Chapter 723: The Nanping Prince Kept Me Waiting Long Enough

"Your subject Gao Baorong pays respects to Your Majesty the Emperor!" Inside Chongzheng Hall, the belatedly arriving Nanping Prince Gao Baorong finally lowered his head and performed the great ritual before the Han Emperor.

Liu Chengyou sat upright at the imperial desk, scrutinizing Gao Baorong—thirty-something years old, with a full beard, elegant and refined, with a very good appearance. Only his constitution and bearing seemed poor, likely due to overindulgence in wine and women.

"The Nanping Prince has had a tiring journey. No need to kneel—excused from the ritual, rise, and be seated!" Liu Chengyou's tone was not particularly courteous.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Stealing a careful glance at Liu Chengyou, Gao Baorong rose nimbly enough and took his seat under the guidance of a palace eunuch.

"The Nanping Prince has made me wait a long time! I have been hoping to meet you since the fourth month!" Looking at him, his opening words already made Gao Baorong's heart flutter with unease. Liu Chengyou continued with a sigh: "However, good things come to those who wait—today I have finally met you. Though this is our first meeting, you and I have long been friends in spirit. Meeting today, I truly feel a sense of kinship. Nanping Prince, do you not feel the same?"

"Yes! Yes! Your Majesty speaks truly!" When truly facing the Son of Heaven of the Han, Gao Baorong found he had no confidence left at all. Perhaps it was the lingering autumn heat, combined with the Emperor's barbed words—cold sweat unconsciously seeped from his forehead.

Seeing this, a slight smile finally curled at the corners of Liu Chengyou's mouth, though it was somewhat cold: "What a pity—the day before yesterday I took a consort, and you missed my wedding wine!"

"Your subject only learned of this after arriving in the capital. I am deeply regretful and remorseful beyond measure. Please punish me, Your Majesty!" Gao Baorong could no longer sit still, rose, and prostrated himself in explanation.

"The Nanping Prince is innocent! First, I never sent you an invitation; second, how could I punish someone for missing my wedding wine?" The smile on Liu Chengyou's face gradually widened.

"Your Majesty's magnanimity shames your subject! Hearing of Your Majesty's great joy, your subject has prepared a modest gift and hopes Your Majesty will deign to accept it!" Gao Baorong hurriedly said, as if trying to make amends.

"I am the sovereign of a nation, possessing all under heaven—do you think I care about your paltry congratulatory gift?" Liu Chengyou's expression grew even more affable as he looked at Gao Baorong: "However, that you have this sentiment warms my heart. Since it is already prepared, I imagine it would be inconvenient for you to take it back. Let me suggest a use for it!"

Hearing this, Gao Baorong was somewhat stunned, instinctively cupping his hands in response: "I await Your Majesty's instruction!"

"Though I am in the Eastern Capital, my eyes and ears remain clear. I have heard that Jiangling formerly had a Deputy Commander of troops named Li Jingwei, who before my great army marched south advised you to ambush troops in the narrow defiles. After the imperial army entered the city, he drew his sword and cut his own throat, dying for his country to fulfill his loyalty..." Liu Chengyou said unhurriedly.

Hearing the Emperor raise this matter, Gao Baorong immediately panicked and said: "Your Majesty, that Li Jingwei was merely a stubborn rustic from Xiazhou—obstinate and foolish, unaware of the Mandate of Heaven. At the time, I severely rebuked him! Your subject has never harbored the slightest intention of resisting Your Majesty or the court!"

"Nanping Prince, don't get agitated! Your deference to the court—after all these years, do I not know it well?" A note of amusement crept into Liu Chengyou's tone as he continued: "I merely heard that after Li Jingwei died, he was hastily buried with only a mound of yellow earth. His aged mother, wife, and children have no one to support them, suffering bullying from petty scoundrels, miserable and helpless."

Staring at Gao Baorong, Liu Chengyou's expression cooled somewhat: "This Li Jingwei, though vulgar and worthless, his loyalty to your Gao clan is still pitiable! Since the last three generations of the Tang, people have mostly abandoned loyalty and righteousness. Someone like Li Jingwei is rare indeed. Since the man is already dead, I have no intention of pursuing charges against his parents and family.

Others may despise him, but you, Nanping Prince, ought to show some gesture. Send your congratulatory gift to the Jiangling authorities, have the local government build a grave for Li Jingwei, and use the remainder to compensate his family—consider it a token of my sentiment as well!"

"Your Majesty is benevolent and virtuous, treating even a foolish man with such tolerance and generosity. Your subject is utterly admiring and willing to offer the congratulatory gift, to be disposed of at Your Majesty's pleasure!" Gao Baorong, relieved, sang praises profusely.

The story of Li Jingwei had some circulation in the Jingnan region. Among the people, there was a saying that of Jingnan's million households and thirty thousand officers and soldiers, the only loyal minister was Li Jingwei...

After finishing with Li Jingwei's matter, Liu Chengyou had Gao Baorong sit again, thought for a moment, then said seriously: "Since the time of Zhu Liang, the Gao clan has held Jingnan, suppressing violence and maintaining order, nurturing the people, keeping that strategic region perpetually peaceful—great indeed are your merits. Before the founding of the Great Han, you also submitted a memorial urging my father to take the throne. After I ascended, you remained respectful and obedient, sending annual tribute without cease, never once committing an act of defiance.

This time, you voluntarily offered your territory and submitted to the court, sparing a war, and assisted the Great Han in campaigning against the rebel Zhou. These achievements, I have noted in my heart and will never forget in this lifetime!"

Hearing these words from the Emperor, Gao Baorong's suspended heart finally settled. The seat beneath him no longer felt like a bed of needles—he could sit comfortably.

"That princely mansion I bestowed upon you by the Bian River—have you gone to see it?" Liu Chengyou asked somewhat abruptly.

Gao Baorong shook his head and replied: "Your subject came straight to the palace to seek an audience upon entering the capital—I have not yet been!"

"Move in with your family—I hope you will be satisfied. I enfeoff you as Commandery Prince of Anyang, holding the title of Grand Preceptor. From now on, take up residence in the Eastern Capital. I do not mistreat ministers of merit—I grant you a lifetime of wealth and honor!" Liu Chengyou said with a calm demeanor.

Hearing this, Gao Baorong rose again, prostrating himself with a face full of agitation: "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"

After Gao Baorong withdrew, Liu Chengyou remarked: "This Gao Baorong isn't too stupid after all! Then why was his conduct so dilatory and hesitant!"

Zhao Pu, who had been silently attending at the side, responded: "This is a mediocre man; his earlier behavior is hardly surprising. Now that he has come to the capital, after Your Majesty's display of both intimidation and grace, he should in the future remain obedient and law-abiding!"

"Let us hope so! For this first feudal lord to offer his territory in submission, I truly wish to see things through with him from start to finish—I would not want any discordant incidents!" Liu Chengyou said.

"Your Majesty, Chancellor Wei requests an audience!"

"Summon him!"

Soon, Wei Renpu entered the hall and performed the ritual properly: "Your Majesty!"

"Wei Qing, please sit!" Toward his pillar minister of state, Liu Chengyou's attitude was kind beyond measure.

Handing a thick stack of memorials to Zhang Dejun to present, Wei Renpu said: "These are the proposed merits and rewards for the various armies and officers of this southern campaign. I request Your Majesty's review!"

"Wei Qing, sit first—let me take a look!"

Liu Chengyou immediately opened them and read carefully—another batch of officers rising to prominence. Of course, the mid- and lower-ranking officers and soldiers no longer received the same degree of attention from Liu Chengyou as in earlier years. It wasn't that he didn't value them, but that there was no need. After so many years of reorganization and development, the Great Han's military had formed its own system—military merit and promotion had their own rules.

Of course, what Wei Renpu presented was only military promotions and monetary rewards. These were submitted to Liu Chengyou for review on the one hand, while titles of nobility and honorary ranks required Liu Chengyou's supplementation.

On this matter, Liu Chengyou already had a draft in mind. He quickly picked up his brush, wrote against the merit register, signed and stamped—a series of actions, very crisp. In this way, the Great Han gained several more marquises and counts.

"I have no objection to the Ministry of War's assessment and approval—promulgate the rewards accordingly!" Looking up, Liu Chengyou said to Wei Renpu.

"Yes!"

"This list only covers the officers who went on campaign!" Looking at Wei Renpu, Liu Chengyou said: "For the meritorious clerks of the Bureau of Military Affairs and the various ministries, how should they be promoted and rewarded—does Wei Qing have any suggestions?"

Wei Renpu replied: "The clerks of the various ministries have their own internal promotion and reward procedures, reported to the Ministry of Personnel and Your Majesty for approval. As for the principal officials and senior ministers, they cannot be assessed by the Ministry of War—they require Your Majesty's sage decision!"

Nodding, Liu Chengyou put on a troubled expression and asked him: "For the others, I have considerations. Only Duke of Xing—this time he bore the responsibility of army logistics, his merit no less than those who took cities and strongholds, and previously he had the merit of governing Xiangyang. Wei Qing, what office do you think I should reward him with?"

Hearing this question, Wei Renpu's brows immediately furrowed. In the blink of an eye, his thoughts seemed to race in a hundred directions. Meeting the Emperor's gaze, he still answered cautiously: "Your Majesty should discuss this with Chancellor Li—this is not within your subject's purview!"

Hearing this reply, Liu Chengyou immediately said: "Wei Qing is also a chancellor, a pillar minister assisting me in governing the realm. Though you concurrently head the Ministry of War, how could you be limited by your office? I wish to hear your view!"

But clearly unwilling to express an opinion on this matter, Wei Renpu hesitated for a moment, then cupped his hands and replied: "Your Majesty is sage, just, and impartial—in rewarding merit, there can be no error!"

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou considered for a moment, waved his hand lightly, sighed, and said: "Enough. If you don't wish to speak, I won't force you!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wei Renpu was visibly relieved.