Chapter 768: Controlling the Chaos

Entering mid-May, the weather grew increasingly hot, and the sun gradually became more vicious. The blazing sun hung high in the sky, wantonly baking the earth, while the walls of Tong Pass silently endured the scorching heat. Yet no matter how sweltering it was, the soldiers guarding the pass above and below all strove to keep their spirits up, not daring to relax in the slightest—both because the imperial carriage was stationed at the pass, and because of the captive rebellion in Guanzhong.

Affected by the troubles in Guanzhong, travelers moving between east and west had noticeably decreased, and a tense atmosphere seemed to hover above the pass, weighing on people's hearts.

Of course, for the garrison troops at Tong Pass, they were not actually overly worried about the Shu rebellion in Guanzhong. In their view, when the Shu forces had been fully equipped, they had still been crushed by the Great Han—let alone now, when they were worn down by hard labor, physically diminished, and lacking military supplies. As soon as they reacted, they could be wiped out with a flip of the hand. However, this mindset could not be shown openly, nor did they dare truly let down their guard.

In the courtyard of the pass headquarters, the sound of trickling water sounded from time to time. Liu Chengyou sat on a folding chair, hands propped on his knees, hunched over with head lowered and hair loose, enjoying the washing by Consort Guo Ning. Cool well water poured over his head, having the effect of refreshing his mind like a sudden enlightenment—his whole spirit perking up somewhat, though his body involuntarily shivered a few times.

Seeing this, Lady Guo could not help but advise: "Your Majesty, this well water is too cold, and pouring it over your head like that is bad for your health. Better to switch to hot water!"

"No need! The weather is hot—cold water will wake me up!" Liu Chengyou said calmly, eyes slightly narrowed, watching the streams of water mixed with the faint fragrance of pig's-foot fungus dripping from his hair.

Washing the hair, rinsing it, drying it, combing it—it was truly a troublesome task, and his thin single-layer garment was also dampened in places. Liu Chengyou quickly glanced at the blazing sun overhead and said: "Let's move under the eaves. The sun is this high—if you get tanned, I'm afraid you'll blame me!"

Lady Guo's complexion was on the wheat-toned side, not something that could be described as fair-skinned, but it was even and healthy. Of course, as a woman, how could she not care about her appearance—especially as a palace lady. Feeling the thoughtfulness beneath Liu Chengyou's teasing tone, she could not help but smile sweetly.

Her slender, soft hands deftly combed Liu Chengyou's hair. Feeling her movements, Liu Chengyou could not help but say: "I didn't expect you to be so skilled at washing hair and arranging the topknot!"

Lady Guo said: "I learned it from my mother. Before entering the palace, I often helped my mother wash and comb her hair too!"

After finishing with his hair and inserting the jade hairpin, Liu Chengyou's whole spirit perked up considerably. But all this back and forth had consumed half a shichen of time. Sometimes, Liu Chengyou truly wasn't worried about the noble consorts and concubines of the harem having nothing to do—washing and bathing, dressing and changing clothes, these were all things that consumed time...

Empress Fu came looking for him, with palace maids in attendance carrying two plates of tender red watermelon, already cut into pieces. Glancing at them, his tongue subconsciously felt dry.

"Have some melon!" The elder Lady Fu remained gentle as ever, a serene smile on her jade-like face: "This is watermelon produced in Fengyi, already chilled in well water for quite some time!"

Probably knowing that Liu Chengyou had been in a bad mood these past two days, the consorts all went along with his temper. After a few bites, Liu Chengyou said: "This melon is sweet and crisp, cool and refreshing—excellent. The weather is this hot, give some to the children as well!"

"Already sent over—and we also sent some to Lady Gao's side!" The elder Lady Fu said with a light smile.

Nodding, Liu Chengyou asked Zhang Dejun: "How many melons did Fengyi send this time?"

"Five cartloads!"

"Keep one cartload; distribute the rest to the civil and military officials accompanying the imperial carriage!" Liu Chengyou instructed.

"Yes! This servant will see to it at once!"

"Fengyi!" Setting down a piece of melon rind, Liu Chengyou murmured: "The rebellion in the neighboring county is not yet quelled, yet I am here enjoying sweet melon..."

Fengyi was the seat of Tong Prefecture, a mere seventy li from Pucheng where the rebellion raged—no wonder Liu Chengyou sighed thus.

"Is Your Majesty still worried about the troubles in Guanzhong?" The elder Lady Fu asked.

"With soldiers in chaos like tangled hemp, how could I not worry? But compared to the Shu captive rebellion, I am more concerned about the suffering the people west of the pass have endured this time!" Liu Chengyou said.

Being at the beginning of the dynasty's founding, the execution capacity of the government and military was still very high. After the initial shock, once they reacted, the various prefectures and garrisons cooperated fully, controlling their jurisdictions and suppressing the rebellion with extremely high efficiency. Especially with the Son of Heaven stationed at Tong Pass directing the suppression on site, they dared not slack off.

"Your Majesty, military report from Jingzhao!" Guo Tong entered, holding a memorial to report.

Seeing that Liu Chengyou needed to handle matters of state and military, the consorts tactfully withdrew.

"Have some melon!" Liu Chengyou pointed at the fruit plate and said calmly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Flipping through the memorial, it was a joint report from the Jingzhao Prefecture and the Guanzhong military command. The rebel forces at Yueyang and Weinan had already been annihilated by Zhao Hongyin leading troops in person—over 1,300 rebels killed, the rebel chieftains beheaded—and troops had been dispatched north to coordinate with the officers and soldiers of the three prefectures of Hua, Tong, and Yao to surround and suppress the rebel forces lingering in Pucheng.

With Yueyang and Weinan pacified, the threat to Chang'an was eliminated. Zhao Hongyin had already returned his troops to Chang'an, preparing to march west to clear out Wang Shun's rebel mob operating in Wugong and Xingping.

"It seems the rebellion is basically under control!" Liu Chengyou's expression showed no joy.

On his side, Guo Tong, having finished his melon, compared against a map and explained: "The rebel forces at Yueyang and Weinan, though they gathered more than two thousand men, had no strategy and no foresight—they only plundered the countryside and vented their hatred. They were nothing but a band of robbers, a rabble of the moment. Waiting for Chief General Zhao to advance and suppress them, how could they not be destroyed? The rebel forces in Pucheng are the same—their destruction is imminent!

In comparison, it is Wang Shun's rebel army in Jingzhao that has done the most harm. They came south from Yunyang, roaming and fighting, and have already affected seven counties. Burning, killing, looting, forcing the people to become bandits..."

"Since ancient times, it is the roving bandits that are the most troublesome, and they cause the greatest destruction!" Liu Chengyou's brows knitted together as he said: "I am not worried about these rebel soldiers and bandits—I only worry about the suffering people of Guanzhong!"

Hearing this, Guo Tong fell silent, then said: "Your Majesty, Commander-in-Chief Xiang has already sent two thousand cavalry eastward to surround and drive them, compressing the Jingzhao rebels into the area east of Wugong, west of Xingping, and north of the Wei River, cutting off their path to expand and do evil. We only await Chief General Zhao's westward advance to suppress them at leisure. The rebel leader Wang Shun, though cunning and brutal, is being pressed by the main army like a throat being gripped—he merely awaits death!"

Liu Chengyou finally nodded and said: "Issue another edict—Wang Shun's rebel army must be annihilated within Jingzhao's borders. Then have the various prefectures restore governance and soothe the people, restoring order as before the rebellion as quickly as possible!"

"Jingzhao is the most elite region of Guanzhong. After this disturbance, who knows how long it will take to recover!" As he spoke, Liu Chengyou could not suppress his anger and cursed inwardly.

He was angry at the Shu captives for rebelling, indignant at the government's carelessness, and most importantly, after all this upheaval in Guanzhong, it would affect his grand plan to attack Shu. Guanzhong was one of the logistical bases for the campaign against Shu—with Guanzhong unstable, no matter how eager Liu Chengyou was to advance, he dared not rashly mobilize a large army.

"Your Majesty, Commander-in-Chief Xiang reports that the Huaide and Huaiwei armies are already under surveillance and have shown no unusual movements!" Guo Tong said cautiously.

The Huaide and Huaiwei armies were two forces formed from selected Shu army captives—one stationed at Fengxiang, one at Feng Prefecture, belonging to the Southwest Grand Camp, training on site in preparation for the campaign against Shu.

Although a large number of Han army officers had been transferred and inserted into both armies, after the uprising in Jingzhao, Liu Chengyou had secretly ordered Xiang Xun to strengthen control to guard against unforeseen events. A group of captive laborers, no matter how arrogant, could only cause destruction within a certain limit—bearable. But if the two armies composed of Shu soldiers were to revolt because of this, the destruction they could cause would be beyond what Liu Chengyou could bear.

"Additionally, He Chongjian, Army Commander of the Huaiwei Army, and Han Jixun, Deputy Commander of the Huaide Army, have submitted memorials volunteering to lead troops to suppress the rebellion!" Guo Tong added.

He Chongjian and Han Jixun were both surrendered generals of the Shu state, entrusted with important positions by Liu Chengyou.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou immediately smiled and said: "These two are fearful and anxious, coming to pledge their loyalty to me! Hmm... have Hu Zai draft two imperial edicts and send them to the two armies. Use gentle wording—tell the two men that the troubles in Guanzhong have nothing to do with them, they need not worry, I do not suspect them. Let them govern their troops with peace of mind and stabilize the military situation!"

In fact, if He Chongjian and Han Jixun were smart enough, they would understand that no matter what, the Emperor would never let them lead troops to suppress the Shu rebellion in Guanzhong. Still, they had to maintain the proper attitude.

"Yes!" Guo Tong acknowledged the order, but could not help hesitating: "Your Majesty, Hu Zai—his illness has worsened!"

His brows immediately furrowed. Liu Chengyou said: "What happened?"

Guo Tong said: "I went to visit him—he is vomiting blood without stop. According to the imperial physicians, Hu Zai was already riddled with chronic ailments, terminally ill. During the northern inspection tour, he secretly used potent medicines to forcibly keep up his spirits. After months of travel and toil, upon reaching Tong Pass, he finally collapsed. I fear he cannot last more than a few days!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou seemed somewhat at a loss, mixed with a trace of sigh: "This Hu Zai, he really is..."

"Enough!" Waving his hand, Liu Chengyou instructed: "Let him rest well. Handle the edict matter yourself!"

"Yes!"

Liu Chengyou knew that one of the fine writing brushes he had his eye on would most likely be broken...