Chapter 1594: The Posthumous Memorial

"If I remember correctly, Guobao must be nearly thirty by now!" After chatting for a while, Emperor Liu steered the conversation toward Wei Xianxin, who had been waiting upon him respectfully at his side, and asked with a smile.

"Your Majesty, your servant has just reached thirty!" Wei Xianxin was somewhat surprised by Emperor Liu's attention, and dared not be negligent, so he stepped forward steadily and replied.

"At this age, you're hardly young anymore. You've established a family and a career—your pair of children can already run about the courtyard and the streets playing. Why is it that you yourself remain unknown, quietly keeping to this mansion?" Emperor Liu asked with a smile: "Why not have your father find you some post?"

Hearing this, Wei Renpu felt a slight tightening in his heart, but he did not speak, only watching his son. Wei Xianxin seemed to catch the implication beneath the words, and said unhurriedly: "The instruments of state—how could they be granted through private channels? Your servant already has two elder brothers, both virtuous and capable, who follow our father's aspirations and serve in the localities, loyal to Your Majesty and devoted to the court. Your servant is without virtue or ability, unequal to heavy responsibility, and can only remain at home serving his parents to fulfill filial piety, handling some trivial household matters.

Moreover, favored by Your Majesty's heavenly grace and sheltered by my father's shadow, your servant has already been granted the rank of Court Gentleman for Ceremonial Service, drawing the court's salary and enjoying Your Majesty's kindness. Your servant has rendered not a single merit to the court, yet receives emolument without achievement—already a source of shame. Knowing my place and content with what I have, how could I presume to ask for more..."

"Does Court Gentleman for Ceremonial Service even count as an official post?" Emperor Liu laughed instead, and said to Wei Renpu: "Daoji, they say that before a chancellor's gate, even a seventh-rank official stands. You were once Chief Chancellor, first among all officials, a model for the assembled ministers, and an old companion from the founding days, one of the Twenty-Four Ministers. How can you be so stingy with your own son?

Court Gentleman for Ceremonial Service—a scattered official of the seventh rank, junior grade. In the court, if there aren't a hundred, there are eighty of them. Far too ordinary, far too humble. It's a matter of a single word from me..."

Hearing Emperor Liu speak thus, Wei Renpu could not but respond. A trace of emotion appeared on his aged face as he said with deep feeling: "Though your old servant has some small merit and slight labor, Your Majesty's kindness to me and my sons is truly weighty as Mount Tai. I should be moved to tears of gratitude—how could I be insatiably greedy?

Moreover, my eldest and second sons have both already been appointed to important posts in the prefectures—all thanks to Your Majesty's care and favor. As for my youngest son, his temperament is tranquil and indifferent; his ambitions do not lie in officialdom. If he can manage the household and keep the family, that is already enough to comfort me.

As for Court Gentleman for Ceremonial Service, why call it humble? How many subordinate officials across the realm work diligently yet have not even entered the official register? How many petty clerks toil for ten years before receiving substantive appointment from the court?

This youngest son of mine has not a single inch of merit toward the court, and entered office merely through hereditary privilege. Your old servant already feels the favor is too generous..."

"You father and son are truly cut from the same mold—equally modest, equally content!" Hearing his explanation, Emperor Liu chuckled and remarked: "I've seen plenty who fight over power, profit, fame, and favor. Take hereditary appointments—how many meritorious ministers and honored nobles wish they could secure substantive posts and fat sinecures for all their sons and younger brothers?

You father and son are a refreshing current in this court! Hearing your words, I feel a sense of ease and delight!"

"Your Majesty, it is not that we father and son are aloof and self-righteous!" Seeing Emperor Liu painting with a broad brush, Wei Renpu had no intention of isolating himself, and said slowly: "Your Majesty's rewards and the court's offices—we father and son both enjoy them. We merely feel that such blessings should not be taken for granted..."

"Those words are honest! They please my ears as well!" Emperor Liu smiled.

His gaze once again fell upon Wei Xianxin. He had not noticed before, but only now did he observe that this man's clothing was truly plain. Though the garment was of brocade, who knew how long it had been worn, and he carried no ornaments of gold or jade upon his person. That air of calm contentment—he must have learned seven-tenths of it from Wei Renpu.

A hint of approval could not help but show in his eyes. Emperor Liu said to Wei Xianxin with a beaming smile: "Guobao, you are truly different from the sons of ordinary meritorious ministers and honored nobles. I have seen so many young men of the younger generation—they are all eager and ambitious, full of aspirations, wanting to render service and establish achievements. Are you truly not the least bit tempted?"

"Your servant's talents and knowledge are shallow..."

Wei Xianxin wanted to exchange pleasantries with Emperor Liu, but was cut off directly by Emperor Liu, who said: "I like humble people, but excessive modesty is not merely arrogance—it reveals hypocrisy!"

These words were rather severe, startling Wei Xianxin. The honest man's face flushed red with alarm, and he looked flustered, wanting to defend himself, but Emperor Liu waved a hand: "Being peacefully content is not the same as lacking great aspirations. Since you were born into a noble house and eat the court's rice, you bear duties and obligations toward the court.

If you wish to keep yourself unsullied and stand aloof from the world, it is not so simple! Moreover, how can a true man remain cooped up in a mansion, handling mundane chores? I think you should step out of this mansion and see something of the wider world!"

In Emperor Liu's words, the intent to bestow office was already quite clear, yet Wei Xianxin seemed at a loss—should he respectfully receive the imperial instruction, give thanks for the favor? Or should he decline? He could not help but cast a pleading look toward his old father.

Seeing this, Wei Renpu also spoke up on his own initiative, his attitude still as peaceful and candid as ever: "Your Majesty's encouragement of my dog of a son is his honor. If there is a bestowal, a minister should naturally kowtow in thanks. However, your old servant hopes that after he has seen this old wreck of a father to his grave, he may then seek to serve the state. If Your Majesty's intention remains unchanged by then, he will surely devote himself utterly and serve diligently in the king's affairs!"

"Daoji, since you have spoken thus, how could I forcibly take away this filial sentiment?" Emperor Liu quietly studied Wei Renpu for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "I have noticed that the Ministry of Revenue needs to replenish several Vice Bureau Directors. Seeing that Guobao manages his household well, I feel he is equal to the task. However, since matters have come to this point, let the post of Vice Bureau Director of the Ministry of Revenue be kept aside for him for now!"

"Your Majesty, you must not let this personal matter delay state affairs!" Wei Renpu said.

Emperor Liu waved his hand: "State business is certainly complex and multifarious, but it will not be delayed by one more or one fewer person. If it were, that would mean either the institutions are imperfect or the officials are not exerting themselves!"

"What Your Majesty says is most true—your old servant's understanding was shallow!"

Sweeping his gaze over the father and son, Emperor Liu laughed again, and said in a teasing tone: "So many people want promotions and higher office, hoping to be entrusted with heavy responsibility. They seize every opportunity, openly and covertly, dropping hints and using every means to beg the court for positions. Yet here I am, rarely taking the initiative to offer a promotion, only to be politely declined. Now that truly is a rare thing..."

Emperor Liu wore an expression of having had a novel experience, but Wei Renpu dared not treat it as mere banter at all, and replied cautiously: "Your Majesty's words fill this old servant and his son with even greater trepidation!"

Emperor Liu paused, then gently shook his head: "That was not my intention—merely a passing reflection!"

He sighed softly, calming that inexplicable emotion, and looked directly at Wei Renpu, saying peacefully: "The reason I came to your mansion this time, besides inquiring after Daoji's illness, is that there is one more matter I wish to ask about, hoping you can resolve my confusion!"

Hearing this, Wei Renpu said respectfully: "If Your Majesty deigns to inquire, your old servant will naturally speak all he knows without reservation!"

Emperor Liu smiled slightly: "I have heard that Daoji's illness is grave, and that you have even prepared a posthumous memorial. I am somewhat curious—is there something you could not say to my face while still alive? Are you trying to emulate Wang Pu? Or is it that after death, one dares to speak more boldly?"

This light, casual remark from Emperor Liu made Wei Renpu's face change drastically. However frail and weak his body, he had to force himself to support his ailing frame, and with difficulty knelt at Emperor Liu's feet. Word by word, solemn and earnest, his trembling voice even gained some strength: "Your Majesty, please see clearly—your old servant has absolutely no other intention. It's just, it's just..."

Even Wei Renpu, renowned for his intelligence, did not know how to answer in the face of such a question. This kind of probing, heart-searching inquiry was not something that could be explained or responded to in a few words.

In the end, Emperor Liu did not truly demand an explanation from Wei Renpu. After another stretch of awkward, tasteless small talk amid the father and son's cautious responses, Emperor Liu departed for the palace, not even staying for a meal.

However, his purpose had been achieved—at least he had confirmed his suspicions. Wei Renpu indeed had things he wished to tell him, and his heart harbored too many matters, but was constrained by certain reasons—unwilling, or rather afraid, to speak directly.

On this point, it must be said that Emperor Liu harbored a knot in his heart. After so many years of sovereign-minister bond, what was there to say that required such concealment and evasion, refusing to speak plainly, and instead preparing a posthumous memorial so early!