Chapter 325: Holding Court

On the day of jiashen (the tenth day of the month), the imperial carriage arrived in the capital. As usual, Liu Chengyou had issued an edict in advance, decreeing that the civil and military officials of the Eastern Capital need not come out to welcome him. Liu Chengyou wanted to return to the palace quietly, but there was simply no way to keep it low-key. The Iron Cavalry and Dragon Rest two guard corps circled the city back to their camps, but the Fengchen Army that accompanied the carriage back to the imperial city still drew plenty of attention, telling the scholars and commoners of the Eastern Capital that the Emperor had returned to the capital.

Entering the imperial city and passing through the palace gates, the Emperor and Empress each returned to their own halls, while Liu Chengyou went straight back to Chuigong Hall.

Chuigong Hall was also as usual, appearing to have no changes that would displease Liu Chengyou. Having governed from here for nearly a year, this hall had been stamped with the mark of Liu Chengyou.

"Your Majesty, is something amiss?" Seeing Liu Chengyou standing before the hall with his hands behind his back, looking up, Zhang Dejun could not help but step forward to inquire of the imperial intent.

Liu Chengyou's attention was fixed on the plaque above. He stood there for a long while, then raised a finger and ordered: "Send word to the Palace Construction Directorate—change the plaque and rename this hall!"

At the Son of Heaven's command, Zhang Dejun did not hesitate or show any sign of confusion, but took the initiative to ask: "May I ask what name Your Majesty wishes to change it to?"

Liu Chengyou said directly: "Rename the hall Chongzheng!"

Liu Chengyou had long harbored displeasure with this hall's name in his heart; it was just that the feeling of aversion was strongest at this moment, so he took care of it along the way. Liu Chengyou did not like the two characters "Chuigong." With effortless governance, the Emperor would have a much easier time, but this was not the time for that. Although it was only changing a plaque and altering two characters, it was still a political signal.

The hall was momentarily in a quiet bustle of activity, as the palace eunuchs who had accompanied the carriage out of the capital put away the imperial belongings, moving very lightly for fear of disturbing Liu Chengyou.

Liu Chengyou sat behind the imperial desk, stroking the dragon-patterned armrests that had long since become familiar, sweeping his gaze over the familiar scene laid out before him in the hall, and could not help but feel at ease. Although Liu Chengyou occasionally made a show of complaining about being confined in the deep palace and cut off by high walls, in truth, it was only in this palace hall that the feeling of presiding over the realm felt more real.

"Your Majesty, the ministers are waiting outside the hall for your summons!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou put down a memorial in his hand, one concerning the situation in Youzhou. To put it simply, the Prince of Yan, Zhao Kuangzan, had again submitted a request for money and grain. Liu Chengyou's state of mind was already calm enough—if Zhao Kuangzan asked frequently, he did not mind; it would be worse if he were crying and screaming. There was already Wang Zhang's endorsement, as usual, giving out stingily...

"Summon them!"

"Yes!"

His Majesty was about to receive the ministers for court discussions and could not be disturbed, so Zhang Dejun hurriedly gestured to the several eunuchs still finishing up the arrangements in the hall, waving his hands with the same brisk motion as shooing away flies.

"Your subjects respectfully welcome Your Majesty back to the capital!"

Of the ministers who came to pay their respects, whether or not they had accompanied the carriage, all those bearing the title of Chief Minister had come. In addition, several military commanders such as Shang Hongqian, Bai Wenke, and Li Hongxin were also present.

"Rise!" Toward these civil and military elder ministers who now stood at the pinnacle of power in the Great Han, Liu Chengyou still maintained a very respectful demeanor on the surface.

"This time, escorting the late Emperor's coffin south, I was absent from court. I rely on you gentlemen to uphold the governance of the state, handling urgent matters, so that superiors and subordinates remain harmonious and all affairs run smoothly!" Liu Chengyou praised the ministers who had remained behind, such as Wang Zhang, Feng Dao, Zhao Ying, and Wang Jun.

It was just a few words, but they eased the atmosphere between ruler and ministers. This trip out of the capital had taken more than twenty days round trip. In his absence, the situation in the Eastern Capital had been very stable, and the ministers' governance had been fairly good—Liu Chengyou had already learned this much.

"How are the memorial rites for the late Emperor proceeding in the capital?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"In reply to Your Majesty, Gaozu's spirit tablet has been placed in the ancestral temple, awaiting the hall sacrifice!" Feng Dao said.

Regarding Liu Zhiyuan's funeral, there were still some subsequent memorial rites, but these were no longer of concern to Liu Chengyou. He gave them a brief glance and moved on.

Sweeping his gaze over Feng Dao and the other chancellors who had remained in the capital, he said calmly: "During my absence from the capital, all memorials approved by the Secretariat-Chancellery—bring them out. I will select a few to review!"

Feng Dao and the others exchanged glances. This Son of Heaven, just back at court, was already eagerly beginning to gather power again. Though such thoughts stirred in their minds, their expressions did not change, and they clasped their hands in response: "Yes!"

As if he could see the unease in their hearts, Liu Chengyou slightly raised his sleeve: "My trip south meant few mundane affairs weighed on me, and I enjoyed the ease of it, leaving you gentlemen to bear the burden. If one relaxes for too long, I fear one might become negligent and slow in governance!"

"Your Majesty is diligent!"

Facing this flattery, Liu Chengyou wore a serene expression, then looked at the assembled ministers again and said: "From the various ministries and offices, present the important matters!"

This was to hold court and hear governance. The air in the hall grew slightly heavier. Wang Zhang rose and reported: "Your Majesty, after the Beginning of Spring, the court issued orders urging all circuits, prefectures, and counties to carry out the encouragement of farming. Your subjects selected official clerks and censors to inspect the Central Plains. According to their reports, the spring planting in each prefecture has been carried out well!"

"The great foundation of the state lies in agriculture and farming!" Liu Chengyou nodded, expressing satisfaction: "The state has suffered years of continuous warfare, with lands left barren and farming neglected. Only now have we gained a moment of peace. Without three years, the common people will hardly be able to recover their strength. For the next three to five years, agriculture remains the top priority of the Great Han. The central government and the localities, officials at all levels inside and out, must not relax or slacken!"

"Issue orders to the local governments of all regions to actively allocate and deploy all plows, seeds, and draft oxen, ensuring they are put to full use! As for the military colony farming in each prefecture, have the various commissioners fulfill their duties responsibly..."

"Yes!"

"Oh, right!" Pausing slightly, Liu Chengyou looked toward Feng Dao, whose old back had bent a few more degrees: "How is the promotion of the curved-shaft plow going?"

The invention and use of the curved-shaft plow represented the development of agricultural technology reaching a new height. Being light, labor-saving, flexible to maneuver, and convenient for turning soil, it greatly benefited farming and improved efficiency.

However, since the late Tang, with frequent warfare, advanced farming implements had indeed appeared, but in terms of promotion, they were at a backward stage, especially in the northern regions. Moreover, the technology of the curved-shaft plow had been continuously improved over the course of dozens to a hundred years, and by now, it could barely be described as mature.

According to investigations, in the Southern Tang, the application of the "Jiangdong plow" was already very widespread. Previously, Liu Chengyou had issued an edict to promote the curved-shaft plow in the northern prefectures. Of course, unlike the small-area paddy fields of the south, when transplanted to the north, the design and casting of the curved plow were continuously being improved to suit the characteristics of northern land. Since the beginning of last year, the court had been handling this matter.

Hearing Liu Chengyou ask about it, Feng Dao still pondered for a moment before answering: "Your Majesty, the local governments have been urged, but the promotion of the new plow cannot show results overnight. The common farmers cannot afford to replace their plows in a short time either, though the wealthy households already have sufficient use of them. In the half year since, the court has manufactured more than seven thousand new plows, which have been distributed to the military colonies in various regions. Your subjects propose to manufacture public plows and carry out the matter of renting and selling them to the people to benefit the farmers..."

Listening to his introduction, Liu Chengyou nodded, with no sign of impatience on his face. The promotion of technology was never something that could be accomplished with a single decree; it required time, and even more, financial resources.

Liu Chengyou instructed: "Regarding the promotion of the new plow and the matter of renting and selling, draft a proposal and have it deliberated at court assembly. Be sure to seek methods that will prove effective!"

"Yes!"