Chapter 1593: Mutual Flattery

The arrival of Emperor Liu clearly caught the Yu Duke's mansion off guard, with no preparations in place. Thus, as Emperor Liu leisurely stepped through the mansion gates, the household remained in a flurry of disorganized activity, much like a leadership team caught in a surprise inspection.

Since there was no preparation to begin with, they simply made no deliberate effort to put on a show. As the guards skillfully took control of the entrances and exits, all the commotion subsided, and the Yu Duke's mansion settled into a tranquil winter stillness.

Wei Renpu, frail and aged, was personally supported out of the hall by his third son, Wei Xianxin. He was indeed beset by age and illness—even bowing was visibly laborious for him.

"Quickly help Duke Yu up!" Emperor Liu instructed Yan Tuo.

Yan Tuo moved nimbly forward and, together with Wei Xianxin, helped Wei Renpu to his feet. Emperor Liu then said, "When the body is unwell, there's no need for such trouble in coming out to greet me. Between ruler and minister, why cling to such formalities?"

Though Emperor Liu spoke thus, Wei Renpu still completed all the proper rites with his usual respectful demeanor: "Your Majesty's visit is already the honor of this entire household. Failing to come out in time to greet you was already an act of negligence—how would I dare use old age and illness as an excuse..."

Seeing Wei Renpu's aged and feeble appearance, Emperor Liu's cold exterior seemed to crack open. Somewhat moved, he said to him, "Daoji, you truly have grown old. Your complexion is far worse than it was three months ago."

Three months prior, at the Mid-Autumn night banquet, Wei Renpu had still been in attendance. Though old then, he had not yet declined to his current state. Now, Wei Renpu's face was covered in age spots, his frame even more gaunt—no longer the plump prosperity of before, nearly too frail to withstand a gust of wind. Yet his gaze remained calm and full of wisdom, his bearing still composed and unruffled.

Emperor Liu had already stepped forward to take Wei Renpu's hand. This display of warmth, in the eyes of those "in the know," seemed almost too unreal.

"All men must grow old and die—this old servant is no exception. Having foolishly lived over sixty years, I am already content. How would I dare contend with the natural order of heaven's way?" Wei Renpu spoke in a hoarse, aged voice, offering a serene smile.

Wei Renpu's hand was thin as withered bone and somewhat cold. Seeing his calm, water-like composure, Emperor Liu immediately praised him: "With such bearing, among all the ministers at court, I fear only Daoji possesses it!"

"Your Majesty overpraises me—how would I dare accept such words?" Wei Renpu shook his head.

Emperor Liu's words were, of course, mere pleasantries. Still, he had indeed witnessed too many elder statesmen who, even unto death, clung to the mortal world. Wang Pu was the most conspicuous example—his ten memorial articles were his final attachment to the Great Han, their echoes still lingering.

Of course, Emperor Liu had selectively adopted those ten articles of Wang Pu's.

Entering the hall, there was another round of polite exchange. Emperor Liu spoke with a voice full of emotion: "Over these years, old friends have withered away one by one. How many elder statesmen have departed from my side—it grieves me deeply. You have accompanied me through over twenty years of storms, surviving countless hardships and dangers. Now that the realm is at peace, just when you should be enjoying your blessings, fortune does not last long. Thinking of it brings a sigh!"

Hearing this, Wei Renpu also sighed: "Your Majesty's concern for us old servants moves us to tears of gratitude. But we were born into chaotic times, drifting through the world. To have encountered a sage ruler, to have followed a brilliant lord, to unify the realm, to pacify the age of chaos, to establish immortal achievements, and still to enjoy this unprecedented era of peace and prosperity, receiving the glory of today—this life is enough!

Your Majesty once said that each generation produces its own talents. This old servant deeply agrees. For one as decrepit as I, to have weathered difficult times alongside Your Majesty, to have contributed modestly to the Great Han—now that I am old, I should naturally retire to obscurity and yield my place to those who come after.

Now, the court lacks neither loyal men of resolve nor capable officials of talent. They all gather beneath Your Majesty's banner, following you, enabling the Great Han to reach a pinnacle that commands the world's attention. Such grandeur, such soaring spirit—for this old servant to observe from the sidelines is a delight to the eyes and heart.

This was the aspiration and goal pursued through years of wind and rain, with tireless dedication. With achievements complete and an age of prosperity arrived, there is truly no regret. If there is anything to lament, it is that old age and illness cling to me, that I am nearing my end, unable to accompany Your Majesty on a longer journey, unable to witness the Great Han's even more glorious future..."

Hearing Wei Renpu's gentle words, Emperor Liu was somewhat moved, his eyes seeming to redden. He said, "Daoji speaks entirely from the heart. But the meaning within your words—when I hear them, I do feel a certain desolation, and all the more sorrow..."

"Your Majesty!" Hearing Emperor Liu speak thus, Wei Renpu immediately smiled bitterly and begged forgiveness: "The old grow sentimental. This old servant has also grown muddled with age, no longer knowing how to speak properly, causing Your Majesty to misunderstand..."

Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled as well. Wei Renpu's words were actually quite clear in their logic and rich enough in sentiment.

Looking at Wei Renpu's sickly face, Emperor Liu said, "Daoji, I heard of your illness long ago. I have always wished to come visit you in person, but alas, hindered by misgivings, I could not make the journey.

The reason is those four words you spoke: the old grow sentimental. Garments are best when new, but companions are best when old. I am even less willing to witness the parting of another old minister and old friend.

In the past, I often pitied myself, sighing over age and declining strength. To be honest, that was mere posturing, empty affectation—in my heart, had I ever truly accepted old age?

But in recent years, it has become increasingly heartfelt. I feel more and more that the passage of time heeds no human sentiment. Take my legs, for instance—they grow ever more reluctant to move. Every autumn and winter, I feel the torment all the more keenly.

The suffering Duke Li Ruzi endured back then—I now understand it ever more deeply, and I feel all the more how difficult your lot as ministers is!"

"Your Majesty, compared to the twilight of us old, benighted fools, you are in the prime of your years—why speak thus!" Wei Renpu's tone had already taken on a note of consolation.

Emperor Liu shook his head: "The warmth and cold of the world, only one's own heart knows. The taste of it is truly hard to share! Among emperors, some have reigned to seventy. Can I still rule for another thirty years?"

Hearing this, Wei Renpu fell silent, seemingly unsure how to respond. After a moment's deliberation, he finally said, "Your Majesty exhausts yourself for the realm of the Great Han—it is truly too arduous, and the sacrifice too great!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu burst into laughter: "Had this assessment been given twenty years ago, I would have deserved it without shame. But applied to the last decade, it would make me blush with embarrassment! Those words should be said to the Crown Prince, to that pack of chancellors led by Zhao Pu!"

Wei Renpu, however, said, "Had Your Majesty not governed with vigor and diligence, working tirelessly through those first twenty years, how could there be today's stability? Your Majesty is the pioneer of the Great Han, its founder. Without Your Majesty, how could there be today's Great Han?"

"I have heard words of flattery and praise aplenty, but spoken from the mouths of you old ministers and former companions, they feel all the more intimate, like drinking fine wine!" Emperor Liu said with a light laugh. "After all, you are the only ones who have truly walked this path alongside me. You always like to heap all the great achievements upon my shoulders alone, but do I not know in my heart that such a vast realm could never have been won or held by one man alone?

Take you, Wei Daoji—you have followed me since the days of my princely residence, offering counsel and suggestions to great benefit. In the nation's times of hardship, you devoted yourself wholeheartedly, lending steadfast support.

In this bright and clear world, in this peaceful age, your contributions and toils are the greatest. If I were to pride myself on my own abilities, I would be unworthy of what I have received, and would invite ridicule!

I am no Li Cunxu, and I will never become a Li Cunxu!"

Wei Renpu echoed: "Zhuangzong of the Later Tang could be called a hero of his generation, yet he was but a man of the moment—good at the start, ill-fated at the end. Compared to Your Majesty's genius in establishing peace for ten thousand generations, he is truly insignificant!"

"Heh heh!" Emperor Liu said. "The matter of Li Cunxu should serve as a warning. I constantly remind myself not to repeat that mistake. But you still elevate me too highly. Establishing peace for ten thousand generations—that is something even a sage could not accomplish. What virtue or ability do I possess..."

The conversation had, imperceptibly, turned into Emperor Liu's lamentations, with Wei Renpu's cautious agreement carrying a hint of insincerity, somewhat dull. Emperor Liu wished to recapture the old harmony between ruler and minister, but in the end, he could not return to those days.

It was not that Wei Renpu and the others had turned away from Emperor Liu—it was simply that Emperor Liu had become too lofty, so high that even these old companions from his earliest days found it hard to draw near, and dared not draw near.

. wap.