Chapter 374: Leaving the Palace

In the early summer month, the revived earth seemed to mirror the revived Great Han dynasty. The Eastern Capital, compared to the same time in previous years, also showed visible changes. Carriages and horses flowed like water, crowds moved like weaving shuttles, voices surged like tides... Of course, it wasn't quite that exaggerated, but it was certainly much livelier.

Since the northern market opened at the hour of Chen, Liu Chengyou had been present in a pavilion within it, staring at an ordinary street below to observe the people's spirit. He stood for nearly an hour, his face numb, his gaze as calm as an ancient well, standing as straight as a wooden stake.

"Brother, what exactly is so unusual about those two shops? It's been almost a whole morning..." Beside him, the Prince of Huaiyang, Liu Chenghsun, who had been summoned to accompany him, muttered quietly.

In these past two or three years, Liu Chenghsun had grown considerably, especially in height—standing together, he now already slightly surpassed his imperial elder brother. Since being enfeoffed as a prince with his own establishment, his formerly restless nature had somewhat reined itself in. According to the reports Liu Chengyou received, he stayed mostly in his residence, studying literature and practicing martial arts without neglect.

However, he was still young after all, and a temperament was not so easily changed. When palace attendants delivered the summons at dawn, saying the Emperor called him to accompany the imperial outing, though somewhat puzzled, he had come full of enthusiasm. Yet the result was that a whole group of people stood around accompanying him...

"What, can't stand any longer?" Hearing Liu Chenghsun's "complaint," Liu Chengyou's expression relaxed slightly as he asked softly.

"No!" Upon the question, Liu Chenghsun reflexively denied it, then chuckled: "It's just that, for me, standing for an hour is more tiring than riding for an hour!"

"If you're tired, then find somewhere to rest!" Liu Chengyou's words were not directed at Liu Chenghsun alone.

Among those accompanying him, besides palace eunuchs and close ministers, there was also Hou Yi, the Governor of Kaifeng. Hearing the Son of Heaven's "considerate" words, the others made no move; only this old man cupped his hands in apology: "This old minister's aged legs truly cannot endure such hardship. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

Having said this, he was not the least bit constrained, sitting down cross-legged directly, stroking his whitening beard while his gaze continued through the railing toward the street. Although he too did not understand what was unusual about a silk shop and a porcelain store. Unable to figure it out, but this old man took things in stride—at most he would send someone to investigate afterward.

Observing Hou Yi's magnanimous behavior, Liu Chengyou raised his eyebrows slightly, indeed not minding. This old man Hou Yi, though lacking in learning, certainly had a way with officialdom, handling people and matters with just the right measure. Thinking back, since leaving his post in Fengxiang and coming east to Kaifeng, it seemed he had never once incurred the Emperor's displeasure.

"Do you remember, since they opened, how many people have entered each of those two shops, and how many commercial transactions each has completed?" Liu Chengyou suddenly asked Liu Chenghsun.

"I don't know." Startled by the sudden question, Liu Chenghsun looked utterly bewildered.

"None of you know?" Liu Chengyou turned his head to ask the others.

All remained silent. Wang Qiwu saw no need to steal this thunder, but Zhang Yongde, who bore guard duties, carefully offered a few figures—clearly this young guard had been attentive and thorough.

Liu Chengyou's imperial bodyguard commanders rotated continuously, both to win loyalty up close and to cultivate talent. When their time was up, they were transferred or sent out to be tempered—this had now become a pattern. Such as Li Chongju before, while Zhao Kuangyin had been dispatched by Liu Chengyou to Suzhou, holding the post of Militia Commissioner. That place was very close to the Southern Tang's territory north of the Yangtze!

"After standing this long, are we just going to keep staring blankly?" Shooting an approving glance at the new guard captain, Liu Chengyou's tone suddenly turned stern as he questioned Liu Chenghsun, chilling the air around them by several degrees.

Liu Chenghsun subconsciously lowered his head, stammering twice but unable to produce words.

"Our late father founded the Great Han through hardship and toil. As a member of the Great Han imperial house, you are no longer young. This rivers-and-mountains realm also needs your strength to guard..." Reciting these platitudes came easily to Liu Chengyou.

"When you leave the residence on ordinary days, don't just focus on riding and hunting. Go wander the markets more often, observe the myriad conditions of the people!" Liu Chengyou said in a lecturing tone, pointing at the shops along the street: "These are not peaceful times yet—there is no room for the slightest slack. I am the same. Only when all trades flourish in these streets will I dare to relax even a little!"

"Yes!" Pouting slightly, Liu Chenghsun answered with some reluctance. But faced with his sovereign elder brother's authority, his expression dared go no further than that.

Liu Chengyou had left the palace today, of course, not merely to bring his imperial brother standing on the street to lecture him. Stretching his limbs a bit, Liu Chengyou asked his close eunuch Zhang Dejun: "What time is it?"

Zhang Dejun had clearly been keeping track of the time, and immediately replied: "Reporting to His Majesty, it's almost time!"

"Then let's go!" Liu Chengyou said.

But he stopped Liu Chenghsun and instructed him: "You needn't follow. You haven't been to the palace in several days—go pay your respects to Mother afterward. Do I need to teach you filial piety?"

Another round of lecturing, and Liu Chenghsun had grown accustomed to it.

However, Liu Chengyou's attitude then shifted abruptly, becoming gentle, a slight smile at the corner of his mouth: "At Mother's place, there's a happy matter waiting for you!"

Patting his younger brother's shoulder, Liu Chengyou ordered someone to lead the bewildered young Prince of Huaiyang away.

Briefly glancing at his youthful, robust departing figure, Liu Chengyou finally moved his somewhat aching legs. Before leaving, he left behind a question: "Those beggars in tattered clothes who can hardly find a single meal—how many are there within the Eastern Capital?"

Following Liu Chengyou's pointing finger, one could spot at a glance among the fairly clean streets the "beggars" the Son of Heaven spoke of. Poverty, hunger, destitution—several vivid words seemed to hang above their heads.

After Liu Chengyou departed under the protection of his guards, an official of the Kaifeng administration who had been fortunate enough to accompany let out a big breath and asked Hou Yi in confusion: "Governor, what does His Majesty mean by this?"

Hou Yi gripped the railing, twisted his neck slightly, and muttered while pondering: "The Son of Heaven wants this old man to deal with these paupers!"

Hearing this, his subordinate's eyes lit up and he immediately said: "These base commoners, not engaging in production but instead coming to the capital to beg for food—truly detestable. Should we send men to drive all such people out of the Eastern Capital?"

Hearing this suggestion, Hou Yi's old eyebrows twitched. He barely suppressed the urge to slap this subordinate, a flash of anger in his eyes as he rebuked: "Foolish! If we did that, we'd be waiting for His Majesty's thunderous wrath! His Majesty loves the people so..."

"This subordinate is foolish!" The subordinate felt a chill at the back of his neck as realization dawned.

"Then how should we handle it?"

Clearly, this question stumped Hou Yi. Tugging at his old whiskers, he pondered for a good while before saying: "Send men to gather these 'beggars' in the city together. For the young and strong, give them a meal and send them to work at the docks and mines. As for the women, children, elderly, and infirm, temporarily distribute some grain to relieve them. As for afterward... we'll see afterward!"

"If so, the atmosphere of the Eastern Capital will surely be renewed!" The subordinate immediately flattered.

Yet no pride showed on Hou Yi's old face. He only shook his head, sighing inwardly—this position of Governor of Kaifeng was not easy to hold. This old man was already pondering whether he should submit a memorial requesting resignation...

As for the Prince of Huaiyang, Liu Chenghsun, following Liu Chengyou's arrangement, entered the palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager Lady Li before returning to his residence.

The moment he returned to the prince's residence, he directly asked the household staff: "Is the Grand Tutor here?"

"In the study!"

The study of the Prince of Huaiyang's residence was where Liu Chenghsun usually read. His Grand Tutor, Li Song, whom Liu Chengyou had selected for him, was currently inside writing by hand.

Liu Chenghsun came to find him, and the master and disciple sat facing each other. He immediately poured out to Li Song the "grievances" he had suffered while accompanying the Emperor.

Hearing this, Li Song took a different attitude, advising Liu Chenghsun: "What His Majesty said is quite right. Your Highness should know that His Majesty, at his youthful age, maintains the Great Han's rivers and mountains—it is truly not easy. As his imperial younger brother, you should be considerate of your sovereign elder brother!"

"Moreover, His Majesty's strictness toward Your Highness, his teaching by both word and example—this is precisely his regard for you..."

Soon, another round of lecturing from Li Song followed. Having grown mostly accustomed to it, though his head felt swollen, his mood had improved considerably.

"By the way, there's another matter I'd like to consult the Grand Tutor on?"

"Your Highness, please speak freely."

Somewhat embarrassed, with a hint of hesitation, Liu Chenghsun said to Li Song: "When I went to the palace to pay respects to Mother, I learned from her that she wishes to select a princess consort for me..."