Chapter 349: Winter Northern Inspection

"Bring out that padded jacket too, and pack it for His Majesty..." In the Kunming Hall, the elder Lady Fu stood with her back arched and belly thrust out, directing the palace maids with a wave of her hand, her face full of enthusiasm.

Liu Chengyou sat to one side, holding a steaming teacup in his hand, taking an occasional sip as he watched his Empress: "No need for such trouble. For the imperial supplies on the northern journey, the various bureaus have already made preparations. This northern inspection is not a pleasure trip—keep everything simple, no need for excess baggage..."

"Winter has already set in; the world is bleak and cold, the chill piercing flesh and bone. I don't care about anything else, but this jacket must be brought along." The elder Lady Fu took a white fleece jacket from a maidservant and personally handed it to Liu Chengyou.

Liu Chengyou took it casually, felt it—the texture was very comfortable, the materials and craftsmanship quite refined. The beautiful palace attendant beside him, who had served the elder Lady Fu for a long time, couldn't help interjecting: "This lady spent nearly half a year personally sewing this for His Majesty. Every stitch, every thread, every bit of fleece carries the lady's heartfelt devotion..."

This palace attendant's tone carried a hint of resentment, and her gaze toward Liu Chengyou held a faint trace of melancholy. She had come as part of Lady Fu's dowry from the Fu family. Initially, she had naturally harbored certain expectations, but now nearly two full years had passed, and Liu Chengyou hadn't so much as touched her—he seemed to have absolutely no interest in her at all...

And that was indeed the truth—Liu Chengyou truly hadn't paid her any attention.

"Mind your tongue!" The elder Lady Fu's willow brows curved slightly as she lightly scolded, though a hint of pride and satisfaction surfaced on her jade-like face.

He drew the Empress over to sit beside him, wrapped an arm around her waist, gently stroked her belly, and said in a very soft tone: "Your body is in a delicate condition—how could such mundane matters require your personal effort?"

The jacket was already finished, so Liu Chengyou's words were more like comfort, an acknowledgment and praise of her hard work. The elder Lady Fu clearly felt this, and in her water-like eyes, the gentle tenderness grew even more moving.

Though winter had arrived with bitter cold, Liu Chengyou, restless in stillness, had conceived the idea of a northern inspection. Once the thought took hold, he could no longer contain it, and at the Beginning of Winter court assembly, he announced his decision to tour the north.

Choosing such a season to go north was clearly not for sightseeing—it carried strong political purpose. First, over the past two years, the prefectures of Hebei had suffered continuous disasters, and the people were in great hardship. Liu Chengyou, in his dignity as Son of Heaven, went north intending to comfort the scholars and common folk, to reassure the military and the people. The people of Hebei needed to bask in the majesty and grace of the Qianyou Son of Heaven up close.

Second, the strategy for the southern campaign was set, but the north could not be neglected—indeed, the importance of the north outweighed that of the south. Without a sufficiently secure rear environment, how could Liu Chengyou focus entirely on matters to the south?

In northern affairs, the foremost concern was the Khitan. Against the overlord of the grasslands, Liu Chengyou currently had no means and could exert no influence, but internally, he could reorganize and adjust—especially the northern border defenses, which needed to be restructured.

The Great Han's border deployment in Hebei had been established back when Liu Chengyou went south, and it was rather crude even then. Given the current situation, major rectification and reinforcement were needed to prepare for the southern campaign.

Liu Chengyou's plan was to rebuild a sufficiently formidable defense line within the next two years. But the specifics would require him to go north and personally survey the military situation in Hebei—especially along the Chengde and Hengshai front—before making decisions.

Liu Chengyou's mind wandered as he spoke. Seeing this, the elder Lady Fu took no offense, simply sitting quietly at his side, waiting in silence without disturbing him.

Only when Liu Chengyou came back to himself and noticed this did he give the elder Lady Fu an apologetic look, then raised a hand to rub his face and sighed: "The realm has suffered from prolonged warfare. I am committed to ending hostilities and letting the people rest, but Heaven has not cooperated—disasters continue unabated, and Hebei has been hit hardest. Therefore, to reassure the people and revive their spirits, I must carry out this winter inspection."

This was Liu Chengyou taking the initiative to explain his actions to the elder Lady Fu. Such favor, for her, was more important than honeyed words and endless rewards.

"Erlang's heart is with the realm, his mind embraces all under Heaven—I understand." The elder Lady Fu wore a look of virtuous understanding, expressing her support for Liu Chengyou. She did not try to dissuade him with objective difficulties like harsh weather or difficult roads. The extra words she spoke were merely words of concern—urging him to take care of his health, beware of catching cold, and the like...

"It's just that I cannot accompany Erlang north and serve at your side." As she said this, a trace of regret crept into the elder Lady Fu's tone.

"There will be opportunities in the future!" Seeing this, Liu Chengyou said warmly, taking her hand: "Stay in the Eastern Capital and take good care of yourself and the child. Every day, pay respects to the Empress Dowager on my behalf!"

"Yes!" The elder Lady Fu acknowledged, her jade-like hand instinctively touching her protruding belly, a maternal air radiating from her brow, with a hint of solemnity.

"Hmm..." After a moment's deliberation, the elder Lady Fu looked at Liu Chengyou and suggested: "Erlang, when you go, bring Lady Zhe along, so she can attend to you."

Surprised by this, Liu Chengyou tilted his head to look at his Empress, whose reasonable and understanding countenance showed complete openness. The look of surprise flickered across his face only briefly before vanishing. He said nothing more, merely pressing her hand gently.

After Liu Chengyou left, the elder Lady Fu's expression shifted somewhat, becoming more restrained. The palace attendant beside her opened her mouth to speak but was stopped by a wave of her hand. Reflecting on the conversation just past, a confident curve lifted the corner of her mouth.

Leaving the Kunming Hall, with palace eunuchs leading the way and guards following, Liu Chengyou strolled leisurely between the palace buildings. His usually grave countenance was, for once, considerably more relaxed. Whether or not it came from the heart, Lady Fu indeed possessed the bearing and insight befitting an empress, which pleased Liu Chengyou greatly. As for the occasional jealousy she revealed, it did not irritate him—rather, it made her seem more real. Intelligent, virtuous, knowing when to advance and retreat, able to grasp the bigger picture—to achieve such a level was rare indeed. Fu Yanqing had truly raised a fine daughter.

"Your Majesty, shall we return to Chongzheng Hall, or...?" Seeing Liu Chengyou's aimless manner, Zhang Dejun, who now was almost inseparable from Liu Chengyou, took the initiative to ask.

Liu Chengyou stopped in his tracks, looked around, and instructed: "Let's go to Noble Consort Gao's place!"

"Yes!" Zhang Dejun immediately ordered the change of route and led the way.

Before heading north, having spent time with the Empress, he could not show favoritism—he had to visit the Noble Consort as well. Behind the Empress and the consort stood the Fu and Gao families, two military commands, and both fathers-in-law provided considerable support to the court in guarding their regions. Liu Chengyou did not want any unfavorable rumors spreading from within the palace.

On the wuzhen day (the ninth day) of the tenth month of winter in the second year of Qianyou, Liu Chengyou's imperial carriage departed the Eastern Capital, heading north on an inspection tour.

This inspection prioritized efficiency, with a simplified retinue. Everything reflected Liu Chengyou's frugal style—apart from Worthy Consort Lady Zhe and a small number of necessary attendants, he brought no one else.

Among the court officials, Chancellor Yang Bin and Li Tao, along with Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs Wang Jun, accompanied the imperial carriage. Everyone Liu Chengyou brought was chosen with specific purpose. As for the escort troops, he selected only three thousand cavalry from the Tieqi Army of the Palace Command. Rising stars of the imperial army such as Gao Huaide, Zhao Yanjin, Zhao Kuangyin, and Zhang Yongde were permitted to accompany the carriage, and Murong Yanzhao, who had returned to the capital to serve as Chief Commander of the Longqi Army, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the field headquarters.