Chapter 1985: The New Prince of Andong

In the balmy third month of spring, with grass growing and orioles flying, it was truly fine weather. On the straight official road, a line of light cavalry came galloping. Dozens of sturdy horses, hooves flying, kicked up a cloud of dust, and the crisp clatter of hooves carried from one end of the road to the other, drawing the attention of every traveler along the way.

Of course, what caught the eye most was not the ostentatious bearing, but the banners thrust into the back of each fierce rider: Andong. No words were needed—these small banners fully proclaimed their identity, and anyone with a modicum of knowledge would know it. Moreover, at the head of this column rode none other than the newly appointed Prince of Andong, Liu Wenyuan.

Of course, strictly speaking from a legal standpoint, Liu Wenyuan's position as Prince of Andong did not yet count, because he had not yet received the court's formal investiture. According to the rules established by Emperor Liu, when a new prince of an enfeoffed state succeeded to the title, he had to receive the court's formal recognition before he could be considered legitimate (Zhengtong), and the new prince also had to travel to the capital to receive the investiture in person before the entire succession process was complete.

Liu Xu had passed away in the winter of last year, and nearly four months had passed since then. After all this time, Liu Wenyuan had only now set out for the capital to complete the final procedure. Of course, before this, Liu Wenyuan had already done most of what needed to be done—he had basically settled the affairs of Andong, formally exercised the authority of the Prince of Andong, and then, at the reminder of State Chancellor Geng Jixun, headed south to the capital.

He would both receive the court's formal investiture and obtain that golden charter, and also let the ministers and grandees of the Great Han see the new prince of Andong. Unlike his father, he was a young man full of vigor and high spirits—Liu Wenyuan was clearly far more ostentatious. Though he brought only a few dozen banners with him to the capital, the flamboyant procession allowed all the officials and common folk along the way to witness the bearing of this new prince of Andong.

The closer they got to the Eastern Capital, the more crowded it became, with people and carts flowing endlessly. Gradually slowing his horse, Liu Wenyuan stood in the middle of the road, gently patted his horse's neck, and let out a light breath. He asked a young man beside him, "This place is densely populated, with carts and horses converging from all directions—far more bustling than the prefectures along the way. We must be nearing the Eastern Capital!"

On this trip to the capital, he had brought no other ministers; the only ones of rank accompanying him were a guard captain and one staff aide. That aide was the court gentleman Bai Yonglin—just by looking at his surname, one could tell his origins.

He was the nephew of the Andong Empress Dowager Bai Ying, close in age to Liu Wenyuan. The Empress Dowager Bai had specially arranged for him to be at Liu Wenyuan's side, and her intent was clear: she hoped that Liu Wenyuan and Bai Yonglin could forge a bond like that between Liu Xu and Geng Jixun—a deep relationship of lord and minister, of brothers.

However, the Empress Dowager Bai had somewhat miscalculated. Liu Wenyuan had a strong personality, disliked restraint, and hated people telling him what to do. Only out of deference to the Empress Dowager's face had he reluctantly brought Bai Yonglin along.

And Bai Yonglin was not the type of diligent, hardworking minister Liu Wenyuan favored. Born to wealth and privilege, he could not endure hardship, was frivolous in manner, lacked firmness of character, and had yet to show any real talent. If not for the fact that Bai Yonglin had seen much since childhood and could occasionally tell Liu Wenyuan a joke or cheer him up, he would have long been cast aside.

On this trip to the capital, he had brought Bai Yonglin along also because Bai Yonglin was relatively familiar with the capital region and could provide some useful counsel.

As for Bai Yonglin, though he had only been in close attendance on Liu Wenyuan for less than two months, he had already come to feel how hard this prince was to serve—his thinking moved too fast to follow, he loved to stir things up, and his demands were even stricter.

Still, when it came to Liu Wenyuan's current question, Bai Yonglin was full of confidence. Pointing toward the southwest ahead, he said, "To answer Your Highness, if your servant remembers correctly, ahead lies Chenqiao Town. From Chenqiao, following the straight road at full gallop, it is one hour to the Eastern Capital!"

Hearing Bai Yonglin say this, a trace of reminiscence appeared on Liu Wenyuan's face. Though he had gone to Andong with his father as a child, he had also spent some years in the two capitals when young, and had accompanied his father back to court several times. His memories were now vague, but at the mention of it, he could not help feeling a pang of emotion.

"So we're already at Chenqiao!" Liu Wenyuan sighed. "They say the outskirts of the Eastern Capital have three great posting stations—Xixiangfu to the west, Yong'an to the south, and Chenqiao to the east. The name of Chenqiao Station is known throughout the realm!"

Urging his horse forward at a slow pace, Bai Yonglin followed alongside and said, "Your Highness, this place, Chenqiao, is a vital thoroughfare. Going east from Kaifeng to Henan, or north to Hebei, one must pass through here. The court's troop movements, military supplies, official transport, and even merchants and travelers—most go by land through this place.

"It is said that when His Majesty passed through here in his early years, the road was rough and uneven, the population sparse, and there was only a run-down village nearby. But His Majesty saw at a glance that this place was extraordinary, and pointed out that it was the key route in and out of Kaifeng.

"From that time onward, Chenqiao developed rapidly. First it became a military post station, then official and civilian stations were added. Markets, warehouses, shops, and homes were built one after another. From a village station to a market town—who would have thought that more than forty years later, it would become one of the Great Han's 'Ten Great Towns'?"

Listening to Bai Yonglin introduce all this with great animation, Liu Wenyuan found it thoroughly absorbing and could not help saying, "Brother Lin, your knowledge far surpasses mine—you even know the anecdotes of my imperial grandfather!"

Bai Yonglin chuckled and said, "Your Highness, your servant only has this one skill—an interest in such amusing tales and miscellaneous trivia, and I've learned a bit more about them."

"These are great skills! Far more meaningful than those jokes you told me before!" Liu Wenyuan immediately turned serious and said earnestly, "Brother Lin, I've grown increasingly unfamiliar with the capital region. Along this journey, do tell me more!"

"Yes!" Bai Yonglin's face lit up with joy, and he agreed readily: "As long as your servant knows it, and Your Highness does not find me long-winded, I will certainly tell all I know without reservation!"

Seeing this, Liu Wenyuan smiled as well. Gently stroking his beloved horse, he said, "We've ridden so long that the horses are tired too. Let's rest at Chenqiao Town and see this town famous throughout the realm!"

"Yes!" Bai Yonglin replied, and took the initiative to arrange for one rider to gallop ahead and prepare their arrival.

After entering the capital region, prosperity met the eye everywhere—even a small county displayed an abundance of goods and population. And thinking of Andong, Liu Wenyuan could not help sighing. Now it was his turn to consider the livelihoods and futures of the million people under Andong's rule.

"Having delayed so long before coming to the capital, I wonder how the court views it—will Grandfather be angry?" Liu Wenyuan suddenly said.

Seeing the worried look on Liu Wenyuan's handsome, martial face, Bai Yonglin immediately comforted him: "Your Highness need not worry. The former prince passed away suddenly, and Andong was left at a loss. Your Highness acted for the sake of Andong's million people—settling affairs and making arrangements. A slight delay is surely understandable. Your servant believes that once Your Highness arrives at the capital and meets His Majesty face to face, His Majesty will be too full of pity to blame you at all!"

"Have you met Grandfather?" Liu Wenyuan tilted his head and asked.

"To answer Your Highness, your servant was fortunate enough to attend several imperial banquets with my grandfather, and from afar I glimpsed His Majesty. Even so, His Majesty's majesty penetrated deep into my heart, filling me with awe." At this, Bai Yonglin wore a reminiscent expression, looking as though he felt greatly honored.

Seeing this, Liu Wenyuan laughed: "You only glimpsed His Majesty from afar—how dare you presume to speak of His Majesty's thoughts?"

"This..." Bai Yonglin fell silent, casting a slightly aggrieved glance at Liu Wenyuan, thinking to himself, I was only trying to comfort you.

Liu Wenyuan had clearly only spoken casually and did not dwell on the matter. Soon he pointed at the broad official road again and said, "These straight roads—the closer to the capital, the rougher and more uneven they become. Full of potholes, hard on the horses, wearing on the carts—the authorities never seem to repair them!"

"These are all old roads!" Bai Yonglin immediately explained upon seeing this: "The straight roads of the Eastern Capital were built early and have been used for many years. Merchants from rivers and seas, traders from all directions, with large carts and heavy wagons passing without cease—the damage to the road surface is naturally severe. Still, however rough, they are far smoother than dirt roads."

Hearing this, Liu Wenyuan pondered for a moment, then sighed slowly: "The capital region's roads are well built, but the pity is they're not enough. When Andong builds roads, I have to worry that no one will use them—a waste of the state's resources!"

Bai Yonglin knew that Liu Wenyuan was again lamenting over the "Suibin Road" leading to the southeastern seaport—the labor of love of the former prince Liu Xu. Since the spring thaw, construction had begun. Though the laborers were only convicts, captives, and natives, Liu Wenyuan was already troubled by the enormous expenditure.

"As long as the road is completed, the benefits will be enormous—people will always use it!" Looking at Liu Wenyuan, Bai Yonglin said.

"Let's hope so!"