Chapter 1729: The Governor Takes a Concubine

After decades upon decades of construction, the Eastern Capital had seen the rise of numerous landmark buildings, such as the Imperial City Plaza, the Temple of Manifest Valor, the Upper Clarity Palace, the Great Xiangguo Temple, the Southern Market, the Taihe Tower, and so on.

The Eastern Capital was a place where waterways crisscrossed in every direction. The trunk and branch watercourses centered on the Bian River brought abundant water-transport capacity. The Bian River passed through the city, and the dozen or so rainbow bridges spanning its two banks, serving as an important component of convenient transportation within the city, had also become a symbol of Kaifeng.

Over the years, the government had built seventy-two bridges of various sizes inside and outside Kaifeng, known as the "Seventy-Two Bridges of the Eastern Capital." Thirty-six of them had been constructed as part of the overall plan when the Eastern Capital was first built, while the latter thirty-six were built by successive Governors according to practical needs. By now, the sight was truly magnificent. Of course, the entire Eastern Capital did not have only seventy-two bridges—it was just that these were the more famous ones.

Tongqing Bridge lay outside the outer city wall, running north-south, over twenty-four zhang and three chi in length, linking the northern and southern cities. It was the busiest transportation hub in the city in terms of foot traffic. The road heading due south from it ran straight to the Southern Market, while to the east lay the city's largest cargo wharf.

Unlike many of the wooden bridges, Tongqing Bridge was built entirely of brick and stone, with an arched structure like a long rainbow lying across the waves. Adorned year-round with green trees, red flowers, and colored lanterns, it was magnificent and colorful, attracting many visitors to stop and admire it.

The banks of the Bian River had always been a densely populated area. As spring warmed and flowers bloomed, Tongqing Bridge was also in a state of bustling activity, with pedestrians and carts passing through in a jumble, and the clamor of voices never ceasing.

Liu Yang stood at the top of the bridge at this moment, his hands resting lightly on the white stone railing, gazing absently at the Bian River below. Carved on the pillar tops were lion and tiger heads in various poses, and the nearest lion and tiger seemed to be smiling at Liu Yang at that very moment.

A scene of prosperity always brought joy, dispelling much of the gloom that had accumulated in Liu Yang's heart. The space beneath Tongqing Bridge was extremely large, enough to accommodate great ships of two thousand dan, but due to the season, the water level was still low. Most of the vessels plying the river at this time were small Bian River boats; even the large ships had very shallow drafts.

Amid the rhythmic work chants, Liu Yang's thoughts gradually drifted away, and his eyes grew somewhat hazy. Noon had already passed; the golden crow had hidden itself, its radiance greatly diminished, and the sun appeared much dimmer. Standing at the head of the bridge, Liu Yang looked somewhat lonely. Of course, under the vigilant watch of his guards, no one could disturb him.

Liu Wenji was feeling rather bored, and under the care of a guard, he ran and jumped about on the bridge. The bridge deck was flat, but on either side of the central roadway were stone steps for pedestrians. Liu Wenji simply counted the steps as he ran from the southern end of the bridge to the northern end, then from the northern end back to the southern end, his interest completely absorbed, as if he had discovered something very amusing.

"Your Highness, I've found out—Governor Liu is hosting a banquet for guests at the Taihe Tower." The palace eunuch Wang Yue hurried up onto the bridge, made a respectful bow, and reported.

"Oh?" Liu Yang snapped back to attention, his eyes narrowing slightly, and asked casually: "A banquet! On what occasion?"

"It is said that Governor Liu is taking a concubine," Wang Yue reported in a low voice.

Hearing this, Liu Yang could not help but smile: "What a happy occasion! Since I've heard the good news and have leisure time, how could I not go join in the fun? Lead the way!"

"Yes!"

As he turned, he happened to catch sight of Liu Wenji still "conquering" Tongqing Bridge. A hint of affection appeared on Liu Yang's face, and he gave a low-voiced order: "Send someone to escort Wenji back to the palace first!"

"Yes!"

"If I remember correctly, the Taihe Tower is a property of the Prince of Dongping's household, isn't it?" Liu Yang suddenly asked again.

"In reply to Your Highness, that is correct!"

The Taihe Tower was now the most luxurious and highest-class restaurant in the Eastern Capital. Over more than twenty years of operation, it had accumulated enormous renown. Its service grew ever more complete and refined, its style distinctive, and its threshold ever higher. Ordinary people were simply not within the scope of its reception—of course, ordinary people could not afford it either.

Its ostensible owner was a man named Zhao Xian, a great merchant famous throughout the Eastern Capital and indeed the entire Great Han. But anyone with even a modicum of status knew that behind the Taihe Tower stood the Prince of Dongping's household.

And that Zhao Xian had originally been a household retainer of Zhao Kuangzan, the Prince of Dongping. He had followed him back when Zhao Kuangzan was still the Prince of Yan, stationed at Youzhou. Backed by the towering tree of the Prince of Dongping's household, Zhao Xian naturally met with success in all his business dealings. He was involved in every trade and industry, even dipping into stable revenue sources like salt, iron, tea, and liquor, amassing great wealth in the process—not to say a million, but he surely had five hundred thousand strings to his name.

Of course, the Taihe Tower remained Zhao Xian's main business, his core enterprise, and also the bridge with the closest ties to the Prince of Dongping's household. The function of the restaurant was clearly not limited to welcoming guests and seeing them off.

Back then, after the Qianyou Northern Expedition, Zhao Kuangzan had entered the capital with Emperor Liu, and thereafter vigorously developed his industries and managed his wealth. There had been an intention in this to declare his ambitions and dispel Emperor Liu's suspicions.

But who would have thought that over more than twenty years, this family property would experience explosive growth, multiplying who knows how many times over. Every one of the Great Han's meritorious nobles was a family of great wealth; even those who relied on court salaries and imperial favors could live comfortably, let alone a family like Zhao Kuangzan's that managed its affairs so well.

The Taihe Tower of today, compared to back then, appeared even more luxurious, emphasizing the character "expensive"—expensive in money, expensive in people. Its facilities were also more complete. To provide parking space for the carriages and horses of visiting guests, it had expanded northward, enclosing a large tract of land. In the process of the collapse of the ward-market boundaries, it had been among the first to tear down the ward walls.

When Liu Yang arrived at the Taihe Tower, the restaurant was festooned with lanterns and colored bunting, presenting a scene of joy and celebration. Behind the restaurant were parked a great many carriages, with canopies gathered in clouds. Clearly, the guests attending the banquet were numerous, all of distinguished status.

And on this day, the most important guest of the Taihe Tower was the Governor of Kaifeng. Even for merely taking a concubine, they set aside all pretense, showed the utmost respect, and made all arrangements properly.

Of course, this respect came from the power of the Governor of Kaifeng. After all, this was one of the only two prefectural-level governorships in the realm, its status higher than that of most chief officials of the circuits. At the same time, the Governor of Kaifeng's background was something the Taihe Tower could not afford to ignore.

The current Governor of Kaifeng was surnamed Liu, given name Jichang. Those surnamed Liu were not necessarily members of the imperial clan, but Liu Jichang, this Governor of Kaifeng, happened to be exactly that—and his status was very distinguished. Although of a collateral branch, he was the eldest legitimate son of Liu Chengyun, the Prince of Xu.

And the Prince of Xu, Liu Chengyun, was the current head of the imperial clan, long respected and trusted by Emperor Liu, who entrusted clan affairs to him. With the Prince of Xu now advanced in years, Liu Jichang, as the rightful first in line to inherit the princely title, could well imagine the honor and esteem he enjoyed.

Liu Jichang was not yet forty years old, only a few years older than Liu Yang, yet he had become Governor of Kaifeng. His personal abilities were of secondary importance; the most crucial factor lay in the enhancement of his status.

In the Great Han, since the time of Wei Xiaowang Liu Chengxun and Emperor Liu, there had been no tradition of a prince concurrently serving as Governor of Kaifeng as heir to the throne. Thus, among successive Governors, there had been quite a few ministers from outside the imperial clan.

Chancellors like Wei Renpu and Lü Duan all had this post on their resumes. However, members of the imperial clan also had an obvious competitive advantage in this position—for example, Murong Yanchao, and the current Liu Jichang.

After Lü Duan was promoted by Emperor Liu into the central government and took his seat in the halls of power, Emperor Liu had hesitated somewhat in considering a successor. In the end, influenced by the concept of "the Liu family's realm," he selected Liu Jichang, this nephew of his.

Of course, Emperor Liu's appointment of a relative was also based on his abilities. Liu Jichang's resume was equally rich: he had started as a County Magistrate, served as a Prefectural Administrator, held the post of Prefect of Xiangyang, and before being transferred to Kaifeng, his position had been Fiscal Commissioner of Huguang. He had now been in office for only a year.

Inside the resplendent banquet hall, voices were clamorous, cups and goblets crossed in constant toasts—a scene of song, dance, and peace. As the center of the banquet, Liu Jichang sat at ease, contentedly enjoying the flattery and praise of the various guests.

Liu Jichang had an excellent appearance—a handsome middle-aged man, elegant in bearing and quite imposing. Because of the concubine-taking occasion, he was dressed in festive attire, his few long beard strands meticulously groomed. Amid the toasts and exchanges of cups, a reserved smile hung on his face the whole time.

If it were merely for taking a concubine, it would not have been necessary to be so extravagant—this was only an excuse for a gathering. The invited guests, besides relatives and close friends, were mostly powerful colleagues and worthies of the capital, all elite figures of high society. These people needed an opportunity for social interaction and exchange.

Liu Jichang clearly also wished to achieve something during his tenure in the Kaifeng governorship, and this required support from all sides. He could not match Zhao Kuangyi's diligence, nor could he be as steady and composed as Lü Duan, so he could only scheme from other angles.

For a position as conspicuous as the Kaifeng governorship, making achievements could not be accomplished by relying on status alone to prevail in all things. However, the past achievements of the imperial uncle, the Duke of Luanguo, Murong Yanchao, provided him with a reference. Murong Yanchao was a construction maniac, so he too needed an entry point. To accomplish things, it all came down to the two words "power" and "money," and among these guests, there were not a few who could provide assistance in both respects.

During the socializing, a servant hurried over and whispered something into Liu Jichang's ear. Those who had been keeping an eye on Liu Jichang soon noticed that a flicker of surprise crossed the Governor's face, which quickly turned serious.

He abruptly rose, clasped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute, offered a brief apology, and then, ignoring the curious gazes of the others, turned and left the banquet. And in a private room within the Taihe Tower, Liu Yang had already been waiting for a while.