Chapter 720: Change the State Name, Relinquish the Imperial Title, Acknowledge Vassalage and Offer Tribute

Among the "Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms" of the original history, if one were to speak of which had the lowest presence, aside from the already-extinct Min Kingdom and Former Shu, it would have to be the Southern Han, which carved out its territory in Lingnan. Anyone with even a passing familiarity with history knows this was a "bizarre" kingdom, and the impression it leaves most deeply is that of a "eunuch dynasty."

Of course, as things stood at present, Liu Sheng, sovereign of the Southern Han, was on the throne and had begun to favor eunuchs, leading to eunuchs meddling in governance. But it had not yet reached that level of madness. In the official histories, it was only after Liu Sheng's death and the succession of his son Liu Chang that the Southern Han formally began its evolution toward "bizarre."

It was only at that point that it became widely known that in the Southern Han, to become an official, one must first undergo castration. The reasoning was also absurd and laughable—namely, that ministers with families, who cared for their descendants, could not devote themselves wholly to the royal house.

Of course, on the other hand, corresponding to the scourge of eunuchs was the malady of sorcery in governance. Beginning with Liu Sheng, he trusted sorceresses closely, allowing them to interfere in governance and decide matters of state.

Liu Chengyou had some impression of this, though it was somewhat vague. But now, after Zhao Pu's explanation, it gradually became clear again, and he gained a deeper understanding.

"As you say, if the false court's misrule is like this, it is not worth worrying about. The mountain mists and miasmas are not enough to serve as its barrier—sooner or later, it will be taken!" His bearing exuded confidence and dominance. Liu Chengyou instructed Zhao Pu: "Summon the envoy! I would like to hear what his purpose is in coming!"

"Yes!"

Before long, the Southern Han envoy Chen Yanshou, guided by a palace eunuch, entered Chongzheng Hall. Sweeping his gaze over the majestic hall, with the imperial desk raised high, he caught only a glimpse of the bright-yellow figure behind the desk and instinctively prostrated himself: "Your servant Chen Yanshou pays respects to Your Majesty!"

This was hardly the bearing of a state envoy—his flustered display was nearly that of a household slave. Liu Chengyou sat at the desk, eating a flatbread and drinking congee, the richly varied thin porridge still steaming.

Lifting his eyes to appraise Chen Yanshou, he saw a man in splendid robes, adorned with gold and jade, glittering with jewels, his beard neatly trimmed, his attire immaculate—yet his demeanor stood in stark contrast. In Liu Chengyou's view, he was little different from the palace eunuchs and eunuchs of the Han court.

"Why has the envoy come?" Without bidding him to rise, Liu Chengyou continued unhurriedly nibbling at his flatbread and asked casually.

Chen Yanshou seemed somewhat nervous and blurted out: "Your servant has come from Panyu."

His answer could only be described as "honest." Liu Chengyou, in a lofty posture, said: "What business brings you here?"

"In reply to Your Majesty, my Son of Heaven—"

The words had barely left his mouth when Zhao Pu, standing in attendance, cut him off with a shout: "How dare you! The Son of Heaven of the Great Han is here—how does your sovereign presume to usurp that title? Do you not know this is a crime of the ten abominations punishable by the extermination of one's clan? Where are the guards before the hall? Seize this wretch and drag him out..."

Liu Chengyou sat there steadily, making no statement, letting Zhao Pu do as he pleased, unconcerned by his overstepping.

Stunned by Zhao Pu's rebuke, Chen Yanshou froze for a moment, then fear showed on his face. Recovering his senses, he hastily kowtowed to Liu Chengyou and said: "Your servant is guilty! I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

Waving his hand to dismiss the guards who had entered, Liu Chengyou's gaze at Chen Yanshou was also somewhat cold: "Since ancient times, there cannot be two suns in the sky, nor two sovereigns in a state. The Great Han stands mighty in the Central Plains, and I sit upon the throne to rule the realm. Over these years, I have campaigned east and west; the Southern Tang and Western Shu have vied to submit. Does this Liu Sheng still presume to usurp the imperial seat and defy the Great Han?"

"This..." Hearing the Han Emperor speak thus, Chen Yanshou felt somewhat wronged—he was merely a eunuch envoy, and none of this had anything to do with him.

Seeing his flustered display, Liu Chengyou said flatly: "Speak, then. What has Liu Sheng sent you here for?"

"In reply to Your Majesty, my sovereign sent your servant here—first, to congratulate Your Majesty on your civil and martial achievements in taking Jingnan and Hunan; second, to explain the clash at Guiyang Mountain Pass and beg Your Majesty's understanding; third, to offer tribute and establish friendly relations, wishing to forge a lasting bond with Your Majesty, pledging to be brother states..." This time, Chen Yanshou answered with somewhat more fluency—clearly he had memorized the words.

Yet, even after being so intimidated by Liu Chengyou and his minister, he still recited from the script—showing either his foolishness or his excessive nervousness.

"Heh, heh heh..." Liu Chengyou could not help but laugh. The laughter drifted through the hall, striking Chen Yanshou's heart and making him panic.

"Minister Zhao, did you hear that? This Liu Sheng actually wants to call me his elder brother!"

Turning his head, Liu Chengyou's eyes showed a cold gleam as he stared directly at Chen Yanshou: "I ask you—the Great Han has been established for nine years now. After all these years, why is it only now that you have been sent north to offer tribute?"

"My sovereign has long harbored the desire for friendly relations, but the mountains are high and the roads distant, the journey difficult. Moreover, previously we were at odds with Hunan and obstructed by the Zhou rebels, and thus we were remiss. Fortunately, Your Majesty is wise and martial, taking Jinghu in one stroke and eliminating the rebellion, connecting Lingnan with the Central Plains. My sovereign has yearned for years and can finally send an envoy to court to express his sincerity!" Chen Yanshou replied. Having gradually adapted to the Emperor's presence and the atmosphere of the hall, he answered with considerably more composure.

Noting the obvious fawning expression on the man's face, Liu Chengyou felt neither disgust nor any particular emotion—in truth, the fluctuations on his face were mostly for show.

"So saying, then I have wronged Liu Sheng, failing to appreciate his difficulties?" Liu Chengyou said leisurely.

"Your Majesty speaks too gravely! How would my sovereign dare?" Chen Yanshou bowed and said: "It is only that having not come to court for so long, he is filled with trepidation. If we could obtain Your Majesty's understanding, it would be the honor of our entire humble state. That your servant can, on behalf of my sovereign, pay respects to Your Majesty and hear your sacred words is a blessing your servant has cultivated over several lifetimes!"

This eunuch certainly knew how to speak. Was this how one spent one's days in the Southern Han, fawning upon Liu Sheng?

"Enough!" Hearing his words, Liu Chengyou waved his hand.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Don't be so quick to give thanks!" Liu Chengyou cut him off, gradually withdrawing all emotion, and stared at Chen Yanshou, speaking seriously: "I have heard your purpose clearly! I accept Liu Sheng's congratulations in the spirit in which they were offered, and I will not hold the clash at Guiyang Mountain against him."

"As for friendly relations and tribute between our two states, I also agree—but!" There was an obvious pause in Liu Chengyou's words: "There are two preconditions. First, change the name of your state—there is only one Great Han under heaven. Second, relinquish the imperial title—Lingnan shall forever be a vassal of the state, and this is not open to change. As for the details of acknowledging vassalage and annual tribute, I will send someone to draft them, and you will take them back with you then!"

"Do you understand?" Liu Chengyou's tone rose, causing Chen Yanshou's body to tremble involuntarily.

"Your servant understands!" he hastily replied.

"Good that you understand. Go back and tell Liu Sheng—if he wants friendly relations, he must show sincerity!" Liu Chengyou said indifferently.

"Yes!"

Having said this, Liu Chengyou's stern expression faded, and his demeanor turned gentle again. Looking at Chen Yanshou, his tone even carried a hint of amusement: "You've knelt for so long—your legs must be sore. Rise!"

Hearing this, Chen Yanshou only then realized that since entering the hall, he had been kneeling throughout the audience—truly unbefitting the dignity of a state envoy. Yet suddenly facing the Han Emperor's gentle tone, he was momentarily overwhelmed by the unexpected favor: "Many thanks, Your Majesty!"

"You came from Panyu to the capital, braving the summer heat on a long journey—you must be weary. These few days, rest well in the Eastern Capital and take in the sights of Kaifeng!" Liu Chengyou added.

"Yes!"

After Chen Yanshou withdrew, Liu Chengyou could not help but shake his head vigorously: "With such a man as envoy, one can see the flaws in Liu Sheng's choice of men and governance!"

"Your Majesty's agreement to mend relations with the false court is truly a strategy that kills three birds with one stone!" Zhao Pu flattered him.

"Is that so? Tell me more!" Liu Chengyou seemed somewhat surprised.

Zhao Pu said: "First, it can somewhat pacify the false court's heart; second, regardless of how much annual tribute comes, it can supplement our finances; third, during the time of mended relations, our court can train troops and refine martial readiness—both preparing for the southern advance and simultaneously dispatching forces to take Chuanshu!"

"For me, I only had my eye on that bit of annual tribute—a small gain—simply because I have no intention of continuing southward in the short term. As for the rest, it does not hinder the greater picture. Such is the situation under heaven—what man, what force, could stop me from achieving unification?" Liu Chengyou said flatly.

"Your Majesty's lofty pride and bold spirit fill your minister with admiration!" Zhao Pu said.

Liu Chengyou smiled. Every time he heard Zhao Pu's flattering words, he felt a strange stirring in his heart. Even a minister famed through the ages would offer flattery and sycophancy—of this he was increasingly aware.

"This is the tribute list from the false court this time—please, Your Majesty, review it!" Zhao Pu presented a memorial booklet.

Flipping it open and glancing through it briefly: gold, 2,000 catties; silver, 5,000 catties; various medicinal herbs, 1,000 catties; silk and cloth, 3,000 bolts; plus pearls, agate, jade wares, and other valuables in unspecified quantities.

"It seems Liu Sheng has indeed amassed considerable wealth—he's quite generous with his hand!" Liu Chengyou remarked.

Putting away the tribute list, Liu Chengyou's reaction was rather subdued. Had this been the impoverished early days of the state, it might have stirred some ripples in his heart. Handing it to Zhang Dejun, Liu Chengyou instructed: "Put it into the inner treasury. Also, take those valuables to the rear palace for the consorts to choose from—two pieces each, as my gift!"

"Yes!"

"What do you think of that Chen Yanshou?" Liu Chengyou suddenly asked Zhang Dejun.

Zhang Dejun was somewhat taken aback—why would the Emperor ask him? But he still answered cautiously: "I have not had contact with him; your servant dare not speak recklessly."

Liu Chengyou then said: "Then find the time to go to the guesthouse and make contact with him on my behalf. This man is a eunuch, and being sent as envoy by Liu Sheng, he should have some influence in the Lingnan palace. In the future, he might prove useful!"

"Yes!" Zhang Dejun immediately understood Liu Chengyou's meaning—this was again a secret attempt at subversion. As for why Zhang Dejun was sent—both being eunuchs, perhaps they would have more in common to talk about.