Chapter 737: Arrangements for the Future Chancellor

After that heart-to-heart, the relationship between husband and wife seemed to grow a bit more harmonious. Liu Chengyou appeared weary once again, lying back in the elder Lady Fu's embrace, enjoying the softness of her delicate body, and gradually drifting off to sleep with the swaying motion of the imperial carriage.

No matter how strong a man is, he still needs a woman's warm embrace. Empress Fu's body brought Liu Chengyou comfort and tranquility, and the noble maternal quality she carried intoxicated him.

Empress Fu's jade-like hands gently tidied Liu Chengyou's simply bound topknot, when she suddenly noticed that a few strands of white had already mingled among the black. Years of constant mental strain and toiling from dawn to dusk had not come without a price.

In his slumber, Liu Chengyou burrowed deeper into Empress Fu's embrace. Seeing this, a trace of heartache flickered across her beautiful face as she maintained her posture and gently held him, her full bosom continuing to bring the man comfort.

When Liu Chengyou awoke, there was a brief moment of grogginess. Once he was fully alert, he felt as though heaven and earth had been renewed. Outside the carriage, Zhang Dejun reported cautiously: "Your Majesty, there are still ten li before we reach Baima. Prefectural Administrator Li Fang and Army Commander Bai Chongzan are waiting by the roadside with their civil and military officials. Commander-in-Chief Shi has sent someone to request instructions!"

"What time is it?" Through the curtain, the setting sun could be seen hanging low, as if about to fall.

"The hour of ri-bu has already passed!" Zhang Dejun replied.

After thinking it over briefly, Liu Chengyou instructed: "Have Shi Shouxin make arrangements. Set up the field headquarters outside Baima city, rest for the night, coordinate with the local authorities, and prepare for the river crossing. We depart at dawn and continue north. Also, have Li Fang and Bai Chongzan come see me. The rest of the officials and officers who came to greet us may disperse."

"Yes!"

For this northern inspection tour, Shi Shouxin had been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the field headquarters, with full authority over all matters concerning security, protection, and camp arrangements during the tour. Previously, for his merits in the great battle at Qinfeng, upon returning to the capital Shi Shouxin had been appointed Chief Commander of the Longqi Army, becoming yet another rising star in the military who was rapidly closing in on the rank of marshal.

"I slept quite a long time this time—one blink closed, one blink open, and over an hour had passed!" He rose, yawned, and turned his head to say to Empress Fu.

"You're still too exhausted!" the elder Lady Fu responded, sighing once more.

Perhaps due to having served as Liu Chengyou's "cushion" for so long, the elder Lady Fu's hands and feet had gone numb and were difficult to move. Even lowering her head to straighten her somewhat disheveled clothing seemed to take considerable effort.

Noticing the mess at her bosom and her clumsy movements, Liu Chengyou immediately understood what had happened. A wave of tenderness rose in his heart, and he proactively reached out to help her tidy up. Now that his spirits were restored, his amorous mood had also returned, and his hands grew somewhat unruly, making some wanton moves—such as weighing those full mounds that had stirred his heart earlier...

"Come to think of it, the last time I was at Baima was two years ago!" Liu Chengyou said.

"The last time I accompanied you on an inspection tour was the western tour in the first year of Qianyou!" the elder Lady Fu slapped away Liu Chengyou's restless hand, shooting him a reproachful glance with a hint of grievance.

"The past was different from this time. On those previous tours, my heart was weighed down with matters—gloomy and heavy. This time, I can be more at ease. Besides inspecting the borders, I can also take a look at the Great Han's beautiful rivers and mountains. After all these years, confined to the palace, we haven't had a proper chance to travel and sightsee!" Liu Chengyou said with a light laugh.

Seeing his relaxed demeanor, Empress Fu sighed inwardly. She knew well that Liu Chengyou could never truly rest easy—touring mountains and waters was something of a luxury for him.

In the evening, north of Baima city, within the imperial tent, Liu Chengyou summoned Li Fang and Bai Chongzan, who had been waiting for some time. Both men were visibly excited to see the Emperor again. Li Fang went without saying—he was someone who had come from the Emperor's side, a former close minister sent out to govern a prefecture, with the Emperor's mark deeply imprinted upon him.

As for Bai Chongzan, he held Liu Chengyou in great esteem, and for no other reason than the grace of having been recognized and promoted. Judging by Bai Chongzan's achievements over the years, they were insufficient to warrant a high noble title. But previously, for his merits in flood control and dike repair, Liu Chengyou had directly fulfilled his promise without any discount, elevating him to Marquis of Ningwu. For this alone, Bai Chongzan, a man of martial background, had pledged his complete loyalty to Liu Chengyou—though there was also the factor that the realm was growing more peaceful and righteous loyalty was being rebuilt.

"Rise, both of you! Sit!" Liu Chengyou, dressed in a crisp dragon robe, sat behind the imperial desk, looking at Li and Bai with a very gracious attitude: "I have been traveling slowly along the way—I've kept you waiting long! You must have worked hard!"

"Your Majesty is too kind! Greeting the imperial carriage and awaiting the sovereign is the bounden duty of a subject. How could that be called hard work?" Li Fang replied.

Looking at Li Fang and Bai Chongzan, Liu Chengyou said with a light smile: "Time flies. In the blink of an eye, it has been a full two years since we, sovereign and subjects, last met. I have missed you greatly!"

"We are honored that Your Majesty remembers us!" Bai Chongzan replied.

"Minister Bai, you look more hale and hearty than ever!" Liu Chengyou said to him.

"Your Majesty has also gained more valor and majesty, truly inspiring admiration and reverence!" Bai Chongzan chuckled and flattered.

Liu Chengyou laughed along as well. Such honest words, sincere and natural, truly lifted one's spirits.

His smile slightly fading, Liu Chengyou said to Li Fang: "Huazhou is a vital thoroughfare, the gateway guarding the Eastern Capital. Its strategic position is important, and its population is large. In the two years you have governed this prefecture, the people's livelihood has been stable, agriculture and sericulture have been abundant, and your performance evaluations have all been rated excellent. I have been keeping an eye on it!"

Receiving Liu Chengyou's praise, Li Fang revealed the refined smile of a modest gentleman, cupping his hands in humility: "Your subject has merely followed Your Majesty's teachings in governing and administering the people!"

It was evident that two years of life as a local official had changed Li Fang's entire demeanor—he had become much more tactful and much more seasoned. Just as Liu Chengyou had expected of him, only after tempering in local posts and letting his achievements speak could his true abilities be demonstrated.

Now he could rest assured—Li Fang truly possessed practical governing talent, not just empty talk. Liu Chengyou had always firmly believed that writing good essays did not necessarily make one a good official, and Li Fang had not disappointed him.

Li Fang was not yet thirty-two years old, and Liu Chengyou had already given considerable thought to his future career path. Barring unexpected circumstances, after his term in Huazhou was complete, he would be promoted to a senior circuit official, then rotate through two to three posts inside and outside the capital. Ten years later, he would only be just past forty. At that point, he could be made chancellor and become a pillar of the court.

If Li Fang knew how much thought the Emperor had put into his future, he might be deeply moved. Of course, this kind of "arrangement" was not something that could be stated directly to him—after all, nothing was certain, and accidents could always happen.

At the same time, besides "potential stocks" like Li Fang, Liu Chengyou had several other favored candidates in mind—such as Wang Qiwu, Lü Yin, Wang Zhu, Zhao Yan, and Zhao Pu—but how many of them would ultimately reach that position remained undetermined.

Not concealing the appreciation in his gaze toward Li Fang, Liu Chengyou encouraged him: "If you lacked ability, did not devote your heart, and did not love your people, then no matter how many instructions I gave, what use would they be? There's no need for excessive modesty. I am very satisfied with your work in Huazhou. You must continue to strive—I have great use for you yet!"

This hint was practically blatant. Li Fang immediately rose and bowed: "Thank you for Your Majesty's trust. Your subject can only repay it with utmost sincerity and loyalty!"

Beside them, Bai Chongzan watched this scene of sovereign and subject harmonizing, and could not help but feel envy. However, some opportunities could not be forced. Having struggled for decades on the battlefield and in officialdom, this old general had gained some understanding of that.

Perhaps noticing the envy in Bai Chongzan's eyes, Liu Chengyou had no intention of neglecting him either, and said to him: "Minister Bai, over these years you have repeatedly guarded the frontiers, from south to north, stationed at key locations time and again, always loyal to your duties, bearing hardship without complaint—truly rare. This time, set aside your post as Army Commander of Yicheng and accompany me on the northern tour!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Hearing this, Bai Chongzan was immediately delighted. Opportunities to accompany the imperial carriage were not common. As for the position of Army Commander of Yicheng, he was not too concerned about it, trusting that the Emperor would make other arrangements.

Still, he could not help probing Liu Chengyou: "May I ask where Your Majesty might have use for your subject in the future?"

This man was indeed straightforward. Liu Chengyou was amused and said: "Once we reach the north, you will see!"

The three of them—sovereign and subjects—chatted for a while longer, when a palace eunuch came to report that the evening meal was ready, and that the Empress, the two consorts Gui and Ning, and the imperial princes were all waiting. Liu Chengyou invited Li and Bai to dine together. Li Fang politely declined, saying he still needed to assemble boats and manpower to prepare for the northward crossing the next day, and Liu Chengyou agreed.

As for Bai Chongzan, he participated in the imperial family's evening meal with a face full of honor. Though the fare was not any rare delicacy and he felt somewhat constrained, he could not hide the joy in his heart.