Chapter 1304: Social Practice

Because Emperor Liu had been drunk all night, the imperial camp stayed one more day in Dezhou. Of course, for the Emperor's itinerary, this was not much of a delay. After all, the main reason for this tour was the northern campaign, but Emperor Liu's mind was on the livelihood of the people in Hebei, and he was in no hurry.

In the past, Emperor Liu had never truly paid attention to what kind of living conditions the people of the Great Han were in during wartime, while the fighting at the front was progressing fiercely.

Therefore, during this tour, whenever he arrived at a prefecture, he would stay for a day or two and personally go out to the countryside to look around, unlike the cursory glances of the past.

Jingzhou, Nanpi County, Dadian Township.

Autumn wind rolled up layer upon layer of wheat waves. On the dirt road beside the golden wheat fields, several light carriages were parked, with over a hundred burly and fierce Inner Palace guards, dressed in plain clothes, standing guard around them.

Among them was a new face. The young officer named Bai Yang, who had wept bitterly at the banquet, had received Emperor Liu's favor. A single sentence had changed his fate, keeping him by the Emperor's side as a guard.

Although he was only the lowest-ranking guard, for a young man from Guanzhong who came from the lowest stratum and could only rely on risking his life on the battlefield to seek fame, fortune, and a way out, this was the only opportunity of his lifetime.

These were Inner Palace guards! And guards personally appointed by the Emperor. It could be said that Bai Yang's future had suddenly become bright, making the other four unable to help but feel envious and jealous. After all, youth was an advantage.

By the field ridge, Emperor Liu was dressed like an old farmer, sleeves rolled up high, a bamboo hat on his head. Although the outfit was down-to-earth, judging from the fair and clean arms exposed, he was clearly not someone who did this kind of work.

Bai Yang had the good fortune to wait in attendance at the side, his posture upright, expression serious, eyes especially sharp as he looked around, hand resting on the knife at his waist, looking ready to eliminate any possible threat at any moment.

Noticing his demeanor, Emperor Liu could not help but chuckle: "Bai Yang, relax a little. You're so tense, you're making me uncomfortable too!"

Hearing this, a simple and honest smile appeared on Bai Yang's face, somewhat embarrassed: "This lowly one was rude and startled Your Majesty. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

"Haha!" Emperor Liu pointed at Bai Yang, shaking his head while laughing: "Stop putting on airs. That doesn't sound like something you'd say. You should learn the rules, but be more natural, relax more. The way you look now, it's like you're on a march during war..."

Bai Yang replied: "To be honest with Your Majesty, on the way back from Mobei, this is how we were. Enemies could appear at any time, danger could be faced at any moment, so we dared not be negligent in the slightest, or we might lose our lives!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu nodded, then suddenly asked: "Do you know how to cut wheat?"

Bai Yang was a bit embarrassed and said: "To answer Your Majesty, as for farm work, this lowly one never learned it from childhood, nor did he like doing it. On ordinary days, he only helped herd cattle and sheep. However, cutting wheat doesn't look difficult."

"If you feel tense, go help with the harvest in the fields and relax a bit!" Emperor Liu handed a sickle from his side to Bai Yang and instructed.

"Yes!"

Bai Yang received the order without any hesitation, unbuckled his knife, took off his outer robe, tidied himself up a little, and went down to the fields with the sickle. His bearing looked somewhat rough, but his movements were nimble and efficient. Thus, the autumn harvest work in Dadian Township gained another strong laborer.

"Your Majesty, you seem to think highly of this lad?" Li Shaoyou, also dressed like an old farmer, accompanying Emperor Liu, heard the exchange just now, noticed Emperor Liu's expression, and asked in a low voice.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu looked indifferent and replied somewhat casually: "Just took a liking to him, giving him an opportunity. Whether he can seize it and what achievements he'll have in the future depends on himself!"

At Emperor Liu's calm reaction, Li Shaoyou nodded and said admiringly: "Your Majesty's word can decide the fate of the realm, let alone this insignificant lad. However, for this lad, it is a blessing cultivated over several lifetimes!"

"Brother You, you can't go three sentences without flattery! You people, your words are truly sweet and honeyed. But hearing too much of it, even my bones go soft..." Hearing this, Emperor Liu cast a glance at Li Shaoyou.

Emperor Liu had clearly noticed that even someone as close as Li Shaoyou was becoming increasingly reverent and fearful of him, specifically manifested in flattering, complimenting, and not daring to offend.

Emperor Liu said this, but Li Shaoyou remained steady, neither startled nor surprised, and said with a smile: "Your servant is merely speaking the truth!"

Emperor Liu smiled and pointed at Bai Yang, who had plunged into the wheat field, saying: "Dislikes farming, dislikes labor, a wandering idler of the countryside, hot-tempered and stubborn, bold yet careful. Such a person is restless, not an ordinary man. Either a scourge or a capable minister. With a little grooming, perhaps the court will gain another able official in the future!"

"Your Majesty's wisdom in judging people and brilliance in employing them fills your servant with admiration!" Duke Shou started licking again.

In the fields, there was a scene of bustling harvest. Besides the local farmers, there were also the princes and princesses of the Great Han. Today, Emperor Liu had brought his accompanying children out for a bit of social practice.

The princes were fine, but the princesses—those delicate, fair little hands that had never touched spring water—were meant for plucking strings and playing music, yet here they were doing farm work. Emperor Liu really had the heart for it. More importantly, Emperor Liu wasn't just putting on a show; he had arranged tasks for everyone and set quotas.

The local farmers, though focused on their work, couldn't help but feel curious about these nobles who were clearly complaining endlessly and had obviously come down to the countryside to experience life.

"I still remember more than twenty years ago, when we were still in Jinyang. The late Emperor sat by the field ridge, while I, my eldest brother, and the civil and military officials of Hedong turned the soil in the fields..." Looking at the scene in the fields, especially his children's clumsy movements, a trace of reminiscence appeared in Emperor Liu's eyes: "Now, the one sitting by the field ridge is me!"

Since the Emperor had begun reminiscing about the past, Li Shaoyou naturally had to play along. Of course, he had also been there back then, and he sighed with emotion: "Unknowingly, so many years have passed! Your servant still remembers, it was the year the army was raised in Hedong, the second day of the second month, when the spring rain had just cleared, and the ground was still muddy. All the officials complained bitterly, but only Your Majesty was meticulous and buried in hard work. At that time, someone already marveled at Your Majesty's extraordinariness..."

Listening to Li Shaoyou, Emperor Liu nodded, but when he heard the last part, he couldn't help but show a strange expression. That "marveled at Your Majesty's extraordinariness" was another flight of fancy by Li Shaoyou.

Just like the Veritable Records of Emperor Liu that were already being compiled, the whitewashing language used for Emperor Liu in them was too obvious. Even Emperor Liu himself couldn't help but be astonished reading them. Was that mythical figure really him? Had he really had those strange experiences and spoken those philosophical words?

"Brother You, I heard your family has started believing in Buddhism?" Emperor Liu continued chatting casually with Li Shaoyou.

Hearing this suddenly, Li Shaoyou was startled inwardly. He carefully examined Emperor Liu's expression but could discern nothing. His mind raced—could it be that they were going to strengthen the suppression and control of Buddhism again?

As his thoughts turned, Li Shaoyou answered with an air of nonchalance: "Your Majesty knows your servant. He can't be happy without women, can't be pleased without wine. How could he believe in Buddhas and Bodhisattvas? It's just that the womenfolk in my household have some habits of venerating Buddha. After I return, I will certainly discipline and rectify them. Your servant is a civil official with nothing to feel guilty about, no need to seek such things..."

"You don't need to be nervous!" Hearing this, Emperor Liu patted Li Shaoyou's shoulder and chuckled: "People always need some faith. I have no prejudice against Buddhism either, as long as they keep to their proper role and abide by the court's management regulations.

However, it's been nearly twenty years now. What is the current situation of Buddhism, and how effective has the government's governance been? I haven't heard a report on it in a long time! Along this journey, there seems to be no shortage of places with flourishing incense and offerings!"

"This is your servant's negligence!" Li Shaoyou immediately said: "Your servant will conduct a thorough investigation of the temples, monasteries, and nunneries under the jurisdiction of the Hebei Circuit, to prevent the old ways from resurfacing!"

Emperor Liu smiled and said nothing, leaving Li Shaoyou to guess his intentions, which made him quite uncomfortable.

"Father! I'm back!"

An excited call came from not far away. Turning to look, it was the eldest princess, Liu Jia, driving an empty carriage, approaching slowly. The horse was one of the imperial horses that had come along, and Liu Jia had been specially tasked with transporting the cut wheat for drying.

"Father, come help quickly! There's more to deliver!" Approaching, she reined in the horse and stopped, then leaped down and called out to Emperor Liu.

"This eldest daughter of mine, ordering her father around without the slightest ceremony!" Emperor Liu smiled at Li Shaoyou.

Li Shaoyou naturally smiled along, while inwardly giving the eldest princess a thumbs up. She had diverted Emperor Liu's attention and somewhat relieved his awkwardness.

Soon, Emperor Liu also began working—manual labor, carrying wheat...