Chapter Thirty: The Imperial Court's Awards

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"Your son, Liu Yao, Governor of Youzhou, pays respects to Father Emperor. In the ninth month of the fourth year of Guanghe, King Quliju of the Wuhuan sent sixty thousand troops to invade Youzhou. I, together with the officials of Youzhou, swore to resist to the death. In the same month, I led my captains Huang Zhong, Zhang Fei, Gao Shun, and Tian Chou to defeat fifty thousand Wuhuan troops invading Ji County and Yuyang. We slew over forty-five thousand enemies. Later, Captain Taishi Ci led five thousand cavalry deep into the Wuhuan steppes, annihilating more than forty Wuhuan tribes, slaying over sixty thousand and capturing countless cattle, sheep, and horses. In the tenth month, King Quliju sent envoys to negotiate peace. After this battle, the Wuhuan will have no strength to invade for at least five years." Yuan Feng recited through gritted teeth.

Silence. The entire court was instantly hushed. At first, everyone had thought Liu Yao merely managed to repel the Wuhuan and preserve Youzhou. But now it was clear—not only had he won, he had achieved a resounding victory. To slay more than a hundred thousand enemies in total, this was something no one had accomplished in decades. Moreover, King Quliju himself had taken the initiative to seek peace.

Emperor Liu Hong looked upon the faces below with deep satisfaction. After all, his son had achieved such merit; as the Father Emperor, he too shared in the honor.

Just as Liu Hong was secretly rejoicing, a voice rang out, "Your Majesty, though the Crown Prince is of noble birth, he had no right to negotiate peace with the Wuhuan without imperial permission. I beseech Your Majesty to punish him and remove him from his post as Governor of Youzhou."

Interrupted, Liu Hong turned angrily toward the speaker—it was the Grand General He Jin. Rage surged within Liu Hong. Originally, he had promoted He Jin out of regard for Empress He, hoping to use his power to counterbalance the aristocratic clans. Yet somehow, this fat pig had joined the side of those very clans.

"Scoundrel! He Jin, have you forgotten that I bestowed the Chixiao Sword upon my son, granting him the right to act first and report later?" Liu Hong’s hatred for He Jin grew ever deeper. After Empress He poisoned and killed Lady Wang, Liu Hong’s disgust for that family—including Liu Bian—only intensified.

"This..." He Jin was momentarily speechless. Truth be told, he had indeed forgotten about the Chixiao Sword. His intention was simply to prevent Liu Yao from accumulating too many merits. Should Liu Yao’s achievements continue to mount, the throne would surely be his in the future, leaving his own nephew Liu Bian, Empress He's son, with no chance to compete.

He Jin had only learned about Empress He’s attempt to poison Liu Yao after the fact, and had scolded her harshly. In his view, Liu Yao had no support, while Liu Bian had both himself and the Empress backing him; the throne would inevitably go to Liu Bian, so there was no need for such measures. If Liu Yao had died from poison, even a fool would suspect Empress He. Then, whether it be himself, the Empress, or Liu Bian, all would be doomed. Fortunately, for reasons unknown, Liu Yao survived, and He Jin considered it a stroke of luck.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is but twelve years old this year. How could he possibly annihilate the Wuhuan invaders with little loss to himself? I beseech Your Majesty to send investigators to Youzhou, lest the Crown Prince falsifies his achievements, causing harm to all Youzhou," Yuan Feng added, seeing He Jin impeach Liu Yao, fanning the flames further.

Yuan Feng naturally did not wish Liu Yao to gain such distinction, for three reasons. First, Liu Yao’s military success had thoroughly humiliated him, ruining his reputation. Second, He Jin now aligned with the aristocratic clans, and helping him benefited Yuan Feng. Third, Yuan Feng did not want the Han dynasty to have such a powerful prince as emperor, for he would pose the greatest threat to the interests of the clans; no capable emperor would tolerate subordinates strong enough to overthrow him. Only an emperor like Liu Hong, lacking ambition and indulging in pleasures, would ignore such matters.

"You..." Liu Hong was furious, breathing deeply to calm his anger.

Just then, a timid eunuch entered, glanced at Zhang Rang, and whispered in his ear. Zhang Rang’s face lit up with joy.

"Zhang Rang, is there good news?" Liu Hong asked, eager.

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"Your Majesty, envoys from Youzhou have arrived and are waiting outside the palace," Zhang Rang replied.

Liu Hong’s delight was immediate. "Quick, summon him!"

"But the envoy from Youzhou is travel-worn—I fear..." Zhang Rang ventured cautiously.

Liu Hong waved off his concerns. "What’s there to fear? Am I not capable of tolerating a little dust?" He then glanced slyly at Yuan Feng and He Jin, his tone tinged with sarcasm. "Just as well—I wish to inquire about the matter myself, lest some people begrudge others their achievements."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhang Rang understood Liu Hong’s meaning perfectly and welcomed the chance to join him in humbling Yuan Feng and He Jin, who had caused him no end of trouble in recent years. "Summon the Youzhou envoy!"

With the croaking announcement, Gao Shun entered the hall amid the attention of all.

Gao Shun ignored the gazes of the court officials, marched straight to the center, and knelt. "Your humble servant, Captain Gao Shun under Governor Liu Yao of Youzhou, pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Oh, you are Gao Shun?" Liu Hong exclaimed in surprise. The military report had mentioned his name, so he must be well-acquainted with the matter. "What brings you here at my son’s behest?"

"Your Majesty, I have come by order of the Governor to present tribute and convey a message."

Liu Hong asked curiously, "Oh? What message did my son entrust to you?"

Gao Shun imitated Liu Yao’s manner. "Your Majesty, your son Liu Yao has vanquished the Wuhuan and collected countless spoils. With the New Year approaching, he sends tribute to honor the Father Emperor, wishing you health and prosperity." With that, he produced a list from his robe.

"Ha ha, my son is truly thoughtful! Zhang Rang, bring it here at once." Liu Hong was instantly overjoyed.

Zhang Rang received the list and carefully handed it to Liu Hong.

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Liu Hong, full of delight, opened the list. Suddenly, his expression changed slightly as he read, then his eyes widened in astonishment. Excited, he handed the list to Zhang Rang. "Zhang Rang, read it aloud, so certain people may appreciate my son’s generosity and ability."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhang Rang took the list. "Governor Liu Yao of Youzhou presents five thousand superior Dayuan horses, ten thousand sturdy cattle, twenty thousand sheep, eight thousand taels of gold, and countless precious Wuhuan treasures."

The officials below all gasped. Even the entire fortune of a mid-sized aristocratic family would pale in comparison to this tribute.

"Excellent! My son has achieved such merit—I must reward him handsomely. Let him be appointed Grand General of Cavalry, with the right to establish his own office. What say you?" Liu Hong declared with gusto.

"No, absolutely not!" Instantly, everyone voiced their opposition. Yuan Feng and He Jin’s resistance was expected, but Zhang Rang’s was perplexing to Liu Hong.

Liu Hong looked at Zhang Rang in confusion, knowing he was on his side. "Why not?"

Zhang Rang replied cautiously, "Your Majesty, if the Crown Prince is now made Grand General of Cavalry, what reward will there be should he achieve more in the future? It would be wiser to first appoint him General Who Guards the North."

Liu Hong considered and agreed. "If that is so, then the merit shall be rewarded to his subordinates instead."

"Your Majesty is wise." Yuan Feng breathed a sigh of relief at Liu Hong’s words. The title General Who Guards the North was barely acceptable, while the rest of Liu Yao’s men were inconsequential in his eyes.

"So be it. Governor Liu Yao of Youzhou, step forward to receive the decree," Liu Hong commanded.

"Your humble servant is here." As Liu Yao was absent, Gao Shun stepped forward to accept the imperial command in his stead.

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