Chapter 563: Border Generals Leave the Capital; Another Son Is Born

Just into early autumn, though not yet obvious, in the palace gardens, the flowers, trees, insects, and birds had all taken on a thin layer of autumnal feeling. The autumn sun shone through the mottled leaves, casting warmth upon the body; viewing the beautiful scenery, one felt relaxed and joyful.

Liu Chengyou, dressed in a fitted martial outfit that showed a slight paunch, sighed refreshingly: "This unbearable summer has finally passed!"

In the garden was a wide and flat stretch of grass with an open view, where Liu Chengyou was practicing archery. The target was set ten zhang away, not very far; he fired ten arrows in succession, hitting six or seven, but not a single one struck the bullseye.

Beside him, his practice companions were Yang Ye, Commander of the Dingxiang Army, who had returned to the capital to report on his duties, and Li Wanchao, Army Commander of Ninghua. After another round of practice, Liu Chengyou put away his carved bow, stretched his somewhat sore arms, and said: "Let's stop here for today!"

Taking a towel, he wiped his face, then dried his hands, sat down behind the prepared mat table, took a drink of water, and looked at Li Wanchao and Yang Ye as they approached, saying: "I have also practiced archery for many years, but this skill of mine has never been refined—far inferior to the two of you!"

"Your Majesty's heart embraces the realm; your strengths lie in governing the state and commanding generals, toiling from dawn to dusk, handling myriad affairs daily. To have such archery skill is already outstanding!" Li Wanchao said with a smile, defending the Emperor's archery from the side.

Yang Ye followed suit, with a serious expression: "General Li speaks truly. We have spent long years in military service, dwelling in the army, where bow, horse, and archery are our stock-in-trade, practiced constantly without daring to slacken, so that we may render service for Your Majesty and for the Great Han!"

"For a military officer not to slacken in bow and horse is his duty. With generals like this, why worry about border troubles, why fret that the realm is not pacified!" Liu Chengyou said with a light laugh, his gaze at Yang Ye filled with the same fondness and appreciation as always: "But from your words, Chonggui, that ambition to establish merit is stirring restlessly!"

"Your Majesty's eyes are like torches!" Yang Ye bowed respectfully: "You saw through this humble one's little thoughts at a glance!"

Yang Ye had garrisoned Dai for many years, accumulating merit, but mostly minor achievements. With the peace talks between Han and Liao, border conflicts had diminished, and hearing of the Great Han's southern campaigns and western expeditions, that ambition for achievement truly could not be restrained.

"Having ambition is a good thing, but you still need to temper your resolve—there's no rushing!" Liu Chengyou's gaze was deep; he picked up two pears from the fruit plate and tossed one to each of them, saying calmly: "I reorganized the Hedong troops, established the Dingxiang, Ninghua, and Baoning Armies in northern Jin, and had you focus on leading troops and training. What was my aim? Expanding territory is merit, protecting the land and securing the people is also merit. The realm is not yet settled; there is plenty of merit waiting for you to establish. But you must be patient!"

"Yes! Your Majesty's instruction, this humble one will keep engraved in his heart!" Yang Ye said.

"How was the carved bow you just used?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Li Wanchao replied: "Exquisite craftsmanship, powerful and sturdy—a fine bow!"

"These are precious bows newly made by master craftsmen of the Armory Directorate; the ten best were selected and presented to me!" Liu Chengyou said: "I thought to myself, such fine bows and sharp implements, left to gather dust in the palace armory, would be too great a pity. They should be held in the hands of heroes to display their worth! Each of you may choose one!"

"Additionally, I will bestow upon each of you a set of fine armor!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li and Yang immediately bowed in gratitude. As military officers, none could fail to love fine bows and precious armor—especially armor, which on the battlefield was almost a second life.

Liu Chengyou himself took a pear, bit into it, juice splattering, and said: "You two have been in the capital for over a month now, haven't you?"

"Indeed!"

"Though the Eastern Capital is prosperous, I cannot let you linger here longer. If you don't mind the hardship, pack up and head north to take up your posts at Yanmen and Kelan!" Liu Chengyou said with a hint of a smile on his lips.

"As commanded!" The two replied without the slightest hesitation.

"The northern border is bitter and cold, and the weight of frontier defense is heavy—I entrust it to you!" Liu Chengyou straightened up, his tone and expression turning solemn.

"Your Majesty, a report from Qiuhua Hall says that the Worthy Consort lady is about to give birth!" Just then, a palace eunuch hurried over to report.

Hearing this, joy immediately appeared on Liu Chengyou's face. He said to Li Wanchao and Yang Ye: "There is business in the palace, so I will not specially hold a farewell banquet for you. Report to the Ministry of War, and you may proceed to the frontier to take up your posts!"

"Yes!" The two acknowledged. Li Wanchao then said with a light laugh: "Let me also congratulate Your Majesty in advance on the arrival of a noble son!"

"I accept that!" Waving to the two, Liu Chengyou hurried away.

Inside and outside Qiuhua Hall, there was again tense bustle. Giving birth was like stepping through the gates of hell; though Lady Zhe was already on her second child and had always been healthy, it still inevitably caused worry.

Apart from the Empress Dowager and the Empress coming to keep her company, the other harem consorts—especially the newly pregnant Benevolent Consort Fu—were ordered by Liu Chengyou to remain in their own palaces. Before long, upon hearing the news, the father and son Zhe Congruan and Zhe Deyi also hurried over. Compared to the Emperor, the father and son were clearly more nervous; listening to the pained groans coming from the delivery chamber, their faces were full of anxiety.

Liu Chengyou's expression was calm, showing nothing unusual, but he kept pacing the hall, his steps steady, yet he had been at it for nearly two hours.

"Second Brother, why not sit for a while?" Empress Fu, at a signal from Empress Dowager Li, stepped forward and gently took his hand.

The softness and warmth transmitted from her hand finally settled Liu Chengyou's emotions somewhat. He lifted his robe, sat down, picked up his teacup, and took a deep drink.

"Please sit as well, sirs!" Liu Chengyou looked at the Zhe father and son, who were still standing, and instructed. Then, slightly annoyed, he said to the eunuchs in the hall: "Why have you not served drinks to the two dukes!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The Zhe father and son bowed in gratitude.

After about another hour, a crisp infant cry finally came from the inner chamber, and most of those present breathed a sigh of relief.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! The Worthy Consort lady has given birth to an imperial prince; both mother and child are well!"

Only upon receiving this report did he truly break into a smile, as congratulations rang out without end. Liu Chengyou, too, was rarely seen beaming with joy; he waved his sleeve and laughed heartily: "Rewards for all!"

The Zhe father and son exchanged glances, both seeing the joy in the other's eyes—another imperial prince!

In the seventh month of the fifth year of Qianyou, in autumn, Worthy Consort Zhe gave birth to a son, the fifth imperial prince, and the Emperor bestowed upon him the name Yun.

In Qiuhua Hall, Liu Chengyou was gently playing with the infant wrapped in soft brocade, a faint smile on his lips, while his fourth son, Liu Fang, toddled along on little legs, closely following at his father's feet. Nearly two years old, he could already manage a little run, though unsteadily, and from time to time he would cling to Liu Chengyou's shins.

Lady Zhe lay quietly on the bed, clearly having gained some weight; though still appearing weak, her complexion had recovered somewhat. Liu Chengyou walked over, sat on the edge of the bed, and said: "Your belly is quite capable—you've given me another fine son!"

Seeing the Emperor happy, Lady Zhe said playfully: "Didn't Your Majesty want an imperial daughter?"

"Eh! Whether male or female, it is my blood, and I love them all!" Liu Chengyou's face was full of tenderness.

As they talked, the swaddled infant began to cry again. Liu Chengyou tried to soothe him, but to no effect—the crying only grew louder. Helplessly, he looked at Lady Zhe for help and handed the child to her: "Why is this little one so fond of crying?"

"Thinking back, when Fourth Son was this age, no matter how I fussed with him, he wouldn't cry! Right?" Saying this, he looked down at little Liu Fang, who was still leaning against his knee—only to see the little one using his dragon robe to wipe his nose.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou glared at him, but the little one, far from being afraid, simply found a clean spot and wiped his face...

"You little rascal, daring to use my dragon robe as a towel!" Liu Chengyou reached out and pinched his little cheek, laughing: "When you grow up, you'll surely be a restless one!"

Liu Fang smiled at Liu Chengyou: "Daddy, carry me!"

Hearing this, the lady chided: "The child knows nothing—surely Your Majesty won't quibble with him!"

Liu Chengyou picked up Liu Fang, and the boy immediately tried to climb up onto his shoulder, but was easily subdued. Liu Chengyou turned his head to look at Lady Zhe. The fifth son had already stopped crying, now focused intently on nursing at the opened front of Lady Zhe's robe, eyes closed as he sucked, and unconsciously gripping the other side...

There was nothing that a feeding couldn't solve.

Soon, he ordered the wet nurse to take the two little ones away, personally tucked the blanket over the lady, and pretended to ponder.

"If Your Majesty has something to say, pray speak plainly!" Seeing his expression, the lady asked.

"Your father has been in the capital for a long time now. The Baoning Army cannot go long without its commander; it needs someone to take charge of the troops. He is well-versed in border affairs and knows the local conditions. I intend to send your father back to the northern frontier!" Liu Chengyou said.

Hearing this, the lady replied: "This is court military business; though it involves my father, there is no need to inform me."

Liu Chengyou gently pressed her hand and said: "You and your father have not seen each other for years, and you have just given birth..."

"To have Your Majesty's consideration is already more than enough!" The lady broke into a smile.

"Take good care of yourself and recover your strength! For this autumn's hunt, I still want you to accompany me!" Liu Chengyou was clearly very satisfied with the lady's attitude and smiled at her.

As Liu Chengyou successively sent Li Wanchao, Yang Ye, and Zhe Deyi back to their posts as commanders of the three border armies, the reform of the Hedong military system had reached its final stage. And Zhao Kuangyin, who had spent three months in Hedong, also returned having completed his mission, having selected a full quota of five thousand elite soldiers from Hedong.

Meanwhile, in Guanzhong, Southwestern Army Supervisor Xiang Xun, by imperial order, had also begun the reorganization of the prefectural and garrison troops of Guanzhong. Before long, Liu Chengyou issued another edict, appointing Wang Jing, Commandery Duke of Bohai, as Training Commissioner to go to Fengxiang to assist in military training, while simultaneously transferring young officers such as Han Chongyun and Ma Renyu from the imperial army to serve in the southwestern forces.