Chapter 990: The Yao Maiden

Leaving Qin Zaixiong to enjoy himself at leisure, Zhao Yanjin quietly slipped away from this den of pleasure. Before leaving, however, he summoned an attendant and instructed: "Spread the word in the establishment—see that General Qin is well attended to. All expenses are to be paid from the household!"

"Yes!" The attendant acknowledged respectfully, then asked: "Will my lord be returning to the residence? This servant will prepare the carriage!"

Zhao Yanjin sniffed at himself—the scent of powder and perfume was rather strong—then said: "Bathe first, then enter the palace!"

Clearly, this hosting of Qin Zaixiong was still undertaken by Zhao Yanjin with a political mission in mind. And judging from his exchanges with Qin Zaixiong, the man's attitude toward the court remained respectful and submissive, serving as an exemplar in leading the Chu tribesmen to actively integrate into the court's rule.

Toward these heroic figures among the minority peoples, Liu Chengyou generally maintained an attitude of tolerance. Though the saying went, "Those not of my kind must harbor different hearts," since the Tang dynasty, too many loyal ministers and famed generals willing to die for the Central Plains court had emerged from among the various peoples, so there was no need to paint them all with one brush.

However, Liu Chengyou's nature made it difficult for him to be completely at ease. The sole source of his concern was that Qin Zaixiong was somewhat clever and resourceful. That he had submitted to the court was indeed fact, but if he took advantage of the opportunity to expand his power and engage in a series of actions detrimental to the court's rule, then that would need to be curbed.

Looking at the situation over these past years, there was such a tendency, but it was not yet serious—still above the baseline. Checks and balances were applicable in most circumstances, and so, toward this visit of Fu Yantong to the capital, the Emperor remained welcoming.

In truth, the problem of the Chu tribesmen in Xiang-Qian was not yet a major issue for the Great Han, nor a primary objective. However, Liu Chengyou placed great importance on it, for these tribal peoples were the minority groups most suited to integrating into the Great Han, given the cultural foundation that existed.

If the matter of bringing the Western Hunan tribal peoples under administrative control could be handled well and smoothly, it would secure more favorable conditions for future expansion deeper into the southwest, and would also bring no small benefit to the court's governance of the southwest.

In recent years, in the Jiannan Circuit, the Great Han's rule over the various Qianzhong tribal peoples living in the southern regions had in fact been somewhat strained—now rebelling, now submitting. Rebellions and disturbances reported to the Eastern Capital alone numbered fifteen, and other minor unrest was beyond counting. Though all had been forcefully suppressed by Wang Quanbin, it still reflected that the Great Han's governance of the southwest was far from stable.

In terms of the level of Sinicization and assimilation, the gap between the southwest region and the various Western Hunan tribes remained considerable. Because of Fu Yantong's visit to the capital, Liu Chengyou had instructed the Hall of State Affairs to devise a suitable set of loose-rein policies and institutions targeting the southwest region, to strengthen the court's influence and control there.

The campaign to pacify the south was imminent, and with the south treated as one chessboard to be considered as a whole, effective measures for governing the southwest region in the future would also be needed—the construction of a governing order being especially important.

Having cleaned himself up, Zhao Yanjin rode toward the imperial city, his face lost in thought. He was considering how to report to the Emperor. On the other hand, he was thinking further ahead—once the south was pacified, he would likely be transferred to the southwest to handle military and civil affairs. On this point, the Emperor's hints had already given some indication.

At this, Zhao Yanjin's mood was somewhat complicated. The southwest was, after all, a barbaric wilderness...

Amid his deliberations, a commotion arose on the main road ahead, and the surrounding common folk surged toward it. Zhao Yanjin was somewhat curious as well, and instructed his attendant: "Go ask what is causing such a stir."

He did not wait long before the attendant returned to report: "It is the Liao envoys entering the capital—the common folk are vying to catch a look!"

"Liao envoys!" Zhao Yanjin murmured, then said: "Come, let's go take a look!"

This was not the first time Xiao Husi had come to Kaifeng, yet never before had any visit left him feeling so oppressed as this one. The Liao envoy delegation numbered several dozen; on this journey south, they had been watched every step of the way, little better than prisoners, with hardly any room to move. The vigilance and wariness of the Han were plain to see.

And now, the capital's populace gathered to watch like a wall, lining the road not in welcome but in clamor—voices surging like tides, discussions buzzing, fingers pointing. He felt as though their entire party were animals on display.

At these thoughts, Xiao Husi could not help but sigh. Yet he soon calmed himself, resuming an expression of equanimity. In the northern expedition war back then, Liao had never admitted defeat. Now, he still came as a great power's envoy to establish relations—the nation's dignity must not be lost.

Among the envoy procession were several carts laden with gifts for the Great Han Emperor, also bearing witness to the sincerity of this mission. What particularly drew the eye was a throne crafted of gold and inlaid with jewels, glittering brilliantly under the sunlight—exquisite and magnificent. It was also one of the factors drawing the common folk to watch. From this display, one could see that the Liao envoys had come with goodwill.

Zhao Yanjin, mounted on his horse, stood out like a crane among chickens in the crowd of onlookers. Yet unlike the surrounding spectators watching for entertainment, he was lost in thought. The barbarian king entering the capital, Liao envoys arriving, the pacification of the south imminent—it seemed the realm was once again on the verge of great upheaval.

Early morning, in Wansui Hall.

Sitting cross-legged, Liu Chengyou admired the young maiden who shyly curled up among the brocade quilts, half-hidden, half-revealed. The beauty presented by Qin Zaixiong was naturally of peerless allure—delicate features, snow-white skin, fresh and otherworldly. Being a Yao girl, she also carried an exotic charm that Han women did not possess. Perhaps it was merely psychological, but to Emperor Liu, the impression was quite pleasing.

Chu women were known for slender waists, and this one was no different—her figure lithe and graceful. Reaching out to lift the maiden's chin, gazing into those moving, pitiable eyes, Liu Chengyou asked with a light smile: "What is your name?"

"This concubine's name is Li, Your Majesty!" she answered softly, her cheeks still flushed with a intoxicating rosiness.

Hearing her accent, Liu Chengyou could not help but be surprised: "Your Chinese is quite good!"

Qin Li said: "The General had a teacher instruct me. The General said that if this concubine were fortunate enough to serve His Majesty the Emperor, she could not fail to speak Chinese!"

"This Qin Zaixiong—thoughtful indeed!" Liu Chengyou said with a faint smile, appraising the beauty: "You are of Qin Zaixiong's clan. Where is your home? Who else is in your family?"

"This concubine's home is in Luxi, Your Majesty!"

"Luxi?" Liu Chengyou frowned slightly, unable to recall what place that was for a moment, and asked: "Is it in Chenzhou?"

"Yes!" Qin Li answered with great care, speaking softly: "Luxi lies by the banks of the Wuxi River. My family originally lived in the Wu Mountains, but later the clan chief led us out of the mountains, distributed land to us, and we have lived in Luxi ever since. My family still has my parents, two elder brothers, an elder sister, and a younger brother."

The Yao girl's words still gave Liu Chengyou no concrete picture, but one thing could be confirmed: her family belonged to the Yao who had submitted, and among the earliest of them at that.

His expression growing ever more kind, Liu Chengyou's tone toward this maiden who had just turned sixteen became even gentler: "Do you think life is better after moving to Luxi, or was it better before?"

"Naturally, it is better in Luxi!" At this, Qin Li nodded twice in succession, saying: "This concubine has seen little of the world, but there are some things I do know. In the years since coming to Luxi, we have had our own land and houses. The authorities sent people specifically to teach my family farming. In the past two years, we have rarely gone hungry, and occasionally we can even eat meat. My father and brothers no longer have to fight with others often, causing worry. My elder sister married a court military officer—a squad leader who commands fifty men..."

Listening to the Yao girl recount her family's circumstances, noticing her orchid-like smile, Liu Chengyou's mood could not help but brighten somewhat, and he patted her head.

Washing and dressing, noting Qin Li's practiced skill in attendance, and also noting her awkward movements, Liu Chengyou summoned Sun the Yan army. His words were few, but his meaning was perfectly clear: "Confer upon her the rank of Lady of Beauty. Take her to Kunming Hall to pay respects to the Empress. As for what follows, let the Empress arrange it!"

"Yes!" Sun the Yan army hurriedly acknowledged.

Clearly, the Emperor was quite satisfied with this Yao girl presented by Qin Zaixiong. Of course, toward Qin Zaixiong himself, his wariness only grew heavier. Perhaps the man's eager flattery was merely to please him as Emperor, with no other scheming intent.

Yet, after all, he was Emperor Liu, and it was inevitable that he would think too much. "Judge by deeds, not intentions" held some truth, but as a suspicious emperor, he was more often accustomed to judging by intentions.