Chapter 970: Vassal Ministers Leave the Capital

On an early autumn day, the weather was exceptionally clear, the sky as if washed clean, not a cloud in ten thousand li, and the air was filled with a faint floral fragrance—not overpowering, but carrying the very essence of autumn, directly telling the people of the Eastern Capital that the seasons were turning.

The Protocol Reception Court was no longer the bustling, distinguished-guest-filled place it had once been. The chieftains and envoys who had come to the capital had, one after another, submitted memorials and departed. Of course, there were still many who lingered, reluctant to part with the splendor of Kaifeng, choosing to stay a while longer. There were even Uyghur and Tibetan tribes who, after concluding their trade, continued purchasing goods to take back for resale.

In recent years, whenever envoys came to the capital—especially those from the tribes and powers of the northwest—they always brought a trading caravan with them. Tribute was one matter, but trade was another. The Eastern Capital was full of nobles, and precious goods and fine horses fetched higher prices here. At the same time, the Eastern Capital's abundance of products, having everything one could need, fully satisfied their demands.

Driven by this constant flow of envoys, and with the court's deliberate encouragement, the Great Han's ties with the northwest had grown much closer over the years. Under the powerful military deterrence and armed protection, the court's influence over the northwest deepened year by year. One need only look at the frequency with which the Uyghurs, the Guiyi Army, and the various Tibetan powers sent envoys to the Eastern Capital to see it.

From the distant Western Regions, among the many contending powers—such as the Western Prefecture Uyghurs, the Nine Clans of the Oghuz, and Khotan—all had successively dispatched envoys to the Eastern Capital to establish contact and communication. Of course, the gestures of these powers carried more symbolic weight. However, after the Great Han reached a consensus with the Ganzhou Uyghurs, ensuring the safety of the Hexi Corridor and the basic unimpeded flow of the Silk Road, quite a few merchants and travelers from the Western Regions did indeed set foot on the eastward road.

There were even people from the Samanid Dynasty in the Transoxiana region of Central Asia who, traveling ten thousand li, came east to the capital. The eastward spread of Islam had already begun to show signs in this era—of course, on a very small scale—but active figures could already be seen in Kaifeng city.

To return from that digression—among the foreign envoys and vassal ministers lingering in the Eastern Capital, not all were there willingly. Take Li Yiyin, Military Governor of the Dingnan Army, for example. He had been voluntarily requested to remain in the capital, wishing to serve the Son of Heaven up close, further enjoy the delights of the Eastern Capital, and roam freely through Kaifeng.

To Li Yiyin's "request," the Son of Heaven graciously agreed and showed meticulous care. To make his life in the Eastern Capital convenient, he specially bestowed upon him a mansion, considering his clothing, food, lodging, and travel, while also assigning officials to serve as his guides and numerous guards to ensure his safety.

At the same time, during the period before the start of autumn, many high officials, nobles, and meritorious ministers of the Eastern Capital came to call on him, inviting him to outings, accompanying him in feasting and drinking, taking turns in shifts, letting him feel the Great Han's profound friendship toward him.

On this day, it was the day of departure for Qian Hongchu, King of Wuyue, and Liu Congxiao, Acting Military Governor of the Pinghai Army. The former had already gone to the palace to take his leave and received the Son of Heaven's permission. Prince Yong, Liu Chenghsun, as the Son of Heaven's envoy, personally saw them off.

However, the route out of the city, arranged by Liu Chenghsun, deliberately took a detour, specifically passing by Li Yiyin's Duke of Xiping mansion. As they passed, both Qian Hongchu and Liu Congxiao instinctively glanced over a few times. Compared to Liu Congxiao's composure, Qian Hongchu was clearly more solemn.

Regarding the matter of offering up the lands of Zhangzhou, Quanzhou, and Yanzhou, from the Son of Heaven to the court, on the surface there had been no clear stance—no edict issued, neither accepting nor rejecting, as if the matter had never occurred. Of course, such an act was itself a form of attitude.

Liu Congxiao, for his part, had sincerely offered his lands to demonstrate his loyalty. Whatever decision the Son of Heaven made, he would accept it magnanimously. As the saying goes, "one who desires nothing is invincible"—he stood on unassailable ground, and thus remained calm throughout.

Qian Hongchu was different. Fortunately, after learning his thoughts through Prince Yong, Liu Chengyou took a policy of gentle persuasion toward him, granting him a special audience to set his mind at ease. As for Wuyue, at this time Liu Chengyou truly had no designs on it. First, because he was confident he could keep Qian Hongchu in hand; second, because when he later sent troops south, he would still need Wuyue's army to assist, reducing resistance in conquering the Southern Tang. If Qian Hongchu were detained in the Eastern Capital, Wuyue would fall into turmoil—which was not what Liu Chengyou wanted to see.

At the docks southeast of Kaifeng, several large ships were moored, with attendants loading goods aboard. The time of departure was not far off. Liu Chenghsun, along with Qian Hongchu and Liu Congxiao, sat in a nearby tavern, drinking and chatting as a farewell.

It was not until a minor clerk came to report that the departure arrangements were complete that the three rose from their seats. Looking at the two men, Liu Chenghsun stood up, smiling, and with a solemn cupped-fist salute said: "Elder Brother, Duke Liu—though one may see a guest off a thousand li, in the end one must part. I take my leave here!"

"The Prince is too kind!" Liu Congxiao said with a hearty laugh. "Troubling the Prince to set aside official duties to see us off is truly our honor!"

Qian Hongchu also expressed: "After this parting, who knows when we shall meet again. I pray you take care!"

Liu Chenghsun then said with meaningful emphasis: "All under heaven is the king's land—so long as we are on the territory of the Great Han, why worry about not meeting again? Given the bond between us, I imagine the day of our reunion is not far off!"

Neither of them was a fool; the meaning behind Liu Chenghsun's words was not hard to grasp. Both Qian and Liu voiced their agreement.

"I was ordered by His Majesty to see you off, and at this moment of parting, His Majesty has additional gifts to bestow!" Liu Chenghsun said, then raised his hand: "Attendants!"

Two guards standing by, each holding a box, stepped forward and presented them. At Liu Chenghsun's signal, they handed one to each of the two men. Not daring to be negligent, the two bowed from afar in the direction of the palace, then solemnly received the boxes.

As the two boarded their ships, sails were raised, anchors weighed, and oarsmen took up their oars. Several vessels followed the Bian River, cutting through the waves, slowly heading eastward. Liu Chenghsun stood on the bank, gazing for a long while, then let out a light sigh before summoning his guards to return to the city, preparing to report back to Liu Chengyou.

When Liu Congxiao had come to the capital, he had borrowed passage through Southern Tang territory. This time, however, he planned to travel together with Qian Hongchu through Wuyue territory—though it would be a long detour, it was the safer route.

Inside the ornately decorated cabin, Liu Congxiao undid the latch and opened the gift box. Inside, laid on a base of yellow silk, lay a solitary document. Flipping it open, a smile spread across Liu Congxiao's face. It was an edict of enfeoffment—a conferral upon the Liu clan, granting Liu Congxiao the title of Duke of Min, with his younger brother Congyuan also receiving a noble rank, along with grants of money, grain, fields, and residences. This was Liu Chengyou's most direct promise in response to his conduct since arriving in the capital. The only slightly strange thing was the date—it was written as the sixteenth year of Qianyou...

On another ship, having embarked on the journey home, Qian Hongchu finally let out a sigh of relief. Regardless of anything else, the Eastern Capital was still a place he was reluctant to linger in. Though he had long prepared himself for the "worst-case scenario" in his heart, he was still somewhat grateful to have passed through safely. For Qian Hongchu, even if he had been sentenced to death, having the execution date delayed was a good thing.

Likewise, he opened the gift box—but inside, stacked up, was a pile of memorials. With some curiosity, Qian Hongchu picked up the one on top and flipped through it. A single glance and he was startled, his face turning pale with fear, his heart racing, cold sweat nearly breaking out. This stack of memorials were all petitions from court officials urging Liu Chengyou to keep Qian Hongchu in the Eastern Capital.

Liu Chengyou's purpose in handing these memorials to Qian Hongchu went without saying. After a moment of palpitations, a bitter smile emerged on Qian Hongchu's weary face.

At the same time, it further strengthened his resolve. Wuyue would never be a match for the Great Han, and he dared not oppose the Son of Heaven. Whatever the future held, wherever Wuyue was to go, it would await the Son of Heaven's sacred decision. He would simply remain in Hangzhou, awaiting the edict, and submit in obedience.

Before Qian Hongchu and Liu Congxiao left the capital, Gao Shaoji of Yanzhou had already been released and sent back by the Emperor even earlier. However, returning with him were several officials and military officers selected and dispatched by the central government—they were going to Yanzhou to carry out "advisory" construction of its military and civil administration.

Of course, Liu Chengyou's true purpose was to have Gao Shaoji return and continue keeping watch over the Dingnan Army on the court's behalf. He had also had a fairly in-depth conversation with him. Gao Shaoji appeared very excited, and felt positively gleeful about Li Yiyin being detained in the Eastern Capital.

As for the Dingnan Army and the Tangut people, Liu Chengyou had already decided to adopt Lu Duoxun's strategy, but in the short term, he did not plan any major moves. The reason for his caution was that the act of detaining Li Yiyin was not a friendly signal and might provoke unrest among them.

Liu Chengyou held only one basic stance: as long as they did not rebel, then no matter what internal upheavals occurred among them, he would let things take their course.