Chapter 561: Honeyed Words

As the emperor and host of the imperial banquet, Liu Chengyou was the sole protagonist in the hall; every move he made drew everyone's attention. When he stood before Yao Yuanfu, all those present instinctively paused in their actions and turned their gazes toward him.

The palace dancers performing their tribute dance halted their movements and, with graceful steps, retreated in sequence to stand on either side, while the musicians accompanying the festivities also stopped their playing. The hall fell silent all at once.

The emperor merely raised his wine cup in a slight gesture of acknowledgment. Seeing this, Yao Yuanfu also rose, taking up his cup with both hands in response, his movements brisk and nimble.

After the two had drunk a cup together, Liu Chengyou looked at Yao Yuanfu and said: "Lord Yao is advanced in years, yet his sinews and bones show no decline, his bearing and vigor only grow more robust, and his demeanor is undiminished from his prime. You have long held the name of a modern-day Lian Po, but in my view, you surpass him!"

Yao Yuanfu was a man who refused to admit his age. On ordinary days, whenever others praised his sturdy health and vigorous spirit, he was greatly delighted. At this moment, hearing the emperor praise him so, his face showed undisguised joy as he said to Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty's lavish praise—your subject is too ashamed to accept it!"

"But Lord Yao is after all already seventy years of age, and in these years you have still been kept busy with campaigns and expeditions. In this recent battle at East River Village, you donned your armor and charged into the fray, leading your men from the front, leaping on horseback into the slaughter, walking through death to emerge alive. When I heard of it, I was both moved by your loyalty and admiration for your valor, yet upon reflection, my heart is truly ashamed. You are an elder, respected by superiors and subordinates alike—I truly cannot bear to see you, at such an advanced age, still braving danger and risking death!"

Hearing this "moving" declaration from the emperor, Yao Yuanfu clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty's considerate concern—your subject feels it deeply in his heart. I have but one thing to say: though I am old in years, so long as there is a place where Your Majesty has use for me, I will never flee from harm or danger!"

"Lord Yao is old but vigorous!" Liu Chengyou said with a smile.

Gesturing for Yao Yuanfu to sit back down, Liu Chengyou exchanged his cup for a fresh one, turned, and walked over to stand before Shi Kuangyi. Raising his cup in invitation, the two drank it dry together.

His countenance still bearing a gentle and amiable expression, Liu Chengyou said: "Since the middle of the Tang dynasty, the lands of Hexi have gradually been lost, and the Central Plains have declined, causing the mountains and rivers of the Great Han to fall into the hands of barbarian tribes and mixed foreign peoples. To this very day, the vastness of China has Jingyuan as its frontier border.

Lord Shi has guarded Jingyuan for over a decade, unwavering in his resolve—pacifying the people, soothing the barbarians, suppressing violence and quelling unrest, repelling foreign invaders and enemy raiders, preserving the peace of one region. In service to the state and to the people, you have rendered great merit, and I am deeply grateful!"

Gazing westward from Jingyuan, a thousand li of mountains and rivers had fallen into the hands of the barbarian hordes. After more than a decade of vigilant watch, a man of any ambition could not help but feel some stirring at the emperor's words.

Facing Liu Chengyou's praise, Shi Kuangyi could not help but be moved, and replied: "Your subject has only fulfilled his duty, preserving a measure of peace for the state and the altars of the nation. Yet over the years, the mixed barbarians have submitted and rebelled without constancy, slighting the majesty of our China, and I have been unable to restrain them—my heart is deeply ashamed!"

"Lord Shi speaks too gravely!" Liu Chengyou's gaze fell upon Shi Kuangyi's face, which bore a somewhat unusual pallor. With concern, he asked: "Lord Shi suffered a serious illness not long ago—how is your health now?"

"I am grateful for Your Majesty's concern. An old ailment of many years suddenly flared up, but with medicine and treatment, its symptoms have been somewhat alleviated!" As Shi Kuangyi spoke, he could not help but cough a few times.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou could not help but sigh: "To make Lord Shi toil over state affairs and administer military matters while ill—this is my fault!"

Having said this, he took another cup of wine handed over by Zhang Dejun, and walked over to Zhao Hui, following the same rhythm as before.

"Thinking back to those years, when the Khitan invaded and the Central Plains sank into ruin, all the people of the realm suffered their hardships. Though the late emperor held Hedong, the path ahead was uncertain. Lord Zhao raised troops at Shanzhou to slay the barbarians, the first to champion the cause of righteousness. Then the Hedong army marched forth, and within half a year, drove out the Khitan, established the dynasty in the Central Plains, and restored the mountains and rivers. In the rise of the Great Han, you rendered great service." Having drunk only these three extra cups of wine, Liu Chengyou's cold countenance was tinged with the effects of drink, his enthusiasm for conversation growing ever stronger, and his demeanor filled with emotion: "Even now when I think of it, it seems like it was only yesterday!"

Zhao Hui echoed him, revealing a trace of reminiscence: "This old subject merely felt the majesty and virtue of Gaozu, and was unwilling to be enslaved by the Khitan, so I contributed what little strength I had—hardly worth mentioning!"

"What is it to be open-minded and modest, unassuming and unboastful? Lord Zhao is precisely that!" Liu Chengyou pointed at Zhao Hui, praising him to the military governors and army commanders present.

Zhao Hui naturally put on a humble display of being too ashamed to accept the praise.

"When I personally campaigned against Hezhong and pacified Li Shouzhen in those years, I saw Lord Zhao still radiant with vigor and full of spirit!" Gazing at Zhao Hui, Liu Chengyou sighed softly: "Meeting again after all these years, your temples are now frosted with white. Through these years, guarding Fengxiang, securing the borders and repelling invaders, governing the people—you have never slackened. Every strand of white hair that has been added is proof of your toil for the state. My heart is filled with admiration and gratitude!"

Though the emperor's words were so pleasant and considerate, Zhao Hui was not overly delighted. His face showed some emotion, but in his heart he remained cautious, his expressions and movements all coordinating with Liu Chengyou's speech.

Next came An Shenqi, Liu Chongjin, Wang Jing, and Zhang Yanwei—one cup each, with Liu Chengyou recounting their merits in full and heaping lavish praise upon them. Somewhat unusual, however, was that for Zhe Deyi, Li Wanchao, and Yang Ye, Liu Chengyou did not specifically offer a toast—whether he had forgotten, or his capacity for wine had run dry, was unclear.

Setting down his wine cup, Liu Chengyou's face was already flushed red. He cast a glance around the hall, his drunken eyes still bright and spirited, and said in a clear voice: "All the lords seated here are the pillars of the Great Han, the cornerstones of the court—stabilizing the regions, guarding the frontiers, accumulating merit and achievement. Through these years, braving wind and rain, bearing burdens without complaint, only thus has the Great Han enjoyed its peace and order. However, to keep you lords long burdened with royal affairs, wearing yourselves out over official documents, is not my original intention. I wish to relieve your toil. Considering the many years of merit you lords have rendered, even high office and generous emoluments are difficult to express my gratitude..."

With a drunken demeanor, Liu Chengyou spoke the most important and most direct sentence of the night. In the blink of an eye, he also quietly observed the expressions of those present, which varied from person to person.

Withdrawing his gaze, Liu Chengyou had Zhang Dejun fill another cup, gestured to those around him, and said with a smile: "It is rare that all you lords are gathered together in the Eastern Capital. I am truly delighted today, and so I have spoken a bit more than usual—do not take offense, lords. Come, let us all drink this cup together once more, to fulfill the bond between ruler and minister. Please!"

After drinking another cup of wine, Liu Chengyou's frame was already somewhat unsteady. Supported by attendants, he returned to the imperial table, gestured, and the hall once again resounded with music and dance...

Thereafter, Liu Chengyou, pleading that he could not hold his liquor, left the banquet early, and instructed that the military governors should enjoy themselves to the fullest—at the same time, giving them an opportunity to foster connections and feelings among themselves.

The moment he stepped out of Wansui Hall, Liu Chengyou's body slowly straightened. His face still bore traces of drunkenness, but there was no drunken demeanor about him; his eyes were clear and sharp, while in his mind floated the performances of those present just moments ago.

Walking slowly along the corridor, Liu Chengyou suddenly asked Zhang Dejun: "Yao Yuanfu is renowned for his generosity and magnanimity. Though his temperament is open and unrestrained, he has no reputation for arrogance. Why then, just now at the banquet, was he so presumptuous and rude?"

Caught off guard by this question, Zhang Dejun thought for a moment and replied: "He is a military governor of an outer prefecture, commanding troops in his own domain, wielding heavy authority over his own garrison. He is not accustomed to court etiquette on ordinary days. Perhaps it was the influence of wine that made him forget the rules!"

Liu Chengyou asked again: "Do you think I am drunk?"

"His Majesty's body is drunk, but his heart is not!" Zhang Dejun replied.

"Zhang Dejun, you have grown clever again!" Liu Chengyou said lightly.

A look of panic immediately appeared on Zhang Dejun's face, and he hastily said: "This humble one spoke recklessly—please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

Liu Chengyou's smile deepened as he looked at him: "What are you panicking about? I have always enjoyed conversing with clever people!"

"Tonight, I shall go to Kunming Hall!" Liu Chengyou gave the order and quickened his pace onward.

Startled by the emperor once again, Zhang Dejun could not help but wipe the fine sweat from his forehead. Paying no heed to much else, he hurriedly quickened his steps to catch up.

In truth, Yao Yuanfu's presumption was, in Liu Chengyou's eyes, somewhat deliberate—more like a test, a probe of this emperor's breadth of mind. Liu Chengyou considered that he had performed quite well.

At tonight's imperial banquet, he had already spoken rather directly. Barring any unexpected developments, he should receive feedback within the next two or three days.

Over at Wansui Hall, less than two quarters of an hour after the emperor left, the military governors gradually dispersed. The father and son of the Zhe family returned home together as before. On the way, Zhe Deyi could not help but say to his elderly father: "Just as Father said—the Son of Heaven's intention is actually to strip us of our authority!"

Zhe Congruan appeared very calm: "It was to be expected. The only question is what choices these people will ultimately make. But regardless, it will be difficult for any of them to return to their former posts!"

"Father, can I still return to Fuzhou?" Zhe Deyi asked with some hesitation.

"Do you know why, just now in the hall, when the Son of Heaven was toasting and recounting merits, he omitted you, Li Wanchao, and Yang Ye?" Zhe Congruan said: "Stay in the Eastern Capital for a while longer—at least until after the Worthy Consort gives birth. By then, the situation in Baode Prefecture should be more or less stabilized..."

Hearing his old father say this, Zhe Deyi understood the implication and felt considerably more at ease. He was not yet forty, in the prime of his life—he had no desire to retire from service at such an age.

"Do you know how the Son of Heaven evaluated you?" Zhe Congruan suddenly said.

Zhe Deyi immediately became interested, also wanting to hear how the emperor had praised him. Meeting his expectant gaze, Zhe Congruan said: "The Son of Heaven said of you that you understand military strategy, possess courage and cunning, and can be entrusted to guard a region!"

"So, he will still use me after all!" A hint of joy appeared on Zhe Deyi's face.

Zhe Congruan pondered for a moment, then said: "After you return to the north, your younger brother Deyuan should be transferred away!"