Chapter 1408: A Mind Difficult to Fathom

"Since you're here, please take a seat and join Us in observing the prowess of Our Great Han warriors!" With business concluded, Emperor Liu's interest turned once more to the archery and horsemanship competition on the field headquarters training ground. He raised a hand, pointing, and spoke to Liu Chengyun and his brother.

Liu Chengyun, naturally adept at reading the room, responded at once: "Your Majesty, please rest at ease. We Your servants shall take our leave!"

"Mm." Emperor Liu acknowledged with a faint response.

Empress Fu sat beside Emperor Liu, silently listening to the exchange between the sovereign and his two ministers without interjecting. However, she carefully observed Emperor Liu's expression, and a clear flash of deep contemplation passed through her phoenix eyes.

She was hardly a woman ignorant of politics. Regarding the shift in Emperor Liu's approach to employing the imperial clan, she could not help but ponder it—and she had thoughts, and she had conclusions.

"What are you thinking about?" Emperor Liu's questioning voice drew the elder Lady Fu back from her reverie.

Seeing Emperor Liu's warm, smiling expression, the elder Lady Fu also gave up trying to probe what lay hidden beneath that face at this moment, and replied with a smile: "Once today's conversation between you and Brother Prince Xu spreads, with Jun-ge serving as an example, the younger generation of the imperial clan will surely be overjoyed and eager, thanking Your Majesty for your grace!"

"After being suppressed for so many years, how could they not celebrate at the lifting of the restrictions!" Emperor Liu appeared very composed, picking up a jade cup from the side table beside the imperial seat and taking a shallow sip.

As he spoke, he turned his head to look at Empress Fu and asked with a smile: "Elder Fu, am I truly as harsh toward the imperial clan and relatives as the outside world says?"

This was not an easy question to answer. Ten years ago, similar rumors had indeed existed, even causing quite a stir. Many people discussed it in private, including among the common folk. Of course, no one directly accused the Emperor of being harsh and heartless, but that was the gist of it.

And the source of such rumors clearly came from those members of the Liu clan who, suppressed by Emperor Liu, had failed to achieve their ambitions. Without a doubt, this referred to Liu Chong's branch of the family—and the sons of Liu Chong who had died, not all of them had died natural deaths...

Until later, no one dared to voice opinions on the matter anymore. The Liu family members were the same; even if they harbored grievances, they no longer dared to reveal them casually. They had learned to fear—an arm ultimately cannot twist a thigh. Thunder and rain, dew and grace, all were the sovereign's favor, and all had to be endured.

The reason Emperor Liu, after relocating westward to Luoyang, ordered the relaxation of restrictions on Liu Chengjun and other clan members was precisely because they had learned to behave, and a new generation of Liu family youths was gradually growing up. As for Emperor Liu, he did not truly intend to keep them penned up like pigs forever. Relatives by marriage, meritorious nobles, and bureaucrats were all being cultivated and strengthened—there was no reason to suppress the Liu family forever.

After only a brief pause for thought, the elder Lady Fu said calmly: "In the past, talent among the imperial clan was thin. Even if Your Majesty wished to rely on them, there was no one to be found! Now, the younger generation is gradually coming of age, learning both civil and martial arts. One cannot say there is an abundance of talent, but there are always some usable people. It is fitting and timely for Your Majesty to elevate and promote them.

As for the claim that Your Majesty is harsh—that is utter nonsense. It is merely that your standards are high; the court does not keep mediocrities! Moreover, in recent years, your trust in the brothers Prince Yong and Prince Xu is known throughout court and country. How can that be called harsh treatment?"

"Haha!" Hearing Empress Fu speak these words so earnestly, Emperor Liu could not help but laugh, and said to her: "Your words are meant to comfort my heart!"

"However, I am well aware in my heart that I have been somewhat harsh!" His smile slightly fading, Emperor Liu continued: "Over the years, Yun-ge has repeatedly made requests before me. It is not that I never entertained the thought—now, the time has come. You spoke correctly: in the past there was a lack of usable talent. If there were only talentless men, even if I reluctantly appointed them, they would be unworthy of their positions, and the harm would be even deeper. In that case, better not to use them at all.

What I said to Yun-ge just now came from the bottom of my heart. This realm, after all, is the Liu family's realm, and it needs more Liu family members to step forward. Whether in governance, military affairs, or administering the people, it all benefits the consolidation of the state!"

Hearing this, Empress Fu nodded slightly, but her thoughts involuntarily drifted in one direction: when it came to the grown members of the imperial clan, the largest group, the most trustworthy batch—besides Emperor Liu's own sons, who else could it be?

Was Emperor Liu laying the groundwork?

Setting aside everything else, take the three brothers Liu Xu, Liu Xi, and Liu Fang—whether in civil or military matters, they had all already displayed their talents. Their ability to get things done had been tested, and over the years, their influence within the court had been slowly growing. Emperor Liu's painstaking cultivation had long since reached the season of harvest.

Even Liu Min, tempered by the Mobei expedition, could now shoulder some responsibilities despite his youth. Under such circumstances, if the imperial princes were to be sent out to the provinces, then the hidden implications behind that move would merit considerable deliberation.

The elder Lady Fu had always been magnanimous and generous, but she was not one to refrain from contention—it was simply that her vision was broad enough that she only contended over what was critical. For instance, Liu Yang's position as Crown Prince was the bottom line. As long as Liu Yang's position remained stable, nothing else was a major problem. On this point, the elder Lady Fu and Noble Consort Gao were in fact no different in essence—it was merely that she held the righteous mandate and had no need for excessive displays.

Liu Yang had been Crown Prince for over a decade now, and his position was clearly stable, nearly impossible to shake. From the Eastern Palace to the court, from high ministers to relatives by marriage, a Crown Prince faction had gradually formed, firmly supporting him.

However, as the brothers Liu Xu and the others rose in the court in recent years, with Emperor Liu entrusting them with good appointments, they gradually took on more and heavier responsibilities, and around them, their own groups had gradually formed.

Although their influence was still far weaker compared to the great vessel of the Crown Prince faction, there was no doubt that if this continued to develop, it would inevitably form a challenge to Liu Yang's position as Crown Prince.

One must understand that these imperial princes—especially the elder ones—had long since established their own households and banners, married and built careers. After the northern expedition, each held their own official duties at court.

Empress Fu thought in the long term, and she had concerns about this trend, pondering how to prevent and resolve it. And if Emperor Liu was now considering sending the imperial princes out to the provinces, then Empress Fu felt she would support it with both hands.

As long as the brothers Liu Xu and the others were sent out to serve in the provinces, then no matter how capable they were or how great their achievements, it would be difficult for them to challenge the Crown Prince. But in the capital it was different—being directly at the center of power gave them the opportunity to threaten the Crown Prince's position from every angle.

Now the Great Han's national power was at its peak, the political situation was stable, and the central authority was unprecedentedly strong. The capital was the center of the realm, the core of power, representing righteous mandate—and whoever held the righteous mandate could grasp the great momentum. Even though Liu Yang's position was already secure enough, the elder Lady Fu still hoped to add a few more layers of assurance.

What Emperor Liu was specifically considering, even the elder Lady Fu found difficult to fathom clearly. But for once, a rare hope arose in her heart—that the outcome might be as she wished.

Before that outcome arrived, the elder Lady Fu would not speak rashly, nor would she act recklessly. Even if she wanted to push for the princes to be sent out, she would be careful about her methods. Some things could only be decided by Emperor Liu alone, and Emperor Liu would not be influenced by anyone—even if she was the elder Lady Fu, even if she was the Empress. This, Empress Fu understood very well.

In almost an instant, the elder Lady Fu thought of many things. In a daze, she again heard Emperor Liu muttering: "I wonder, beneath Jun-ge's obedient exterior, how much resentment does he harbor toward me?"

Hearing these words, even the elder Lady Fu could not help but start. Turning her gaze, she saw Emperor Liu squinting, glancing at Liu Chengjun, who had already taken his seat along with Liu Chengyun. Knowing he had begun to suspect again, she replied: "How could that be? Right now, Jun-ge is probably too busy being grateful for your grace to think of anything else!"

"Gratitude, perhaps there will be some!" Hearing this, a brilliant smile appeared on Emperor Liu's face: "But resentment—how could there be none? From the fifth year of Qianyou, it has now been nearly nineteen years. Nineteen years! Such a long time, in such circumstances—who knows how much dissatisfaction and indignation has accumulated. If it were me, I would absolutely harbor resentment!"

Hearing him say this, the elder Lady Fu could not help but show a somewhat strained smile, and said in a comforting tone: "The past may have been difficult, but now you have begun to make amends. That counts as sweetness after bitterness. You are the sovereign, he is the subject. Jun-ge is not the type to be extreme—surely he will be grateful and appreciative!"

"Let us hope so!" Emperor Liu's smile remained, but it gave one a feeling of oppression within. Even the elder Lady Fu felt a nameless discomfort in her heart.

Looking at Emperor Liu's profile, the elder Lady Fu could not help but sigh inwardly. Emperor Liu's suspiciousness, with the passage of years, seemed to have sunk deep into his very bones. This sometimes made her feel a chill of alarm.

As for Emperor Liu, he seemed still immersed in his own thoughts. In this world, though there was no shortage of those who meekly accepted their fate, and no lack of those magnanimous enough to forgive, they were ultimately in the minority.

Emperor Liu did not believe that a few small favors could make all grievances and grudges vanish like smoke. At the very least—would Liu Chengjun be grateful and appreciative toward him? Emperor Liu absolutely did not believe it.

In fact, the reason Emperor Liu was unwilling to pardon those criminals was precisely because of these considerations. From his psychology, grudges and enmity were difficult to dissolve. It was not that he was insufficiently tolerant—it was that he feared letting tigers loose to cause disaster. The reason he had confined his imperial uncle Liu Xin to death back then was exactly this.