Chapter 825: The Conquered Ruler

"Your Majesty, the Duke of the State of Zhao has come to the palace seeking an audience and awaits your summons at the palace gate!"

Wansui Hall had recently become Liu Chengyou's private chamber, where he read, wrote, and practiced martial arts.

The winter wind stirred the chill outside the palace; the doors and windows stood unshuttered, while the warm brazier inside sent up curling smoke, its rising heat helping Liu Chengyou fend off the cold of the season. A palace eunuch stepped carefully into Wansui Hall and reported to Liu Chengyou, who was practicing calligraphy at a long table.

Liu Chengyou's hand was steady. He finished the hook stroke of the character "攀" before pausing, lifting his eyelids slightly, and saying flatly: "Summon him to Wansui Hall!"

"Yes!"

Beside the long table, the Second Prince Liu Yang was standing on tiptoe, diligently grinding ink for Liu Chengyou, his hands and sleeves stained with a few smudges of ink. Seeing his somewhat strained expression, Liu Chengyou smiled gently and said kindly: "If you're tired, sit for a while!"

Liu Yang shook his head: "Not tired!"

Dipping the brush in ink again, Liu Chengyou continued writing with a spirited posture. His calligraphy had been learned from the late great master Yang Ningshi, and though he had not practiced with bitter diligence, he had still achieved something—it could barely pass muster, being fairly regular. Of course, Yang Ningshi's vigorous, unrestrained boldness, he had not learned in the slightest.

"Erlang, I hear you can recite the 'Shu Dao Nan' now?" Liu Chengyou asked casually.

"I can recite the first and second sections!" Liu Yang answered honestly.

"Recite it for me to hear!" Liu Chengyou said.

Liu Yang walked over to a small table, took a sip of the hot tea brewing there, and then recited in a clear, ringing voice. Listening to his young son's crisp recitation, a trace of pensive thought flickered across Liu Chengyou's brow—Meng Chang had actually come seeking an audience of his own accord. Had he caught wind of something?

Outside Wansui Hall, Meng Chang stood with his body slightly bowed, still clad in resplendent brocade robes. After the Meng clan had been relocated to Kaifeng, Liu Chengyou had indeed not treated him harshly, bestowing large quantities of money, silk, and goods to support his household, still able to satisfy his life of fine clothes and rich food in the Eastern Capital—though naturally it could not compare to the extravagance he had enjoyed in Chengdu.

Meng Chang had been enfeoffed by Liu Chengyou as Duke Zhao of the State, and his three sons had also been granted honorary titles. His mother, Lady Li, who had long enjoyed a reputation for virtue, was granted an honorary title of nobility. The Han Empress Dowager Li would from time to time summon the womenfolk of the Meng family into the palace for conversation, as a gesture of comfort, to manifest the benevolence and virtue of the imperial house.

Less than three months had passed since the fall of Shu, but Meng Chang had visibly aged; the gray threads among his hair were quite conspicuous. The taste of being a conquered ruler was by no means easy to bear. The only thing he could count as fortunate was that after arriving in the Eastern Capital, the Han house had treated him generously—though slightly less well than the Gao clan of Jingnan, a comfortable aristocratic life was still guaranteed, and he had not been subjected to humiliation.

After settling in the Eastern Capital, Meng Chang had quickly thrown himself into a life of luxurious dissipation, even more decadent and debauched than before. On the one hand, this was to dispel as much of the Han court's wariness as possible; on the other, he sought to dull the grief of his nation's fall through a life of drunken revelry, and to adapt to his new identity.

But though men may seek to avoid disaster, heaven's storms come unbidden. News of the rebellion in Shu shattered Meng Chang's comfortable existence...

Guided by a palace attendant, he entered Wansui Hall. The warmth within could not dispel the tension in Meng Chang's heart. A childish voice reciting reached his ears: "The road to Shu is hard, harder than climbing to the blue sky; hearing this, one's rosy complexion fades! Peaks upon peaks rise less than a foot from heaven, withered pines hang inverted against sheer cliffs. Swift torrents and plunging waterfalls clamor in rivalry, pounding cliffs and tumbling boulders thunder through ten thousand ravines..."

Listening for a while, Meng Chang found himself momentarily dazed. A flicker of recollection passed through his hazy eyes, tinged with a measure of wistfulness. To be honest, even having lived in Shu for decades, the perils and hardships of the Shu roads had grown somewhat blurred to him.

It was only when the palace eunuch reminded him that Meng Chang snapped back to attention and hurried forward to prostrate himself: "Your subject Meng Chang pays respects to Your Majesty!"

"Oh, Duke Zhao has arrived!" Liu Chengyou set down his brush, his face wearing a warm smile, yet always carrying a hint of lofty superiority: "Rise, no need for ceremony!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The Han emperor's gentle smile and manner eased Meng Chang's nerves somewhat.

"Duke Zhao is also well-versed in letters and possessed of uncommon insight. Perfect—come take a look at this piece of calligraphy of mine. How is it?" Liu Chengyou beckoned cordially to Meng Chang.

"Yes!" Meng Chang stepped forward, examined the half-section of "Shu Dao Nan" that Liu Chengyou had written, and with a face full of flattery and a mouth full of praise, said: "Your Majesty's calligraphy—iron strokes and silver hooks, force penetrating through the paper, vigorous and bold. Your subject feels as though a flying dragon writhes through seas of clouds, phoenixes sing in harmony beneath the vast heavens—a majestic, grand momentum that rushes forth to meet one, enough to make any heart surrender..."

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but be amused—whether at Meng Chang's flattery or at his posture of submission.

"Sit! Serve tea!" Walking over to a mat-side table, Liu Chengyou lifted Liu Yang up to sit beside him, then gestured to Meng Chang.

Calmly appraising Meng Chang—much older, much fatter, with an air of dejection about him, his once-handsome bearing nowhere to be seen—Liu Chengyou asked: "Duke Zhao, your temples are gray and your complexion seems rather poor. Is it that you're not adapting to life in the Eastern Capital, or has someone below been skimping on your treatment?"

At this, Meng Chang hastily shook his head and said carefully: "Your subject was a criminal of Shu who resisted the imperial army. Your Majesty, not dwelling on old grievances and setting aside past grudges, has treated your subject and his family with great generosity. Your subject is deeply grateful!"

Liu Chengyou smiled again, and the sound of his laughter made Meng Chang somewhat uneasy. He asked: "Duke Zhao, what business brings you to this audience? If you have encountered any difficulties, speak frankly!"

At the question, Meng Chang's expression turned more serious. He paused, then quickly rose and prostrated himself properly at Liu Chengyou's feet: "Your subject has come specifically to beg Your Majesty's pardon!"

"You've quite puzzled me!" Liu Chengyou looked genuinely surprised, and asked curiously: "What crime could you possibly have?"

Gritting his teeth, Meng Chang bowed his head to the ground: "Your subject has heard that there is unrest in Shu—that traitors and rebels, falsely using your subject's name, plot rebellion. Your subject is filled with overwhelming fear!"

Liu Chengyou's smile slowly faded. Looking at Meng Chang prostrate on the ground, his thoughts drifted far away, and the feeling in his heart ran deep. So this is what a conquered ruler looks like—this cringing deference, this anxious unease, trembling in panic at the slightest rustle of wind.

Because of the unrest in Shu, there had indeed been those at court in recent days submitting memorials urging tighter control over Meng Chang and reduction of his treatment—especially after the Shu rebels had openly proclaimed the slogan "Restore the Meng clan and revive the state."

Though anyone with sense knew it was merely a slogan, and the entire Meng clan had been moved out of Shu, there were inevitably those who feigned ignorance. Some even suggested that Liu Chengyou kill Meng Chang to cut off any hopes among the Shu populace. To all this, Liu Chengyou merely smiled dismissively.

The Han emperor's silence made Meng Chang's heart grow ever more anxious. Though it was the depths of winter, his body could not help but break out in sweat. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou patted Liu Yang's back and gestured toward Meng Chang.

Liu Yang understood. He stepped forward, reached out to support Meng Chang, and said: "Duke Zhao, please rise!"

Faced with Liu Yang's assistance, Meng Chang seemed almost flattered and alarmed, and hurriedly said: "Thank you, Your Highness! Your subject does not presume!"

Looking at Meng Chang, Liu Chengyou weighed his words and said: "It seems Duke Zhao has also heard some rumors! But I'll say the same as before—matters of the past are not discussed, and past offenses are not pursued. The Meng clan has already submitted to the Great Han, and I have no intention of pursuing blame after the fact.

As for the rebellion in Shu, I see it very clearly—merely a pack of treacherous villains, blind to the times and harboring sinister designs, indulging in wishful thinking, like mantises trying to stop a chariot. The criticism at court, I have not taken seriously. You need not be afraid. I dare not boast of having a boundless heart, but I can still accommodate one Meng Chang, one Meng clan!"

Hearing these words from Liu Chengyou, Meng Chang could not hold back his tears as he bowed: "Your Majesty is wise and brilliant! Your Majesty's magnanimity, your subject admires beyond measure! Your subject..."

"Now, now!" Seeing his agitated state, Liu Chengyou waved his hand repeatedly: "No need for that!"

Lest Meng Chang crack the floor of Wansui Hall with his kowtowing, Liu Chengyou had him sit down. Gazing at him with burning intensity, his tone carrying the authority and confidence of the Son of Heaven at the center of the realm: "I might as well speak frankly with you. Over the years, you have indeed caused me and the Great Han no small amount of trouble. But times have changed. When you held sway over more than two hundred prefectures and counties of Chuanshu, with millions of soldiers and civilians, I could still cross mountains as if on level ground and trample them flat with ease—how much more so now, when you have lost your state, submitted as a subject, and dwell in Kaifeng?

You may set your heart at ease and live peacefully in the capital. I grant you a lifetime of wealth and honor, and peaceful years for the rest of your days. And should your sons prove accomplished in their studies in the future, they too may enter official service in the Great Han!"

When Liu Chengyou finished speaking, Meng Chang was stunned for a moment. His eyes were red and swollen, the tear tracks at their corners almost comical. But meeting Liu Chengyou's candid smile, Meng Chang rose once more, bowed deeply, and said with a choked voice: "Your Majesty's generosity and magnanimity—your subject is incomparably grateful and submits in heartfelt admiration!"

After comforting Meng Chang at length, Liu Chengyou had him escorted out. Was Liu Chengyou truly so lenient? So it seemed. But his leniency came with conditions—namely, that it posed no threat to his authority and rule. Moreover, Meng Chang's conduct since arriving in the capital had been quite good: he had not openly pined for his fallen state and had kept strictly to his place.

"Erlang, what do you think of this Meng Chang?" Liu Chengyou suddenly asked Liu Yang with keen interest.

At the question, Liu Yang was somewhat puzzled. He blinked a few times and said: "He likes to cry, and he likes to kneel!"

"Right!" Liu Chengyou nodded, reached out and patted Liu Yang's head, and said seriously to the boy: "You must remember—this is the sorrow and helplessness of a conquered ruler. As a loser, life and death, honor and disgrace, are all decided by a single word from others. One can only survive by relying on the victor's tolerance and pity! Remember this forever!"

Liu Yang still seemed bewildered, but seeing his father's grave expression and tone, he nodded firmly: "I'll remember!"

Ciming Hall. Three women walked out slowly. Though dressed in brocade skirts, their colors were all plain and elegant—one elderly woman, two young matrons. The elderly woman was Meng Chang's mother, Lady Li; the two young matrons were his female relatives, Lady Xu and Lady Li.

This was the third time they had been invited into the palace. Both being women of wisdom and virtue, the Han Empress Dowager and Meng Chang's mother seemed to hit it off remarkably well, almost to the point of becoming sworn sisters. As for Meng Chang's two female relatives, they were merely there to keep them company—after all, on ordinary days, noble ladies and titled women from outside the palace were also frequently invited in to converse with the Empress Dowager and Empress.

As women of a fallen state, entering another's palace naturally filled their hearts with a strange unease—apprehensive and unsettled. Fortunately, on previous occasions, they had come and gone safely without incident.

This time, however, something unexpected seemed to occur. Before they could leave the palace, two eunuchs blocked their path. Their gazes swept brazenly over the two young matrons' alluring figures, lingering on their flower-like faces, and one asked in a thin voice: "You are the household of Duke Zhao Meng Chang, are you not? Which one is the wife, Lady Xu?"

At the question, Lady Xu's body gave a slight tremble. A hint of wariness and fear flickered across her beautiful face as she answered softly: "This one is she."

Nodding, the eunuch said: "The Pure Consort has heard that you are accomplished in many arts. She summons you to her hall, to meet friends through poetry..."

"But this one does not know the Pure Consort!" Lady Xu said gently, lightly biting her red lips.

At her words, the eunuch's eyes widened: "That is not for us lowly ones to concern ourselves with. We merely carry out the orders we receive!"

Lady Xu could not help but glance at Lady Li beside her. Lady Li was far too shrewd not to sense the problem. A shadow of gloom crept across her kindly face, tinged with a measure of humiliation.