Chapter 1268: The Restless Emperor Liu

In the Purple Star City there were the Wenhua and Wuying Halls, connected front and back, close to the Eastern Palace. They were a new palace complex built during the renovation of the Western Capital, specifically for princes of age to reside in and pursue their studies.

Over the years, as the system for princely education was refined, the princes' days were no longer as comfortable as in the early years — the establishment of various rules placed great restraints upon them.

Compared to their elder imperial brothers, the younger princes in the order of birth did not have the fortune to enjoy that relatively relaxed childhood of earlier times.

Of the twelve double-hours in a day, six had to be spent on study and martial training. Except for major festivals and certain special occasions, regardless of wind, frost, cold, or heat, they had to attend lessons on time, rising every day from the hour of Mao.

Regarding the education of his children, as time passed and he grew older, Emperor Liu's thinking had also changed — from the lenient and free approach of the past to the strict rules of today.

Of course, it was also because he had fathered too many children, and Emperor Liu's energy was limited — he could not attend to everyone. Unlike in the beginning, when he could invest great effort into educating a few princes, the regulations for princely studies were established under Emperor Liu's direction, with strict enforcement demanded.

Rules should still be established from childhood! Emperor Liu was very fond of rules and detested those who did not follow them, instead violating regulations and acting wantonly. Therefore, he would not relax his supervision of the imperial princes and princesses.

At the same time, there was one idea he persistently conveyed to these heavenly nobles: born into the imperial house, enjoying honor and glory, one must also bear its responsibilities and accept its tempering. Study and martial training were only part of it — the foundation for growing up and becoming accomplished.

Thus, the princes' days were not so easy — heavy coursework, many examinations, and for slackness or mistakes, there were punishments, never leniency.

Last year, on the fifth day of the new year, when the fifth prince Liu Yang was enfeoffed as a duke and established his household, the boy was so happy, as if he had escaped from a sea of suffering...

Responsible for the princes' cultural and scholarly education was still the Grand Academician Zhang Zhao. The old master was nearly seventy-seven, in the twilight of old age, but his body was still hale and his spirit vigorous.

His later years were basically devoted to teaching the princes — ten years as one day, fully exerting his remaining warmth. In court he was highly respected and held in great esteem. Emperor Liu also held him in deep regard, bestowing upon him a dragon-headed walking cane made of rosewood. Additionally, he was granted a marquisate — the Marquis of Shouzhang.

In the afternoon, the summer sun moved westward, the sun sinking somewhat lower, lazily releasing its light and heat. The palace rules were strict, and it was always quiet and peaceful — but on the lawn behind the Wuying Hall, there was a bit of liveliness.

Seven or eight princes, along with a group of noble scions serving as palace study companions, were engaged in a game of cuju, running about freely, chasing that bouncing colored ball, with constant shouts and cries.

As for Emperor Liu, dressed in casual robes, he sat comfortably on a stone chair at the edge of the field, basking in the sun, drinking fruit wine, and eating snacks. Beside him, Duke Wen of the State of Wen, Xiang Xun, had his sleeves rolled up, pacing back and forth, occasionally shouting and directing like a coach — even more excited than the youths competing on the field.

Duke Wen of the State of Wen, Xiang Xun, was also nearly sixty, basically retired from the military to a secondary position. Although he still held the official post of Marshal of the Guards, he was essentially in retirement — besides drawing an extra salary, he did not manage affairs. The specific day-to-day management of the imperial army had already fallen to the Chief Inspector of the Three Bureaus.

This was still a means by which Emperor Liu reduced the influence of marshals and generals over the military — having the Chief Inspector, the third rank in the imperial army hierarchy, preside over affairs, with generals of less distinguished seniority and status serving in the posts, while the principal and deputy commanders of the Palace Command, the Imperial Guard, and the Patrol Inspection gradually became nominal positions.

Of course, old marshals like Xiang Xun always had places to exert their remaining warmth. Like the late Duke of Fenyang, Yao Yuanfu, Xiang Xun was fortunate enough to serve as the princes' martial arts teacher, responsible for training the princes' physiques and teaching military strategy.

The Duke of Wen of the State of Wen was quite satisfied with this position. Educating the princes might be troublesome, but in the end it was a good post — it represented His Majesty's trust.

And Xiang Xun, unlike others, had prestige and seniority to back him up. With the Emperor's decree, plus the rules, he had real authority to punish the princes. Moreover, in Xiang Xun's own words, though he had read some books and knew some characters, he was ultimately a military man — he never imagined that in his twilight years he could still acquire the title of Grand Academician...

"Xingmin, come sit and rest a while, have some fruit!" From the side, seeing "Coach Xiang" waving his hands, shouting loudly, and stamping his feet, bustling about busily, Emperor Liu could not help but laugh.

Hearing this, Xiang Xun turned around, his demeanor immediately restrained. He lifted his robe and sat down, saying to Emperor Liu: "This old minister has been presumptuous!"

"I think that even when you commanded great armies, facing the enemy in battle, you were never this excited!" Emperor Liu joked: "It seems my sons are even harder to manage than soldiers!"

"Your Majesty jests!" Xiang Xun also chuckled: "When I was in the military, I also enjoyed directing soldiers in cuju. Now, seeing the princes' spirited bearing, I wish I could go down and join in — it's only that this old body is already decrepit!"

"A stalwart in his twilight years, his bold ambition knows no end!" Emperor Liu personally poured wine for Xiang Xun, who carefully steadied his cup.

Seeing his reverent demeanor, Emperor Liu pointed at the princes on the field and said: "Boys of ten or so are at the most difficult age to discipline, and precisely the age that needs discipline. I've troubled you — whether to hit or scold, it's at your discretion! Zhang Zhao has his warning ruler, and you have your military staff — don't hold back!"

"Rest assured, Your Majesty! The princes are very obedient to the rules!" Xiang Xun replied. Of course, he took the Emperor's words with a grain of salt — he could not take them literally. If he beat them and something went wrong, how could he bear the responsibility?

"I hear that among the common folk of the Great Han, the custom of cuju is very strong!" Emperor Liu pointed at the field again and said: "When the northern expedition is over and the realm is truly at peace, let the government and the people organize some teams dedicated to cuju matches, to enrich the lives of the gentry and commoners of the two capitals..."

"Your Majesty's imagination is marvelous..."

"Alright, no more flattery — it was just a passing remark!" Emperor Liu waved his hand and smiled at Xiang Xun: "The way you speak and your tone — you sound more and more like those Grand Academicians!"

"Having been in contact with them for so long, I've been influenced and improved!" Xiang Xun replied.

Looking at him, Emperor Liu's smile faded, and he asked: "Xingmin, you too are deeply versed in military strategy. In your view, how are the prospects for this northern expedition?"

Caught off guard by the sudden change of topic, Xiang Xun was briefly startled. But noticing Emperor Liu's serious expression, Xiang Xun also turned earnest: "Is Your Majesty still worried about the war?"

"How could I not be worried!" Emperor Liu reached up and rubbed his forehead, as if releasing fatigue: "Several hundred thousand troops, over a million common people, the entire court operating at full speed — all for the northern expedition. Every time there's a war, until there's a result, my heart is always in turmoil..."

"Could it be that the war front is not going smoothly?" Hearing Emperor Liu say this, Xiang Xun asked curiously.

Shaking his head, Emperor Liu pointed north and said: "Liu Tinghan and Yang Ye's side has had some gains, but it only grazes the skin — not worth mentioning, and that area is only a feint. The main attacking eastern army, on the other hand, still hasn't made any major moves!"

"I'm not being impatient for quick results, nor have I issued decrees urging them on. It's just that word came from the Youzhou field headquarters — the Liao commander-in-chief Yelu Xiezhen has put out word that he wants our army to repeat the disaster of Emperor Yang of Sui's eastern expedition..."

Hearing this, Xiang Xun began to understand the peculiarity of Emperor Liu's feelings, and immediately sneered: "This Yelu Xiezhen has a big mouth! This man merely won a few battles in the Western Regions and gained some reputation, facing only such foreign minor states as the Uyghurs and the Kara-Khanids — nothing worth mentioning. Now he faces the mighty army of our Great Han, with the Crown Prince himself leading the campaign in person, morale high, with marshals like Zhao and Guo — he'll surely have to swallow back his wild words!"

Xiang Xun was trying to comfort him. Emperor Liu smiled and muttered to himself: "Elite troops and fierce generals all deployed — Zhao Kuangyin and Gao Huaide shouldn't disappoint me..."

During this period, Emperor Liu had been steady and composed, taking things in stride, not inquiring much into the affairs of the northern expedition — but in his heart, he was deeply concerned.

Every time there was a war, Emperor Liu always felt unsettled, thinking of many things, worrying about many things...

"Like this — later, let's make a trip to the Bureau of Military Affairs, to see the progress and hear the strategy!" Emperor Liu called out to Xiang Xun.

"Yes!"