I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 92 Undercurrents, Preparations for the Yuanhui

When Liu Bei attacked Sun Quan, Wu Ban and Chen Shi led their naval forces to advance to the Yiling line and occupied both banks of the Yangtze River.

Zhao Yun once led his troops to garrison at the confluence of the three rivers to defend against Eastern Wu.

During the Battle of Yiling, he stationed troops in Jiangzhou to provide support.

When Liu Bei fled back to Baidi City, he was the first to arrive and meet him, which prevented Lu Xun from advancing further west.

Another example is his heroic act of intercepting the young master at the river crossing.

Although the three were not full-time naval generals, they had some experience in commanding naval forces and in actual combat.

But Liao Hua was different.

He was Guan Yu's chief clerk, a civil official advisor with little experience in commanding troops, let alone naval forces.

Li Yan had some doubts about this.

"Fang Zheng, are you worried about Liao Hua?" Zhuge Liang saw through Li Yan's thoughts at a glance.

It's not a question of ability, but rather a mismatch between one's expertise and the job.

"Liao Hua has followed General Guan for many years. Although he is only a clerk, he is very knowledgeable about military affairs such as building warships and training naval forces."

"If we ever establish a navy, we will definitely have to rely on General Liao Hua."

"Furthermore, I intend to appoint Liao Hua as the teacher for the naval training class at the Imperial Academy."

Li Yan suddenly realized.

Although Liao Hua had no experience in training troops, he was familiar with all the internal affairs of the navy and was a perfect logistics manager.

"Kongming, your words have enlightened me greatly. Upon returning, I will immediately order the garrison to cultivate land, train troops, and construct fortifications, awaiting your news..."

Li Yan was already quite impatient.

Zhuge Liang suddenly thought of something and was about to speak to remind him, but Li Yan spoke first.

"Kongming, I know what you want to say. Take your time. I guarantee that things like embezzlement and forced labor will never happen again."

The two exchanged a knowing smile.

"That's excellent. Thank you for your help, General."

"Goodbye!"

Take care!

……

Inside the palace.

After Zhuge Liang and Li Yan left, Liu Shan was about to rest when a general approached.

"His Majesty!"

Liu Shan looked up and glanced at the scene, then sat down again.

"Ah, it's General Chen Dao. What brings you here?"

Chen Dao was the commander of the Imperial Guards, and his eight hundred White Feather Soldiers were an elite force, which Zhuge Liang called "the best soldiers in the west".

With Zhao Yun and his son not around, Liu Shan's bodyguards have been replaced by the Imperial Guards.

"Your Majesty, Gao Ding and Zhu Bao have been frequently active and behaving quite strangely lately."

Liu Shan frowned slightly after hearing this.

What kind of trouble are these two up to now?

"abnormal?"

Liu Shan accurately grasped the crux of the problem.

"In the past, Gao Ding and Zhu Bao lived a secluded life, but recently they have started to go out more frequently."

"Did they meet with anyone?"

"It's not clear yet, but I've already sent people to investigate," Chen Dao replied truthfully.

"General Chen, you are in charge of guarding the palace. You should hand over the investigation to the Prime Minister's office; they are more professional."

"Your Majesty, although this matter has little to do with the Imperial Guards, the end of the year is approaching, and I fear that these two may endanger Your Majesty's safety. I must investigate this matter thoroughly."

Like Zhao Yun, Chen Dao was Liu Bei's close general, responsible for his personal safety and that of his family.

Zhao Yun often led troops in battle, so people praised Zhao Yun, who was known for his "white horse and silver armor," but rarely paid attention to Chen Dao, who was also famous for his loyalty and bravery.

However, in terms of when he officially joined Liu Bei's group, Chen Dao joined earlier than Zhao Yun, making him one of the earlier veterans.

Liu Shan also held him in the highest esteem.

"Very well, then I'll trouble you, General. With this imperial edict, you can mobilize the Secretariat of the Prime Minister's Office and give it your orders."

As the commander of the Imperial Guards, Chen Dao had limited intelligence and had to rely on spies from the Prime Minister's office to gather more information.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. This humble general will certainly investigate the matter thoroughly."

Chen Dao gave a low, confident, and firm reply, which reassured Liu Shan.

"If any clues are found, the general may act as he sees fit without needing to request permission."

Liu Shan added that this was tantamount to giving Chen Dao the power to act first and report later.

This is Liu Shan's way of employing people.

Trust those you employ, and don't employ those you don't trust. Moreover, you can give your subordinates relative power and freedom, without interfering too much in their actions and decisions, as long as the results are good.

Who wouldn't like a leader like that?

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Having said that, Chen Dao turned around gracefully, walking with a swagger, his armor clicking loudly, which was invigorating.

After Chen Dao left, Wang Gui, the chief eunuch, came in.

"Your Majesty, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, Wang Mou, requests an audience."

"please!"

Liu Shan had thought he could finally catch his breath, but as soon as the official in charge of rituals and music related to sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, ancestral temples, and the state arrived, he knew that this reporting session would not be over anytime soon.

Wang Mou came here for the Yuanhui, which is the ceremony held by the imperial court on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

On this day, the emperor would wear formal attire and conduct a grand sacrificial ceremony to pray for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and national peace and prosperity in the new year.

Afterwards, they went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to worship their ancestors and pray for their blessing for the eternal stability of the country.

After the sacrificial ceremony, the emperor would sit in the main hall and receive the New Year's greetings and homage from civil and military officials.

Following the court audience, there was a state banquet.

The hall was filled with a variety of delicacies and tableware.

The sheng and piqué instruments were set up, and the zheng and se instruments were played.

The wine was poured and the cups were filled with wine; the guests enjoyed themselves together in a lively atmosphere.

As the person in charge of the day's activities, Tai Chang naturally had to report the entire process and etiquette details to Liu Shan.

Wang Mou wanted to use the same procedure that Liu Bei used when he became emperor, as the first Yuanhui (a major event) after Liu Shan ascended the throne.

But Liu Shan shook his head immediately after hearing this.

"Wang Taichang, there's no problem with the ancestral worship and court congratulations, but isn't the scale of the state banquet a bit too extravagant?"

When Liu Bei declared himself emperor in Chengdu, he was enjoying unparalleled glory. His New Year's celebration was entirely based on the standards of the Han imperial family, using the "seven tripods and six gui vessels" of the feudal lords.

The seven cauldrons each contain stewed meat dishes such as beef, mutton, pork, and fish.

The six vessels were filled with grains.

This was not just a meal, but a declaration to the gentry of Shu that Liu Bei's Han dynasty was the legitimate continuation of the Han dynasty.

Liu Shan felt that such a grand display of imperial pomp was inappropriate for the present day.

Firstly, Liu Bei had been dead for less than a year, so there shouldn't have been such a lavish scene.

Secondly, with the nation in decline and the people suffering, such extravagance is truly inappropriate.

"Your Majesty means..."

Wang Mou asked cautiously.

He had just taken over the position of Grand Master of Ceremonies, so he was being extra careful.

Keep everything simple, and don't send overly expensive gifts; the sentiment is enough.

Since ascending the throne, Liu Shan has restrained himself by adhering to the principle that "frugality is the foremost virtue and extravagance is the root of evil."

If we were to be extravagant and wasteful at this time, wouldn't that be a slap in our own face?

"I obey your decree."

Wang Mou was also worried about how to handle this matter properly.

If we follow the court etiquette, we fear it will be too extravagant.

If it is not done properly, it would be a disgrace to the royal family.

Since Liu Shan decided to keep everything simple, then let's follow the simple approach.

"Your Majesty, there is one more thing."

Liu Shan asked impatiently, "What else is there?"

"The Yuanhui sacrificial ceremony is a matter of royal honor, but Her Majesty the Empress has been out of the palace for many days and has not returned..."

According to royal rules, the empress cannot leave the palace at will.

However, it is not entirely impossible; whether it is allowed depends on the degree of favor the emperor bestows upon them.

When the empress leaves the palace to return to her maternal home, she is always accompanied by a large number of servants and officials. It is more like a public inspection or reward by the royal family to the maternal relatives, a symbol of honor.

"Wang Gui..."

Although Liu Shan agreed to let Lady Zhang return to her parents' home, he did not specify when she would return to the palace.

"Your Majesty, the Empress will return to the palace tomorrow." Wang Gui understood immediately.

Solved!

Liu Shan nodded and gestured for Wang Mou to step back.

I need some peace and quiet.