Chapter 1817: Persian Observations

At Chuigong Hall, several figures stood calmly before the hall's gates. In the center was Emperor Liu, with Noble Consort Gao and Worthy Consort accompanying him at his sides. They all kept gazing into the distance—what they cared about, naturally, were Liu Wenhai and Liu Yun.

Only when Liu Yang, Liu Chenghsun, and their party came into view did joy appear on their faces. Liu Wenhai had been raised personally by Noble Consort Gao, who had always doted on him; Liu Yun was Worthy Consort's most beloved son. They had been away at sea for so long by imperial decree, and there had not been a single day without worry and longing—after all, the winds and waves of the South Seas and its malaria cared not whether one was noble or base. Now that they had finally returned safely, only then could she truly rest easy.

The party made straight for the foot of Chuigong Hall. Seeing the Emperor and the two consorts personally waiting on the hall's terrace, they hurriedly performed the rites of greeting. Seeing this, a relieved smile broke through Emperor Liu's stern countenance. He strode quickly down the imperial steps, his nimble movements making Yan Tuo, watching at his side, tremble with fright as he hurriedly followed, afraid the Emperor might fall.

"Rise quickly!" Before they even drew near, Emperor Liu's greeting reached them.

Liu Chenghsun was somewhat taken aback by such an enthusiastic welcome from Emperor Liu. Before he could react, the Emperor rushed up and pulled him up with a bear hug: "Sanlang, you've finally returned! I am truly overjoyed!"

Emperor Liu might be deep, might be affected, but the occasional outpouring of emotion carried a measure of sincerity. Liu Chenghsun could not help but feel a stir in his heart. Yet after that brief moment of emotion, reason took hold of his mind. Gently extricating himself, Liu Chenghsun stepped back and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, I am unworthy of such grace. I truly dare not accept the honor of Your Majesty descending the steps for me!"

Seeing him so reverent and deferential, Emperor Liu's face immediately showed displeasure: "What 'descending the steps'? This is not a sovereign greeting a minister—this is a father and elder brother welcoming his own son and younger brother!"

Waving a hand toward everyone, Emperor Liu said in a relaxed tone, pointing at his legs: "If these old legs of mine weren't so uncooperative, I would have gone outside the city walls to meet you!"

"Your Majesty!" Liu Chenghsun's face showed deep emotion.

"This is no place for conversation. Come into the hall with me and tell me of your experiences in the South Seas!"

"Yes!"

So saying, Emperor Liu took Liu Chenghsun by the hand and headed into Chuigong Hall. However, as they ascended the steps, it gradually became Liu Chenghsun supporting Emperor Liu.

Inside the hall, sovereign and subject, father and sons, took their seats. Palace maids served hot tea. After drinking and letting their emotions settle somewhat, Emperor Liu studied Liu Chenghsun and the others, while Liu Chenghsun and his companions likewise observed Emperor Liu—only with a bit more caution.

Emperor Liu had truly aged! This was perhaps the foremost impression Liu Chenghsun, Liu Yun, and Liu Wenhai had at this moment. That air of decline was not something one could conceal by sheer force of will.

His gaze wandered for a moment before settling on Liu Yun. Looking at his fifth son, who carried himself with uncommon bearing, he said: "Two and a half years there and back—did you enjoy yourself to the full?"

At the question, Liu Yun answered with a smile: "Not only to the full—nearly half the time was spent at sea. Apart from wind and waves, there was only sailing. As time wore on, it grew rather tedious! The exotic customs and practices of foreign lands, though astonishing, are ultimately not as warm and endearing as the waters and soil of our Han homeland."

"It seems your journey was greatly rewarding!" Emperor Liu said, hearing the somewhat moved sentiment in his words.

"I must say, I have had my horizons vastly broadened!" said Liu Yun.

"Then I must hear your account properly!" Emperor Liu said with a laugh. He then turned to Liu Wenhai and beckoned to him: "Wenhai, come closer, let me have a look at you!"

"Yes!" At the command, Liu Wenhai immediately rose and walked before Emperor Liu.

Emperor Liu also stood up, examining Liu Wenhai. This eldest son of the Prince of Jin was still not yet sixteen, but after being tempered by wind and waves, he had clearly gained a maturity that belied his age, and even faintly exuded a wildness. At an age of rapid growth, two and a half years had seen Liu Wenhai fill out considerably, with notable changes in his appearance—but he was distinctly more valiant and handsome. As an elder, seeing this was truly gratifying.

"Your Majesty!" In the end, he was still just a youth. Facing Emperor Liu's scrutiny, Liu Wenhai could not help but call out somewhat nervously.

Hearing this form of address, Emperor Liu was displeased: "Who taught you to call me that? 'Grandfather,' 'Grandpa,' 'Grandsire'—any of those will do. Just don't learn from your fathers and uncles. A single 'Your Majesty' is too cold, too distant!"

Emperor Liu complained like a resentful old woman for a moment. Seeing this, Liu Wenhai lowered his head slightly and called out softly: "Grandfather!"

At this, Emperor Liu finally showed a satisfied smile. He reached out and gestured, measuring: "You've grown taller! This height has already surpassed mine! Your body is sturdier too—stronger."

Seeing Emperor Liu appraising Liu Wenhai like a treasured gem, unable to hide his fondness, Liu Yun also smiled and said: "Your Majesty, this child Wenhai is quite something—a young hero, resourceful and wise, accomplished in both letters and arms. During our mission to the west, his performance was nothing short of outstanding!"

"Oh?" Hearing this from Liu Yun, Emperor Liu's interest immediately soared. He gave Liu Wenhai another look and said: "So another swift steed has appeared in our family? It seems your mission truly was full of experiences! Tell me all about it!"

At this mention, a look of recollection crossed Liu Yun's face: "It was while we were in Persia. We visited their capital, Baghdad, and while engaging in brisk trade, established relations with them. The Caliph of Persia welcomed us warmly and received us with great hospitality. However, later, Muslim zealots stormed our delegation, and even some of their nobles and troops displayed hostility.

It was Wenhai who, seeing the situation turning dire, decisively urged me to leave. Under his planning, we fought our way through checkpoints and strongholds, and before the Persians could fully react, we made it safely back to our fleet and joined forces with the army of the Earl of Zhiyuan!"

Liu Yun spoke simply, but the risk and peril involved could not be conveyed in just a few words—and Emperor Liu clearly sensed it. After all, escaping successfully from a hostile capital in a foreign land where one knew neither the people nor the terrain was absolutely no easy feat. It was no romantic tale of adventure; it was peril at every step, nearly dancing on the edge of a blade.

Sensing something amiss, Emperor Liu knit his brows: "What happened? You were the Great Han's delegation. How dare those Persians disregard diplomatic protocol and lay hands on you?"

At the question, Liu Yun sighed: "The root cause lies in the Great Han's war with the Kara-Khanid Khanate! Ever since Sixth Brother's western campaign, the Kara-Khanids have continuously sent envoys to the Persian region seeking aid, slandering the Great Han wantonly, spreading word of the Great Han's threat, and inciting Muslims in the Persian region to march east in the name of holy war.

Islam is the state religion of the Persian region, with enormous influence and a highly expansionist nature. As a result, the local religious forces naturally became hostile to the Great Han. As the Great Han's delegation, we naturally earned no goodwill from them.

At first, they maintained basic decorum and restraint. However, with Sixth Brother's capture of Balasagun last winter, nearly extinguishing the Kara-Khanid Khanate, when news reached the Persian region, it sent the Muslim world into an uproar. The cry for a 'holy war to the east' blazed up fiercely, and our situation in Baghdad naturally became critical at once.

Fortunately, we acted on the opportunity and withdrew swiftly. Otherwise, we would truly have been lost in Persia!"

"The Persians! The Muslims! How dare they!" Anger rose on Emperor Liu's face as he said coldly: "They dare to offend the Great Han's delegation!"

Most critically, the delegation included his imperial son and grandson—this struck at Emperor Liu's most sensitive nerve.

After a moment's deliberation, Emperor Liu raised a question: "I know that Islam has enormous influence over governance and the lives of the people in the Persian region. But since their Caliph had welcomed you so warmly before, did he not try to protect you after the incident?"

Facing Emperor Liu's puzzlement, Liu Yun shook his head: "It was only after we went deep into Persia that we came to understand its political landscape. The current situation in the Persian region is somewhat similar to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods of our China. The nominal ruler is the Caliph of the Abbasid Dynasty, but they have long since lost control over their domains.

Warlords stand in profusion, states carve up the land, and chaos reigns everywhere. As for what the Abbasid Dynasty directly governs, it is only a small area around the capital, Baghdad. Even Baghdad's politics are controlled by the Buyid Dynasty, founded by the Daylamites, which broke away fifty years ago. Their caliph is merely a puppet.

Under such circumstances, how could the Abbasid Caliph, who holds little real power, possibly protect the delegation?"

Hearing Liu Yun's explanation, Emperor Liu finally understood. His eyes rolled for a moment, and with a hint of schadenfreude he said: "If I remember correctly, it was this Abbasid Dynasty that contended with the Great Tang for dominance over the Western Regions! Two hundred years on, they have declined to such a state! Since the Persian region is in such a situation, they are hardly a cause for concern!"

Liu Yun shook his head again: "Your Majesty, although the Abbasid Dynasty has declined, and the Samanid Dynasty bordering the Kara-Khanids deteriorates by the day, the Buyid Dynasty that now controls the Persian region is at its zenith. Additionally, the Ghaznavid Dynasty, which broke away from the Samanids, is rising under the leadership of its Emir, Sabuktigin, growing ever stronger. On the whole, the combined strength of the Persian states cannot compare with the Great Han, but they still must not be underestimated.

However, during my travels in Persia, I also learned that Adud al-Dawla, the sovereign who led the Buyid Dynasty to its zenith, passed away two years ago. Their momentum of ascendancy shows signs of slipping. The newly succeeded sovereign cannot reconcile the contradictions among the upper nobility, and strife between the Turks and the Daylamites is unceasing, with conflicts multiplying—internal discord has already begun.

Therefore, across the entire Persian region, the only state with an upward trajectory that poses a threat to the Great Han's Anxi is the Ghaznavid Dynasty. Yet, surveying Persian history, I find that the region has many tribes, with rises and falls cycling endlessly. Often, when one dynasty declines, new forces swiftly rise to replace its hegemony. Even if their duration is usually short, they always manage to dominate for a time.

Moreover, over these past centuries, Islam has expanded rapidly, unifying the faith. Dynasties that practice the union of religion and state tend to possess powerful aggressiveness and expansionist desires—they absolutely must not be underestimated.

Now that the Great Han has fallen out with the Persian states, I believe the court should not let its guard down or think little of them!"