Chapter 1909: The Edict Is Issued

Seeing Emperor Liu lost in deep thought, Liu Yun hesitated for a moment before taking the initiative to ask: "Father, there is one thing I do not understand. Japan has always been obedient and respectful to the Great Han. Since the sea route was opened, exchanges between officials and commoners of the two countries have become increasingly frequent, and many Japanese commoners have crossed the sea westward to serve as slaves and maids! But Father, you seem to be full of wariness toward Japan, even holding some prejudice. Compared with Korea, the difference in attitude is clear."

"Are you speaking up for Japan?" Emperor Liu glanced at Liu Yun with some surprise, then pointed out: "I had forgotten—your relationship with Japan has always been quite good. Every year when Japanese envoys come, they bring you a generous gift. What, is your hand softened by what you've received?"

Liu Yun shook his head and said: "Merely curiosity!"

"Korea is a vassal state of the Great Han. Does Japan count?" Emperor Liu asked again: "Both serve the strong and admire the mighty; both Korea and Japan have sent envoys to the Great Han. Among these students who have come to the capital, in your view, who is more servile, and who is more diligent?"

Liu Yun's face showed confusion. Emperor Liu sighed and said: "Wang Mang was humble and deferential before he usurped the throne!"

"Could it be that Father worries Japan will bring harm to the Great Han?" Hearing this, Liu Yun was slightly startled and asked in confusion. After speaking, perhaps feeling the guess was ridiculous, he added: "How could that be possible? Even if so, it should be Korea—after all, the two countries share a border, while Japan is separated by a vast ocean."

Seeing Liu Yun asking and answering himself there, Emperor Liu's gaze grew somewhat distant, even a little lost, as he said slowly: "Some memories are too profound, some consciousness has long transcended the self, crossing time and space!"

After issuing such an inexplicable lament, Emperor Liu steadied himself, turned his head to Liu Yun, and said: "Let us set this matter aside for now. From the implication of your words, you are still unwilling to go to your new fiefdom in Xin Qi?"

Seeing that Emperor Liu was still fixated on whether he was willing to take up his fief, Liu Yun felt somewhat helpless. Meeting Emperor Liu's aged eyes, Liu Yun reiterated: "My answer remains the same—I am willing to take up the fief. But if the goal is to conquer Japan by force, that is beyond my ability!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu fell silent. The reason for his silence was simple: he now realized that he seemed to have set Liu Yun an almost impossible goal. Some things cannot be accomplished with passion alone.

Liu Yun clearly had a sober understanding of this matter as well, and thus his attitude in answering Emperor Liu was very candid. It was precisely this candor that made Emperor Liu feel extremely uncomfortable inside.

Emperor Liu very much wanted to give Liu Yun a promise on the spot—that he and the court would fully support his expansion in the direction of Japan, and could even write it into the ancestral instructions.

However, Emperor Liu had not, after all, become so muddled as to go that far. He could do this, but he would also have to bear the consequences of doing so—and very likely, the consequences would be dire.

Future sovereigns would probably not carry out his will completely. Even with authority as formidable as his, he still encountered many constraints in getting things done, let alone his successors. In the end, the result would likely be not only failure to achieve the goal, but also the destruction of the sanctity of his "Imperial Han Ancestral Instructions."

As for the line of Liu Yun enfeoffed in Ezo, the most likely outcome would be abandonment, or even being pushed back and swallowed up by Japan. This was absolutely not something Emperor Liu wished to see, and his original intention was not to exile his sons.

Emperor Liu once again fell into hesitation and contradiction. Standing there gazing at the map for a long time, he suddenly turned his head to look at Liu Yun, who was attending him with respectful composure, and said with slight agitation: "With such insight as yours, being placed in a barbaric wasteland like Ezo truly wastes your talent! With such insight as yours, if I do not place you here, who else can I count on?"

Hearing this, Liu Yun was momentarily at a loss for words, then quickly revealed a bitter smile. He stepped back two paces and bowed deeply: "Father expects far too much of your son."

Liu Yun remained composed enough, but for Emperor Liu, a sense of powerlessness surged within him. Loneliness once again swept over his entire body—and for the aged Emperor Liu, it was far too heavy a burden.

Leaning on his bamboo staff, Emperor Liu walked step by step toward the imperial desk. Liu Yun wanted to support him but was refused. Yan Tuo also came up, only to be pushed away by Emperor Liu.

Relying on himself alone, he slowly walked behind the imperial desk and gradually sat down on that throne whose coldness even the soft cushion could not block. His posture was upright, gazing levelly ahead, all traces of age seeming to dissipate. That Emperor Liu who looked down upon everything had reappeared.

Silently watching Emperor Liu's every move, Liu Yun felt no fear in his heart—only a faint reluctance and a sense of guilt toward Emperor Liu. Unconsciously, he lowered his head.

"Raise your head!" Emperor Liu's stern voice sounded in his ears.

Fixing his gaze on Liu Yun, Emperor Liu said calmly: "You will also go to the South Seas, together with Liu Xiao and Liu Chun, representing me and representing the imperial house, with full authority to coordinate military and civil affairs across the South Seas, laying a solid foundation for enfeoffing states and establishing kingdoms there, and expanding the territory!"

Seeing that Emperor Liu had changed his mind and was no longer sending him to Ezo Island, Liu Yun was naturally surprised. His experience at sea was quite extensive, and compared with Ezo, the conditions in the South Seas were naturally much better.

However, Liu Yun found it hard to feel much joy at this moment—Emperor Liu's demeanor was simply putting too much pressure on him. Looking up at Emperor Liu, Liu Yun asked: "Then what about Ezo Island?"

"I have other arrangements!" Emperor Liu said calmly.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Yun added: "I have heard that Your Majesty has already decided to send Commissioner Guo south to take charge of matters in the South Seas."

To this, Emperor Liu retorted coldly: "Is the Prince of Qi of the Great Han, my imperial son, to be placed under the command of an outside minister?"

Hearing these words, Liu Yun felt somewhat unsettled. He glanced cautiously at Emperor Liu and answered in a low voice: "Yes!"

However, Emperor Liu did not put on airs of mystery. After brief deliberation, he added: "Guo Liangping will be in charge of military affairs, while you will coordinate the overall situation. When necessary, you may act at your discretion!"

Before Liu Yun had time to savor Emperor Liu's words, he heard Emperor Liu speak again in a solemn tone: "As for the enfeoffment, it is something I will do even in the face of widespread opposition and at great risk.

I have given you the opportunity—whether you can seize it depends on yourselves! You just mentioned 'within my lifetime,' and I too have a 'within my lifetime' I wish to tell you!

I hope that before I close my eyes, the enfeoffment pattern in the South Seas can be basically established!"

Clearly, Emperor Liu had begun applying pressure and urging them on again!

To this, Liu Yun had nothing more to say. He cupped his hands and replied: "Your servant will do his utmost!"

After all the twists and turns, in the end, the imperial princes who took the initiative to come to Emperor Liu and voluntarily express willingness to accept overseas fiefdoms were not many. Liu Xu and Liu Ye needed no further mention—the two had long made up their minds. Liu Shu was simply waiting to set sail. Liu Fang rarely disappointed Emperor Liu, especially on major matters. As for the rest, there were only Liu Yun and Liu Xiao, the two full brothers. Another was the fourteenth prince, Liu Xin, the prince who carried Khitan blood in his veins.

Counting it up, of sixteen sons, nearly half had responded to Emperor Liu's call—not exactly an unacceptable result.

Thus, on the twenty-sixth day of the first month in the twenty-sixth year of Kaibao, the enfeoffment edicts were formally issued. Unlike the various rumors that had been swirling before, the first batch of fiefdoms numbered only three: Andong, Linyi (New Chu), and Raole.