Chapter 616: A Jest

The imperial carriage left the imperial city, traveling along the greatly widened roads. To the south of the imperial city, the former expanse of government offices, barracks, granaries, and mansions had already begun to be demolished, awaiting reconstruction according to the planning blueprints.

Along the roads the carriage passed—especially the four main thoroughfares running horizontally and vertically—both official residences and civilian homes on either side were completely torn down, leaving space for the construction of the imperial way. Passing through, one could sense some chaos, but every blade of grass, every tree, every brick, every tile revealed an atmosphere of thriving prosperity.

Liu Chenghsun's Prince Yong mansion, being especially close to the imperial city, also fell within the demolition zone. For this reason, Liu Chengyou had invited the couple to stay within the palace, but Liu Chenghsun firmly declined, citing that it would violate propriety.

On the carriage, Liu Chenghsun leaned against the carriage wall, observing Kaifeng city through the curtain on a spring night. After a long while, he sighed: "The Eastern Capital has changed so much in these two years!"

Princess Yong, née Qian, couldn't help but lean forward, nestling into his embrace. Holding his somewhat cold hand to convey warmth, she asked with concern: "Third Brother, what's wrong? You've been so preoccupied ever since we left the palace?"

Hearing Lady Qian's gentle voice, he snapped back to attention. Noticing the concern on her beautiful face, Liu Chenghsun smiled softly and drew her into his arms, saying: "Second Brother wants us to hurry up and have a child! We need to work hard..."

At these words, Lady Qian's pretty face flushed slightly, and she gave a shy smile, though expectation also showed in her eyes. They had been married for nearly three years without conceiving, and Lady Qian felt great pressure. Of course, it was also because Liu Chenghsun cherished her health and had been exercising restraint.

Watching Liu Chenghsun's handsome face sink back into deep thought, Lady Qian did not press further. She knew Liu Chenghsun had something on his mind, but since he had no intention of confiding, she had no intention of prying. It was enough to simply be by his side.

The next morning, Liu Chenghsun woke early. As usual, he practiced swordplay in the courtyard for a while, worked up a sweat, bathed, and then had breakfast with the princess.

Before long, Grand Tutor Li Song arrived at the door and was directly led into the study. Once seated, Li Song immediately asked: "What matter does Your Highness summon me for?"

Liu Chenghsun sat behind the desk, silent for a long time without speaking. From his expression, one could tell the matter was not simple. Seeing this, Li Song's mood could not help but grow tense as well.

After a long while, Liu Chenghsun spoke: "Grand Tutor has been my teacher for several years now. You could be said to be the person I trust most!"

Hearing this, Li Song was even more surprised. He thought for a moment, then guessed: "Could something have happened at last night's palace banquet?"

Liu Chenghsun sighed and said: "It was a family banquet, quite normal, with everyone above and below enjoying themselves. But after the feast ended, the Emperor, drunk, said some things to me that left my heart uneasy, and to this moment I cannot find peace!"

Clearly, the problem lay in the Emperor's words. Li Song asked: "May I ask what Your Majesty said to Your Highness?"

A flicker of hesitation crossed his face. Liu Chenghsun took a deep breath and said: "At the time, Second Brother told me to train myself well, saying that his various princes were still young, the foundation of the state not yet secure, and that if anything happened to him, he wanted me to..."

Liu Chenghsun did not finish the rest, but Li Song could guess the gist. His old face showed no joy; instead, it grew even more solemn. He urgently asked Liu Chenghsun: "How did Your Highness respond?"

"What could I do? Naturally I declined in fear and trepidation! Second Brother is in the prime of his life—how could he possibly have such thoughts! Though his sons are young, they are sufficient to protect their own growth. How could I, his imperial younger brother, dare to harbor any wild ambitions!" Liu Chenghsun replied.

Hearing this, Li Song let out a breath of relief and said: "Your Highness made the correct response!"

With the matter laid bare, Liu Chenghsun directly sought Li Song's counsel: "Last night, Second Brother was drunk, and I don't know whether he was truly intoxicated. Why would he have such a notion? Grand Tutor, do you think he was testing me?"

Li Song thought for a moment, then said to Liu Chenghsun: "Perhaps His Majesty, loving his brother and worrying for the state, spoke in the excitement of drink; perhaps His Majesty truly means it—after all, the princes are young, and among the imperial clan, only Your Highness is closest in blood and of suitable age; or perhaps it is His Majesty's test. As Your Highness said, the Son of Heaven is in the prime of life, no more than twenty-four years old, in consistently good health. Now that the state has returned to order and the realm is gradually moving toward unification, why would he conceive such an idea..."

Li Song's analysis was as good as saying nothing, and instead made Liu Chenghsun even more anxious. Seeing his face full of doubt and worry, Li Song hesitated briefly, then asked in a low voice: "Does Your Highness have such aspirations?"

Meeting his gaze, Liu Chenghsun shook his head with certainty: "Absolutely not! I have long made clear to Second Brother that I only wish to be a worthy prince, doing what I can for the Great Han's altars and the common people of the realm. That is enough. I dare not hope for anything else!"

Subconsciously, Li Song breathed a sigh of relief. He had been somewhat worried that Liu Chenghsun, because of the Emperor's "drunken words," might conceive thoughts he ought not to have. Matters involving succession to the throne had always been sensitive. With the current Son of Heaven's wisdom, how could he be so reckless?

After pondering for a moment, Li Song added: "Regardless, Your Highness may treat it as his drunken jest. Let everything proceed as before. There is no need to dwell on it!"

Nodding, Liu Chenghsun's brow relaxed slightly, but he smiled bitterly: "I have feared this Second Brother since childhood. After he ascended the throne, wielding imperial authority and commanding the realm, though he is not as stern as before and takes good care of me, in my heart I actually fear him even more..."

Sensing Liu Chenghsun's anxiety and distress, Li Song said to him gravely: "Your Highness, as an imperial noble, the Prince of Yong of the Great Han, and His Majesty's only brother, beneath such honor and glory, these anxieties and burdens are also what you must bear!"

"For now, do not think of other matters. Simply await with a calm and even heart!"

"Thank you for your instruction, Grand Tutor!"

Li Song looked at Liu Chenghsun. He had watched him grow up. Though he was only twenty years old now, under his tutelage he had already become a man of accomplishment. His temperament was gentle and kind, and his thoughts and considerations were not childish. There was no question that he would become a worthy prince praised by all in the future.

Calming his mood, Liu Chenghsun spoke to Li Song about certain matters at court: "This time, Second Brother has summoned the various Military Governors and Defense Commissioners to the capital under the pretext of the Jiaqing Festival. I imagine it will be another round of removing them from office and reclaiming their power! My maternal uncle Li Hongwei and my brother-in-law Song Yanwo will likely find it hard to avoid reassignment as well!"

Li Song nodded and said: "There is precedent to follow; this is foreseeable. Since the southern campaign ended, His Majesty has spent two years adjusting and reforming the military and administrative systems nationwide. This is the tide of the times—no one can go against it."

"If the Military Governors entering the capital this time have their power stripped, then within the Great Han's borders, except for a few places, there will no longer be any military province holding both military and civil authority in one hand!" Li Song said, his face full of emotion: "The scourge of the military provinces led to the calamity of separatist rule. I have lived through the Tang and the Jin—both dynasties suffered from this scourge, and both courts perished from it. Every emperor, wise or foolish, had policies to suppress and restrain the military governors, but none succeeded; instead, they suffered from it.

Yet the current Son of Heaven can restrain the arrogant soldiers within and pacify the military provinces without, eliminating the source of dynastic turmoil that plagued successive generations. Truly a wise sovereign! With the scourge of the military provinces resolved, the Great Han can henceforth concentrate its strength to cut down the various states and unify the realm!"

In daily life, Liu Chenghsun enjoyed hearing Li Song discuss the governance and chaos of previous dynasties and current state affairs. At this moment, hearing him speak thus, his interest was piqued, and he began to converse freely with him about the realm...

When he took his leave, Li Song's old face bore deeper, more somber thoughts. Though he had advised Liu Chenghsun to relax his mind, he himself was now weighed down with concerns, still pondering the Son of Heaven's "jest."

The Great Han dynasty was now, naturally, flourishing day by day, thriving and prosperous. Imperial power was growing ever more stable, the state ever stronger, and a bright future could be anticipated. But the affairs of the future had always been hard to predict.

Regardless of whether Liu Chengyou had such intentions, judging by the Great Han's current situation—if some accident truly occurred, with his sons still young, then for the sake of the Liu clan's rivers and mountains, the continuation of the Great Han dynasty, and the stability of the state, speaking rationally, the one most suited to succeed Liu Chengyou's great enterprise was none other than Liu Chenghsun.

Li Song could see all this clearly in his heart, but he dared not tell Liu Chenghsun everything. It was also for Liu Chenghsun's sake—the Emperor's thoughts were unfathomable. The current situation could be considered this way, but what of the future? When the realm was unified, the great enterprise accomplished, and the princes grown, today's honor and trust could in days to come become poison that hastens one's death. He must be cautious...