Chapter 1733: A Thread of Melancholy

Liu Yang returned to the Eastern Palace with a face full of troubled thoughts. Those familiar with him knew that His Highness was in a very bad mood. He walked back to the palace in silence, and even after entering Hongde Hall, Liu Yang still could not shake off what he had seen and heard today. Clearly, today's outing had shaken him greatly.

The palace eunuch Wang Yue had been standing by his side the whole time. Seeing the Crown Prince lost in deep worry, though concerned for his health, he did not dare to disturb him rashly. After a long while, just as Wang Yue mustered the courage to offer a few words of comfort, Liu Yang had already regained his composure.

Looking at Wang Yue, Liu Yang said, "What happened today, you saw and heard it all with your own eyes. You've seen the details clearly too, haven't you?"

Seeing the Crown Prince finally speak, Wang Yue felt a great sense of relief. He stepped forward and said respectfully, "Reporting to Your Highness, this servant has taken note of it all!"

"Good, as long as you've taken note!" Liu Yang directly ordered, "The matters of governance that Liu Jichang spoke of today — go and verify whether they are true! Also, have someone keep watch on the Kaifeng administration and see what moves they make next!"

"Yes!"

It could be imagined that the days ahead for Liu Jichang and the Kaifeng administration would not be as easy as before. For an official, being remembered by those above was an honor — being held in mind by the higher-ups. But if one remained under constant scrutiny, then all that was left was pressure.

It wasn't that Liu Yang didn't believe Liu Jichang's account. Perhaps there was some measure of doubt, but this was also the habit of caution that years of being Crown Prince had cultivated in him — especially in matters of governance, where he always maintained a rigorous attitude.

The abuses he had observed today were like a lump stuck in his heart. Naturally, he would pay a bit more attention and observe how things developed. If this matter was not handled in a way that could be justified, he would find it hard to feel at ease.

"Where's Wenji?" Letting out a sigh, Liu Yang asked about his second son.

Wang Yue said, "He's with the Crown Princess. Reportedly, he's already gone to sleep!"

"Haha!" Liu Yang couldn't help but laugh. "It seems this child is tired from today as well. Originally, I intended to take him out for some fun, but instead of enjoying himself, his legs got a good workout. Still, it's good — seeing more of the hardships of the common people will do him good. Princes and grandsons cannot be raised forever in the deep palace, nurtured by women's hands."

In the evening, Liu Yang arrived at Yuehua Courtyard, where he had been waiting for some time. In the corridor, under the faint light of the palace lanterns, accompanied by two maidservants, Xiao Chuo hurried back. Entering and seeing Liu Yang seated calmly, she immediately knelt in a graceful bow.

"No need for that!" Liu Yang waved his hand, a slight smile at the corners of his mouth. "You've been to see Wenji? This son of yours — he's safe and sound, isn't he?"

"Your Highness jests!" Xiao Chuo came forward and sat down.

"Regarding Wenji, I have some thoughts!" Liu Yang took Xiao Chuo's hand and said.

"Please speak, Your Highness!" Hearing this, a trace of surprise flickered across Xiao Chuo's jade-like face.

"I observe that this child is obedient and sensible, gentle in temperament, very much like me. But if he is too gentle and kind, it will become weakness. I intend to give him more training and broaden his horizons. To put it plainly, in the future, he should endure more hardships. The palace is a nest of comfort — it is not conducive to his growth!"

Hearing this, Xiao Chuo thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded, saying, "Your Highness has considered this well. It should be so!"

Now it was Liu Yang's turn to be surprised: "He's not even ten years old yet. As his mother, don't you feel any heartache? When I mentioned this matter to the Crown Princess, she was extremely worried and concerned."

"At Your Highness's age, you were already following His Majesty into the military, treading over mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Compared to that, wouldn't Wenji have it far more comfortable?" Xiao Chuo said.

"Haha!" Liu Yang laughed heartily. "I'd forgotten — your temperament as a mother is quite strong-willed. It's just a pity that the son doesn't take after the mother. Otherwise—"

Liu Yang didn't finish his sentence. He sighed with emotion, and weariness already showed on his face. Seeing this, Xiao Chuo took the initiative to say, "Your Highness went out today and must be tired. I've already ordered them to prepare a medicinal bath. Soak in it for a while to relieve the fatigue!"

"Good!"

Steam rose within the room. Liu Yang closed his eyes slightly, leaning back in the bath tub, while Xiao Chuo attended to him at his side, the atmosphere taking on a hint of intimacy. However, Liu Yang suddenly asked, "Your Xiao family has been settled in the capital for many years now. To establish yourselves, I imagine you've acquired some fields and properties, haven't you?"

Hearing this, Xiao Chuo immediately became a bit more cautious, saying, "Why does Your Highness ask this?"

"Just curious — asking casually."

Observing Liu Yang's calm expression, Xiao Chuo answered softly, "This concubine resides in the palace and rarely inquires into the affairs of the Xiao family. However, I do know that the family has indeed acquired some land and operations."

Raising an eyebrow, Liu Yang said, "From whom did they buy it? How much is there? The taxes on land transactions are considerable — have they been paid in full?"

This line of questioning was a bit off. Xiao Chuo couldn't help but answer cautiously, "I've heard my father mention it — over five hundred mu of land. As for the tax money, how would we dare to evade it? Everything is done according to the laws and regulations of the court."

On this matter, Xiao Chuo still had confidence. The Xiao family's style over the years had always been to stay law-abiding and keep to themselves. Xiao Siwen also governed the household strictly, studying the court's various institutions, regulations, and legal provisions year-round precisely to avoid breaking the law.

Liu Yang did not press further on this matter, but continued to ask, "Your Xiao clan came to submit from beyond the northern frontier. Though you have studied Han rites and customs, your strengths ultimately lie on horseback. Raising livestock and horses suits you, but plowing and tilling — wouldn't that be difficult? Besides, though five hundred mu is not much, it's still a large expanse. How do you manage it?"

Xiao Chuo said, "Though the household servants are not skilled at it, they can learn to farm. During the busy farming seasons each year, we have also spent money to hire farming households. Additionally, over these years, the family has also purchased some South Seas slaves."

"Oh?" Hearing this, Liu Yang's brow furrowed slightly. "South Seas slaves — I've heard that these southern natives are lazy by nature and quite troublesome to use!"

"That's just a lack of training! Of course, when it comes to rotating farming duties, the people of the Great Han are still more diligent and meticulous."

"South Seas slaves..." Liu Yang's thoughts seemed to drift far away again, murmuring to himself.

"South Seas slaves" was a term that had spread throughout the Great Han over the past decade or so. Initially, it referred to those conquered natives of the Indochinese Peninsula. Later, as Han people pushed south into the South Seas in large numbers, a broader and wider range of South Seas natives were also put to good use.

As the name suggested, these South Seas slaves came to the Great Han to be slaves, with no status whatsoever. At first, most of them served as government slaves, toiling and risking their lives for large-scale projects. Later, private citizens also began to try purchasing and using South Seas slaves.

Toward these foreign natives, the court had never given a clear ruling, and there had always been some restrictions on their use. However, over the years, the number of South Seas slaves within the Great Han had now reached several hundred thousand, scattered across various regions.

In workshops, factories, mines, and even the homes of wealthy merchants across the land, their figures were active. Of course, they were rarely seen in the households of the powerful and noble. For the powerful and noble, South Seas slaves didn't even have the qualification to serve them.

Finally opening his eyes, Liu Yang looked at Xiao Chuo, whose face showed thoughtfulness and even some hesitation, and smiled lightly to reassure her: "You needn't worry. I was just thinking of some things and asked casually. There's no intention to target the Xiao family. Your Xiao family has always been proper and well-behaved — this I know."

Hearing this, Xiao Chuo finally responded in a low voice, "Your Highness is wise!"

"But how many families like the Xiao family are there? And among the other powerful and noble households, how many can truly stay law-abiding?" Liu Yang sighed leisurely again, his tone carrying an indescribable helplessness.

What exactly did His Highness discover during today's outing? Seeing Liu Yang in such a mood, Xiao Chuo pondered inwardly. Clearly, such a heartfelt remark must have a cause.

Just now he mentioned land transactions — could it be a problem of land annexation? Xiao Chuo's mind began to work, forming some guesses, but she did not rashly ask. In this regard, it was always Liu Yang who spoke first. If he didn't speak, Xiao Chuo never asked.