Chapter 1041: Emperor Liu's Filial Devotion

Inside Ciming Hall, the atmosphere was warm and harmonious. Empress Fu and Consort Zhe were both present, and Noble Consort Gao, upon learning of the situation, had also come to offer her regards. With several imperial princes and princesses in attendance as well, the place was quite lively.

The center of attention was naturally Liu Fang. After being examined by his grandmother, legal mother, and birth mother, he was found to be completely unharmed, which put everyone's minds at ease. Liu Fang, having shed his armor, regaled the assembled company with vivid tales of his southern campaign. The lad did have a way with words, knew how to build atmosphere, and described things so vividly that he held everyone's attention—especially the young princes and princesses who had never left the palace.

However, Emperor Liu's arrival interrupted this royal storytelling session. The consorts hurriedly performed their courtesies, and the children dutifully paid their respects to their imperial father. He casually scooped up Liu Zhao, the tenth son born of Empress Fu, into his arms, and stepped forward to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager Li's frailty and decline were plain to see—her graying hair bun and deeply lined face all spoke of the passage of time. Liu Chengyou sighed inwardly and said, "Mother, your grandson has returned safely, bearing the glory of victory. You can rest easy now!"

A loving smile on her face, Lady Li looked at Liu Chengyou and said, "It's a pity that the eldest and second sons are still in Jiangnan. The new year is almost upon us..."

Hearing this, Emperor Liu immediately replied, "Rest assured, Mother. The watery climes of Jiangnan suit people well, and the situation there has already begun to stabilize. Before the Lantern Festival next year, they will be back!"

Seeing this, Lady Li quickly said, "That is not what I meant. The lands and people of Jiangnan have only just come under the Great Han's rule—there are a thousand loose ends to tie up, and this is precisely the time for harmony and reconciliation. Since you sent them out as Crown Prince and imperial prince to represent the imperial house in pacifying the people, do not let my selfish wishes delay matters of state!"

Over all these years, the Empress Dowager had not been without her private affections and partialities, but when it came to public duty and right principle, she had always been remarkably clear-sighted and righteous. This was also, for a long time, the aspect of his old mother that Emperor Liu most admired and respected.

"You put it too strongly, Mother. The affairs of settling Jiangnan have already been arranged by me and the court—nothing important will be delayed! They are still young; how could they truly be entrusted with great matters? Sending them out this time was originally meant as a tempering experience. After several months away, it is time for them to return—both to comfort family affections and to allow for an assessment!" Liu Chengyou said with a smile.

"By the way, my young maternal uncle has been serving outside for many years now. Next year, I also plan to transfer him back to the Eastern Capital for duty!" Looking at his old mother's aged face, Liu Chengyou added.

At these words, Lady Li regarded Emperor Liu with a slightly doubtful look. She knew well that Liu Chengyou had never been particularly fond of Li Ye, her youngest brother. Sensing the doubt in his old mother's eyes, Liu Chengyou took the initiative to explain: "My uncle has served in the provinces for over ten years now, accomplished quite a bit, and has some achievements to his name. In my judgment, with his current abilities, he is fully capable of coming up from Daozhou to the capital and taking a post at the central government!"

Hearing this, Lady Li's kindly brows completely relaxed, her warmth restored as before. She replied, "This is a matter between you and your ministers. If you think it appropriate, and the various lords have no objections, then arrange it yourself—no need to consult this old woman!"

Though she said this, the joy at the corners of the Empress Dowager's brows was unmistakably thick.

Ever since Liu Chengyou had relieved several of his high-ranking maternal uncles of their positions and power all those years ago, the Empress Dowager Li had never once taken the initiative to seek honor or glory for her younger brothers or the Li clan. It had always been Liu Chengyou himself who, from time to time, proactively showed concern in this regard.

In the early years of Qianyou, uncles like Li Hongxin, Li Hongyin, and Li Hongwei had held considerable weight in the imperial army. Later, they had all successively become military governors, rising to power and prominence through their status as relatives of the imperial house. However, aside from Li Hongwei, these uncles were lacking in both ability and personal virtue, and their official reputations were poor.

Therefore, when Liu Chengyou stripped the power of his maternal relatives, while there were certainly considerations of political authority, the greater reason was that they truly lacked the capability to hold high and important positions at court. On the other hand, through this act he also continued to rectify certain unhealthy practices within the court's military and political affairs.

The Empress Dowager was no sage—she was in fact quite concerned about her younger brothers. Though she never said so aloud, she harbored melancholy in her heart. Fortunately, Li Hongxin and Li Hongyin lived comfortably in Luoyang and could from time to time come to Kaifeng to pay their respects, while Li Hongwei remained in favor and was now the Chief Commander of Hedong.

The one the Empress Dowager Li cared for and loved most was her youngest brother, Li Ye. In his early years, unable to bear obscurity at court, he had tried to make a name for himself by stirring up trouble, which incurred Emperor Liu's displeasure. Liu Chengyou had directly sent Li Ye to Yuanzhou to serve as Prefect.

In the more than ten years that followed, Li Ye successively served in Zhengzhou, Jinzhou, and Heyang, all the way to his current post as Administration Commissioner of Huaibei. Over such a long period, only when he came to the capital to report on his duties could they meet, to share the bond of brother and sister.

Of course, during his transfers through various prefectures and circuits, this Imperial Uncle Li had managed to make something of himself. His achievements were certainly real—in every assessment, his overall rating was above average. But he was clearly a restless sort, and with every post he held, some problems would inevitably arise.

In Yuanzhou, he cracked down on smuggling, yet his own network of connections profited greatly from it; in Zhengzhou, he managed river control and reinforced dikes, repaired roads and dredged canals, but overburdened the corvée labor; during his time in Jinzhou, there were no major problems, except that when Duke Shou, Li Shaoyou, was appointed Administration Commissioner of Guanzhong, he voiced some complaints, remarking in conversation that he, the uncle, ranked lower in both title and office than his own nephew...

Though this young maternal uncle had all sorts of flaws, overall, more than ten years of provincial service had tempered him. He had developed the ability to get things done—far better than his early years of grandiose ambition but little substance, quick of tongue but slow of action. Otherwise, no matter what, power would never have been entrusted to him.

Of course, Emperor Liu's decision to transfer Li Ye back to the central government absolutely could not rule out the motive of pleasing his old mother. The aged Empress Dowager's health was declining year by year—one could never tell when the realm might face a great mourning. Though he was unwilling to think in that direction, he had to be prepared. At the very least, within his power, he could show consideration for his old mother and ease the worry in her heart.

"By the way, I have already sent someone to Mount Hua to invite the Daoist Chen Tuan to the capital, to lecture Mother on the scriptures and Daoist learning..." Liu Chengyou added.

From Emperor Liu's words and demeanor, the Empress Dowager could feel that filial devotion. Lady Li could not help but say with gratification, "You are most thoughtful!"

After leaving Ciming Hall, Liu Chengyou called Liu Fang to him, and father and son strolled through the frost-covered palace grounds. Walking at leisure, looking at Liu Fang, whose height was now not much shorter than his own, Liu Chengyou said with a light laugh, "Just as your third uncle said—you look much more spirited, and much more composed!"

Before his imperial father, Liu Fang seemed somewhat ill at ease, carrying the solemn air of a soldier before his commander—perhaps the result of having truly served in the army. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou could not help but say, "What's this? So formal even before me?"

At these words, Liu Fang finally let out a sheepish chuckle and replied, "Having been through Lingnan once, your son ought to have grown and gained something!"