Chapter 1988: A Touch of Polish

There were only a few days left before the Start of Summer. Though the season had not yet arrived, Emperor Liu seemed to already feel the tormenting heat, and had even developed a sense of dread. He immediately summoned Liu Gui, the Director of the Palace Workshops, and asked urgently: "How much longer until the summer palace is finished?"

The summer palace still under construction by the Great Han referred, of course, to the mountain retreat at Jigong Mountain in Xinyang County. After Emperor Liu made the firm decision to build it, construction had officially begun in late autumn of last year, and now nearly half a year had passed.

Emperor Liu did not concern himself with how the Directorate of Palace Workshops and the Ministry of Works handled matters, nor did he often inquire about progress. But with summer approaching, he could not help but pay a bit more attention.

If one spoke of political talent, Liu Gui was the most capable eunuch in the Han court. In his daily dealings outside, he was quite arrogant. Yet like most household servants, before Emperor Liu he was cautious and circumspect, humble and loyal. Sensing the old emperor's urgent tone, he became even more careful and replied respectfully: "Reporting to Your Majesty, based on the current progress, the summer palace will still need about half a year to complete."

"Still that long!" Hearing this, Emperor Liu immediately grew angry: "Half a year—you have the nerve to say that. How do you expect me to get through this summer?"

Liu Gui could no longer stand. He knelt and kowtowed to beg forgiveness: "This servant has failed in his duties. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

Looking down at Liu Gui, the old emperor pondered for a moment, his expression returning to normal, and asked: "Why has it been delayed so long?"

Noting the change in the old emperor's expression and tone, Liu Gui said: "This is all due to our insufficient planning. Once the great work began, we first spent over a month widening and repairing the mountain road to allow passage of timber and stone materials for construction. Because the main pavilion of the mountain villa was designed too grandly, and the overall layout too complex, many difficulties arose during construction that required time to overcome.

Furthermore, although the Directorate of Palace Workshops and the Ministry of Works have transferred over a thousand craftsmen of various trades, there is a severe shortage of conscripted laborers."

"The six prefectures of Cai, Shen, Guang, Huang, An, and Sui around the area are all at your disposal for conscripted labor—how can you still be short of people?" Emperor Liu's tone was displeased.

Liu Gui hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty previously gave instructions that for the summer palace construction, the conscription of civilian labor must be handled with care and not abused. Last year's autumn harvest and this year's spring seedlings—to avoid infringing upon the farming seasons, we deliberately restrained the conscription of laborers!"

"Nonsense!" Hearing this explanation, Emperor Liu immediately gave his verdict: "Never mind the Directorate of Palace Workshops and the Ministry of Works—those local officials, don't I know them well enough? On a project like the summer palace, when it comes to using civilian labor, would they strictly observe the bottom line and care for the people?"

Seeing Emperor Liu's undisguised suspicion, Liu Gui began to panic. What did he mean by "never mind the Directorate of Palace Workshops"? Didn't this imply that in His Majesty's eyes, the Directorate also had problems?

"Your Majesty, how would this servant dare to deceive the throne?" Ignoring everything else, Liu Gui hurriedly kowtowed and declared: "It's just that Your Majesty's teachings are always kept in my heart—I think carefully and act diligently, never daring to forget. This servant has also made several inspections of the project and has been constantly monitoring its progress. The completion date truly still requires some time. I beg Your Majesty to see clearly!"

Hearing his plea, not a trace of emotion showed on Emperor Liu's face. He merely examined him with a flat gaze. After a long while, he said coldly: "What you've said, I will believe for now. As for the construction schedule, I will not pursue it. I'll give you ample time. This year I will make do at the Western Capital, but next summer, I will definitely visit the mountain villa!"

Hearing this, Liu Gui's face immediately showed joy. If that were the case, then things would be much easier. But before he could express anything, Emperor Liu coldly added: "However, your words are now on record. If I hear of any unfavorable situation, I will hold you accountable first!"

The moment these words were spoken, Liu Gui felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on him. How could such a great project possibly have no problems? Not to mention whether there was bribery, corruption, or embezzlement—even just the use of civilian labor, how could there be no issues?

Liu Gui did indeed have things he was concealing from the old emperor. Over the past half year and more, several dozen people had already died at the Jigong Mountain summer palace construction site, not to mention the many injured and disabled. After all, this was building a summer palace halfway up a mountain—the difficulty and danger far exceeded building on flat ground.

However, the words had already been spoken. Even if he had to grit his teeth and swallow tears, he had to make good on them; otherwise, it would be the crime of deceiving the emperor, punishable by death. Though his heart hung like a heavy stone, Liu Gui maintained that composed and confident appearance on his face, and declared solemnly: "Rest assured, Your Majesty. This servant will choose a day to go to Xinyang and take up residence there, personally supervising the construction of the summer palace!"

Unfortunately, this sincere and dedicated resolve did not move Emperor Liu. He only heard him rebuke: "If you go to Xinyang, who will handle the affairs of the Directorate of Palace Workshops? Does a summer palace require my Director of Palace Workshops to personally supervise the work? Can't you tell which is more important?"

Though he was being rebuked, Liu Gui actually felt relieved inside. Within the small scolding was revealed His Majesty's trust and regard for him. His thoughts turning, Liu Gui quickly declared: "Yes! This servant will certainly strengthen his oversight and ensure the summer palace is completed smoothly!"

After Liu Gui withdrew, the old emperor remained in the hall with furrowed brows, sunk in deep thought. Regarding many matters, the old emperor was in fact not confused—he had a good sense of things. It was just that, for some reasons not fit to be spoken of, he needed to feign ignorance.

Take the construction of the Jigong Mountain summer retreat for instance—how could Emperor Liu not understand its difficulty, and how could he not have some idea of the various problems that might arise? In this imperial era, under the current level of construction technology, trying to achieve a "perfectly clean" project was nothing short of a fool's dream.

And summoning Liu Gui today for this interrogation was in fact also a warning, or rather a reminder: setting aside the facts, the summer palace construction—you had better make it look beautiful for me. The surface work must be done well.

Clearly, Emperor Liu was aware of the "waste of labor and money" in the summer palace construction. It was just that he was the one enjoying it, and he was also the one who wanted to save face. To have both, he needed to whitewash the peace, and this was something Liu Gui was clearly capable of doing well.

Thinking about it, with his intelligence, he should understand my meaning, right? After pondering for a while, Emperor Liu thought to himself.

Before long, Hu De, the head of the palace eunuchs, came to report that the Crown Prince sought an audience. As usual, he was granted entry. Liu Yang, with a composed expression and a slight smile, reported to Emperor Liu: "Wenyuan has arrived in the capital!"

"Oh?" Indeed, Emperor Liu's interest surged greatly, and even the lines of his face softened somewhat: "Where is he now?"

"When I received the news, he was still at the postal station. I ordered Wen Huan to go out of the city to welcome him on my behalf!" Liu Yang said.

"That's a good arrangement!" Emperor Liu said with a beaming smile: "Wen Huan is not bad, but he is not like Wenyuan—both the eldest of the imperial grandsons and trained from childhood in the border regions, having undergone many trials. Wen Huan has been tempered by his journey to Anxi and has grown considerably, but it is far from enough. He should learn more from Wenyuan. The younger generation should also have more exchanges."

"What Your Majesty says is most true. I have instructed him accordingly as well!" Liu Yang softly echoed the old emperor.

Emperor Liu was in high spirits, his eyes slightly distant, and sighed with feeling: "Among the imperial grandsons, none surpass Wenyuan and Wenhai. Wenyuan has come to the capital—I wonder how Wenhai is faring in Yunnan?"

Hearing this, Liu Yang clasped his hands and said: "Wenhai is in Yunnan, where he has recruited mountain folk from the local area and formed a volunteer force, currently suppressing bandits and drilling troops. According to a report from the Bureau of Military Affairs, Wenhai previously submitted a memorial requesting to lead troops into Tibetans territory to assist in putting down the rebellion!"

The old emperor's brows immediately furrowed, and his attention shifted: "What is the situation at Liu Xi's location now? When will the unrest be quelled?"

Liu Yang reported calmly: "Since Yin Jilun led troops westward, the situation in Lhasa has stabilized. In Third Brother's view, the rebellion of the two western kings, though loud in momentum, is merely a minor ailment. On the contrary, Lhasa and Yalong are the true essence of Tibetans and need to be stabilized. As long as these two places submit, the entire Tibetans can be secured."

According to Third Brother's plan, he intends to use this rebellion to conduct an overall screening and cleansing of the various Tibetans forces, striking at the power of the kings and further expanding the court's influence and control over the various tribes.

Third Brother has already established over a dozen new native chieftains on behalf of the court, with good results. At the same time, he requests the court to dispatch monks to spread Buddhism into Tibetans.

At present, the biggest problem remains that the garrison army in Tibetans numbers over ten thousand, the roads are rugged, logistics are hard to sustain, the climate is unsuitable, and there are many casualties from illness and injury. The court needs to provide more support!"

Hearing Liu Yang's report, even the old emperor's cloudy eyes gained a bit of brightness. Looking at Liu Yang, who maintained his calm and peaceful demeanor throughout, he asked softly: "What is your opinion?"

Liu Yang clearly had already formed his view, and said: "Third Brother has great boldness and great strategy. If he wishes to govern Tibetans properly and permanently eliminate the troubles of the plateau, we should naturally support him with full effort and help him accomplish this achievement!"

"Good!" Emperor Liu's attitude was equally clear.

Noting the old emperor's expression, Liu Yang thought to himself: "Just as I expected!"

Of course, Liu Yang had also discussed this with the ministers. The Tibetans matter, if dragged on too long, would likewise become a matter of wasting money, grain, troops, and people. However, its impact on the court was clearly smaller—under normal circumstances, only the southwestern circuits needed to exert themselves.

Compared to the expenditures of the western campaign, there was no comparison. Adding up the accounts one by one, the matter was feasible. Of course, it must be said that the old emperor's opinion was very important!