Chapter 1470: Why Not Drink?

Seeing Emperor Liu rise, the assembled princes and dukes instinctively made to stand with him. Zhao Kuangyi was the first to rise, with the others following close behind. Seeing this display, Emperor Liu casually waved his hand and said, "Everyone, sit down!"

Emperor Liu's words and manner conveyed a single message: Gentlemen, remain seated, and wait quietly for me to speak. Hearing this, the crowd shrank back into their seats. Many nobles whose backsides had just left their mats sat back down, yet the seats still felt uncomfortable—the contrast with the warm conviviality of Emperor Liu's past imperial banquets was too stark.

Perhaps sensing the severity in his own tone, Emperor Liu paused in thought, pacing a few steps to adjust himself. Under the gaze of all, the north wind lightly brushed his sleeves. When he turned his face again, Emperor Liu had already donned his usual smile.

The steam from the wine in his cup still rose. Emperor Liu's wandering gaze once again grew firm, and facing the assembled princes and dukes, he said slowly, "I still remember discussing with many of you seated here—what is it that we, this group of men, have spent half our lives on horseback and toiled so bitterly to build, for what purpose?"

"The answers I heard were all different!" Emperor Liu walked and spoke to himself, his tone seemingly laden with boundless emotion: "Some said, adrift in troubled times with nothing to rely upon, they merely sought a place to shelter, a haven of peace; others harbored lofty ambitions and expansive hearts, wishing to restore order, to quell the chaos, and to secure peace and well-being for all the people under heaven;

"Still others said it was to establish merit and glory, to bring honor to their families; and some were even more practical—to ennoble their wives and enrich their descendants, to wear brocade and fine garments, and to dine from five tripods..."

Emperor Liu stood there, reminiscing and sighing, while everyone listened in silence, not daring to speak or move rashly, lest they disturb Emperor Liu's mood.

Of course, many in their hearts also understood that the point of Emperor Liu's display lay in what came after. Their eyes followed Emperor Liu's unhurried steps, their ears strained to catch Emperor Liu's wistful voice, each one exceptionally attentive.

"It's been over twenty years now. I wonder, gentlemen seated here, do you still remember your original aspirations? After all these years, how much of your goals from back then have been achieved? Are you satisfied with the days you have now?"

"Why are you all hanging your heads?" Emperor Liu stopped, swept his gaze around, and raised his voice a notch: "You are all princes, dukes, and high ministers of the Great Han! Even seated, you should hold your heads high and chests out—you should not be so meek and downcast!"

"Why is no one speaking?" Seeing no one respond, Emperor Liu felt no embarrassment. His gaze searched around before landing on Dang Jin: "Dang Jin, you speak up!"

Hearing Emperor Liu call on him, Dang Jin felt as if struck by lightning. The Marquis Dang, usually so rough and careless, now became cautious and meticulous. He rose, bowed slightly, and after deliberating a moment, finally answered: "Your Majesty, your subject is a crude man, never harboring grand ambitions. I rely only on some brute courage to strive and press forward. To earn some merit, fame, and wealth is already more than enough!

Your Majesty knows your subject well—in the past I sought only to be enfeoffed as a marquis. Having received Your Majesty's gracious favor and generous bestowal of rank and emolument, I am naturally fully content. Now, your subject grows old day by day, and my meager courage is no longer what it once was. Relying on my salary, fields, and residence, I have enough to enjoy my remaining years in comfort.

Everything your subject has achieved is due to Your Majesty's grace and bounty. Your subject has always been grateful in his heart and dare not forget it..."

"Lord Dang, you are being too modest!" It was a rare sight—the usually rough Dang Jin could actually produce such a speech. Emperor Liu couldn't help but be amused, and hearing the intent to retire in Dang Jin's words, he consoled him: "Your performance on the Liaodong battlefield last year—I heard it all with my own ears and saw it with my own eyes. You've also done well at the Patrol Inspector's office. The court still needs upright ministers like you, and the younger generation still has much to learn from you..." "Your Majesty flatters me!" Dang Jin also broke into a relieved smile.

Watching Marquis Dang, Emperor Liu felt some emotion. This man Dang Jin—rough on the outside, but refined within. Though to this day he still knows barely a few characters, he can yet speak words of clear reason and righteous principle.

Though he often has somewhat eccentric words and deeds, even committing laughable acts that stir up no small amount of jokes, he has never overstepped his bounds. Perhaps his crudeness is merely a form of protection.

After all, for a military man like Dang Jin, growth ultimately has its ceiling—he falls far short of even the Wang Yansheng of old. But a man like this can truly live a comfortable, flourishing life.

Apart from being too close with Zhao Kuangyin, Emperor Liu could find virtually no other fault in Dang Jin worth mentioning—and that itself is a kind of ability. Of course, Dang Jin and Zhao Kuangyin shared a bond of life-and-death friendship, with frequent and intimate dealings. Emperor Liu could hardly show anything about it, and from the bottom of his heart, he rather appreciated a "rough fellow" like Dang Jin who knew his limits.

"Among all the honored nobles at court, Lord Dang's character is the most straightforward!" Emperor Liu added another word of praise: "Frank and upright, consistent in word and deed, daring to act—utterly without petty scheming..."

Rare indeed—Emperor Liu had finally praised someone again. Yet these words sounded grating to the ears of the princes and dukes. What did this mean? Were all of them, so many people, nothing but petty schemers? Were they inferior to a boor like Dang Jin?

The insinuation was all too obvious. Quite a few people's expressions turned sour, yet they dared not refute it. As for Dang Jin, he knew when to advance and when to retreat. He clasped his hands and said modestly, "Your Majesty's praise is too heavy. Your subject does not deserve it—truly does not deserve it!"

"Ah, right—I must also congratulate Lord Dang on taking in another concubine!" Emperor Liu shifted the topic again, teasing Dang Jin with a smile.

"Your Majesty flatters me!" Dang Jin was somewhat taken aback, his old face reddening slightly. But though he said this, his demeanor remained quite composed.

As a noble, taking in beauties was nothing shameful. Dang Jin often took pride in it, boasting about it before others. Now, within Marquis Dang's residence, he kept more than a dozen beauties of fine appearance.

Three years ago, Dang Jin had achieved a particular triumph—he had obtained one of Tao Gu's favored concubines for his own enjoyment and doted on her greatly. This was well known throughout the capital.

"No need to be embarrassed!" Emperor Liu smiled and said very frankly: "Beauties—who doesn't like them? I like them too!"

"However!" The slightly eased atmosphere did not last long. Emperor Liu said slowly again: "I have also heard that among you, some in your social dealings often present each other with concubines as gifts, to show shared tastes! Is there such a thing?"

At these words, many of the honored nobles, Dang Jin included, could not help but show awkward expressions. Though such matters were quite common among the nobility—beautiful women and concubines being a kind of tradable resource—they did not think there was anything wrong with it, even considering it a fashionable trend.

But being called out so bluntly by Emperor Liu, they could hardly avoid feeling some shame. After all, it was hardly a matter for polite society, even if they were presently in the open fields of a suburban estate.

Dang Jin was the same—that concubine of Tao Gu's had cost him three beauties in exchange... His accompanying smile gradually receded. Even having just been praised, his heart felt somewhat sour. From Emperor Liu's attitude, it was clear that the several dozen princes and dukes seated here today were all targets of this lesson.

Realizing this, everyone's hearts sank all the deeper.

Emperor Liu's throat had grown dry from speaking. He drained his cup in one gulp, and looking at the seated assembly, asked again: "Why have you all stopped moving? Can you gentlemen bear to let me drink alone? Everyone, drink up! No need to be restrained—be at ease!"

Yet the more Emperor Liu said this, the more ill at ease everyone became. After another stretch of silence, the crowd mechanically raised their cups and drank. No matter how fine the vintage, no matter how hot it was mulled, it could no longer bring any enjoyment.

As for Emperor Liu, his spirits were especially high. Seeing everyone make some move, he continued with a smile: "Our generation are all founders. For the Great Han, for the realm, we rode the wind and broke the waves, cut through thorns and brambles, charged through mountains of blades and seas of fire. After half a lifetime of hardship, we must have something to show for it—otherwise, how could we make our offering?

That the Great Han has its present state owes much to the support of you gentlemen. This I have always kept in my heart, and I am deeply grateful. Over more than twenty years, how many soldiers and comrades have stained the battlefield with their blood, their bones buried in the green hills? You people—most of you fought your way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood. That was no easy feat!

The martyrs who fell deserve our respect and remembrance. You living meritorious ministers also deserve the court's commendation and generous treatment. Among you, I suspect many have thought: having fought a lifetime of wars, established such a vast achievement, and conquered such a magnificent realm, it is time to enjoy the fruits!

The realm was all won by you. Now that the world is at peace, is it not fitting that you meritorious ministers and heirs of merit take a share for yourselves and enjoy it?

This way of thinking is perfectly normal, and I can understand it! I do not consider myself a stingy man, and I am willing to share hardship and wealth alike with you gentlemen.

But!"

Having said a basketful of words, the key lay in this turn. Emperor Liu's gaze grew sharp, his tone became piercing, as he swept his eyes over the assembly: "A man must learn to be content. Boundless greed only breeds boundless evil! Gentlemen, ask yourselves honestly—in all these years, have I ever mistreated any meritorious minister?"

Another stretch of silence followed. Even less did anyone dare rashly step forward to take up that question. As for Emperor Liu, he casually exchanged his cup for a fresh one and continued to raise his cup in invitation, his tone showing no sign of softening: "Don't all sit there cold! Drink!"