Chapter 1767: Three Commandery Dukes

Qionglin Garden, as Emperor Liu's only detached palace in the Eastern Capital, was never short of nobles visiting throughout the year—for spring outings, pleasure strolls, and summer retreats. Emperor Liu himself had often graced it in the past, frequently staying for ten days to half a month at a stretch.

However, over the past two years, Emperor Liu had rarely gone there, seemingly accustomed to remaining within the palace walls, unwilling to stir much. Only after the new imperial examinations, when the Qionglin Banquet was held, would he make the journey.

Yet, before this Mid-Autumn Festival, Emperor Liu, struck by a sudden whim, left the palace once more and visited Qionglin Garden. Naturally, he was not alone—accompanying him were three meritorious nobles.

And not ordinary meritorious nobles at that: Yang Ye, Pan Mei, and Shi Shouxin—three Commandery Dukes, three marshals. Among the surviving elder generation of commanders, these three were the most representative, still pillars of the military.

Over the past decade, the three dukes had been "banished" by Emperor Liu to posts outside the capital. Pan and Shi had been assigned to rotate garrison duty in Daozhou, guarding the locality. Yang Ye had been even more peripatetic, traveling from south to north, overseeing military system reforms, inspecting results, while simultaneously assisting the Bureau of Military Affairs in constructing a new national defense framework. Essentially, he had traversed every circuit and prefecture of the Great Han, spending especially long stretches at the various frontiers.

Perhaps missing them, Emperor Liu issued an edict on the occasion of this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, recalling all three to the capital to celebrate together. More importantly, their influence in the capital had by now been neutralized, making it safe to return them to central appointments.

Toward these three men, Emperor Liu's attitude was one of affirmation. The empire still had much need of their services, and after a decade of external postings, the time had come—by every measure—for their return to court.

The scenery of Jinming Pool was beautiful in all four seasons, but at its finest in autumn, when gentle breezes intoxicated and yellow blossoms carpeted the ground. Though the three Commandery Dukes had not returned in triumph as in days past, they had accumulated no small measure of toil, and so they followed Emperor Liu as usual, enjoying the full hospitality of Qionglin Garden.

The autumn air was intoxicating. On the green lawn, Emperor Liu and the others, including Yang Ye, competed in archery—a customary pastime, decidedly safer than horse-riding.

The twang of bowstrings, the whistle of arrows cutting air, the thud of shafts striking targets—sound after sound without cease. As one arrow pierced the red center, a chorus of acclaim arose. Shi Shouxin, setting down his carved bow, offered flattery: "Your Majesty's archery is truly divine—ever more refined!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu laughed heartily: "I've practiced for decades, and hitting the bullseye still comes down to luck. My eyesight isn't what it was either—the target stands at the far end, and I see only a blurry silhouette. How can you speak of divine archery, or of refinement? Shi Qing, you're mocking me."

"Your servant would not dare!" Shi Shouxin replied with a wary expression. Having been away from the capital so long, he was unsure how Emperor Liu's temperament had evolved—whether it was as fearsome as rumor suggested—and so he remained cautious, cautious to the point of restraint.

"Compared to me, your handiwork hasn't diminished one bit from your younger days!" Emperor Liu said, his mood seemingly good, wearing what he considered a gentle expression as he pointed at the distant targets.

Pan Mei and Yang Ye also drew near. Hearing this, Pan Mei smiled: "Your Majesty's teachings are ever engraved in our hearts. This craft that won us our livelihood we dare not neglect—we train diligently at all times!"

Emperor Liu nodded, and said with some emotion: "Indeed! If you were to grow lax and negligent, it would be a tremendous loss to the court! You are the beams of the court, the pillars of the state. The court relies on you in many ways—don't put your horses out to pasture too early!"

"We thank Your Majesty for your trust!" The three exchanged glances, then bowed in unison.

A rest area had been set up to the side. After finishing their archery, the sovereign and his ministers took their seats, with palace maids attending to fruits and pastries. It must be said, Emperor Liu's life still afforded him no small measure of comfort.

It being autumn, there were white-club pears from Hedong, red dates and schisandra from Hezhong, tangerines from Xiangzhou, and cold-food almonds from Huaizhou—specialties from all corners of the realm, everything one could want. Of course, by regulation, these local delicacies had to be purchased with palace funds. How strictly that was observed in practice was another matter, but at least the rule existed, lest local officials, under the pretext of tribute, extort their regions wantonly—harming the people and tarnishing the imperial family's reputation alike.

Sovereign and ministers drank together. Warm wine could warm the body, but the atmosphere remained somewhat oppressive, unable to return to the harmony and ease of former days. Even Yang Ye was utterly deferential, visibly ill at ease.

After a few idle exchanges, seeing their reaction, Emperor Liu gradually lost interest. Lately, he often had this feeling—that these meritorious old comrades seemed to be continually distancing themselves from him, their emperor. This galled Emperor Liu deeply, yet he could hardly reproach them, for was this very reverence and submission not precisely what he had once sought?

One could only say: one age, one stage, one state of mind.

Perhaps feeling the conversation had lost all flavor—and being older now, more prone to talk—he began to complain: "Lately, I find myself ever more aware of meritorious ministers dwindling and old friends departing, leaving me desolate beyond measure. You people accompanied me through brambles and thorns, through wind and rain, enduring every hardship before we founded this realm. In those days, sovereign and minister were of one heart, truly attuned to each other.

But now that we've grown old, why does each of you think only of leaving me, of drifting apart? The day before yesterday, Li Chongju again begged to retire. He's only sixty-one, yet already feels himself in his twilight years. I had wanted him to do more for the court, to share more of my burdens, but his resolve was firm and persuasion futile, so I could only consent—to preserve the bond between sovereign and minister."

Hearing the old emperor muttering on like a resentful wife, unclear what he truly meant to convey, Yang Ye and the other two exchanged bewildered looks, yet all instinctively began pondering Emperor Liu's intent.

Pan Mei thought for a moment, then said in a probing tone: "Your Majesty, we too are indeed advanced in years—perhaps the time has also come for us to retire and be cared for!"

At these words, Emperor Liu's face immediately flushed with anger, and he rebuked Pan Mei: "Pan Zhongxun, oh Pan Zhongxun—do you think I said all this to make you tender your resignations? Am I so incapable of tolerating others? Are you all so afraid of the birds being put away once the bow is stored, the hounds being cooked once the hares are caught? Are you so fearful that I, in my dotage, have become some man-eating tiger?"

"Your Majesty, your servant would not dare—I have no such intention whatsoever!" Emperor Liu's piercing words may have given him satisfaction, but Pan Mei was thrown into panic, kneeling directly on his mat and knocking his head: "I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

Beside him, Yang Ye and Shi Shouxin were also shaken. They set down their wine cups, held their breath, and lowered their eyes in submission.

Seeing the three men's reaction, Emperor Liu was stunned for a long moment. Coming back to himself, he realized he had overreacted, but the gentle expression he wished to wear could no longer be mustered.

Looking at Pan Mei, who was nearly prostrate on the ground, he still felt ill at ease. After a long while, he waved his hand: "Rise! What are you doing? Today is a gathering of sovereign and minister, to share our feelings—I had meant to speak freely..."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Only then did Pan Mei rise, but cold sweat had already broken out on his forehead. The autumn wind blew, chilling him, sharpening his mind, and making him even more careful in his responses.

Even though Emperor Liu tried every means to enliven the atmosphere, it was all in vain. These three Commandery Dukes were so deferential it made him deeply uncomfortable. After his attempts failed, Emperor Liu gave up. He understood now—the distance between him and these meritorious old comrades was indeed growing ever wider.

Even Yang Ye, who had once been so close, had now grown distant. That posture of reverent caution filled Emperor Liu with helplessness. Emperor Liu was a man given to self-reflection, but on this matter, he truly could not find fault with himself.

"Enough. I wanted to share wine and conversation with you, but it's all so flavorless. Let's end here for today!" Emperor Liu waved his hand, his enthusiasm thoroughly dampened.

"Your servants take their leave!" At this, the three rose and bowed in farewell.

To Emperor Liu's eyes, their haste had the look of men granted a reprieve. He was momentarily angered into a laugh: "Let me speak plainly. The reason I recalled you to the capital, besides celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival together, is chiefly to shift your positions. The court is precisely in need of talent, and it requires you old ministers to devote yourselves further!"

The court always seemed to be in need of talent. The three seemed to have anticipated this, and so replied in unison, with deference: "Your servants await Your Majesty's orders and arrangements at any time!"

Emperor Liu wasted no more words: "The specific appointments will be discussed after the Mid-Autumn Festival!"

"Yes!"