Chapter 725: Guo Wei Falls Ill Again

The early autumn weather already carried a hint of chill. The autumn wind blew through Qionglin Park, the lake waves surged, the rustling reeds whispered, and the grass and trees on the plains swayed. Dozens of riders galloped past with shouts, hooves flying at full speed—a race that spared no effort from the horses.

After galloping continuously for more than twenty li, they finally stopped. They climbed a still-lush earthen slope, reined in their horses, and gazed into the distance. Autumn waves rippled across Jinming Pool, water and sky merged into one color—the scenery was still pleasing to the eye.

"It's been a long time since I've run so freely!" Liu Chengyou remarked with emotion, glancing at the guards who had caught up and were protecting him on all sides. Feeling the heat and fatigue beneath his riding clothes, his spirits were nonetheless exceptionally high.

"This batch of imperial horses is excellent! Sturdy builds, strong stamina!" Liu Chengyou said with a light laugh, patting the white horse beneath him with its even coat. As if sensing the Son of Heaven's praise, the sturdy steed gave an intelligent snort and stamped its hooves lightly, as if it hadn't yet run its fill.

It turned out that a batch of fine horses had arrived in the capital from the northwest, and a selection had been made for the imperial stables. Liu Chengyou, delighted at the sight, had brought his men to Qionglin Park for a run. The Feilong Commissioner He Yun beside him laughed and replied, "This batch totals 32 horses, all fine steeds chosen one in ten. They excel in every regard—Your Majesty's satisfaction is all that matters!"

Liu Chengyou said, "The Great Han still lacks war horses. Fine steeds like these cannot gallop across the battlefield but are instead used for ceremonial processions and honor guards. I always feel it's wasteful—they can't realize their true value!"

Upon hearing this, He Yun responded, "Your Majesty's majestic bearing can only be matched by such fine horses. Were inferior steeds used, it would truly diminish the imperial dignity!"

He Yun's words did carry considerable sense. Not dwelling further on the matter, Liu Chengyou turned his head to look at him: "How many imperial horses are there in the Feilong Bureau now?"

"To answer Your Majesty, counting the 32 from the northwest, there are 654 in total. Additionally, there are seventy breeding mares, all carefully selected sturdy horses, continuously being bred!" He Yun replied.

"The importance of horses needs no elaboration from me—cultivate them with dedication!" Liu Chengyou instructed.

"Yes!"

"How many horses are there under the Palace Command now?" Liu Chengyou then looked at Zhao Kuangyin, who was accompanying him.

After a brief moment of recollection, Zhao Kuangyin reported, "The Tieqi Army's two wings have 12,800 war horses. Longqi, the Inner Palace Guard, and Xiaodi—three units together—have 2,769. Additionally, there are over two thousand draft horses and pack horses!"

"What about the horses' ages?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"After years of culling and replenishment, those under ten years of age now number over eight thousand, and the figure rises year by year!" Zhao Kuangyin paused, then continued, "As for the Imperial Guard Command, I'm not entirely clear on the details, but I imagine it shouldn't differ much!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's expression looked quite satisfied. He sighed, "War horses are the sharp weapons of the state and the military. If I wish to sweep the northern border and recover our rivers and mountains, they are indispensable! Still, the efforts of these years have not been in vain—compared to the founding of the state, the improvement is tremendous!"

At the founding of the Great Han, the war horses under central control numbered only a little over twenty thousand, and among them quality was mixed, good and bad intermingled—those truly suitable for charging into battle were less than half.

Liu Chengyou naturally strove with all his might to improve the situation, but in the early years, constrained by state finances, he compressed the establishment during the training of the imperial army and selectively bred fine horses. Only after the fifth year of Qianyou did the numbers grow strong again.

And with the restoration of and investment in the horse administration, the horse supply situation was further alleviated—only the time had not yet been long enough for the results to fully manifest. However, the court's investment in funds and policy over the past two years had been substantial and real.

According to the target Liu Chengyou had originally set, within ten years he would cultivate, train, and maintain one hundred thousand war horses usable in combat. Later he discovered the target was set too high, so he decisively changed it to fifteen years and seventy thousand horses. Even so, Liu Chengyou had no certainty about the final outcome. As much as he valued it, for now the court's financial capacity to invest in this area was ultimately limited.

"Yuanlang, you've been in the Eastern Capital for quite a while now, haven't you?" He suddenly looked at Zhao Kuangyin beside him and said.

Zhao Kuangyin was briefly startled, then quickly recovered and cupped his hands in inquiry: "Does Your Majesty have instructions?"

"Two years ago, you made a trip to the northwest on my behalf. This autumn, make another trip for me, and take the opportunity to visit Hanzhong as well!" Liu Chengyou said.

In an instant, Zhao Kuangyin thought of many things. While accepting, he asked, "Commander-in-Chief Murong is on patrol inspecting military affairs in Hebei. If I go to the northwest, who will handle the day-to-day affairs of the Palace Command?"

"I have my own considerations!" Glancing at Zhao Kuangyin and causing him to lower his head, Liu Chengyou added, "I am appointing Han Tong as Deputy Chief Commander of the Palace Command to manage daily affairs!"

"Yes!"

After returning to the palace, Liu Chengyou went directly to Consort Guo Ning's quarters and bathed with her. After changing into a new robe, he emerged refreshed and returned to Chongzheng Hall, where he once again received word that Guo Wei had requested leave.

Bright candlelight shone on Liu Chengyou's face, softening his expression somewhat. After pondering for a moment, he smiled faintly: "Very well, if he's unwilling to handle affairs, why should I force it..."

"Has there been any movement at the Bureau of Military Affairs these past few days? How has the Duke of Chan been conducting himself?" Liu Chengyou asked Zhang Dejun.

"To answer Your Majesty, everything is as usual. The Duke of Chan manages military and governmental affairs in an orderly manner!" Zhang Dejun said.

After thinking it over, Liu Chengyou looked up at him and instructed, "Take out an autumn robe and deliver it to the Duke of Xing's residence. Go yourself. Say that autumn has arrived, the weather is changing, and mornings and evenings are cold—tell him to take care of his health! Also, have He Yun select an imperial horse and deliver it to the residence as well!"

"Yes!"

Night fell, and the autumn wind brought coolness. Compared to the sweltering heat of the day, it was certainly more comfortable—though one would do well to add a layer of clothing. At this moment, Guo Wei held the imperial robe bestowed by the emperor in his hands, standing straight and tall in the rear garden of his ducal residence. The trees around him rustled in the wind, and the cold breeze stirred his sleeves, seeping through the gaps as if trying to invade his heart.

Feeling the robe in his hands—the fine fabric, the soft texture, the exquisite craftsmanship—the key point was the purple dragon pattern embroidered upon it, which marked it as imperial attire. At this moment, Guo Wei's mood grew increasingly complicated. The emperor gave him warmth, yet he felt the autumn chill all the more.

"Husband, the wind is strong in the pavilion, and your clothing is thin. You've been standing here so long—please return to the room and rest. Don't catch a cold!" The noble lady walked to Guo Wei's side, looked at him, her face full of concern.

As she spoke, she reached for the imperial robe in his hands, wanting to drape it over him: "The emperor gave it to you—why aren't you wearing it?"

Guo Wei shook his head, saying nothing, nor showing any intention of putting it on.

Seeing this, Lady Zhang's brows furrowed slightly as she asked, "What does the emperor mean by this? These past few days, first bestowing food, then robes, then imperial horses—even if he values you as his father-in-law, it shouldn't extend to such care over every little thing!"

At these words, the bitterness at the corners of Guo Wei's mouth deepened. Finally turning his head to look at his wife, he sighed, "Even my lady can see the unusualness in this—how could I not know it as well?"

Seeing his expression, Lady Zhang lowered her head slightly, thought for a moment, then suddenly raised it to ask: "Since returning to the capital, you've been heavy-hearted and full of apprehension—it's because of the emperor, isn't it!"

"My lady truly has insight!" Guo Wei's words were as good as an admission.

Lady Zhang knitted her brows, puzzled: "If that's so, then why did he take Guo Ning as a consort, why promote you and your sons in rank and title, and why bestow so many gifts?"

Hearing this, Guo Wei revealed a helpless smile: "Imperial favor is like the sea—unfathomably deep. This succession of favors has become somewhat unbearable for me! His Majesty's thoughts are no longer something I can fathom!"

"Why not request to leave the capital again, to ensure your safety!" Lady Zhang suggested.

Guo Wei gently shook his head: "I am now in a position where I wish to retire but cannot!"

"If that's the case, could it be..." Lady Zhang dared not finish the thought in her heart.

Knowing what she was worried about, Guo Wei gently took her hand and reassured her: "It won't come to that! My mind is already made up. For now, I can only wait for His Majesty to bring this matter to a conclusion whenever he sees fit!"

Guo Wei wore an expression of having made his peace with things. Taking Lady Zhang's hand, he returned to their room. The couple walked together, and Guo Wei's bearing remained tall and upright throughout—he was the sturdiest, most solid pillar upon which the entire Guo clan relied.

The next day, Guo Wei again submitted a memorial citing illness and requesting to resign and return home. This was Guo Wei's third request to Liu Chengyou to step down, and this time, he was willing to lay down all official posts entirely and return to his hometown to recuperate.

"The Duke of Xing is ill?" Liu Chengyou paid little attention to the resignation memorial, seeming more concerned about Guo Wei's illness: "Wasn't he fine these past few days? How did he suddenly fall ill?"

"Reportedly he caught a chill from the wind last night!" Zhao Pu replied.

After thinking briefly, Liu Chengyou instructed Zhang Dejun: "Notify the Imperial Medical Bureau to send a physician to the residence to examine him!"

"Yes!" Zhang Dejun acknowledged and departed.

"Wait!" Before he had taken two steps, Liu Chengyou called him back.

"Does His Majesty have further instructions?" Zhang Dejun bowed and asked.

After considering seriously for a few moments, Liu Chengyou said, "Go to Yilan Hall and inform Consort Ning to prepare herself—she will accompany me to the Guo residence to inquire after his health!"

"Yes!"