Chapter 1959: Earnest Intent

In the main hall of the Prince's residence, the banquet continued on, when Liu Xu suddenly drank a cup of wine, which drew the attention of those present—after all, Liu Xu had not touched a drop since the feast began.

"Great Prince!" Knowing Liu Xu's physical condition, Geng Jixun called out with concern.

Liu Xu had the same reaction as before, raising a hand to gesture, and said: "Not drinking a single drop would be a failure of hospitality!"

"Elder Brother, no need for this, your health matters most!" Liu Xin immediately spoke up.

Liu Xu let out a long sigh, then looked at Liu Xin and said slowly: "Fourteenth Brother, I am eighteen years your elder. Since the wine has reached this point and words have reached this point, there are some things I will say directly. If anything is improper, I ask your forgiveness!"

"Elder Brother speaks too gravely!" Seeing Liu Xu speak thus, Liu Xin instinctively rose to his feet and clasped his hands: "Your younger brother came to Suihua precisely to seek your counsel. Please speak frankly of the advantages and disadvantages—your younger brother is deeply grateful!"

Liu Xu pondered for a moment before speaking at length: "Fourteenth Brother, the difficulties facing the Raole Kingdom are only temporary. When a fiefdom is first established, though there are precedents, there is no established system within the Great Han—everything still needs to be enriched and perfected. You must understand the Son of Heaven's intent in enfeoffing the kingdom, and you must also know what makes the fiefdom special!"

"Where does the fiefdom differ from the Great Han? The greatest autonomy—administration, law, even military affairs—can all be decided according to the Prince's will. As the Prince of Raole, you need a clear and accurate understanding of this point!"

"As for your current difficulties, in my view, they are merely a leaf before the eye! Your identity and title are the most reliable support for your governance of Raole. Consort Yelu is of Khitan royal blood, and you carry Khitan royal blood in your veins. In the capital this might be viewed with different eyes, even despised, but here at the frontier, in the old Khitan lands, it is a sharp weapon for winning over hearts and minds.

Although the Khitan have been struck hard by the Great Han over the past few decades and have sunk to this state, they still manage to stand in Mobei and have even received titles from the court. Among the various peoples of Mobei, they still wield considerable influence—this cannot be denied.

The court sent Xiao Jiyuan to assist you, and no doubt this consideration was part of the reasoning..."

At the mention of blood relations, an unnatural expression clearly flashed across Liu Xin's face. Liu Xu's tone was calm, but his words subtly touched Liu Xin's sore spot. From childhood to adulthood, whenever he saw his mother confined in the deep palace, worried and weeping, he could not help but investigate the reasons—and the results always pointed to one thing: the Khitan.

Although Liu Xin had developed a low-key, deep personality, never flaunting himself, even appearing calm and carefree on the surface, it did not mean he did not care inwardly. Now, seeing Liu Xu broach this matter directly, Liu Xin could not help but feel provoked, a sense of being offended. His hand on the table unconsciously clenched into a fist.

Liu Xu continued to calmly observe Liu Xin's reaction, noting his small movements, and went on: "Of course, what matters more is that you are a prince of the Great Han, the son of the current Son of Heaven, carrying in your veins the most precious blood in this world.

His Majesty enfeoffs his descendants to govern the kingdoms, to pacify the various barbarians, and to spread culture—this is a grace bestowed upon the surrounding peoples. With the backing of the imperial house and the court, whether it be the local prefectures or the frontier barbarians, all will serve you with care, and your actions will naturally meet with success wherever you go.

In the past, many praised my achievements in pacifying Andong. However, to speak shamefully, though I have some small merit, I still relied heavily on the majesty of His Majesty and the court...

Prince of Raole, you need only consider that single corner of land, govern those tens of thousands of people under your rule, and in administration you will naturally have much flexibility and convenience, with even few scruples.

The knack of it, you will need to appreciate carefully—it is not something I can explain in a few words..."

Liu Xu's words were full of hints. Liu Xin felt he had gained something, but due to his limited experience, there was a hazy feeling of viewing flowers through fog. Having said so much, Liu Xu's energy was clearly greatly spent. Leaning slightly on the table, he said wearily: "Fourteenth Brother, I have spoken a bit too much. Carried by the wine, I have also said some things that should not have been said. I hope they can be of use to you!"

"Let us stop here for today! Since you rarely come, and the weather is so bitterly cold, stay a few more days in Suihua!" Liu Xu said.

"Thank you for your guidance, Elder Brother!" Liu Xin said solemnly: "I have long heard of your governance of Andong. This time I intend to observe and study carefully, to earnestly appreciate Elder Brother's wisdom in governance..."

Hearing this, Liu Xu smiled. Suddenly remembering something, he asked Geng Jixun, who sat below: "There are some people within Andong's borders who migrated from Raole. Altogether, how many are there, and where have they been settled?"

Catching this tone, Geng Jixun immediately became sensitive. He glanced at Liu Xu and answered in a low voice: "Reporting to the Great Prince, approximately one thousand households, temporarily settled on the east bank of the Yazi River."

Hearing this, Liu Xu could not help but give Geng Jixun a deep look. From what he knew, there were far more than that number. However, he was well aware of Geng Jixun's intentions.

Following the thread of conversation, he instructed: "Since Fourteenth Brother has personally come to Suihua, your elder brother cannot be without a gesture. How about this—these one thousand households, you shall lead them back with you when you go. Have the officials of the Chancellor's office do a good job of consolation work!"

"Great Prince..."

"My mind is made up—no need to dissuade me!"

Liu Xu's generosity was clearly somewhat surprising. Liu Xin, not bothering to speculate on this elder brother's intentions, immediately responded with gratitude and joy: "Thank you, Elder Brother! Elder Brother shows such warmth and kindness, your younger brother, your younger brother..."

Watching Liu Xin's earnest performance, Liu Xu sighed inwardly. Just from this display, he knew that this Fourteenth Brother was likely also a scheming sort. Coming to his door like this—wasn't it just to beg for some benefits?

The night was deep. In the inner courtyard of the Prince's residence, Liu Wenyuan, disregarding the fatigue of returning to the city, personally attended to Liu Xu by the sickbed. After the medicine was administered, Liu Xu's complexion was still as awful as before. Curled up on the bed, he calmly watched Liu Wenyuan's movements.

"You have questions in your heart!" Liu Xu said in a hoarse voice.

Liu Wenyuan's movements paused slightly. He gave a light nod and said: "Father and Fourteenth Uncle share the title of brothers, but not the bond of brothers. Why is Father so enthusiastic? Even if he came to visit, courtesy would suffice—why return a thousand households of people to him? That is several thousand souls! Andong also lacks people. If Raole cannot keep them, that is their problem. The people's hearts turn to Andong and they come to settle—issuing an order to send them back, would that not wound the people's earnest hopes?"

"A thousand households come, a thousand households go—there is a difference in this coming and going, and one can also make something of it!" Seeing Liu Wenyuan's reluctant expression, Liu Xu smiled. He did not scold him for being petty, but said meaningfully: "How do you view the Raole Kingdom?"

At the question, Liu Wenyuan did not speak rashly. He sensed some subtext, looked at Liu Xu, thought seriously for a while, and then asked doubtfully: "A considerable portion of Raole's land was forcibly carved out from our Andong. Father isn't truly planning to make Andong and Raole help each other, is he?"

"Are we to remain hostile to each other instead?" Liu Xu asked lightly in return.

Liu Wenyuan shook his head: "That is not what your son means!"

Seeing this, Liu Xu said with a melancholy air: "I know you harbor a grievance in your heart!"

"But!" Liu Xu's tone turned stern: "You claim to understand military affairs, yet you cannot even see the strategic importance of Raole's position? The Khitan, the northern road of the Yan Mountains, Liaodong, and Andong—if anything happens, which side would Raole pose the greatest threat to? Have you ever thought about that?"

At Liu Xu's words, Liu Wenyuan's expression immediately changed, turning grave. After deep deliberation, he looked at his father lying on the sickbed and bowed respectfully: "Your son understands. From now on, I will surely pay close attention to Raole!"

"Do not underestimate this Fourteenth Uncle of yours, who is the same age as you..."