Chapter 1781: The Four Princes' End

A cold snap arrived suddenly, earlier than in years past, and the city of Luoyang quickly fell into the rhythm of winter.

The Huainan Commandery Prince's mansion, North Garden, Green Jade Pavilion.

It was not yet the harshest time of winter, and the north wind seemed comparatively tame, not even raising much commotion, yet the chill it carried crept in silently, numbing and stiffening all it touched.

Inside the pavilion hall, a brazier blazed. Though the smell of burning coal was unpleasant, the warmth it gave off was truly comforting. Qian Hongchu, the Prince of Huainan, now past fifty, paced back and forth within, brows knit tight, his face heavy with gloom—clearly facing a most vexing matter.

Of course, judging by what had been happening in the Western Capital of late, the only thing that could concern Qian Hongchu was the matter of "resigning his title."

More than twenty years had passed since Wuyue's historic surrender of its territory, and as the central figure of that event, Qian Hongchu had been living quite comfortably these past years. Perhaps because he appeared so utterly harmless, Emperor Liu had been exceptionally magnanimous toward him, never once showing the slightest hint of suspicion, treating him with heavy titles and generous stipends, most liberally. He had even bestowed favors upon Qian Hongchu's sons, granting them official posts to serve the court, without the slightest discrimination.

Qian Hongchu, for his part, knew which way the wind blew. He was proper and dutiful, never daring to act rashly, quietly playing the role of a contented prince and enjoying life. Moreover, his brother-in-law was none other than Liu Chenghsun, the Prince of Yong, and with such a great tree overhead for shelter, all was naturally smooth and agreeable.

Yet after more than twenty years of serving the Great Han without a ripple, his tranquil life was now shattered by that memorial requesting the resignation of princely titles that had shaken the court and the realm.

Qian Hongchu had never imagined that one day he would face a predicament over a princely title. Now that the matter was upon him, Qian Hongchu, long accustomed to ease, was like a flower raised in a greenhouse—unable to withstand the wind and rain, at a complete loss.

Especially after An Shouzhong, the Prince of Xiangyang, had also submitted a memorial requesting a reduction in rank, Qian Hongchu could no longer sit still. His behavior in the hall was like that of an ant on a hot pan—anxious beyond measure, his worried expression saying it all.

With a burst of hurried footsteps, a figure flashed by, and a middle-aged man entered the hall. He glanced at Qian Hongchu, stopped, clasped his hands in salute, and said, "Father!"

This man was Qian Hongchu's second son, Qian Weizhi. Fond of scholarship and gifted with literary talent, he currently served as a Hanlin Academician and enjoyed considerable renown in literary circles. Qian Weizhi was in fact Qian Hongchu's adopted son, his birth father being Qian Hongzong, the former Loyal and Humble King of Wuyue. Because the eldest son, Qian Weijun, was dissolute and unrestrained, displeasing to Qian Hongchu, he had adopted Qian Weizhi as the heir to carry on the family.

At this moment, Qian Hongchu could not afford to maintain any dignity. He stepped forward and asked anxiously, "What is the latest news? How has His Majesty reacted?"

Qian Weizhi took a deep breath and said gravely, "Word from the palace: His Majesty has already changed the Prince of Xiangyang's title to Duke of Jing!"

Hearing this, Qian Hongchu was stunned for a moment, then involuntarily stepped back a few paces and slumped into a seat, his whole being seeming to lose its spirit, murmuring to himself, "What is to be done? What is to be done?"

Seeing this, Qian Weizhi called out to him twice with concern, finally snapping Qian Hongchu back to his senses. Glancing toward the hall entrance, then back at Qian Weizhi, a trace of grievance appeared on Qian Hongchu's plump old face, and he said with some hurt: "Is there such reasoning in this world? When something is given to a man, twenty years later they want it back. If that's the case, better not to have given it at all!"

"Father, calm your anger, please watch your words!" Qian Hongchu's complaint was satisfying to voice, but Qian Weizhi was startled, hurrying forward to soothe him while cautioning him carefully.

"Watch my words?" Qian Hongchu remained stubborn, blurting out: "Are you afraid there are still spies from the Palace City Office in this mansion?"

Yet though his words were bold, he glanced around furtively and promptly lost his nerve, stammering a few times and daring not to speak recklessly again. But the anger pent up in his chest was hard to swallow. He rose, paced a few steps about the hall, and gestured wildly as he fumed: "Those two, Zhao and An—who knows what madness seized them! All was peaceful, yet they had to stir up waves. They resign their titles readily enough, but they've left me in a bind!"

Qian Hongchu was furious and unable to let it go. Qian Weizhi, standing by, could only do his best to console him and ease his mind: "Father, things have come to this. I fear that both inside and outside the palace, the entire court is waiting to see what you will do."

"Must I too submit a memorial of resignation, like Zhao and An?" Qian Hongchu said.

Qian Weizhi nodded: "In my view, there is no other choice at present!"

Hearing this, Qian Hongchu's face immediately showed deep conflict, his hands having nowhere to rest. After pondering bitterly for a moment, he suddenly said, "Is there not still the Prince of Fu?"

At this thought, Qian Hongchu's eyes lit up: "Why not wait for the Fu family's reaction? Once they make their move, we can see how things stand!"

Qian Weizhi shook his head: "Fu Zhaoyuan, the Prince of Chenliu, is currently serving in Andong, while you, Father, are right here in the capital. Moreover, the Fu clan is illustrious, backed by the Crown Prince, and with the Empress just recently deceased, His Majesty will not press them too hard out of regard for their bond. But we are surrendered subjects..."

"The Fu family has the Crown Prince; our family has the Prince of Yong!" Qian Hongchu said, then his face twisted with distress: "Alas, His Highness the Prince of Yong has yet to return from the South Seas. Were he here to speak on our behalf, there might be room to maneuver—or at the very least, we could seek his counsel."

At this moment, Qian Hongchu's face was full of difficulty, his tone plaintive. At the root of it all, he was simply too reluctant to part with his princely title of Huainan. He had been a king since his youth, and after entering the court, he had still retained a commandery prince's rank, called "Your Highness" for decades. Now suddenly he was told that would no longer do, and that he himself must voluntarily request the removal of his princely designation—for Qian Hongchu, the discomfort in his heart was simply too intense.

In Qian Hongchu's view, this commandery prince title of his had been earned with the decades of enterprise of his Qian ancestors, and was only right and proper—something he could wear with a clear conscience.

As a descendant of the Qian clan, Qian Weizhi could sympathize with Qian Hongchu's feelings, but this was hardly the time to quibble over fairness. He strove to persuade: "Father, for the Qian clan, a princely title is but an empty name. We are surrendered subjects after all. That we enjoy such wealth and peace today is entirely due to the court's magnanimity.

Among all the surrendered lords, each once ruled a region and styled themselves kings. Yet aside from our family, which other house has been permitted to retain a princely title and enjoy such preferential treatment? This is something to be wary of—this crown is not easy to wear!

In the past, we coexisted peacefully simply because His Majesty was lenient. Now that His Majesty's intent is gradually becoming clear, if the Qian clan does not know when to advance and when to retreat, the consequences may be hard to foresee. Even His Highness the Prince of Yong may not be able to shield our family.

Compared to a princely title that is but an empty name, dispelling the misgivings in His Majesty's heart and ensuring the Qian clan's long-term survival is far more important."

Qian Weizhi clearly saw things clearly, and his words struck deep. Qian Hongchu was no fool either—it was merely that he found it hard to accept psychologically. After a moment of silent deliberation, he finally let out a long sigh: "What you say is reasonable. Write a memorial on my behalf and submit it as well!"

Having said this, Qian Hongchu seemed to lose all his vigor, his entire being appearing utterly dejected. Seeing this, Qian Weizhi could not help but worry—Qian Hongchu was a man past fifty, and could ill afford such violent swings of emotion.

But the matter had to be done, and the outcome had to be accepted. He could only hope that his father would truly come to terms with it.

Not long after Emperor Liu enfeoffed An Shouzhong as Duke of Jing, the memorial from Qian Hongchu, the Prince of Huainan, was finally submitted. The result came as no surprise: Emperor Liu approved his request, removing his princely designation and changing his title to Duke of Ning.

Another month later, Fu Zhaoyuan's memorial arrived late but not absent—his princely designation was removed, and he was re-enfeoffed as Duke of Xu. Perhaps Emperor Liu felt somewhat embarrassed himself: though the four princes were stripped of their princely titles, their salaries and treatment were retained in full. Removing the empty name while preserving the substance—that was the choice Emperor Liu gave them.