Chapter 1352: Between Brothers

The control of entry and exit in Youzhou remained strict, both due to the wartime martial-law inertia and because the Emperor was present. On top of that, more people of all kinds had been passing through Youzhou recently, and with soldiers withdrawing from the front lines who had yet to return home or rejoin their units, the city's security faced a tremendous test.

The eldest prince's procession naturally did not have to undergo inspections like merchants and travelers. Liu Xu did not even need to speak—the escorting officer merely came forward, and the carriage passed through the gate without stopping.

As they traveled through Youzhou's broad streets, past dense crowds and bustling markets, Chou Ning gazed out the carriage window, somewhat lost in thought. Seeing this, Liu Xu smiled and asked, "Compared with twenty-five years ago, how does Your Highness find the atmosphere of Youzhou city today?"

Hearing the question, Chou Ning sighed with deep feeling: "In such bitter cold, to see such a lively street scene—only a great city of the Central Plains could manage this. Though Shangjing is the capital of Liao, it cannot compare with Youzhou! The same city of Youzhou, over twenty years ago, though it was called prosperous, could hardly match today! If Youzhou is already like this, I wonder what sort of atmosphere Kaifeng and Luoyang must have now?"

"Both the eastern and western capitals of the Great Han have been repaired and rebuilt. Your Highness is welcome to travel south with us—when we arrive, I can personally serve as your guide and show you the splendor of the capitals!" Liu Xu said.

Hearing this, Chou Ning's eyes flickered slightly, a trace of awkwardness passing over his face. He gave a dry laugh and said, "Your Highness is most gracious—this old man is deeply grateful!"

Clearly, even coming to Youzhou had filled him with trepidation, fearing he might be detained and unable to return. As for going to the two capitals of the Central Plains, no matter how prosperous they might be, Chou Ning was not at all tempted at the moment. This was not like twenty-five years ago, when he had marched south with the Liao army as a conqueror. Now, he was merely an aging barbarian chieftain in need of the Great Han Son of Heaven's benevolent grace—his personal power and position, along with his descendants' future wealth and rank, all hung on a single thought from Emperor Liu.

Though Liu Xu could not fully fathom Chou Ning's mind, he could still sense that unease and bewilderment. In fact, toward this old Xi king, Liu Xu occasionally felt a measure of pity. The policy toward the Xi people had not yet been completely settled, but the general direction was set—it was only a matter of when it would be implemented, when the Xi tribes and their territories would be thoroughly absorbed.

This was clearly far from the loose-rein autonomy that Chou Ning hoped for. However, as a prince of the Great Han, as a minister entrusted by Emperor Liu with matters concerning the Xi, Liu Xu's stance was firm and unambiguous.

If Chou Ning proved sensible in the future, then while retaining the title of Xi king, he could enjoy wealth and glory to his heart's content—he and his descendants would want for nothing. But if he proved uncooperative, he could hardly blame the court's methods. In the end, the Xi king was a position that could be changed whenever they wished—indeed, among those who had come to Youzhou this time were several high-ranking nobles from the Xi tribes' six divisions.

"Reporting to Your Highness—the Duke of Jin is waiting with his men before the palace gate!" Only when they reached the Youzhou traveling palace did the carriage come to a halt. A guard officer rode up beside the carriage and reported.

"Stop the carriage!" Hearing the report, Liu Xu immediately ordered.

Before the palace gate, Liu Xi stood among the guards with two subordinates. Seeing Liu Xu descend from the carriage, he immediately greeted him cheerfully: "Welcoming the elder brother's return! You won't hold it against me for not riding out of the city to meet you, will you?"

Looking at Liu Xi, still as casual and carefree as ever, Liu Xu responded with his usual modesty: "What are you saying! Having you stand here in the wind and cold to welcome me—I'm already feeling guilty!"

"The elder brother is always so proper!" Seeing Liu Xu's reaction, Liu Xi couldn't help saying, spreading his hands.

His feelings toward Liu Xi were naturally not as complicated as those toward the Crown Prince. Liu Xu could afford to let down his guard somewhat, so he smiled and patted his shoulder: "Between us brothers, there's no need for such formality!"

"Exactly so!"

His attention shifting from Liu Xu to Chou Ning, Liu Xi studied the old man, who looked like a withered tree, and asked, "This must be the great king of the Xi!"

"Indeed!" Liu Xu personally introduced him: "Your Highness, this is my third brother, the Duke of Jin, Liu Xi!"

Hearing this, Chou Ning immediately bowed, somewhat cautiously: "This old man pays his respects to His Grace the Duke of Jin!"

"Your Highness need not stand on ceremony!" Facing Chou Ning, Liu Xi indeed became a bit more serious, returning the bow with clasped hands: "The Emperor is most pleased that Your Highness has come personally to Youzhou, and has specially ordered us to receive you!"

Chou Ning immediately wore an expression of flattered surprise, clasping his hands and saying, "The Son of Heaven treats me with such generosity and honor—this old man hardly deserves it. I am grateful for Your Highness's trouble!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Liu Xi ordered his subordinates to escort Chou Ning into a carriage. The Emperor had specially permitted a carriage to receive the Xi king—a considerable show of face. Liu Xi, meanwhile, was called up into Liu Xu's carriage, and the two brothers rode together, conversing.

"These past two months, I've been staying in the north. I've heard something of the situation on the various fronts, but I don't know the details. The northern circuits have all entered the recovery phase by now, I take it?" Liu Xu asked.

Liu Xi did not hold anything back, nodding in agreement: "At present, across the entire northern frontier, only Dong Zunhui's army is still engaged in warfare. On all other battlefields, the flames of war have been extinguished, and the various levels of government in the northern prefectures are all engaged in restoration and resettlement."

"Two days ago, Marquis Guo Hai'an also reported that he had withdrawn his forces, ceased the raids along the Goryeo coast, and led his ships back to the naval port. In Liaodong, the main army has basically pulled out. Once the garrison arrangements are settled, the second brother will be coming back too!"

"The Kaibao northern expedition, the great war between Han and Liao—it has spanned nearly this entire year. Now at last there's something of a conclusion!" Liu Xu sighed deeply, a mood of concern for state and people showing in his bearing.

"Though it has cost labor and treasure, more severely than anticipated, the fruits of victory are also far richer!" By comparison, Liu Xi was far more composed, offering his assessment: "Especially the navy—I've heard they seized a great quantity of goods and supplies within Goryeo. That counts as some compensation for the enormous drain on the treasury..."

"Though the might of the Great Han's army is formidable, it is still too sharp-edged. Making enemies on every side is ultimately no long-term strategy!" Liu Xu sighed.

Hearing this, Liu Xi gave Liu Xu a somewhat surprised look, his eyes rolling for a moment before he said softly, "Elder brother, if Father heard these words, I'm afraid he would be displeased!"

At this reminder, Liu Xu could not help a wry smile: "I was merely speaking from feeling!"

Shaking his head, Liu Xu asked with concern: "The northern winter cold is harsh—I heard Father personally went beyond the northern frontier to oversee the campaign. Is he well? His leg ailment isn't troubling him, is it?"

"Father's health is perfectly fine, but Mother fell ill a few days ago!" Liu Xi said. In the current Han palace, the only one addressed as "Mother" by the princes and princesses was the Empress, the elder Lady Fu.

"What happened? How is she?" Liu Xu pressed.

Liu Xu had grown up in the palace and respected only two women: one was Empress Dowager Li, who had raised him, and the other was Empress Fu. Though she was not his birth mother, Liu Xu still cherished deep gratitude for the care the elder Lady Fu had shown him in the past.

"It's about the soldiers on the Mobei expedition—when Mother learned of it, how could she not be stricken with worry? It so agitated her that she collapsed from distress!" Liu Xi said. "Fortunately, after resting these past days, she has gradually recovered!"

At this mention, Liu Xu's brow furrowed slightly, and he said, "But this illness of the heart still needs the right medicine to cure! It's been so long—is there still no word from the expeditionary army?"

"There are some leads!" Liu Xi's lips curled slightly upward: "Combining information from all sides, it can be inferred that the remnants of the expeditionary force have withdrawn westward to the region east of the Gold Mountains. Men have already been dispatched to search for them. Perhaps next year, perhaps sooner, there will be more concrete news!"

"The Gold Mountains! That truly is remote and far away!" Liu Xu clearly had some knowledge of it, saying, "I wonder how the fourth and sixth brothers are faring now."

"Other than praying and organizing searches, there's nothing we can do!" Liu Xi seemed perpetually able to take things in stride: "The battlefield is perilous. Among all the brothers, only the fourth and sixth had the boldness and spirit to don armor, ride forth, and gallop across the field of war. If they can return safely this time, it will be like an eagle that has been tempered—able to spread its wings and soar high..."

Hearing Liu Xi say this, Liu Xu gave him a surprised look, thought for a moment, and then smiled: "Let us only hope they can return safe and sound!"

"Third brother, your wife has given birth by now, hasn't she?"

"Thank you for your concern, elder brother!" At the question, a smile tugged at the corners of Liu Xi's mouth: "She went into labor in the ninth month and gave me a son..."