Chapter 307: Playing Matchmaker

Not dwelling further on Murong Yanchao's situation, Liu Chengyou asked instead: "Hou Yi is focusing on rectifying public order in the Eastern Capital—how are the streets and alleys reacting?"

Though Hou Yi had already reported to Liu Chengyou, hearing multiple perspectives brings clarity; the very existence of the Wude Office was to let him understand conditions below from multiple angles.

"One could say it's been remarkably effective!" Having no conflict of interest with Hou Yi, Li Shaoyou answered without hesitation: "Within Kaifeng Prefecture, several clerks and yamen runners who had incurred deep popular resentment have been dismissed and prosecuted; ruffians active between the two markets have been severely suppressed. Governor Hou has also posted proclamations in the outer city, reaffirming administrative regulations. At present, the streets feel as though a fresh breeze has swept through—order prevails."

"In such a bitter winter, there's still such a clear wind?" Liu Chengyou remarked meaningfully.

"The people of the Eastern Capital have lately been praising Governor Hou for enforcing the law impartially, with iron-faced integrity."

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou couldn't help muttering: "Kaifeng has a 'Judge Hou the Clear Sky'? Heh heh......"

"At some point, I want to leave the palace and see for myself—what the streets and alleys truly look like." Liu Chengyou sighed softly and said.

He had always prided himself on sympathizing with the people's condition and knowing their hardships, yet since becoming emperor, he had grown increasingly detached from common life—especially after returning to the capital following the suppression of the rebellion, that sense of estrangement from the lower strata had only intensified.

As things stood, having spent so long within the deep palace, Liu Chengyou had no sufficiently clear picture in his mind of what conditions were actually like inside and outside the capital—in the markets, wards, villages, and fields.

Governing the realm through memorials was largely like this; even with the Wude Office periodically submitting reports on popular sentiment, it still couldn't put Liu Chengyou at ease.

Hearing Liu Chengyou voice this lament, Li Shaoyou immediately said: "If His Majesty were to leave the palace on inspection, the people would surely feel their sovereign's care and love for them."

"With the imperial carriage and escort in tow, what could I possibly see?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Li Shaoyou was taken aback, but with his alertness, he quickly understood, and his mind immediately recalled that Liu Chengyou had once gone out on inspection in plain clothes. He instinctively advised: "The streets and lanes are a mingling of all sorts from every direction. His Majesty, exalted above all, bearing the weight of state and dynasty, truly must not risk dangerous places or foul haunts!"

"The Eastern Capital—beneath the Son of Heaven's very feet, the foremost place of virtue—how has it become a dangerous place?" Frowning at his words, Liu Chengyou rebuked lightly.

Seeing this, Li Shaoyou hurriedly said: "Your servant misspoke; I beg His Majesty's forgiveness."

"If one doesn't know the people, how can one know the people's suffering? What—do you, like those outer ministers such as Yang Bin, wish me to wither away in the forbidden palace, ruling with folded hands?" Liu Chengyou pressed on, his tone harsher.

Hearing the rebuke, Li Shaoyou felt rather wronged—he was merely offering his daily loyalty, expressing concern for the emperor; he didn't know where Liu Chengyou's outsized reaction came from. Still, though he grumbled inwardly, his face remained properly obedient: "Your servant has no such intention. It's only that a sage ruler does not court danger for the sake of fortune; your servant merely worries for His Majesty's safety."

Liu Chengyou, of course, wasn't so easily angered—he was simply using the occasion to knock Li Shaoyou down a peg. This cousin of his was clearly the type who "if not beaten for three days, climbs onto the roof and tears off the tiles." A very clever man, quick-witted, with sharp political instincts—but lustful, hot-tempered, arrogant, and overbearing. At the Censorate, memorials directly impeaching Li Shaoyou and the Wude Office were hardly few.

"Enough—do I not know my cousin's loyalty?" His face changing quickly, Liu Chengyou offered Li Shaoyou a soothing word, his form of address growing less formal.

When all was said and done, among all the court ministers, the one Liu Chengyou trusted most remained Li Shaoyou. Otherwise, even with kinship and friendship combined, Liu Chengyou would not have placed the Wude Office under his sole command. At present, the Wude Office's power was still expanding.

Sensing the gentle, comforting tone in Liu Chengyou's words, Li Shaoyou's gloomy mood eased somewhat, and he maintained his deferential bearing.

After briefly going over the Wude Office's work, Liu Chengyou dismissed Li Shaoyou. He picked up his book again and quickly became absorbed. The book he was reading was the Veritable Records of Emperor Zhuangzong, presented by Grand Master of Ceremonies Zhang Zhao—a great book collector who had also participated in its compilation.

Liu Chengyou was especially interested in Zhuangzong of the Later Tang—after all, this was the emperor who, aside from Guo Rong, had the greatest chance of unifying China in the history of the "Five Dynasties." He also approached it with a complex mindset: examining his merits and faults, probing his gains and losses, and most importantly, using him as a mirror.

What the Veritable Records of Emperor Zhuangzong recorded was largely factual, with little in the way of subtle editorializing; its account of his merits and faults was quite detailed. Of course, one couldn't rule out the historians adding a bit of extra blackening. If Li Cunxu's later years hadn't been sufficiently fatuous, how else could Li Siyuan's seizure of the realm have been made to look legitimate?

Regardless, on the whole, Liu Chengyou still felt a sense of regret for Li Cunxu.

"Your Majesty, Chancellor Feng requests an audience!" Just as Liu Chengyou was deeply immersed in studying the Veritable Records of Emperor Zhuangzong, Zhang Dejun cautiously interrupted him.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou shifted to change his posture, set down the book, and took a deep breath: "I've had precious little leisure today!"

Between practicing calligraphy and reading, first Bian Guidang, then Li Shaoyou, and now Feng Dao—in the dead of winter, none of them were being lazy.

Hearing his tone, Zhang Dejun ventured: "Shall I decline Chancellor Feng's audience?"

Since ascending the throne, Liu Chengyou had never once refused to see a minister, so he answered directly: "Summon him!"

"Your servant Feng Dao—"

"Spare me!" Facing the old fox Feng Dao's bow, Liu Chengyou simply waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit—old arms and old legs, after all.

Liu Chengyou was equally direct: "What brings you here, Minister Feng?"

At the question, a joyful hint showed through the humble smile on Feng Dao's old face, though he still took a moment to marshal his words, circling around the point: "Your Majesty, since the passing of Consort Geng, no new person has entered the palace, leaving the inner court empty—Your Majesty has only His Majesty and the Noble Consort to attend you. Now, Your Majesty has but one son, the eldest prince Xu—the bloodline is truly thin, which does not bode well for the succession of the realm......"

Liu Chengyou's expression immediately turned displeased, and he cast a flat glance at the old fox: "I am not yet twenty years of age. You ministers are always telling me I am in the prime of life and urging me to curb my impatience—now to speak of succession is far too early!"

The Son of Heaven seemed displeased, but Feng Dao was not flustered; maintaining his composure, he clasped his hands and said: "If the imperial branch does not flourish, it ultimately harms the consolidation of the state's foundation. This old minister merely suggests that Your Majesty's palace ought to be filled with some new faces."

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou swept his gaze seriously over the old fox and straightened up: "Minister Feng, what is your real purpose? Speak plainly—no need for circling!"

Meeting Liu Chengyou's gaze, Feng Dao finally came out with it: "I report to Your Majesty: the Military Governor of the Yong'an Army, Zhe Congruan, has a granddaughter named Saihua—of upright appearance and remarkable wit and strategy. Having accompanied Grand Commandant Zhe to the capital this time, Your Majesty might consider taking her into the palace......"

Hearing Feng Dao say this, Liu Chengyou was not overly surprised; he wore an expression of understanding. This old fox—he'd actually come to play matchmaker for him.

Still, an image immediately surfaced in his mind: at the winter solstice banquet that day, the young maiden seated beside Zhe Congruan—her spirited bearing, her pretty face faintly flushed with wine. He still remembered it.

A trace of contemplation appeared on Liu Chengyou's face. Feng Dao said nothing more, merely waiting quietly for Liu Chengyou to consider.

Glancing up at Feng Dao—this old fox had actually taken the initiative to raise the matter, which was hardly in keeping with his usual style.

"Has Duke Zhe paid a visit to your home, Minister Feng?" Liu Chengyou asked.

At the question, a flicker of surprise showed in Feng Dao's old eyes, and he answered with a bow: "I dare not hide it from Your Majesty—Grand Commandant Zhe did indeed call on me, entrusting me with this matter of persuasion. I deemed it beneficial to the state and the realm, so I dared not decline."

Feng Dao's words were certainly well put.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou nodded slightly and said leisurely: "No wonder Duke Zhe brought his young lady with him on this visit to the capital......"