Chapter 1621: The Rhythm of Great Strife

The late-February spring sunlight was not merely bright—it was almost coquettish, teasingly spilling in silken threads between the palace halls. It was precisely because of this fine weather that Emperor Liu had not holed himself up in Chongzheng Hall; compared to the beautiful spring light outside, the palace's ornate exterior only made its interior seem darker and damper.

The reclining chair Emperor Liu had used for over twenty years sat crosswise before the hall, with a low table beside it laid with fruits and pastries. Emperor Liu, clad in a single layer of garments wrapped in a thin outer robe, lay languidly on his side, basking in the gentle caress of the warm spring sun.

Under the sunlight, Emperor Liu's graying beard and hair shimmered against the rays, as if competing to see which was whiter and brighter. Emperor Liu lay there quietly, peaceful and serene, exuding a sense of returning to simplicity, of merging back into nature—a temperament rarely seen in him.

It was not until a shadow fell across Emperor Liu's face that—without a word, without even opening his eyes—he merely furrowed his brow. The "culprit" who noticed Emperor Liu's frown immediately retreated two steps, returning the sunlight to him, and only then did his expression settle back into calm.

"What is it?" Emperor Liu's voice was not as lively as the spring day; it sounded lazy and languid.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived." Yan Tuo spoke in a low voice, cautious and humble, clearly afraid of shattering the atmosphere of Emperor Liu's self-indulgent reverie.

"Why bother announcing? Let him come over!" Emperor Liu replied casually. "Prepare a seat for the Crown Prince as well!"

"Yes!"

Soon, passing through the palace eunuchs, maids, and guards who stood nearby with heads bowed and hands folded, the Crown Prince came before the imperial presence to pay his respects. Emperor Liu finally opened his eyes, paused for a moment to adjust, then properly took in the bright world before him and noticed Liu Yang standing respectfully at attention.

"Sit!" Emperor Liu raised a finger lightly and said in a soft voice: "Your face is as heavy as water, your brows carry worry—what troubles you so?"

Hearing this, Liu Yang gently shook his head and sighed: "Father, why ask what you already know? The quarrels in Guangzheng Hall are both irritating and infuriating—I truly feel helpless!"

Emperor Liu wore a look of surprise: "What? Still arguing? Still no resolution?"

"Not only is there no resolution—the civil and military officials are deadlocked, and it shows signs of escalating further. Who knows when it will end!" Liu Yang looked exasperated.

"Indeed!" Emperor Liu, however, held a completely different attitude, saying with a smile: "It's been a long time since the court has been this lively!"

Emperor Liu's attitude of watching the fire from across the river, almost clapping in applause, made Liu Yang pause. He couldn't help but hesitate: "But in my view, this endless bickering not only fails to solve the problem but also harms court harmony and is detrimental to unity..."

Hearing this, Emperor Liu's eyelids lifted slightly as he glanced at Liu Yang and said flatly: "A little quarreling isn't a bad thing. You've been in governance for so many years—surely you're not so naive as to think that harmony within the court means all is well under heaven?"

"Words unspoken are unclear, principles undebated are unrefined. Having you gather the civil and military officials isn't to hold a cordial tea party—it's to let you hear the voices from the localities. If their words are unpleasant to hear, you can't just silence them! Zhao Pu argues with them until red in the face, but how is it that you've gotten swept up in it too?" Emperor Liu said.

Emperor Liu's words left Liu Yang somewhat dejected. He smiled bitterly: "Your son's mental fortitude is far inferior to yours, Father. I cannot match your breadth of vision. In the past, the court has seen disputes, but never before have they been so sharply opposed as this time!"

Emperor Liu was silent for a moment, then said: "This shows that within the Great Han court and officialdom, contradictions have indeed festered, and the localities have accumulated no small amount of resentment!

The court is one body, but between the central government and the localities, contradictions are inevitable. Court ministers, seated high in the halls of power, must view problems from the height of the entire nation when implementing policies. The ministers in the localities are not entirely lacking in overall perspective, but when one serves as an official in a region, governing that region, their stance inevitably leans toward local considerations. This is not incomprehensible."

Pausing, Emperor Liu continued unhurriedly: "However, as you said, in the past there was never such a surge of collective agitation. It seems that over these years, these regional grandees have grown increasingly confident—they've even started bargaining directly with the court!"

Emperor Liu's tone was calm, but the implication in his words was chilling: "Perhaps some people have sat in their positions for far too long!"

Liu Yang's heart trembled slightly. He felt Emperor Liu's words were ambiguous, because if one were to speak of those who had held their posts longest, the first would be Zhao Pu. Of course, there was another person, but Liu Yang dared not even think in that direction.

"I'm also curious—Zhao Pu has served as chancellor for sixteen years, his orders resounding across the realm. Who would still dare to contend with him?" Emperor Liu said with amusement, deepening Liu Yang's contemplation.

"Chancellor Zhao has governed for many years and has always persuaded through reason!" Liu Yang replied after a moment's thought.

Seeing that Liu Yang was still subtly defending Zhao Pu, Emperor Liu smiled: "Where is the fiercest contention now? Still on the issue of national tax revenue?"

Liu Yang nodded: "Exactly!"

"Having heard so many appeals and witnessed so much strife, what is your view?" Emperor Liu asked.

Liu Yang: "I believe Chancellor Zhao and the others' considerations are more farsighted. Moreover, the share of tax revenue retained locally was set by you, Father. It has been implemented for so many years without ever causing problems. The opinions of the regional ministers are inevitably somewhat narrow-minded!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu shook his head: "I have said more than once—no policy can guarantee ten thousand generations. When the court governs, it must adapt to the times and circumstances. Rigid adherence to the status quo often means conservatism, means standing still!"

These words surprised Liu Yang. In his calculations, Emperor Liu should have sided with Zhao Pu and the others—and indeed, Zhao Pu and his faction were clearly following Emperor Liu's will.

Therefore, after hesitating, he said: "Does Father intend to agree to their requests?"

Emperor Liu shook his head again: "I didn't say that either. You must first understand—what is the purpose of the regional ministers banding together to petition? If there are truly deep-seated problems in the localities that have reached the point where change is unavoidable, then the court must deliberate and respond. Ultimately, it is they who govern the localities, and their sentiments need to be appeased!"

At this, Liu Yang fell silent, not immediately responding.

After a while, Emperor Liu chuckled lightly: "What are you thinking about?"

Liu Yang looked at Emperor Liu, clasped his hands, and said: "I am thinking how this matter should be resolved. We cannot simply let this endless dispute continue! If it were merely a clash of political views, that would be one thing—but now it has escalated to mutual recrimination. This is not a good omen!"

Emperor Liu raised an eyebrow and said: "You're referring to Lu Duoxun, aren't you!"

Liu Yang looked somewhat embarrassed but did not deny it: "Chancellor Lu believes Chancellor Zhao is obstinate. He thinks the localities' requests deserve consideration—even if not fully accepted, at least some portion should be recognized. He also met with me privately, hoping for my support. He said that if these pillar ministers of the state were to return empty-handed, it would deepen the contradictions between the central government and the localities in the future, and would also hinder the implementation of major court policies!"

"That Lu Duoxun!" Emperor Liu couldn't help but snort derisively: "The nerve of him to say such things! No matter how overbearing or autocratic Zhao Pu is, at least his stance is sound. But what about Lu Duoxun?"

"Consumed by lust for power!" Emperor Liu said coldly, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes. Lu Duoxun truly never learned his lesson.

This was the first time Emperor Liu had expressed dissatisfaction with Lu Duoxun in front of Liu Yang, and he had opened with words that struck at the heart. Yet Liu Yang felt little joy at this—even though he genuinely detested Lu Duoxun.

At the same time, a chill ran through him. Clearly, no matter how much Emperor Liu had previously valued Lu Duoxun—even when he tilted the scales between him and Zhao Pu—it had only been for the sake of balancing power, treating Lu Duoxun as nothing more than a tool.

"What is Zhao Kuangyi's view?" Emperor Liu suddenly thought of something and asked.

Liu Yang: "Basically consistent with Chancellor Zhao's!"

"You see!" Emperor Liu laughed: "I know full well that Zhao Kuangyi and Zhao Pu are at odds beneath the surface, but on this matter, he's sitting squarely on the right side!"

Liu Yang found it difficult to comment, for Zhao Kuangyi was now the spokesman of the meritorious nobility faction, and he also shared a rather close familial connection with him.

"This matter must be resolved eventually. I humbly request your instruction!" Liu Yang rose and said with some gravity.

"What, do you need me to weigh in on even this small matter?" Emperor Liu's eyes sparkled with a hint of light, seeming somewhat nonchalant.

"Other than you, Father, I fear no one can resolve this dispute!" Liu Yang said.

Though it was somewhat flattering, Emperor Liu was clearly pleased by it. Still, his mouth did not let up, and he said to Liu Yang: "You, as Crown Prince, must also start playing a role! Before, I had you listen more, observe more, and learn more. Now, you must also open your mouth and speak more!"

"Thank you for your confidence, Father. But I still lack experience and need to learn from you!" Liu Yang said modestly.

Emperor Liu neither confirmed nor denied this. After pondering for a moment, he said: "How long has it been since the court conducted a large-scale rotation of these pillar ministers?

It's time to shake things up—otherwise, before long, the officialdom of the Great Han will become a stagnant pool..."