Chapter 1161: Brothers

The birth of his fourteenth son lifted Emperor Liu's spirits considerably. Many palace attendants noticed that the smile he had not shown for months had returned to his face, which also allowed the serving eunuchs and palace maids to breathe a sigh of relief, no longer so anxious and fearful. Within the Han palace, the Emperor's mood was a barometer of the weather.

"Reporting to His Majesty, Prince Yong requests an audience!" Yan Tuo approached to report.

"Summon him! No, go greet him and bring him in!" Emperor Liu looked up and gave the order.

"Yes!"

Before long, Liu Chenghsun stepped inside, his expression composed, his stride unhurried. Within, Emperor Liu was sitting cross-legged behind a food table, upon which sat a plate of dumplings, still steaming...

"I pay my respects to Your Majesty!"

"Call me Second Brother!" Raising his eyelids slightly, Emperor Liu feigned displeasure.

Seeing this, a faint smile tugged at the corners of Liu Chenghsun's mouth as he called out softly: "Second Brother!"

"Sit!" Emperor Liu extended a hand and said: "You and I, brothers, shall dine across this table!"

"Thank you, Your... Second Brother!" Facing Emperor Liu, Liu Chenghsun was still somewhat ill at ease, even though his imperial elder brother was behaving so warmly and kindly at the moment. Some reverence had become habit.

On the table, a pair of chopsticks and a bowl had already been added. Emperor Liu pushed the dipping sauce he had prepared over to Liu Chenghsun's side, saying: "Winter Solstice is almost here, so I'm having dumplings a bit early. You've come at just the right time—come, taste them!"

"Yes!" Acknowledging, Liu Chenghsun picked up his chopsticks, took a dumpling that had been wrapped with great aesthetic care, dipped it in the court's secret sauce, and swallowed it in one bite.

To be fair, though he had not deliberately tried to change things, Liu Chengyou had brought some influence to cuisine, along with a few "inventions."

"Pork filling!" Liu Chenghsun said.

"Mushroom and pork!" Liu Chengyou said.

Looking at his full-blooded younger brother—Liu Chenghsun, now past thirty—there was not a trace left of the youthful vigor of bygone days. What his eyes beheld was steadiness and gravity, aristocratic bearing, and an open-minded magnanimity.

"Second Brother, I have come this time to bid you farewell!" After eating a few dumplings, Liu Chenghsun broached the purpose of his visit.

"Leaving so soon? Why not stay a while longer? It's the dead of winter now, and travel is so inconvenient!" Looking at Liu Chenghsun, Emperor Liu did not seem particularly surprised by his purpose.

Liu Chenghsun fell silent. His current post was still Pacification Commissioner of Hebei. It had originally been a temporary assignment, and unlike the southeastern situation of years past, it was more symbolic in nature—though he could oversee a bit of everything, his real authority was not great. It was nothing compared to when he had been stationed in Chang'an back then; young as he had been, he could still accomplish real things.

Nowadays, sometimes Liu Chenghsun himself felt that he could only do things that bought him a hollow reputation. Staying in Kaifeng was, in his heart, something he was glad to do, but that still depended on the wishes of his imperial elder brother Liu Chengyou.

Appraising him, Emperor Liu sighed softly and said: "I placed you in Hebei so that you might represent the imperial house, sitting in your capacity as a Prince to pacify and reassure. Now, several years have passed, the new policies are running well, and everything has fallen into proper order..."

After pondering for a moment, Emperor Liu added: "Stay in the Eastern Capital for now. Once this winter is over, arrangements will be made next year!"

"Yes!" At these words, Liu Chenghsun clasped his hands in acknowledgment.

"Mother may be gone, but you still have me, and you still have our elder sister!" Emperor Liu sighed deeply and said: "Back then we were a family of six; now only we three siblings remain. It's time we gathered together properly!"

Emperor Liu's words clearly stirred Liu Chenghsun's emotions; sorrow showed on his face, evidently reminded of Lady Li once more.

"Liu Chun must be eleven by now, isn't he?" Liu Chengyou showed his concern.

"Almost twelve!" Liu Chenghsun revealed a slight smile.

Liu Chun was Liu Chenghsun's eldest son, clever and bright from a young age, and deeply beloved by him. Compared to Emperor Liu, Liu Chenghsun was far more single-minded—apart from Consort Qian of Prince Yong, he paid almost no attention to other women. Precisely because of this, his children were naturally not as numerous as Emperor Liu's; only this past summer had Lady Qian given birth to their fourth child.

"Tell you what—let him come to the palace and study at the Wenhua Hall!" Liu Chengyou said.

Naturally, Liu Chenghsun expressed his gratitude for this. This was not like those sons of noble families who entered the palace as companion readers; at least on the surface, Liu Chun would be treated as an imperial prince.

The two brothers rarely had such free-flowing conversations. A plate of dumplings was clearly not enough; they drank some wine as well before finally taking their leave of each other.

Liu Chenghsun held reverence and awe for Emperor Liu, and as for Emperor Liu, he in fact placed great importance on this younger brother—at least in the early years when the state was in difficulty, Emperor Liu had entirely regarded him as his heir.

Though there had never been an explicit edict, everyone above and below knew it well. However, as the state grew more stable and Emperor Liu's own sons gradually came of age, the matter was naturally treated as if it had never happened.

Back then, having Liu Chenghsun stationed in Chang'an was entirely for the purpose of grooming him, and he did not disappoint—he had carved out a reputation as a "Worthy Prince." To say there was not a shred of wariness toward this younger brother would be unrealistic, for Emperor Liu was simply that kind of man.

However, that trace of wariness was merely the instinct of a suspicious emperor. To be serious, over all these years, Liu Chenghsun's conduct had left him fairly satisfied. A reputation for wisdom that spread far and wide was not enough to make him fear him—after all, those with great fame often found themselves burdened by it.

In Emperor Liu's expectations, he hoped that Liu Chenghsun would in the future become the "Elder of the Imperial Clan." Compared to Prince Xu, Liu Chengyun, his advantages were far greater, and his bloodline to the imperial house was closer.

After Liu Chenghsun withdrew, Emperor Liu could not help but seriously ponder: if he were to recall him to the court, what post should be given to him? Governor of Kaifeng? Chancellor? Overseeing a ministry or bureau? Or perhaps give him a frontier post with real power?

For someone of Liu Chenghsun's status and position, arranging his duties was truly not an easy matter.

"Guo Rong has submitted a memorial requesting to resign from office—asking to step down again. What is the reason this time?" Before the Winter Solstice, Emperor Liu received a resignation memorial from Luoyang and expressed surprise.

If one observed carefully, one would notice a trace of displeasure on Emperor Liu's face. Matters of this sort naturally had to be reported to Emperor Liu for his instructions; neither the Crown Prince nor the chancellors had the authority to decide.

At the question, Dou Yi, who had come to report, stated: "The Duke of Ying's father has passed away; hence this memorial!"

At this reason, Emperor Liu's expression returned to normal, even showing a hint of fellow feeling, and he murmured softly: "I lost my mother, he lost his father—the grief of losing an elder, alas..."

"Your Majesty, how should we reply to the Duke of Ying?" Dou Yi sought instruction.

"I cannot bear to deny him leave for duty's sake. Issue the edict granting it!" Emperor Liu took a deep breath and replied: "Additionally, have the Ministry of Rites send an official to offer condolences on behalf of the court!"

"Yes!"

With Guo Rong's father dead and Guo Rong temporarily leaving his post, the position of Defender of the Western Capital suddenly opened up. Emperor Liu immediately thought of Liu Chenghsun. It seemed quite fitting—but should he send him there or not?

After Dou Yi withdrew, Emperor Liu instructed Yan Tuo again: "Make the trip yourself. Convey my edict to Liu Xu—the Chai household is holding funeral rites; have him go to Luoyang to offer sacrifices on my behalf."

As he spoke, Emperor Liu quickly wrote a letter by hand, affixed his seal, and handed it to Yan Tuo. The Ministry of Rites sending someone represented the court; sending Liu Xu represented him personally.

After deliberating further, Emperor Liu ordered the summoning of Li Chongju, Commissioner of the Wude Office. He was somewhat displeased—the news of Guo Rong's father's death had reached him only through a memorial routed through the ministries, and the Wude Office had failed to react in advance...

Of course, if one insisted on faulting him for this matter, the justification would be somewhat untenable. But Emperor Liu had a mind to rap his knuckles, or rather, to spur him on.

The Wude Office had grown from nothing over the past twenty years, and by now it was something of a behemoth. And with such growth, having been so stable for so many years, problems were bound to arise—slackness, dereliction of duty. Even with Li Chongju working diligently and conscientiously, it was difficult to cover everything thoroughly.