Chapter 1892: The New Qi and the New Chu

"Although we have seized some towns and lands in Andong, north of Andong there is still plenty of ungoverned territory—a single Black Water stretching thousands of li, yet how much of it do we truly control? There is great room for expansion.

In the past, the reports I heard most from Andong were of internal strife and external harassment. A bunch of uncivilized savages and natives can make you this anxious and fearful—you have no way to deal with them at all? I don't believe it! I only see the endless harassment from the Shiwei, but why don't I see you counterattacking? If you have the ability, wipe out those native barbarians entirely, plant Han banners on all those unsubjugated lands, and erect stone monuments!

I don't care what thoughts you harbored in the past, but now that I have granted you a fiefdom, how you walk your path from here on—conduct yourself accordingly!"

Emperor Liu spoke these words to Liu Xu, and there was already a warning tone in his speech. A wave of pressure washed over him, and Liu Xu's face unconsciously tensed as he replied in a cautious manner: "Yes!"

After finishing with Region "Number One," it naturally came to "Number Two," which was right beside Andong. Emperor Liu's right foot stepped across the Whale Sea (Sea of Japan) from Andong, landing on two great islands facing the mainland across the water, and he said to Qi Prince Liu Yun, who stood on the other side: "Liu Yun, you once served as envoy to Goryeo and Japan—you must have some understanding of these two islands north of Japan. I intend to grant these two great islands to you as your fiefdom. What do you think?"

So it's my turn now? Liu Yun thought to himself, but when his gaze fell on the two territories beneath Emperor Liu's feet, he lamented inwardly—this was simply too remote. Although he would be neighbors with his eldest brother, they were separated by such a vast sea—how was this any different from exile? Of course, for Liu Yun, what mattered more was that accepting this fiefdom meant completely leaving behind the splendor of the Central Plains. How could he, Liu Yun, enjoy a carefree life like that?

Although Andong was remote and desolate, it was still connected to the empire by land—one could hear the sounds of home and see fellow countrymen... When he had previously been sent to the South Seas and the Arabs, aside from the initial novelty, all that remained was endless monotony and tedium. If he were to stay east of the Whale Sea forever, spending his days among those Emishi—the very thought of such a life was despairing!

Seeing Liu Yun's conflicted expression, Emperor Liu said calmly: "Of course, let me add one more principle of enfeoffment—I will not coerce you. Those unwilling to go, I will absolutely not force. It is entirely voluntary!"

However, the moment Emperor Liu said this, the pressure on Liu Yun only increased. Could Emperor Liu's words be trusted? If he agreed too readily, within a few days his days in the Great Han would become difficult.

Sigh, even wanting to be a carefree prince is so hard to achieve... Liu Yun lamented inwardly.

Under the gaze of Emperor Liu and his brothers, Liu Yun said somewhat uncomfortably to Emperor Liu: "What Your Majesty bestows, your subject dare not decline. But I wonder if I might raise one small request?"

"Speak freely!" A slight smile appeared at the corner of Emperor Liu's mouth.

Hearing this, Liu Yun thought for a moment and said: "The two islands are far from the mainland, the journey is long, and transportation is inconvenient. Could I be given more preparation time, more ships and shipwrights allocated, and permission to recruit more coastal fishermen?"

"Granted!"

"Also, could the time before I take up my fief be extended?" Liu Yun asked again.

Emperor Liu: "How long do you plan to prepare, and when do you intend to take up your fief?"

To this, Liu Yun said cautiously: "Your subject is thirty-six this year. If I can live to fifty, would it be acceptable to cross the sea eastward and take up my fief then?"

Liu Yun's request was quite "constructive," leaving the entire hall astonished, and everyone present instinctively looked at him. Emperor Liu was also stunned for a moment, gave Liu Yun a good long look, and sneered: "You really dare to ask. You've been hiding your true nature well, boy—when you get absurd, I'd wager you're no less than Liu Shu!"

Hearing Emperor Liu call out his name, Liu Shu beside him was startled and looked at Emperor Liu with some grievance—why did everything have to involve him? Was he really so worthless in Emperor Liu's eyes?

"I think you just can't bear to part with the splendor of the Central Plains!" Emperor Liu rebuked Liu Yun, his tone already somewhat stern.

Liu Yun said awkwardly: "Your subject merely thought—once I leave, the sea is vast and the sky high, and it will be hard to return. I cannot bear to part with my parents, and only wish for a few more days to serve them and fulfill my filial duty."

Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled faintly: "Since you care so much for me, I all the more cannot stop you from striving forward, nor can I watch you waste your best years in the capital! If you truly have the heart, go out and make your way, manage your fief well, and accomplish something—that would be the greatest filial piety to me!"

With Emperor Liu saying this, what more could Liu Yun say? He said somewhat helplessly: "Yes!"

The preparations for taking up his fief had not even begun, and the enfeoffment edict had not yet been issued, but at this moment, Liu Yun's eyes were already filled with reluctant parting...

Seeing this, Emperor Liu pondered for a moment and finally said: "If you don't mind the hardship and trouble, I will permit you to return to the capital once every three years!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Liu Yun immediately bowed in gratitude, though this favor, for him, was merely a small comfort.

"From now on, you shall be the Great Han's new Qi Prince, and your fiefdom shall be called the New Qi Kingdom!" Having settled Liu Yun's territory, Emperor Liu looked at him and said solemnly.

To this, no matter how unwilling Liu Yun was in his heart, he still bowed with great solemnity and said: "Your subject thanks you for your grace!"

Although Liu Yun appeared obedient at this moment, Emperor Liu could not help but mutter inwardly. He still held considerable expectations for his fifth son, but this son was simply too slippery.

It wasn't that he couldn't handle responsibility—whether it was various tasks at court or missions to vassal states, he had performed very properly—but every task was imposed by Emperor Liu, and rarely did one see any initiative from him.

Perhaps his ambitions truly lay elsewhere. This enfeoffment was another push from Emperor Liu. This son—if not pushed, one would never know just how much talent and energy he was hiding.

Seeing that Liu Yun still looked reluctant, Emperor Liu could not help but speak earnestly: "I know you're unwilling, but since you've agreed, there's no going back. Do a good job for me! Although New Qi is wild and remote, its climate is considerably better than Andong's. Haven't you always been interested in Japan? From now on, it will be your neighbor!"

"Yes!" When Emperor Liu was this serious, Liu Yun could hardly keep a grim face.

"Your Majesty!" At this moment, Liu Shu suddenly spoke up, drawing everyone's attention.

Emperor Liu looked at him, somewhat curious: "What do you have to say?"

Liu Shu chuckled and said: "Eldest brother is the Prince of Andong, fifth brother is the Prince of New Qi, but I'm stuck being some Prince of Linyi—it really doesn't sound good. Could my fiefdom be changed to the New Chu Kingdom?"

It had to be said, Liu Shu's suggestion made quite a bit of sense. Emperor Liu couldn't help but take another look at Liu Shu, then waved his hand and said: "Fine! But you must also remember—what the title is called, whether it sounds nice or not, none of that matters. What matters is how you govern and develop after taking up your fief, how you spread the glory of Great Han civilization, and how you consolidate our Liu clan's foundation—those are the most fundamental things!"

"Yes! Your subject will remember Your Majesty's teachings!" This seemed to be the first time Emperor Liu had accepted his proposal, and Liu Shu felt a strange joy in his heart as he hurriedly expressed to Emperor Liu.

In just a few words, another fiefdom was decided by Emperor Liu, and his mood brightened considerably with the announcement of the arrangements.

As if thinking of something, he spoke to the three brothers Liu Xu, Liu Yun, and Liu Shu in an especially solemn tone: "After taking up your fiefs, you are kings abroad and subjects at home—this is something I hope you will remember forever!"

"The same goes for the rest of you!" Emperor Liu said to the other princes.