Chapter 410: Spring of Yaohua

On the second day of the second month in the fourth year of Qianyou, the day when the dragon raises its head, as was customary, the Son of Heaven Liu Chengyou personally went to the outskirts of the Eastern Capital to perform the symbolic first plow of the year. The Empress, the consorts, and all civil and military officials of the fifth rank and above in the capital accompanied the imperial procession.

Although it was merely a formality, Liu Chengyou still required the form to be carried out properly—every official had to take up a hoe and turn over some soil. The one Empress and two consorts, along with the attending palace ladies, did not wield hoes with their delicate hands, but they did earnestly plant a patch of seedlings.

Things were different now from when they were in Jinyang; state affairs were growing increasingly complex, and the realm could not function without the chief officials of each bureau managing their duties.

After spring plowing began, the imperial army stationed in the Eastern Capital decreased somewhat—many soldiers of the two guard armies were sent home to help their families during the farming season. These imperial troops were mainly composed of three groups: first, the original Hedong army that had followed the Liu father and son in their advance into the Central Plains; second, those who had been rewarded with land between the capitals for their merits; and third, those who had been recruited or surrendered and were registered in the capital's outskirts and surrounding areas.

Given the Great Han's current national strength, supporting over a hundred thousand professional soldiers was a tremendous financial burden. In the early days of the state, enemies surrounded them on all sides, and they had to remain in a constant state of combat readiness. Over the past two years, the national situation had gradually stabilized and the borders were peaceful. Thus, in the Great Han, whose theme was "developing production," the army was also expected to engage in farming during times of peace.

Of course, these imperial troops were all those of lesser combat capability. By the time the procession returned to the palace, more than half the day had already passed.

In Noble Consort Lady Gao Yaohua Hall, Liu Chengyou washed up, changed into a single-layer garment, and sat cross-legged on the couch, looking down at the ring of fat around his waist with a displeased expression: "This flab is bunching up—it's quite burdensome!"

One had to know that in previous years, even if Liu Chengyou hadn't had eight-pack abs, he'd at least had four. Now, they were no longer discernible...

Noble Consort Gao had also changed into clean clothes. She stepped lightly with her lotus feet, swaying her voluptuous figure as she leaned against Liu Chengyou, reached out to his belly, and gently pinched the soft flesh that squeezed out, saying with a charming laugh: "These are all proof of His Majesty's diligent governance, sitting long hours at work..."

Liu Chengyou was rather sensitive around his stomach, and her touch made him ticklish and uncomfortable—his face even felt a bit hot.

In terms of looks and bearing, the one Empress and two consorts each had their own merits, but in terms of figure, Noble Consort Gao was the most outstanding. Combined with her long habit of martial training, and the fact that she was a remarried woman with rich experience, she had always been favored by Liu Chengyou.

Steadying his mind, Liu Chengyou resisted the temptation of the young woman beside him, rolled his shoulders a few times, and said self-deprecatingly: "I'm not a farmer after all. The hoe may not seem heavy, but swing it a few hundred times and it's more tiring than martial practice!"

"Your Majesty, let me massage you!" Lady Gao seductive eyes were like silk, her breath like orchid, and she was practically nibbling on Liu Chengyou's ear.

Summer was still two months away, but at this moment, the heat in Liu Chengyou's heart was gradually being stirred up by his Noble Consort, and his mouth felt dry.

"Mm." He responded softly, turned around, spread his arms, and lay face-down on the couch, looking like he was at her mercy.

Closing his eyes, he enjoyed the Noble Consort's personal massage service, which indeed helped relieve his bodily fatigue.

Liu Chengyou's contented expression showed on his face, but the Noble Consort didn't seem inclined to let him off. While kneading him, she asked as if casually: "Your Majesty, upon returning to the palace this time, why did you come straight to my Yaohua Hall? Aren't you afraid the Empress might..."

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou opened his eyes, took a deep breath, then closed them again, saying flatly: "It's been a long time since you massaged me. I came here to enjoy myself."

Liu Chengyou's tone cooled the heat in the room by two degrees. Gao naturally sensed it and realized she had misspoken. Her jade-like face bloomed into an even more beautiful smile as she leaned down and pressed her red lips to Liu Chengyou's neck: "Your Majesty, this servant was wrong. Please punish me..."

"You women..."

When Liu Chengyou came out of Yaohua Hall, his legs were still a bit weak. Standing in the corridor, he gazed into the clear sky. It was the hour of shen, the sun was sinking westward, and a few drifting clouds had been dyed yellow.

At this moment, Liu Chengyou felt he had reached a state of idly watching the clouds roll and unfurl in the sky—his mind was vast and boundless, as if it could contain all things...

"Your Majesty, shall we return to Chongzheng Hall?" Though Zhang Dejun could hardly comprehend Liu Chengyou's current state, he could sense his fatigue and couldn't help asking.

"Let's go take a look at Xuanwu Gate!" Liu Chengyou first nodded, then immediately changed his mind.

Zhang Dejun hurriedly ordered the palanquin to be brought and led the way.

Xuanwu Gate was the final gate of the Great Han's northern palace city. The gate tower was solid and thick, over four zhang tall, with very tight defenses—a full battalion of Inner Palace guards took turns stationed there year-round. The Commander in charge of the defense was named Li Jian, a veteran general from Hedong who had served as the senior officer of Xuanwu Gate ever since entering the Eastern Capital.

Over the years, he had never been transferred, though his rank had been raised twice. He now also nominally held the post of Prefect of Leizhou.

This man was not old, but he had abundant patience and could endure loneliness. He had an excellent temperament, had been stationed at the palace gate for years, worked meticulously, and never complained.

When Liu Chengyou arrived, Li Jian was on duty, inspecting the posts.

"Yuanhui!" Liu Chengyou looked Li Jian up and down, noting how calm he was in front of the emperor, and asked: "Since the twelfth year of Tianfu, you have been stationed at this gate, and to this day you remain a gatekeeper. If it were any ordinary officer, they would be full of resentment by now. How is it that you remain so content and unperturbed?"

Meeting Liu Chengyou's curious gaze, Li Jian saluted with a very standard posture and said with neither humility nor arrogance: "Your Majesty, this humble officer comes from a lowly background. I know my abilities are limited and my knowledge shallow. To serve as a gate officer already makes me uneasy and anxious—I dare not be negligent, let alone harbor other thoughts!"

"Furthermore, this officer has always had no grand ambitions and seeks no advancement. To have been fortunate enough to receive the trust of Gaozu and Your Majesty, and to be entrusted with a post at the palace gates, fills my heart with gratitude. I can only fulfill my duty to the utmost and guard Xuanwu Gate well for Your Majesty, to repay the imperial grace! How could I possibly have complaints!"

"I have not misjudged you!" Hearing this, Liu Chengyou said: "With those words alone, how many officers among the hundred thousand imperial troops could speak them? I see that you, Li Yuanhui, though not famous outwardly, have talent within—you have the makings of a general!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jian immediately clasped his hands and bowed: "Your Majesty overpraises me. This humble officer does not deserve it!"

"If I say you deserve it, then you deserve it! Remember, excessive humility is itself a form of pride..." Liu Chengyou raised an eyebrow and said forcefully.

Seeing this, Li Jian's expression remained calm, and he simply offered another bow.

Liu Chengyou was even more satisfied with his performance. Among the young officers in the army, none matched Li Jian in steadiness and composure—even Zhao Kuangyin had his moments of fury. Liu Chengyou had been observing him for several years; it was simply his nature. Of course, if he were skilled at disguise, Liu Chengyou would also be impressed, but that was basically impossible—for a mere gatekeeper, what would be the point of pretending...

His most obvious flaw was probably his lustfulness! But in Liu Chengyou's view, that wasn't much of a problem.