Chapter 560: The Bestowed Banquet

The Duke of Dai's mansion sat outside the southwest corner of the Imperial City, adjacent to Xuanwu Heavenly Street. Ever since Zhe Congruan had returned to the capital to serve as Commissioner of Military Affairs, Liu Chengyou had specially bestowed this enormous residence upon him as a reward for his merits in pacifying the barbarians in the northwest. Even the mansion's plaque was inscribed personally by Liu Chengyou — after all that time practicing calligraphy, his handwriting could finally pass muster.

Before sunset, a burst of crisp hoofbeats shattered the tranquility before the Duke of Dai's mansion. A servant steadied the horse and lowered the stirrup as Zhe Congruan tossed aside his riding whip and strode straight into the residence. Unlike most court officials, even past sixty with his health steadily declining, Zhe Congruan still preferred riding to taking a sedan chair.

Accompanying Zhe Congruan was a middle-aged man — his son, father of the Worthy Consort, and the current Imperial Father-in-Law, Zhe Deyi. Compared to his father, Zhe Deyi was far more robust and had a thicker beard.

Through the gate, across the central courtyard, and into the main hall — Zhe Deyi sat down directly, casually picked up a cup of tea, and gulped down half of it without caring about the taste, so long as it was cool. Clearly, this military household had no overly rigid formalities.

"The display before the palace gates today was truly grand — the Son of Heaven descending the steps, all the officials paying homage..." Looking at his old father, Zhe Deyi rose again to help him remove his outer robe, a hint of sourness in his tone.

"What, are you envious?" Zhe Congruan asked.

Zhe Deyi did not hide his thoughts: "A few days ago when I came to the Eastern Capital, there was no such commotion!"

Though this son was nearing forty, hearing his words, Zhe Congruan could not help but scold: "You brat, do you actually presume to compare yourself with the three Dukes Zhao, Shi, and Yao?"

Zhe Deyi accepted the rebuke obediently and replied: "I wouldn't dare!"

A servant brought over freshly brewed cold tea, and Zhe Deyi personally served it to his old father. Zhe Congruan also downed it in nearly one gulp, then glanced at him and said: "At least you have some self-awareness! Compared to those three, even I feel inferior! If not for the marriage alliance with the Emperor, you and I, father and son, would probably still be holding Fuzhou, and who knows — perhaps ending up as someone else's pawn!"

"Do you think the three military governors of Guanzhong received such treatment from the Son of Heaven for nothing?" Glancing at Zhe Deyi, a rare gleam of shrewdness showed in Zhe Congruan's aged eyes.

Zhe Deyi was momentarily stunned, then replied: "Isn't it for their merit in crushing the Shu army?"

"This battle at Donghe Village, compared to the Battle of Jifeng Mountain in the first year of Qianyou — the situation was not as perilous, and the gains were smaller. Wang Jun, the commander-in-chief back then, did not even receive this court ceremony of presenting captives..." Zhe Congruan said softly.

As Zhe Congruan said, today's situation had already provoked one man's displeasure, and he had shown it plainly — none other than Wang Jun, Chief Commander of the Imperial Guard Cavalry and Infantry of the Great Han.

Even after returning victorious from the campaign against Huai and receiving promotions and titles, Wang Jun remained dissatisfied. In the yamen and among the troops, he often voiced complaints and took out his frustrations on others. Today, during the captive-presentation ceremony, he naturally recalled his own past — how could his heart find balance? His resentment was practically written all over his face.

Setting down his teacup, Zhe Congruan continued: "For the purpose of defending against Shu, the Guanzhong forces gathered in the Qi-Long region number over thirty thousand, and more than half of them are directly controlled by those three governors, following their every lead. The court's courteous treatment certainly acknowledges their achievements, but what it values even more is that concentrated army of tens of thousands!"

Hearing his old father's words, Zhe Deyi fell into thought, his expression gradually turning grave: "Is the Son of Heaven suspicious of them?"

Zhe Congruan did not answer directly but continued to ask: "Do you think they came to the capital this time specifically to receive rewards?"

"Please enlighten me, Father!" Zhe Deyi said.

"Suspicion — not quite to that extent!" Zhe Congruan said with certainty: "I have headed the Bureau of Military Affairs for barely three months, but from what I have observed in daily affairs, the three Guanzhong governors coming to the capital means the moment they arrive, they will be stripped of their power and dismissed from their posts!"

"And all three came in response to the summons — they know it well themselves!"

After his old father's explanation, Zhe Deyi began to sober up from the intoxication of being "Imperial Father-in-Law," "honored visitor to court," and "favored by the Son of Heaven." These past few days since entering the city, Zhe Deyi had indeed been somewhat carried away.

Noticing the alertness that appeared on Zhe Deyi's face, Zhe Congruan finally showed a hint of satisfaction on his aged countenance and continued: "Have you ever wondered why the Emperor recalled you to the Eastern Capital? And why I sent word for you not to delay?"

Saying this, Zhe Congruan could not help but feel some anger toward his son's slowness in arriving.

Zhe Deyi's gaze flickered with a hint of guilt, but after thinking it over seriously for a moment, he said in a low voice: "It shouldn't be just for a report of my duties!"

Though in these past few days, Liu Chengyou's audiences with him had mostly concerned family ties between father-in-law and son-in-law, and border defense matters. Still, while Zhe Deyi was not exceptionally clever, having been prompted this far, he naturally began to understand.

Taking a deep breath, Zhe Congruan first sighed, then spoke to Zhe Deyi in a solemn tone: "Since the Three Dynasties, the excessive power of military provinces has been regarded by the central court as the source of chaos, something that must be eliminated. Ambitious rulers fear it even more. The current Son of Heaven is a dominant sovereign — his intent to reduce the provinces and reclaim power is already quite clear!

I am already old, half-buried in the earth. From now on, the Zhe family will fall upon your shoulders. I must warn you: though the Zhe family has held Fuzhou for twenty years, in the future you must not treat it as private territory.

Though the Zhe family has a daughter in the palace, that is no guarantee of safety and survival. Liu Chong, the Prince of Taiyuan, is the Son of Heaven's own paternal uncle, holding the vital region of Hedong — and look at what became of him under the court's campaign to reduce the provinces. Our Zhe family must take this as a warning!"

"Yes!" Zhe Deyi's expression was grave; judging by his face, he had taken the words to heart.

Checking the sky, Zhe Congruan rose and said: "Alright, clean yourself up, change into court robes — we're going to the palace for the banquet!"

That night, at Wansui Hall in the Han palace, Emperor Liu Chengyou personally hosted a banquet for the three Guanzhong governors, and also summoned the governors and army commanders who had successively arrived in the capital. The only attendants were high officials from the Bureau of Military Affairs and the Ministry of War — not a single civil official was present.

There were few people, but the atmosphere was stoked to a lively pitch — palace delicacies, fine wine, ceremonial music, song and dance, nothing was lacking. However, among the ministers attending, aside from Yang Ye, most were veteran commanders and seasoned generals.

Each person had his own table. Yao Yuanfu's seat was relatively forward, and he was also the oldest. But he also seemed the most unrestrained — his loud voice utterly unlike that of a man in his seventies, holding his wine cup as he declared heartily: "The palace's food and drink really are something else! How could we in the provinces ever enjoy such delicacies, such fine wine?"

As he spoke, Yao Yuanfu seemed to deliberately glance at Liu Chengyou, drawing the attention of most people in the hall.

Liu Chengyou appeared unconcerned and said to him: "If Duke Yao enjoys it, then partake to your heart's content. Later, I shall grant you even more food and wine!"

"Many thanks, Your Majesty! But why not bestow the imperial chef upon this old minister alone? If so, then with every meal henceforth, this old minister could feel Your Majesty's grace!" Yao Yuanfu pressed his advantage, boldly requesting a favor, his demeanor somewhat ostentatious.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou raised an eyebrow and casually replied: "A trivial matter!"

Yao Yuanfu seemed quite satisfied with the Emperor's attitude and said: "Then this old minister thanks Your Majesty!"

Saying this, he shifted his body and addressed Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty, the hall is quite warm, and this old man can hardly bear the heat. Might I be permitted to remove my outer robe?"

Yao Yuanfu appeared increasingly rude and presumptuous. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou studied him carefully, paused only a moment, then raised his hand: "Of course!"

Receiving permission, Yao Yuanfu indeed removed his outer robe right at the imperial banquet and tossed it beside his table.

Not a trace of displeasure showed on Liu Chengyou's face. His gaze sweeping to the others, he said magnanimously: "If any of you gentlemen find the heat unbearable, you too may remove your outer robes. Today's banquet seeks only pleasure — ruler and ministers sharing joy, no need for restraint!"

In fact, blocks of ice had been placed at the bases of the hall's pillars; if one truly spoke of heat, it was hardly hot at all. Hearing the Emperor's words, no one followed Yao Yuanfu's example.

And Yao Yuanfu had successfully drawn everyone's attention — expressions varied, thoughts differed.

Liu Chengyou, meanwhile, appeared even more considerate, instructing Zhang Dejun: "Go, prepare more ice cloths to cool the gentlemen!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Regardless, Yao Yuanfu's somewhat bold and presumptuous actions had skewed the hall's atmosphere somewhat — or perhaps steered it in the direction it was meant to go.

Then Liu Chengyou rose, holding a full cup, and walked before Yao Yuanfu.