Chapter 268: Returning in Triumph

On the twentieth day of the eighth month of the first year of Qianyou, with matters in Hezhong and the lands west of the Pass settled, the rebel-suppression army broke camp and set forth, returning in triumph.

The formation was the same as on the way out—the Xiaodi Army took the lead as the vanguard, with the Xingjie Army following behind. Only the commander was no longer Zhou Hui. Sun Li, as Chief Commander of the Left Wing of the Xiaodi Army, was temporarily managing its affairs; the title did not match the reality, but nearly everyone knew that once they returned to the Eastern Capital, his formal appointment was inevitable.

This did something to ease the gloom weighing on Sun Li. Throughout this campaign, his overall performance had been poor—or rather, his luck had been bad. First, together with Zhou Hui, he had suffered a defeat at Pucheng; then, during the army's second northward advance, he had been severely wounded; and in the subsequent assault on the city, hampered by his injuries, he had achieved little. The credit for the Xiaodi Army's role in breaching the city belonged largely to Wu Qianyu, Chief Commander of the Right Wing.

The two men could well be called rivals. Wu Qianyu surpassed Sun Li in both age and seniority, but in temperament and style he was cut from the same cloth—and perhaps precisely because of that similarity, the two found each other mutually insufferable.

In truth, when Liu Chengyou left Wu Qianyu behind in the Huatong region as Patrol Inspector, it was not without the intention of clearing the path for Sun Li. Otherwise, forcing Sun Li into the top post after this campaign would have made the favoritism all too obvious.

With Zhou Hui and Wu Qianyu, two senior commanders, transferred out, and with He Hui and Fan Aineng having earlier executed those junior officers who had violated discipline, by the time of the return march, the Xiaodi Army—the most numerous elite force in the Great Han's imperial army—had been brought fully under Liu Chengyou's control.

"Minister Hu, the unrest in Hezhong has just been quelled. Though strong troops press down from without and the region is outwardly at peace, the hearts of the people are not yet won. In the end, one cannot govern the realm from horseback. The administrative affairs of the prefectures and the task of comforting the people, I entrust entirely to you. The toil of documents and the burden of paperwork—please bear them with patience!" At the foot of Yongji's walls, facing Hu Yanke, who had led the officials and commoners of Hezhong to see him off, Liu Chengyou spoke with solemn gravity.

In office, one attends to the duties of office. Before long, Hu Yanke had already settled into his role, carrying himself with the bearing of a great frontier official. He made a deep bow and answered with equal gravity: "Your subject will serve with utmost sincerity and diligence!"

"Minister Hu is prudent and honest—my heart is at ease!" Liu Chengyou wore an expression of complete reassurance, but what he truly thought was hard for anyone else to discern.

Having said this, he turned his gaze to Zhou Hui, who stood beside Hu Yanke, and took his leave with words of instruction: "Minister Zhou, the people of Pu have been devastated by the upheaval. Once the main army withdraws, unrest may stir among the populace. The heavy task of suppressing violence and quelling disorder I entrust to you. Bear the peace of this region—be cautious!"

Zhou Hui's expression looked somewhat complicated. As a veteran general and old servant of the Great Han, he was unlettered and habitually rough-hewn, but when it came to matters touching himself, his mind always grew a bit more agile, a bit sharper. Had this been an ordinary posting as a general to the provinces, Zhou Hui might not have thought much of it—but after this campaign, though his understanding was far from thorough, he had nonetheless gained some insight.

Under Liu Chengyou's gaze, Zhou Hui clasped his fists and answered in a gruff voice: "Your Majesty may return to court with an easy mind. Hezhong is entrusted to your subject. Whoever dares to make trouble, your subject will make him regret it beyond measure!"

There was a hint of grievance-laced murderousness in Zhou Hui's tone. To his reaction, Liu Chengyou offered no further comment.

Sweeping his eyes over the surroundings—the now-empty camp on the east and south sides of Yongji—Liu Chengyou said to Hu Yanke: "The deep autumn air grows cold. Issue an order that the timber and firewood from dismantling the camp palisades may be taken freely by the people of Hezhong, for their household use in making fire, cooking, and keeping warm."

The camp stockade, which could hold over a hundred thousand men, had consumed enormous labor to build, and the timber used was equally vast in quantity. Had the government sold it after dismantling—even just wholesaling it to timber merchants—it would have been no small fortune. But with a word from Liu Chengyou, it was given over to benefit the people.

Though somewhat reluctant to part with it, Hu Yanke accepted the order with due deference and praised: "Your Majesty is benevolent, your grace reaches the people. The folk of Hezhong will surely hold deep gratitude for your virtue."

Raising a hand, Liu Chengyou said: "The government must still exercise oversight—do not let there be scrambling or brawling. Do not let my benevolent intent toward the people become a policy that breeds disorder!"

"Yes!" Hu Yanke's expression turned solemn.

These days, no matter the policy or decree, Liu Chengyou would give it extra consideration. On this matter, though it was only timber, if the people were truly left to help themselves without any restraint, conflict would inevitably arise.

With his instructions complete, Liu Chengyou awaited his imperial carriage, and surrounded by tens of thousands like stars around the moon, he set forth on the road home.

The return march was more leisurely. Had he not been concerned about taxing the troops, Liu Chengyou might have taken the opportunity to inspect local customs and conditions in the prefectures and counties along the way. But the thought had barely arisen before he dismissed it. From setting out on the fifteenth day of the seventh month to the triumphant return now—barely a month's time—Li Shouzhen had been pacified. One could hardly call it slow.

But Liu Chengyou had been away from the capital for quite some time. Though the duration was not much longer than his previous western inspection tour, leading the army on a personal campaign was fundamentally different in nature from touring the realm to observe the people. Moreover, under the current circumstances of the state, it was not fitting for him, as emperor, to be away from the capital for too long. The Eastern Capital needed his presence to steady the people's hearts and secure the realm.

A very natural reaction: with the rebellion quelled, military power in hand, and imperial authority established, Liu Chengyou's thoughts and attitude immediately tilted back toward those seasoned elder ministers in the court at the Eastern Capital.

Fortunately, with the army returning in triumph, the realm of the Great Han could presumably enjoy another stretch of peace.

The returning army advanced eastward at a leisurely pace of roughly fifty li per day. Along the way, as it was the height of the autumn harvest, Liu Chengyou again issued strict orders not to disturb the fields—any violator would be dealt with under military law. This time, orders were carried out completely; from top to bottom, not a single soldier dared to transgress.

On the twenty-fifth day, the army reached Mianchi. Night fell, and they made camp.

In peacetime, the camp was built casually—no hard fortifications or solid ramparts. The tents were pitched along the Gu River beside Mianchi city, stretching six or seven li in a continuous line. Liu Chengyou declined the invitation of the local officials and lodged in the central camp.

Within the camp, at a military tent not far from the imperial pavilion, ringed by elite guards and decorated with lavish furnishings and fine appointments, was Wang Jun's tent. Judging by its proximity to the imperial pavilion alone, one could tell that even after being relieved of his post at Fengxiang and transferred to the Bureau of Military Affairs, he remained in favor. At least on the surface, that was so.

At this moment, a burst of loud, clear music carried through and around the tent. Wang Jun sat cross-legged on a campaign couch, both hands holding a reed pipe, blowing with focused concentration. The melody was melodious and pleasing to the ear, though tinged with a note of heaviness.

This skill with music was inherited in Wang Jun's family—his father had served as Director of the Music Camp—and he himself was a fine singer with a good voice. He seemed, too, a man who had taken the wrong path: a singer. In his leisure hours, he often summoned subordinates, retainers, and household guards to listen to him play and sing, basking in their flattery. Though, to be fair, his singing was genuinely not bad...

When the piece ended, Wang Jun, somewhat listless, ordered his personal attendant to put away the reed pipe. Stroking his beard, he sighed faintly: "What a pity—fine music, but no dance to accompany it..."

"Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs, hmph!" Soon after, narrowing his eyes, he muttered the words to himself—he had muttered them several times already along this journey, biting down hard on the word "deputy."

"Master, the imperial pavilion has sent someone to summon you." A trusted burly servant hurried into the tent to report.

Wang Jun did not so much as stir, a silk handkerchief still in his hand as he wiped his fingers. Casually, he asked: "Did they say what for?"

"According to the messenger, the Son of Heaven wishes to invite you to the imperial pavilion to share the imperial meal. The Son of Heaven's favor toward you remains unchanged!" The servant's face lit up with delight.

At this, the corners of Wang Jun's mouth lifted slightly: "The Son of Heaven plays host... best not to dwell on it."

"The messenger is still waiting outside the tent. Will you see him?"

"No need. Let him wait—I'll go once I've tidied myself up!" Wang Jun said slowly.