Chapter 756: The Weight of Imperial Favor Is Awe-Inspiring

The summer sun hung high, making the walls of the pass gleam as if draping this sturdy, thick military fortress in a radiant coat. On the gate tower, the Son of Heaven of the Great Han ascended once more—though this time, not to inspect the defenses, but to await honored guests arriving from the north.

Liu Chengyou stood tall and upright in a clean black dragon robe, an imperial crown bound high atop his head. The Empress and the Noble Consort, both in formal attire, attended him on either side, while the four imperial princes, dressed in splendid python robes, stood behind the parapet. The entire scene was quite formal.

The parapet rose above the princes' heads; even the eldest, Liu Xu, could not see beyond the city walls, only the white stonework. Sensing the gravity of the occasion, even Liu Fang, usually the most lively, stood obediently without fidgeting, behaving with perfect propriety.

Liu Yang was equally well-behaved, seemingly able to feel his father's gaze at his back, while Liu Xi appeared even more composed, his eyes remaining alert as he silently counted the bricks within his field of vision.

Beside them, together with the imperial family, stood the generals and commanders who had come to Waqiao Pass to pay homage to the sovereign. However, compared to Liu Chengyou's family's calm, the generals were far less at ease.

About two zhang away, a tall general with thick brows and large eyes wore a look of listless boredom. This man was named Dong Zunhui, born into a military family. From childhood he had been tempered in the army under his father, skilled in martial arts, versed in the art of war, and capable of commanding troops.

Dong Zunhui's military career had not been particularly spectacular. In the early days of the Han, he followed his father Dong Zongben in surrendering to the Han, becoming a junior officer in Suizhou. Later transferred to the imperial army, he was attached to the Xingjie Army. During Liu Chengyou's reorganization of the imperial army, his abilities were assessed and he was promoted, eventually being posted out as Commander of Weizhou.

In two years of office, he suppressed bandits and pacified the region. In the autumn of the fourth year of Qianyou, the Liao Emperor Yelu Ruan led a great army south, and the court issued an edict to prepare for war. Dong Zunhui led his troops to Yuancheng, attached to the northern field headquarters, ready to fight the Liao. However, with the Huoshen Dian Rebellion and the subsequent peace between Han and Liao, he never got the chance to earn merit in battle.

In the following years, he successively served as Militia Commissioner of Dezhou and Military Commander of Zhaozhou, until the autumn of the seventh year of Qianyou, when the court again adjusted the northern defenses and the northern army, ultimately forming the current defense system centered on five Army Commanders and one Commander-in-Chief. Dong Zunhui was then transferred to the Baoding Army in the west, counted among the senior generals.

Looking at Dong Zunhui's record, one could say it was smooth sailing, without waves or surprises. His experience was fairly representative within the Great Han army—besides his genuine military talent, he was also influenced by his father, and more importantly, the Dong family had kinship ties with the Gao family of Linqing.

Perhaps because his origins and career had both been relatively smooth, Dong Zunhui carried a certain arrogance. Back when Zhao Kuangyin was traveling about and sought refuge with his father Dong Zongben, there had been some history between him and Dong Zunhui. In those days of youthful vigor, he competed with Zhao Kuangyin in everything, especially in military strategy where he was most confident—yet he was always outmatched, often argued into silence, until he forced Zhao Kuangyin to resign of his own accord...

So many years had passed since then; the impulsive ardor of youth had long faded, and he had become mature and steady. Among the northern army, Dong Zunhui enjoyed a fine reputation—skilled at managing troops, fair in judgment, magnanimous in character, and broad-minded.

But at this moment, standing on the walls of Waqiao Pass under the warm early-summer sun, General Dong felt somewhat impatient. His complexion was not good—the result of drinking too much the night before. Gazing at the official road stretching north from the pass to the edge of sight, Dong Zunhui couldn't help muttering to Luo Yangui beside him: "General Luo, no matter how honored the Prince of Yan is, a pillar of the state—isn't His Majesty's treatment of him a bit too much..."

"We rough fellows here are strong and sturdy, so waiting around is no trouble. But Commander An, who also holds princely rank and is advanced in years, stands here on the wall as well. Even so, why should His Majesty and the empress and consorts come in person? And those several princes—young as they are, their heads barely reaching the parapet—standing there like schoolboys..."

Hearing Dong Zunhui's words, Luo Yangui remained perfectly calm, his mind at ease, and replied: "What, General Dong, are you envious?"

"Since the founding of the dynasty, I have never heard of any minister or general receiving such heavy treatment from His Majesty! What has the Prince of Yan done to deserve this? I simply don't understand!" Dong Zunhui muttered.

Luo Yangui chuckled: "Brother Dong, you said it yourself—who else in this realm could receive such weighty favor from His Majesty, who personally ascends the city walls to wait, and yesterday even sent the imperial carriage north to greet him? Hmph, but such heavy favor isn't necessarily a good thing. I certainly wouldn't dare envy it..."

"Brother Luo, what do you mean by that?" Dong Zunhui asked.

Luo Yangui said calmly: "Who knows—when the Prince of Yan arrives and sees this scene, will he feel more moved or more fearful? But if I had to guess, it won't sit too well with him..."

It wasn't only Dong and Luo who were discussing the Emperor's arrangements and actions; the other northern army generals also harbored some private complaints, though none dared voice them loudly. An Shenqi stood closer to the Son of Heaven, but the old marshal remained composed, without a trace of impatience, even wearing a faint peaceful smile.

"Your Majesty, the generals seem rather disgruntled!" Noble Consort Gao noticed the ripples around them and said in a low voice.

Glancing at the beautiful woman beside him, Liu Chengyou chuckled: "Are you losing patience too?"

Meeting the Emperor's gaze, Noble Consort Gao immediately shook her head: "I have plenty of patience, and since Your Majesty is here, what more could I say? It's just that Your Majesty's regard for the Prince of Yan is somewhat surprising..."

On the other side, Empress Fu thought seriously for a moment, then said gently: "The Prince of Yan has guarded Youzhou for the state for many years, rendering great service to the stability of the north. But merit and reward should be commensurate. The favor of the Son of Heaven is heavy as a mountain, deep as the sea—yet when mountains collapse and seas rage, they can destroy a man. Going too far is as bad as falling short!"

"Your words show great insight!" Liu Chengyou smiled faintly: "However, the Prince of Yan has rendered merit in guarding the frontier. Now that he has come south to meet me, as the host, it is only fitting that I wait a while..."

Without further explanation, Liu Chengyou turned his attention to the four princes: "You are still young—if you grow tired of standing, go rest a while at the side!"

"With our imperial father present, how could your sons dare speak of fatigue!" Liu Xu replied.

"I want to wait with Father!" Liu Yang said.

With the two elder brothers having spoken first, Liu Xi and Liu Fang said nothing, continuing to wait quietly.

In fact, from the moment word arrived of the Prince of Yan's southward journey, to the order summoning civil and military officials to gather and wait, until the prince's party reached the pass—barely half a shichen had passed.

When the thousand Yan cavalry rode south, Liu Chengyou, without hesitation, led his people down from the pass. The city gates were thrown wide open, and he waited all the way before the drawbridge.

On Zhao Kuangzan's side, his party escorted the empty imperial carriage. When they encountered An Shouzhong at Baigou Post and learned from him of the Emperor's intent and favor, he ultimately declined firmly, refusing to ride in the carriage. Instead, with great reverence, he protected the carriage as if guarding the Son of Heaven himself, and quickened their pace.

Yet upon reaching the pass and seeing this solemn and grand welcoming scene, the complex emotions in his heart grew even heavier.

Zhao Siwan, standing beside him, was equally astonished, sighing with emotion: "It seems the Son of Heaven indeed knows propriety—sending the imperial carriage, coming in person to wait. His sincerity toward Your Highness runs deep!"

Without acknowledging Zhao Siwan, Zhao Kuangzan raised his hand from half a li away: "All dismount!"

The quality of the Yan cavalry was truly high—they moved at the command, obeyed orders without question, and dismounted in perfect unison.

"Zhao Siwan, accompany me to face the sovereign. Everyone else, stay here and await orders—do not approach!" Zhao Kuangzan instructed.

"Your Highness, just the two of us?" Zhao Siwan showed slight hesitation.

"Just the two of us!" The tone brooked no argument. He glanced at him and added: "Leave your sword and all weapons behind!"

"Yes!"

Soon, Zhao Kuangzan first straightened his armor, then with Zhao Siwan following behind, walked directly toward the imperial presence. When he drew near the pass, several zhang away, Zhao Kuangzan performed the three kneelings and nine prostrations to show his submission: "Your subject Zhao Kuangzan pays homage to Your Majesty!"

From the moment Zhao Kuangzan entered his field of vision, Liu Chengyou had been watching his every move. The result pleased him greatly. He stepped forward a few paces, personally helped him up, and spoke in an exceedingly gentle tone: "Prince of Yan, rise quickly—no need for such ceremony!"

Helping him up, Liu Chengyou beamed with emotion: "When we parted at Yongqing, nearly seven years have passed. So many years without seeing you—I have missed the Prince of Yan greatly!"

Facing the Han Emperor's warm smile, Zhao Kuangzan's eyes were filled with emotion: "Your subject's virtue is shallow and thin—how dare I trouble Your Majesty with such trust and a personal welcome? I truly do not deserve it. Please, Your Majesty, return to the pass!"

"The Prince of Yan deserves it. Since I've come, and given the bond between us as sovereign and subject, why fuss over such trivial formalities!" Liu Chengyou laughed heartily, gripping his wrist tightly and pulling him along, saying: "The Prince of Yan has traveled far and must be weary. I have already ordered a banquet prepared within the pass. Today, all the northern generals of our Great Han are gathered—a grand occasion indeed. Come, let us enter the city, drink, and talk..."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The Han Emperor's overwhelming hospitality truly left Zhao Kuangzan at a loss. He could only follow step by step, feeling ill at ease, while maintaining a friendly smile toward the other Han generals...

At Waqiao Pass, Zhao Kuangzan was destined to spend his time in anxiety.