Volume 1: Kyoto Winds and Clouds Chapter 50: Emperor Taizong of Tang Rewards Great Merit and Invites Him into the Capital

  Silence! After Zhang Liao finished reading the war report, the imperial court suddenly became very quiet. The civil and military officials looked at Zhang Liao as if they were wooden puppets, seemingly hoping that he would suddenly say that the previous war report was just a joke. Liu Xie also sat up straight in his stunned state. Zhang Liao was very satisfied with this situation, because in his heart, Liu Yan and Liu Zhang were both emperors!

  "Father! You're not joking, are you?!" Liu Hong exclaimed in surprise, and unexpectedly brought out the title he used to address Zhang Rang in the palace. However, at this time, no one noticed such a trivial matter anymore!

  Zhang Rang glanced at the officials and smiled: "Your Majesty, how dare I deceive you? Deceiving you is a capital offense, punishable by beheading!"

  "Yes! Deceive the emperor!" Yuan Wei seemed to have reacted and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I ask Your Majesty to punish Liu Yan for deceiving the emperor! How old is Liu Zhang this year? He led troops to attack the Wuhuan royal court. Also, please ask Your Majesty to send someone to investigate, in order to avoid petty people pretending to be meritorious and cheating the imperial court!"

  Just as Yuan Wei was speaking loudly, a small yellow gate walked in and stared at Zhang Rang with some anxiety. Zhang Rang was standing beside the emperor and couldn't go over either. If it were usual, Liu Hong wouldn't care what the little yellow gate said, but today he had just heard some good news, and Yuan Wei jumped out to ruin his mood, and he couldn't help feeling a little annoyed in his heart.

  "Zhang Rang, what does that little eunuch want to say? Let him come out and respond! What's with the stammering? How did you train your people!" Liu Hong couldn't vent his temper on Yuan Wei, so Zhang Rang and the little eunuch were unlucky as imperial household slaves.

  "Yes!" Zhang Rang looked at the small yellow gate and sighed: "Little rabbit, if you want to blame someone, it's your own bad luck!"

  Xiao Huangmen, although he usually has contact with the emperor, now it is very clear that the emperor's mood is not good. He knelt down in front of the emperor and said: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty! There are messengers from Youzhou who have brought..."

  "Report!" Liu Hong saw Xiao Huangmen speaking hesitantly and couldn't help but frown, but he was delighted to hear that there was an envoy from Youzhou. Although the previous letter from Youzhou's war report was not entirely reliable, he would rather believe it was true. Even if Wuman was not as powerful as Xiongnu, which Han emperor had achieved such a great victory in foreign wars except for Emperor Wu of Han? Before Xiao Huangmen finished speaking, Liu Hong couldn't wait any longer!

  "Hey! This little rabbit is quite lucky!" Zhang Rang smiled and said: "Your Majesty, the envoy from Youzhou is dusty and exhausted, I'm worried..."

  "What's the worry? My meritorious officials are working hard outside, can't I even bear this bit of dust?" Liu Hong glanced at Zhang Rang and said: "I have something to ask him, so that some people won't be suspicious and chill my heart!"

  "Yes!" Zhang Rang understood the emperor's meaning, and in fact, he said so, wasn't it to slap Yuan Wei's mouth? Zhang Rang received Liu Hong's order and shouted loudly: "The Emperor has a decree, pass on the envoy of Youzhou!"

  The envoy from Youzhou walked into the grand hall with a swagger, and upon seeing the Emperor, immediately paid his respects: "Your humble servant Shi A pays his respects to Your Majesty!" It turned out that Liu Yan was worried that the little soldier wouldn't be able to articulate clearly, so he had Shi A make a trip to the capital, bringing gifts for the Emperor, Empress, and Zhang Rang. Of course, there was also Shi A's master, Wang Yue.

  "Ah, it's you!" Liu Hong was extremely delighted. It was he who had arranged for Shi Ah to be by Liu Zhang's side back then, so naturally they were very familiar with each other. Liu Hong asked: "I wonder what task the Emperor has sent you on?"

  "Your Majesty, I am here on the orders of Governor Liu of Youzhou and the young master of Youzhou to present New Year's gifts to you!" Shi Ah laughed: "This is a gift list from Governor Liu of Youzhou, and also the spoils of war for the young master!"

  "So, Liu Zhang led his troops into the Wuman King's court for real?" Liu Hong stared at Shi Ah, afraid that he would say no.

  Shi Ah laughed and said: "Your Majesty, although the young master is arrogant towards some people, he is loyal to Your Majesty. How could he commit treason? Five years ago, when the young master arrived in Youzhou, he began to take charge of military training. Later, on the streets of Youzhou, he met Gun Master Tong Yuan. The young master followed Tong Yuan to learn martial arts for five years and returned to launch a surprise attack on Wulan. I also had the good fortune to visit Wuhuan Mountain!"

  Liu Hong was overjoyed when he heard the words, and he asked with a smile: "In that case, what gift did my imperial brother give to me? Let's make a deal, if it's not something good, I won't accept it!"

  "Your Majesty, what can the Wuman tribe offer? Nothing but livestock like pigs, dogs, cattle, sheep and horses!" Shi Ah laughed and said: "This is the governor's gift list, please accept it, Your Majesty!"

  "Zhang Rang! Bring it over!" Liu Hong was somewhat elated, this is a matter of face! Although this battle has nothing to do with Liu Hong, as the current emperor, having such a great victory will also be recorded in history.

  Zhang Rang handed over the gift list to Liu Hong, and indeed, they were all cattle, sheep, and horses, only the quantity made Liu Hong's eyes wide with surprise. These are all money! Liu Hong excitedly handed the gift list in his hand to Zhang Rang: "Read this list aloud, let those who measure others' hearts with their own small minds know that the generosity of the Emperor's uncle and brother will put an end to their slander!"

  "Yes!" Zhang Rang took the gift list and was stunned again. However, with the shock of the war report, he quickly recovered. After calming down his excited mood, Zhang Rang read: "The Governor of Youzhou presents... 15,000 head of strong cattle, 20,000 high-quality war horses, 40,000 sheep, 1,000 small and large captives and horse slaves, various Wuhuan equipment, and three flags of the Wuhuan king! Additionally, there are three precious horses to be presented to Your Majesty!"

  What a shock! Even Wu Wang Daqi has three faces, and Yuan Wei dare not say that Liu Yan himself sewed it. But such a great achievement, wouldn't Liu Zhang want to turn the sky upside down? Suddenly, Yuan Wei smiled sinisterly! Great achievements are blessings, but also great disasters. Can those who have achieved great things and overshadow their masters have a good ending? Then Yuan Wei stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, the Governor of Youzhou, Gongzi Li, has made such a great achievement, he should be greatly rewarded. Let's appoint him as General of Chariots and Cavalry, and make him the Marquis of Ji, what do you think, Your Majesty?"

  Others did not know Yuan Wei's plan, but Zhang Rang understood. Yuan Wei wanted to kill Liu Zhang! Seeing Liu Hong being somewhat moved, Zhang Rang stepped out and said: "Your Majesty must not!"

  Liu Hong still trusted Zhang Rang very much. He knew that if Zhang Rang said it was not possible, he must have had a good reason and was not intentionally opposing Liu Yan, because Zhang Rang often spoke well of Liu Yan in front of him. Moreover, the gold and silver that Liu Yan bribed were mostly taken out by Zhang Rang to show respect to Liu Hong. However, on the surface, they still had to go through the motions, so Liu Hong asked somewhat displeased: "Zhang Rang, do you think Liu Yan's merits are not enough for the title of Taishi, or do you think I am biased and partial?"

  "I dare not!" Zhang Rang and Liu Hong had been working together for so long, they naturally understood each other's thoughts. Zhang Rang smiled and said: "Your Majesty, Liu Zong is only thirteen years old this year. If he suddenly holds a high position, wouldn't his foundation be unstable? Moreover, Liu Gongzi took the initiative to send troops, which is also a serious crime. After all, although he has the position of Youlin Lang, he does not have the right to command an army of 20,000 people. To reward him with such a high prize would be to condone his crime, Your Majesty cannot give him such a high reward!"

  Zhang Rang's tone became more severe at the age of thirteen, and Liu Hong suddenly came to his senses. Indeed, Liu Zhang was only thirteen years old this year. If he becomes a lieutenant general now, what will the emperor use to reward him if he makes further achievements in the future? However, if such great merit is not heavily rewarded, Liu Hong's heart would also be uneasy. In a dilemma, Liu Hong smiled and asked: "What do you think Zhang Gong should be granted to Liu Zhang?"

  "Your Majesty, what reward is given is unimportant, what's important is Your Majesty's kindness. I've heard that the young master has been away for many years practicing martial arts, with a heart dedicated to the country. Why not have Your Majesty arrange a marriage for him? As for official positions, just a hint would be enough, I think the young master wouldn't mind! It's only a pity that the young master is a member of the Han imperial clan, otherwise it would be even better if Your Majesty were to take him as a son-in-law!" Although in ancient times there was the saying "add kinship to kinship", there was also the saying "same surname do not marry". Zhang Rang's words made Liu Hong feel somewhat regretful.

  Zhang Yan and Liu Hong were pleased, but Yuan Wei was not. Yuan Wei stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, the ancients often said that a wise and enlightened ruler should reward and punish clearly. If we follow Zhang's words and casually acknowledge Liu Zhuang's great merit, I'm afraid Liu Zhuang will have no opinion, but it will chill the hearts of all loyal ministers and brave warriors!"

  "This son of a bitch can't get along with me!" Liu Hong cursed in his heart, but on his face he squeezed out a smile and said: "General, your words are very reasonable! Since that's the case, let Liu Zhang enter the capital, I'll ask him what he wants! Ah, yes! And those generals who have made achievements, let Liu Zhang bring them into the capital for me to take a look!"

  "Your Majesty, if you saw it, you would be surprised!" Shi Ah laughed and said: "Among these generals, the oldest are I, Wei Qian, and Huang Zhong's son Huang Xu. The others are about the same age as the young master, they are his fellow apprentices!"

  "A hero emerges in his youth!" Liu Hong's eyes lit up and he said: "In that case, I must personally meet him! I have said before that as long as Liu Zhang can make great contributions to the Great Han, I will treat him as a Crown Prince. Now he has led troops to attack the Wuhuan royal court, his merit is no less than that of a Crown Prince, and he is younger than a Crown Prince. He is the pride of our dynasty, my pride! Zhang Qing, transmit my imperial decree: Liu Zhang is appointed as Zhonglang Jiang, Crown Prince, before the New Year's Day, order Governor Liu Yan and Crown Prince Liu Zhang to enter the capital for an audience!"

  "I obey the imperial edict!" Zhang Rang hastily received the edict. Since Emperor Liu had already issued the edict, it became a fait accompli. Yuan Wei wanted to oppose it again, but it was too late. Standing below, Yuan Wei finally understood what it meant to lift a rock only to drop it on one's own feet.

  Your Majesty orders Liu Zhang to enter the capital!

  After the news spread, it swept through Luoyang like a storm. Five years ago, Liu Zhang was the nightmare of the aristocratic families in Luoyang, and they had finally managed to drive him out of the capital. Now this nightmare was coming back. The young masters of the aristocratic families who had suffered at the hands of Liu Zhang were all preparing to flee to the countryside to avoid being dealt with by him.

  Just as Luoyang was in chaos due to Liu Zhang's return, Liu Hong summoned Shi Ah into the palace. Wang Yue stood beside Liu Hong, looking at his former apprentice who used to play and laugh by his side, now all grown up, feeling quite gratified in his heart. When Shi Ah presented the gifts prepared by Liu Zhang to Zhang Rang, Wang Yue, and Liu Hong, the three of them laughed, this kid was still the same as before. However, what made Liu Hong a bit embarrassed was that Liu Zhang had also brought a gift for He Ling Si.