Chapter 1619: The Wansui Hall Banquet

It wasn't just Emperor Liu—the assembled guests were equally engrossed. Everyone knew the Great Han was now powerful, wealthy, and prosperous, but nothing was more convincing than such a detailed summary of the actual state of affairs.

The ministers, especially those led by Zhao Pu, listened with particular seriousness, the corners of their mouths curling up, unable to hide their smiles, wearing expressions of pride. This was understandable—after all, the Great Han's achievements were not only Emperor Liu's founding merit, but also the fruits of their own service as pillar ministers of state. The two complemented each other.

Especially in the past decade, the one who had truly risen before dawn and retired after dark, toiling over state affairs, was the Crown Prince—and himself, Zhao Pu. Zhao Pu knew very well that when posterity spoke of the Kaibao governance, they would remember not only Emperor Liu but also him. After all, he was truly the "Kaibao Chancellor," while the others could only be called "Kaibao Famous Ministers"—that was a gap in historical standing.

After finishing the ten-thousand-character congratulatory address, Xue Juzheng was thoroughly exhausted; by the end, his voice sounded even more aged. After all, he was a veteran minister nearing seventy—this kind of "physical labor" was truly hard on him.

Seeing Xue Juzheng's face full of fatigue, Emperor Liu smiled lightly: "This has been hard on you, Minister Xue. You've worked diligently!"

"Your Majesty is too kind! To be appointed Master of Ceremonies is this old minister's honor!" Xue Juzheng clasped his hands in a bow, replying with uneven breath.

Emperor Liu nodded, then glanced sidelong at Yan Tuo standing nearby, and said: "What are you standing there dumbfounded for? Why don't you hurry and help Duke Ji into his seat!"

"Yes!" Yan Tuo was startled, then quickly reacted, acknowledged with a word, and hurried forward to support Xue Juzheng, who could barely stand, guiding him toward the seats of the dukes.

Seeing that trembling figure, Emperor Liu couldn't help turning his head and murmuring to the elder Lady Fu: "This Minister Xue—he's getting on in years, yet he insists on showing off his strength. No amount of persuasion could stop him."

Hearing this, the elder Lady Fu also covered her lips with her hand and said in a low voice: "That's not something Duke Xue should hear. On this auspicious day, he's also using this to express his loyalty to His Majesty!"

Emperor Liu smiled, then turned his head to look at Zhao Pu, who sat at the head of all the ministers, and said in a relaxed tone: "All of you—it's just a birthday, yet you've made it so grand, adding so many new procedures and elaborate rites. Look at Duke Ji—if you exhaust him to the point of collapse, see how you'll answer for it!"

Emperor Liu hadn't joked with anyone in a long time. This sudden outburst caught everyone off guard, and the air fell silent for a moment, which rather embarrassed Emperor Liu himself.

Clearly, under Emperor Liu's long-standing authority, the ministers could hardly avoid feeling oppressed. On ordinary days, they kept all their emotions tightly reined in before Emperor Liu, fearful of any lapse in propriety—let alone in a setting like Wansui Hall.

It was Prince of Jin, Liu Xi, who knew how to handle things. Hearing this, he laughed out loud. Laughter is contagious—although many hadn't yet figured out what was funny, and some even thought Emperor Liu was displeased and rebuking Zhao Pu, there were still some shrewd people who followed suit and laughed, and the atmosphere in the hall was soon warmed into ease and merriment.

Zhao Pu stood up, a smile on his face: "Your Majesty, for Duke Xue's hard work, your servant will personally visit his home to express gratitude. Today is Your Majesty's birthday, and Your Majesty has forbidden the ministers from presenting gifts. But coming empty-handed, I always feel the etiquette is lacking, and my heart is uneasy."

Zhao Pu appeared very composed. As he spoke, he bowed deeply and said: "May I ask Your Majesty to permit your servant to say a few words of felicitation! On behalf of all the court officials, your servant wishes Your Majesty boundless fortune and longevity, a thousand autumns of long life, and wishes the Great Han prosperity and flourishing, with the rivers and mountains eternal!"

As Zhao Pu's words fell, a number of ministers immediately echoed him. Following that, perhaps feeling that Zhao Pu's congratulatory words were direct and to the point, the others also spoke up one after another, their voices gradually unifying, almost shaking the hall's beams. The scene seemed less like a birthday celebration and more like a court assembly.

Emperor Liu wanted to make the atmosphere relaxed and harmonious, but clearly that was still somewhat difficult. He was an old emperor now, and whether old or new, his ministers only had reverence and fear left for him. Even at this festive celebration, beneath every face wreathed in smiles was hidden an emotion that could be called oppression.

Lu Duoxun was also among the crowd offering congratulations. Although his conflict with Zhao Pu had long since become public, on such an occasion he had no choice but to follow the crowd. His seat was several places away from Zhao Pu's. When he lowered his head, his gaze deliberately fixed on Zhao Pu's back for a couple of glances, his eyes seeming to say: Fine, Zhao Pu, so you're sweeping the ministers along with you? At least you don't represent me, Lu Duoxun...

At this moment, Emperor Liu's mood was clearly very cheerful—the wrinkles on his old face were almost creasing from smiling. After Zhao Pu, representatives from the Crown Prince, the imperial clan, the various ministries and bureaus, the regions, and the envoys of various states came forward one after another to offer congratulations to Emperor Liu.

Then a group of imperial grandsons, in an organized manner, walked to the foot of the vermilion steps and knelt down together, bowing to Emperor Liu and the elder Lady Fu, reciting in unison the congratulatory words prepared for them by the adults. These crisp, childish voices added a touch of warmth to Wansui Hall.

Emperor Liu's grandsons and maternal grandsons, boys and girls together, now numbered more than twenty, and this time they were rarely gathered all in one place. Though they were all still half-grown children—the eldest, Liu Wenyuan, was only fifteen—the sight of descendants filling the hall still brought Emperor Liu exceptional comfort and joy. In his eyes, these children were likewise the future of the Great Han Empire.

"All of you, rise!" With his grandchildren, Emperor Liu naturally had no need to put on airs. He chuckled and raised his hand toward them, then said to Liu Wenyuan, the eldest son of Liu Xu, and Liu Wenhai, the eldest son of Liu Xi: "Wenyuan, you're the oldest; Wenhai, you know the palace well. The two of you lead your younger brothers and sisters off to play. Enjoy yourselves to the fullest—today there's no need to mind the palace's rites and rules!"

"Yes!"

The imperial grandsons ran off in high spirits, and Wansui Hall suddenly seemed much quieter. Of course, the musicians at the side of the hall continued to calmly and skillfully play their soothing melodies.

Judging that the atmosphere was about right, Emperor Liu slowly rose and unhurriedly walked up to the not-very-tall imperial dais. The moment he moved, the hall fell truly silent. Everyone instinctively lowered their heads, not daring to glance around casually, quietly waiting for Emperor Liu to speak.

Emperor Liu looked down from his elevated position, sweeping his gaze around the hall. Seeing this familiar scene of ministers bowing their heads, his heart no longer stirred much—he was merely marshaling his own emotions.

After a moment, he finally spoke unhurriedly: "Here, I must first thank you all—not because you've come to offer me birthday wishes, but because you've accompanied me all the way to this point, braving wind and rain together, hewing through thorns and brambles together. It is precisely with your support that the Great Han's present glory has been forged. You are all meritorious ministers of the Great Han, meritorious ministers of the realm.

I ascended the throne at eighteen, and it has now been a full thirty-two years—thirty-two springs and autumns, thirty-two years of wind and rain. I still remember that it was in this very hall that the late emperor entrusted the thousand-jun burden to me. In the early days of my succession, we were beset by troubles at home and abroad, the state was poor and the people destitute—how difficult the circumstances were! At that time, I trod as if on thin ice, forgetting food and sleep, not daring to slacken, fearful of failing the late emperor's trust. Even now, thinking back, I am filled with emotion.

Fortunately, with loyal and devoted men like you giving unflagging support, the Great Han was preserved, and we broke through every difficulty and obstacle to create the peaceful realm we have today.

Thirty-two years is truly a very long time. In that long passage of years, some have grown old, some have passed away, and the court has taken on new faces. But in my eyes, there is absolutely no distinction between old and new—only between the loyal and the treacherous.

Some say that in the Great Han Empire, one group of men conquered the realm and another group governs it. That statement is somewhat oversimplified, but it has some truth to it.

However, the meritorious ministers who conquered the realm—I remember them; the capable ministers who govern the realm—I will likewise not forget. The realm will not forget, and the annals of history will not forget!"

Emperor Liu's words were somewhat hollow—half from the heart, half pure courtesy. Nevertheless, the ministers present, especially the old meritorious nobles, reacted with particular enthusiasm, their faces full of emotion, some even shedding tears of gratitude. Had they not feared interrupting Emperor Liu's speech, they might have rushed forward to pledge their loyalty.

As he spoke, a wine cup had already appeared in Emperor Liu's hand. He paced a few steps and continued: "What Duke Ji just read out moved me deeply—not for the part singing praises of my achievements, but for the accomplishments in the Great Han's development and construction that it enumerated. What I heard was the flourishing age of the Great Han's Kaibao era; what I saw was the peace and well-being of the realm's myriad people. With this, I feel that these thirty-odd years of hardship were not in vain.

I once said: fifteen years to pacify the realm, fifteen years to govern the realm. Now, I can also say with head held high that the goals I set have been achieved.

But looking back, I too have grown old. Half a century of life, and this beard and hair of mine have likewise turned half white. Yet though I am old, my ambition remains. I will continue to walk on, and the Great Han will continue to walk on. I only wonder whether you ministers seated here still retain your ambition—whether your original intentions remain unchanged?"

The moment Emperor Liu finished speaking, the entire hall erupted. Imperial princes, clan members, meritorious nobles, and ministers all prostrated themselves, declaring their unwavering resolve and their willingness to follow His Majesty unto death...

"I won't say more—a thousand words, ten thousand words, all in this cup of wine!" Emperor Liu raised his voice somewhat, then very heartily drained the wine in his cup in one gulp. Of course, had the cup been a bit larger, it would have added even more boldness to the gesture.

Soon, this imperial palace banquet held in the name of celebrating a birthday officially began. The inside and outside of Wansui Hall was a first-rate stage—bright and resplendent, a riot of colors. Emperor Liu and his ministers were the protagonists of this stage, and in the harmonious and congenial atmosphere, everyone was putting on a performance...