Chapter 745: Cangzhou Prefecture

On the twentieth day of the third month of the ninth year of Qianyou, in late spring, setting out from the Eastern Capital and traveling with frequent stops along the way, spending nearly a month in total, Emperor Liu Chengyou of the Great Han's northern inspection tour finally arrived at Cangzhou.

Along this journey—inspecting governance, drawing close to the people, rewarding the good, punishing the wicked—the things he saw, heard, and handled were not few in the slightest. Though Liu Chengyou had armored soldiers for protection, ladies of beauty for company, and his sons accompanying him, it was by no means easy. As for his original intention of touring the scenery, he had long since cast it to the back of his mind.

Looking at the results of this month's inspections, although local governance still had no lack of problems, overall, after a decade of consolidation since the founding of the state, Hebei's vitality had already recovered considerably. Especially after the peace agreement between the Han and the Liao in the fifth year of Qianyou, the prefectures and counties gradually grew stable, and Hebei had once again become a relatively firm base for the Great Han, with manpower, grain, wealth, and resources largely drawn from it.

"Chu Zhaofu, Prefect of Cangzhou, leading the officials under his charge, respectfully welcomes Your Majesty!" The imperial carriage stopped beneath the walls of Qingchi, the prefectural seat, and Prefect Chu Zhaofu, leading a group of people, put on a considerable display to receive Liu Chengyou.

"His Majesty has decreed: all ministers, rise and stand at ease!" Liu Chengyou did not descend from the carriage, only waving his hand, with Zhang Dejun at the front, announcing in a clear voice.

This eunuch Zhang Dejun, amid his upright features, faintly carried a hint of pride, his voice full and vigorous. During this period accompanying the imperial tour, for Zhang Dejun it could be said to be supremely glorious—as the head palace eunuch by the Son of Heaven's side, though not entirely free, within the limited time available, he still enjoyed the reverence of local officials.

Although the Emperor did not descend from the carriage, the assembled officials still respectfully gave thanks for the grace and rose.

Soon, receiving the instruction, Zhang Dejun spoke again: "His Majesty has orally decreed: Chu Zhaofu, Prefect of Cangzhou, shall ascend the imperial carriage for an audience!"

Hearing the command, Chu Zhaofu, whose expression had been somewhat somber, immediately showed joy on his face. While giving thanks for the grace, he hurriedly and cautiously ascended the imperial carriage. Along this entire journey of the Emperor, there had yet to be any official summoned to ascend the carriage for a face-to-face audience.

For Chu Zhaofu, he was neither a favored minister of the Emperor, nor did he have any great reputation, nor was his seniority deep. As for his governance of the prefecture, though he felt he had some achievements, he did not think it sufficient to warrant ascending the carriage to face the sovereign. Therefore, while feeling honored, he could not help but also harbor some doubt and unease.

"Chu Qing, sit!" Looking at Chu Zhaofu, who had ascended the carriage with a solemn expression and careful steps, Liu Chengyou set down the scroll in his hand and gestured with his hand.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Seeing the Emperor's gentle and condescending manner, Chu Zhaofu also recovered his usual composure, sat down, and said humbly: "Your minister has not a single inch of merit, ascending the imperial carriage to pay respects to the sovereign—truly shameful!"

"You are too modest!" Liu Chengyou smiled faintly, looking at Chu Zhaofu, and said: "Two years have passed, and your bearing remains as before!"

"Your Majesty's majesty, however, grows daily more awe-inspiring!" Chu Zhaofu echoed.

Glancing outside, Liu Chengyou pointed outward with his hand and said: "So many officials before the city—there must be thirty or forty of them!"

Chu Zhaofu explained: "To answer Your Majesty, upon hearing the imperial carriage was arriving, all officials and military officers of the seventh rank and above from the five counties under Cangzhou Prefecture have specially gathered here today to pay homage to Your Majesty. Your servants devote themselves wholeheartedly to the king's affairs, yet have not heard the heavenly voice; if today they can behold the imperial countenance, they will have no regret in this life!"

"One of the purposes of this inspection tour of mine is precisely to let you see me. I often hear ministers speak of devoting themselves loyally to the king's affairs, but if you don't even know who it is you are loyal to, or what he looks like, then I fear it is merely words hung on the lips..." Liu Chengyou said with a light laugh.

"Loyalty to Your Majesty and service to the Great Han is the duty of a minister—how could it depend on whether one has seen the imperial countenance? Your Majesty's words, I fear, will make the assembled officials uneasy!" Hearing the Emperor speak thus, Chu Zhaofu said seriously, in a measured manner.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou was briefly at a loss, then immediately said freely: "It is I whose words were somewhat inappropriate. However, the officials and clerks under heaven number more than ten thousand—how many can have the awareness of a Chu Qing?"

"What Your Majesty says is most true. However, now that the imperial carriage has graced Cangzhou, the officials above and below being fortunate enough to see the imperial countenance is a blessing for the entire prefecture. In the days to come, they will devote themselves even more diligently to the king's affairs, daring not to be remiss!" Chu Zhaofu said.

"Let us hope so. I also look forward to this journey out of the capital having some motivating effect!" Liu Chengyou said mildly.

"Will Your Majesty first receive the officials of Cangzhou Prefecture?" Seeing Liu Chengyou's gaze still resting outside, Chu Zhaofu requested.

"No need. I am weary from the journey north; let them all return, and I will receive them tomorrow!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand.

"Your minister's consideration was lacking—I failed to take into account Your Majesty's fatigue!" Chu Zhaofu immediately responded: "The lodging for the imperial stop has already been arranged; please, Your Majesty, enter the city!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou turned to him, his tone carrying a hint of amusement: "You haven't had a grand traveling palace hastily built for me in advance in this prefectural city, have you?"

Noting the Son of Heaven's expression, Chu Zhaofu hurriedly explained: "I merely had the city's postal inn lightly cleaned and tidied to serve as the imperial stop. Where it is crude, I hope Your Majesty will be understanding!"

When passing through Dezhou, the local officials had allocated funds and grain, conscripted labor, and built a magnificent pavilion to receive the imperial carriage. Of course, if it had only been that, Liu Chengyou would have chided them for extravagance and waste, issued a warning, and cautioned those after—and that would have been the end of it, for it was after all a gesture of goodwill from the locality, and he was not entirely without human feeling.

However, not only did they curry favor and flatter, but under the pretext of serving the imperial visit, they raised funds and grain, and invited the wealthy households and great clans of the city to present rare treasures to decorate the imperial stop. In this process, embezzlement and exchanges of power for money naturally could not be lacking. Some people's heads were not quick enough, or perhaps the realm was gradually growing peaceful and the state no longer so impoverished, and too many officials had forgotten the Emperor's early frugality.

The outcome of the Dezhou affair served as a severe warning to many. The Prefect was branded by Liu Chengyou with the assessment of "muddle-headed official," dismissed from office, and the officials involved in the matter were punished in various degrees, with those of serious circumstances beheaded outright. In truth, the Dezhou Prefect was somewhat wronged—he could only blame his bad luck, being misled by others, patting the dragon's rear in the wrong place, and becoming the chicken killed to warn the monkeys.

Between Dezhou and Cangzhou lay Jingzhou, but word of what happened there had long since reached Qingchi. With the previous cart overturned ahead, Chu Zhaofu, the cart behind, naturally had to be careful.

Liu Chengyou withdrew his gaze, seeming quite satisfied, and said: "No need for the postal inn. The officials of the prefecture are gathered; if I occupy it, they will have to find lodging elsewhere. Let them stay there—consider it your prefect's sweeping the mats to welcome them on my behalf!"

"Your Majesty's care for your ministers and officials is truly meticulous!" Chu Zhaofu flattered, then a hint of difficulty appeared on his face: "Then Your Majesty...?"

"I will go to your prefectural office!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand.

"The prefectural office has not been renovated; I fear it will slight Your Majesty. Would Your Majesty permit your minister to find a residence in the city to temporarily serve as the imperial stop?" Chu Zhaofu suggested.

"Is there any residence in this city larger or better than your prefectural office, more suitable for receiving me and this retinue of mine?" Liu Chengyou said with a light smile: "You don't think that because I'm used to living in the imperial palace, I can't adapt to a local government office, do you?"

"How would your minister dare?" Seeing the Emperor's mind was made up, Chu Zhaofu clasped his hands and said: "May I request to clear the way and lead the imperial carriage?"

"Granted!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Soon, under Chu Zhaofu's personal attendance, the imperial carriage slowly entered the city. The Longqi Army camped outside the city, while the Inner Palace soldiers entered the city, monitoring the gates and streets, and took up positions in the prefectural office in advance as protection.

The Cangzhou Prefectural Office sat in the northwest of the city, and its footprint was indeed not small. But from the moment he stepped through the office gate, Liu Chengyou discovered that although it was clean and orderly, everything about it exuded age and shabbiness. The ground had hollows, the beams and pillars were not fully painted, and there were obvious repair marks among the bricks and tiles, like patches of plaster. The decoration was extremely minimal, and as for gardens and such, there were few trees and flowers. The only thing that looked somewhat presentable was the main hall where official business was adjudicated.

Standing in the main hall, Liu Chengyou looked around, idly toying with the tally sticks, then glanced at Chu Zhaofu and said with a light laugh: "Chu Qing, no wonder you were embarrassed to have me lodge in the prefectural office—this Cangzhou Prefectural Office is even more crude than I imagined!"

"Your Majesty is amused at my expense!" Chu Zhaofu clasped his hands and said: "The prefectural office is a place for governing and adjudicating affairs; as long as it is sufficient for use, that is enough!"

"But I have heard that some officials believe the government office embodies the authority of the court and the government—that if it is not imposing and grand enough, the common people will inevitably think lightly of it and fail to hold it in awe..." Liu Chengyou said leisurely.

Far away in Luoyang, Wang Yan could not help but sneeze.

Chu Zhaofu's face was full of solemnity as he said: "If one's own conduct is upright, authority stands on its own—how could it lie in whether the government office is splendid or not?"

"To speak from my heart, your frugality, Chu Zhaofu, I had heard of even in the Eastern Capital, and at times I could not help but wonder whether you, Chu Zhaofu, were truly that thrifty..." Liu Chengyou said with a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth.

"Your minister is deeply fearful!" Chu Zhaofu retreated two steps and bowed.

"You need not be fearful!" Liu Chengyou immediately waved his hand: "Along this journey, I have seen quite a few prefectural and county offices, and if we speak of simplicity, yours, this Cangzhou Prefectural Office, ranks first. To be honest, I am very gratified! Based on what I have seen since entering Cangzhou's borders, I must say—and I must also thank the late Duke Liu Guangping for recommending a capable official to me!"

"Your Majesty's words make your minister blush with shame!" Hearing the Emperor's assessment, Chu Zhaofu could not help but say, a look of emotion on his face.