Chapter 1505: The Stubborn Emperor Liu

"Your Majesty, I have a request, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it!" As if something had occurred to him, Zhao Pu clasped his hands and said solemnly.

Seeing Zhao Pu's grave expression, Emperor Liu was somewhat surprised and waved his hand, saying, "Speak!"

"I understand that this tour of inspection is meant to survey the disasters and show concern for the people's plight. However, the epidemic crisis has not yet been resolved. For the safety of Your Majesty's person, I beg you to refrain from personally visiting the afflicted areas and not to venture into danger!" Zhao Pu stated his request.

Hearing this, the smile on Emperor Liu's face faded somewhat, but there was no sign of anger or displeasure, for Zhao Pu was after all concerned for him, acting out of loyalty and with the greater good in mind.

Yet Emperor Liu clearly had his own thoughts. In a calm, unhurried tone, he said, "Since you, Minister, understand my intentions, why must you obstruct me?"

"Your Majesty's person is precious beyond measure, the dignity of a sovereign whose chariot is ten thousand chariots—it concerns the very foundation of the state and cannot be taken lightly!" Zhao Pu maintained his stern expression and said earnestly, "If Your Majesty is truly worried about the people in the disaster-stricken areas, I can go in your stead, to spread the imperial grace..."

In ordinary times, or on other matters, Zhao Pu would not dare to speak so bluntly about substituting for the emperor. But when it came to risking danger in the emperor's place, Zhao Pu spoke with great composure—that was loyalty, after all.

Facing Zhao Pu's "sincere" remonstrance, Emperor Liu's brow furrowed slightly. After pondering for a moment, he said calmly, "I can appreciate your sentiments and your concerns. But you all constantly remind me that all under heaven is the king's land—is there any place within the Great Han that I cannot go?

The people of the disaster-stricken prefectures and counties are equally under the court's governance, equally my subjects, no different from those of other circuits and prefectures. Now that they are in difficult times, precisely when they need their spirits lifted, need assistance, need full support—what could inspire their hearts more than my personal presence to comfort them?

This tour of inspection is not for sightseeing or pleasure-seeking in Kaifeng. I want to see the situation in the Central Plains with my own eyes. These past months, the officials and people along the river first fought the floods, then fought the epidemic, and are still persevering through hardship. If I stop at the Eastern Capital and go no further, how would the people in the disaster areas view me, how would the world view me? I will not do things merely for reputation.

I want the devastated prefectures and counties of the Central Plains, and the starving people of the disaster areas, to know that the court stands with them, that I stand with them..."

Hearing Emperor Liu speak such lofty words, the corner of Zhao Pu's mouth twitched involuntarily. For a moment, he felt at a loss for words. When the emperor spoke so grandly of righteousness, any further talk of protecting his person or not venturing into danger would make Zhao Pu seem petty.

"I still beg Your Majesty to think it over thrice!" Nevertheless, Zhao Pu did not give up, saying in a deep voice.

"I will consider it!" Emperor Liu waved his hand and said confidently, "All these years I have campaigned east and west, traversed flashing blades and gleaming swords, crossed mountains of fire and seas of boiling water—what danger have I not experienced? As for epidemics, when we fought in Huainan, they occurred as well, and I was right in the midst of them, yet I came through safely..."

Emperor Liu continued to speak boldly, polishing his own image, while both his tone and demeanor radiated the two words "stubbornly self-opinionated."

Looking at Zhao Pu, he continued, "In recent years, the court has invested so much effort in medicine and pharmaceuticals, and has made considerable achievements in epidemic prevention. I trust our medical officers and physicians, and I also trust the local officials and people.

You yourself said the epidemic is already under control. If that is so, then are the disaster-stricken prefectures and counties some dragon's pool or tiger's den that I dare not cross? If so, that would mean the relevant officials have not fulfilled their duties, that prevention and control have not been done properly. In that case, what Minister Zhao should do is not stop me, but hold those responsible for epidemic response to account..."

Why bother? Seeing Emperor Liu hold forth so eloquently, Zhao Pu silently asked himself.

But seeing Emperor Liu's resolute and determined expression, it was clearly very difficult to sway his will. After thinking it over, Zhao Pu said with a grave countenance, "Your Majesty's love for the people fills me with the deepest admiration. If Your Majesty's resolve is firm, then I beg that Your Majesty first rest at the Eastern Capital, and only go in person once the epidemic situation has further improved!"

Zhao Pu rarely remonstrated so stubbornly, and Emperor Liu could not bring himself to say anything harsh, for the man was after all thinking of his welfare. After mulling it over, he felt he should give his chancellor some face, so he relented and nodded, saying, "Very well then! I expect there will be no shortage of delays once we reach the Eastern Capital!"

Seeing this, Zhao Pu finally breathed a sigh of relief, while inwardly resolving that he must urge the prefectures and counties in the epidemic zone to strengthen screening and treatment, and improve efficiency.

Emperor Liu could speak grandly with overwhelming force, but Zhao Pu could not afford to be negligent. Better safe than sorry—if Emperor Liu were to be infected, the matter would become truly grave.

If that happened, as the highest-ranking chancellor accompanying the imperial entourage, he would bear the primary responsibility. Even the single charge of failing to remonstrate effectively would be enough to invite attack, even though he had already tried his best to persuade.

In fact, Zhao Pu's days had not been easy of late. The state had faced so many troubles, buffeted by wind and rain—first floods, then epidemics, both on a considerable scale, as if heaven's punishment had fallen or a curse had been laid. There was much discussion and gossip throughout the court and the realm.

Even though from start to finish, Emperor Liu had consistently demonstrated his determination and policy guidance of "man can conquer heaven," giving unreserved support to the governing group led by Zhao Pu in disaster relief and people-saving efforts, even striking harshly at those defeatist elements who looked to prayers and worship of gods.

But as it turned out, the human heart is always hard to fathom. Emperor Liu's forceful authority could silence the court, but it could not control what people thought. And in any great disaster or chaos, there are always those who fish in troubled waters—all sorts of demons and monsters rising one after another, seizing every opportunity and using every means to make their presence felt.

First the floods, then the epidemic—beneath the natural calamities, there was no shortage of man-made disasters. When the state suffers such turmoil, there is always a reason, and someone must be held responsible.

The theory of heaven-man resonance could not be casually invoked—one could not pin it on the emperor, nor on the Crown Prince. So the target of many clever people turned to Zhao Pu.

If the fault lay not with the sovereign's virtue, then it must lie with the administrators' conduct. And within the Great Han court, the one in charge of governance was Zhao Pu. Under Zhao Pu's administration, his authority was firmly established. Many feared him, depended on his favor, and had many followers—but there were just as many opponents, especially among the meritorious nobles.

During the flood-fighting, Emperor Liu shielded him, so attacks could not gain traction. But once the floodwaters receded and the epidemic arose, rumors against Zhao Pu surged once more. Although Emperor Liu still chose to trust and support Zhao Pu, he ultimately did not resort to overly crude or drastic measures again—some words and actions could only be done once, not repeated.

As a result, the pressure naturally fell on Zhao Pu. As the Chief Chancellor of the court—second only to the emperor, wielding great power—how could he feel pleased at heart receiving those baseless accusations and attacks?

Yet even so, he could not retaliate, at least not openly. He could neither intensify conflicts nor affect the harmony within the court, and he had to cooperate with Emperor Liu's principle of "broadly opening the channels of remonstrance."

After all, submitting memorials was the right of court officials and censors. They acted according to the court's institutions, overstepping nothing—it was merely that the one they impeached happened to be him, the chancellor. Speaking of harmony amid disharmony, many situations appeared utterly absurd.

At the same time, to display the magnanimity befitting a chancellor, he had to keep smiling—if not turning the other cheek, then at least keeping his heart as still as still water. Perhaps what galled him most was that some people simply placed their impeachment memorials directly on his desk, Chancellor Zhao's—that was more unbearable than swallowing a fly.

The sovereign and minister chatted, and the matter came up in conversation. Emperor Liu even spoke of it casually, as if treating the situation as a joke. Zhao Pu several times seemed about to speak but held back, wanting to offer one more piece of advice—hoping Emperor Liu would place some restraint on the memorials and impeachments of ministers and remonstrance officials. Even the broad opening of channels should have limits; at least in Zhao Pu's view, it should not be left to whim, and impeaching on hearsay was unacceptable.

But the words reached his lips and would not come out, for after all, the one currently suffering from it was none other than Zhao Pu himself. Offering advice was easy, but one had to consider the consequences and implications, and it could easily give others ammunition. After weighing the matter, he decided to hold his tongue and make other plans.

Emperor Liu could not easily see through Zhao Pu's inner struggle, but his expression of wanting to speak yet holding back was quite evident, and the anxiety rarely seen in him was also perceptible.

After thinking for a moment, Emperor Liu revealed a warm smile like a spring breeze and comforted him, saying, "Minister Zhao, you have been wronged these days. Among the court officials, who is all talk and who works diligently—I have a clear picture in my mind.

As for those recent impeachments in court, I haven't even glanced at them. Of course, on my end, memorials praising and commending you are equally numerous.

As the saying goes, one whose reputation fills the world will also be slandered throughout the world. The current situation only shows that you, Chancellor Zhao, are a capable minister of the Great Han. You have done well as chancellor, and you should continue—do not be shaken by the clamor of the court and the realm.

Of course, some people have indeed gone too far—impeaching on hearsay, making mountains out of molehills, wasting paper to say nothing of harming the court's atmosphere. It is time to rein them in..."

Hearing Emperor Liu say this, even Zhao Pu could not help but feel a measure of reassurance, as if a warm current flowed through him—His Majesty was indeed wise. At that moment, he even felt he had achieved a kind of heart-to-heart understanding with the emperor.

Of course, it was but a fleeting sensation. Zhao Pu quickly composed himself and said deferentially, "Your Majesty is sagacious! I am filled with admiration! Other than devoting my utmost loyalty and effort, I have nothing with which to repay Your Majesty!"