Chapter 301: Winter Solstice Banquet 2

Inside Chongyuan Hall, Liu Chengyou rose from the imperial throne, holding an ordinary celadon cup in his hand. As Emperor, every move he made was observed by all; the moment he stirred, it drew the attention of the entire hall, which fell even more silent.

Under the dense gaze of countless eyes, Liu Chengyou walked to the front of the imperial dais, holding the wine cup before his chest. Habitually scanning the room once, he paused briefly to gather his thoughts, then spoke: "Gaozu, the late Emperor, quelled chaos and eliminated evil, transformed a family into a state, rescued the living from misery, and founded the imperial enterprise amidst hardship. Scarcely had he settled the realm when he suddenly passed away. I, in my humble person, have inherited the ancestral line and continued the enterprise. Since receiving the mandate, I have tasted gall and trodden on ice, forsaken meals and abandoned sleep, hoping only for peace."

"Yet the way of Heaven is difficult. At the time of my succession, troubles abounded on all sides: Wu and Shu invaded within, the Khitan stirred up conflict, Hezhong plotted rebellion, the people were terrified, and the altars of state stood in peril. Fortunately, the chancellors worked with one mind, the officers and soldiers fulfilled their commands, assisting my humble self, raising arms to campaign, sweeping away the vicious and rebellious, pacifying the foreign invaders, securing the state and calming the realm, restoring tranquility to the Central Plains..."

"......"

Once Liu Chengyou opened his mouth, it took the better part of half a cup of tea's time. He had memorized the text in advance; this composition was written by Tao Gu, its style leaning toward the steady, with a subtle emphasis on "flattery." It recorded in fairly complete fashion the "civil governance and martial achievements" of the nearly one year since Liu Chengyou had succeeded to the throne.

Though Liu Chengyou was reciting from memory, there was inevitably some genuine feeling, especially when he thought of the hardships along the way—truly not easy.

In fact, no matter how many accomplishments Liu Chengyou had made since ascending the throne, all his actions had but one core goal: to sit firmly on the imperial seat and grasp power. Everything else was mere appearance. If one couldn't even sit steadily on the throne, what use was talk of civil governance and martial achievements, what point in speaking of national peace and prosperity, what meaning in discussing a grand enterprise for a thousand years?

Even now, had Liu Chengyou truly secured his throne? Not necessarily. Setting aside other matters, if Liu Chengyou genuinely moved against the core interests of the military provinces across the realm, he could not guarantee that someone would not dare to emulate Li Shouzhen's rebellion. The road was still distant and long; the path of seeking was strewn with thorns.

After finishing his speech, Liu Chengyou observed the expressions of the assembled ministers below—though of course, he could only see those in the front rows. Those ministers who genuinely worried and labored for this Great Han dynasty were all moved to some degree. Even Yang Bin rarely showed his usual stern severity on his face; his eyes seemed somewhat dazed.

"I have set a banquet in the main hall and invited all my officials, both to celebrate the season together with you, and to mark the Great Han's elimination of its national troubles. I pray that the Great Han enjoys peace within the seas, and that officials and people alike may regain respite!" Liu Chengyou's hand holding the wine cup had already grown sore, but he still held it steady. His sonorous voice echoed through the hall, carrying a note of joy: "Come, let me drink a full cup with all of you!"

Having said this, Liu Chengyou drained the cup in one go. The not-too-strong imperial wine flowed into his mouth, moistening a throat parched from speaking.

Seeing this, the assembled ministers in the hall responded with one voice, then drank together. Their movements were not perfectly synchronized, but the rustling commotion was considerable.

"Tonight, I shall enjoy ourselves with all of you, sovereign and subjects, to the full until we part—no need for restraint!" Noticing that the atmosphere had grown somewhat solemn due to his speech, Liu Chengyou waved his dragon robe and declared in a clear voice.

Soon, Li Ye, the Commissioner of Palace Attendants who was directing this palace banquet, made arrangements at once. Music arose, song and dance began. Since the founding of the state, the performers of the music bureau finally had room to display their talents once more. Graceful figures danced before the eyes, festive court music played in the ears. Inside and outside the hall, the atmosphere grew lively once again.

Liu Chengyou's food table was joined to the Empress Dowager's. Lady Li was dressed in ordinary attire, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou couldn't help asking: "Mother, why do you smile?"

Lady Li looked at Liu Chengyou and smiled warmly: "Watching my Second Son's speech just now, all within and without are convinced. Your imperial authority grows daily, and you increasingly possess the bearing and dignity of a Son of Heaven. I rejoice for you, and I rejoice for the Great Han's rivers and mountains."

It was clear that in Lady Li's phoenix eyes and fair brow was a heartfelt relief and relaxation. Moved by the feeling, Liu Chengyou said: "No matter how much a sovereign I am, I am still your son."

Then, raising his cup respectfully: "Your son offers you a toast."

After taking a light sip and elegantly setting down her cup, Lady Li surveyed the lively scene throughout the hall and said with feeling: "Since the founding of the state, though there have been grand ceremonies and great rites, this palace has never been so lively before. Truly a rare occasion!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou nodded and said in a calm and confident tone: "This is only the beginning. From now on, things will only improve!"

But Lady Li gently shook her head, speaking with a note of admonition: "The treasury is empty, and the state is still in difficulty. His Majesty should..."

"Mm..." Slightly adjusting her wording, Lady Li said: "His Majesty's advocacy of frugality is truly an example to all ministers!"

"Your son understands!" Liu Chengyou did not mind the Empress Dowager's warning tone and replied respectfully.

"Your Majesty."

Amid their conversation, the Empress, the elder Lady Fu, and Noble Consort Gao came forward in turn to offer their respects. On such an occasion, the Empress and the Consort appeared as close as sisters, their conduct proper and decorous, revealing not the slightest displeasure. The Empress maintained her dignity by status, while the Noble Consort knew her place.

Liu Chengyou's attention was briefly drawn to the young lady beside the Empress. The two Fu sisters ordinarily resided at their mansion in the Eastern Capital; though they entered the palace frequently, Liu Chengyou truly only encountered them occasionally. Seeing her at this night banquet gave him a sense of novelty. Her face was still youthful and tender, her lovely features resembling the elder Lady Fu's—sisters indeed, a pair of flowers.

He exchanged a few simple words with his young sister-in-law, and though he quickly shifted his attention away, that momentary glance of Liu Chengyou's was keenly caught by the elder Lady Fu. Her moth-like brows knitted slightly—she had heard certain rumors...

The imperial banquet at Chongyuan Hall was not overly constrained. For one thing, Liu Chengyou had said as much beforehand; for another, though his imperial authority was just beginning to take hold, the civil and military officials were not yet so awed as to be stiff. Especially with those rough soldiers at the feast—led by them in toasting back and forth, the atmosphere was naturally "harmonious" to an unusual degree.

Amid the clamor and noise, the banquet reached a pleasant tipsiness. As if by common accord, the Military Governors who had come to the capital for audience rose, raised their cups, and together bowed in tribute to Liu Chengyou, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress.

As an old subordinate of Liu Chengyou's, Zhang Yanwei, Military Governor of Chengde, appeared full of high spirits, his face wreathed in smiles, pleasantly tipsy. Compared to last year, his frame had clearly expanded by a full size. Previously one might have called him portly; now he was genuinely fat. Clearly, even in the northern lands, his days seemed quite comfortable.

Among the Military Governors, Murong Yanchao still maintained a bit of "Imperial Uncle" airs, while the others were somewhat reserved. Only Zhang Yanwei was utterly obsequious, cupping his hands and saying: "Your Majesty's dragon countenance is of rare distinction, with the visage of sun and sky, heroic bearing and surpassing talent. Personally taking to horse and arms, braving arrows and stones in person, you have captured the wicked and quelled the disorder. Your radiant heavenly might fills us with boundless admiration..."

Clearly, this Governor Zhang had prepared his script in advance before attending the banquet; otherwise, such a flowery string of groveling flattery was not something he could have come up with on his own.

Zhang Yanwei's behavior, frankly speaking, was rather beneath the dignity of a Military Governor—especially one of a major prefecture and key garrison like Chengde. However, Liu Chengyou naturally "appreciated" it greatly. Regardless of whether it was sincere, this posture of submission was worth encouraging.

No need for anyone to point it out—this chapter is filler and short, and the next one will be too......