Chapter 1780: The Great Han No Longer Needs Any Kings of Different Surnames

On the day of the Beginning of Winter, Emperor Liu left the palace on a private visit, touring the Western Capital, hoping to change his mood. To Emperor Liu, who had not seen it in eleven years, Luoyang had gained much unfamiliarity; in terms of bustling splendor, Kaifeng indeed surpassed Luoyang by a considerable margin, yet in terms of layout and bearing, it was not something Kaifeng could compare with—after all, the heritage of a thousand-year ancient capital was right there.

And Emperor Liu, long immersed in the extravagance of the Eastern Capital, upon seeing Luoyang again, also felt a sense of fresh novelty. After so many years apart, he seemed to have rediscovered the patriotic sentiment that had once driven him to insist on moving the capital.

Winter was originally the season for all things to rest and for the people to enjoy the harvest, yet perhaps because of the national mourning, the city of Luoyang as a whole appeared unusually quiet. The clamor of the streets seemed like murmured dream-talk, and smiles were rarely seen on the faces of the gentry and commoners alike.

Emperor Liu's goal of absorbing some of the common people's vitality ultimately went unfulfilled. He could not truly observe the people's condition as he once had, and even his inquiries about their livelihood felt somewhat perfunctory. The gloom in his heart instead deepened somewhat with the arrival of winter.

Therefore, on his return to the palace, Emperor Liu's face was cold and his gaze indifferent, causing Yan Tuo, who attended him personally, to tremble with fear. However, as the memorial from Zhao Kuangzan, Commandery Prince of Dongping, requesting the resignation of his title was presented, he finally revealed a long-missed smile—though faint, it was a smile nonetheless.

Inside Chuigong Hall, the lamplight was dim, and a chill wind kept seeping in, yet Emperor Liu's expression had softened considerably. After reviewing Zhao Kuangzan's memorial, Emperor Liu passed it around to Liu Yang, Zhao Kuangyi, Wang Zhu, and Lü Duan.

Before Li Fang and Wang You had yet arrived in the capital, the major affairs of the court were basically handled by these four men. Of course, recently Emperor Liu's attention to state affairs had risen sharply; every few days he would hold court in Chuigong Hall, and when matters arose, he would consult with the four.

Liu Yang and the others read through it in turn, each reacting differently to its contents, yet none dared to speak rashly for the moment. Since they said nothing, Emperor Liu took the initiative to ask: "What are your views on the request of the Commandery Prince of Dongping?"

This question was somewhat difficult to answer—difficult precisely because they could not fathom Emperor Liu's thoughts. Thus, the silence in the hall continued.

Seeing this, Emperor Liu was not angered. He casually tossed the memorial retrieved by Yan Tuo onto the imperial desk and said again: "No one speaks? Then let me change the question. Tell me, what is the purpose behind Zhao Kuangzan's request? For no reason at all, he would even give up the princely title I bestowed—there must be hidden circumstances within! Minister Zhao has always been quick-witted; you speak up!"

Being called upon by Emperor Liu, Zhao Kuangyi felt somewhat troubled. In his heart he thought: what hidden circumstances are there—does Your Majesty not know? At most, it is nothing more than withdrawing to protect himself.

Of course, his true inner thoughts were not easy to voice. Under Emperor Liu's gaze, Zhao Kuangyi dared not overthink. After a moment's consideration, he spoke calmly: "I believe the Commandery Prince of Dongping's memorial must have its reasons. Would Your Majesty not summon him for inquiry and get to the bottom of it?"

Zhao Kuangyi seemed well-versed in the art of saying nothing at all—his words were as good as unsaid. Emperor Liu heard this and the corner of his mouth twitched as he said: "I am asking you now! And you fob me off with such words?"

"I would not dare!" Zhao Kuangyi's heart tightened, and he hurriedly replied.

In his alarm, a quick idea struck him, and Zhao Kuangyi said: "I believe the Commandery Prince of Dongping must have encountered something hard to speak of, which is why he submitted this resignation!"

"Oh?" Emperor Liu looked as if he had taken an interest, and asked: "What hard-to-speak-of matter is that?"

Zhao Kuangyi lowered his head and answered: "I do not know!"

Still nonsense!

However, Emperor Liu did not press Zhao Kuangyi further. He himself knew well that in such matters, these meritorious nobles and ministers could not easily speak openly—everything depended entirely on his will.

The meritorious titles of the Great Han—whether bestowed or revoked—the initiative always rested in Emperor Liu's hands. However, on this matter, although Emperor Liu had his conjectures about Zhao Kuangzan's intentions, he was not overly concerned. What he valued more was the attitude and sentiments of these meritorious nobles.

After a brief pause, Emperor Liu swept his gaze around and asked again: "Let me change the question. Tell me—should I grant or deny the Commandery Prince of Dongping's request? Lü Duan, you speak first?"

Since becoming chancellor, Lü Duan had maintained his past style of prudence—slow to speak but quick to act—especially before Emperor Liu. Now, being questioned by Emperor Liu, his aged brows knitted high, wearing a very troubled expression.

After pondering for a while, Lü Duan said in a deep voice: "I believe Your Majesty should grant it."

"Why?" Seeing how firmly he spoke, Emperor Liu pressed further.

Lü Duan replied: "The Commandery Prince of Dongping has labored with great merit, and Your Majesty's favor has been deep and generous. Granting his request and heeding his wish would also be an act of grace!"

Hearing Lü Duan say this, Emperor Liu cast a slightly surprised glance at him. This Minister Lü, with his honest face, could actually utter such shameless words. Still, they were pleasant to the ear.

He did not continue to consult the chancellors' opinions on the matter. Emperor Liu was to decide alone. After silently pondering for a moment, he raised his eyes and gave the order: "Issue the edict—enfeoff Zhao Kuangzan as Duke of Lu!"

Just that one simple sentence, with no superfluous explanation, yet everyone present felt a chill in their hearts. A founding Commandery Prince's title had been stripped away so easily.

And it was easy to imagine—with Zhao Kuangzan setting the example, how should the other kings of different surnames conduct themselves? Setting aside the two kings Fu and Qian for the moment, at least An Shouzhong, the Prince of Xiangyang, would surely be unable to sit still. After all, he was the first to propose resigning his princely title—it was only that Emperor Liu had not agreed at the time. Now, when Zhao Kuangzan made the request again, it was granted without hesitation, with not even a care for appearances. Emperor Liu's depth of thought was becoming ever harder to fathom.

"The Crown Prince stays. Everyone else, withdraw!"

"Yes!"

Since that conversation that day, Wang Zhu had not changed much, becoming more and more like an invisible man. This time, without uttering a single word, he left together with the two chancellors Zhao and Lü.

After the three withdrew, Emperor Liu looked at Liu Yang, who still wore a contemplative expression, and smiled faintly: "What do you think of how this matter was handled?"

Liu Yang glanced at Emperor Liu, furrowed his brow, and said: "Although Zhao Kuangzan resigned of his own accord, it will inevitably invite criticism."

"I have been criticized for many things; one more does not matter!" Emperor Liu said in a flat tone, then unhurriedly continued: "Compared to that, what moves me more is that these meritorious nobles seem to be getting better and better at reading my mind. This Zhao Kuangzan has stayed home nursing illness for years, yet he seems to have seen through my thoughts completely."

"Still, this is fine as well!" Emperor Liu's expression quickly turned stern, and his tone grew ever more indifferent: "Zhao Kuangzan is a clever man after all—whether sullying himself through commerce or resigning his princely title, both show his obedience! He wants peace of mind; I will give it to him!"

From Emperor Liu's words, it was not hard to see that he did indeed have designs on the several kings of different surnames he had enfeoffed in his early years. Liu Yang, hearing this, pondered for a moment, then asked somewhat hesitantly: "May I ask how Your Majesty will treat the three kings Fu, Qian, and An?"

"What do you think?" Emperor Liu countered, then said softly: "Since Zhao Kuangzan has set the example, it remains to be seen whether they are as clever as he."

"The Great Han no longer needs any kings of different surnames!" Emperor Liu added another sentence, his voice very soft, yet extremely arresting to the ear. Liu Yang heard it clearly.

After thinking it over, Liu Yang seemed to remind Emperor Liu: "Fu Zhaoyuan is still in Andong!"

"A single edict is all it takes—why care where he is?" Emperor Liu said immediately. However, noticing Liu Yang's expression, he added one more sentence: "I know of your feelings for the Fu family. How to proceed, weigh it yourself."