Chapter 1774: Disposition

"We won't be returning to the Eastern Capital for now. I'll stay in Luoyang and keep your mother company! As for the matter of relocating the court, you shall handle the arrangements!"

Before entering Ziwei City, Emperor Liu specially called Liu Yang to his side and gave these instructions, looking like a man determined to stay far away from the heartbreak of the Kaifeng palace. But the real reason was that Emperor Liu felt that after ten years in Kaifeng, it was time for a change—time for Luoyang to have its turn.

Even after eleven years away, Luoyang was still as fresh as ever. Every year, enormous sums from the privy purse were spent on palace maintenance and upkeep. Though the Luoyang palaces were new, their sheer scale meant annual expenditures were no less than those of the Kaifeng palace city.

This time, to welcome the imperial carriage, the palace inside and out had undergone a round of renovations and emergency repairs well in advance, so the Luoyang palaces once again gave a feeling of being completely renewed. However, Emperor Liu's attention at this moment was naturally not on the state of the palaces.

The Chongzheng Hall in the Eastern Capital and the Chuigong Hall in the Western Capital almost represented two stages of Emperor Liu's life, as well as the changes in his governing style.

It was just that since the Fengshan sacrifices, Emperor Liu had taken up permanent residence in Chongzheng Hall, but had delegated power downward—except for a few matters, he basically did not involve himself in governance, contentedly playing the role of a hands-off emperor. Now, back in the Western Capital and residing once more in Chuigong Hall, he might not necessarily govern with folded hands...

When the Crown Prince and others sought an audience, he refused to see them, and needed no one to keep him company—even the most favored Pure Consort Zhou of recent years had no opportunity to attend to the imperial presence. Emperor Liu simply stayed quiet and still, sleeping alone on a solitary pillow.

The next morning, the darkness still deep and dawn not yet breaking, Emperor Liu awoke early and, attended by palace maids, washed and dressed.

Empress Fu's burial seemed to have buried Emperor Liu's grief and regret along with her. After this night's sleep, Emperor Liu had become even more withdrawn, as if the whole man had been armored in a hard protective shell.

Wang Ji'en came early to pay his respects, though of course his main purpose was to report on his mission. Through the past night, Emperor Liu had slept deeply and peacefully, but within the Western Capital city, there had been a flurry of activity.

Many had anticipated the stay in the Western Capital, but directly moving the entire court back to Luoyang was somewhat unexpected. Of course, upon deeper reflection, it wasn't so strange—how similar it was to the move to Kaifeng after the Fengshan sacrifices. It was just that this time, it still felt a bit abrupt.

But since Emperor Liu had decided, those below could only follow his will and dared not question it. On the Luoyang side, the infrastructure was still quite complete; the focus of the relocation was on personnel matters. Though tedious to advance, it was by no means difficult.

In comparison, the impact on the nobles and bureaucrats was far greater. Not to mention the interest entanglements hidden beneath the surface—even the single issue of resettlement was enough to throw people into a panic. Who could have imagined that escorting the Empress's funeral cortege would end with them not returning, having to move house instead? Most people had no preparation whatsoever beforehand.

The high officials and nobles had numerous servants and mostly owned mansions and property in the Western Capital, so the problem was not great. The palace women had the palace, and the soldiers had their barracks. The ones who suffered were the mid- and lower-ranking officials and clerks—they were the most hard-pressed and had the most troubles.

Amidst the chaos and commotion, the Palace City Office was also among the busiest groups. However, their energy was not spent on relocation and resettlement—they were busy making arrests.

The standard Emperor Liu had given was improper speech and indecorous conduct. Of course, in the actual execution, how to measure and judge was up to those hounds of the Palace City Office.

For the Western Capital alone, not many had been arrested—only a little over thirty—but most had some standing; they were either sons of meritorious nobles or young lords of officials. Ordinary commoners were largely unaffected; they were mostly well-behaved and would not dare rashly violate official prohibitions.

And what the Palace City Office monitored were usually those with a certain status. Even if an ordinary person committed the wildest excesses, there was little surveillance value, not worth the Palace City Office wasting manpower—the Palace City Office's resources were equally precious.

Inside Chuigong Hall, the lamps blazed brilliantly. Though the light was bright, falling on Emperor Liu's face it still showed a certain gloom. Wang Ji'en stood respectfully in attendance below the steps, while Emperor Liu, with a completely indifferent expression, slowly perused the memorials.

Whether it was slow reaction or careful reading, after a long while Emperor Liu finally set down the memorial and asked flatly: "Just these people?"

"Reporting to His Majesty!" Seeing that Emperor Liu seemed somewhat dissatisfied, Wang Ji'en hurriedly said: "On the Eastern Capital side, a special envoy has already rushed there overnight to carry out arrests immediately!"

"There must be considerable resentment. No one refused or resisted?" Emperor Liu asked.

Wang Ji'en's tone carried a hint of quiet confidence and a touch of flattery: "With Your Majesty's authorization, how would they dare resist? When the officers arrived, they submitted to arrest with hands bound!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu showed no reaction. He scanned the list once more and said: "There truly isn't a single commoner on here! These people enjoy the court's grace and their families' blessings—and this is how they repay it? If a man does not cherish his blessings, how can Heaven pity him!"

"May I ask His Majesty, how should these people be dealt with?" Wang Ji'en requested instructions.

A flicker of killing intent flashed through Emperor Liu's eyes, quickly vanishing without a trace. He waved his hand and said: "Pick out a few with the gravest crimes and execute them as a warning to the rest. The remainder, send to the penal labor camps!"

"Yes!" Wang Ji'en clasped his hands in acknowledgment.

The people on the list were basically all sons of officials. During the national mourning period, they had violated prohibitions and broken the law—some drinking, some dancing, some visiting prostitutes, some gambling. Of course, the most serious were those who recklessly spewed wild words without any restraint...

"Who is this Sun Sijian?" Emperor Liu noticed one person and asked in confusion.

"Reporting to His Majesty, he is the youngest son of the Duke of Pingyuan, only thirteen years old!" Wang Ji'en said.

"Oh?" Emperor Liu immediately grew somewhat interested: "That old thing Sun Li is truly extraordinary—an old tree that can still bloom and bear fruit..."

"What crime did he commit?" Emperor Liu said.

"During the national mourning period, he drank and made merry, killed dogs and ate meat..." Wang Ji'en reported.

Emperor Liu raised an eyebrow slightly, glanced at Wang Ji'en, and said meaningfully: "Sun Li has a fiery temper. When you went to his door to take his beloved son, didn't he beat you out of the mansion?"

A slight oddity flashed across Wang Ji'en's face. He carefully studied Emperor Liu's expression, trying to discern something, but ultimately failed. After a moment's hesitation, he said: "The Duke of Pingyuan is hot-tempered, but facing His Majesty's will, he would not dare resist!"

"That, I do believe!" Emperor Liu said: "Sun Li may be old, but he is by no means senile!"

Lowering his head in thought for a moment, Emperor Liu said leisurely: "Sun Li's way of managing his household is truly hard to describe. I have already killed two of his sons and nephews. This Sun Sijian—let him go!

However, he ought to receive some lesson. At such a young age, to be so lacking in reverence and disregardful of rules—when he grows older, what then? Transmit the decree: banish him to the Western Regions for frontier garrison duty. As for Sun Li, for failing to educate his son, fine him half a year's salary!"

"Let the matter rest here. Once the Eastern Capital affair is concluded, there is no need to expand it further..."

"Yes!"

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year