Chapter 1765: Stepping Down a Second Time

"Handle this matter yourself!" Emperor Liu looked coldly at Wang Ji'en, his voice calm: "When cutting grass, one must pull the roots!"

"Yes! This servant will go at once!" Wang Ji'en couldn't help but shiver, then immediately replied.

"As for that Xiao Taling, I won't quibble with him—his life may be spared!" Emperor Liu then turned to Xiao Siwen, a slight smile appearing on his face: "At the very least, I must give Minister Xiao some face!"

"Your Majesty honors me too much; this minister does not deserve it!" Hearing this, Xiao Siwen felt somewhat embarrassed and replied with a hint of unease.

Of those present, Xiao Siwen was probably the most awkward. That layer of estrangement, almost forgotten, seemed to surface once more—the distinction between Han and barbarian was not something that could be set aside by simply not mentioning it; the boundary always remained.

Xiao Siwen felt an indescribable complexity in his heart. For a moment, he felt he was a "Great Han version" of Han Derang. A welter of emotions left him momentarily dazed.

"What is Minister Xiao thinking, so lost in thought?" Noticing Xiao Siwen's odd behavior, Emperor Liu asked with slight curiosity.

"This minister was momentarily distracted; please forgive me, Your Majesty!" Xiao Siwen's expression shifted in alarm, then quickly resumed a solemn countenance.

"You are still too rigid!" Emperor Liu waved his hand.

By now, Emperor Liu could no longer see clearly into these ministers' psychology, emotions, or even their loyalty or treachery—or rather, he no longer cared about such things at every moment. He let everything follow his whim.

As for the claim of giving Xiao Siwen face, that was naturally said in jest. After all, the Khitan's new envoy was Xiao Paiya; if his father were killed before his arrival, it would be inappropriate and inconvenient for negotiations.

"Keep watching the matters of Mobei," Emperor Liu said, looking around the room, then continued: "Those Khitan nobles should be contacted and supported generously. They have newly taken power—surely they want more than just that meager authority! If they can carve up the pastures, livestock, and tribesmen of the Mobei grasslands among themselves, I support that too!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" At these words, Liu Yang's eyes lit up, and he immediately flattered.

"The Crown Prince stays; the rest of you may withdraw!" Emperor Liu waved his hand and instructed.

"Your ministers take their leave!"

Wang Ji'en and Xiao Siwen bowed and withdrew, but Li Chongju remained, standing respectfully. Seeing this, Emperor Liu could not help but ask: "Shouze, do you have something else?"

At the question, Li Chongju stepped forward, bowed deeply, and spoke slowly in a hoarse voice drawn out with a languid cadence: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this minister is advanced in years and weak in body. Lately I feel increasingly unable to carry on—my energy can hardly sustain me, and I am unequal to the heavy responsibility of the Wude Office. I humbly beg Your Majesty, in your mercy and compassion, to permit this minister to retire."

Hearing this request, Emperor Liu's brows rose in displeasure. He said: "What is the matter with you? Is serving the court and doing your duty so difficult? So many people rack their brains, scheming to ask the court for office and promotion, yet you seek to leave office as if begging for a favor—what kind of reasoning is that?"

Sensing Emperor Liu's displeasure, Li Chongju bent his old back even lower, speaking with earnest sincerity: "Your Majesty, this old minister is already sixty-one this year, truly no longer what I once was. To serve Your Majesty, I would brave mountains of blades and seas of fire, but I fear only that my dimmed faculties might delay great affairs. I beg Your Majesty to consider this!"

In truth, Li Chongju very much wanted to remind Emperor Liu that when he had been asked to come out of retirement and take charge, a promise had been made—that after a year or two, once the Wude Office was reorganized and set in order, he would be released to return to retirement. But given Emperor Liu's current attitude, he dared not say it. He merely expressed his wish to retire with solemn respect and deference. Whether Emperor Liu would grant it was beyond his control; all he could do was this and nothing more.

Emperor Liu thought for a moment, then leaned forward slightly, staring at Li Chongju as if this would let him see more clearly. After appraising Li Chongju for a while, he finally sighed and said: "You have indeed aged greatly. The affairs of the northwest—you have worked hard! It seems your mind is made up to leave, unwilling to continue walking with me."

Hearing these words, Li Chongju was greatly alarmed. He suddenly knelt to the ground, his expression moved, his voice agitated: "Your Majesty's words—this old minister truly cannot bear them! This old minister—"

Seeing Li Chongju's hasty attempt to explain, Emperor Liu raised his hand and said: "Enough. If you go, then go! I will not make things difficult for you. When I first asked you to come out of retirement, I promised you a peaceful old age, and I naturally will not break my word! You and I have been sovereign and minister for decades. I know what kind of man you are, and I trust you!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Whether from excitement or emotion, Li Chongju's old tears flowed freely, his voice choked with feeling.

Seeing his display, Emperor Liu laughed heartily instead: "What are you doing? At your age, still weeping like a woman! I agree to let you step down from office, but you must help me vet who can succeed you as Commissioner of the Wude Office!"

At this, Li Chongju quickly wiped away his tears and replied solemnly: "Your Majesty, this matter should be decided by your sacred judgment; this old minister dares not presume!"

Emperor Liu's brows furrowed slightly, and he said at once: "I am asking for your opinion now!"

Under Emperor Liu's somewhat oppressive gaze, Li Chongju's breath caught. He hesitated a moment, then bowed his head and said through gritted teeth: "This minister presumes to name one person—though I wonder whether Your Majesty dares to use him!"

"Is there anyone in this realm I dare not use?" Emperor Liu's lips curled upward as he said calmly.

"Wang Xuanzhen!"

Hearing his recommendation, Emperor Liu showed no surprise on his face, only looking at Li Chongju with some curiosity, saying to him: "For Wang Xuanzhen to earn your recommendation, he must indeed be extraordinary. Otherwise, given your caution, Shouze, even if you were recommending a mediocrity, you would not have chosen him!"

"Your Majesty, in terms of competence, Wang Xuanzhen is more than equal to the task of heading the Wude Office!" said Li Chongju.

"The selection of a Commissioner of the Wude Office is not merely about ability!" Emperor Liu said flatly: "Is one Wang Yinwu not lesson enough?"

Hearing Emperor Liu's response, Li Chongju's heart began to race. Regret kept welling up within him, and he began to doubt whether recommending Wang Xuanzhen had been right or wrong.

However, Emperor Liu's next words dispelled Li Chongju's anxiety: "Still, I have some understanding of Wang Xuanzhen. His ability, talent, and insight are all considerable. Though his work in the northwest was hardly flawless, he did everything within his power. Compared to his uncle, this man has a greater sense of the bigger picture and is more intelligent. Let it be him!"

At these words, Li Chongju finally let out a great sigh of relief and bowed: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Rise!" Seeing that Li Chongju was still kneeling, Emperor Liu's tone softened somewhat: "Old knees are not suited for prolonged kneeling. You are relieved of your duties now—go home and enjoy your remaining years in comfort! But when you have time, do come to the palace more often, to chat and drink with me!"

"Yes! This old minister takes his leave!" Li Chongju rose slowly and bowed once more.

Watching Li Chongju's slowly retreating figure until it disappeared from sight, Emperor Liu still stared at the palace gate, silent for a long time. After a long while, Emperor Liu sighed softly: "With Shouze gone, I fear he will not be willing to come see me much anymore!"

Seeing Emperor Liu display such low spirits, Liu Yang was taken aback. He was about to offer words of comfort when he heard Emperor Liu say with a self-deprecating laugh: "You see, some people cling to power and position, wishing they could hold the reins forever; others cast it aside like a worn-out shoe, wanting to distance themselves from the court and retreat to the rivers and lakes.

Some people try to squeeze their way in, desperate to get close to me, hovering around like flies drawn to filth, refusing to leave; others fear me like snakes and scorpions, seeing me as a man-eating beast, wholeheartedly wanting to keep their distance, seeking only self-preservation, terrified of not having a good end to their old age.

Emperor Liu's metaphors were somewhat crude, and in Liu Yang's view quite inappropriate, but they fully revealed Emperor Liu's state of mind at the moment. He was clearly not pleased by Li Chongju's resignation.

After thinking it over, Liu Yang still offered his counsel: "One can only say that each person has their own aspirations! However, your son believes that Lord Li's loyalty to Father is beyond doubt. Even if he is old and frail, should he be called upon, he would charge forward without hesitation!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu glanced at Liu Yang twice and smiled slightly: "Li Shouze—I understand him well. There is no need for you to speak up for him like that! Remember this: if something comes up in the future and he is still alive, no matter how old he is, he can still be relied upon! When I employ him, he feels uneasy at heart; were it you instead, the burden on his heart might be lighter."