughter is of humble and unworthy bearing, and she was once the daughter-in-law of a rebel. How could she attend to the precious person of His Highness the Prince of Zhou?"

"I say it can be done, and so it can be done!" Liu Zhiyuan waved his hand.

Liu Chengyou carefully glanced at Liu Zhiyuan, his brow furrowing slightly. This matter—Liu Zhiyuan had not given him any advance notice beforehand.