Chapter 10

After Liu Che and Liu Li finished breakfast together, there was nothing left to do. Liu Li still felt that the Mother beside her was very strange, and she secretly glanced at him.

So strange, let me look again.

Liu Che naturally felt the gaze his daughter was casting at him, and he interpreted this gaze as a feeling of filial affection.

Thinking that he hadn't liked this daughter very much before because Liu Li was a simple-minded child, now that he had inexplicably become A Jiao, he had a rare thought in his heart of wanting to play with his daughter.

So he said: "How about Mother plays with you with a pigeon cart?"

Liu Li was puzzled when she heard this, and because of "A Jiao's" strange behavior, she couldn't ask what a pigeon cart was, so she nodded obediently: "Okay."

In ancient times, things for children to play with were not as rich as in modern times; most were wooden products, and because they were easy to make, the pigeon cart was one of the better toys for ancient children.

Liu Che ordered the palace servants to bring Liu Li's pigeon cart, and Liu Li opened her eyes wide, staring at this pigeon cart with a curious face.

This was something that looked a bit bigger than Liu Li's small body. At the front of the cart was an animal resembling a small bird, with a sharp beak, a round, plump body, and a perky tail. And on the left and right sides of the small bird were wheels that could rotate.

On the bird's chest, there was also a hole through which a rope could be threaded.

So this is a pigeon cart.

Liu Li found it very novel, circled around the entire pigeon cart, but didn't know how to play with it.

Liu Che raised his eyebrows and said: "A Li, sit on it, I—cough, Mother will take you for a ride."

A ride? Hmph, do you think I'm a puppy? She thought this with some unhappiness, but her body crawled onto the pigeon cart uncontrollably, hugging the bird's head and sitting down properly on the cart.

This pigeon cart actually seems quite fun.

Liu Che pulled the rope, dragging the pigeon cart, and took his daughter from the west hall of Jiaofang Hall to the east hall. If it were in an ordinary family, the pigeon cart wouldn't be this big; it would be the kind of toy only big enough for a child to pull.

"Mother, go a little faster." Liu Li puffed out her cheeks and urged.

Perhaps because this body was originally a child's, Liu Li at this moment fully displayed a child's nature and liked this pigeon cart very much.

She had never been this happy when she was young.

"You want to go faster?" Liu Che raised an eyebrow and pulled the pigeon cart toward the entrance of Jiaofang Hall.

In front of the main entrance of Jiaofang Hall, there were about twenty steps, and in the middle, there was a slope, which was convenient for carriages and horses to pass. Liu Che brought his daughter to the entrance and said with raised eyebrows: "How about sliding down from here?"

Liu Li bit her lip, looked at the height of the slope in front, and nodded: "Okay, okay."

Liu Che moved his daughter to the front of the slope, and for safety's sake, he also sat on the pigeon cart, holding his daughter with one hand and supporting the head of the pigeon cart with the other, "Are you ready? We're going to slide."

Liu Li felt a bit nervous inside, but also felt it was exciting. She gripped "A Jiao's" sleeves tightly with both hands: "I'm ready."

Liu Che kicked off with his feet, and the father and daughter were like arrows shot out, sliding down with a 'whoosh'.

Liu Li only felt a gust of wind whistling past her cheeks, just like riding a roller coaster. The pigeon cart carried them from the high place all the way to the ground, but because of inertia, the cart didn't stop, but instead continued to slide forward along the ground.

As luck would have it, "Liu Che's" Imperial Chariot was coming head-on.

Liu Li exclaimed: "Ah." Seeing that they were about to collide, she closed her eyes in fear.

At that moment, she thought of many things in her mind; she thought about how she had lived in the modern era for more than twenty years and had never been in a car accident. She didn't expect that after crossing over to the Western Han for a month, she was actually going to lose her little life because of a "car accident"!

Liu Che, sitting in the back, also had his complexion change abruptly. The pigeon cart couldn't control its direction, so he could only shout sternly at the driver of the Imperial Chariot: "Move aside, hurry up and move aside."

The driver was startled by the pigeon cart that suddenly appeared, but he didn't move aside at all; after all, what he was driving was the Son of Heaven's Imperial Chariot.

It had always been others who had to avoid the Son of Heaven's Imperial Chariot; he had never heard of the Son of Heaven's Imperial Chariot having to avoid anyone.

Just at the critical moment when the Empress and the Princess were about to be buried under the hooves of the Imperial Chariot's horses,

a young man dressed in black armor rushed over very heroically, and with lightning speed, pulled the rope of the pigeon cart and turned the direction of the pigeon cart.

Afterwards, the three of them tumbled off the pigeon cart together, the young man using his own body to protect Liu Che and Liu Li, and the three of them rolled on the ground several times before stopping.

On the other side, the driver stopped the Imperial Chariot, and A Jiao didn't care about the height of the chariot and jumped directly off it, her expression anxious: "A Li, A Li..."

The Imperial Attendant following her chased after A Jiao, calling out: "Your Majesty, please slow down."

Liu Li felt dizzy, as if countless little stars were popping up on her head. However, because she was protected, she wasn't injured anywhere else besides being dizzy.

The young man lay on the ground, his forehead and elbows having a certain degree of abrasions. Liu Che was also dizzy for a long time before he realized what had happened; he wanted to get up but found that his whole body was soft and powerless.

A Jiao hurried over, ordered the Imperial Attendant to help the Empress up, and she herself picked up her frightened daughter with a nervous face: "A Li, are you alright? Are you hurt?"

Liu Li's head was still a bit dizzy; she wrapped her hands around the "Son of Heaven's" neck, tilted her head on her shoulder, and groaned twice: "So dizzy."

Liu Che caught a glimpse of A Jiao, who was wearing his body, and the first thing she did after rushing over wasn't to care about him, which made him feel inexplicably depressed.

Su Wen did casually ask a question: "My Lady, are you uninjured?"

Liu Che calmed down; he raised his hand to brush away the Imperial Attendant who was supporting him, looked at the young man who had just saved their father and daughter, and hurriedly said: "You all, quickly help the Imperial Attendant Wei up."

The Imperial Attendants hurriedly went over to help the young man who had fallen to the ground up, and Liu Che stepped forward with a caring face to ask: "Imperial Attendant Wei, are you alright?"

This heroic Imperial Attendant Wei who saved people was none other than the famous Great General Wei Qing in history, and at this time, he was only in his early twenties, his face still having a hint of youthfulness.

Wei Qing just wanted to raise his hand to bow, but a sharp pain came from his arm, and he groaned, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

However, he still said respectfully: "Empress, this subordinate is uninjured."

Seeing this, Liu Che's gaze fell on his uncoordinated arm and he hurriedly said: "Someone, take Imperial Attendant Wei to Jiaofang Hall and summon the Imperial Physician to treat him."

Wei Qing wanted to refuse, but A Jiao, who was nearby, also spoke: "Go to Jiaofang Hall for treatment; don't let your arm develop a permanent ailment." Because Wei Qing had just saved her daughter, A Jiao was also very grateful to him.

Since the Son of Heaven had spoken, Wei Qing dared not refuse again and hurriedly said: "Understood."

——

A group of people returned to Jiaofang Hall in a grand procession. At this time, Liu Li was still being held in "Liu Che's" arms; she was already much better, at least she could think.

However, her attention was now entirely on the Imperial Attendant Wei Qing in front of her.

Wei Qing, this is a figure who appeared in history textbooks.

His life could be summarized entirely by the two words 'counterattack'; from a humble horse slave to a Great General who led expeditions against the Xiongnu, and finally marrying the Han Wudi's sister, if this isn't a counterattack, what is?

And for the Han people, he could also be considered a national hero.

Liu Li closed her eyes and checked that Wei Qing's favorability toward her was 0. And what was beyond her expectation was that Han Wudi's favorability toward her had actually risen to 5 points.

She didn't seem to have had much contact with Han Wudi, so why did his favorability toward her rise? Liu Li silently turned her gaze toward the "Son of Heaven" beside her, secretly guessing if it was because he saw her in danger just now, which triggered the fatherly love hidden in his heart?

A Jiao noticed that her daughter was looking at her; she reached out and gently pinched the little bun on her head, and then gave her a gentle smile.

"Eee~" Liu Li looked at his smile, and her heart trembled slightly.

How can he smile at me so gently? I'm dying!

At this time, the Imperial Physician had already come to check his injuries; that fall just now seemed to have fractured his bone.

The Imperial Physician applied medicine to him and was using wooden boards to fix the injured area, and urged: "Imperial Attendant Wei, you must take good care of this arm, do not exert force again; it will take more than three months to

heal."

Wei Qing knelt and sat, waiting for the Imperial Physician to bandage the wound before saying thanks: "Thank you."

Liu Che, who was nearby, was quite concerned about Wei Qing: "Why will his injury take so long to heal? Is there any other problem? What else needs to be paid attention to?"

Hearing the "Empress's" question, the palace maids nearby showed surprise, feeling in their hearts whether the Empress's concern for Imperial Attendant Wei was a bit too much? And in front of the Emperor, too.

The Imperial Physician patiently explained the reason to the "Empress."

After hearing this, Liu Che hurriedly said: "Since that is the case, then Zhongqing does not need to come to Weiyang Palace these days; go back and rest well until you have recovered."

The expression on Wei Qing's face froze slightly; he looked at the "Empress" with some astonishment, and even felt some panic in his heart. The Empress actually called his childhood name just now; this is simply too... overstepping!

As everyone knows, being able to call each other by childhood names means the relationship must be very good. He really couldn't understand why the Empress would call him by his childhood name; hadn't she even kidnapped him before?

Wei Qing felt uneasy; he subconsciously looked at the Son of Heaven beside him, hoping that the Son of Heaven would not blame him for this matter.

Clearly feeling that the atmosphere in the hall was not right, A Jiao coughed lightly and said: "Since that is the case, then follow what the Empress said, Imperial Attendant Wei, go back and take good care of your injury until you recover."

As she spoke, she reached out and pulled Liu Che to the side, saying in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Liu Che, make sure you understand your current identity."

For an Empress to be so solicitous toward a minister, isn't that a bit inappropriate?!

Liu Che: "..." He only then realized that his actions just now were overstepping.

Having received the "Son of Heaven's" order, Wei Qing dared not stay in Jiaofang Hall any longer and hurriedly got up to retreat: "Your Majesty, Qing is no longer in any major trouble, may I be allowed to withdraw first?"

Liu Che subconsciously waved his hand: "Retreat."

A Jiao glanced at him and secretly gave him a roll of her eyes.

After Wei Qing, the Imperial Physician, and the palace maids all left, only the family of three was left in the main hall. A Jiao couldn't hold back her anger and looked at Liu Che: "How could you take A Li to do such a dangerous thing? If Wei Qing hadn't appeared, you and A Li would have lost your lives under the Imperial Chariot, do you know that?!"

Liu Che knew he was in the wrong, and plus his daughter was there, so he didn't speak to refute A Jiao, which could be considered saving a little face for himself.

A Jiao was still angry and said furiously: "I went to attend the morning court on an empty stomach for you, and you, on the other hand, couldn't even take care of a child, causing A Li to be in danger again! You are simply not worthy of being A Li's father!"

Hearing A Jiao say this, Liu Che's complexion darkened slightly, appearing somewhat displeased.

Liu Li, sitting to the side, heard "Han Wudi's" complaint and revealed a look full of wisdom, as if she were stunned by the amount of information.

What, what, what? What is going on here?

Clearly, she could already understand ancient Chinese at this time, so why couldn't she understand the meaning of those words just now?

Seeming to sense Liu Li's shock and confusion, A Jiao took a deep breath, reached out to pull her daughter to her side, and said earnestly: "A Li, actually I am your Mother. The matter is like this..."

Liu Che didn't expect A Jiao to confess all this to their daughter; he narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly, secretly observing Liu Li's reaction.

Liu Li: "..." Oh my!

Actually, before, when "A Jiao" referred to herself as 'Zhen', Liu Li had guessed such a possibility, but she hadn't thought deeply about it. Now that she heard A Jiao say it herself, she had a feeling of sudden enlightenment.

So that's how it is.

So after spending half a day together, Han Wudi's favorability toward her increased.

Liu Che's complexion was somewhat unhappy: "You told her so much, can she understand?" Even an adult like him couldn't understand, so what could a five-year-old child understand?

A Jiao sneered and glanced at her own beautiful face: "My A Li is very smart."

Liu Li nodded along, very much agreeing with A Jiao's words.

When looking at Liu Che again, she inexplicably felt it was fun. No one would have thought that Han Wudi would become Chen Ajiao, and Chen Ajiao would become Han Wudi.

But soon she thought of a question, so she asked: "Have you thought about how to switch back?"

As soon as the words fell, the hall fell into silence.

A Jiao rubbed her forehead; after being knocked by Liu Che in the morning, it still hurt a little, and she said: "We tried in the morning, but it didn't work."

Liu Che pondered for a while and said: "I have thought about it; let's find powerful alchemists to come and take a look for us, maybe we can find a way to switch back."

Alchemists are also called 'extraordinary people'; it is said they can drive away ghosts and gods, and can also make people return to their youth.

During the Western Han period, whether it was the common people, high-ranking officials, or even Han Wudi, they all believed in heavenly gods. They believed that Kunlun in the northwest was the pillar of the center of heaven and earth, and that there were immortals like Xi Wang Mu in heaven.

Liu Li remembered that in his later years, Han Wudi pursued immortality and cultivation, and there was also a nonsensical unofficial history story about meeting Xi Wang Mu.

Therefore, alchemists who could drive away ghosts and gods and could also live forever had a very high status at this time.

Thinking of this, Liu Li couldn't help but wonder, are there really ghosts and gods in this world? Otherwise, why would she have crossed over, and why would A Jiao and Liu Che in front of her have swapped bodies?

Liu Che asked A Jiao to issue a decree to find capable alchemists to solve their current body-swapping matter. After A Jiao agreed, she simply informed Liu Che of the matters from the morning court, waiting for Liu Che's decision.

However, following A Jiao's statement, the system in Liu Li's mind suddenly sounded: 【Ding, triggered the 'Yellow River Breach at Huzi' event.】

Liu Li hurriedly closed her eyes to check, and she saw a card labeled 'Yellow River Breach at Huzi' appear on the system's control panel, with the words written at the bottom of the card: Not witnessed or not resolved.

Seeing this, she opened her eyes and looked at Liu Che beside her, sitting upright, waiting for Liu Che's decision to witness the completion of this matter.

Liu Che pondered for a moment and said: "The flooding of the Yellow River in the fifth month and the breaching of the Yellow River were unavoidable. I previously sent Ji An and Zheng Dangshi to lead one hundred thousand elite troops to block the breach, but the results were minimal. I believe that Prime Minister Tian's words are reasonable; the Yellow River breach is the will of Heaven, so it is better to just let it be."

Liu Li blinked, and three question marks slowly appeared in her mind.

How can the Yellow River breach be the will of Heaven? Isn't this joking with the lives of the common people?

And it is already September now; the water level of the Yellow River should have gone down. The most important thing now should be how to settle the affected common people, not just ignoring it because it's the will of Heaven!

"Father Emperor." Liu Li called out: "Is Prime Minister Tian's fief in Shu Di, north of the Yellow River?"

Liu Che nodded: "Yes."

"The river breached to the south, so the Shu Di where he is is not affected, which is why he would say such things about the so-called will of Heaven, right?" Liu Li kindly reminded Han Wudi not to be deceived by this Prime Minister Tian.

Liu Che raised his eyebrows and did not respond.

Actually, it was impossible for Liu Che not to know these principles, but in his heart, there were pros and cons. The Yellow River breach submerged sixteen commanderies and counties; if funds were allocated for disaster relief, the money consumed would be extraordinary.

Therefore, in his view, rather than spending so much financial and human resources to save the disaster, it would be better to use these funds to strengthen the Great Han army so that they could resist the Xiongnu in the future.

After the failure of the Battle of Mayi plan, the relationship between the Great Han and the Xiongnu became increasingly tense, and the Xiongnu repeatedly harassed the border cities of the Great Han. This battle would have to be fought sooner or later, and the Great Han could not lose!

"Heh, I knew this uncle of yours wasn't a good person." After hearing this, A Jiao slapped the table and said angrily: "He isn't affected, so he doesn't care about the lives of other common people? How is such a person worthy of being our Great Han's Prime Minister?"

Liu Li shrugged her small face and nodded along, saying indignantly: "Exactly." To be an official in the court and yet unable to empathize with the suffering of the common people, and still be Prime Minister, is truly despicable.

Liu Che: "..."

He frowned and only asked: "Then how do you intend to solve it?"

A Jiao didn't even think and said: "Of course, allocate funds for disaster relief; sixteen commanderies were destroyed by the river, and so many common people are displaced, how can we sit idly by?"

"No." Liu Che rejected it, stood up, and said sternly: "Do you know how much money it would take to save so many common people? If I

really allocate funds, I'm afraid my national treasury would be emptied, and what would I use to fight the Xiongnu in the future?"

A Jiao: "..."

Liu Che continued to appeal to emotions and reason: "I know you cannot bear to see those common people suffer, and how could I bear it? But if funds are allocated to save these people, and in the future the Xiongnu attack, the ones who will suffer will be all the people of the Great Han. Do you want to see such a situation?"

A Jiao naturally didn't want to see such a scene, but could they really just leave those affected common people alone?

Liu Li, who was nearby, was also listening to Liu Che's words. She knew that there would inevitably be a war between the Great Han and the Xiongnu, and this was unavoidable no matter what.

Liu Che in history books was criticized for being bellicose; she actually didn't quite agree with this point. After all, if there weren't Liu Che's strategic policies against the Xiongnu, how could there be the vast China of later generations?

Liu Li felt that they were caught in a classic trolley problem: whether to save the common people of the sixteen commanderies or save the future of the entire Great Han.

Liu Che in history chose the latter; he didn't care about the lives of the common people in the sixteen commanderies.

But as a modern person, Liu Li knew that the Yellow River breach was not the will of Heaven; it was a natural disaster. Those affected common people in the sixteen commanderies were living, breathing lives!

"Father Emperor, what if I have a way to use the least amount of money to help those disaster victims?" After saying this, Liu Li bit her lip lightly, waiting for Liu Che's answer.

Liu Che only found it funny: "You?" A five-year-old child? He didn't believe at all that she would have such ability.

However, A Jiao, who was nearby, gently held her daughter's shoulder and said solemnly: "A Li, I believe in you."

Liu Li turned her head to look at A Jiao, the mother and daughter looking at each other. Liu Li turned her head again to look at Liu Che; she blinked her round eyes and suddenly realized one thing.

Anything now seemed to no longer need Liu Che's consent. Because the Great Han Son of Heaven who held the decision-making power at this time was Chen Ajiao!