Chapter 2070: Taizong Chronicles 12: The Yongxi Emperor

Ziwei Palace, Chuigong Hall.

Emperor Liu Yang sat upright behind the imperial desk, wholly absorbed, meticulously poring over the memorials submitted by the Hall of State Affairs.

In early spring, darkness still fell quickly; the palace lamps had long since been lit by the eunuchs. The master of the Great Han had changed, and throughout the entire empire, changes—subtle but real—were taking place. Even the very atmosphere of this palace had undergone a visible transformation.

The palace's light and ambiance had grown somewhat dimmer than before. Unlike Emperor Shizu, who had liked to keep dozens or even hundreds of candles and oil lamps burning around him at all times, Liu Yang, upon taking the throne, had directly cut the number of lamps by seventy percent to reduce waste of resources.

It was not just Chuigong Hall—the entire palace was like this. Not only in the use of candles and oil lamps, but also in all palace expenditures. Those once-unrestrained extravagances and wasteful practices had been slammed to a halt by Liu Yang. Practicing thrift and avoiding waste was also the new requirement this new emperor, Liu Yang, had set for the management of the Great Han's palace.

And the reduction of palace eunuch staff had also been put on the agenda. The first batch of palace personnel planned for release—or rather, dismissal—amounted to five thousand people.

It must be said that by the time Liu Yang ascended the throne, within the Ziwei Palace City of Luoyang alone, the number of attendants serving in the various palaces, halls, courtyards, temples, and offices exceeded thirty thousand. If thecaretaker personnel of the Eastern Capital and various imperial travel palaces were counted, the number directly surpassed forty thousand.

Such a scale was nearly a hundred times greater than at the founding of the dynasty. One should know that when Emperor Shizu ascended the throne, all the eunuchs and palace women in the Kaifeng imperial city combined numbered no more than three or four hundred.

Even around the twentieth year of Kaibao, the number of palace personnel had not swelled to today's proportions. Looking at it now, that meager palace staff of several decades ago was the foundation upon which a dynasty established its enterprise and set its course—the beginning of an emperor's efforts to revitalize the state.

Therefore, when Liu Yang decided to cut palace expenditures, reduce the palace staff, and followed through with action, the response was enthusiastic. Apart from a portion of eunuchs and palace maids unwilling to be dismissed, nearly the entire court and country sang his praises.

And how could they not praise him? After all, Liu Yang's approach was truly the standard conduct of an enlightened ruler. However, aside from gradually refreshing the Great Han's atmosphere step by step, the most direct reason for Liu Yang's actions lay in saving expenses—supporting so many palace attendants was simply too costly a drain on resources…

At the same time, the mediocre only parrot others, joining in the chorus of praise, extolling His Majesty's sagacity, virtue, and benevolence. But the perceptive could see the new emperor's intent, hidden behind these measures, to rectify the Great Han's political climate and popular morale.

Matters of politics are never as simple as they appear on the surface, and the higher one goes, the more true this becomes. When the emperor begins to lead by example in self-discipline and frugality, it inevitably exerts a tremendous influence on the court and the nation. And some of those influences were not necessarily welcome to the current powerful and noble families of the Great Han.

Unless the emperor only disciplined himself and not others—but clearly, judging from past performance, Liu Yang was not one to indulge his ministers. In matters of moral and legal requirements, he was even stricter than Emperor Shizu.

And compared to such "surface efforts" as promoting frugality and reducing palace staff, the powerful families of the Great Han would clearly have preferred the new emperor to be more self-restrained in the exercise of imperial power itself. But for an emperor with as deep a foundation as Liu Yang, that was hardly realistic.

The dim yellow lamplight cast Liu Yang's figure onto the screen wall behind the imperial throne. Unlike Emperor Shizu's back, which people always described with words like "majestic" and "sacred," Liu Yang did not yet possess such overwhelming influence. But his back gave people a sense of steadiness and reassurance, rather than mere awe and fear. Perhaps this was the greatest difference between Liu Yang and Emperor Shizu.

And if one were to speak of the greatest change since Liu Yang's ascension, it was that indescribable air of confidence that now clung to him—a confidence turned outward that had not appeared on him in decades. After all, in all the world, there was no longer a single person who could crudely override his will or unreasonably alter his decisions.

In the final analysis, it was the change brought by power. Although Liu Yang continued to behave with restraint as always, a mere half-year of imperial life had already intoxicated him. This was a supreme feeling that was difficult to share with others.

"Your Majesty, Murong Defeng, Administration Commissioner of Liaodong, requests an audience!" Zheng Yuan, head of the palace eunuchs, hurried in and reported to Liu Yang.

If one were to speak of those most trusted by Liu Yang in the current court, there were only two: one was Ma Huaiyu, and the other was Murong Defeng. Ma Huaiyu needed no further introduction—raised in the palace since childhood, his relationship with Liu Yang was not that of brothers, yet surpassed brothers.

As for Murong Defeng, even in the early years at the Eastern Palace, he had been Liu Yang's closest minister, relied upon as a trusted confidant, regarded as a right hand, coming and going freely in attendance, with nothing left unsaid between them.

And in the upper echelons of the new dynasty's power pyramid, Liu Yang naturally could not forget Murong Defeng. In fact, the very last chancellorship had been reserved for him. That day at the Duke of Shou's mansion, those words spoken to Li Shaoyou had naturally been insincere. Upon hearing that Murong Defeng sought an audience, Liu Yang's stern expression relaxed considerably, even revealing a hint of a smile as he immediately summoned him.

"Your subject Murong Defeng pays respects to Your Majesty!" Entering the hall to pay his respects, although Murong Defeng maintained his composure, his bearing and demeanor exuded a spring breeze of satisfaction—which was, of course, a product of Liu Yang's ascension.

"Enough, no need for excessive courtesy." Toward Murong Defeng, Liu Yang showed a warmth distinct from how he treated others: "Someone, bring a seat!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Murong Defeng straightened up, briefly observed Liu Yang, glanced at the memorials divided into two piles on the imperial desk, and after taking his seat, said with great emotion: "Your Majesty works so diligently and devotedly in governance, it truly shames us ministers!"

"Vigorously striving for good governance is no easy task!" Liu Yang shook his head and said softly: "If one achieves something that benefits the nation, even ten times the hardship would be worth it!"

"The palace attendants just prepared some honey water—the taste is quite good. Have a try yourself!" Liu Yang picked up a bowl of clear, bright honey syrup, took a sip, and gestured to the attending Zheng Yuan.

Seeing this, Murong Defeng gave thanks once more.

Liu Yang studied Murong Defeng. This trusted minister was only two years older than himself, yet the white strands at his temples now looked so conspicuous. In a momentary daze, Liu Yang realized that the people of his own generation were no longer young either.

Setting aside the strange emotions rising in his heart, Liu Yang smiled at Murong Defeng: "Rixin, what brings you here today?"

Meeting Liu Yang's gaze, Murong Defeng also took a drink of the palace's secret-recipe honey water, savoring its sweet flavor, before finally speaking: "Luoyang city is exceptionally lively today. I wonder if Your Majesty has heard anything?"

"Oh?" Liu Yang seemed to have heard nothing at all, saying casually: "Within Luoyang city, throughout the court, there are countless spectacles to see every day. But for something to draw your concern, Murong Rixin, and for you to bring it up personally before me—that must be no ordinary matter. Tell me!"

Murong Defeng's eyelids drooped slightly as he said in a low voice: "I hesitate to call it interesting, but I suggest Your Majesty should pay attention to it, for it concerns matters of great importance!"

Hearing this, Liu Yang's mouth curved slightly upward: "No need to beat around the bush—speak frankly!"

Looking at the emperor, Murong Defeng hesitated briefly, then said: "Two matters. First, the King of Kangju came into conflict with the family of Governor Liu of Kaifeng, and killed someone in the street—the whole city is in an uproar. Second, the King of Andong has widely distributed invitations, summoning all the feudal kings to gather at Taihe Tower for secret discussions."

Hearing Murong Defeng raise these two matters, Liu Yang remained very composed, a faint smile still hanging at the corner of his mouth, and asked casually: "What are your views on these two matters?"

Seeing this, Murong Defeng's brows furrowed slightly, and he said with some gravity: "As for the first matter, regardless of the cause, killing someone in the street violates the laws of the state. The King of Kangju's reckless act is even more a case of knowingly breaking the law and provoking the court. He must be punished to set the record straight.

As for the second matter—is Your Majesty not curious at all about what the kings discussed inside Taihe Tower?"

Clearly, Murong Defeng was more concerned about the second matter. Noting his expression, Liu Yang did not speak for a moment, but instead rose, walked to a cabinet in the hall where confidential archives were stored, took out a key, and after some maneuvering retrieved a secret report.

"Take a look."

Taking the secret report, Murong Defeng quickly flipped through it, and soon a look of surprise appeared on his face. This was a report from the Palace City Office, and its contents were the specific details of the daytime gathering of the kings at Taihe Tower.

All the key points of everyone's conversation had been recorded in exhaustive detail—fully twenty-some pages.