Chapter 1616: The Conversation

Compared to the others, Prince of Qin Liu Xu's family arrived in the capital much later, not returning to Kaifeng until mid-February of the eighteenth year of Kaibao.

It was not only because the journey was long and transportation inconvenient, but also because they set out late—after the New Year, Liu Xu held a consolation meeting with the various tribal vassals who had submitted to the Great Han, soothing their hearts, and only after making detailed and thorough arrangements for the affairs of the Andong Protectorate did he hurriedly head south.

To make up time, he abandoned the slow and laborious land route, traveling mostly by boat. After reaching Liaodong, he changed to seagoing vessels, crossed the sea to Henan, then switched to Bian River boats, following the Ji River and Wuzhang River route to Kaifeng—this was how he won back the time.

By the time Liu Xu returned to Kaifeng, the entire Eastern Capital was already immersed in a harmonious and joyful atmosphere. Lanterns and decorations were hung everywhere, and the scholars and commoners of the Eastern Capital seemed eager to take this opportunity to celebrate properly and release the emotions suppressed over the past several months.

Wang Yucheng's memorial of remonstrance had indeed had some effect on Emperor Liu, but the Jiaqing Festival celebration had been prepared for a long time, with people, matters, and things all arranged—it could not be easily changed, as that would waste resources and also go against Emperor Liu's wishes.

So Emperor Liu thought of economizing and restraining things during the New Year and the Lantern Festival of the eighteenth year. In the past, every New Year, the court would organize two grand gatherings.

First, at the start of the new spring, the New Year's Day court assembly was held, where Emperor Liu delivered a New Year's address, summarized and discussed the military-political situation and construction achievements of the past year, and then looked ahead to discuss the national economy, people's livelihood, and policy adjustments for the new year.

The true New Year celebration was held on the Lantern Festival itself—within the palace, an imperial banquet was held with ruler and ministers rejoicing together; outside the palace, the whole realm celebrated together with the people.

But in the spring of the eighteenth year of Kaibao, whether it was the New Year's Day court assembly or the Lantern Festival night banquet, both were conducted with strict frugality—indeed, they had not been so meager since the Kaibao era began. Under Emperor Liu's will, everyone suppressed their enthusiasm for the new year, waiting for the arrival of the Jiaqing Festival.

With the court behaving so, the common folk of the Eastern Capital were naturally greatly affected. Unlike previous years, the people's New Year was also tasteless and dull—though firecrackers sounded everywhere, the atmosphere was somehow lacking.

Only when the Jiaqing Festival drew near did the entire Eastern Capital, from top to bottom, become joyful again. The common folk began to stir with activity—when the whole realm was celebrating, no one dared to be unhappy.

Facts proved that festivals and celebrations were indeed quite necessary. Even the lowliest commoners, struggling to make a living, needed a reason to be happy, an opportunity to vent their emotions.

For the scholars and commoners of the capital, there had probably never been a year like the eighteenth year of Kaibao when they so eagerly anticipated the Jiaqing Festival. There was a sense of "planting willows carelessly only to find shade grown"—the Jiaqing Festival's impression on the people's hearts had been deepened.

Liu Xu's itinerary after returning to the capital was much the same as Liu Fang's and Liu Xi's. Before he arrived, Crown Prince Liu Yang had even specially sent people out of the city to welcome him. Afterwards, he first brought his family into the palace to pay respects to Emperor Liu, then went to pay respects to Empress Fu, and exchanged pleasantries with his several brothers.

However, what was special about Liu Xu was that on the very night of his arrival, Emperor Liu summoned him for a private audience.

It was already mid-spring. Unlike the gentle breezes and warm sun of daytime, the spring night carried noticeably more chill, and Emperor Liu, in plain clothes, could not help but drape on an outer robe.

For summoning Liu Xu, Emperor Liu had prepared only a cup of light tea as hospitality. When Liu Xu arrived at Chongzheng Hall, Emperor Liu was personally boiling water to brew the tea.

"Father!" Walking directly to the tea table, Liu Xu respectfully performed a bow. The dominance and sharpness he displayed in Andong seemed to melt away completely before Emperor Liu.

"Sit!" Emperor Liu glanced at him, unhurriedly replacing the water with fresh, and said softly: "Sit!"

"Yes!" Liu Xu wasted no words, lifted his robe, and sat down with a very upright posture.

Liu Xu was not entirely undisturbed by this private audience with Emperor Liu. Having been away for years, communication between father and son had been scarce, and estrangement was inevitable. But Emperor Liu was someone he had to face—after all, even after managing Andong for seven or eight years, everything he had, and his future, still lay in Emperor Liu's hands.

Though he had some sources of information, Emperor Liu's changes over the years, his current state, and his views on him—these were all impossible to probe, and could only be guessed at through indirect signs.

And Liu Xu also had too many ideas and suggestions to present to Emperor Liu, hoping to gain his approval and support. But all of this depended on Emperor Liu's attitude, and that was precisely where Liu Xu felt most uncertain at the moment.

Of course, no matter how many thoughts he had in his heart or ideas in his mind, when facing Emperor Liu directly, Liu Xu still appeared very calm and composed. After the drum-remonstrance case of that year, Liu Xu's depth of character had grown ever more profound.

Emperor Liu focused on pouring the tea, gently pushed it before Liu Xu, raised his head to look at him directly, a trace of warmth in his gaze, and said: "You have done very well in Andong, rendered great merit for the court, and deserve reward. However, your title is already that of Prince, and you should not lack for wealth. I cannot think for the moment how to reward you, so let this tea serve as a token of my appreciation!"

These lightly spoken words from Emperor Liu put Liu Xu on twelvefold alert. What did this mean? It was almost an implication that there was no higher honor to bestow—for any minister, this was a dangerous signal.

Of course, Liu Xu was different after all—there was a distinction between close and distant kin. He was the eldest imperial son, so he could be spared some of the concerns of ordinary ministers. Moreover, he had only pacified Andong on a small scale; in terms of merit, it was far from being particularly great.

Therefore, after brief consideration, Liu Xu replied: "Thank you, Father! But I truly do not dare accept. Andong is still not fully pacified—how could I speak of rewards? I only hope that I will not disappoint Father's expectations!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled faintly: "You're putting on official airs with me too? It seems you have indeed been tempered by experience!"

Emperor Liu still looked at Liu Xu calmly, and said with feeling: "If we speak of expectations, your deeds in Andong over these years have already far exceeded my expectations.

Developing the Northeast was a grand national policy I personally established, but many in the court knew—and the ministers and high officials had long reached a consensus—that the development of the Northeast lay mainly in Liaodong!

As for Andong, it was a place of mixed barbarians, barren land, a territory of loose control—few in the court truly valued it. Over these years, the court's main support for the Northeast has also gone to Liaodong. That Andong, starting from nothing, could reach its present state—without question, you deserve the foremost credit!

This point, I am very clear about!"

Emperor Liu's words were filled with recognition, and Liu Xu was somewhat surprised. But the more so, the more caution grew in his heart. Cupping his hands, he said humbly: "In governing Andong, I still have many shortcomings—there are places where I was too hasty, where I overstepped my authority. I beg Father's forgiveness!"

"Andong, well!" Emperor Liu smiled: "Special places naturally require special governance. There has never been a single policy that could work smoothly across the entire realm. To implement and carry things through, one must adapt to local conditions!

Your methods and policies in Andong may have been somewhat radical and stirred much controversy, but without them, how could that remote and impoverished land have developed?

On this point, you need not carry any burden in your heart!"

"Thank you for your understanding, Father!" Liu Xu's expression finally showed some emotion, and he said earnestly: "With Father's support, I will surely devote myself wholeheartedly. One day, Andong will be greatly pacified, all the barbarian tribes will submit, and Andong will become a fully governed territory of the Great Han!"

Emperor Liu nodded, and with a gesture of his hand said: "Drink your tea!"

"Yes!"

The fragrance of tea filled the air, steam rising from the teacup in curling wisps, diffusing through the atmosphere and making the mood of the father-son conversation even more harmonious.

However, after the cup of tea was finished, Emperor Liu turned serious again: "But although I have given you certain privileges, and Andong is special as it may be, no matter when, Andong is still under the court's governance!"

Saying this, he glanced at Liu Xu and spoke unhurriedly: "Though you are in Andong, you must not be entirely unaware of some of the opinions in the court! There are already those in the court calling you the King of Andong. I would like to ask you—do you want to be the Prince of Qin, or the King of Andong?"