Chapter 551: Prince Yong

After finishing a cup of tea, escorted respectfully by the two ministers Zhe and Guo, Liu Chengyou left the courtyard.

After the Son of Heaven departed, both men unconsciously let out a sigh of relief. Zhe Congruan said to Guo Rong: "The military orders for Fengxiang are now in your hands, Commissioner Guo. Military intelligence is like fire, and opportunities for battle are fleeting—be sure to properly instruct Zhao Hui and the various armies of the southwest!"

"Yes!" Guo Rong bowed respectfully.

Zhe Congruan stood before the hall, the Emperor's final gaze surfacing in his mind. Thinking of his instruction to "report on duties" and his remarks about Zhe Deyi, he could not help but smile bitterly and shake his head. Inwardly he resolved that tonight he would write a letter to be sent to Fuzhou, urging his son Zhe Deyi that upon receiving the imperial summons, he must not delay but come to the capital immediately for an audience.

By now, throughout the prefectures of the Great Han, every Military Governor, Surveillance Commissioner, and Defense Commissioner had experienced coming to the capital to face the Emperor and report on duties—only you, Zhe Deyi, even with the honor of being the Emperor's father-in-law and a favored daughter, how could you long remain holed up in a border prefecture? For Liu Chengyou, attitude had become the key.

Leaving the Bureau of Military Affairs, Liu Chengyou did not return to Chongzheng Hall, but merely ordered that certain decisions regarding Hunan and Fengxiang be communicated to the chancellors, letting the Secretariat issue edicts and decrees to arrange coordination.

Liu Chengyou went himself to Qiuhua Hall to see the Worthy Consort, Lady Zhe. The young lady was already more than seven months pregnant. To be fair, her health was truly good—or perhaps the child in her womb was fated to be hardy. When she conceived last year, she braved the frost and cold to accompany the imperial carriage on the southern campaign, and even shared intimate pleasures with Liu Chengyou, yet all was well; throughout, the pregnancy had been stable...

Summer rain came in wave after wave, accompanied by peals of thunder, beating against the palace city, drumming on the palace walls and roof tiles. Standing before Qiuhua Hall, his body inevitably flecked with a layer of rain mist, gazing at the raindrops flying all across the sky, Liu Chengyou knitted his brows and ordered: "Have the Secretariat transmit an edict to the prefectures along the Yellow River—the rainy season has arrived; they must heighten vigilance and strengthen the dikes, lest the river break!"

Compared to the showers of the Eastern Capital, Jingzhao Prefecture, a thousand li away, was bathed in blazing sunshine, with clear skies for ten thousand li.

In Hu County, west of Chang'an, vast stretches of wheat fields in the outskirts had already turned golden, the ears full and heavy, swaying in the hot waves stirred by the summer wind. It was just past noon; taking advantage of the sun's fierce heat having slightly receded, the farmers moved among the fields, harvesting diligently, their nimble movements tinged with urgency.

There was fighting to the west. Although the Shu army had been held back by the imperial court's troops all along, there was no way to feel at ease. Even without any official proclamation from the government, the common people within the borders would take it upon themselves to rush the harvest. Some time ago, a detached force of the Shu army had made a sneak attack on Ziwu Town, and though they were frightened off by Military Governor Song Yanwo, it still shook the common folk around Jingzhao deeply.

A troop of riders turned off onto the wilds, following the dirt road along the edge of the wheat fields, advancing at a slow pace, their sturdy horses' legs wantonly trampling the obstructive weeds. Every rider was robust, all clad in fine armor with full weaponry—clearly elite soldiers.

At the head were two youths, both in brocade robes, one of them radiating an even more noble air—clearly the leader of the group. Though young, his expression was composed, his gaze calm, his attention fixed on the large expanse of wheat fields beside them, already more than half harvested.

This youth was none other than the Great Han's Prince Yong, Governor of Jingzhao, Liu Chenghsun. He had brought his newlywed little princess of Wuyue west to Jingzhao, and it had already been more than eight months. Over this period, in Guanzhong, things had not gone as he had imagined—he had not been able to command the wind and clouds, or wield his authority with sweeping abandon.

Military matters in Jingzhao were handled by his brother-in-law Song Yanwo, and civil administration was managed by the officials under the prefectural government. He was more like a mascot, installed in Chang'an to reassure the army and the people, to proclaim the court's civilizing influence and authority.

Of course, if he were truly put in charge of military and political affairs, his experience and ability would not be sufficient to cope. Just as Liu Chengyou had instructed before his departure: listen more, observe more, learn more.

Still, during this time in Chang'an, he had lived a very full and very free life. Compared to being confined within the prince's residence in Kaifeng, in Chang'an—apart from daily reading and martial practice—he could from time to time go out to inspect and travel about, and in military and political matters, he had also made considerable progress.

This time, he had taken the initiative to leave the city and come to Hu County to inspect the summer harvest situation.

Accompanying Liu Chenghsun, besides the fifty riders of his guard, was that dark-skinned youth. His name was Murong Chengtai, the youngest son of Murong Yanchao—the very same arrogant young lord who had been exiled to Guanzhong by Liu Chengyou for galloping his horse through the market and disturbing the people.

The relationship between Murong Chengtai and Liu Chenghsun was fairly good. After arriving in Jingzhao, he had been given a camp officer's post in the Yongxing Army, but he basically spent all his time hanging around with Liu Chenghsun.

"My Prince Yong, what's there to see here? Just a bunch of farmers harvesting wheat, and in this blazing heat—so boring!" Having ridden along inspecting for a while, Murong Chengtai grew impatient and could not help complaining to Liu Chenghsun.

"The people regard food as their heaven—it is what the livelihood of the common folk depends on, and where the court's taxes come from. There is nothing more serious or important than this!" Liu Chenghsun then trotted out a rather old-sounding maxim, saying: "The Grand Tutor also said that since I am the Governor of Jingzhao, I am the parent of those under my rule, and should closely observe the people's condition and their livelihoods..."

"Hey, you really live up to the name of Little Worthy Prince!" Murong Chengtai said jokingly, voicing the "nickname" Liu Chenghsun had earned in Jingzhao.

In Chang'an, for governing with lenient benevolence, showing consideration for the lower ranks, and judging matters fairly, Liu Chenghsun had indeed won a good reputation—though of course, all of it was under the assistance of the Prince Yong's Grand Tutor and Administrative Assistant of Jingzhao, Li Song.

Hearing this, Liu Chenghsun finally brought a slight smile to his face. Pointing at the wheat fields, he asked: "Do you know how much grain tax the government can collect from Hu County in a single year?"

"How would I know that!" Murong Chengtai answered very bluntly.

"Last year it was eighteen thousand seven hundred dan, and this year it is sure to increase. Barring any accidents, it can break twenty thousand dan!" Liu Chenghsun said: "When the summer grain enters the granaries, we can get ten thousand dan, and it can also support Fengxiang from nearby, so that the army fighting Shu has no worries about provisions..."

Murong Chengtai clearly had no interest in how much grain Hu County could produce or how much annual revenue the government could collect, but when he heard mention of the fighting in Fengxiang, he immediately perked up, with a hint of instigation: "Why don't we go to Fengxiang and take a look? The two states have been locked in battle for so long, and it's right at our doorstep—let's go inspect the front lines?"

Hearing this, Liu Chenghsun's face seemed to show some interest, but after thinking it over, he refused very decisively: "No!"

Seeing his reaction, Murong Chengtai immediately said: "Don't tell me you're scared?"

With the hot blood of youth, how could he stand being provoked? Liu Chenghsun subconsciously opened his mouth, but still shook his head and said: "My brother-in-law won't allow it!"

Murong Chengtai laughed instead, saying to him: "You're the Prince Yong—your status and position are above his. Do you still need the Imperial Son-in-law's permission?"

Liu Chenghsun said: "I'm just the Governor of Jingzhao, sitting in Chang'an on behalf of my imperial brother. I have no authority over the Yongxing Army, let alone going to the front at Fengxiang. If I go rashly, I'm afraid I'll only cause trouble for the soldiers, and if word gets back to the Eastern Capital, it will easily draw a scolding from my imperial brother..."

"What trouble could it cause? Just treat it as going to reward the troops. Don't you want to see what it's like fighting at the front?" Murong Chengtai tempted Liu Chenghsun: "Anyway, I plan to go. His Majesty originally exiled me to serve at the front, but I ended up being tied down in Chang'an by Son-in-law Song—that's not defying the edict, is it..."

"Staying in Chang'an this past month has been way too boring!"

Murong Chengtai was in truth somewhat idle, and by nature not one to stay put. Being exiled to the front in Guanzhong—in Murong Yanchao's view it was demotion and punishment, but to him, it was like a fish returning to the sea...

Seeing that Liu Chenghsun was in fact somewhat tempted, Murong Chengtai chuckled and said: "I'll give you an idea—once the summer grain enters the granaries, we escort the military provisions to Fengxiang, and take a look while we're at it?"

Hearing Murong Chengtai say this, Liu Chenghsun also grew interested. He thought it over seriously, then shook his head again: "Let's return to Chang'an and ask the Grand Tutor's opinion!"

"Ah..." Murong Chengtai couldn't help pulling a long face, somewhat helplessly: "Why can't I talk you into anything?"

Liu Chenghsun, on the contrary, smiled faintly.

"We've done the inspection—the summer harvest is going fine, no problems. Let's go hunting! I asked around—there are wild boars and black bears in the county outskirts!" Murong Chengtai enthusiastically suggested to Liu Chenghsun again, looking full of restless energy.

"If you're interested, take your men and go yourself. Meet back at the county town in two hours, then return to Chang'an!" Liu Chenghsun said to him.

"Why are you so dull!" Murong Chengtai's spirits sank even lower.

Seeing his state, Liu Chenghsun ordered the horses dismounted, walked to the edge of the field, and looked at Murong Chengtai: "Have you ever tried harvesting grain?"

"I'm a royal relative, a son of a duke—how could I do such lowly work!" Murong Chengtai answered carelessly, then suddenly realized something and turned his head to look at Liu Chenghsun: "You don't mean—"

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Liu Chenghsun begin to strip off his robes, and heard him order the captain of the guard: "Go, borrow two sickles from the farmers!"

Before long, in the fields of Hu County, two noble youths were in the earth, faces to the yellow soil and backs to the sky, clumsily harvesting wheat, drawing the astonished gazes of the farmers...