Chapter 1842: The Prince of Jin's Family

After leaving the palace, Liu Xi went straight back to his residence. Both physically and mentally, he needed some time to adjust—he could no longer carry on as leisurely as before.

For no particular reason, Liu Xi found himself somewhat envious of Prince Qi, Liu Yun. During his time back in the capital, the fifth prince had been living it up—gathering friends, enjoying life to the fullest, savoring all the splendor of Luoyang, tinkering with the curious contraptions that interested him, and only sparing a moment now and then to check on the progress of compiling the *Journey to the West of Prince Qi*. As for Liu Yun's "unconventional ways," Emperor Liu for once did not rebuke him; he merely smiled upon hearing of it and let him be.

Liu Xi even felt that his ninth brother, Liu Shu, lived more freely than any of them. Everyone said the ninth prince was dissolute and worthless, but he lived on his own terms, doing whatever he pleased, never concealing his desires or thoughts—which ironically made people less wary of him...

The Prince of Jin's residence sat south of the Luo River, not far from the imperial city. When Liu Xi returned, the sun was already drifting westward, still blazing with fierce heat that drove sweat from a man's brow. Inside the residence, the atmosphere was cheerful and harmonious—the Prince of Jin's eldest son, Marquis Linhai Liu Wenhai, had come home.

For his meritorious service in the overseas mission, Liu Wenhai had been enfeoffed as Marquis Linhai and established his own household. To show his affection for this grandson, Emperor Liu had also provided him with a mansion, estates, and servants. Over the past half year and more, Liu Wenhai had been studying and training at the Army Officer Academy, which was presided over by Duke Wen, Xiang Xun.

Like the military examinations, the Great Han Army Officer Academy—which had grown out of the early Fengchen Camp—had become another path of advancement for Han officers and soldiers. It was far more important than the military examinations, with higher thresholds and more restrictions, but by the same token, the prospects for its graduates were far broader.

It had been formally established for over a decade now. Yang Ye had been one of the principal generals involved in its founding, and after more than ten years of development, its teaching system had become highly refined. Besides the traditional cavalry and infantry categories, there were also departments for military orders, military law, engineering, and logistics—and just recently, an artillery department had been added.

There was no doubt that this was the true inheritance ground of the Han army. Scions of noble families gathered there in droves, and the finest talents of the military were concentrated there. The course of study lasted three years, and every officer who graduated started at the rank of centurion at minimum upon entering the army; those who performed outstandingly and had reliable backgrounds often began directly as battalion commanders.

By now, the Officer Academy had become the cradle of senior Han officers. Those who had not gilded themselves there, unless they had exceptional fortune, would find it very difficult to rise to high positions. Among the earliest cohort of graduates, some had already become Chief Commanders of a circuit.

Liu Wenhai had entered the Officer Academy not only because of Emperor Liu's arrangement but also of his own volition. His mission to Central Asia had tempered him severely and exposed him to the flames of war. Though he had once escaped danger through quick wits, he knew he could not rely on talent alone—he wanted to further improve himself through study at the Officer Academy.

Of course, what he was really interested in was the navy. Unfortunately, the Naval Officer Academy was located at Jinming Pool in the Eastern Capital and had not yet been relocated west. Noble Consort Gao could not bear to part with him, so he had to make do with army studies for the time being.

Inside the Prince of Jin's residence, seeing Liu Xi return, the household womenfolk and Liu Xi's children, led by Princess Consort Song, hurried forward to greet him. His gaze swept over them, taking in his now sizable family, and a smile crept onto Liu Xi's face as a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

Liu Xi was no puritan. The residence had no shortage of women—besides Princess Consort Song, there were five secondary consorts and concubines. His offspring were also numerous: four sons and two daughters. The eldest was naturally Liu Wenhai, followed by second son Liu Wenyang, eldest daughter Liu Wenqin, third son Liu Wenlan, fourth son Liu Wenqing, and second daughter Liu Wenyuan.

Though the residence had many women, Liu Xi's true love remained Song. Not only because she was his wife of first marriage, but also because she was the daughter of Duke Hui, Song Yanwo, and his aunt, Princess Yongning the Elder.

Looking at his smiling wives, concubines, and children, Liu Xi took his three-year-old youngest daughter Liu Wenyuan from the wet nurse's arms, played with her a moment, then asked with slight curiosity: "What has made you all so happy?"

Princess Consort Song, accustomed to moving in court circles and widely experienced, had always carried herself with propriety and grace, and now she displayed all the bearing of a proper matriarch. At his question, she invited Liu Xi to sit and said with a gentle smile: "The academy is on break, and the eldest has returned—and he brought back a parrot that speaks human words. It's adorable!"

"Oh?" Liu Xi's interest was piqued. He looked toward a birdcage Liu Wenhai was holding, inside which was a parrot with an entirely green body and crimson feathers on its forehead—bright, colorful, delicate, and lovely.

Seeing this, Liu Wenhai immediately coaxed and prompted the bird, and the parrot promptly chirped happily: "Auspicious and propitious! Auspicious and propitious!"

"A parrot repeating what it hears!" Liu Xi smiled and said: "I recall the *Book of Song* records that during the Yuanjia era of the Liu Song, the kingdom of Shepo in the South Seas sent envoys bearing tribute, which included crimson parrots!"

At this, Liu Wenhai reported: "Father truly has a vast memory. This bird is indeed a crimson parrot from Shepo. A friend in the South Seas sent someone to deliver it. I saw that this bird is extremely clever and quick to learn human speech, so I specially brought it back to the residence to amuse Father and Mother..."

Hearing this introduction, Liu Xi's brow furrowed slightly as he asked: "This friend in the South Seas—who is he?"

Noticing Liu Xi's expression, Liu Wenhai dared not conceal anything and replied: "His name is Zhang Chaoguang. I made his acquaintance on Liangping Island during the return journey of the mission."

"What is his background, and what does he do?" Liu Xi pressed on.

Liu Wenhai: "He is a scion of the Hailing Marquis's family. He currently runs mines in the South Seas and also engages in some trade. I saw that although he was young, he dared to venture into the South Seas, fearless of danger, penetrating deep into the wilds—quite spirited and bold—so I had some dealings with him..."

Hearing this explanation, Liu Xi nodded, though a hint of contemplation flickered in his eyes. Coming back to himself, he handed the young daughter back, waved at the Princess Consort and the others to indicate they should withdraw, keeping only Liu Wenhai behind.

In the hall, looking at his tall and stalwart eldest son, a sense of satisfaction welled up unbidden in Liu Xi's heart. Among the current imperial grandsons—setting aside the two sons of the Eastern Palace—it was the eldest son of the Prince of Qin, Liu Wenyuan, and his own eldest son, Liu Wenhai, who shone the brightest. They were also the only two imperial grandsons who held noble titles.

Liu Wenyuan had followed his father to the bitter cold land of Andong when he was not yet ten. Over the following decade or so, he absorbed Liu Xu's personal teachings on governance and the welfare of the people, and at fifteen he began training in the Andong garrison. In recent years, with barbarian unrest in Andong never ceasing, Liu Wenyuan had long served on the front lines of counterinsurgency, winning a fearsome reputation in quelling the uprisings of native barbarians within and beyond Andong's borders. He had also taken part in the campaign to drive out the Mongol Shiwei in the north, earning no small merit. Two years ago, when Liu Wenyuan turned eighteen, Emperor Liu enfeoffed him as Marquis Haidong.

And his own son's performance was in no way inferior. Though raised in the deep palace and nurtured by women's hands, Liu Xi had experienced firsthand from childhood how strict Noble Consort Gao could be. Under his mother's cultivation, Liu Wenhai's literary and martial abilities far exceeded the ordinary. He had shown not a trace of fear in his foreign mission, performed outstandingly throughout it, and embodied the pioneering, enterprising spirit that Emperor Liu had instilled in the Great Han. Emperor Liu was very pleased with this grandson's performance, and as his father, Liu Xi naturally shared in the pride.

Still, a father's stern demeanor had to be maintained. He fixed Liu Wenhai with a stern look for a long while before finally gesturing for him to sit and asking about his performance at the Officer Academy.

Of course, Liu Xi had actually been keeping close watch all along—but some things, heard from others' mouths versus described by Liu Wenhai himself, were bound to differ. The two could be compared against each other.

After learning about his studies, Liu Xi put on a serious expression and asked in a low voice: "So you intend to pursue a military career from now on?"

Sensing the gravity in his father's question, Liu Wenhai did not answer hastily. After giving it careful thought, he replied with certainty: "Yes! I believe that although the Great Han is at peace within, minor disturbances never cease, and beyond our borders the turmoil is even greater. In the north there are barbarians who refuse to submit, in the south there are savage tribes in revolt, Anxi and the Arab states are still locked in struggle, and the kingdoms of the South Seas, though they profess submission, harbor restless thoughts of resistance in secret. There will surely be a place for arms in the future!"

Seeing his young son speaking with such eloquence about the Great Han's internal and external circumstances, Liu Xi's expression gradually softened into warmth. He nodded to him: "Since you have this insight and this ambition, then strive and persevere—do not give up halfway!"

"Yes!" Delighted to have won his father's approval, Liu Wenhai hastened to reply.

"That parrot need not remain in the residence. Present it to the palace another day to amuse your grandmother. And beyond your studies, you should also go to the palace often to keep her company!" Liu Xi instructed further.

"Yes! I understand!" Liu Wenhai nodded quickly. He had been raised largely by Noble Consort Gao, and his feelings for his grandmother ran naturally deep.

After returning to the residence, Liu Xi suddenly found his mood much improved, the oppressive weight on him lightened considerably. He had never realized how much he cherished his home. However, his good mood did not last long—soon a piece of news arrived: Zheng Jingru, who had memorialized requesting the establishment of an empress, had been granted death by poison in prison...