Chapter 1577: Good News

The night talk between father, son, father-in-law, and son-in-law at Qionglin Garden that evening had a certain impact on Emperor Liu, or rather, it deepened his thinking on the governance of the Hu barbarians, border security, state finances, the Great Han's military system, and military supply provisions.

Of course, the main reason was that Emperor Liu himself was already perfectly clear in his own mind that some problems had to be addressed without delay — the longer they were put off, the more serious they became, and the greater the destruction they could cause once they erupted.

It had to be said that Emperor Liu had been somewhat restless and agitated of late. Even if he appeared calm and composed on the surface, his mood was always tinged with anxiety.

The reason was simple — he simply did not like the current state of governance. In the past, especially in the Qianyou era, it could be said that Emperor Liu was cleaving waves and breaking through the wind at the forefront, guiding and leading the Great Han Empire forward.

Back then, Emperor Liu fully exercised his subjective initiative, brimming with energy, tireless, charging ever forward. But after entering the Kaibao era, that proactive ability seemed to have gradually faded with the passage of time and the consolidation of the empire.

In the past, Emperor Liu could often anticipate matters in advance, prepared against all contingencies, actively and proactively discovering problems and solving them. Now, he could only passively wait for problems to appear, then seek solutions — and the entire process was no longer as efficient as before, but rather sluggish and muddled.

The Great Han Empire had grown strong, once again becoming a behemoth dominating the East. Yet at the same time, this very strength and vastness had gradually imprisoned Emperor Liu — every move and every measure could no longer be handled with the same ease as before.

Emperor Liu felt that all of this revealed one problem: his grip on the empire was weakening. Of course, one could also say his misgivings were accumulating ever more. This feeling was very unpleasant — and for a sovereign like Emperor Liu, it was especially hard to bear.

However, when Emperor Liu set his mind on accomplishing something, no one could stop him. Of course, unlike in the past, this time he had the complete support of his ministers — especially on the matter of military expenditure, where the ministers at the center stood squarely together with Emperor Liu.

When sovereign and subjects share one will, when those above and below are of one mind, then all changes and reforms become no problem at all. The only obstacle, perhaps, lay in Emperor Liu's own attitude. Unbeknownst to himself, Emperor Liu had increasingly become a maintenance-minded sovereign — having built a great empire, he had also bound himself within it, unwilling to make changes lightly.

Of course, Emperor Liu, once back in the swing of things, regained his enthusiasm once more — even if only a few degrees of it, and even if briefly. He had the drive to continue reforming the Great Han, to sustain his imperial enterprise, just like a surgeon who, after diagnosing certain ailments in his empire, picks up the scalpel and begins the operation.

Before the dog days of summer had passed, Emperor Liu returned from Qionglin Garden to the Bian Palace, followed immediately by a series of deliberations. Whether in private audiences or collective consultations before the throne, Emperor Liu steadily and methodically pushed forward a new round of reforms. Perhaps "reform" was not quite the right word — "improvement" would be more fitting.

Li Jilong, who had returned to the capital, was somewhat unexpectedly seated alongside the central ministers in conference, jointly deliberating on military and state affairs, and even spoke up.

It was clear how much this son-in-law was valued. Of course, there was no favoritism — Yang Yanzhao, still serving in the capital, was also personally designated to attend, even if only occupying the lowest seat. As for the second son-in-law Chai Zongxun, he did not enjoy such a privilege, after all, he was not versed in military affairs.

Beyond that, in Emperor Liu's private audiences, Li Jilong was summoned into the palace every other day, reporting in greater detail to Emperor Liu on his ideas for reforming the military system.

Such favor and honor drew attention and envy, and equally, it brought tremendous pressure to Li Jilong. For Li Jilong, Emperor Liu was both sovereign and father-in-law — a dual identity bearing down on him. Facing the emperor alone, the pressure he felt was unlike anything else.

No one dared take Emperor Liu's favor for granted; favor that was too generously bestowed could easily crush a man. Of course, Li Jilong was not so fragile — he merely added a few extra measures of care when facing Emperor Liu.

After the onset of the dog days, the weather began to change frequently, with occasional showers and thunderstorms breaking out. Just past the hour of wei, the Eastern Capital was once again enveloped in fierce winds and sudden rain — heaven and earth changed color, and raindrops the size of beans crashed violently onto the palace tiles and imperial avenues, splashing up veils of mist.

Though the rain was vexing, it also dispelled much of the midsummer heat. The doors of Chongzheng Hall stood wide open, and outside the hall the rain poured down in torrents, with droplets occasionally drifting in, dampening the curtains within.

With the sound of rain as a backdrop, Emperor Liu and Li Jilong, this father-in-law and son-in-law pair, sat playing a game and conversing — of course, it was five-in-a-row. However, more than the game board, Emperor Liu's attention was focused on this son-in-law. Since his return to the capital, he had been observing this man for quite some time. Whether it was the early death of his father, the maturity brought by marriage, or long periods of training, the Li Jilong of today was far more composed and steady than he had been at the start.

That carefulness when facing him, that subconscious reading of his expression — all of it made Emperor Liu quite curious. This prudence and humility, utterly devoid of a young man's arrogance and impetuosity — he wondered who he had learned it from. One thing was certain: it certainly did not come from Li Chuyun.

"Your Majesty, Vice Director Xiao and Governor Wang request an audience outside the hall!" Yan Tuo stepped forward with small steps and bowed.

"Oh?" Emperor Liu turned his head to look outside. The dim sky made the lamplight within the hall seem all the brighter, and outside the wind and rain still raged. Curiosity stirred within him, and he waved his hand, ordering: "Summon them!"

But once Emperor Liu's gaze, which had been frequently resting on him, shifted away, Li Jilong, sitting across, could not help but rise and say: "Your Majesty has important matters to discuss — your subject will take his leave!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu's eyes widened slightly, and he pointed at the seat: "Sit! What's the hurry? Afraid I'll eat you? Wang Yinwu and Xiao Siwen have come together — it must be about the Khitan in Mobei. You listen as well!"

With Emperor Liu saying this, how could Li Jilong dare to decline? He could only return to his seat and sit in silence.

Over the past two years, Xiao Siwen's days had been considerably better. The benefits of Xiao Chuo marrying the Crown Prince had gradually become apparent. He was truly beginning to integrate into the upper society of the Great Han, accepted by the nobles and ministers — the constant targeting and wariness that had once been ever-present had noticeably diminished. Even the defection incident of the newly surrendered Khitan tribes that had previously caused him deep worry had ultimately passed smoothly, without any attack or censure.

His position had also seen obvious changes. The nominal post of Vice Minister of the Ministry of War had been removed, and he was transferred to serve as a Director in the Court of Border Affairs, as the deputy of Zhao Kuangzan, Prince of Dongping, managing ethnic relations and the affairs of Hu tribes and vassal peoples.

At the same time, he retained his post at the Wude Office, assisting in the collation and analysis of intelligence on the Khitan in Mobei. From nominal to substantive — that was the greatest gain Xiao Siwen had made in these two years. At least the Great Han court now truly had a place for him.

Not only that, the sons who had come south with him had also begun to serve in the Great Han, and though their ranks were not high, it was still a mark of the Xiao family's genuine integration into the Great Han.

And not long ago, after the imperial physician examined and found that Xiao Yanyan was with child, Xiao Siwen's drive had grown even stronger.

Emperor Liu was made to wait a while before Xiao Siwen and Wang Yinwu entered the hall together. Both looked somewhat disheveled — after all, they had come through the rain, with obvious wet marks still on their persons. The time wasted had presumably been spent tidying their appearance.

"No need for ceremony!" Seeing the two hurriedly prostrate themselves, Emperor Liu waved his hand dismissively, as if annoyed by such troublesome formalities, and asked directly: "The two of you have come together — what is the matter?"

The two exchanged a glance, and it was Wang Yinwu who reported: "Your Majesty, good news!"

In fact, something could be read from their expressions alone — Xiao Siwen wore a grave face, while Wang Yinwu, though striving to restrain himself, had an unmistakable note of elation in his brows and eyes.

And hearing his words — daring to play coy with him — it must indeed be good news, or else Wang Yinwu would not be so confident.

His mind turning, Emperor Liu smiled lightly: "What good news could there be? It's not as if the Khitan ruler has died..."

Hearing this, Wang Yinwu was visibly startled. Noticing Emperor Liu's casual demeanor, he immediately reacted and promptly cupped his hands in a flattering bow: "Your Majesty is supremely wise, illuminating ten thousand li — without leaving your door, you already know the great affairs of the world. Your subject has received reports from scouts in Mobei: the Khitan ruler Yelu Xian passed away twenty days ago!"

"Hm?" Emperor Liu was clearly unprepared for this sudden news and could not help but show a trace of surprise, confirming: "Is this true?"

Wang Yinwu's face was full of certainty, and he said: "Your subject has received reports from three separate teams, all stating the same thing. According to the reports, the Khitan ruler went on a western tour in the fifth month of this summer to inspect the western tribes, and on his return eastward, he died of illness along the way! Your subject thinks that even if a message could be wrong, and wrong in every way, with three teams all reporting the same matter, it should be credible. More detailed information should continue to reach the capital in due course!"