Chapter 1630: Forceful, Conspiratorial

"You said yourself that banditry in Hexi has a long history, but why not think about why repeated suppression fails to stop it, why repeated killing fails to eliminate it?" Emperor Liu continued, not stopping there: "Don't tell me the Golden Silk Road attracts covetous eyes, and don't tell me the ten-thousand-li yellow sands and dense Gobi make it hard to eradicate. There is some truth to those reasons, but what I want to emphasize is people—our officials, our officers and soldiers. What are they doing? Have they done their best?

Is it that peace has lasted so long, life has grown too comfortable, and they don't want to stir up trouble? If they have already done their utmost and bandits can still be this rampant, then the civil and military officials of Hexi are unnecessary. If they deliberately let things slide, that is even more detestable!"

As he spoke, a murderous edge crept into Emperor Liu's tone: "I have heard before that horse bandits rob to get rich, and officers suppressing bandits also get rich. If banditry never ends, suppression never stops—what they call nurturing bandits to weigh one's own importance—and it turns a profit besides, why wouldn't they do it?

I cannot help but suspect—was it really so-called horse bandits who robbed and killed the Kara-Khanid envoy mission?"

Seeing Emperor Liu's suspicions growing ever more extreme and frightening, Liu Yang's heart could not help but grow uneasy—not from fear, but from concern that an Emperor Liu in such a state, with such suspicions, might make some unnecessary decisions.

Without regard for what Liu Yang was thinking, Emperor Liu continued on his own: "As for the Kara-Khanids, before the matter is investigated clearly, why rush to send envoys? To explain to them? To give them an account? To expose our own weaknesses, showing how stable the Great Han is, showing how capable Hexi's civil and military officials are—they can't even protect an envoy mission?"

Facing this sarcasm from Emperor Liu, Liu Yang remained composed and replied in a low voice: "That may be so, but the envoy mission was after all killed within our borders. They came from a thousand li away bearing gifts and met such misfortune. Even out of the magnanimity befitting a great power, we should make some gesture—at the very least, send someone to inform them..."

"That little Kara-Khanid state, a minor border kingdom in the Western Regions, is not worth mentioning!" Emperor Liu understood Liu Yang's meaning, but there was a fury in his heart he could not vent, so he spoke somewhat unreasonably:

"What dispute are you afraid of? It's plain to see—if the Kara-Khanids were reasonable, they would not blame the Great Han. If the Kara-Khanids fail to read the times and pick a conflict over this, then so much the better—we'll destroy them in one stroke, fully recover the Western Regions, and thoroughly open the trade route to the West.

Doesn't Liu Min feel he has no place to use his martial talents? I think if it came to that, he would be very pleased..."

Prince Wei, Liu Min, is currently in Anxi, with his headquarters at Gaochang, commanding the Western Regions. Emperor Liu had always placed great importance on the entire northwest and had never relaxed his attention. His understanding was also very clear: the borderlands of Monan, Mobei, and Andong, no matter how chaotic, could hardly pose a fatal threat to the Central Kingdom. But the northwest was different—if it descended into chaos, it could drag down the entire empire.

Thus, besides sending Prince Zhao, Liu Fang, to the northwest in earlier years, he later also arranged for Prince Wei, Liu Min, to go to Anxi. These two imperial princes most versed in military affairs were both placed in the northwest region, which showed how much importance Emperor Liu attached to it.

Emperor Liu's overbearing words were filled with a domineering mindset. Liu Yang felt somewhat helpless—this was also a matter of temperament; he himself leaned toward a gentler way of handling matters.

At least regarding the Hexi affair, the Kara-Khanid state appeared to be the injured party, the aggrieved party. For the Great Han to show a bit of sincerity to maintain friendly relations between the two countries would be the most convenient and beneficial course. But following Emperor Liu's attitude and manner of doing things would inevitably create some unnecessary repercussions and provoke some unnecessary disputes.

However, Liu Yang found it hard to offer further counsel. He was also afraid Emperor Liu would give him another assessment of being "weak"... And in fact, was Liu Yang truly weak? Perhaps he presented a gentle face in daily life, but on matters of major principle, Liu Yang had never retreated when firmness was required—he was merely more reasonable.

As for Emperor Liu, who knew how many years it had been since he last had the patience to reason with anyone. In his old age, his thinking and his way of doing things were marked by crudeness, obstinacy, arrogance, and self-absorption.

Emperor Liu did not notice the slightly complex expression that appeared on Liu Yang's face. Instead, he knit his brows, thinking—could this matter have been done at Liu Min's instigation? Stirring up a dispute between the two countries, seizing the opportunity to raise troops and destroy the Kara-Khanids, building merit and establishing achievement?

However, this momentary thought was quickly extinguished by Emperor Liu. How paranoid would he have to be to think such a thing? Liu Min was a good child; he could not possibly do something like this...

Yet this casual thought opened a line of reasoning for Emperor Liu. The whole affair was permeated with the unusual from start to finish. He had been too angry before; thinking calmly now, he smelled the scent of conspiracy.

Emperor Liu fell silent, and the hall quieted for a time. Seeing him deep in thought, the others dared not disturb him. Liu Yang stood respectfully, Zhao Pu sat as still as an old monk in meditation, Wang Yinwu still knelt without daring to rise, and as for Zhang Dejun—there was no seat for him, and standing made him none too comfortable...

After a long while, Emperor Liu became aware of the odd atmosphere in the hall. His gaze shifted and locked directly onto Zhao Pu. In a deep voice he said: "Zhao Qing, what are you thinking? Why do you not speak?"

Since entering the hall, apart from performing the ritual greeting, this old fellow Zhao Pu had not spoken a single word or made a single sound—clearly something was amiss.

His name being called, Zhao Pu started as if jolted by an electric shock from his meditation. He rose nimbly, walked to the center of the hall, and bowed: "In response to Your Majesty, this old minister was also pondering this matter."

"Oh? Then tell me, what have you pondered? With Zhao Qing's insight, I expect there are some striking arguments!" Emperor Liu said.

"I would not presume!" Zhao Pu's manner was exceptionally deferential as he said calmly: "Regarding the handling of this case, this old minister believes that what Your Majesty has said and what the Crown Prince has suggested both have merit. They can be somewhat combined and arranged together!"

Hearing this, the slight frown on Emperor Liu's brow showed displeasure. This Zhao Pu actually dared to paper over the cracks between him and the Crown Prince.

However, Emperor Liu did not interrupt Zhao Pu but let him continue. Zhao Pu, as if unaware, said: "Furthermore, this old minister believes there may be hidden circumstances behind this case!

First, whether the bandits who committed the robbery were truly horse bandits has yet to be determined and requires detailed investigation.

Second, even if it was the work of northwestern horse bandits, it reeks of the bizarre. Most importantly, what was the purpose of the horse bandits who committed this crime?

If they sought wealth, traveling merchants and villages within the borders were all available choices. Compared to an envoy mission of a state guarded by an entire contingent of officers and soldiers, the former was clearly easier and less dangerous.

Moreover, once they struck, they would inevitably invite the full-force crackdown and comprehensive retaliation of the court and the Hexi government. Though horse bandits are fierce and unafraid of death, they would never walk deliberately into a dead end!

Even the most greed-blinded person would weigh things carefully when faced with life and death! Therefore, this old minister believes that behind the robbery and killing of the envoy mission, there is another conspiracy!"

It had to be said that Zhao Pu's insight was always this clear, striking straight at the crux. His suspicion evidently struck a chord with Emperor Liu, who wasted no more words and asked directly: "The conspiracy Zhao Qing speaks of—what does it refer to?"

"This... this old minister would not presume to make wild speculations!" Zhao Pu hesitated, then said.

"Speak directly!" Emperor Liu's tone suddenly turned harsh, his voice abruptly louder by several degrees, startling everyone.

Zhao Pu remained composed as ever. After weighing his words, he continued: "Judging from the robbery and killing of the Kara-Khanid envoy mission, the purpose is not hard to guess. It is highly likely meant to provoke friction between the two countries and sow discord between them. After all, the Great Han and the Kara-Khanids have no deep ties, and the territorial question in the Western Regions has merely been shelved.

Now that the Kara-Khanid envoy mission has been killed within Great Han territory—that is a fact—it inevitably gives the Kara-Khanid state a pretext. This minor Western Regions kingdom is admittedly not worth mentioning, but if the two countries truly came to arms again over this, the Western Regions would inevitably fall into turmoil. If the Western Regions are in turmoil, Hexi will inevitably become unstable. If Hexi is unstable..."

Emperor Liu cut off Zhao Pu's nesting-doll style of argument and asked directly: "In your conspiracy theory, who would the mastermind be?"

At the question, Zhao Pu's hesitation became even more pronounced. After considering, he said: "This is this old minister's baseless speculation. As for who exactly the conspirator is, this old minister truly cannot say!"

"Even if it's hard to say, you will say it!" Emperor Liu would not let it go.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Pu revealed a few names: "Remnants of the Ganzhou Uyghurs, the various barbarian tribes dissatisfied with the forced change of customs, the barbarian chieftains who lost power and property, the powerful Han families forcibly relocated to the northwest, as well as the criminals, officials, and convicts sent to the frontier..."

Once Zhao Pu said this, Emperor Liu also fell silent. Seated high behind the imperial desk, he seemed shrouded in a dark cloud, and the feeling he gave others was equally gloomy.

"They are all a pack of petty scoundrels!" After a long while, Emperor Liu said coldly.

Zhao Pu's expression had perhaps not been this grave in a long time. He said seriously: "Your Majesty, if these petty scoundrels are one day guided and united by someone, then for the court, that would be a great calamity!"

At this moment, Wang Yinwu suddenly spoke up, carefully reporting Wang Xuanzhen's account of the situation, changes, and analysis regarding the unrest in the convict camps. Clearly, combining these factors made the problem seem even more serious.

Emperor Liu knit his brows tightly as he voiced the conflict in his heart. Clearly, he was somewhat unwilling to believe that people he regarded as dough to be kneaded at will could pose any threat to his Great Han Empire.

But his suspicious nature compelled him to take it seriously. He murmured: "I know problems have arisen in the localities and contradictions have accumulated, but has it already reached such a point?"

Zhao Pu was still a man of understanding. In certain respects, this chancellor who had long held the prime ministerial power of the Great Han knew his empire better than Emperor Liu did.

"Investigate! Investigate to the very bottom!" Emperor Liu was not a slow reactor either. After a brief moment of bewilderment, he regained his sharpness entirely, his gaze boring into Wang Yinwu like a knife: "If there truly are any traitorous rebels, for every one there is, I will have you drag one out!"

"Yes!" Wang Yinwu answered very crisply. He knew he could not afford any other attitude.

Emperor Liu's suspicions at this moment had been pushed a step further by Zhao Pu. After hesitation came certainty—double certainty—that rebellious subjects against the Great Han already existed in the northwest.

"You came—was it also about the Hexi matter?" Emperor Liu finally asked Zhang Dejun.

All the little schemes Zhang Dejun had brought with him were now tucked away. He replied respectfully: "In response to His Majesty! Indeed, the Palace City Office has also received word!"

"You will investigate together as well. The court, Hexi, the Palace City Office, and the Wude Office—all four sides moving at once. You must get to the bottom of this for me!" Emperor Liu commanded.

"Yes!"

Taking a deep breath, Emperor Liu turned his gaze to Liu Yang, with a slight hint of "embarrassment." After a moment's deliberation, he said with an air of relief: "Combine the three suggestions you raised earlier with what I added, and carry out the aftermath arrangements!"

Emperor Liu had ultimately accepted Zhao Pu's suggestion of "papering over the cracks." The Crown Prince's views did have merit—at least they appeared wiser than Emperor Liu's self-aggrandizing, straight-ahead approach.