Chapter 1711: Wandering Thoughts

When the brothers Liu Ye and Liu Xin entered the hall, the military arrangements had already been mostly settled, and only then did Emperor Liu find leisure to see what his always-active thirteenth son was up to this time.

The moment Liu Ye came in, he immediately drew the gaze of everyone present—impossible not to notice, given how bright and flashy his attire was. Looking at his spirited thirteenth son, Emperor Liu smiled and teased: "Thirteen, with that getup of yours, what are you planning? Going off to war?"

In the past, Emperor Liu had called Liu Ye "little Thirteen," but now that he had come of age, the form of address naturally upgraded as well. Facing Emperor Liu's question, Liu Ye puffed out his chest and answered: "Your Majesty is wise indeed—this minister does have exactly that intention!"

"I have heard that rebellion has broken out in the northwest, and though I am here in the Eastern Capital, I cannot help but worry!" Liu Ye declared in a clear voice: "I have diligently studied military texts and trained hard in martial arts, precisely so that one day I might suppress rebellion for the state and share my father's burdens. I beg Your Majesty's permission!"

"Matters of state and military are no child's play. You have no battlefield experience whatsoever, and moreover, the horrors of war are not the thrilling adventure you imagine. The most cruel, heartless, shocking, and horrifying scenes in this world all take place on the battlefield. Going to war means killing—heads rolling, mountains of corpses, seas of blood, severed limbs and broken arms. This is nothing like your hunting trips!"

Emperor Liu spoke these words calmly, but they weighed heavily on Liu Ye. After a moment's deliberation, he said solemnly: "Everything has a first time. Fourth Brother and Sixth Brother were younger than I am now when they first went on campaign. Eldest Brother and Second Brother accompanied Father to the battlefield before they were even ten. Not long ago, Wenhai even followed Uncle to sea, crossing vast oceans. The battlefield may be cruel, but what have I to fear? I enjoy hunting, true—but how can prey compare to the hunter?"

Pausing, Liu Ye lowered his voice a little and muttered: "Besides, Your Majesty has already pacified the whole realm. The rebellion in the northwest may not be good for the state, but if I don't seize this chance to go on campaign, there may never be another war to fight. Wouldn't all my diligent study and training have been for nothing?"

"Haha!" Hearing Liu Ye's words, Emperor Liu burst into laughter: "You little rascal, quite the ambition you've got! This realm is vast indeed—you clearly didn't study your geography and sea charts seriously! If you truly have grand aspirations, the tens of thousands of li of territory beyond our borders are all ground for you to prove yourself. Why worry about having no war to fight?"

"But right now, the Yulin rebellion is the most urgent matter, and I still hope to contribute to the Great Han's state!" Liu Ye said.

"You're getting better and better with words!" Emperor Liu seemed to be in a good mood, but then his tone shifted, his expression turning serious as he looked at Liu Ye gravely: "Do you truly want to go to the northwest?"

With a sharp clap, Liu Ye clasped his fists forcefully and declared loudly: "It is my duty, and I cannot shirk it!"

However, Emperor Liu still did not give his direct approval. He rose and walked slowly to stand before Liu Ye, looking over this son of his up close. He wasn't very tall—still shorter than Emperor Liu—but that spirited, upward-striving bearing about him was quite pleasing.

Raising his hand in a fist, he lightly thumped Liu Ye's chest twice. Liu Ye's back straightened even more, as if he were being reviewed by Emperor Liu, his eyes full of expectation as he gazed at him.

"You've gotten sturdier and sturdier!" Emperor Liu broke into a slight smile again, turned and paced a couple of steps, then suddenly stared straight at Liu Ye: "You've turned twenty now. I've long intended to follow the example of your elder brothers and grant you a title and establish your household.

However, I've changed my mind. Since you want to go to the battlefield, I won't give you a title outright—you'll have to earn it yourself on the battlefield, based on your performance and the size of your merits. And if you make mistakes, not only will you get no title, you'll be punished.

I'm giving you the chance to choose now—think it over yourself!"

Liu Ye was stunned for a moment, but after a brief deliberation, he answered with fervor: "I am fortunate to be Your Majesty's son, but a true man in this world should earn his own rank and title—I need no gifts from Your Majesty. When I return from suppressing the rebellion, I can receive rewards with a clear conscience. Your Majesty's titles will not go unclaimed!"

Seeing this, Emperor Liu let out a hearty laugh, rare in recent times, and pointed at Liu Ye, saying to Liu Tinghan and the other ministers: "My thirteenth son has had this reckless drive since he was little. That spirit of his rather resembles me in my youth!"

Emperor Liu's words made little sense—in his youth he had been gloomy and reserved, the complete opposite of Liu Ye. Perhaps it was precisely because he had never been like that himself that he so delighted in Liu Ye's genuine nature, even tolerating some of his rashness and arrogance.

Still, the ministers were gracious enough to play along. Liu Tinghan said with a smile: "The Thirteenth Prince's bold spirit is truly moving. That Your Majesty has such a son is a cause for celebration!"

Emperor Liu was immune to such flattery by now. He waved his hand and turned to Tian Zhongjin, who stood at attention nearby, saying: "Minister Tian, how would you like me to find you a student?"

Tian Zhongjin hadn't expected Emperor Liu to turn his attention to him. He looked slightly puzzled, then followed Emperor Liu's gaze to Liu Ye, and only then did it dawn on him: "How could this minister possibly bear such a responsibility?"

"For this campaign, I entrust Liu Ye to Minister Tian!" Emperor Liu declared decisively, as if he hadn't heard Tian Zhongjin's words at all.

While Tian Zhongjin was still stunned, Liu Ye had already stepped forward and saluted him: "This humble officer pays respects to the General!"

Clearly, Liu Ye slipped into his role quickly. Tian Zhongjin looked at this courteous and proper prince, then noticed Emperor Liu's gaze, and sighed helplessly to himself. He bowed to Emperor Liu and said: "This minister will do his utmost and not fail the trust placed in me!"

This time, Tian Zhongjin would serve as deputy commander for the northwest suppression campaign, leading ten thousand imperial army troops to Yulin to assist Prince Zhao, Liu Fang, in putting down the rebellion. He had originally assumed Emperor Liu would assign Liu Ye to Prince Zhao—he never expected the task to fall on himself.

This Thirteenth Prince, Liu Ye, was full of drive and clearly not one to stay put. Whether this assignment and this trust should bring joy or a headache, he couldn't quite say.

After all, the battlefield was dangerous and war was blind. If anything happened to Liu Ye, how could he, as the "teacher," escape blame? At this moment, Tian Zhongjin somewhat understood the feelings that Pan Mei, Yang Ye, Zhao Kuangyin, and other generals had once experienced.

"I naturally have full confidence in Minister Tian!" Emperor Liu was satisfied with Tian Zhongjin's response.

Turning back to appraise Liu Ye, Emperor Liu crossed his arms, stroked his beard in thought, and said: "You can't wear that armor of yours—it's far too conspicuous. Fine for ceremonial guard duty, but on the battlefield, being too flashy is hardly a good thing!"

Liu Ye understood Emperor Liu's meaning but objected: "It may be a bit conspicuous, but it draws the soldiers' attention and makes it easier to issue commands!"

Hearing that he dared to argue back, Emperor Liu's eyes widened at once: "I told you to change, so change! Are you defying an imperial decree?"

"This minister dares not!" Seeing Emperor Liu's dragon might flare up, Liu Ye immediately backed down and answered obediently.

With Liu Ye's matter settled, Emperor Liu finally turned his attention to Liu Xin, who had come along. Compared to the thirteenth son, this little fourteenth was far too low-key—after entering the hall, apart from the slight noise of making his bows, he had remained silent the whole time, like an invisible man.

Looking at Liu Xin, who appeared shy and even a bit ill at ease, Emperor Liu put on what he thought was a kindly smile and asked: "Fourteen, you've always been close with your thirteenth brother—do you want to go with him to the northwest to suppress the rebellion and win merit for yourself?"

At the question, Liu Xin kept his head bowed low and denied it very decisively: "How could your son compare to Thirteenth Brother? This time, I came only to pay my respects to Your Majesty!"

"Oh!" Emperor Liu showed little disappointment on his face, but his interest also waned considerably. He waved his hand: "I've received your filial piety. From now on, continue studying diligently with the masters at the Wenhua and Wuying Halls!"

"Yes!" Liu Xin replied, then fell silent again, standing quietly in place.

Seeing Liu Xin's dull, withdrawn demeanor, it was Liu Ye who grew a bit anxious, wanting to say something but ultimately holding back. As for Liu Xin, once Emperor Liu's attention shifted away from him, he breathed a great sigh of relief inwardly.

"Everyone may withdraw!" Emperor Liu instructed. Soon, a thoughtful expression appeared on his face, and he said to Liu Xin: "How has your mother's health been lately?"

"Very well!" Liu Xin was somewhat surprised—when had the Emperor ever concerned himself with Consort Yelu?

"That's good!" In truth, even in Emperor Liu's mind, Consort Yelu's features had grown somewhat blurry.

The father and son exchanged a few awkward pleasantries, found nothing more to say, and parted ways completely. However, Emperor Liu unexpectedly found his thoughts stirred—perhaps he might go visit Consort Yelu. So many years had passed; maybe there would be some fresh experience to be had?

At this thought, Emperor Liu found himself unusually restless, feeling like an old tree meeting spring again, a rare warmth stirring in his heart. For Emperor Liu, such impulses were few and far between these days, but since one had appeared, he naturally had to seize it before the mood passed.

Once the ministers had withdrawn, Emperor Liu immediately instructed Yan Tuo: "Make the arrangements—I shall stay at Consort Jin's quarters tonight!"

"Yes!" Yan Tuo caught the meaning behind the words at once and scurried off to make arrangements. Consort Yelu had not served in the imperial bedchamber for many years—she would need ample time to prepare, lest she be caught unprepared and spoil His Majesty's mood.