Chapter 1497: Emperor Liu: I Have No Need for Three Thousand Beauties

"It's time to thoroughly investigate and deal with this!" Emperor Liu's tone carried a note of resolve: "In the past, I often made statements about being frugal and economical, but looking at it now, it seems it was all superficial and formalistic. This incident, however, is not without its benefits—at least it has made me more vigilant, and I should seek change and correction more resolutely and thoroughly!"

"I have long been dissatisfied with the extravagance and wastefulness of the nobles and ministers, but I often overlooked myself, thinking I was restrained, yet that contradicts the facts."

"If the palace itself is so wasteful, how can we expect those outside to willingly restrain themselves? This is a case of those above setting an example for those below—if I do not correct this, how can I demand it of my subjects?"

As Emperor Liu spoke, he shared his considerations with Empress Fu: "My plan going forward is to make clear reductions to all palace expenditures, and to draft a complete set of spending regulations. The food, clothing, and monthly expenses of every palace and hall should have fixed limits—they may be reduced but not increased.

From you and me on down, all consorts, officials, eunuchs, and palace women shall have their monthly stipends reduced simultaneously. All accounts, incoming and outgoing, must be strictly recorded for audit and investigation. We also need to establish a new management system with supervisory personnel..."

"In short, the same methods used to govern the state must be transplanted wholesale into the palace. The governance of palace affairs cannot afford to be lax—otherwise, if the household itself rots, how can we seek clarity in the court?"

Hearing Emperor Liu's forceful declaration, Empress Fu nodded gently and affirmed: "Whatever decision you make, I support it!"

"The affairs of the palace still need your assistance!" Emperor Liu revealed a satisfied smile and said.

"There's one more matter!" Emperor Liu thought for a moment and said.

"What matter?" Seeing that Emperor Liu seemed somewhat reluctant to speak, Empress Fu took the initiative to ask.

Letting out a light sigh, Emperor Liu said: "I've heard that the eunuchs and palace women of the inner court number four to five thousand in total—that's too many. Do I need so many people to serve me in the palace? I certainly don't!

I've decided that aside from keeping a certain number of attendants, all other palace women shall be released from the palace. Hmm, according to age, rank, and service record, each shall be given a certain amount of compensation!"

"With fewer people in the palace, expenditures naturally decrease, and disturbances become fewer!"

Empress Fu could not help but be surprised at Emperor Liu's decision—after all, since ancient times, how many emperors would complain about having too many beauties in their harem?

Even when releases did occur, they were mostly of overage maids and palace women, while young beauties of prime age generally found it difficult to leave the palace. But from Emperor Liu's meaning, he intended to conduct a major purge of palace personnel.

In her heart, Empress Fu was actually fairly approving of this. After considering for a moment, she asked: "How many people does His Majesty plan to keep?"

"Seven hundred eunuchs and palace women—would that be sufficient?" After some deliberation, Emperor Liu asked.

From Emperor Liu's eagerness, one could tell that his temperament was not lacking in impatience and a desire for quick results. In the past, this may have been well concealed—that calm and composure like ten-thousand-year-old ice was merely a necessity, not a choice.

But with the accumulation of continuous successes and glory, and the relief and release of various pressures, many of his expressions became increasingly genuine, and many inadvertent behaviors revealed his true self.

This eagerness had become increasingly evident in recent years. At the smallest interpretation, this was merely impatience for success, but magnified slightly, it was a love of grandeur and a greed for perfection.

Hearing that Emperor Liu wanted to cut seventy to eighty percent of the Han palace's "establishment" in one stroke, Empress Fu subconsciously furrowed her phoenix brows. Similarly weighing her words, she said: "Is this not too hasty? Rashly cutting so many people may well cause chaos in the palace!"

"How much chaos could there be? Moreover, at the founding of the state, the palace attendants numbered only a little over two hundred, and life went on fine then—no one felt short-handed. Even adding the palace guards, there were only a little over three thousand. In my view, seven hundred palace attendants is more than enough!" Emperor Liu said with a relaxed expression.

Seeing his serious expression, Empress Fu could not help but sigh inwardly. The stubbornness in Emperor Liu's character was becoming increasingly evident. When calm, he was exceptionally calm; when reflecting, he was sincere enough—but every decision he made was also arbitrary and brooked no argument, and he liked to accomplish things in one fell swoop.

In Emperor Liu's current understanding, such a matter might truly be a small thing, easily settled with a wave of the hand—after all, he didn't have to do the concrete work himself. But this single simple decision affected the futures and destinies of several thousand palace personnel.

"But this is not the founding of the state anymore, and the palace situation is not what it was twenty-five years ago." Empress Fu's voice remained gentle and comforting as she said calmly: "I do not oppose reducing palace personnel—in fact, I wholeheartedly approve. But with such a drastic reduction, while we might not lack attendants around us, this vast Ziwei City would be difficult to fill, and even the normal operation and maintenance of the various halls, towers, and administrative offices would lack personnel..."

"Is that so?" Empress Fu's words evidently registered with Emperor Liu. Stroking his thick beard and pondering for a moment, he said with a hint of self-mockery: "It seems that having too large a palace is not necessarily a good thing. Magnificent it may be, but I can certainly feel the burden of its maintenance!"

"Furthermore, your intention to release the palace women may stem from a heart of benevolence. But not all of these many people in the palace are trapped here against their will—many may not welcome release. Leaving the palace may not be what they desire, nor may it be a good thing for them." Empress Fu added, her words carrying a measure of compassion for those palace women.

Compared to Emperor Liu, Empress Fu was clearly more knowledgeable about palace conditions and more understanding of the psychology of those palace women. The palace was certainly a place of strict rules and confinement—beneath its glittering surface lurked schemes and intrigues, sins and dangers—but there was no doubt that it was the place of the greatest nobility under heaven, enough to attract the vast majority of people to flock toward it.

There were not that many people in this world who yearned for freedom, nor was there much soil in the secular world for "freedom" to take root. For most palace women, this was equally a place full of opportunity—if one was fortunate enough to win a smile from the nobles of the palace, there was a chance at wealth and glory.

Even at the very worst, in the palace one at least had food and clothing without worry. Outside the palace was different—if one had no one to rely on, one would be like the masses, toiling and bustling about, busy making a living.

Especially for those palace maids and ladies-in-waiting, the high walls and tiled roofs of Ziwei City might be a constraint, a cage—but would leaving the palace truly bring freedom? Even though the Great Han's current climate was relatively friendly toward women, that did not change the fact that this was an utterly patriarchal world. It was still serving others, but with the difference between inside and outside the palace—how they would choose was easy to imagine.

"Then what is your view?" After this reminder, Emperor Liu decided to heed the Empress's thoughts.

Empress Fu said: "I believe that reducing palace personnel need not be rushed. It can be done gradually—releasing them batch by batch for a smooth transition. The circumstances of each palace woman differ, so decisions can be made according to individual situations.

We can first release those who wish to leave, then select those of older age. Additionally, those with families or places to go can be given travel expenses and travel permits. As for the rest, they can be properly settled according to their specific circumstances!"

Hearing Empress Fu's words, Emperor Liu nodded repeatedly, a smile appearing on his face. Patting her back in praise, he said: "You truly think more thoroughly than I do—my idea was too hasty!"

Now, it was only before the Empress that Emperor Liu would so candidly admit his mistakes.

Empress Fu's words had reminded Emperor Liu of something. After pondering silently for a moment, he suddenly called out: "Is Baiyang here?"

Soon, a robust and handsome young palace guard entered the hall. Through the beaded curtain, he said respectfully: "What does Your Majesty command?"

A smile on his face, Emperor Liu said: "I ask you—do you think the young palace maids in the palace are beautiful?"

Baiyang, who had been preparing to receive a mission from the Emperor, was taken aback, utterly confused. He stammered, not knowing how to answer. Under Emperor Liu's repeated questioning, he finally blushed and answered in a low voice: "They are beautiful!"

"You're not married yet, are you!" Emperor Liu continued.

"No, I'm not!" Baiyang nodded, somewhat embarrassed: "My family has already been making arrangements!"

He had originally been a border soldier after enlisting, and later followed Yang Ye on the northern expedition. After surviving life-and-death dangers to return and report military intelligence, he was fortunate enough to be discovered by Emperor Liu and promoted to palace guard.

Though of humble origins, he could be considered a promising young talent—and being a palace guard by the Emperor's side, he had no shortage of matchmakers. It was just that there had never been an opportunity to make it happen.

"A man should marry when of age—what's there to be embarrassed about!" Finding Baiyang's reaction amusing, Emperor Liu said cheerfully: "No need to go to any trouble. I'll find you a wife, chosen from among the palace maids—pick the one you think is the most beautiful!"

Hearing this, Baiyang's eyes widened in astonishment. He said in shock: "Your Majesty, this... that... that wouldn't be proper! How would this lowly officer dare to presume?"

"What's all this 'this' and 'that'—do you think a palace maid is beneath you? You've served by my side for three years now without any promotion or reward, so consider this my blessing! This matter is settled. If you hem and haw any more, that will be defiance of orders!" Emperor Liu's words were somewhat stern, but his expression was as warm as a spring breeze.

Seeing this, Baiyang immediately knelt down, weeping with gratitude: "This lowly officer kowtows in thanks for Your Majesty's heavenly grace!"

"Alright, you may go now!"

After the Baiyang affair, Emperor Liu's mood improved considerably, and his thinking became clearer. Looking at Empress Fu, he said: "I will order the Ministry of War to draw up a list of unmarried soldiers in the imperial army stationed in the capital. As for the palace women with no families to rely on, they may select suitable young men from among the guards and imperial army to be matched with! What do you think?"

"That would be good as well!" Empress Fu naturally had no objections. Such arranged matches might not all be ideal pairings, but at least they provided a place of belonging.

Compared to most men in the realm, those from the palace guards and imperial army could all be considered good matches—their pay was more than enough to support a family of five.

Clearly, Emperor Liu could also use this opportunity to win over the hearts of the military once more—especially the young soldiers, who were easy to win over. It was a move that killed two birds with one stone.