Chapter 763: Li Shaoyou's New Assignment

Zhending Prefecture, as the prefecture with the largest population and the greatest tax revenue in the Great Han's Hebei region, second only to Daming Prefecture, had long played the role of a blood-supplying organ, providing crucial support to the structure of the northern defense line. And because of the northern border army, Zhending Prefecture's military importance outweighed even that of Daming Prefecture.

Sturdy city walls, tall gate towers, neat and clean streets, rows upon rows of shops, a tide of pedestrians, an unending stream of carriages and horses—merchants and travelers from every county, town, and corner of the realm entered Zhending City. Traveling in plain clothes, this was the scene Liu Chengyou beheld.

Gazing at the scene of peace and prosperity all around, Liu Chengyou smiled slightly and remarked with some emotion: "I still remember what Zhending City looked like ten years ago. That was the twelfth year of Tianfu, when the dynasty had just been founded, and I had led my army here from Luancheng, the uprising barely concluded. The gentry and commoners of the entire city had suffered grievous torment, their property stripped bare, the people gaunt and sallow, hearts scattered, restless and fearful. The whole city was engulfed in chaos and turmoil—it took no small effort before it could be restored!"

As he spoke, Liu Chengyou turned his head and said to Li Shaoyou, who was following at his side: "How well one governs—just observe the city's atmosphere and the people's countenance, and you will know! The state of the streets and the livelihood of the people cannot be faked!"

These words were an acknowledgment and praise of Li Shaoyou's achievements. Hearing this, Li Shaoyou replied with an honest attitude: "To be frank with Your Majesty, your subject truly did not do much in Zhending. Everything was done according to the court's institutions and policies, following the governance of Lord Li (Li Gu). By the time I took office, order had already been restored from top to bottom. I merely enjoyed the legacy left by my predecessor—there is truly nothing praiseworthy in my record!"

"Now you're being modest!" Liu Chengyou shook his head gently. "To maintain public order, stabilize the peace, and give the gentry and common folk a stable and comfortable environment—without careful and diligent oversight, how could such things be accomplished?

I've heard that every year, during the spring plowing, summer planting, and autumn harvest, you are at your busiest, and you make frequent trips down to the subordinate prefectures and counties. You've done the work, and the results are there—the people speak well of you, and the court has records. There's no need to shy away from your achievements and merits. Do you think I would blame you for asking me to recognize them?"

"When Your Majesty puts it that way, it makes your subject seem affected!" Li Shaoyou chuckled.

"Over these years, Zhending Prefecture has made outstanding contributions to supplying the northern army. The grain produced and the taxes collected can truly be called abundant!" Liu Chengyou said.

"It is all thanks to Your Majesty's grace, which has spared Zhending Prefecture from disasters, keeping floods and droughts at bay—that is why we enjoy this peace!" Li Shaoyou again credited the Emperor. The impression Liu Chengyou now had of Li Shaoyou was one of modesty and solidity.

At the mention of disasters, Liu Chengyou's expression tightened slightly, and he said: "When I passed through Cangzhou, I made inquiries. It is also a major northern prefecture, yet there disasters come every year—especially floods, which are particularly severe!"

"In recent years, Hebei has seen a constant stream of major and minor calamities. By comparison, Zhending Prefecture, under Your Majesty's protection, can be said to enjoy favorable weather, and the people have greatly benefited from it!" Li Shaoyou said.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou immediately laughed out loud: "That statement of yours isn't quite accurate. The Great Han has over a hundred prefectures—are you saying that only Zhending Prefecture enjoys My protection?"

"Your Majesty is right! Your subject misspoke!" Li Shaoyou suddenly realized his error and immediately assumed a posture of begging forgiveness.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou was somewhat speechless. He patted him on the shoulder and complained: "You really have changed—you've become dull. You can't even take a joke anymore!"

"Regardless, as the chief official of a prefecture, you have done well in Zhending. I am very satisfied!" Liu Chengyou said seriously.

"Your Majesty praises your subject so highly—I truly dare not accept it, it is hard to bear!" Li Shaoyou responded.

Liu Chengyou was rather helpless at his reaction. He waved his hand and said: "Enough, let's not talk about this anymore. Since the fifth year of Qianyou, you have been serving in Zhending Prefecture for nearly four years now. On this northern tour, inspecting the prefectures, rewarding merit and punishing fault, I have it in mind to give you a new post, and I also want to hear your thoughts. Where would you prefer—return to court with me, or continue serving in the provinces?"

Hearing this, Li Shaoyou's face showed no obvious change. After a moment's thought, he clasped his hands and said: "Your subject is willing to follow Your Majesty's arrangements. Wherever Your Majesty sends me, there I will go."

"You!" Liu Chengyou studied him carefully for a moment, then said: "I'll give you two choices. One is to return to court and take up the post of Governor of Kaifeng. The other is to go to Guanzhong as Administration Commissioner!"

"Your subject has heard that Lord Li has only been in office at Kaifeng Prefecture for half a year!" Li Shaoyou was somewhat surprised.

"I won't hide it from you—I'm sure you can guess. My transferring Li Gu to Kaifeng Prefecture is both to fill Jing Fan's vacancy and to prepare him for the chancellorship! So, what do you say—you take over Kaifeng Prefecture, and Li Gu enters the Hall of State Affairs? Think it over?" Liu Chengyou looked at Li Shaoyou with a smile.

Li Shaoyou genuinely thought it over seriously, then responded: "Your subject will go to Guanzhong after all!"

Liu Chengyou did not press him further on his reasoning, saying: "Then it's settled! Lord Hu (Guanzhong Administration Commissioner Hu Yanke) is already past seventy—he is old after all. Guanzhong has many affairs and a complex political situation, and I cannot bear to let him continue toiling under such a burden for the state. It is fitting that you succeed him!"

"I will stay in Zhending for two days. You will accompany me west to the Northern Capital for the memorial rites, and we'll make a trip through the two capitals along the way. The Empress Dowager has been missing you, her nephew, very much!"

"Yes!" Li Shaoyou acknowledged the order, then paused and asked with concern: "May I ask how my aunt's health is?"

"She fell ill once last year, but after treatment, she has recovered. If the Empress Dowager's health were not secure, I would not feel at ease venturing out on such a long tour!" Liu Chengyou said.

Li Shaoyou breathed a sigh of relief and muttered a few words under his breath, seemingly giving thanks for the protection of the Three Pure Ones.

After the city tour ended, on the way back to the prefectural office, seated in his carriage, listening to the street talk and the clamor of the marketplace, Liu Chengyou recalled his exchange with Li Shaoyou, and a trace of melancholy arose in his heart.

If he had a friend, it would undoubtedly be Li Shaoyou. Even in his early years, during that period when he had "secluded himself," Li Shaoyou had been his most trusted brother and right-hand man. Before his position as Crown Prince was confirmed, Li Shaoyou had secretly worked and schemed on his behalf, standing firmly by his side.

After Liu Zhiyuan's death, during the brief turmoil before his succession, it was Li Shaoyou who had given his full assurance, guiding Li Hongxin to protect and escort him, and to balance Shi Hongzhao. Later, the establishment and development of the Wude Office, the surveillance of internal and external affairs, the management of Hedong...

One by one, item by item, Li Shaoyou's contributions flashed through his mind.

In the early years, Li Shaoyou had been quite open and relaxed in front of him, even able to freely discuss wine, women, and pleasure, and speak of the delights of women. But at some point, the two had gradually grown distant. Li Shaoyou had become proper and deferential before him, low-key and self-effacing, until now—he could not even speak his true feelings without being cautious and measured in his responses.

This change, given Liu Chengyou's temperament, he could actually accept and even welcomed. But people are complicated creatures after all, and there are always times of emotional entanglement. Liu Chengyou was no exception. Though he was fated to stand alone, he sometimes yearned for a friend who truly understood him.

After pondering for a while, Liu Chengyou shook his head, and his eyes regained their clarity. The pointless melancholy in his heart seemed to have been completely cast aside. Only the figure swaying slightly with the motion of the carriage seemed ever more solitary.

However, as Emperor, Liu Chengyou was never short of companions—especially women. At the Zhending Prefecture office, he enjoyed the fullest warmth, and this warmth came from Consort Guo Ning, who had arrived in Zhending ahead of time to await His Majesty.

Dusk fell, the moon was bright and the stars sparse. After a bout of intense and exhilarating lovemaking, Liu Chengyou's body felt all the more weary—exhausted in both body and mind.

Amid the thin gauze and light quilt, a subtle fragrance drifted. Feeling her delicate skin and firm hips, Liu Chengyou increasingly felt that carnal desire held little interest for him anymore.

"How long have you been in Zhending?" Liu Chengyou asked softly.

Lady Guo was drenched in fragrant sweat, a few strands of hair stuck to her forehead, a lingering rosy flush on her cheeks. Lying on Liu Chengyou's chest, she answered: "Seven days now!"

"Why didn't you spend a few more days at Yaoshan with your father?" Liu Chengyou said.

"I didn't dare delay and miss Your Majesty. Father also told me to head north early to await you!" Lady Guo replied.

"Your father is always so mindful of the greater good, fulfilling his duty as a subject!" Liu Chengyou praised, then asked: "How is his health?"

"He is hale and hearty, in good health. Father lives a very comfortable life in the countryside. On ordinary days he instructs Guo Yi, or rides out into the wilds, or hunts in the deep forests, or reads, or plays chess, or fishes, or sails a boat, or calls together friends and companions to drink freely by the winding stream..." Guo Ning answered.

"Such carefree ease—truly enviable!" Liu Chengyou's tone was full of admiration. "I heard that the government built a residence for your father, but he refused to move in and instead turned it into a school?"

Guo Ning explained: "Father believes that the residence built by the government exceeded the regulations—too luxurious and magnificent for him to enjoy. Therefore, he uses it as a place of learning, both to educate the local people and to cultivate talent for the court..."

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou could not help but sigh inwardly—Guo Wei, truly a pillar of the state! This was surely meant to make him feel a sense of indebtedness!