Chapter 321: The Xuzhou Affair Concluded (1)

The judgment and punishment of Liu Xin ultimately boiled down to a single question: kill or not kill. And whether to kill or not rested entirely on a single thought in Liu Chengyou's mind. This was also the point of Liu Chengyou's inner struggle—at least on the surface, it appeared so.

That night, word spread through the traveling court that the Son of Heaven intended to have his imperial uncle executed. Early the next morning, Murong Yanchao hurried to the imperial presence to request an audience.

"Does Your Majesty truly not wish to consider the bond between uncle and nephew?" With scant formalities, Murong Yanchao opened his mouth with an accusatory tone.

Liu Chengyou was reading a book. Looking at this agitated, dark-faced giant of a man, he appeared as calm as still water, and asked in return: "Imperial Uncle, why do you say such a thing?"

"I hear Your Majesty intends to kill Liu Xin!" Murong Yanchao raised his voice somewhat.

Liu Chengyou's face remained peaceful. He turned a page and said unhurriedly: "Where did Imperial Uncle hear that? It is merely a baseless rumor!"

"Your Majesty need not fob me off!" Murong Yanchao would not accept that. Instead he pressed: "The trial has been held, and the crimes confessed. Your Majesty, please speak plainly—how do you intend to sentence Liu Xin?"

"Then what does Imperial Uncle think I should do?" Liu Chengyou paused for a moment, his voice turning colder as he asked.

Hearing the question, Murong Yanchao was equally direct, seizing the opportunity like a snake climbing a staff, and stated his view: "In my opinion, demote his office, reduce his rank, punish his faults, and let him reform himself—that should suffice!"

"Ha! Imperial Uncle judges it simply enough! Such grave crimes, just glossed over like that?" Liu Chengyou showed a hint of derision.

Hearing this, the expression on Murong Yanchao's dark face turned so solemn it verged on purple. He asked in a deep voice: "Then what does Your Majesty intend? Surely you would not truly draw a blade against your own kin?"

Liu Chengyou's tone had already turned very cold: "Imperial Uncle sat in on the trial as an assessor. Do you not know how severe and how vile Liu Xin's crimes are? His misdeeds are manifest for all to see—heaven's principles cannot abide them!"

Murong Yanchao, however, seemed to be driven to desperation, and raised his voice: "Does Your Majesty truly wish to be reviled by all under heaven?"

"Imperial Uncle Murong! You go too far!" Liu Chengyou now directly rebuked him: "Can you represent all under heaven?"

Murong Yanchao's tone was unyielding: "Though I cannot represent all under heaven, I can represent the Liu family!"

Hearing this answer, Liu Chengyou immediately shot back, his voice high and his words resolute: "But I represent all under heaven!"

This was perhaps the first time Liu Chengyou had treated this imperial uncle with such severity. Facing the emperor's indifferent gaze, Murong Yanchao's agitated emotions were as if doused by a bucket of cold water. He opened his mouth.

"Withdraw. As for Liu Xin's crimes, I have my own arrangements!" Liu Chengyou glanced at him and said flatly.

Seeing Liu Chengyou's expression of dismissal, Murong Yanchao took a deep breath, gave a cold snort, and turned to leave.

He had only taken two steps when he heard Liu Chengyou's chilling admonition—or rather, warning: "Imperial Uncle, Liu Xin is now a condemned criminal. Do not go running to the prefectural prison anymore!"

Without a word in reply, Murong Yanchao flicked his sleeves and departed.

After he left, Liu Chengyou closed his eyes slightly, took a deep breath to calm himself, and said flatly: "I truly do not like this feeling of being pressured and contradicted!"

Wang Qiwu was attending at his side, serving as companion reader. He had taken in the entire conversation between uncle and nephew but had offered no opinion. Now hearing this, he pretended not to have heard—this was truly a hard remark to respond to.

However, Liu Chengyou directly turned his attention to Wang Qiwu, putting on a troubled air: "Qiwu, I am now caught between two difficulties—on one side is the law, on the other is human sentiment, and it is nearly impossible to satisfy both. Do you have any advice to extricate me from this predicament?"

Facing the Son of Heaven's inquiry, Wang Qiwu's expression was not relaxed. He thought seriously for a while, then answered with some hesitation: "Your Majesty, everything has its advantages and disadvantages. How to weigh them lies in a single thought of Your Majesty."

Wang Qiwu's words were somewhat cryptic. Clearly he had seen through certain things, yet saying it was nearly the same as not saying it.

Liu Chengyou had no mind for riddles. After pondering for the span of a few breaths, he suddenly raised his head and asked bluntly: "If I strictly punish Liu Xin by national law and execute him publicly, what do you think of that?"

Wang Qiwu's face showed difficulty. Though he was young and spirited, his head was clear—if even Guo Wei dared not pass such a judgment, how could he dare to speak out of turn?

"Just speak your mind freely; I will not punish anyone for their words!" Seeing this, Liu Chengyou gestured and said: "But I want to hear the truth!"

After hesitating for a while, Wang Qiwu spoke with a cautious demeanor: "If Your Majesty disposes of it as you say, then the infamy of killing one's uncle will surely fall upon Your Majesty's shoulders!"

"Even given the gravity of the crimes he committed?" Liu Chengyou asked.

Noting that Liu Chengyou's face showed no anger, Wang Qiwu nodded: "This matter will be recorded in the annals of history. People of later generations may praise Your Majesty for great righteousness on behalf of the people, but the people of this age..."

"Would the people of this age still sympathize with him?"

"The gentry and common folk of Xuzhou, who suffered his cruelties, bear it etched in their hearts and bones—they would certainly be greatly gratified!" Wang Qiwu also spoke plainly, laying it out: "But beyond Xuzhou, one cannot guarantee their hearts!"

Pausing for a moment, Wang Qiwu continued: "Liu Xin is not only Your Majesty's imperial uncle, but also the Military Governor of Xuzhou, a military province of the Central Plains. If you kill him for these crimes, then the military governors across the realm will surely breed suspicion and fear! Moreover, over at Taiyuan..."

When Wang Qiwu mentioned this, Liu Chengyou's expression turned directly grave. His eyes darted left and right, and his words finally carried some agitation: "I have seen that since the past three dynasties, the military provinces have grown powerful, with many governors acting tyrannically and violating the law, unruly and contemptuous of their sovereign. That is precisely why I wish to use the Xuzhou affair to awe and intimidate all the provinces!"

This was perhaps the most sincere statement Liu Chengyou had made since the Liu Xin case began.

Wang Qiwu suddenly understood. He nodded in agreement and said with considerable composure, cupping his hands: "Your Majesty, no matter how the Xuzhou affair concludes, the military governors of the realm will never again act without fear as they did before!"

Liu Chengyou asked: "With matters handled to this degree, how do we soothe the hearts of the Xuzhou people and vent their grievances?"

Wang Qiwu said: "Your Majesty showed no favoritism and personally ordered the investigation of the imperial uncle's crimes—the people's hearts are already greatly pleased!"

Though the exchange with Wang Qiwu never touched on the specific disposition, Wang Qiwu's advice had already made itself clear.

Sitting behind the imperial desk, Liu Chengyou pondered for a while, then instructed Wang Qiwu: "Draft an edict: have Commissioner of Military Affairs Guo Wei publicly proclaim Liu Xin's crimes to the officials, army, and people of Xuzhou!"

Wang Qiwu was slightly stunned, unable to grasp the intent behind Liu Chengyou's move. Still no specific disposition for Liu Xin had been given—was he trying to further stir up the people's indignation?

Though doubts lingered in his heart, Wang Qiwu quickly drafted the edict, had the seal affixed, and sent it out.

Zhang Dejun entered and reported to Liu Chengyou: "Your Majesty, after the imperial uncle left, he went directly to pay respects to the Empress Dowager!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou let out a derisive laugh, rose, and said: "Let's go!"

Zhang Dejun followed, slightly bewildered: "Your Majesty, where do you wish to go? This servant will prepare the imperial carriage at once."

"What need for a carriage!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand: "No need to trouble the Empress Dowager to summon me either!"

When he arrived at the Empress Dowager's residence, Murong Yanchao had already left. After the formal greetings, without the usual pleasantries, Liu Chengyou asked directly: "Has Imperial Uncle come to disturb Mother?"

"We are all one family—how can you call it disturbing!" Lady Li looked at her son, whose words were somewhat hasty and carried a stubborn bearing, and remained gentle, merely letting out a slight sigh.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou said no more. He raised his hand, and the attending Zhang Dejun immediately presented the thick trial record.

Liu Chengyou handed it to Lady Li and said in a deep voice: "These are the crimes the imperial uncle has committed, itemized in detail. Please, Empress Dowager, take a look!"

Lady Li took it but did not open it. She replied: "Leave it here. I will read it!"

Noting Lady Li's calm demeanor, Liu Chengyou nodded, rose, and bowed: "This case should come to a conclusion now. I will not stay long at Mother's side!"

"Go on, then!"

From beginning to end, Lady Li never directly spoke words of exoneration or pardon for Liu Xin before Liu Chengyou, nor did she use her authority as Empress Dowager to pressure him or cause him trouble. For this, Liu Chengyou felt both moved and respectful in his heart.

But before Liu Chengyou stepped over the threshold, Lady Li still spoke to him in her gentle, harmonious tone: "Erlang, Liu Xin has violated the national law and committed heinous crimes—he should naturally be punished according to the statutes to satisfy the people. But he is, after all, your paternal uncle. To avoid criticism from others, please spare his life!"

In Lady Li's words, two or three parts were pleading for Liu Xin, but Liu Chengyou could tell that more of it was consideration for his own reputation.

He turned and solemnly bowed to the Empress Dowager.