Chapter 1912: I Know You Are Dissatisfied

A road that was not particularly long, yet it felt as though he had walked through the seasons, crossed the span of history, until he stood before the spirit tablets. Gazing at the neatly arranged tablets of meritorious officials, the rising wisps of incense smoke lingering all around, looking at each tablet, each name written in vigorous strokes, Emperor Liu's mind surfaced with figures and memories.

Having looked for a long time, Emperor Liu's aged eyes even grew somewhat hazy—those long-departed figures, when looked back upon, were still vivid, as though they were bowing to him from behind the incense smoke. Unconsciously, Emperor Liu's eyes grew moist, and those unforgettable years of struggle suddenly seemed clear again, so dearly missed.

He raised the bamboo staff in his hand and passed it to the side, and Yan Tuo immediately bowed at the waist, receiving it with both hands cupped. This ordinary bamboo cane seemed to have become a scepter symbolizing Emperor Liu's supreme authority.

Liu Yang personally took the incense prepared by the attendants, lit it, and then respectfully presented it to Emperor Liu. The burning incense gave off a pungent smell that stung the eyes, but Emperor Liu did not blink even once. His expression solemn, he bowed three times with great reverence.

Everyone present kept their heads lowered, but most of them were also carefully observing Emperor Liu's conduct. Although this condescension had a hint of performance about it, this display of respect still stirred a feeling of gratitude in the hearts of the nobles.

After the worship, Emperor Liu turned around, and his bearing changed instantly—all outward emotion was withdrawn. He reached out, took back the bamboo staff, swept his gaze across the gathering, and spoke: "I know most of you harbor doubts. No need to guess—today I have gathered you all for no great matter, merely to have a few words with you!"

Looking at the varied expressions on the nobles' faces, Emperor Liu raised his hand in a gesture and said: "All of you, sit!"

The crowd exchanged glances. The hall was spacious and bright, but where was there anywhere to sit? However, with Han Tong taking the lead, one by one they quickly caught on, lifted the hems of their robes, and sat directly on the floor. In an instant, Emperor Liu's position of looking down from above was immediately made prominent...

Sweeping his gaze across them from a condescending angle, after a moment's deliberation, he said: "I know that some among you are dissatisfied with me!"

The moment he opened his mouth, the entire hall was shocked, as if a dull club had struck the nobles hard on the head. Emperor Liu then said slowly: "In the past, I enacted many measures—cutting your allowances, compressing your salaries, restricting your power. Now I even intervene in your management of lands, estates, and industries. Such things, rule after rule—were I in your place, I would be dissatisfied too!

Among you, I suspect many cannot understand: this realm was won by your fathers and grandfathers alongside me, cutting through thorns and brambles, risking life and limb, and only then was there the Great Han of today!

A hero father begets a hero son—the realm was all won by you. In this peaceful world, this flourishing mortal life, to enjoy a bit of it—what harm is there in that?"

Emperor Liu's words had no roundaboutness—they were blunt, to be sure, and indeed struck the psychology of some. This was a very ordinary thing, existing since ancient times. But when Emperor Liu spoke these words with such an unvarnished attitude, everyone's hearts turned cold. The older generation, men like Han Tong, Shi Shouxin, Pan Mei, and Yang Ye, all subconsciously recalled how Emperor Liu had dealt with nobles in the past. Could it be that he was about to make another move?

Many instinctively began to worry. They had already been thoroughly tormented by the tax reform matter, suffering no small losses, and that matter was not even finished yet. Now what new trick was this?

Of course, at the moment, how to deal with Emperor Liu was the most pressing matter. Emperor Liu in this state was truly fearsome.

Before anyone else could speak, the aged Sun Li was already a step ahead, shifting from sitting to kneeling, and prostrated himself: "Your Majesty's grace toward us is as high as heaven and as deep as earth. We are all deeply grateful—how would we dare harbor such rebellious thoughts?"

Sun Li was quick to react, and the others were not slow either. One after another they kowtowed, swearing oaths and pledging loyalty—some impassioned and fervent, some weeping and wailing, the scene one of great intensity. Emperor Liu's words seemed to have a truly rousing effect. Wang Yansheng also snapped awake at this moment, his eyes wide with fury, and shouted: "If there is any heartless, ungrateful wretch among us, this old minister will seize him, cut him into ten thousand pieces, and devour his flesh raw!"

Before him knelt a sea of people, each straining to display their loyalty and gratitude. To Emperor Liu, however, it was like watching a farce, with a somewhat absurd effect. Of these people's performances, Emperor Liu could believe at most one part. These were all men who fed on others—who could such meekness and humility possibly fool?

His face unruffled, without the slightest change, Emperor Liu looked directly at Sun Li, who had taken the lead, and said bluntly: "Sun Li, over these decades, how many of your Sun family's sons, relatives, and old associates have been punished by me or dealt with by the law for committing offenses? By my rough estimate, more than twenty people, and among them not a few of your own direct bloodline.

It seems it was your youngest son, or was it your youngest grandson? He is still serving his sentence in the northwest to this day. After all these years, do you not miss him, do you not worry? Amidst your longing, do you not harbor resentment, do you not feel dissatisfied, thinking that I have been too harsh on you?"

Once again, Sun Li was singled out for reprimand. From his prime to his old age, decades now—for such scenes, Sun Li had long grown accustomed, even to the point of being a dead pig unafraid of scalding water. But facing Emperor Liu's piercing questions, he still could not help but tremble inwardly. Especially Emperor Liu's emotionless gaze—it even reminded Sun Li of the days when Emperor Liu first took command of the Longqi Army, how decisive and ruthless he had been in killing. Back then, it seemed he himself had once defied His Majesty...

At this thought, Sun Li could not help but shudder. All sense of ease was gone, and he said somewhat flustered: "Your Majesty, it is always because I failed to discipline my household and manage my family well, leading to unfilial sons breaking the law and defying regulations. That Your Majesty does not hold me guilty for this is already extraordinary leniency. How could this old minister harbor any resentment?"

"You have improved quite a bit!" Hearing Sun Li produce such a speech, Emperor Liu looked at him with some surprise. A rough fellow like him, able to say such words—surely no one had coached him beforehand.

His mind wandering for a moment, Emperor Liu soon smiled wryly and said: "But putting myself in your shoes, I would not be able to let it go so easily. Nor do I have such lofty awareness."

Emperor Liu's words were simply unreasonable! These nobles and ministers of the Great Han, this ruling class that fed on others, indeed could hardly possess any lofty ideals or enlightenment. But under Emperor Liu's oppression, they had to put on a proper act even if it was fake. And Sun Li—did he really want to play the grandson every time, to be publicly rebuked again and again? Did Sun Li have no face to save? But truly, he could not afford to.

At this moment, facing Emperor Liu's slightly teasing gaze, Sun Li threw caution to the wind. Clasping his fists and knocking his head to the ground, he said: "Since Your Majesty speaks thus, this old minister has nothing more to say. If there is guilt to be borne, I can only submit myself to punishment without a word of complaint!"

When Sun Li adopted this "lying flat" attitude, Emperor Liu found it hard to press him further. Of course, the purpose of summoning the nobles was not this. Looking at the decrepit Sun Li, he waved his hand at him and said with a sigh: "Enough, get up! I know you well enough. A few foolish words, a couple of complaints—that is hardly surprising. If it were some rebellious act, I would not believe that either!"

"Thank you for Your Majesty's trust!" Sun Li kowtowed at these words, tears and snot streaming down his face, overcome with gratitude.

But looking at Sun Li's posture, Emperor Liu could not help but wonder—was it really so?

Pushing aside stray thoughts, Emperor Liu slowly paced two steps, pointed at the spirit tablets behind him, and said in a clear voice: "But even if there are a thousand faults, today, before these meritorious officials and founding heroes, before the heroic spirits of your ancestors, I reaffirm: if you do not betray the court, the court will not betray you!"