Chapter 520: The Meritorious Service Banquet

The Great Han's ancestral temple was located southwest of the palace city, within the imperial city, standing alongside the altar of grain. After only a single day of preparation, seizing the auspicious moment, the Son of Heaven Liu Chengyou led the civil and military officials of the Eastern Capital to offer sacrifices to the gods of earth and grain, heaven and earth, and to pray to the ancestral emperors. The ceremonial guard was fully assembled, all officials present—this was the largest and most solemn sacrificial ceremony held since Liu Chengyou ascended the throne.

The ancestral temple of the Northern Han enshrined none other than Gaozu Liu Zhiyuan and the four generations of ancestors before him. Originally, at the founding of the state, Liu Zhiyuan had posthumously honored Taizu Liu Bang and Shizu Liu Xiu, and established the rite of perpetual veneration.

However, later, some literati, praising Liu Zhiyuan's merits in rescuing the Central Plains from ruin, grandly spoke of the difference between the Former Han and the present Han, saying that Liu Zhiyuan was the true founding ancestor of the current dynasty, and even used the false Liu of Lingnan for comparison.

When gravely ill, sensing his life was near its end, Liu Zhiyuan moved Liu Bang and Liu Xiu out of the ancestral temple, wishing to enjoy that "perpetual veneration" rite himself after his death. The realm he had carved out with his own ability—why should he need to acknowledge random ancestors? This also completely severed the current Han from the two Hans of a thousand years ago.

Kneeling on the cattail mat, Liu Chengyou recited the sacrificial prayer, guided by the ritual officials, completing that series of somewhat tedious yet profoundly meaningful ceremonies. It was not until the afternoon that he returned to the palace.

Within the Han palace, around Chongyuan Hall, palace maids and eunuchs were bustling about, preparing for the evening's meritorious service banquet. Although Liu Chengyou did not advocate drinking feasts in his daily life, since the founding of the state, imperial palace banquets had been held quite frequently, and after one after another, they were no longer as crude as they had been at first.

Before the banquet began, in Chongzheng Hall, Liu Chengyou specially received one person—Wang Jingchong, Deputy Commissioner of the Wude Office.

During the time Liu Chengyou had left the capital, although he had taken Li Shaoyou along with the army for consultation, the situation within the capital had always been watched by Wang Jingchong on his behalf, reporting at all times. Therefore, regarding the state of affairs in Kaifeng city, Liu Chengyou could not be said to know it like the back of his hand, but there was very little that escaped his ears and eyes—including the Wang Jingchong before him.

It was said that during the period of the southern campaign, this Wang Jingchong had been throwing his weight around in the Eastern Capital, abusing his power, despising court officials, bullying subordinate clerks, and growing increasingly arrogant by the day.

Glancing at Wang Jingchong, Liu Chengyou slowly closed the secret report he had submitted, casually flicked his sleeve, and said: "I have a task for you!"

The Son of Heaven's voice drifted clearly into Wang Jingchong's ears. For some reason, Wang Jingchong felt a chill in his heart, yet he dared not be negligent, and replied: "Please give your orders, Your Majesty!"

"Among the various regional garrisons, defense commands, and military governorships, and their subordinate officials, there are not a few who rely on power to harm others, act lawlessly, and violate discipline. In recent years, rumors have repeatedly reached the capital. Take some men, go down to the prefectures and counties on my behalf to investigate..." Liu Chengyou instructed.

As soon as the Son of Heaven's words fell, Wang Jingchong immediately perked up and answered crisply: "As you command!"

In his mind, Wang Jingchong's thoughts were rapidly turning. The Son of Heaven's instruction clearly carried hidden meaning, and combined with the recent adjustments he had detected in the court's military and political direction, he immediately understood something.

The Emperor planned to deal with the regional military governors! At this thought, Wang Jingchong's spirits soared—this was a golden opportunity for him to earn merit and wealth.

Noticing the change in Wang Jingchong's expression, Liu Chengyou knew in his heart that this man had certainly grasped his intent. This fellow's political sensitivity was indeed extraordinary. Though convenient to use, he was always hard to feel at ease about.

Before he withdrew, Liu Chengyou added in a flat tone: "I have also heard that among the Wude Office's subordinates, there have appeared some lawless officials who take bribes, use public office for private revenge, and oppress the good and honest. I know that for the breadth of intelligence, the Wude Office has taken in all sorts of riffraff, but the court's laws and the Wude Office's regulations must still be observed..."

"Yes!" Hearing Liu Chengyou say this, Wang Jingchong's heart tightened, and he hurriedly said: "When your servant returns to the office, I will certainly investigate thoroughly. If there are any lawbreakers, they will be severely punished!"

"Mm..." Liu Chengyou said leisurely: "Let us hope so!"

If Wang Jingchong were truly clever, he would know that Liu Chengyou's warning was aimed at him. Since the Wude Office had been reorganized two years prior, it had already become much more standardized and restrained—it had not yet degenerated that quickly.

At night, the Han palace's main hall, Chongyuan, blazed with lights, ritual music sounded in unison, immersed in a festive atmosphere. Outside the palace, fireworks were set off, the sounds continuous, lasting a full quarter of an hour. Brilliant fireworks burst open in the night sky, beautiful and resplendent. Not only within the palace—outside, the common people, scholars and citizens alike, had basically gathered together in every household to watch, all knowing that within the imperial palace, the Son of Heaven was feasting his meritorious ministers at night.

Inside Chongyuan Hall, the edicts of reward for the southern campaign generals and ministers had already been read out in full, taking a full two quarters of an hour. By now, the grand feast was in full swing, ruler and ministers all delighted.

The Son of Heaven had decreed that all civil and military officials present should enjoy themselves to the fullest, with many rules and restrictions relaxed, and everyone was drinking freely. And the center of the imperial banquet, besides the exalted Emperor and Empress above, was the newly honored favorites of the court who had received rewards.

Murong Yanzhao went without saying—he had long been on the court's radar, and his promotion to Deputy Commander of the Palace Command was hardly surprising.

What surprised people was Guo Rong, who had been reassigned by Liu Chengyou to directly replace Zheng Renhui, who had been transferred to the Huaidong Circuit, as Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs, with his title elevated to Duke. And then there was Zhao Kuangyin—this was truly a meteoric rise, jumping several ranks at once. At not yet twenty-six years old, he was already Chief Inspector of the Palace Command, even more conspicuous than Guo Rong.

"Commander-in-Chief, your subordinate offers you a toast!" Shen Shihou held up a wine cup, walked to Wang Jun's side, crouched down, and said respectfully.

Wang Jun picked up his cup, casually clinked it, and drained it in one gulp. Shen Shihou stood nearby, his gaze sweeping over Guo Rong and Zhao Kuangyin in the crowd, his tone sour as he said to Wang Jun: "Commander-in-Chief, you were the Commander-in-Chief of the southern campaign, leading the great army, achieving the great victory at Xiacai, and also earning merit at the Fei River—yet in the end, you let upstarts like Guo and Zhao act so arrogantly. The court's rewards and punishments are hardly fair!"

Shen Shihou had been promoted to a principal clerk in the Ministry of War for his merits in the southern campaign—not exactly mistreated—but for Shen Shihou, how could that be satisfying? Therefore, rather than saying he was defending Wang Jun's grievance, it was better to say he was venting his own dissatisfaction.

Hearing this, Wang Jun shot him a sidelong glance, poured himself a cup and drank it, then rebuked flatly: "In the great hall of Chongyuan, at the meritorious service banquet, do not be presumptuous!"

Facing Wang Jun's rebuke, Shen Shihou's mind cleared, his drunkenness somewhat alleviated, and he hurriedly lowered his head, admitting that his words had been improper.

Wang Jun's gaze also casually swept over Murong Yanzhao, Guo Rong, and the others—the Son of Heaven's trusted claws and fangs—and the skin of his face twitched faintly. Although he had been elevated from Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard Command to the top position, and concurrently given a military governorship, for Wang Jun, this was hardly cause for joy.

The current commander of the Imperial Guard was not like in the early days of the state, when the position carried immense power—even Shi Hongzhao, whose influence had been overwhelming back then, had that because he held the right to participate in governance. In Wang Jun's thinking, of course, he should enter the central government—leave the battlefield and become a chancellor...

"Commander-in-Chief, those close to you, your old subordinates and retainers—the rewards they received, ah..." Shen Shihou sighed again from the side.

"Shut up!" Wang Jun suddenly barked in anger, his face dark, raised his cup, and said coldly: "Drink!"

"Your servant wishes Your Majesty a happy birthday!" Below the imperial dais, Guo Wei held up his wine cup and said deferentially to Liu Chengyou.

Liu Chengyou was just chatting and laughing with the Empress; he turned his head toward Guo Wei and said: "Thank you, Minister Guo. Come up the steps and speak!"

As it happened, today was also Liu Chengyou's birthday—choosing this day had been a coincidence of timing. Hunching his rear slightly, Guo Wei carefully walked up the imperial dais.

"Minister Guo seems to have something to say to me?" After drinking, looking at Guo Wei, Liu Chengyou asked with a light smile.

Guo Wei held his cup in salute and replied humbly and cautiously: "Guo Rong's seniority is insufficient, his ability does not match the position. The appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Military Affairs—might Your Majesty reconsider?"

"It was precisely after careful consideration that I gave him this post!" Liu Chengyou said: "With the merits he achieved in the southern campaign, how could a mere Vice Minister of the Ministry of War be sufficient reward!"

Guo Wei maintained the same expression, lowering his voice slightly, and said: "Your Majesty, your servant and Guo Rong are father and son—how can there be a principle of father and son both holding heavy power in the same office? I beg Your Majesty to think thrice!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's eyes rolled twice, looked at Guo Wei with amusement, and chuckled: "Tonight is the meritorious service banquet, a day of great joy—let us not discuss military and political affairs. This matter, we will set aside for later..."

Though amidst the clamor, a bit of wine could not numb Guo Wei's nerves. His mind remained clear, and savoring the Son of Heaven's words slightly, it seemed Liu Chengyou had some considerations.

"Yes!" Guo Wei bowed in response.

Just then, a sudden commotion broke out in the hall. Amidst the revelry, there were faint sounds of argument. Sweeping his gaze across, he directly located the source of the outburst.

"Go see what's going on?" Liu Chengyou frowned slightly, looking toward Zhang Dejun.