Chapter 573: The Autumn Hunt

Whether to renovate Kaifeng was beyond question—three years ago, Liu Chengyou had already considered it, but was constrained by finances. As the capital of the Great Han, with the rapid development of politics, economy, and culture in recent years, along with the swift growth of population, the infrastructure could no longer meet the city's developmental needs. Expansion and renovation were imperative.

Although in Liu Chengyou's mind, Kaifeng was not the most ideal site for a capital—after all, it sat on open plains with no natural defenses and faced the threat of flooding—in terms of economic convenience and transportation, Kaifeng was fully capable of bearing the role of a capital during the stage of unifying the realm, and of meeting political and military needs. Therefore, the expansion of Kaifeng was worth the investment.

However, Liu Chengyou was rather frugal. The court had too many places requiring expenditure, and this year in particular, income had fallen short of expenses. If Kaifeng were to be renovated, raising funds and grain from other channels was worth considering—for instance, the "contributions" from merchants that Murong Yanchao had proposed.

But Liu Chengyou himself also needed to consider what valuable things he could offer in exchange to the merchants—such as tax breaks, newly built shops, residences, and so forth. After all, if Murong Yanchao were truly given free rein, it would likely devolve into extortion and blackmail. The original intention of renovating Kaifeng was good—a matter benefiting the state and the people—and Liu Chengyou did not wish to see it spoiled, damaging the court's reputation. There needed to be control, and attention paid to appearances.

Deep autumn had arrived; all things withered, forests rustled, and fallen leaves drifted. The sky was high and clouds thin. In the outskirts of Kaifeng, continuous fields had become open ground, with weeds piled up, fattening the soil for spring, while birds and insects foraged among them.

In mid-September of the fifth year of Qianyou, the Emperor of Han hunted in the western outskirts of Kaifeng. The Empress, the Worthy Consort, palace attendants, and over thirty sons of the capital's meritorious nobility accompanied the imperial carriage. The hunting troops consisted of one thousand riders each selected from the Fengchen Left Battalion and the Iron Cavalry and Dragon Swift armies, plus another thousand elite soldiers chosen from various regions who had newly supplemented the imperial army.

The light cavalry returned, charging straight through the camp gates. Reaching the imperial tent, guards held the horses and assisted the riders to dismount. Liu Chengyou nimbly got off his horse. The escorting riders around him had many hunting trophies on their persons and horses—it looked like a bountiful haul.

Lady Zhe followed closely at Liu Chengyou's side, clad in a set of beautiful light armor that wrapped around her increasingly mature and graceful figure, carrying a unique charm. After postpartum recovery and a period of unremitting exercise, Lady Zhe's figure had gradually been restored—though the places that should be ample had grown even fuller. Young as she was, she had already completed her transformation, for she was after all the mother of two children.

Presumably due to strenuous activity, her breath came in light gasps, and with the cold autumn wind, her pretty face was flushed—bright and radiant.

Tossing aside his horsewhip, he instructed Zhang Dejun: "Take the deer I hunted, skin it and break it down. After returning to the palace, distribute the venison to the ladies of the various halls!"

"Yes!" Seeing the Emperor in high spirits, Zhang Dejun smiled along with him.

Liu Chengyou and Lady Zhe entered the tent together. Inside and outside the tent were two completely different worlds—outside the autumn wind brought chill, while inside it was warm as spring.

Empress Fu leaned lightly against the edge of a table, her elegantly proportioned jade legs stretched out gracefully, holding a scroll of a book in her hand, reading attentively. Seeing Liu Chengyou, she set down the book, put on her shoes, and came forward to greet him: "His Majesty has returned!"

"Mm!" Liu Chengyou responded, spreading his arms wide.

Empress Fu immediately instructed the palace maids to help the Emperor remove his armor, while she herself stepped forward to help Lady Zhe undo hers. This left the young lady flattered and overwhelmed, repeatedly saying she dared not accept. Yet this scene of sisterly affection did not escape the Emperor's eyes.

"Judging by His Majesty's expression, the hunt was quite fruitful!" The elder Lady Fu had someone prepare warm soup to ward off the cold, personally handed it to Liu Chengyou, and asked with a smile.

"I only hunted one deer!" Liu Chengyou said with a smile, pointing at Lady Zhe. "But the Worthy Consort—she shot two pheasants, a wild rabbit, and a wild boar. She's put me to shame. I feel quite inadequate and rather embarrassed!"

Hearing the Emperor say this, Lady Zhe immediately replied: "What Your Majesty hunts is the realm itself—how could I possibly compare."

Lady Zhe certainly knew how to speak. Her words pleased Liu Chengyou greatly. Empress Fu then said: "Lady Zhe's heroic bearing is no less than a man's—truly admirable."

Lady Zhe said: "His Majesty flatters me—how dare I accept such praise!"

One dragon and two phoenixes, in this warm tent, launched into a mutual praise session—the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

"What book are you reading?" After drinking a few mouthfuls of hot soup, Liu Chengyou noticed the volume Empress Fu had set aside.

The elder Lady Fu picked it up and replied: "Recent Discourses on Tang Dynasty Sovereigns and Ministers."

"Is that the volume presented by Zhang Zhao?" Liu Chengyou said.

"Exactly. Zhang Gong's analysis of the Tang dynasty's sovereigns, ministers, military, and governance is quite reasonable. Your Majesty might consider reading it—you would surely benefit from it." The elder Lady Fu said, recommending it to Liu Chengyou.

"It seems Zhang Gong's book is well written, to earn such praise from you, elder Fu. Then I'll find time to take a look!" Liu Chengyou responded.

"Your Majesty, Chief Inspector Zhao requests an audience!" Amid their conversation, Zhang Dejun announced.

For this hunting expedition, Zhao Kuangyin served as commander of the imperial tent camp, responsible for security and hunting arrangements. Entering the tent, he performed the formal rites with proper decorum and reported: "Your Majesty, the military competition and drills are prepared, awaiting Your Majesty's inspection!"

"Good!" Liu Chengyou said immediately: "Pass the order—in a quarter of an hour, the martial demonstration begins!"

Troop drills and martial demonstrations were a staple program of Liu Chengyou's hunting expeditions, and also a fine opportunity for mid- and low-ranking officers to display their valor and talent before the Son of Heaven.

On the open plain, banners stood in rows, war drums sounded in unison, and a platform was erected in the center. Brave soldiers took turns competing to determine the strongest. All were grassroots soldiers; according to convention, those ranked highest would receive rewards and promotions, and the one who took first place would also earn the chance to feast with the Son of Heaven. Hence, all fought with great effort, and the competition was fierce.

Amid a burst of enthusiastic cheers, another opponent was knocked down, drawing blood. The defeated soldier's face was bruised and swollen, his eyes filled with unwillingness. Having survived several rounds, falling before the final opponent—that sense of unwillingness was all the deeper, but there was nothing to be done. His skill was inferior.

On the viewing platform, biting into a dark purple grape, he watched the victorious soldier on the arena. A man of six chi, with a fierce build, had taken first place, his momentum even stronger. After several rounds of competition, he bore wounds on his body, yet seemed to feel nothing.

The military officer had already ascended the platform to announce the victory. Liu Chengyou asked Zhao Kuangyin, who waited at his side: "This is a true warrior—who is he?"

Zhao Kuangyin answered quickly: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this man is named Luo Zhun, from Dingxiang. He has astonishing physical strength and outstanding martial skill. He has served in the army for three years, was selected to enter the Eastern Capital, and is now a squad leader in the Longqi Army!"

Liu Chengyou couldn't help but glance at Zhao Kuangyin. His understanding of the military was truly deep—for a mere squad leader, he could recite his background like the back of his hand. Clearly, he had put in the effort.

"Reward him!" Liu Chengyou instructed with a smile.

Squad Leader Luo Zhun on the platform heard of the reward and immediately knelt, thanking the Son of Heaven from afar.

This was already the second day of the hunt. Besides the martial strength competition, there were also individual skill contests in horsemanship, archery, and swordplay. The horsemanship competition, per Liu Chengyou's wishes, was divided into obstacle and technique challenges, adding much more interest and spectacle.

Archery was also divided into foot archery and mounted archery—the most thrilling being mounted archery. Worthy Consort Lady Zhe, her interest piqued, also requested permission from Liu Chengyou. Spurring her horse and drawing her bow, she loosed ten arrows and hit seven, with one striking dead center of the target.

That figure galloping on horseback, with jade-like countenance and heroic bearing, became a striking and beautiful sight on the hunting grounds.

That night, Liu Chengyou held a banquet in the imperial tent. All the victors of the various competitions were permitted to enter the tent and drink together, in recognition of their abilities.

On the third day, there were team exercises such as marching drills and formation battles to seize the banner, finally concluding the three-day autumn hunt with a polo match.

On the road back to the capital, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but once again consider the matter of the "military examinations." He had harbored this intention for a long time, wishing to use it as a means to further control the army.