Chapter 1569: A Rare Display of Initiative

It was only after some minor twists and turns that Wang Zhou and Xu Xi were able to gain an audience with Emperor Liu at the Qionglin Garden. Having already received word of their arrival, Emperor Liu displayed his benevolent countenance as a fatherly sovereign of the Celestial Dynasty, offering warm words of comfort to Wang Zhou, who was grieving the loss of his father.

While expressing regret and mourning over Wang Zhao's death, he also promptly agreed to their request for departure, firmly supported Wang Zhou's succession, and ordered the Ministry of Rites to send envoys to accompany Wang Zhou back to his country, to stand behind him and lend their endorsement — moving the young Wang Zhou deeply.

After meeting with Emperor Liu, Wang Zhou was completely at ease. On the road back to the city from the Qionglin Garden, he was so excited he could hardly contain himself, a slight smile involuntarily appearing on his face.

Clearly, compared to a high-ranking minister of Goryeo like Xu Xi, the Great Han's promise mattered far more. With just one word of support from Emperor Liu, he could return home with peace of mind to inherit the throne of Goryeo, without worrying about any other troubles.

"This Wang Zhou is quite an amusing fellow!" Inside the cool, refreshing flower hall, having summoned Liu Yang to play chess with him, Emperor Liu remarked with a sigh of emotion when the topic of Wang Zhou came up.

Liu Yang, who was seriously trading moves with Emperor Liu on the chessboard, heard this assessment and a slightly odd expression appeared on his face, as if he didn't quite know how to respond to such a remark.

Noticing his expression, Emperor Liu said: "What, do you also think Wang Zhou is somewhat absurd?"

Liu Yang nodded and said: "At such a young age, he indulges in comfort, wallows in pleasure, and spends money like water. As a crown prince of a nation, your son truly cannot imagine how bleak and dark the future prospects of Goryeo's subjects will be once they welcome such a sovereign."

Hearing his lament, Emperor Liu couldn't help but laugh: "Is this a good thing or a bad thing for the Great Han?"

He continued: "That Wang Zhao was considered a capable ruler, wasn't he? He reformed abuses, revitalized governance, worked diligently to strengthen the state, and consolidated royal power. And what was the result? Ambitious and reckless, he sought to challenge the Great Han's authority, ultimately bringing how much turmoil and how many losses to Goryeo?

Although Wang Zhou is unworthy, for the Great Han, having such a docile vassal ruler in power will instead improve relations between the two countries. Of course, no matter how he stirs things up within Goryeo in the future, or where Goryeo heads, the threat to the Great Han will diminish!

When Wang Zhao came to court back then, although he expressed submission, he also subtly indicated to me that he hoped the court would withdraw the Eastern Sea Fleet and return Jeju Island to Goryeo.

Clearly, as a vassal state of the Great Han, a sovereign like Wang Zhao was very unfriendly. Better to have a mediocre ruler on the throne!"

Hearing Emperor Liu's blunt statement, Liu Yang also chuckled lightly and said: "Your son also understands that it's not about how absurd and incompetent Wang Zhou is, but rather this man's attitude toward the court. In his two years in the Eastern Capital, although he was idle and playful, from what one can learn through indirect inquiries, this man holds great recognition for the Great Han.

Over so many years, how many nobles from foreign lands have lingered in the splendor of the Great Han, greatly increasing their goodwill toward the court. After they return, they will also spread word of the Great Han's prosperity and strength, making its might more deeply rooted in people's hearts — they will only admire it, not dare to rebel. This also invisibly eliminates conflicts and calamities..."

Hearing Liu Yang say this, Emperor Liu said: "That's one aspect. But have you also considered — the Great Han's prosperity and strength will naturally attract the admiration of foreign peoples, but will it not also arouse their covetousness? In the past, how many barbarians relentlessly sought to invade the Central Plains? Was it not precisely because they coveted this prosperous, wealthy, and splendid world of the Central Kingdom, its brilliant mountains and rivers?"

"This... your son did indeed overlook that!" Liu Yang subconsciously furrowed his brows. Perhaps Liu Yang himself hadn't realized that the frequency of his frowning had been increasing over the years — likely the pressure that came with responsibility.

Seeing his reaction, Emperor Liu said calmly: "There's nothing to be anxious about. As long as the Great Han is strong enough to protect its rivers, mountains, and people, why fear the covetousness of foreign states? Just maintain vigilance in times of peace and never grow lax!

That said, foreigners may linger and admire the Great Han's prosperity, merchants and commoners may take pride and immerse themselves in the nation's wealth and strength, but those who hold power in the court must always keep a clear head. If even you people become intoxicated by it all, problems will arise sooner or later!"

"Yes! Father's teachings, your son will keep them firmly in mind!" Liu Yang said immediately.

However, even as he said these words, Emperor Liu showed a slight look of disappointment. Clearly, he himself knew well — the reasoning was sound, but how difficult it was to actually achieve!

While he was on the throne, he could constantly urge and spur them on. Even if Liu Yang succeeded him in the future, he believed he could correctly lead the Great Han forward. But what about the sovereign after the next generation? And the one after that?

Thinking deeper, what surfaced in his mind was an answer that weighed heavily on the heart...

His tone involuntarily carried a hint of resentment as Emperor Liu said: "Speaking of this Wang Zhou, he does have the temperament of youth. Although his conduct is somewhat absurd, in the end he poses no great harm to the state.

Wang Zhou may be unpromising, but my sons, your brothers, the imperial princes of the Great Han — how much better are they? Not to speak of others, just take Liu Shu. From childhood to now, he received the same education as you all, with rulers and whips laid upon him, yet he still can't help acting willfully. If not for me keeping him in check, the absurd things he could do would probably be even more excessive than Wang Zhou!"

Hearing Emperor Liu's rebuke, Liu Yang gave an embarrassed smile and said: "Father's love for Ninth Brother is deep, and so his criticism is stern. Since the Clan Court lifted his restrictions, Ninth Brother has matured considerably. In his training with the Fengchen Camp, he has been very diligent, never absent or late..."

"What a fine elder brother you are!" Emperor Liu shot Liu Yang a glance and said: "Speaking up for him like this? If he had truly reformed, would he keep going to the Peony Quarter? What kind of place is that? Do you think I don't know? Hanging a sheep's head and selling dog meat — a flashy, vulgar establishment. It really ought to be banned!"

As Emperor Liu said this, Zhang Dejun, who was standing in attendance alongside Yan Tuo, couldn't help but show an awkward expression. He naturally knew the situation at the Peony Quarter well. Although he could tell Emperor Liu's words were just a momentary outburst, he couldn't help feeling uneasy, sensing it might be a veiled warning aimed at him.

"Wang Zhou and Xu Xi are probably anxious to return to Goryeo. The Ministry of Rites is sending people — keep an eye on it, and make sure capable officials are arranged!" Emperor Liu swiftly changed the subject and instructed: "Also, send orders to the Eastern Sea Fleet for Lin Renzhao to personally lead men to escort them across the sea back to their country!"

"Yes!" Liu Yang replied with a solemn expression.

So many years had passed, and the Great Han's military had undergone another generational shift. The old marshals and meritorious nobles who had fought to establish the realm had gradually retreated behind the scenes or to secondary positions, while the former backbone generals and a large number of second-generation nobles and rising stars had successively risen to prominence.

Now, the names renowned throughout the Great Han's internal and external armies were no longer the meritorious houses of Murong, Chai, Gao, Zhao, Xiang, and Wang. Replacing them were commanders such as Yang Ye, Guo Jin, Ma Renyu, Tian Zhongjin, Tian Renlang, Dong Zunhui, and Liu Guangyi.

This batch of men, with the exception of Yang Ye, were only slightly inferior in seniority, but in terms of achievements, combat experience, and command ability, they were unquestionably the backbone of the Great Han's military.

The navy, of course, could not match the army's dazzling array of stars, and its turnover was much slower. To this day, the man overseeing the affairs of the Eastern Sea Fleet — the most powerful naval force of the Great Han — remained the veteran general Guo Tingwei.

Of course, some up-and-comers were gradually making their names known, and Lin Renzhao was one of the representative figures. In terms of seniority and age, Lin Renzhao was no longer young, and he was also a surrendered general from the Southern Tang. But the man had real ability — proficient in both naval and land warfare. During the northern expedition, he had fought with the Eastern Sea Fleet and rendered distinguished service.

He now commanded the Deng-Lai Fleet, responsible for the security of the Great Han's northern seas, and was one of the few senior admirals in the navy. Of course, precisely because of this, there was no shortage of gossip within the court, as the Great Han's navy was filled with a large number of southern commanders — whether Guo Tingwei or Lin Renzhao, both were surrendered generals from the Southern Tang.

On this matter, Emperor Liu's attitude was also very clear: northerners ride horses, southerners sail ships. For a technical branch like the navy, if you don't use southern officers and soldiers, are you going to use northern landlubbers?

Back when he had Xiang Xun command the Jingjiang Army, it had already been asking too much of him. Moreover, now that the realm was unified and north and south were mixed together, deliberately distinguishing between north and south was nothing short of self-contradiction and self-inflicted conflict. Therefore, Emperor Liu paid no heed to those dissenting voices and instead heavily promoted the southern naval commanders — after all, they were the professionals.

As for the question of loyalty, given the current situation of the Great Han and the authority of the court, how could there be any fear of rebellion? Furthermore, the navy was a military force even more dependent on court support than the cavalry and infantry, and thus easier for the court to control.

"This morning, Fifth Brother came to me, hoping to represent the court and accompany Wang Zhou to Goryeo!" Liu Yang reported to Emperor Liu.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu immediately showed a surprised expression and said with unexpectedness: "How come he, who loves to idle away in his comfort zone, is willing to travel far from home?"

Liu Yang said: "Fifth Brother said that after all these years, he has never handled any affairs for the court or shared Father's burdens, and he feels guilty about it. Additionally, he has some friendship with Wang Zhou, so the idea stirred in him..."

"I think he's just restless from too much idleness!" A trace of a smile still lingered at the corner of Emperor Liu's mouth: "Still, this counts as a good thing. It's rare for him to take the initiative to think of doing some business for the court. Approve his request — let him go to Goryeo as the principal envoy! An imperial prince of the Great Han representing the court to offer condolences — the court is certainly giving Goryeo plenty of face!"

"Naturally!" Liu Yang said, his reaction quite calm. He had merely put in a word for Liu Yun. If Emperor Liu agreed, so much the better; if not, he had done his part.

But clearly, Emperor Liu would not refuse. When it came to the imperial princes of the Great Han, Emperor Liu was always happy to see them go out and gain experience — a point Liu Yang understood very well.