Chapter 1233: A Lesson Learned

After inquiring into Fengzhou's political and civil conditions, Emperor Liu set out once more, returning to camp. By this time, the field headquarters outside the city had been mostly erected.

The city walls were crude and simple, making it inconvenient to lodge within the city. It wasn't that Emperor Liu couldn't endure such hardship, but rather that it was genuinely impractical—not to mention anything else, there simply wasn't room to accommodate the accompanying consorts, princes, and palace women.

Leaving the city and returning to camp, Emperor Liu didn't go back to his imperial tent, but instead asked about the Ninth Prince Liu Shu. Learning that he was still recuperating from his wounds in his tent, he took an interest and went to check on him.

Liu Shu naturally occupied a separate tent, sealed up tightly against the wind. As the flap was thrown open and they entered, the biting wind howled and rushed inside. Liu Shu was lying face down on the couch, bare-chested, while a personal eunuch applied medicine to his wounds.

Feeling the chill, Liu Shu couldn't help but shiver. Without turning his head, he called out loudly: "Who is it! Trying to freeze me to death? Close the tent flap at once!"

"Your Highness!" The eunuch, observant and alert, noticed Emperor Liu stepping inside and quietly reminded Liu Shu.

Liu Shu had been raised plump and fair, but the tender skin of his back was marred by rows of whip marks—not gruesome, yet fully embodying a loving father's care.

"Judging by how full of vigor you sound, your wounds have just about healed!" Emperor Liu said, glancing at him.

Emperor Liu's deep, weighty voice rang out in the tent, startling Liu Shu. Turning his head to see his imperial father's imposing figure standing with hands tucked into his sleeves, he hastily rose—moving too quickly, which pulled at the wounds on his back, making him grimace in pain.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!" Liu Shu said, slightly shrinking his neck as he quietly performed the salute.

Seeing his timid demeanor, Emperor Liu revealed a hint of a smile and asked: "What, you won't even call me Father anymore?"

"Father! Please sit!" Seeing Emperor Liu standing, Liu Shu hurriedly fetched a folding chair from beside the couch and corrected himself.

"You've grown this big, and this is the first time you've brought me a chair!" Emperor Liu lifted the hem of his robe and sat down, speaking to Liu Shu.

You never gave me the chance, Liu Shu thought to himself, but said obediently: "It's your son's lack of filial understanding!"

Seeing that he was still bare-shouldered, Emperor Liu's brow furrowed slightly, and he immediately instructed: "Aren't you afraid of the cold? Put on your clothes at once!"

"Yes!" The eunuch beside him immediately draped a thick fur robe over Liu Shu.

Only after seeing the comfortable expression on his face did Emperor Liu ask: "How is the whip wound healing?"

"Imperial Physician Wang said that with continued rest and treatment, it will be fine!" Liu Shu replied.

"Does it hurt?"

"It hurts!"

"If it hurts, then remember!" Emperor Liu said sternly.

"Yes!" At this moment, Liu Shu was utterly docile.

"Do you know you were wrong?" Emperor Liu asked again.

"I know I was wrong!"

"Wrong in what way?"

To this question, Liu Shu was silent for a moment, cautiously glancing at Emperor Liu before saying: "Your son should not have complained and grumbled in the field headquarters, spoiling the morale."

"And what else?"

After thinking it over, Liu Shu ventured: "I shouldn't have been afraid of hardship..."

"Mm..."

Seeing Emperor Liu's lukewarm reaction, Liu Shu added: "I shouldn't have grown arrogant from favor..."

"Do you miss your mother?" Emperor Liu suddenly asked.

Liu Shu was startled for a moment, then answered honestly: "Yes!"

"I think it's precisely because your mother spoiled you too much!" Emperor Liu stared at Liu Shu and lectured: "You lack tempering! On this northern inspection tour, you have a carriage to ride, horses to mount, servants to attend you, and still you cry hardship and fatigue! Your elder brothers could accompany me on inspection tours at six or seven years old—when did they ever complain?"

"No one likes suffering hardship, and no one dislikes comfort!" Emperor Liu's words grew increasingly stern: "Was it easy for your father and grandfather to win the realm? They endured every kind of hardship and suffering. I tell you, though this realm was won and bequeathed to you brothers, as my sons, I will absolutely not allow you to sit back and enjoy the fruits of others' labor, idly playing and amusing yourselves with clear consciences.

As imperial princes, you must always remember your status, and even more, you must remember the responsibility upon your shoulders. While enjoying this glory, you must also bear this responsibility. Winning the realm was not easy, but guarding it is even harder. In the future, whether it be growing into talent, establishing careers, guarding the frontiers, or governing the state, the rivers and mountains of the realm will all depend on you to maintain. If you grow lax and indulge in ease and comfort, what you corrupt is the court's discipline, and what you shake is the very foundation of the Great Han.

You are already fourteen now—no longer young. In earlier times, common folk would already be starting families at your age! I hope you will keep these words of mine firmly in your heart..."

Emperor Liu's lengthy harangue was somewhat overblown and severe in its wording, clearly leaving Liu Shu dazed. He could only nod instinctively, a trace of shame appearing on his youthful face.

"Your son knows he was wrong!" Finally, Liu Shu spoke again, this time in a louder voice and with firmer conviction.

"You've been slacking off in your martial arts practice, haven't you!" Emperor Liu pointed at his chubby face.

Liu Shu gave an awkward smile and couldn't help scratching his head.

"This habit of yours—loving ease and hating work—must change!" Emperor Liu stood up and said sternly.

Without waiting for him to respond, Emperor Liu directly arranged: "For the remainder of the inspection tour, you are only permitted to ride a horse—practice your equestrian skills well. When tired of riding, dismount and walk. Also, the eunuchs and palace women attending you are all dismissed, leaving only two guards. As for everything else—dressing, eating—you will manage entirely on your own!"

The moment Emperor Liu's order came down, Liu Shu's expression immediately turned bitter. Seeing this, Emperor Liu glared at him with overwhelming pressure and asked: "Do you have any objections?"

"None!" Liu Shu dared not utter a single word of dissent and answered at once.

After a moment's deliberation, Emperor Liu instructed Yan Tuo: "Transmit my oral edict: all accompanying imperial princes aged ten and above shall manage their own daily affairs!"

"Yes!"

He glanced at Liu Shu once more, and the youth immediately puffed out his chest, his young face taut. Without another word, Emperor Liu returned to his tent. After he left, Liu Shu and the eunuch finally relaxed, with Liu Shu nearly collapsing.

"Your Highness, I... this..." The eunuch looked at Liu Shu with some bewilderment.

Seeing this, Liu Shu spread his hands: "Didn't you hear the edict clearly? You may go—I no longer need your service here!"

"I wonder whether that boy Liu Shu can take these words of mine to heart!" On Emperor Liu's side, having apparently enjoyed his scolding, he strolled back to his tent muttering: "This child still cannot be pampered and spoiled—especially a son!"

"Your servant believes that the Ninth Prince is merely young at heart—still clever and obedient. His Majesty's words came from the depths of his heart, earnest teachings that will surely be deeply felt and remembered, and he will not disappoint His Majesty's expectations!" Hearing Emperor Liu say this, Yan Tuo spoke up at the opportune moment, seemingly trying to comfort Emperor Liu.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu merely gave him a sidelong glance: "What, do you know my own son better than I do?"

Noticing the chill that Emperor Liu's gaze sent straight to one's heart, Yan Tuo quickly lowered his head: "Your servant spoke out of turn!"

Returning to the imperial tent, he shed his outer robe and changed into a light set of winter casual attire. He had only time to wash his face with hot water when Crown Prince Liu Yang and Duke of Zhao Liu Fang came to seek an audience.

The two brothers had been sent together to survey the area. Inside the tent, seeing his two sons still carrying the chill of the outdoors, he had them warm themselves by the brazier, then asked: "Back so soon?"

At this time, though the sky was growing dim, the hour was still early—just past the late afternoon. Before Emperor Liu, it was Liu Fang who was more at ease, saying: "Fengzhou city is too small and too simple. My second brother and I finished our tour in half an hour..."

"What are your impressions?" Emperor Liu looked at Liu Yang.

Liu Yang replied: "This place is too bitterly cold, and the people's livelihoods are indeed impoverished. However, your son inquired with several households, and few had complaints. Your son also looked into Feng Guang's official reputation—it is quite good, one could say universally praised.

Since taking office, he has handled matters fairly, never showing partiality, and has done many things beneficial to the people. Fengzhou's meager tax revenues are mostly used to improve irrigation and roads, and to prepare against famine and disaster. The people of Fengzhou have greatly benefited, and they say he is willing to share hardships and joys with them. The prefectural office is crude, and some subordinate officials once suggested renovating it, but he sternly refused, instead using those funds to establish schools.

Feng Guang's salary is also used to relieve the poor and those in urgent need, while he himself lives in frugality. It is said that beneath his official robes, he wears nothing but coarse hempen garments and old robes..."

As Liu Yang spoke, he couldn't help but reveal a look of admiration. Emperor Liu asked, "It seems you think highly of this man!"

Liu Yang replied, "An incorruptible official like this is practically a model for all officials. Shouldn't he be commended, even announced throughout the realm? Your Majesty, didn't you praise him before as well?"

Emperor Liu smiled faintly and said in a low voice, "If all of this were deliberately performed, a bid for fame and reputation, then this man's scheming would be far too deep..."