Chapter 2013: Lady Li

Duke Leping was a County Duke, a title inherited from Li Chuyun without the "Founding" prefix, and by regulation it should have been reduced a rank in hereditary succession. However, after all, he was the old Emperor's son-in-law, having married his most beloved eldest Princess Liu Jia, so a re-enfeoffment was arranged, and once Li Jilong had accumulated sufficient merit and prestige, he was raised to ducal rank.

Li Jilong was now past forty, at the peak of his life in both family and career. He carried himself with great dignity, and every move he made bore the bearing of one in authority.

In the study, bright lamplight cast three figures. A valiant young man stood straight and tall, attending at the side—this was Li Zhaoxian, the eldest son of Li Jilong and Liu Jia, now eighteen years old, having graduated from the junior officer program of the military academy and been placed by Li Jilong in the army for practical training.

Li Jilong sat in the seat of honor, radiant and spirited, showing not the slightest trace of the fatigue one might expect at this hour of the day. Seated beside him was a man of upright countenance and deferential manner—this was his younger brother, Li Jihe.

Li Jihe had not come to see him off, of course. Li Jilong was not among the ministers accompanying the Emperor—he had other important duties. On the contrary, Li Jihe was to serve as an officer of the Inner Palace Army in the escort.

However, looking at his elder brother, Li Jihe said with a smile: "With the departure imminent, I've been busy with camp affairs these past days and haven't yet congratulated you, Elder Brother, on your further advancement—taking the post of Chief Inspector of the Palace Command!"

After the old Emperor resolved to go on tour, he had made a not-insignificant adjustment to the military and political affairs of the capital. Li Jilong had formally advanced to Chief Inspector of the Palace Command—the most powerful position in the Palace Command at present, truly the "Deputy Commander of the Palace Command," responsible for overseeing its day-to-day operations. Anything concerning the Palace Command fell within the Chief Inspector's purview.

Having reached this step, all that remained was to await entry into the Bureau of Military Affairs, or even direct elevation to chief ministership. With Li Jilong's status, merit, and seniority, if he simply continued on step by step without misstep, a seat in the Hall of State Affairs was inevitable sooner or later.

At the same time, the other high-ranking general of the capital region to receive a post change alongside Li Jilong was Cao Bin, Marquis of Zhending. This old Commissioner of Military Affairs had been appointed by the old Emperor to serve as Commander of the Patrol Inspectorate, in charge of the Western Capital and the surrounding thirty thousand patrol troops.

Unlike the Palace Command and the Imperial Guard, the head of the Patrol Inspectorate wielded real power. In any era, those who hold the guns stand tall.

As for the court, Lü Duan, who had served as Minister of Personnel for nearly ten years, had finally moved—advancing to Vice Director of the Chancellery with the title of Chief Minister, assisting the Crown Prince in overseeing state affairs alongside Zhao Pu, becoming in effect the Deputy Chancellor of the court.

This round of changes again had nothing to do with Zhao Kuangyi. He remained in the Eastern Capital, coordinating post-disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts across the Yellow River and Huai River circuits. Though he had long since made up his mind and had a clear understanding of the road ahead, upon hearing of the personnel changes at the Western Capital court, Zhao Kuangyi nearly lost his composure again—even Lü Duan had climbed ahead of him.

Changes involving so many high ministers and key military and political posts naturally had wide-ranging effects. After all, one radish, one hole—the chain reaction caused by this adjustment had nearly formed a minor political wave. As the tide rose and fell, people came and went, some elated and some dejected.

Of course, aside from concern over how this personnel reshuffle affected their immediate interests, the nobles were even more curious about the old Emperor's purpose in making such a move before his departure—including Li Jilong, who stood in the spotlight of this reassignment.

On this matter, Li Jilong had also pondered for several days, and the conclusion he ultimately reached was only one: those the old Emperor had chosen were all people he trusted sufficiently, who posed no threat to him, and who could help him maintain control of the court's situation from hundreds of li away.

This point was apparent to many with political acumen. However, the feeling this move gave people was also vastly different from the past.

Take Li Jilong, for example—besides gratitude for the old Emperor's trust and the pride of newly taking charge of the Palace Command's affairs, how could there not be some strange stirring in his heart as well?

This trace of unease also originated from the old Emperor, and the reason was not complicated. In Li Jilong's view, compared to the past, the old Emperor now seemed subtly lacking in confidence. He was a great sovereign who had once single-handedly held the realm—only he had ever driven the world; who in the world would dare defy him? Why resort to such "little maneuvers"? The more maneuvers, the more it betrayed a lack of confidence.

Of course, this was only Li Jilong's perspective as a subject considering the matter; he could not truly understand the contradictory psychology of an old emperor.

At the same time, the fact that even Li Jilong harbored such doubtful, scrutinizing thoughts reflected the current psychological state of these meritorious nobles and ministers. Logically speaking, as the old Emperor's eldest son-in-law, he should not have even entertained such thoughts, just as in the past—but now...

Everyone still stood in awe of the old Emperor, but this awe was gradually undergoing a qualitative change. In the old Emperor's presence, they naturally trod on thin ice and served with utmost care, but once out of his sight, all sorts of thoughts and notions could come leaping out.

Li Jihe's congratulations suddenly stirred up the reflections of these past days. However, some matters were not yet suitable for discussion with this uncle and nephew pair present.

Looking at Li Jihe, Li Jilong's dignified face broke into a tolerant elder brother's smile. He waved his hand and sighed: "Compared to the myriad trivial affairs of the office, I still prefer directly leading troops in battle and guarding a region. These past days, I've increasingly missed the days when I led troops in Monan."

As a qualified younger brother, Li Jihe could basically recite his elder brother's résumé from memory. Hearing his reminiscence, he immediately echoed, recounting his achievements in Monan: "Elder Brother went beyond the frontier six times, campaigned in Mobei six times—your fame is known throughout the realm!"

"Such empty fame—I am unworthy of it!" Li Jilong shook his head, his expression quite earnest, and said with a hint of melancholy: "To this day I am still criticized as having ridden on the Princess's fortune—truly a disgrace to our late father's illustrious name!"

Seeing this, Li Jihe immediately consoled him: "Those are all jealous rumors; Elder Brother need not dwell on them. If you take them to heart, you'd only be playing into the villains' hands. His Majesty has always employed people by merit and ability—how could a position as important as Chief Inspector of the Palace Command be obtained through nepotism? Among all the Imperial Sons-in-law, only you and Yang Yuanxian (Yang Yanzhao) have been given real responsibility."

If the old Emperor heard Li Jihe's words, he would probably blush as well. Though the old Emperor had advocated his "merit-only" employment policy for decades, in actual practice, examples of employing by personal favor were everywhere. Of course, perhaps in the eyes of people like Li Jihe, only the "worthy" and "able" parts were visible.

Hearing this consolation, Li Jilong smiled. What kind of man was he—why would he need this younger brother to soothe his emotions? Though Li Jihe was nearly thirty, in Li Jilong's eyes, he was still just a little brother.

His smile fading, Li Jilong looked seriously at Li Jihe and said in a low voice: "You've come at just the right time—I happen to have matters I need to instruct you on!"

Pausing, Li Jilong slowly continued: "His Majesty has not gone on a distant tour for nearly twenty years, and neither has the Inner Palace Army. You must understand, being permanently stationed in the palace is completely different from escorting the Emperor on tour—there is no room for carelessness!

In recent years, a good deal of laxness has crept into the Inner Palace Army, with many sons of meritorious nobles filling its ranks. This is, of course, His Majesty's kindness and promotion of the sons of his meritorious ministers, but he would never allow his imperial guard to degenerate.

This tour will reveal many problems—who is superior and who inferior, who excels and who falls short, who is capable and who mediocre—all will be shown to some degree.

During your escort duty, you must keep one thing in mind: treat this tour as a military campaign, facing life-and-death trials on the battlefield, not as a pleasure trip to enjoy the scenery, escape the heat, and admire flowers.

Maintain a proper attitude and be meticulous. It may not make you stand out from the Inner Palace Army officers, but at least you won't make mistakes!

It's not easy for sons of humble families, and the houses of meritorious nobles likewise have little room for error."

Though Li Jilong's tone remained calm throughout his instructions, his manner was excessively solemn, pressing a great weight upon Li Jihe. Meeting his elder brother's earnest gaze, Li Jihe steadied himself and replied with equal gravity: "Elder Brother's teachings—this younger brother will surely keep them engraved in his heart and dare not be remiss!"

"Very well!"

Li Jihe was twenty-nine years old, serving as a Commander in the Inner Palace Army—a battalion-level unit, commanding some six hundred men. This position was by no means low; the Inner Palace Army was not something just anyone could enter.

In its early days, the Inner Palace Army was drawn from the most elite and loyal soldiers of the imperial army, stationed in the imperial palace to protect the Emperor and the court. Later it expanded to the entire realm's forces, especially the long-tested border garrison troops that produced the finest soldiers, as well as meritorious officers—the best of the best, the cream of the crop. In short, there was not a single one who couldn't fight.

However, changes gradually came later. As the second and third generations of noble sons grew up, the outstanding among them were also selected to serve in the imperial city, with the Inner Palace Army being the largest destination. By now, it had evolved into a signal honor, even linked to family status and power—so much so that newly risen officials racked their brains to send their sons and grandsons into the Inner Palace Army.

As a result, the Inner Palace Army's combat effectiveness could no longer remain the finest in the realm as it had been in the Qianyou era. The noble sons filling its ranks were, without question, elites cultivated by aristocratic education, and competition for advancement was exceptionally fierce—but equally, undesirable trends were spreading. First and foremost in terms of spirit and morale, the Inner Palace Army was far inferior to its earlier years.

Over years of development, apart from earning merit, the three main channels of advancement for military officers were academy training, military examination selection, and the army's customary seniority-based promotion review—but in truth, the Inner Palace Army was also a channel, and one that far surpassed the others.

The Inner Palace Army was the true cradle of officers for the Great Han. It possessed one incomparable advantage: the attribute of being "the Emperor's personal guard." For a feudal autocratic empire built on family rule, this attribute's halo was simply too dazzling—just like the "Son of Heaven's disciples" of the civil examination system, only even closer, for while they were indoctrinated in loyalty to the sovereign and love of country, they were also physically closer to the Emperor, making them the most loyal defenders under imperial power.

The Inner Palace Army's establishment was two wings, eight armies, sixteen battalions—including logistics, over ten thousand men in total, of whom nearly three in ten came from noble families. In such a "high-quality" force, Li Jihe's position as one of the sixteen battalion Commanders was naturally no small distinction. Were he to be posted to the provinces, at the very least he would start as a Prefectural Military Commander.

For this tour, the old Emperor naturally could not bring the entire Inner Palace Army. As it happened, Li Jihe and his battalion of officers and men were all included in the escort. This was both an honor and a test—a very serious matter, one that made even Li Jilong feel compelled to give special instructions.

Besides Li Jihe, Li Jilong had another younger brother, Li Jixun, who had been only five years old when Li Chuyun died. Like Li Jihe, he had been raised by Li Jilong as both elder brother and father. However, unlike his two older brothers, he had taken the civil official path—at twenty-six, he was serving as Registrar in Zhouzhi County within the Pass, and after a few more years of service, he would be promoted to full magistrate.

The household was busy with preparations, and Li Jihe also needed to give instructions at his own residence before returning to camp that evening. Thus, after a brief conversation, the brothers took their leave in haste.

Li Jilong had no leisure either—he called for Li Zhaoxian and headed to the inner quarters. Though Li Zhaoxian was young, his composed demeanor seemed carved from the same mold as his father's—clearly the product of elite education in a noble household.

Seeing his eldest son's expression, so serious it bordered on grim, Li Jilong couldn't help but smile: "Why so solemn? You're too tense. Perhaps I should let you go with your mother—a bit of relaxation would do you good!"

Hearing this, Li Zhaoxian shook his head and said with complete earnestness: "Your son has just entered the imperial army and is not yet familiar with everything—I need time to settle in. And by remaining in the capital, I can both receive Father's guidance at all times and fulfill filial duties on behalf of my younger siblings, so Mother can travel with peace of mind."

Hearing his eldest son's reply, Li Jilong felt a surge of emotion. In the past, he had always been busy with official duties; household matters were all handled by the Princess, including the children's education.

As the eldest son, Li Zhaoxian had received somewhat more attention, but not by much. Still, from the perspective of one who would inherit the family legacy, Li Zhaoxian was qualified—this composed bearing was rarely matched among his peers, and Li Jilong was naturally filled with boundless satisfaction.

As father and son conversed, before they had even arrived, the Princess—having learned that her brother-in-law had departed—had already sent someone to urge them along. This stirred yet more emotion in Li Jilong. The Princess was good—indeed, Li Jilong could say that at least half the credit for his current power and position belonged to her—but within these inner quarters, she was indeed somewhat formidable.