Chapter 1583: Heart-to-Heart Talk

"Fine shooting!" A voice of praise rang out across the grassy training grounds of the palace gardens, where the shade was sparse. Yang Ye, clad in martial robes, looked at Emperor Liu with a face full of smiles, nearly clapping his hands in admiration.

The autumn breeze brought a refreshing coolness, stirring the ends of Emperor Liu's hair. The autumn sun cast a somewhat pale light upon his face, revealing a visage adorned with a smile.

Thirty paces away stood three archery targets. In the middle one, a few arrows were scattered about, one of which had struck the very center of the bullseye and was still quivering slightly.

Facing Yang Ye's rather half-hearted praise, Emperor Liu shook his head and said, "I've loosed so many arrows, yet only one found its mark. Such archery... tsk tsk... Chonggui, if you want to flatter me, you should learn a thing or two from Zhao Pu and the others..."

Hearing Emperor Liu's teasing words, Yang Ye felt a slight flush of embarrassment and gave an awkward smile: "Your Majesty jests. Your servant was merely speaking from the heart."

Emperor Liu cast a glance at Yang Ye, a look that made him somewhat uncomfortable, then smiled again: "You are not a civil official. Those flattering words of theirs, those honeyed praises—don't bother learning them, for you wouldn't master them anyway. You and I know each other well as sovereign and subject; just be natural!"

"Yes!" Yang Ye could think of nothing else to say but assent. After a moment's deliberation, he spoke solemnly: "If we speak of shooting men or shooting targets, Your Majesty's archery may lack some technique. But when it comes to hunting game in the wilds, Your Majesty's arrows never miss their mark!"

"Enough!" Emperor Liu waved his hand and said, "When I have you people accompanying me—whether playing chess, shooting arrows, or drinking wine—every one of you fawns over me with sweet words, more pleasing to the ear than the beauties of the harem. But hear such talk too often, and it grows cloying, wearisome!"

Emperor Liu these days spoke more and more freely, caring little whether his words might embarrass those he conversed with. Raising his hand, he tossed the stiff bow in his grip to Yan Tuo. Yan Tuo was caught somewhat "off guard," appearing flustered, yet he caught the bow's body steadily—though the comical clumsiness of his haste drew a chuckle from Emperor Liu.

"You move around a bit too—don't just stand there like a post!" Emperor Liu turned his attention to the Crown Prince Liu Yang, who was attending at his side, and pointed toward the targets ahead, giving the order.

"Yes!" Liu Yang revealed a somewhat sluggish smile, took up a bow as well, and said, "Your son will make a poor showing!"

Liu Yang's archery skill was likewise rather lackluster. Emperor Liu had once joked that it was inherited from him. Of course, the Crown Prince, who had spent these years perpetually busy with state affairs, had little leisure for such games and amusements. Neglecting his training, his skill naturally left much to be desired.

The Crown Prince began practicing his archery in a stiff, methodical manner, while Emperor Liu turned and walked back to a seat at the side. Plopping himself down, he beckoned Yang Ye to sit with him.

Taking a silk cloth handed to him by a palace eunuch, he wiped his hands, then suddenly grew interested and examined them closely. To be honest, Emperor Liu's hands were somewhat unsightly—not long and slender, with loose, fleshy skin. Despite so many years of ease and comfort, they had not turned fair, and the calluses left by years of activity had not faded; indeed, under the accumulation of time, they had grown even harder.

Stretching out his hand before Yang Ye's eyes, Emperor Liu said with a smile: "Look at these hands of mine. They have held both brush and blade. Yet my brush and ink produced no fine essays, and my martial arts were mediocre at best. So how was I able to pacify this chaotic age and unify all directions? Clearly, it was not I who settled the realm, but you—meritorious ministers of outstanding talent, loyalty, and valor!"

"Your Majesty overpraises me; your servant is deeply honored!" Yang Ye responded, "In your servant's view, heaven has one sun, and a state has one sovereign. If Your Majesty leads and spurs us with wisdom, we humble servants would merely toil in vain, knowing not why.

It is precisely because of Your Majesty's extraordinary judgment, surpassing courage, and far-reaching vision that the Great Han now stands at its zenith like the sun at high noon. Your Majesty's grace is profound, treating us as meritorious subjects—but we only have the opportunity to display our talents and gain renown by relying upon Your Majesty's majesty and protection..."

"I never imagined that you, Yang Chonggui, would become so silver-tongued. Those words of flattery just roll off your tongue one after another!" Emperor Liu was quite pleased by this barrage of praise, especially coming from an "honest man"—it earned extra points.

And as it turned out, Yang Ye could indeed learn the ways of Zhao Pu and those ministers—it was merely a question of whether he was willing to follow the crowd.

"Enough of this idle chatter!" Emperor Liu leaned back against the chair's backrest, his expression turning serious: "How fare things with the Palace Command? I've heard some rumors that since the Palace Command's establishment, among all its successive commanders, you, Yang Ye, have been the most idle..."

Why this was so—Emperor Liu certainly had his own inkling. But by raising the question, what he was truly testing was Yang Ye's ability to respond.

Yang Ye was clearly taken aback. After mulling it over, he said: "The Palace Command has long had established regulations, all with their basis. Above, we have the guidance of the Bureau of Military Affairs; below, we have the assistance of the Chief Generals of the various armies. Your servant, as commander, need only act according to the rules..."

Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled and said: "It seems you are indeed quite comfortable as commander. I think that's fine too—it's not only those who toil ceaselessly from dawn to dusk who count as good ministers and capable officials.

However, though those rumors are not worth mentioning, they are still somewhat grating. In the days ahead, you must develop a greater sense of urgency! The matter of military reform will eventually be rolled out in full. This concerns the armies of the entire realm, the very security of the Great Han. You who serve as commanders and generals must pay particular attention.

I know the affection you hold for your soldiers, and there are indeed many brave and loyal officers and men in the ranks. But for the sake of the greater picture, what must be changed, what must be altered, must be done.

I firmly support this decision of the court. Since the major policy has been set, no doubt will be tolerated—it must be pushed forward with full effort. You too must cooperate fully, be sure to soothe the morale of the troops, properly settle the retired officers and soldiers, and see that no disorder arises.

wucuoxs/42219/"Against the Heavens"

The army is the most reliable guarantee of the Great Han's stability. Corrupt officials, treacherous ministers, and rebels are of no great concern—anything may be in chaos, but the army must never be!

The imperial army is the cornerstone of the realm's forces, the court's personal guard, the bulwark of the capital region—and the Palace Army is the most crucial of all. This reform begins with the imperial army as a trial, but the trial must produce results, setting an example for the reorganization and restructuring of the entire realm's forces.

Though the central government has organized a group of people to handle this matter specifically, I am not entirely at ease. In the critical areas, I must rely on you commanders and generals to keep watch for me.

You are the commander of the Palace Command. You must bear responsibility for the reduction and reform of the Palace Army. Problems are certain to arise—resolve them properly. If you encounter difficulties, you may go to the Bureau of Military Affairs, to the Hall of State Affairs, to Zhao Pu, to the Crown Prince, or to me..."

Rambling on at length, Emperor Liu spoke a great deal. Amid this verbose discourse, Yang Ye's expression gradually grew serious, and even after Emperor Liu finished, he had not yet fully processed it all.

Noticing Emperor Liu's expression—as if he had more to say—Yang Ye finally rose and bowed solemnly: "Your servant has taken in Your Majesty's instructions fully. I will cooperate wholeheartedly with the court's policies, without a word of dissent!"

Seeing Yang Ye treat the matter with the same gravity as receiving a military command, satisfaction appeared on Emperor Liu's face. He nodded: "You, Yang Chonggui, are a man of your word. Since you have given me your assurance, I believe you!"

"Thank you for Your Majesty's trust!"

"By the way, this military reform is not simply a matter of reducing troops. It touches upon every aspect. After the military system changes, how will border defenses be adjusted? How will the armies be deployed? How will the regular troops and the militia coordinate? Including changes to the military supply and logistics system—you should also begin thinking about these matters!" Emperor Liu added in a tone of concern.

Yang Ye was slightly taken aback and hesitated: "Your Majesty, these matters are for the Bureau of Military Affairs and the Hall of State Affairs to consider. They lie outside your servant's authority..."

"Do you think you can be commander of the Palace Command forever?" Emperor Liu said with a light laugh.

Seeing Yang Ye's thoughtful expression, Emperor Liu said bluntly: "Let me speak plainly. Your future post will be either a position in the Bureau of Military Affairs or an assignment to the border regions—and I lean toward sending you out.

With the military reform, the imperial army and the local forces of the interior prefectures will be easy enough to handle; even if problems arise, they won't be too severe. But the border regions are different. After the reform, the new border defense system will need to be built and perfected—that requires experienced commanders like you to implement and execute it before I can rest easy. Therefore, you must participate deeply in the reform process!"

Emperor Liu's words were sincere enough, and Yang Ye clearly felt it. After a brief moment of thought, he replied earnestly: "Your servant understands. Thank you for Your Majesty's high regard!"

. wap.