Chapter 552: The Young Worthy Prince

As the sun set in the west, Liu Chenghsun and the others emerged from the fields, drenched in sweat and covered in dust. In less than two hours, he had personally wielded the sickle and harvested half a mu of wheat. The efficiency was not high, but a satisfied smile appeared on his handsome face.

The county officials, hearing the news, came rushing over. Seeing that it was none other than His Highness the Prince of Yong inspecting the fields, they nervously paid their respects. The County Magistrate hurriedly called on the assistant magistrates and clerks to join him in the fields, cooperating through practical action.

"Who would have thought that harvesting a bit of wheat would be more tiring than wielding a sword or drawing a bow! Your Highness, why put yourself through this?" Walking along the ridge between the fields, Murong Chengtai wore a face full of displeasure, pounding his waist and legs, brushing the chaff and dust off his clothes, and said to Liu Chenghsun: "I'd rather go to the battlefield and fight the Shu army to the death than pick up this sickle again!"

Liu Chenghsun took the water skin handed over by a guard, took a deep drink, caught his breath, and said: "If one does not personally work the fields, how can one know the hardships of the common folk? Of those who pity the people and sympathize with the farmers, how many have ever actually set foot in a field?"

Looking at Murong Chengtai, Liu Chenghsun once again said to him sternly: "Your whole body is full of flighty arrogance, which is truly unacceptable. When my elder brother sent you to Guanzhong, he certainly had the intention of tempering you. You need to settle your heart!"

"Your Highness, the way you talk is more and more like that old pedant Li Song!" Murong Chengtai said.

"How dare you!" Liu Chenghsun was immediately angered, pointing at him: "How dare you speak recklessly and show disrespect to the Grand Tutor!"

Seeing that Liu Chenghsun seemed genuinely angry, Murong Chengtai gave an awkward smile and waved his hands: "I won't dare anymore, I won't say it!"

Looking around, he noticed that several officials, including the County Magistrate, were still in the fields, though their eyes kept glancing over toward him from time to time. Liu Chenghsun ordered someone to summon the County Magistrate before him.

The County Magistrate was middle-aged, thin of build, with his sleeves rolled up past his forearms. He came forward with a face full of smiles, bowed deeply as he approached, and flattered: "Your Highness, setting aside your noble status to personally work the fields and show concern for those below—truly worthy of a wise prince's bearing. We lesser officials are full of admiration!"

"County Magistrate, no need for such ceremony!" Liu Chenghsun smiled gently, pointing at the fields: "The summer harvest has arrived. The government should carefully inspect the fields and relieve the people's worries. I truly do not need you all to take up the sickle, but for the sake of the state above and the scholars and common folk below, I hope you will all do your duty!"

"Your Highness is wise and enlightened. We will surely follow your teachings, and Fuyang will have nothing to be ashamed of!" said the County Magistrate.

"It's getting late. I am returning to Chang'an!" As he spoke, Liu Chenghsun stepped into the stirrup and mounted his horse, then said from his elevated position: "No need to see me off!"

The County Magistrate and his subordinate officials watched Liu Chenghsun's figure recede into the distance amid his guards, dust curling up behind them, and could not help but sigh: "Though the Prince of Yong is young in years, he already fully displays the bearing of a worthy and capable prince!"

Chang'an, the Jingzhao Prefecture.

"Your Highness has returned!" The guards each returned to their posts, and Liu Chenghsun went straight into the second hall of the government office. Li Song, who was handling official business, immediately came forward to greet him: "Quick, bring tea for His Highness!"

Noticing that Liu Chenghsun was covered in dust, his fine robes unable to hide his disheveled state, Li Song was quite surprised: "What happened to Your Highness?"

Liu Chenghsun smiled slightly, sat down immediately, and replied: "I saw the farmers wielding their sickles to cut wheat, and I was curious, so I went down into the field to experience it for myself. Only then did I realize that although it's just bending over to cut stalks, it's not one bit easier than holding the plow and sowing seeds!"

Hearing this, Li Song breathed a sigh of relief—he had thought Liu Chenghsun had encountered some accident. But soon, a look of appreciation appeared on his face, and he said with a smile: "Your Highness has a heart that pities the farmers. Once this spreads, it will surely be praised by all!"

This, after all, was not something Li Song had taught him.

Liu Chenghsun waved his hand: "I have no intention of doing things to court fame and reputation. It's just that when I was in the Eastern Capital, I often heard my imperial brother say that agriculture is the foundation, so I took it to heart! The common people's plowing and harvesting is truly no easy matter!"

"Your Highness has the heart of a pure child!" Li Song stroked his beard and sighed.

"By the way, Grand Tutor, there is a matter I wish to hear your thoughts on!" Liu Chenghsun looked at Li Song.

"Please speak, Your Highness." Li Song was somewhat curious.

After hesitating for a moment, Liu Chenghsun told him about Murong Chengtai's proposal to go to Fengxiang.

Li Song's expression turned serious again: "Has Your Highness been moved by this idea?"

Meeting Li Song's gaze, Liu Chenghsun replied softly: "To be honest with you, Grand Tutor, yes. My father and elder brother won the realm on horseback, and I have heard of it since childhood, but now that I have turned eighteen, I have never experienced military life. The realm is not yet pacified, and I wish to go to the front lines to see for myself, to gain experience and broaden my knowledge!"

"No!" Li Song gave his answer with certainty, and looked at Liu Chenghsun seriously: "Not to mention the dangers of war, Your Highness should know the purpose behind His Majesty having you stationed in Chang'an—governing the people and pacifying the populace is the proper duty of the Jingzhao Prefecture. But without receiving an imperial edict, to abandon your post and go to the front lines to reward the troops—this is a taboo act. Even if His Majesty dotes on Your Highness, you should not do this. I hope Your Highness will consider it carefully."

Hearing Li Song's view, Liu Chenghsun's spirits sank somewhat. He nodded and sighed: "It is precisely because I have this concern that I did not heed Brother Murong's urging!"

Li Song looked at Liu Chenghsun, thought for a moment, and said to him: "There is an old saying: 'Those who are distant should not come between those who are close.' Your Highness, there is one point this old minister must remind you of!"

"The Grand Tutor is my teacher; there is nothing you cannot say to me!" Liu Chenghsun's attitude was very humble.

Li Song said: "Young Master Murong is arrogant and overbearing, acts without restraint, speaks without a filter, and carries a heavy air of the dissolute playboy. Your Highness must not associate with him too closely! The reason he was demoted to Guanzhong this time is precisely because of his reckless behavior in the Eastern Capital."

Hearing Li Song say this, Liu Chenghsun's brows furrowed, and he said: "I know the Grand Tutor does not care for Brother Murong. His conduct is indeed somewhat wanton, but he bears no ill intent—he is merely outspoken, seeking nothing more than a bit of satisfaction!"

"Precisely because of that, he is all the more likely to invite disaster!" Seeing this, Li Song thought for a moment and suggested to Liu Chenghsun: "Why not send him to Fengxiang instead? If he is tempered in the military, it will strip away his frivolity and do him good. I believe His Majesty sent him west with this very intention. And Murong Chengtai himself—can he not restrain his eagerness? He is itching to go. This would be following his own wishes."

Liu Chenghsun spread his hands: "Then how do I explain this to Uncle Murong?"

Clearly, Murong Yanchao had sent word ahead regarding his beloved son's journey west.

"Governor Murong's love for his son is understandable, but doting on him is not a good thing. Chang'an is not the Eastern Capital. If Murong Chengtai is kept bound here for long, given his temperament and conduct, he will inevitably cause trouble sooner or later!" Li Song said.

Considering this, and then thinking of how Murong Chengtai had behaved by his side—indeed reckless without realizing it—Liu Chenghsun bowed to Li Song and said: "Tomorrow, I will discuss this with my brother-in-law. After all, he holds a military post in the Yongxing Army!"

"Your Highness is wise!" Li Song wore an expression of "the pupil is teachable."

"Your Highness!" At this moment, a palace eunuch appeared at the front of the hall, calling out cautiously.

"What is it?" Liu Chenghsun asked.

"The lady heard that Your Highness has returned and has already prepared a meal. She sent me to invite you!" said the eunuch.

Liu Chenghsun waved his hand, a smile appearing on his face—somewhat sweet. Although it was a political marriage, after getting to know her, Liu Chenghsun was very satisfied with the young lady his imperial brother had chosen for him. The Princess of Wuyue was clever and quick-witted, and had won his heart. The young couple treated each other with mutual respect, and their feelings had deepened over time.

He looked at Li Song: "Has the Grand Tutor eaten yet? Will you join me?"

"No need!" Pointing at the stack of official documents on the desk, Li Song also smiled: "There are still some documents I need to process!"

"Then I'll be off first!"

With that, Liu Chenghsun walked out of the hall with light steps. Li Song, left behind, sat down at his desk and let out a gentle sigh. He was very satisfied with this disciple, the Prince of Yong—warm in temperament, receptive to advice, and possessed of a truly worthy bearing.

Thinking of himself, Li Song had also known glory in his early years, holding the position of chancellor. He had also known hardship, being taken north as a captive by the Khitan. When the Great Han was established, because he had offended the chancellor Su Fengji, he incurred that man's jealousy and was nearly framed, his family nearly destroyed.

Fortunately, Heaven still showed him mercy, giving him a chance to retain his wealth, honor, and clean reputation, while also allowing him to nurture a worthy prince, shining brightly across the prefectures and counties of the Great Han...

Of course, the only thing to worry about was—if the Prince of Yong showed himself too wise and capable, would it arouse the suspicion of the Son of Heaven in the Eastern Capital?

Surely not! Li Song did not dare dwell too much on such matters, lest he invite needless worry.

A day later, the Imperial Son-in-law and Military Governor of the Yongxing Army, Song Yanwo, sent Murong Chengtai to escort a shipment of military grain to Fengxiang, along with a letter requesting that Zhao Hui, the Military Governor of Fengxiang, arrange a position for him to serve at the front.