Chapter 98: Changing Era to Jingbian

Chapter 98: Changing Era to Jingbian

The Eastern Hu were vanquished.

The Emperor, upon receiving the victorious report, could hardly believe it.

He had sent Su Yiquan to the north under the guise of escorting tribute, but in reality, to instigate war between Gaochang and the Eastern Hu, employing a strategy to exhaust the enemy.

Since the disastrous defeat at Hexi in the third year of his grandfather Emperor Xingzong's reign, Gaochang and the Eastern Hu had been significant threats on Dayu's northern border. His plan to completely eliminate both powers was expected to take at least a decade, hence the proposal for a marriage alliance and treaty with the Huihe to stabilize the western frontier.

Simultaneously, he used the Huihe to contain the nomadic tribes.

Ensuring the security of the western regions.

He was even prepared, in case of war with Gaochang or the Eastern Hu, to cease their annual tribute and instead double it for the Huihe.

Su Yiquan had been a steadfast presence by his side for seven or eight years.

Knowing Su's character well, the Emperor’s last command to him before leaving the Great Wall was: "When abroad, the emperor's orders may not apply."

Thus, he gave Su Yiquan free rein.

He also ordered Zhang Su, the Protector of the Anbei Protectorate, to fully support Su Yiquan.

Unexpectedly, Su Yiquan delivered such a tremendous surprise.

"Your Majesty, the ministers are outside seeking an audience, requesting to see you," reported Zhang Zhongguo as he entered.

"No audience," the Emperor flatly refused.

He knew why Xie Wu, the Imperial Secretary; the Left and Right Imperial Attendants, Guo Wu and Shang Quan; and the Imperial Advisors, Hua Guang and Linghu You, were seeking him now. Su Yiquan had taken two thousand Imperial Guards on his northern campaign, collaborating with Gaochang to defeat the Eastern Hu.

He didn't even mobilize the garrison troops of the Anbei Protectorate.

Therefore, the central government's Three Departments had received no news of this military action. Su Yiquan’s move was unprecedented, bypassing the Three Departments, a direct challenge to the established military policy of the empire.

Su Yiquan’s actions were akin to piercing the heavens.

Had the campaign failed, Su Yiquan would have undoubtedly faced severe punishment. But his victory gave the Emperor a strong position to negotiate terms and military strategy with the ministers.

Relying on Su Yiquan's triumph, the Emperor knew he had to win the upcoming crucial battles within the court.

It was time for a change in national policy.

"Tell them, if they have any issues, they can speak at the court meeting tomorrow."

After speaking, the Emperor remembered he had changed the morning court meetings to once every five days and it wasn't a regular session tomorrow. He ordered, "Also, announce that there will be a special court meeting at Hanyuan Hall tomorrow morning. Everyone must attend, no excuses."

"The court meeting agenda: first, to discuss the victory of Left Imperial Guard General Su Yiquan, Lord of Dingbei, and to deliberate on his rewards; second, to discuss the adjustment of our northern border policy for the coming years and redefine our relations with the Gaochang Kingdom."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhongguo was shocked. The Emperor was bypassing the Three Departments and directly promoting Su Yiquan? Seeing the Emperor's gesture, he quickly regained his composure and hurried out to relay the message.

As expected, after Zhang Zhongguo delivered the message, the waiting ministers had varied expressions.

Imperial Secretary Xie Wu furrowed his brows tightly. What he feared most since the Emperor's ascension had happened so suddenly and in such a manner, catching everyone off guard. From the Emperor's planned rewards for Su Yiquan and the proposed policy adjustments, he could foresee that once this step was taken, there would be no turning back.

Fifty years of peace were about to become a thing of the past.

A change in national policy would mean the resurgence of border conflicts, endless warfare, and immense suffering for the common people.

The impulsive Imperial Advisor Hua Guang immediately blurted out, "Su Yiquan acted without imperial consent, disrupting foreign relations and destabilizing national policy, giving Gaochang undue power. This will bring endless turmoil to our northern borders. Such actions are no different from those of traitors. I cannot agree with rewarding and promoting him for this."

Right Imperial Attendant Shang Quan, upon hearing about the rewards and policy adjustments, immediately began calculating the financial implications.

The relatively calm Left Imperial Attendant Guo Wu and Imperial Advisor Linghu You exchanged glances, then looked at Zhang Zhongguo, who was still standing nearby. The usually prudent Guo Wu spoke, "Since His Majesty has declared a special court meeting for tomorrow, let's discuss these matters there. Imperial Secretary Xie, Advisor Hua, Right Attendant Shang, why don't we return to the Administrative Hall first?"

Left Imperial Attendant Guo Wu, who also oversaw the Ministry of Personnel, perceived that the Emperor was resolute about bestowing a title and promotion upon Su Yiquan. They needed to discuss how to persuade the Emperor to follow proper procedures and not act so arbitrarily.

Zhang Zhongguo breathed a sigh of relief as the ministers departed.

He had been genuinely concerned that Imperial Advisor Hua Guang might rashly barge in, considering past incidents where the former Imperial Secretary Liu Leque and Hua Guang had done so. Since Liu Leque's death, and after being disciplined by the Emperor several times in recent years, Hua Guang had become much more restrained.

Zhang Zhongguo returned to report that the ministers had left.

The Emperor, in the Hall of Diligent Government, nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this. Apart from the deceased Liu Leque, he had never lost an argument with his ministers. However, he preferred enforcing compliance through might over persuasion, adhering to a simple and straightforward approach of subduing dissent with force.

It was both straightforward and convenient.

Convincing through reasoning was too mentally taxing, especially when dealing with these pivotal court officials who held significant power. It required his utmost focus and energy every time.

The Emperor turned and instructed Xing En, "Get me changed into suitable attire and summon Ren Fashan. I need to leave the palace for the Northern Barracks."

The Northern Barracks housed the six armies of the Left and Right Imperial Guards and the Left and Right Dragon and Divine Warriors, all directly under the Emperor's command. The old man Chen Zhuangtou, brought back from outside the city of Shanzhou, was confined in the Northern Barracks by Su Yiquan.

He planned to use Chen Zhuangtou's loquaciousness to awaken those ministers who were complacently against warfare during tomorrow's grand court meeting.

The next day, the Emperor took his son, A Ji, to the grand court meeting.

Zhu Yan only found out about the early departure for the court meeting during breakfast, hearing from Qu Gu that Xing En had personally come to take the Fourth Prince to attend the session.

"Has something significant happened in court?" Zhu Yan inquired, noting that it wasn't a regular court meeting day and considering A Ji was still too young for formal education. Even if the Emperor was eager, it seemed unusual to bring his son to the court meeting.

"Xing En mentioned that General Su has won a great victory on the frontlines, allying with the Gaochang Kingdom to annihilate the Eastern Hu and dividing their lands between them," said Zhu Yan.

Zhu Yan was surprised upon hearing this news, her mouth slightly agape.

Since her visit to Shanzhou City with the Emperor last year, she understood his ambitions. This significant victory could be a pivotal moment for the Emperor, the court, and the entire Dayu Dynasty.

Indeed, that afternoon, following the court assembly, the first imperial edict issued was to change the era name from 'Yuanhe' to 'Jingbian.'

The sixth year of Yuanhe was thus renamed to the first year of Jingbian.

In the Dayu Dynasty, there was no restriction on the Emperor having only one era name. For example, the founding Emperor Gaozu had three era names, Emperor Taizong had two, and Emperor Yingzong also had two.

However, a change in era name often signified a major adjustment in government policies or the occurrence of a significant event.

For instance, the third year of Emperor Yingzong's Xianghua era, following the defeat at the Battle of Hexi, was changed to the first year of Suihe, marking a shift in the court’s foreign policy from offensive to defensive.

The Emperor's decision to change the era name likely carried this implication.

It was said that many ministers who left the Hanyuan Hall that day looked quite displeased, their faces ashen like frostbitten eggplants, heads hanging low. In contrast, the group of military generals and distinguished nobles who had specially attended the court session were all smiles, as if invigorated, and visibly excited.

Reportedly, an elderly man named Chen Zhuangtou, whom the Emperor had brought back from outside Shanzhou City, openly scolded the court officials in the assembly, becoming famous for his outburst. The Emperor immediately appointed him as an honorary official, rewarding him with the title of a fifth-rank court counselor, with added honors.

This turned into a legendary tale, sparking much discussion in the capital.

Zhu Yan hadn’t seen the Emperor for several days and learned of these events from Princess Xiangyang, who often visited the palace.

Although the Qianyuan Hall and the inner palace were only separated by the Waiting for the Imperial Presence Pavilion, the inner palace was almost completely cut off from the affairs of the court, not as well-informed as the outside world.

On the second day of the third month, it was Zhu Yan’s birthday.

Like previous years, Zhu Yan asked permission from Empress Liu to forgo celebrations and gift-receiving. She only invited her stepmother, Madam Mo, and Princess Xiangyang to join her for a simple lunch in Fuhua Palace. She even declined the birthday gifts sent by the Marquis of Runan, the Xu family.

That evening, the Emperor visited Fuhua Palace, bringing eight large boxes. Three contained tributes of fine silks and jewels, while the remaining five were said to be spoils of war collected by General Su Yiquan during his campaign against the Eastern Hu, consisting of various novel and intriguing items for Zhu Yan's enjoyment.

The Emperor had a bowl of longevity noodles with Zhu Yan, then claimed he was tired, washed up, and went straight to bed.

Zhu Yan almost thought the Emperor had turned vegetarian, but seeing his weary expression as he slept, she felt a stir of emotion. Despite her prejudices, she had to admit the Emperor was well-suited for his role, and between beauty and empire, he favored the latter.

The next morning, Zhu Yan was woken up to find herself staring into the Emperor's green, wolf-like eyes full of desire, leaning over her. She quickly became alert, but it was already too late to resist.

A passionate encounter ensued, reminiscent of a romantic tryst amidst the clouds and rain.

After it ended, Zhu Yan lay there, feeling weak and emotionally shaken, realizing that her slight emotional stir from the previous night had been ruthlessly exploited.

It was half a month before the Emperor visited the inner palace again.

During this period, Lady Liu gave birth to twins, a girl and a boy – the Ninth Princess and Tenth Prince.

In the palace, the birth of twins was seen as an auspicious sign. After the safe arrival of the Ninth Princess and the Tenth Prince, Empress Liu specifically sent Liu Zhongshi to the Qianyuan Hall to inform the Emperor. However, he was not there, having personally gone to the Mingde Gate on Zhuque Avenue to welcome the victorious return of Su Yiquan.

Su Yiquan, recently appointed as the Marquis of Dingbei and General of the Left Imperial Guards by the Emperor.

When Lady Ruan later gave birth to a daughter, Empress Liu didn't bother to send anyone to notify the Emperor.

The Tenth Princess was Lady Ruan's second daughter. Hearing she had given birth to another girl, she was so heartbroken that she cried on the spot. Empress Liu, upon seeing this, ordered the nurse and governess in charge of the Tenth Princess to take her to the main hall of Chonghua Palace, under the care of Wei Chongyuan, not daring to let Lady Ruan near her.

At the Washing Hands Banquet, Empress Liu allowed Princess Ten to return to her side only after seeing that the emotions of Lady Xing had stabilized.

This time, when the emperor visited the harem again, he first went to Empress Liu's Fengyi Palace.

Author's note: