Chapter 784: A Map and a Book

"Your Majesty, there is one matter that warrants the court's heightened vigilance!" Lu Duoxun clasped his hands.

"Speak!" Setting aside his stirring emotions, Liu Chengyou looked at him.

Lu Duoxun said gravely: "As your minister observes, Hexi has been separated from the Central Plains for many years, and the Central Plains' influence has already weakened to a certain point. The former territories of the Great Tang have been severely encroached upon by the various barbarians, and the local surviving populace has likewise dwindled day by day. Though they retain some Han customs, they have also been considerably influenced by barbarian ways, merging with them, and no longer consider themselves subjects of the court. Even the Guiyi Army is no exception—barbarian customs run deep there."

"This is a very dire situation. If the court does not seek change and take measures, then as time goes on, the old lands of Hexi will be completely seized by the various barbarians—from the land and cities to the culture and traditions, all will be severed from the Central Plains and no longer belong to the court..."

Lu Duoxun's words stirred Liu Chengyou's thoughts, and certain "pre-existing" images surfaced in his mind, deepening his concern. After pondering for a moment, Liu Chengyou said: "It is easy to imagine that over the long years, the court's power in Hexi has declined, to the point of having no real influence at all, with vast stretches of land occupied by barbarian hordes."

"The surviving people of the Great Tang, the old subjects, receive no protection or support from the court. Surrounded by wolves on all sides, they must struggle to survive and will naturally seek change to adapt. Under such circumstances, how could I possibly expect them to maintain loyalty and obedience to the court?"

Toward the situation in the northwest, Liu Chengyou appeared to hold an attitude of tolerance and understanding, displaying considerable magnanimity. Perhaps he felt regret, perhaps sorrow, and he also harbored the bold ambition of sending troops to recover the old territories and rescue the surviving people—but he had none of that extreme resentment. After all, the causes sown by the previous dynasty bore today's fruits. He took a broad view of it, merely intending to do his utmost to make amends and reclaim the old rivers and mountains.

"I send you west both to understand and probe the situation in Hexi, and also to use this envoy mission of yours to proclaim to the surviving people of the northwest: though the Great Tang has fallen, the Great Han still stands! One day, the banners of the Great Han shall be planted throughout the cities of Hexi, the Hexi Corridor and the Silk Road shall be reopened, and the might and glory of the Great Han shall spread far across the Western Regions..." Liu Chengyou said solemnly, as if taking an oath.

Hearing this, Lu Duoxun's face lit up with excitement, and he rose to say: "Your minister is willing to be a horse or ox for Your Majesty, to be driven at your will, to assist the sage sovereign in accomplishing the great enterprise of westward expansion!"

Beside him, Detective Wang also prostrated himself and said: "Your minister feels the same!"

Waving his hand, Liu Chengyou then looked at this man who had remained silent all along, and said gently: "You are from the Wude Office, leading the escort for the envoy mission? What is your name?"

"That is correct, this humble one is named Wang Yinwu!" Detective Wang appeared somewhat ill at ease—this was his first time being received by the Emperor.

"To have brought the western envoy party back safely is no easy feat!" Liu Chengyou said.

"This humble one received his orders and could only fulfill his duties to the utmost, preferring death over failure!" Wang Yinwu said solemnly, maintaining extraordinary deference toward the Emperor.

Since the time of Li Shaoyou, the Wude Office had formed a culture of regarding itself as the Son of Heaven's hounds and talons, with reverence for imperial authority gradually fused into their very bones.

"Good!" Liu Chengyou said approvingly: "It is precisely because of heroes and stalwarts like you that the Great Han can continue to grow strong and prosperous!"

At the side, Lu Duoxun also spoke up: "Along the journey west, there were many dangerous places—barren shores, gobi deserts, sand dunes—with horse bandits and roving outlaws running rampant, not to mention some troops hostile to the Great Han. Your ministers endured countless perils on this road, several times hovering at the brink of life and death. It was thanks to Detective Wang's utmost efforts to protect us that we were able to complete the mission and return with our lives intact!"

"How many people came back?" Liu Chengyou asked.

At this mention, both their moods sank slightly. Lu Duoxun replied: "Including your two ministers, only twenty-three in all. The rest perished along the way!"

"These men were all martyrs of the Great Han!" Liu Chengyou said solemnly, looking at the two of them: "You did not fail your mission. You returned through countless hardships and rendered great service—you deserve generous rewards! Whatever you wish for, speak it plainly!"

Upon being asked, Lu Duoxun immediately said: "Your minister hopes His Majesty will bestow some money and silk, grain and millet, and farmland!"

"Oh?" Liu Chengyou was slightly surprised by his directness.

Noticing Liu Chengyou's reaction, Lu Duoxun continued: "That your ministers were able to return is all thanks to the attendants and guards who perished in the northwest. How could we dare to presume to hope for rewards ourselves? We only wish to use them to compensate and console their families!"

"This is only right and proper!" Liu Chengyou could not help but nod: "Even if you had not raised it, I would still bestow solemn commendations and rewards upon the brave men of the western mission, so as not to betray the loyalty and merit of their noble spirits!"

"Your Majesty is sagacious. Your minister, on behalf of those who died in service, kowtows in gratitude for Your Majesty's grace!" Lu Duoxun said.

Glancing at Lu Duoxun, Liu Chengyou's eyes revealed a hint of something unusual—he naturally saw through the man's little schemes. Pleading for compensation for the dead was highly beneficial to one's reputation and prestige, and it could also deepen a favorable impression with the Emperor. At the same time, his merits from the western journey were real and substantial—how could the Emperor be stingy with rewards for him?

Of course, Lu Duoxun might also have been acting from genuine sincerity, not necessarily harboring petty thoughts of courting fame. But regardless, his act of speaking up in this manner was worthy of encouragement and praise.

"You have traveled all this way and must be exhausted. I won't keep you here with more questions! There is plenty of time—I will find you again later for a thorough talk!" Liu Chengyou said with generous consideration: "Zhang Dejun, have someone attend to them properly—let them bathe and change into new clothes!"

"Yes!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

As Lu Duoxun gave his thanks, he also took out a booklet from his bosom—a thick stack of pages, somewhat dirty and with curled corners—and presented it solemnly: "Your minister recorded all the sights and experiences of this journey, compiled into this volume. Please, Your Majesty, do review it!"

Liu Chengyou's eyes brightened slightly. He took the booklet passed over by Zhang Dejun and opened it with some eagerness. After only a rough scan of a few pages, he looked up at Lu Duoxun and said: "The records are very detailed! This book is of great value—you put real effort into it! It seems I have gained another must-read book!"

Seeing the Emperor's reaction, Lu Duoxun smiled with restraint, clasped his hands, and replied: "As long as it is useful to Your Majesty and to the court, that is enough!"

On the other side, Detective Wang Yinwu, seeing this, also took out a carefully protected map and presented it: "This is a map of cities, mountains, rivers, and roads that this humble one drew along the way as ordered!"

Liu Chengyou likewise took it, spread it open, swept his tiger eyes across it, and even brought a lamp closer for better light to examine it carefully. His satisfaction grew ever deeper, and he declared in a clear voice: "For this one map and this one volume alone, it would not be excessive to grant you both noble titles!"

"These were all things your minister ought to do; I dare not claim merit!" Lu Duoxun appeared modest and unassuming, indifferent to honors and titles.

Wang Yinwu, upon hearing this, felt greatly honored. Among the many subordinates of the Wude Office, only three directors in succession had ever been granted noble titles—and even then, not purely for their merits within the Wude Office.

After considering for a moment, Liu Chengyou said to Lu Duoxun: "Very well. After you withdraw, make a more detailed compilation of the western journey, draft a memorial, and once you return to the capital, you should introduce it to the high ministers and grand officials, so that they too may gain a deeper understanding of the situation in Hexi!"

"Yes!"

After Lu Duoxun and the others withdrew, Liu Chengyou's enthusiasm remained undiminished. Like a hunter delighted by prey, he held the map and the volume, flipping through and examining them, unable to put them down. The report Lu Duoxun brought back was, to Liu Chengyou, like lifting the veil from a beauty's face, revealing her to his eyes—still hazy, yet no longer so blurred. It was a long while before his excitement passed and he calmed down.

"What is there to be excited about? In the end, it is still something to gaze at from afar but never reach!" A trace of wistfulness formed at the corners of his mouth.

When he had not known the situation in Hexi, he could ignore it, pretend not to know, and leave it for later. Now that he knew, he could not help but feel restless. But he had the will without the power—the time for westward expansion was still far off.

Yet, if he did nothing at all, Liu Chengyou would not be content. After thinking it over, Liu Chengyou called out: "Zhang Dejun!"

Zhang Dejun, having finished arranging matters for Lu and Wang, returned and hurriedly awaited orders: "This humble one is here! Please, Your Majesty, give your command!"

"Issue an edict: have all the government offices in the northwestern border prefectures submit memorials reporting their trade conditions with the various barbarians!" Liu Chengyou commanded.

"Yes!"

After much deliberation, since the army could not conveniently march west for now, trade would lead the way—organized by the government, using economics and merchants to open up the Hexi Corridor, permeating it with influence, laying the groundwork for a major westward push in the future.

Having secretly resolved this, Liu Chengyou turned his gaze to Zhang Dejun and said with a smile: "I see you bustling about, running back and forth, which is no easy task. Do you need a few people to help you?"

Hearing this, Zhang Dejun's heart tightened, and he hurriedly said: "Thank you for His Majesty's concern. This humble one can still manage on his own. To be able to serve His Majesty, no matter how busy, this humble one is willing and honored!"