Chapter 758: Taking Leave, Heading West

"... The Emperor did not care for games; he was grave and sparing of words. Grown to manhood, his face was purple in hue, and the whites of his eyes were much in evidence. In the beginning he served Emperor Mingzong of the Tang, standing in the ranks beneath his banner..."

Within the pass headquarters, a clear and distinct reading voice issued from Liu Xu's mouth. Liu Chengyou sat upright at the desk, listening to him recite from memory, idly flipping through the lessons of his several sons, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

What Liu Xu recited from memory was the "Annals of Gaozu," compiled jointly by the late court historian Jia Wei, Chief Minister Xue Juzheng, and other historians and academicians—a required text for the princes' studies, and one Liu Chengyou had instructed Grand Tutor Zhang Zhao to teach.

Only when Liu Xu finished reciting one section did he stop. Liu Chengyou set down the book in his hand and looked at the four princes.

"How have you all been learning?" Liu Chengyou looked at his second, third, and fourth sons and asked.

Liu Yang said: "Though not as fluent from memory as the eldest brother, I can already read it through!"

Liu Xu hurriedly responded: "I, too, can only recite one small section!"

"That is already quite good!" Liu Chengyou's eyes were full of kindness as he instructed the four little ones: "I do not require you to recite the whole text from memory, but you must read it through.

The historians wrote it well, fully recounting your imperial grandfather's experiences! I have you study it so that you may truly appreciate the hardship of founding the imperial enterprise, and remember that establishing a realm was no easy matter—it was won by your imperial grandfather, blade by blade, sword by sword, through bloody battle.

As princes, you carry the bloodline of your father and grandfather, enjoy the reverence of the imperial house, and also bear the duty of safeguarding the altars of state and consolidating the realm. The "Annals" also record the urgency of the early national situation, the difficulties of the state, and the peril of the ancestral temples. I hope you will never forget that the Great Han's realm was hard-won.

Your father is already striving with all his might to bring order to the realm, laying foundations and seeking blessings for descendants, but in twenty or thirty years, this realm will depend on you brothers..."

As for Liu Chengyou's words, however much the little lads could understand, judging from their grave and earnest expressions, they had clearly taken them to heart.

Liu Xu took the lead and said solemnly: "In the future, we will surely take the imperial grandfather and father as our models, and safeguard the Great Han's realm!"

"Go on! That is all for today. I am giving you a holiday—this afternoon, play whatever you wish!" Liu Chengyou wore the expression of a fond father.

"Thank you, Father!" Liu Fang cheered a while, then was the first to trot off on his little legs, scampering away in delight.

Liu Xu was the most reserved, bowing properly before leaving at a leisurely, unhurried pace—but his small face, which had been taut, was clearly relaxed now. As a student facing a teacher checking one's work, whether good or bad, one cannot help but be nervous—especially this time, for the examiner was not that old pedant Zhang Zhao...

"Your Majesty, the Prince of Yan's party has already set out on the road north!" Zhang Dejun came to report.

"Did you give my gift?" Liu Chengyou asked casually.

Zhang Dejun said: "This humble one personally placed it in the Prince of Yan's hands!"

"How did they react? What did they say?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Zhang Dejun replied: "The Prince of Yan's expression showed nothing unusual—he merely bowed respectfully by the roadside, expressing gratitude to Your Majesty. As for that Zhao Siwan, he seemed relieved of a burden, as if eager to hurry north!"

"The Prince of Yan is a man of reason, deeply versed in the duties of a subject, worthy of trust. As for that Zhao Siwan—secretly on guard, eager to extricate himself, as if my presence here were a dragon's pool and tiger's den!" Liu Chengyou sneered.

"Your Majesty speaks truly! Zhao Siwan is a great general of the Yan army, holding military power in his hands, habitually arrogant, and harboring divided loyalties. Your Majesty might devise a means to remove him, to eliminate future trouble!" Zhang Dejun picked up the thread.

"Heh heh!" Liu Chengyou was amused, looking at Zhang Dejun with a smile: "Are you offering me counsel and stratagems now?"

At these words, Zhang Dejun's handsome face suddenly changed, and he hurriedly said: "This humble one spoke out of turn! I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

"Summon the Prince of Chenliu and the five Army Commanders!" He withdrew his gaze, lightly flicking his sleeve, then added: "Also, notify Shi Shouxin to prepare to set out. On this northern tour, we have lingered at this place long enough—it is time to move on!"

"Yes!" Zhang Dejun stiffened his body and asked: "May I ask Your Majesty where you intend to tour next, so that General Shi may make preparations for scouting the road and arranging the route!"

After considering briefly, Liu Chengyou said: "Westward—first to the Baoding Army, then on to Zhending Prefecture!"

"Yes!"

Zhang Dejun hurried away. Liu Chengyou remained seated at the desk, picked up the imperial brush, and wrote a square, upright character: "Yan." After so many years of continuous practice, plus the guidance of the calligraphy master Yang Ningshi, Liu Chengyou's handwriting could finally pass muster—though of course, it was merely presentable, nowhere near "art."

In his mind, thoughts about Youzhou and the Yan army kept tangling together. These past days, in his heart-to-heart conversations with Zhao Kuangzan, besides building rapport, freely discussing military and governance, and debating the Khitan question, Zhao Kuangzan had also proactively raised the future status of Youzhou—but Liu Chengyou had somewhat deliberately deflected the topic.

However, from Zhao Kuangzan's words, there was a faint hint of willingness to yield authority and return governance, seeking safety—but Liu Chengyou sensed it was mostly probing. Rather than engaging in deep discussion, Liu Chengyou instead exhausted every means of consolation, reassurance, and encouragement, telling him not to worry—Youzhou could not do without the Prince of Yan, and he was still needed to guard against the Khitan—urging him to rest easy as the Great Han's northern pillar. He also reaffirmed: "If you do not betray me, I will not betray you"—only this time, he made no mention of "eternally garrisoning Youzhou, hereditary succession in perpetuity."

And from Zhao Kuangzan's conduct, one could observe that although this man harbored anxieties, he was ultimately someone who could be won over. Everyone has desires for power; reluctance to part with authority is understandable. The key was that Zhao Kuangzan was a man of insight who could maintain rationality—with such a person, one could still maintain harmonious relations in the short term, seeking common ground while reserving differences.

In truth, toward the Yan army, Liu Chengyou might have some wariness, but not to the point of suspicion or fear. At the root, the Yan army under the Zhao father and son had been fostered by the Han court. Though it maintained a certain independence, the court's influence over it ran far deeper than what appeared on the surface.

Even when Zhao Yanshou was still alive, Liu Chengyou had made many covert arrangements, and in the years since, though he had not openly interfered, the covert infiltration and positioning had never ceased. If Youzhou were to change, the energy and resistance that could erupt from within would be enough to give Zhao Kuangzan pause.

Of course, Zhao Kuangzan was certainly aware of the court's arrangements and actions to some degree—if he did not even know that much, he would have no qualification to garrison Youzhou and maintain stability there for so many years.

Liu Chengyou had also considered: if Zhao Kuangzan were to seek submission to the court at this very moment, how should he respond—accept quickly, or refrain from changes out of concern for Khitan influence? Of course, this was not a difficult choice. By his habit, he would take the real power while leaving the title of "Prince of Yan" as a hollow honor, maintaining the surface situation—this would also be the most advantageous outcome for the court.

However, Zhao Kuangzan did not. Some things are easy to see through, but after seeing through them, making the right choice is the hard part...

Before long, An Shenqi led the five Army Commanders in to pay their respects. After having them seated, Liu Chengyou wasted no words and said directly: "Gentlemen have met with me here, speaking with open hearts—a true gathering of note. But all banquets must end, and I have lingered here for over eight days; it is time to set out. You have been away from your posts for long, and military affairs have inevitably suffered—pack up and return to your respective garrisons!"

"Yes!"

"At parting, I will not lay out a banquet—let me take leave of you with a cup of plain tea!" Liu Chengyou picked up the still-steaming teacup and said: "Please!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After drinking, Liu Chengyou continued: "When you return to your armies, I have but one word to impart: train your horses and soldiers, hone your troops, and await the great tide! From now on, continue to exercise restraint, suppressing the martial urge, to stabilize the northern border situation. When I come again, that will be the time for you gentlemen to wield your arms!"

"We respectfully heed Your Majesty's instruction!" An Shenqi took the lead, cupping his hands.

"Also, maintain harmonious relations with the three prefectures of Youyan!" Liu Chengyou added a warning, then looked at Ma Quanyi: "Especially the Yongqing Army—I hear that in these past two years, your army has had many clashes with the Yan troops. In the future, try to avoid them as much as possible, and do not build any more garrison forts northward!"

"Yes!" Being singled out, Ma Quanyi felt somewhat helpless.

"I plan to go inspect the Baoding Army. General Dong, you shall accompany me westward!" Liu Chengyou then looked at Dong Zunhui, Army Commander of the Baoding Army.

"As commanded!" Dong Zunhui was not alarmed but rather pleased, secretly resolving to show Liu Chengyou the magnificent martial bearing of his Baoding Army.