Chapter 1187: Emperor Liu's Approval

Returning to Chuigong Hall, Emperor Liu first washed his face and changed his clothes, barely managing to rid himself of the smell of wine and cosmetics. Only after refreshing himself did he appear before Liu Yang and the others, who by then had already been waiting for nearly half a shichen.

Thus, as soon as Emperor Liu came out, he offered his apologies—though only directed at Zhao Kuangzan. Facing the several people who bowed in greeting, he personally helped Zhao Kuangzan up and said, "No need for ceremony! Rise quickly!"

"This time I have troubled you, Minister Zhao, to accompany my two sons west on the journey, taking care to protect them along the way. You have worked hard, Minister Zhao!" Emperor Liu said to Zhao Kuangzan with a smile.

Facing Emperor Liu's attitude, Zhao Kuangzan bowed and replied with a smile, "Your Majesty speaks too gravely. The Duke of Qin is virtuous and capable, the Duke of Zhao is bold and unrestrained—both are dragons and phoenixes among men. I merely accompanied them on their inspection tour; how could I speak of protecting them!"

"You are being modest, and you also overpraise my two sons!" Emperor Liu said cheerfully, glancing at Liu Xu and Liu Fang. "These two sons of mine are still wet behind the ears, lacking in experience, short of vision, and still in need of tempering!"

Though he said this, the joy on Emperor Liu's face could not deceive anyone. Walking before Liu Xu, he vigorously patted his shoulder, then pinched his muscles, and said with a light laugh, "After going out once, your body has become considerably sturdier. It seems the feng shui of the northwest truly tempers a man!"

Liu Xu naturally responded with respectful deference. Walking before Liu Fang, the lad immediately puffed out his chest, as if expecting Emperor Liu to review him. Emperor Liu, however, deliberately put on a stern face and said, "I heard that this time in the northwest, you participated in the suppression of bandits and even personally slew two horse bandits?"

Though Liu Fang felt somewhat guilty under Emperor Liu's gaze, mentioning the matter still seemed to hit a ticklish spot, and he said joyfully, "They were merely two bandits! If Yang Yanzhao hadn't stopped me, I could have killed even more thieves and robbers!"

Seeing his regretful expression, Emperor Liu immediately rebuked, "How bold! Causing trouble! I had you study and practice martial arts—was it so you could engage in such killing as a common soldier? Don't forget your status!"

Liu Fang clearly did not agree with Emperor Liu's words. Noting Emperor Liu's expression, he hesitated for a moment, then still pouted and said, "I study letters and practice martial arts precisely so I can take the field and kill enemies—otherwise, what use is it? Since I've taken the field, I am a soldier of the Great Han; why should I worry about status? You always say one must be tempered through hardship, and I too aspire to be a great general—how could I fear even this little danger..."

Liu Fang poured out the slight frustration in his heart like beans spilling from a sack. Clearly, his experience in the northwest had not been entirely liberating—even going to suppress bandits had apparently required much persuasion and had been subject to many restrictions.

Of course, compared to the earlier pacification of the south, with Pan Mei in the army, it should have been somewhat freer. One must know that back then in Lingnan, let alone taking the field to kill enemies, he wasn't even allowed near the front lines. Most of the time he stayed by Pan Mei's side, learning and gaining experience outside the battlefield.

Hearing Liu Fang's words, Emperor Liu's eyes widened as he rebuked, "A few words of criticism and you retort like this? Your wings have grown stiff—you want to fly off on your own?"

At this, Liu Fang's face showed a hint of defiance. He stiffened his neck and said with a cupped-fist salute, "Your servant would not dare!"

Seeing this, Liu Xu hurriedly said, "The Fourth Brother has always been bold and forthright. Where his words have been rash, I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

Emperor Liu was hardly truly angry at his beloved son—it was merely his usual method of discipline. In his heart, he was still satisfied with Liu Fang's performance. The years of settling in the Three Institutes had been of some use; at least the obvious restlessness of the past was gone.

"Still not convinced?" Emperor Liu looked at Liu Fang.

"No!" Liu Fang lowered his head.

"Don't you want to lead troops? Don't you want to be a Grand General? I'll give you a chance—from now on, go to the Longjie Army and serve as a squad leader!" Emperor Liu finally revealed a trace of a smile.

Hearing this, Liu Fang was somewhat surprised, then confirmed, "Truly?"

"A ruler's word is not a jest!"

"I thank Your Majesty!" Liu Fang then bowed solemnly, not minding at all that the position of squad leader was low.

For Liu Fang, even a mere squad leader was substantial—unlike his previous post in the Ministry of War, where the title and rank were high but everything was hollow. Clearly, Emperor Liu was truly letting go of the reins to cultivate Liu Fang.

Though the hour was already late, once the ruler and ministers were seated, Emperor Liu still seriously listened to the results of Liu Xu's inspection tour of the northwest. Some situations and certain matters, Emperor Liu had already learned of long ago.

What he wanted to hear were the understandings and judgments from the mouths of Liu Xu and Zhao Kuangzan. Of course, Zhao Kuangzan was tactful and did not speak much, only adding supplementary remarks; the main responses came from Liu Xu.

The general situation of military, political, and livelihood matters in the northwest was not detailed. Rather, regarding the matter of bandit troubles, combining his conversation with Liu Yang, Liu Xu presented a full account to Emperor Liu—and of course, he did not conceal Liu Yang's opinions.

"Good! Very good!" After hearing Liu Xu's report, Emperor Liu slapped the imperial desk and looked at Liu Xu, saying, "You brothers' understanding is very profound! At the founding of the state, the realm was in turmoil, the world unsettled, and bandits rose everywhere—this was the most urgent matter for the court. It took nearly three years in total before it was completely pacified. Now, the realm is unified, yet bandit troubles have sprung up in the northwest instead—how can this be tolerated?"

"Bandits are naturally the greatest scourge to national order and the people's peace, but those tribes that appear loyal yet harbor treachery, colluding with them and secretly communicating—they are even more detestable. Why begrudge violent methods to severely punish and eradicate them!"

As he spoke, Emperor Liu's face, still tinged with a flush, was already filled with murderous intent, his gaze especially sharp: "The bandit troubles in the northwest, repeatedly prohibited yet never ceasing, have become the most serious obstacle to public order in the four circuits of the northwest. I have long intended to eradicate them. Nor will I permit any further delay or procrastination, lest they become long-lasting calamities and enduring woes!"

Emperor Liu then instructed Liu Yang: "Transmit my edict to the civil and military officials of the northwest—launch a comprehensive campaign against bandits. Spare no cost, spare no means. I want to see, within one year, a northwest where bandits no longer run rampant."

"As for those barbarian tribes secretly colluding with the horse bandits, deal with them according to the law. Since the root of the problem has been discovered, then give me the right medicine for the ailment!"

"Do not fear causing unrest. Write my intentions into the edict and make them known to all civil and military officials, both inside and outside the court. Those who harbor treacherous designs—I will never tolerate them!"

Emperor Liu's words were spoken with resolute force and full momentum. Liu Yang naturally dared not be negligent. Silently recording Emperor Liu's edictary intentions in his heart, he replied, "Yes!"

However, after calming down and pondering for a moment, Emperor Liu still added a supplementary note: "Additionally, issue a separate edict to the principal civil and military officials of the four circuits. Toward horse bandits, naturally they must be killed to the last; toward tribes colluding with bandits, evil must be eradicated completely. However, in specific execution, methods must be flexible, targeted and precise—do not blindly expand the scope. The measure of discretion is for them to grasp themselves. Regardless, the court is their most solid backing!"

"Yes!"

Clearly, Emperor Liu's mind remained clear-headed. This was also because the northwest situation was only locally afflicted, with relatively limited impact, so the measures were comparatively restrained, keeping the greater picture in mind.

But if it truly came to a situation of unrest that was difficult to contain, then for the sake of stability and to resolve the trouble, he would not begrudge using harsher means, not hesitating to make rivers of blood flow.

"How stands the situation with relocated households in the northwest?" Emperor Liu took the initiative to ask.

The problem of alien barbarian tribes was a chronic ailment of the northwest, the principal contradiction—but what Emperor Liu cared more about was the situation of relocated Han households, which could serve as the foundation.

To this, Liu Xu gave a favorable answer: "The people who migrated west, after all these years, have for the most part already been settled—whether farming, herding, or trading, they basically all have their own livelihoods. Coupled with the court's five-year tax exemption policy for relocated households, they have already been stabilized!"

Touching upon the situation of the Han people, Liu Xu continued: "After discussions between your servant and the Prince of Dongping and others, we unanimously believe that at present, the Han people of the northwest are still mostly concentrated in Guannei. In the three circuits of Longyou, Hexi, and Yulin, though there are relocated households, compared to the great numbers of barbarians, they remain sparse, with extremely uneven distribution—this is also unfavorable to the court's governance. Further measures must be devised to continue relocating people to the northwest!"

Emperor Liu nodded, thinking seriously. At this point, forcibly doing so again would likely be inappropriate—the internal population was far from overflowing. He could only consider and guide matters from a policy perspective. Yet how many people would be willing to go to the great northwest to pioneer wasteland, powering it with love?

To achieve significant results, one still had to rely on government leadership. Additionally, with large numbers of relocated households entering, the conflict between Hu and Han was also an unavoidable problem that had to be considered.

After pondering for a while, Emperor Liu raised his eyes to the several people and said with a smile, "That will be all for today! You have labored on a long journey home—I ought to set up a banquet to wash the dust from your travels. But the hour is already late; let us leave it for tomorrow!"

Hearing Emperor Liu's meaning, it was clear he was dismissing them. Liu Xu, Liu Fang, and Zhao Kuangzan were indeed weary, so they took their leave on their own initiative. Emperor Liu then admonished the two brothers: "Go first to pay your respects to the Empress!"

"Yes!"

"Father, on the way back into the city, I heard of a murder case. I feel I should report it to you!" Liu Yang remained behind and reported.