Chapter 987: The Princes Grow Up

In front of the hall, Liu Chengyou sat grandly in a Grand Preceptor's chair, dressed in a snug set of martial robes that slightly accentuated his belly, holding a teacup in his hand, sipping lightly.

In the field, four imperial princes were practicing martial arts, wielding wooden swords in pairs, sparring back and forth. Of course, the main purpose was to demonstrate their skills, showing off what each had learned, but it seemed that the fourth prince was the most composed, his movements the most skilled and powerful. Among them, the youngest was the fifth prince, Liu Yun, who was nearly ten years old now.

By the weapon rack stood an elderly man, though it was no longer Yao Yuanfu. The Duke of Fen had passed away in the summer of last year at the age of seventy-nine, a ripe old age indeed. His replacement was the veteran minister, Duke of Ying, Guo Congyi, who had been transferred from his post in Hedong to the Eastern Capital to serve as the princes' teacher—a tremendous honor.

Guo Congyi was another military general with deep ties to Emperor Zhuangzong, and a founding meritorious official. Since the rise of the Han, he had always been a senior figure in the military, a powerhouse within the imperial army.

At the founding of the state, he was one of those who commanded an army as a main general while concurrently holding a military governorship. Over more than a decade, he had successively governed four prefectures, all of them strategic strongholds. Although apart from suppressing Du Chongwei, he had largely been absent from the Great Han's military campaigns in recent years, his status had never diminished throughout all that time.

The fact that he always retained a place in the numerous reorganizations of the imperial army—even when many younger men climbed above him—and that he had sat in command at Daming for years, with many of the stationed imperial troops being his subordinates, showed how much Liu Chengyou trusted and valued him.

Guo Congyi was also a fascinating man. Besides his military abilities, he was far more refined and cultured, a man of considerable taste, by no means an ordinary brute of a soldier. As such, in the course of his teaching, he was very much beloved by the princes, who especially admired his versatility and his bearing as a scholarly general. Yao Yuanfu had been a good teacher—strict and upright—and the princes had mostly regarded him with a mixture of respect and fear, lacking the ability to inspire that Guo Congyi possessed.

Crown Prince Liu Yang stood beside Liu Chengyou. After several years as heir apparent, he had grown increasingly composed and steady. At this moment, he was respectfully reporting on various governmental matters to Liu Chengyou. As he grew older, and with his long period of observing governance, absorbing knowledge through constant exposure, Liu Chengyou had begun this spring to let him participate in the handling and decision-making of court affairs, specifically directing the Hall of State Affairs to allocate some suitable matters to the Eastern Palace for processing.

Although these were only trivial matters of no great consequence, they were sufficient to serve as a test, and based on observation, Liu Yang had done quite well. Of course, this was also due to the assistance of Eastern Palace officials such as Li Fang.

"What's this Srivijaya kingdom all about? Where is it located?" Liu Chengyou suddenly asked Liu Yang.

Upon hearing the question, Liu Yang thought for a moment, then said: "According to reports, it is a state to the south of Annam, with no small territory, controlling the vital sea routes among the various barbarian kingdoms of the southern seas. Many of its merchants come to Lingnan to engage in trade. This time marks the first occasion this state has sent envoys to pay tribute at the Eastern Capital, which shows that the Great Han's prestige has already spread far and wide."

Nodding, Liu Chengyou instructed: "When the envoy arrives at the Eastern Capital, you go receive him and learn about the situation in the southern barbarian regions in recent years!"

"Yes!"

"Father!" At this moment, the fifth son, Liu Yun, ran up, sweating profusely, his martial robes somewhat dirty, a wooden sword resting in his hand, panting heavily, his lively eyes filled with hopeful expectation as he looked at Liu Chengyou.

"What, tired?" Liu Chengyou smiled indulgently.

"Mm!" Liu Yun hurriedly nodded.

This child was born of Consort Zhe. From a young age, he had shown "peculiar" behavior—for instance, he had to be forcibly weaned at the age of six. On ordinary days, he displayed extraordinary laziness, never showing any words or deeds of effort, treating both study and martial practice as if they were chores to be completed. When asked to recite a passage, he would never read a single extra character beyond what was required, doing exactly as told. Zhang Zhao had once remarked to Liu Chengyou that the fifth prince was clever—the second half of that sentence left unspoken, for Liu Chengyou to figure out himself.

In comparison, the third prince, Liu Xi, was also famously indolent. However, the hard work that Liu Xi put in behind the scenes was something Liu Chengyou knew full well. Liu Yun, on the other hand, gave off an air of carefree nonchalance, as if the words "I don't want to work hard" had been carved onto his forehead since childhood.

It could be said that compared to his full brother, the fourth prince, Liu Yun was the complete opposite extreme. Liu Fang had a heroic spirit and harbored great ambitions from a young age, while Liu Yun was a complete slacker—even at his young age, forcing him would easily lead to all sorts of ridiculous and laughable situations.

Looking at this son who gave him considerable headaches, and noticing his wandering gaze, Liu Chengyou knew he was trying to slack off again. Therefore, he put on a stern face and said seriously: "It's only been this long—have you finished your tasks?"

Liu Yun hurriedly said: "Everything the master taught, I've practiced through once!"

"Fifth brother is young and lacks stamina; let him rest a while!" Liu Yang spoke up from the side. Upon hearing this, Liu Yun quickly made faces at his elder brother the Crown Prince, casting a grateful look his way.

"Minister Guo, what do you think?" Glaring at Liu Yun, Liu Chengyou asked Guo Congyi, who had brought Liu Xu, Liu Xi, and Liu Fang closer.

The older Guo Congyi got, the more elegant his bearing became—a kind of enviable, carefree composure that others couldn't replicate even if they tried. Offering a bow to Liu Chengyou, Guo Congyi said: "The imperial princes are all of noble birth, with bodies as precious as gold. Practicing martial arts is merely for strengthening the body, not for learning the arts of killing. As long as it achieves the effect of exercise, that is sufficient. Today is Your Majesty's inspection of their results; if Your Majesty feels it is insufficient, they can practice again!"

After Guo Congyi finished speaking, Liu Fang also spoke up, saying: "If one wishes to test true ability, it must be seen on the battlefield. Such drills as these are quite dull!"

"A mere child, speaking arrogantly!" Liu Chengyou immediately rebuked him. Although he was fond of Liu Fang, he did not like an arrogant personality, so even an offhand remark would draw a reprimand.

Liu Fang, however, took it in stride, merely grinning. Looking at his several sons, all of whom were growing like weeds except for Liu Yun, he waved his hand and instructed: "Free time—everyone, disperse!"

The imperial command was met with a burst of cheers, and Liu Fang grabbed Liu Yun and ran outside: "Come on, I'll take you horseback riding!"

Liu Xi, unhurried, offered a bow to Liu Chengyou, then sat off to the side, leisurely drinking water and eating fruit.

Turning to Guo Congyi, Liu Chengyou said: "Minister Guo, having you train these sons of mine—I've put you to trouble!"

Guo Congyi stroked his beard and replied with a smile: "This old minister considers it an honor!"

"Do you have something?" Looking at Liu Xu, who was waiting properly and respectfully over there, Liu Chengyou asked.

Liu Xu clasped his hands and said: "In a few days, my cousin is getting married. I would like to go to his residence to attend the banquet and offer congratulations!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou was slightly surprised, but seeing this eldest son, so gentle and refined like jade, he said almost without hesitation: "That is only proper! I'll have someone prepare a gift, and you can bring it along with you!"

"Thank you, Father!"

The late Consort Geng had an elder brother named Geng Zhong'en. Because of his sister, he had obtained an official position, though compared to other imperial relatives, he kept a much lower profile—even by the fifteenth year of Qianyou, he was only a Director of the Palace Workshops.

Even now, when he thought of Consort Geng, Liu Chengyou's heart would stir with slight ripples, and he felt considerable pity for Liu Xu.

Yet, in a sudden realization, Liu Chengyou noticed that his sons truly seemed to have grown up. Looking at his eldest son, then at the Crown Prince, his mood gradually grew complicated.

When children grow up, problems inevitably begin to emerge. For the imperial house, the most realistic matter was none other than the struggle for the succession and power. Given Liu Chengyou's temperament, although he had established a Crown Prince, he absolutely did not want Liu Yang to feel that his position was secure and unshakable, losing his vigilance and becoming a complacent, carefree heir.

Therefore, the appropriate pressure would definitely be applied. And the greatest pressure came from none other than the other princes. However, Liu Chengyou also did not wish for the resulting court intrigue and fraternal strife among brothers.

In the past, when the princes were still young, this mentality of his had not been so pronounced. But with the establishment of the Crown Prince, and as the other princes gradually grew up, the contradiction within Liu Chengyou's heart began to deepen.

Of course, as of now, things were far from reaching that point—it was just that Emperor Liu inevitably harbored such a sense of vigilance.

For an emperor who held great power in his hands, leisure was a rare commodity, and for Liu Chengyou, even more so. After enjoying a rare few days of rest, that peace and tranquility was shattered. Some matters he could delegate, but others were beyond his control.

Sun the Yan army arrived hurriedly, his expression grave, and said: "Reporting to His Majesty—news has come from the palace that a messenger has arrived from Youzhou!"