Chapter 385: The Old General Takes the Field

The peak of joy never lasts long, and as the tide receded, the atmosphere in Saihua Hall fell with it. Though all present were relatives, gazing upon the Son of Heaven's expressionless face, they could not help but feel uneasy at heart.

"The Worthy Consort and her son should not be disturbed further. Let us disperse here; we shall gather later at Jiying Hall for the family banquet!" Liu Chengyou flicked his robe and instructed the assembled crowd.

"Yes!"

"Your month of confinement has just passed, and the Fourth Young Lord is after all but an infant, not fit to be shown about too much. Take good care of yourself..." Holding the young Lady Zhe's hand in his own, Liu Chengyou said gently.

The young Lady Zhe broke into a smile and nodded: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Instinctively she tightened the swaddling clothes around the imperial prince to keep him from catching cold, her jade-like eyes brimming with maternal radiance.

Looking up at Liu Chengyou, then pointing at the considerable number of congratulatory gifts in the hall, she said softly: "These gold, jade, and precious treasures serve no purpose sitting in the hall. Better to present them to the state treasury, to enrich the national coffers."

Utter sincerity—Liu Chengyou could be certain this was no flattery on the young lady's part. He sighed inwardly, yet his voice remained gentle: "These are the heartfelt gifts of relatives and elders. Keep them."

Only then did the young Lady Zhe nod. Sweeping her gaze over those glittering, jewel-laden objects, she already harbored the thought of finding a treasure chest and locking them away in a loft, for she knew that Liu Chengyou in truth did not care for such extravagant playthings.

Glancing toward the side chamber, Empress Dowager Li was over there conversing with several maternal uncles—especially Li Hongxin and his two companions, who had just been stripped of office and power. The atmosphere appeared quite harmonious. Edging closer and straining his ears, he could not hear clearly, but the gist of what drifted over still set Liu Chengyou's mind at ease.

Lady Li was soothing his uncles on his behalf, setting their worries to rest...

He gave Zhe Congruan a look, and the old minister understood, following Liu Chengyou out of the hall. Strolling along the palace corridors, palace eunuchs and maids guarded them front and back, shielding them from wind and snow.

Both the Fu and Gao fathers-in-law had received favors, and Liu Chengyou naturally would not forget Zhe Congruan. Compared to the Fu and Gao families, Liu Chengyou actually felt a greater warmth toward Lord Zhe. For, weighing all factors, Lord Zhe was far inferior to the Fu and Gao lords in every respect. Lacking the immense influence of those two great military clans, Zhe Congruan was all the more likely to earn Liu Chengyou's trust.

Thereafter, Zhe Congruan was transferred from Fuzhou into the Central Plains, succeeding Fu Yanqing as Military Governor of Yanzhou—at least on the surface, a great favor to his old father-in-law, after all moving from a barren borderland to a major prefecture in the Central Plains. Moreover, under Fu Yanqing's governance, Yanzhou could be said to enjoy harmonious administration and contented people, with healthy recovery and development. For Zhe Congruan to come here was essentially to retire in comfort and ease.

Only—he had been transferred away from his old stronghold...

Of course, Liu Chengyou had not made it too obvious. After Zhe Congruan left his post, he directly appointed Zhe Deyi—a father-in-law he had never yet met—as successor, maintaining the Zhe clan's rule and influence over Fuzhou, while also granting ranks and titles, proclaiming to all under heaven his trust and regard for the Zhe family.

Nor were there no other small maneuvers. Liu Chengyou, on the principle that "a son should not surpass his father," demoted Fuzhou to a defense prefecture, and the Military Governor to Defense Commissioner, while still retaining the Yong'an Army designation. Though the substance was unchanged and only the name altered, in terms of formal status, the court's influence was already being exerted.

"I hear the Worthy Consort is your treasured pearl. Having come to the capital to see her, are you now at ease? I have not bullied Lady Zhe, have I!" Strolling along, looking at the aged Zhe Congruan, Liu Chengyou said warmly.

"Your Majesty speaks too gravely!" Zhe Congruan shook his head, stroking his beard with a relieved heart: "My granddaughter, raised in the border wilds, though she knows propriety, does not stand on ceremony. This old minister previously only feared she could not endure the strict solemnity of the palace and might offend Your Majesty."

"Then Lord Zhe underestimates the lady!" Liu Chengyou said: "I greatly admire her spirited bearing and her refusal to be bound by convention!"

Hearing this, Zhe Congruan turned and clasped his hands in salute: "In that case, this old minister is truly reassured!"

"Set your heart at ease, my lord!" Pointing at his own chest by way of indication, Liu Chengyou's robe sleeves swayed as he clasped his hands behind his back, inquiring after Zhe Congruan's recent circumstances: "In your post at Yanzhou, have you grown accustomed to it?"

Zhe Congruan replied with feeling: "Prince Wei governed the army and administration excellently, enjoying considerable popular support. This old minister merely followed the old policies, doing as Xiao He did under Cao Can—no exertion of mind or effort. In but a few months, flesh has already grown on my thighs."

Liu Chengyou nodded: "My lord has spent a lifetime in the saddle—truly not one to covet ease and idleness!"

Zhe Congruan, however, said: "We who have endured countless battles still harbor a desire for stability, yet in this age, peace is hard to come by!"

Having spoken, looking at the slightly nodding Liu Chengyou, Zhe Congruan asked: "Your Majesty has summoned me alone—might there be some instruction? If there is a task to be undertaken, though I am advanced in years, I am still willing to go."

Clearly, this old lord had sensed something.

After walking a few steps, Liu Chengyou finally said slowly: "Zhang Yanchao, Military Governor of Jinzhou, fell from his horse while hunting, and his old ailment flared up, killing him. The court intends to shift garrisons and swap defenses, proposing that Wang Yan of Binzhou return to garrison Jinzhou, that Yang Chengxin, Military Governor of Anzhou, move to Binzhou, and that Anzhou, lacking a man, be entrusted to you, my lord!"

Liu Chengyou then laid out the situation: "At present, the southern situation is unsettled. Jingnan is in transition between old and new and remains unstable. In Hunan, the Ma brothers are fighting among themselves, weapons turned against kin, while the false Tang and false Liu lurk covetously without. Anzhou is the lock and key of the Great Han's southern gate; it requires a commander of trusted inner circle to hold it steady, to guard against the unexpected."

Rather than accepting directly, Zhe Congruan showed hesitation instead. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou said outright: "My lord seems to have concerns—speak them plainly!"

Zhe Congruan said directly: "Of the southern situation, this minister knows little and should not speak rashly. But speaking from my own circumstances, I am a man of the north, unaccustomed to southern climes and waters. My skills lie in horsemanship and archery; the south is dense with waterways, and should trouble arise, I fear it is not a place for my talents. Moreover, Anzhou has An Shenqi at Xiangzhou—this old minister, dwelling in the far north, has heard of his reputation. With that lord there, Anzhou need only be sent a brave general."

"This is this minister's shallow view. If Your Majesty truly cannot settle on a candidate, this old minister is also willing to bear the charge and head south!"

Zhe Congruan's words were indeed well spoken!

Liu Chengyou thought it over seriously, yet had to admit the old lord's considerations made sense: "It is I who failed to think this through!"

"I shall choose another then. The Great Han has a thousand generals; finding one brave commander is hardly difficult!" Liu Chengyou said.

"The south is unsuitable—would my lord be willing to make a trip to the northwest?"

Hearing this, Zhe Congruan perked up, showing slight curiosity: "What task does Your Majesty have in mind?"

"Guo Yanqin, Prefect of Qingzhou, is greedy by nature, wantonly harassing the miscellaneous barbarians within the prefecture to extort bribes, driving the Wild Chicken tribe within our borders to revolt, plundering tribute caravans and throwing our western frontier into chaos. As for Guo Yanqin, I have already issued an edict for his arrest and return to the capital for trial, yet the rebellion in Qingzhou has not subsided. According to reports, the Wild Chicken tribe shows signs of colluding with the Cattle-Killing tribe of Ningzhou to join in rebellion." Liu Chengyou briefly relayed the situation.

"Guo Yanqin certainly deserves death, yet these Hexi miscellaneous barbarians, refusing to submit to royal authority, despising the court, now submitting and now rebelling—though they are but a minor itch, they cannot be indulged. Otherwise, the newly opened Hexi trade route will be blocked once more!" Liu Chengyou continued: "In the northwest, Shi Kuangyi of the Zhangyi Army is nearby, but I hear he is afflicted with illness, and I am loath to press him beyond his strength. The others are variously constrained, and when it comes to choosing one familiar with border affairs, skilled in cavalry warfare, and possessed of commanding ability—after much deliberation, my lord is still the most fitting!"

"This old minister accepts the command!" Zhe Congruan's answer this time was most decisive.

Nodding with satisfaction, Liu Chengyou suddenly turned solemn and admonished Zhe Congruan: "In Wei, Qing, Ning, and Yuan prefectures, miscellaneous barbarians dwell, yet to eradicate them utterly is unrealistic and would likely cost dearly. In this campaign, those who can be pacified should be pacified—grant them official titles—while the incorrigibly wicked should be struck down with thunderous force. My lord has governed and pacified Fuzhou for many years; grasp the measure of this as you see fit!"

"This old minister understands!"

"Additionally, I hear these Hexi barbarian tribes possess many cattle and horses, and the Great Han is just now in need of such..."