Chapter 38: Reward

When that minor clash at the northern outpost occurred, Liu Chengyou was in Murong Yanzhao's tent conversing with him. A famous general is a famous general—in not much time at all, this newly formed Fourth Army of the Longqi had been drilled into respectable shape by him. Though not yet a strong force, it had begun to take form.

Hearing that Prefect Xue Qiong was personally escorting supplies to the camp, Liu Chengyou was somewhat surprised. While sending men to receive the goods, he personally received Xue Qiong in his military tent.

Back when he first came south, Liu Chengyou had already met Xue Qiong. This man's reputation among the common folk was not good—hot-tempered by nature, overbearing in conduct, harsh toward his subordinates, greedy for wealth, and his relatives frequently oppressed the good and honest.

However, to be fair, despite all these faults, under Xue Qiong's governance, the people of Liaozhou enjoyed relative peace. The common folk were not prosperous, but their days were still passable. In this era of unending war, for ordinary commoners, being able to get by was already something to hope for, so under Xue Qiong's rule, the prefecture remained fairly tranquil.

And during the years of Xue Qiong's governance, the treasuries of Liaozhou gradually grew, and he had remitted a considerable amount to Jinyang, earning Liu Zhiyuan's favor. When Liu Chengyou led his army south, he relied heavily on Xue Qiong for logistical support. Such a man of practical ability was enough to make Liu Chengyou overlook those faults.

Moreover, those faults were hardly major problems. Compared to those officials and generals who fattened themselves at public expense and squeezed the people without restraint, this Xue Qiong still had some "bottom line." So Liu Chengyou's attitude toward Xue Qiong was fairly amicable.

"Your Highness, the supplies I have brought this time include twelve carts of aged grain, three carts of rice and flour, five carts of clothing and footwear, three carts of fodder, two carts of oil, wax, and miscellaneous goods, and over a dozen pigs and sheep... As for wine and spirits, owing to Your Highness's military orders, I did not dare bring any." In the military tent, Xue Qiong personally reported to Liu Chengyou.

The boost of status was considerable. Before Liu Chengyou, Xue Qiong showed not a trace of arrogance—humble and deferential, his eyes darting furtively toward Liu Chengyou as he spoke. Unfortunately, all he could see was that excessively calm face.

After hearing him out, Liu Chengyou nodded, paused for a moment, then said flatly: "Much obliged, Governor Xue."

"I dare not presume—all of it is my duty." Xue Qiong hurriedly replied.

"Counting it up, this is already the fourth delivery of supplies!" Liu Chengyou wore a contemplative expression, pondered for a moment, then asked: "This has already exceeded what Jinyang's dispatch requires, hasn't it..."

"Your Highness is most perceptive." Upon hearing this, Xue Qiong wore a fawning smile on his face and explained: "This time, I purchased the goods with funds from Liaozhou's own treasury, and additionally, the prefecture's notable families and traveling merchants made donations to aid the great army."

A flicker passed through his calm eyes, and his appraising gaze once again fell upon the man. That cold, probing stare was easily capable of causing discomfort. When Xue Qiong had grown visibly ill at ease, Liu Chengyou said slowly: "Governor Xue, you've been thoughtful."

"Your Highness leads the tiger divisions of Hedong to chastise the Khitan, rescuing the myriad people from fire and water. We subordinates naturally should exert ourselves fully to support the royal army!" These grand, righteous words rolled off Xue Qiong's tongue quite smoothly.

But Liu Chengyou had no interest in listening to such empty rhetoric. He also knew full well in his heart that those Liaozhou notables who had donated wealth were probably not doing so voluntarily. Perhaps Xue Qiong had even skimmed off a portion for himself. However, Liu Chengyou had no intention of digging deeper into the matter.

After thinking it over, Liu Chengyou said: "Governor Xue has worked hard! The camp is not convenient for entertaining—please rest at Siting Town."

"Yes!" Xue Qiong was quick to take the hint: "This subordinate will take his leave."

But as he was about to withdraw, his feet made no move to go, while his face deliberately displayed a somewhat hesitant expression.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou said casually: "Does the Governor have anything else?"

"May I ask who commands the Fourth Army of the Longqi?" Xue Qiong inquired.

At a gesture from Liu Chengyou, Murong Yanzhao stepped forward and clasped his hands toward Xue Qiong: "This general is Murong Yanzhao."

Looking Murong Yanzhao up and down twice, Xue Qiong said with a light laugh: "General Murong governs his troops well, and the officers and men under your command are all devoted to their duties. This subordinate is truly filled with admiration."

Hearing this, Murong Yanzhao looked somewhat surprised, puzzled by the praise, and responded: "The Governor flatters me—this general is unworthy of such praise."

But Liu Chengyou detected something meaningful in the words and spoke up: "Governor Xue's words seem to carry an undertone—speak plainly."

Xue Qiong's expression changed at once. He made a deep bow to Liu Chengyou and, in a resentful tone, poured out his grievances, recounting the incident at the northern outpost inspection.

After hearing his account, Liu Chengyou's brows knitted slightly. He turned his head and instructed Murong Yanzhao: "Go investigate whether things are as Governor Xue says."

"Yes!" Murong Yanzhao shot a glance at Xue Qiong and departed on the order.

Noticing that Liu Chengyou's expression seemed to have taken on a hint of sternness, Xue Qiong felt a secret joy and continued indignantly: "I can understand military regulations and discipline. Outsiders and suspicious persons naturally ought to be carefully inspected to guard against the unexpected. But the men escorting supplies from the prefecture have come and gone more than once—why must they be searched every single time? Is this not a superfluous act, deliberately making things difficult? And even after I identified myself, that Captain Yang Ye and his subordinates still subjected me to humiliation and even uttered threats..."

"Before troops move, provisions go first. I can endure a little grievance myself, but the supplies I transport concern military matters and the conduct of war. If delays cause us to miss the appointed time, I could not bear the responsibility. Moreover, if every soldier of the Longqi were like this, I fear they would ruin Your Highness's reputation..."

Liu Chengyou silently listened to Xue Qiong's complaints, only seeming to snap back to attention when he finished. After a brief deliberation, he raised a hand in reassurance: "Your subordinates indeed went too far. Governor Xue has been wronged. Here's what we'll do—go rest at Siting Town for now. Once I've investigated the matter thoroughly, I will certainly give you a satisfactory answer!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Having received Liu Chengyou's affirmative reply, Xue Qiong took his leave with good grace this time.

After he withdrew, Liu Chengyou blinked rapidly a few times and said flatly: "Only now do I learn that I actually have some reputation..."

"Your Highness's name has long resounded throughout Hedong—of course you have a reputation." Zhang Yanwei chimed in with a chuckle.

Before long, Murong Yanzhao returned, made a salute, and reported: "Your Highness, this general sought out Yang Ye and asked—everything is as Prefect Xue stated."

"This Captain Yang—his name is known abroad, and his nerve is indeed considerable!" Liu Chengyou's tone carried a hint of amusement.

The Fourth Army was one of those "born deficient"—its strength was barely over five hundred men, so it directly commanded four hundred-man units. Among the four captains, Yang Ye was the most fierce and brave, and the First Company he led was also the strongest in combat power. Yang Ye's reputation had already grown quite loud within the Fourth Army.

Unable to quite gauge Liu Chengyou's attitude, Murong Yanzhao couldn't help but speak in defense: "Your Highness, Yang Ye strictly obeys military orders and is devoted to his duties. If anything, it's that Prefect Xue who was arrogant at first and deferential later, and he nearly forced his way into the camp..."

Seeing Murong Yanzhao's tone grow somewhat urgent, Liu Chengyou waved his hand to stop him, drew a breath, and turned to ask Guo Rong, who stood in attendance: "What do you make of this matter?"

"As Xue Qiong said—if every soldier of the Longqi were like this, then... there is nowhere in the realm they could not go!" Guo Rong answered with certainty, unable to conceal his approval.

"How should Yang Ye be dealt with?"

"Why speak of dealing with him? Yang Ye and his men—Your Highness should reward them!" Guo Rong picked up Liu Chengyou's words and clasped his fists solemnly.

"Then reward them!" Liu Chengyou interjected decisively, even faster.

At this point, Zhang Yanwei spoke up to remind Liu Chengyou: "Your Highness, you just promised Xue Qiong that you would give him an answer."

"That's easily handled!" Liu Chengyou said: "Reward him as well."

"What does Your Highness plan to reward?" Zhang Yanwei asked with some curiosity.

"For Yang Ye and his men, Commander Murong will prepare some meat rations and, on my behalf, offer consolation and commendation!"

Pausing briefly, Liu Chengyou stroked his smooth-shaven chin and pondered for a moment, then looked at Guo Rong: "As for Xue Qiong, later on, take a draft of the Longqi military code and deliver it to him!"

Hearing Liu Chengyou's arrangement, the three men in the tent exchanged glances, and soon, faint smiles appeared on their faces.

"Yes!"