Chapter 765: The Mountain Road

Warning: this chapter is especially filler-heavy.

From Jingxing, following the Taihang range into Hedong, roughly a hundred li of mountain road brings one to Pingding County. The mountain road leading to Pingding runs northeast–southwest, like a long, narrow corridor. Through the development and leveling of successive dynasties, the Jingxing road was no longer so cramped—rugged in places, winding in others, yet considerably smoother.

Even so, for a column of several thousand men accompanying the imperial progress, passing through was no easy matter. To lighten the burden, Liu Chengyou directly ordered the field headquarters to abandon all heavy supply carts, switching to light carts instead—including his own spacious, heavy imperial carriage, which was left behind in favor of small carts or riding on horseback.

Liu Chengyou had experienced the difficulty of mountain roads in his early years, but after years of comfortable living, enduring it again was hard to bear. Riding in a cart was bumpy, riding a horse was uncomfortable, and for the latter half of the journey, Liu Chengyou simply chose to walk.

Green mountains stretched quietly, ancient trees stood dense, and the cliffs flanking the road were lofty and magnificent. On the road surface to the left, there were obvious traces of artificial carving. Birds sang and cicadas chirped all around, lulling one toward drowsiness. It was a midsummer afternoon, the weather hot—though shaded by the forest canopy, the stifling heat trapped within the mountain road still made one uncomfortable.

The column advanced along the undulating, winding mountain road, the troops maintaining the solemn discipline of marching. Shi Shouxin's arrangements were excellent—having experienced the campaign against Shu in Qinfeng two years prior, he had considerable experience with mountain-road marching.

Reconnoitering the road, clearing the forested cliffs, coordinating the guards—Shi Shouxin arranged everything meticulously, all to ensure the safety of the imperial progress and prevent any unforeseen incident. In these mountain woods, risks were always magnified. Civilian travelers encountered along the way were promptly detained and only released after the Emperor and Empress had passed.

Liu Chengyou did not think Shi Shouxin was making a fuss or putting on a show; on the contrary, he approved of his rigorous, responsible work attitude and style. In fact, after this northern inspection escort, Shi Shouxin's military post would be raised another notch upon returning to court.

Over the years, all who had served as Commander-in-Chief of the field headquarters had been senior generals of the Great Han—Murong Yanzhao, Han Tong, Zhao Kuangyin, and others were all exemplars.

Holding a bamboo cane for support, his single-layer garment already soaked through with sweat, stained with dust and grass clippings, his bearing somewhat bedraggled, he stepped heavily, one foot after another.

Zhang Dejun repeatedly tried to support Liu Chengyou, but was sternly rebuked each time. Liu Chengyou stubbornly cited the old days—how a hundred-li march set out at dawn and arrived by dusk, crossing the Taihang range as if walking on flat ground.

"How are you all—can you still walk?" Pausing briefly, Liu Chengyou turned his head to look at the four sons following beside him.

Having the four princes walk on foot was also Liu Chengyou's order, to temper their will and strengthen their bodies. However energetic they were, at such a young age, how could they endure such hardship? They walked and stopped, faces washed with sweat and tears.

Liu Xi had even taken an accidental fall, scraping his palm and arm. Noble Consort Gao, who usually presented herself as a strict mother, could not help but feel heartache and voiced complaints to Liu Chengyou.

At this moment, hearing the concern from his imperial father, Liu Xu responded as usual—no complaints of pain, no cries of fatigue, only a reply: "I can walk!"

But one could clearly see that his not-so-sturdy calves were trembling.

Liu Yang wore a bitter expression, sweat streaming down, leaning against a guard's leg, while Liu Fang had lost even the interest to speak—clearly exhausted, yet his eyes remained bright.

Turning to look at Liu Xi, Liu Chengyou asked with concern: "What about you? Does it still hurt?"

Liu Xi's small face was somewhat dirty, the scrapes on his hand simply bandaged, but when soaked by sweat, he could not help grimacing and saying: "It hurts!"

Liu Chengyou knew the principle of excess being as bad as deficiency. Though they had rested several times along the way, for four young boys, this was already no small feat.

Looking back, then pointing ahead, Liu Chengyou said: "See that ridge up ahead? Hold on a little longer—once we reach there, we'll rest, and after that, you'll ride in the carts!"

Following Liu Chengyou's finger, about a hundred zhang ahead, the mountain road clearly rose in an undulation, the forested slopes forming a gap that blocked the view, making one want to glimpse the scenery beyond the ridge.

Sure enough, Liu Chengyou's words were effective. With a goal in sight, the several sons' spirits visibly changed—all perked up somewhat, Liu Xu included.

It took about a quarter of an hour to bring the princes, stumbling, up onto that ridge. Liu Chengyou gazed into the distance—beyond the ridge lay another road stretching endlessly out of sight.

The princes, however, lacked Liu Chengyou's interest. As if released from torment, they sat down directly to rest. Little Liu Fang collapsed, leaning against a green boulder, his calves twitching.

"Massage them! Give them some water!" he instructed several guards.

"Your Majesty, please quench your thirst as well!" Zhang Dejun took out the water pouch at his waist, opened the cap, and handed it over.

Taking it, Liu Chengyou drank a couple of simple mouthfuls. The warm, sweet water moistened his throat, bringing some comfort—though of course, at such a time and place, a cup of iced drink would have been the true enjoyment.

Looking at Zhang Dejun, who attended him so diligently, Liu Chengyou could not help asking curiously: "Unexpected—your physique is rather good. After walking this mountain road for so long, you show hardly any sign of fatigue. I think some of the soldiers can't even match you!"

Zhang Dejun replied: "Your servant usually keeps up with training. To serve Your Majesty, a weak body simply won't do!"

Though Zhang Dejun was merely a eunuch, as his body had matured over the years, he was tall of stature and robust of build, skilled in martial arts and adept with the sword—even ordinary Inner Palace guards were not necessarily his match.

Liu Chengyou had been putting on a brave front earlier, but now that he had stopped, fatigue swept over him, his body feeling as if filled with lead. Even an ordinary person suddenly walking mountain roads would suffer from the exhaustion—let alone Liu Chengyou, whose body was unused to exertion from long hours of sitting.

"Go, see how the Empress is doing?" Liu Chengyou instructed Zhang Dejun.

"Yes!"

His gaze fell upon the four princes. Though they had recovered somewhat, they all looked unwilling to move. Li Shaoyou walked up—having indulged in women for years, his body was likely depleted, and he appeared quite weak.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou laughed: "Your body needs more training too! Without a strong physique, how can you faithfully serve the state?"

Li Shaoyou gave a wry smile: "Your servant was dissolute in his early years, wallowing in women's company, and has rarely exercised in recent times. A little walking and I can hardly bear it!"

As he spoke, Li Shaoyou glanced at the princes and advised: "The young princes are still tender in years and cannot withstand such hardship. It would be best to moderate it somewhat!"

"I know that too! Bringing them out this time—besides letting them see the cities and rivers of the Great Han, I also want them to taste hardship, to measure the mountains and rivers with their own feet. A journey of a thousand li begins with a single step—it's not something to be spoken of lightly!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand.

Looking at Li Shaoyou, he suddenly said: "What do you think of my sons?"

In Li Shaoyou's eyes, Liu Chengyou's gaze seemed to release a force that struck fear into one's heart. Hearing this sudden question, he immediately grew solemn and answered carefully: "All are dragons among men and phoenixes among birds, worthy of Your Majesty's bloodline—imperial stock of the highest order!"

The column continued moving, constantly crossing ridges and pressing onward. Before long, the Empress, Noble Consort Gao, and Consort Ning caught up, descending from their carts. Ignoring their own fatigue and Liu Chengyou's concern, the elder Lady Fu's attention was entirely on the children.

In no time at all, aside from Liu Xu, all three princes had fallen asleep, their tender young faces thick with exhaustion that seemed almost ready to drip off.

"They're just tired, no need to worry. A good sleep and plenty of rest, and they'll be fine!" Seeing the concerned expressions of Empress Fu and the Noble Consort, Liu Chengyou offered reassurance.

"Hmph!" The elder Lady Fu's phoenix brows arched slightly as she directly rebuked Liu Chengyou: "You're the Emperor—if you want to walk or run, we can't stop you. But how old are the children? Liu Fang is only six! As their father, how can you bear to let them suffer such hardship!"

When the Empress lost her temper, even Liu Chengyou had to give way. He gave an embarrassed smile and no longer spoke any grand words about good intentions. He shot Li Shaoyou a look, and the two cousins hurried ahead together, distancing themselves from the protective tigress guarding her cubs.

"Your Majesty!" Shi Shouxin, who had been inspecting ahead, turned back.

"How much farther until we're out of the mountains?" Liu Chengyou asked.

"Less than twenty li. At the current pace, we should be out before dusk. The forward unit has already made contact with Pingding County and made preparations to receive Your Majesty," Shi Shouxin reported.

"Good, you've worked hard. Make arrangements—we'll rest at Pingding tonight!" Liu Chengyou instructed.

"Yes!"

"Your Majesty thinks highly of this Shi Shouxin?" Watching Shi Shouxin stride off efficiently, handling matters personally, Li Shaoyou could not help commenting.

"A thousand troops are easy to come by, but a single general is hard to find. I can never have too many such outstanding commanders!" Liu Chengyou said.

Li Shaoyou was rather surprised—in the Han army, those who could earn the Emperor's praise of "outstanding commander" were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns. He asked: "Your Majesty's expectations of him are truly that high?"

"Just wait and see!" Liu Chengyou's plain words radiated confidence.

"It is your servant who has been remiss—Your Majesty has always been known for judging talent well. Now that we are in an age of arms, if this Shi Shouxin fulfills his potential, your servant will rejoice for Your Majesty and the Great Han..."