Chapter 1903: Forced by Circumstances

Facing the frowning Liu Chenghsun, Emperor Liu let out a sigh of relief and said slowly, "Since my ministers are all unwilling, if I remain stubborn, wouldn't that be forcing others to do what they don't want? Those who share my heart, I will support with all my might; as for the rest, let them be free! However, there is gain in loss, and loss in gain..."

Emperor Liu's words carried a hint of Zen philosophy, and also a trace of compromise. Liu Chenghsun had come only because he sensed the surging public sentiment, out of concern, wanting to console Emperor Liu. But before he could voice the words he had prepared, Emperor Liu already appeared completely enlightened and at ease, which instead left Liu Chenghsun at a loss for what to say.

Liu Chenghsun was momentarily speechless, but not so Emperor Liu. Looking at this younger brother, a thoughtful expression flashed across his face, and he asked with keen interest, "Sanlang, do you share one heart with me?"

Faced with such a question, how could Liu Chenghsun say no? Many thoughts flashed through his mind, and Liu Chenghsun bowed his head humbly and said, "If Your Majesty commands, your servant will not refuse!"

"Again 'will not refuse'!" Muttering this phrase he had heard until it nearly wore out his ears, Emperor Liu adjusted his posture, leaning his body forward, his old eyes exceptionally bright as he looked at him: "You are one who crossed the seas on a diplomatic mission and witnessed the foreign lands with your own eyes. You should have a different perspective on overseas enfeoffment—at least you wouldn't be so averse to it!"

Emperor Liu's meaning was now abundantly clear. Yet Liu Chenghsun truly wanted to answer Emperor Liu that it was precisely because he had gone out and seen the world that he could not quite approve of Emperor Liu's enfeoffment proposal, and felt that Emperor Liu's ideas were too immature.

Liu Chenghsun naturally would not, like those ignorant commoners in the markets who had never seen the real world, take at face value the tales touted by the Pacification Commissions and the merchants who had returned from overseas. Opening and cultivating lands overseas—how could that be easy? Perhaps there were fertile fields and rich soils, and gold and rare treasures did indeed exist, but those all had to be earned with one's life.

From what Liu Chenghsun understood, over these past twenty-odd years, several hundred thousand people had come south in waves, but fewer than half had survived and made a living. The mortality rate was higher than any war the Great Han had ever launched.

Facing Emperor Liu at this moment, he naturally dared not speak his true thoughts, but he could not help probing indirectly: "Overseas there is indeed another world, with great potential for achievement, but it requires sufficient time and patience; it cannot be accomplished in one stroke. When Qin conquered the Hundred Yue, it was not until the five emperors of the Former Han that the three Yue regions became inherent territory of China. How much more so for those islands and rainforests hanging far across the seas?

The ministers' concerns are not groundless worries but considerations based on reality. While Your Majesty looks far ahead, perhaps you might also listen to some of the sentiments below, for hearing both sides brings clarity..."

Liu Chenghsun's words plunged Emperor Liu into a brief silence, and then he said with some flagging spirits, "No matter how we talk about it, even you think those ministers outside are right to oppose! Earlier I was still worrying—at the Lantern Festival discussion of enfeoffment, I only considered the imperial princes and neglected you, my brother. I feared you and the clansmen might think me partial. Now it seems I was being sentimental on my own account!"

With Emperor Liu saying this, how could Liu Chenghsun remain tense? His expression immediately changed, and he hurriedly said, "Your Majesty speaks too gravely!"

"Then answer me this—if I were to grant you a fief, would you be willing to go?" Emperor Liu ignored everything else, staring fixedly at Liu Chenghsun.

Liu Chenghsun very much wanted to give this difficult imperial brother a crisp answer, but he truly could not. After hesitating for a while, he finally gritted his teeth and replied, "I await your command!"

After gazing at Liu Chenghsun for a moment, seeing his emotions gradually calm and his gaze gradually become candid, Emperor Liu finally turned his head away and smiled: "Enough! I said I would not force anyone. I don't even make demands of those unfilial sons of mine, so how much less of you, my only brother?"

Perhaps sensing the disappointment and even dissatisfaction in Emperor Liu's heart—and Liu Chenghsun clearly did not wish for that—after considering for a while, he suddenly spoke up: "If Your Majesty needs someone to ride ahead as a vanguard, your servant is willing to go!"

"Truly?" Emperor Liu was somewhat surprised and doubtful, then said, "If you are merely trying to cater to me, there's no need! The turmoil of these past days, I have already come to terms with. Go if you go, stay if you stay—that is all!"

Hearing this, Liu Chenghsun sighed softly and said, "Your Majesty's ideals and magnanimity—I have studied them for decades and still cannot fully grasp them. I can only do what I am capable of and follow Your Majesty's advocacy. For governing the South Seas, among the imperial clan, I fear no one is more suitable than I. Let me set an example for the clan and for the people of the realm!"

Emperor Liu carefully sized up Liu Chenghsun twice. Although this brother's attitude was quite sincere, he could not discern what thoughts truly lay within him. Still, hearing Liu Chenghsun make such a declaration, a feeling of gratification welled up in Emperor Liu's heart. At least with the Prince of Yong taking the lead, his "grand enfeoffment plan" would not become a laughingstock and end in a mess. Perhaps this was also a way of saving face for himself?

At this thought, Emperor Liu could not help but reveal a hint of a smile, and his gaze softened considerably. After a moment's deliberation, Emperor Liu waved his hand magnanimously and said, "You have been to the South Seas and stayed there over a year. I won't designate a place for you—just tell me directly which territory you have your eye on, and I will certainly not refuse!"

Since Emperor Liu said so, Liu Chenghsun would not stand on ceremony. After only a brief moment of thought, he said, "Your servant has an idea, but I fear Your Majesty might be reluctant to part with it!"

When Liu Chenghsun said this, wariness immediately arose in Emperor Liu's heart. The third brother wouldn't propose something troublesome, would he? His tone could not help but shift slightly: "Speak of it first—as long as it's suitable, there's nothing I'd be reluctant to part with!"

Liu Chenghsun said, "During the diplomatic mission back then, the fleet once anchored at the port of Liuqiu. That place has long been bathed in imperial grace, with merchants and travelers gathering there, and Han settlers numbering in the hundreds of thousands... Now Liuqiu Prefecture is under the jurisdiction of the Fujian Circuit, but separated by the sea after all. Even if the circuit office values it, policies and decrees must still be conveyed across the waves, which is most inconvenient. The court's governance of Liuqiu has also been more of a laissez-faire approach. I wonder if Your Majesty would be willing to include it in consideration for a fief?"

After hearing Liu Chenghsun's proposal, Emperor Liu's face remained impassive, but in his heart he had already begun to hesitate.

After all, it was Liuqiu—one of the more maturely developed territories among the Great Han's many overseas possessions. This was not within Emperor Liu's enfeoffment plan, just like the Annam Circuit.

As for the argument about the inconvenience of governing across the sea, that did not hold water with Emperor Liu either. In the process of overseas trade's growth and expansion, Liuqiu's development could be described as changing with each passing day. Merchant ships and traders coming from north and south had brought it tremendous momentum and space for development.

As a treasured island facing Fujian across the sea, with deep historical ties, Emperor Liu was not at all afraid of it being isolated overseas and slipping from control—the Southern Sea Fleet could maintain a permanent naval presence there.

With these factors in play, Emperor Liu's inner inclination was self-evident. But the big words had already been spoken, and refusing outright would be somewhat embarrassing. Therefore Emperor Liu chuckled lightly and said, "Your eye is good—Liuqiu is a fine place, with excellent conditions all around. But it happens to be outside my enfeoffment plan, and I have never before considered making Liuqiu a feudal prince's fief. This is not like those islands in the South Seas; at the very least, we must consider the feelings of the Fujian Circuit!"

Emperor Liu's words were hardly convincing, and of course Liu Chenghsun could sense Emperor Liu's reluctance. With no change in expression, Liu Chenghsun settled for the next best and said, "If Liuqiu is unsuitable, then there is only Liangping Island. I lived there for over half a year back then and am still fairly familiar with it..."

This was a strategic chokepoint on the South Seas shipping routes, a hub of the maritime trade network! Emperor Liu cast a somewhat displeased glance at Liu Chenghsun—why did he keep picking at the vital spots?

Of course, Emperor Liu could hardly say this out loud. After all, to be fair, surveying the entire South Seas, only Liangping Island currently possessed the conditions for enfeoffment. Though it was but a tiny speck of land, it had been developed for years and could serve as a base for gradual expansion.

After thinking it over, Emperor Liu said, "Liangping Island I can naturally part with. I'm only afraid the Bureau of Military Affairs and the navy would be unwilling. Back then, in order to find a port for the Southern Sea Fleet, Guo Liangping would rather start a war and thoroughly offend even Srivijaya, a friendly state..."

In the final analysis, it was still Emperor Liu himself who was unwilling, so he could only bring up the navy and Guo Liangping as excuses. Liu Chenghsun saw through this psychology clearly. He glanced at Emperor Liu and sighed inwardly—Emperor Liu's true intention was still for them to fight and scramble for it themselves. When it came to pioneering, he gave no discount whatsoever.

But pioneering was hardly easy! Not to mention, Liu Chenghsun was also a man in his fifties. Even if these old bones still harbored ambition, they might not be able to bear it...

After thinking it over, Liu Chenghsun suddenly gritted his teeth and said, "If that is the case, then there is only forceful seizure! Destroy their state, take their land, and then establish the fief!"