Chapter 728: The Northern Envoy Returns South

The Mid-Autumn Festival is meant to be a day of reunion. After enjoying a pleasant holiday in the Eastern Capital, the Guo household, long since packed, officially set out on the road home.

It wasn't that Guo Wei deliberately delayed his departure. Though the edict had previously ordered him to return home to retire, Liu Chengyou had issued another gracious decree, allowing Guo Wei to recuperate in the Eastern Capital until he was well enough to travel before returning home. After all, Guo Wei was "gravely ill and unable to attend to affairs" — one could hardly subject an old minister to the rigors of travel while he was still seriously unwell.

This period of recuperation stretched into the eighth month, and Liu Chengyou simply let Guo Wei stay through the Mid-Autumn Festival.

In the high autumn of the eighth month, amid red maple pavilions, cool winds rustled. No osmanthus trees were in sight, yet the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms hung in the air, most pleasant. Surrounded by a sea of red maples, with carriages resting to the side, the atmosphere was somewhat desolate — but Guo Wei remained perfectly at ease.

Before the long pavilion, quite a crowd had gathered to see Guo Wei off. Besides his children, sons-in-law, and nephews, there were court officials and generals — several dozen people in all, each either of exalted rank at court or holding heavy authority. As for their intentions, seeing him off was certainly a gesture of friendship, and being able to witness the departure of a pillar of state whose fame had resounded across the land was also a matter of experience.

Seeing so many people, Guo Wei looked somewhat helpless and said: "I told you all long ago, there was no need to see me off. Why trouble yourselves to come in person?"

Han Tong, as the highest-ranking general present, replied: "Duke Xing leaving the capital — our coming to see you off was approved by His Majesty himself! On your way to Xingzhou, do take care!"

"My thanks to you all!" Guo Wei gave a deep bow.

The crowd returned the bow, their voices perfectly unified: "Farewell, Duke Xing!"

Straightening up, he saw that the atmosphere remained somewhat somber — especially his four daughters, whose eyes brimmed with tears. Guo Wei let out a hearty laugh and said: "This Guo's departure from the court is a retreat after success, a glorious return to my homeland. No need for such sorrow!"

"Duke Xing's magnanimity is truly admirable!"

His gaze swept the circle and came to rest on Guo Rong — now to be called Guo Rong. The two exchanged a simple look, and Guo Wei clasped his hands and said: "From now on, this old man will roam freely and enjoy his twilight years in peace. But though I dwell in the countryside, I shall always pray for His Majesty and the realm. Here, I also wish you all — diligently assist our wise sovereign and achieve great deeds!"

"With this parting, please return, everyone!" Guo Wei bowed once more.

"Take care, Duke Xing!"

Cold mist shrouded the scene, haze veiled the view. The carriage procession, guarded by attendants, slowly began to move, accompanied by the rustling wind, gradually receding into the distance. Behind, against the backdrop of the pavilion, stood a group of high officials and generals of the Great Han, their expressions varied — they did not disperse until the convoy had traveled far away.

Behind Yilan Hall, Liu Chengyou and Consort Guo stood leaning against the railing, gazing out. The young lady craned her head northward, glancing back at Liu Chengyou from time to time, her mood somewhat heavy, as if she wanted to speak but held back.

"A leaf falls to return to its roots — your father returns home with honor. From now on, he can roam the mountains and waters at will and enjoy his remaining years in comfort. This is a good thing!" Seeing the young lady's delicate, pitiable expression, Liu Chengyou gently took her hand and comforted her: "Since ancient times, the sentimental have always grieved at parting. I didn't let you see him off to spare you from weeping endlessly and adding to your sorrow!"

Liu Chengyou was rarely so tender. Hearing this, Lady Guo's emotions settled somewhat. She leaned lightly against his chest and said: "I am happy for my father and mother too. It's just that once they leave, who knows how many years it will be before we can meet again."

For Consort Guo, even though entering the palace gates was like entering the deep sea, constrained within its walls, as long as her parents remained in the capital, she still had something to hold onto — she could occasionally see them. Once they returned to their homeland, even getting news of them or sending a bit of care would become difficult. Though she still had siblings in the capital, it was ultimately not the same.

"Don't worry!" Liu Chengyou said. "Next year, when I make my northern inspection tour, I'll have you accompany me. When we pass through Xingzhou, you can naturally return home to visit your family. Speaking of which — since you were born, you've never once seen your ancestral homeland, have you?"

Hearing this, the young lady's beautiful eyes lit up. She tilted her head up, revealing her slender, fair neck, and said: "Truly?"

"A sovereign never speaks in jest. Since I've promised you, I won't break it!" Liu Chengyou smiled slightly.

"Then let me thank His Majesty in advance!" Lady Guo couldn't help but grab hold of Liu Chengyou with both hands.

Before long, Zhang Dejun returned and reported: "Your Majesty, my lady, Duke Xing's family has already set out."

Lady Guo immediately asked: "Were the robes delivered? Did my father and mother have any message for you to relay?"

Zhang Dejun replied: "To answer my lady, the robes were delivered in person. Duke Xing was deeply moved and bade me relay his words — he gratefully thanks His Majesty and my lady for their concern, and asks that you not worry!"

"Reassured now?" Liu Chengyou patted Lady Guo's shoulder. After a moment's thought, he instructed Zhang Dejun: "Issue an edict — have the Xingzhou authorities build a residence on Mount Yao, constructed according to the regulations for a Commandery Prince, for Duke Xing to take up residence!"

"Yes!"

This edict was the final grace bestowed upon Guo Wei's departure, and it brought the matter to a complete close.

Originally, Liu Chengyou had considered enfeoffing Guo Wei as a Commandery Prince — after all, Fu Yanqing and Gao Xingzhou had preceded him, and as the emperor's father-in-law, with his merits added on top, a princedom would have been entirely justified. But on second thought, he abandoned the idea. After all, going too far was as bad as not going far enough. He decided instead to confer the title posthumously after Guo Wei's death. Liu Chengyou considered matters thoroughly and far ahead — he had even thought of Guo Wei's affairs after his passing.

Xingwang Prefecture, Panyu City.

The Southern Han had stood for nearly forty years. Under Liu Sheng's rule, Lingnan's politics were corrupt, with cruel punishments and heavy taxes. The people suffered under oppressive governance and, driven to desperation by poverty, began to contemplate revolt. Setting aside the hardships of the common folk, Panyu, as the capital, had always remained prosperous and thriving.

Densely populated, with wards and markets laid out in order, merchants gathering like clouds, treasures and goods in abundance — it was a city with an extremely strong commercial atmosphere. Moreover, it had long since broken down the boundaries between wards and markets. In terms of commercial prosperity alone, Panyu was not necessarily inferior to the Eastern Capital.

Of course, no matter how prosperous Panyu was, it could hardly conceal the ills of the court, the suffering of Lingnan's people, or the Southern Han dynasty's declining fortunes. However, among the nobles and wealthy merchants dwelling within, those with such vision and insight remained few. The clever ones had already begun making contact with the north; the remaining majority still paid no heed to the changing times.

In Panyu in the ninth month, the air still carried heat mixed with sea breezes. But for Chen Yanshou, returning from his diplomatic mission, coming back to the familiar capital with its bustling streets — his mood was far more pleasant.

This northern mission, for Chen Yanshou, had been like a long, leisurely journey — most carefree. Apart from the audience with the Han Emperor Liu Chengyou, he had been relaxed and cheerful throughout, for he had genuinely traveled sightseeing the whole way. As for the mission's purpose — the treaty negotiations with Han ministers — it had little to do with him, and he cared little about it. He simply let the Han ministers set their terms and brought the results back to report to Liu Sheng.

The palace complex of Panyu City was extremely vast, extending from the imperial city to beyond the northern outer walls. After Liu Sheng ascended the throne alone, he had built over a thousand rooms of detached palaces. Returning to the palace, Chen Yanshou went to report immediately — but he did not seek out the Southern Han ruler Liu Sheng. Instead, he sought the chief eunuch Lin Yanyu.

In Ganquan Palace, within a lavishly decorated chamber, amid the gleam of pearls and treasures, an old eunuch in resplendent robes lay quietly on his side upon a couch, eyes closed, seemingly dozing. Before the curtain stood two young eunuchs, heads bowed in attendance, not daring to breathe too loudly.

This was Lin Yanyu, the Southern Han's infamous powerful eunuch, who held both internal and external authority in his grasp. Though his temples were streaked with white and his face showed signs of age, his bearing was still presentable. For a eunuch like Chen Yanshou, Lin Yanyu was more worthy of fear than Emperor Liu Sheng himself.

Stepping quietly inside, seeing Lin Yanyu resting, Chen Yanshou softened his footsteps even further, not daring to disturb him. He knelt obediently before the couch, patiently listening to Lin Yanyu's intermittent snoring, waiting for him to wake.

A full half hour passed before Lin Yanyu's head suddenly dropped, startling him awake. He opened his bleary eyes and only then noticed Chen Yanshou. Yawning, he said: "Oh, it's Chen Yanshou. Back from your mission?"

"It is this humble one, paying respects to the Grand Eunuch!" Chen Yanshou hurriedly bowed.

Glancing at Chen Yanshou's fine attire — if one didn't know his background, he really did look like a high official. Somewhat casually, Lin Yanyu said: "You were gone nearly half a year. That's quite a long time!"

Chen Yanshou immediately explained: "The roads were long and difficult, and Hunan was not yet pacified, so I had to take a longer detour. Upon my return, this humble one came at once to pay respects to the Grand Eunuch!"

Clearly satisfied with his deferential attitude, Lin Yanyu nodded and asked: "How did the mission turn out?"

"Reporting to the Grand Eunuch, it went very smoothly. The Northern Han Emperor personally pledged that the two states would maintain good relations and not invade each other!" Chen Yanshou said.

"Is that so!" Lin Yanyu finally sat up, an old smile spreading across his face: "Then you have truly lived up to your mission. I chose the right man!"