Chapter 1393: A Bet

"Third brother, from your tone, you seem to have some admiration for this Zhao Kuangyi. I hadn't heard that the two of you had any dealings?" Emperor Liu sat up straight, looking at Liu Chenghsun.

Prince Yong, Liu Chenghsun, was also a man of thirty-six or thirty-seven, having spent years in high positions with heavy authority in hand—his bearing was fully cultivated, and he appeared to be a man of cultivation and refinement. Moreover, compared to Emperor Liu's weathered appearance, he seemed in the prime of life, with jet-black hair and not a single strand of gray.

Perhaps it was because Emperor Liu's temperament and style had changed, or perhaps because his own depth and experience had grown, Liu Chenghsun no longer cowered in fear before Emperor Liu as he had in his youth. On the contrary, his bearing and speech were composed and proper.

"The two sons of Marquis Guangyang Zhao—one martial, one civil—are both outstanding talents of the age. In the early years at the Eastern Capital, Zhao Kuangyi had already gained some renown with a good reputation, so naturally I had heard of him.

As for the past, Zhao Kuangyi was a literatus. In his early years, he associated closely with other men of letters, frequently holding poetry gatherings and wine banquets. I too enjoyed such festivities back then and attended twice, drinking some wine and composing some poems!" Liu Chenghsun replied.

Giving Liu Chenghsun a couple of appraising looks, Emperor Liu's expression relaxed slightly, and he said with a light laugh: "All these years, you've been serving in various posts, inside and out, working for the court. I'd forgotten that you were a disciple taught by Li Song—naturally you'd be closer to these literary types and poets!"

"By the way, is that Li Song still alive?" Emperor Liu suddenly asked.

At this mention, Liu Chenghsun couldn't help but sigh, a trace of sorrow showing in his eyes, and said: "Master Li passed away from illness two years ago!"

Li Song had once been a chief minister of the Shi Jin court, with exceptional literary talent. Back then, together with former court officials like Feng Dao, Zhao Ying, and Li Tao, he had submitted to the Great Han. Though he had encountered setbacks, fortunately he was chosen by Emperor Liu to be Liu Chenghsun's teacher, and through the opportunity of Grand Tutor Wang, he made breakthroughs in his official career under the Great Han. During the years Liu Chenghsun was stationed at Chang'an, Li Song served as his assistant and concurrently as governor of the capital prefecture, wielding considerable power.

However, later, due to the Shu rebellion in Guanzhong and his failure to govern his household strictly—his family members abused their power for personal gain and committed misdeeds—he was implicated and punished by Emperor Liu, nearly losing his life. It was only through Liu Chenghsun's intercession that he was spared death, but from then on, he was stripped of his offices and ordered to return to his hometown.

Over the years, the old veterans and senior ministers of the Great Han had aged and died one by one, and Emperor Liu had grown accustomed to it. Li Song's passing was hardly enough to make him sorrowful—that was out of the question.

What moved Emperor Liu was that old ministers like Li Song, who were deeply entangled with the previous dynasty, were among the last survivors of their kind. Now they too were gradually dying off, disappearing from people's memories and sight—as if telling Emperor Liu that the old people and the old world were thoroughly past, and what remained was the new era of the Great Han under his rule...

"Oh!" With no trace of embarrassment on his face, Emperor Liu said with somewhat insincere feeling: "What a pity. After all, he was a veteran minister of several reigns, with great prestige, and he also taught me to have an outstanding younger brother. Among his descendants, are there any outstanding talents? If so, recommending the worthy need not avoid one's own kin!"

Liu Chenghsun smiled. After all, Li Song had been his own teacher—how could he not have looked after his descendants? As Prince Yong, with that connection in place, he didn't even need to say a word; Li Song's descendants could enjoy endless benefits in every aspect.

Seeming unwilling to dwell on this matter, Liu Chenghsun brought the topic back to Zhao Kuangyi: "Many people say Zhao Kuangyi puts on airs and fishes for fame, but I think that assessment is somewhat biased. Even if he does have a hint of selling loyalty to win renown, at least the man's words match his deeds!"

"However, as Second Brother says, even a matter as trivial as a stolen ox warrants his personal attention—that really is going too far!" Pausing briefly, Liu Chenghsun shook his head again and said: "Perhaps it's just that he's newly in charge of the prefecture and needs to set an example, to win over his subordinates and reassure the people. After a while, things should return to normal, and he won't need to exhaust himself so..."

Hearing Liu Chenghsun say this, Emperor Liu said with a smile: "How about I make a bet with you?"

Liu Chenghsun was slightly surprised and grew a bit interested: "What kind of bet?"

Emperor Liu glanced toward the Luoyang prefectural office, lightly raising a finger, and said: "I say that however long Zhao Kuangyi holds office, that's how long he'll maintain this level of diligence!"

Hearing this, Liu Chenghsun didn't respond immediately. After considering for a moment, he asked: "Why?"

Emperor Liu said: "You haven't yet said whether you accept the bet!"

Looking at his second brother—that expression of delighted curiosity—Liu Chenghsun shook his head and answered seriously: "I won't bet!"

This reaction caught Emperor Liu by surprise, and his voice rose somewhat: "You haven't even heard the stakes, and you're already so lacking in confidence?"

Liu Chenghsun said with a light smile: "Since Second Brother is so certain, there must be a reason behind it. Why should I bet on a losing game?"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu found it quite reasonable and gave Liu Chenghsun a couple more glances, saying with a somewhat disgruntled air: "If it were anyone else, even a losing game, they would still accept—even gladly and happily!"

Liu Chenghsun's expression was perfectly calm as he countered: "Second Brother, though you are grand in vision and wise in judgment, you've never lacked flatterers and sycophants around you. I am your imperial brother—if I too were to grovel and curry favor like everyone else, would you want to see that?"

Liu Chenghsun's words stirred something in Emperor Liu's heart. Of course, every emperor probably hopes his subjects will be completely open and unreserved with him—especially those closest to him, where deception is even less tolerable.

Looking at his younger brother, a flash of emotion passed through him. Emperor Liu reached out and patted his shoulder, saying: "Well said. We are brothers—no need for formality. Just speak frankly!"

After this remark, Emperor Liu explained to him: "You may not know this, but this Zhao Kuangyi, at every post he's held, has gathered all authority into his own hands, personally attending to all matters. Nothing within his jurisdiction escapes his attention, and his subordinates dare only follow rather than defy him, acting entirely at his beck and call. It was so in Zhongmu County, and so in Annam—handling everything personally, through all four seasons, never once slacking..."

Hearing Emperor Liu say this, Liu Chenghsun was greatly astonished: "His lust for power is truly that strong?"

Emperor Liu nodded and said leisurely: "That's also why, when I proposed Zhao Kuangyi as governor of Luoyang, not everyone agreed! As you said, excessive lust for power easily breeds friction!"

"Even so, you still appointed him Governor of Luoyang!" Liu Chenghsun was no fool. He rolled his eyes thoughtfully and smiled calmly.

Emperor Liu, for his part, leaned back against the carriage, in a posture of one holding all the answers, and said: "What I need are people who get things done. Zhao Kuangyi can do things, knows how to handle affairs, and is diligent and capable—truly a good hand. If he wants power, I'll give it to him. Let's see what results he can produce!"

Hearing this, Liu Chenghsun mulled it over briefly and reminded him: "These days, there's been no small amount of criticism of him at court!"

"The talk of the pure-minded and the envy of petty men—hardly worth mentioning!"

Liu Chenghsun said seriously: "However, serving as an official in the capital is ultimately different from the provinces. Luoyang Prefecture is not comparable to a single county or prefecture—its connections are tangled and complex, and pulling one hair may move the whole body. In the past, governance under Luoyang could be called stable. If Zhao Kuangyi doesn't adapt his ways, I'm afraid he'll stir up trouble!"

This time, Emperor Liu laughed out loud, then gradually composed himself and said with meaningful depth: "Zhao Kuangyi is not as simple as he appears. His insight and his methods—the extent of his abilities—are probably known to few. Just wait; in the years to come, the court of the Great Han will not lack his presence."

As he said this, Emperor Liu's expression grew somewhat grave, and his deep gaze turned inscrutable.