Chapter 11: Strategy

Liu Che met Liu Li's gaze. In her dark, bright eyes, that flash of intelligence and cunning made his brow twitch uncontrollably.

What was going on? He actually felt like he was being manipulated by his own daughter!

Realizing that A Jiao was the one who could issue orders at this moment, Liu Li immediately turned and grabbed A Jiao's arm, her voice crisp and sweet: "Father Emperor~"

Hearing her daughter call her "Father Emperor," A Jiao was stunned for a moment. She lowered her eyes to look at Liu Li's sparkling, wide eyes, and immediately understood the meaning behind this address.

A Jiao cast a shallow glance at Liu Che, the corners of her lips lifting slightly as she said, "What is it?"

Liu Li spoke up: "Father Emperor, let us discuss in detail how to carry out the disaster relief."

Liu Che narrowed his eyes abruptly and only said, "I have not agreed yet."

Liu Li wrinkled her little nose and deliberately played dumb: "Mother Empress, what are you saying? Hasn't Father Emperor already agreed?"

A Jiao nodded solemnly: "I believe A Li will have a way to save the people of the sixteen commanderies!"

Liu Che: "..."

Seeing Liu Che's expression gradually turn gloomy and displeased, Liu Li secretly thought, "Oh no."

Now that A Jiao and Liu Che had swapped bodies, they could ignore Liu Che's opposition and issue an edict for disaster relief.

But if A Jiao and Liu Che were to swap back in the future, would Liu Che hold a grudge over today? After all, he was the Son of Heaven; he probably couldn't tolerate others overstepping their authority.

Thinking of this, Liu Li shifted her little bottom and leaned toward Liu Che's side. She reached out and gently tugged on his sleeve, shaking it back and forth, looking up at him with pleading eyes as she called out, "Father Emperor."

Liu Che shifted his gaze to look at her and let out a cold snort through his nose: "You still know I am your Father Emperor?" When he said this in A Jiao's voice, it carried a rather haughty tone.

Liu Li sniffled, her little face full of sincerity: "You are the Son of Heaven, and you will always be A Li's Father Emperor."

"But Father Emperor, if you save those disaster-stricken people, wouldn't that raise your status in the hearts of the people?" Liu Li said with a childish voice, speaking passionate words: "The people will surely think that the Han Emperor is a benevolent ruler who cares for his people and holds the world in his heart. As the saying goes, he who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. When that time comes, what is a mere Xiongnu to be afraid of?"

That's right, she, Liu Li, was "CPU-ing" (gaslighting/manipulating) the Han Emperor!

Hearing her daughter's words, Liu Che's inner anger gradually subsided, and he was even pleased by her words. As the Son of Heaven, he naturally hoped to receive the love and support of the people.

Liu Che sat back down and looked at Liu Li with interest: "Good, then tell me, how do you intend to do it?"

Seeing Liu Che like this, Liu Li felt a bit of joy in her heart and voiced her thoughts: "If the national treasury cannot support the disaster relief, we can find ways from the surrounding commanderies and counties."

Liu Che felt this suggestion was interesting and nodded slightly, signaling Liu Li to continue.

"We can adopt a one-on-one support strategy, ordering the governors of various regions to go to the disaster areas to accept the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled victims. For example, Prime Minister Tian's fief, Shu Di, is both close to the disaster area and has not suffered any disaster. I hear that Prime Minister Tian's Shu Di is wealthy and has a good harvest, so he could be asked to take in more victims." When Liu Li offered her opinion, she quietly observed Liu Che's expression, and seeing he was not displeased, she breathed a slight sigh of relief.

In fact, during the two Han dynasties, the power of commandery and county governors was very great. As the saying goes, "Heaven is high and the Emperor is far away," and many commoners only recognized the governor, not the Emperor. When disaster struck other commanderies, the surrounding ones would not offer help, and some would even forbid victims from entering the city to seek refuge.

At this time, a central directive was needed to enforce this policy.

"Furthermore, Father Emperor need not worry about the manpower for disaster relief. We can adopt the method of 'relief through work,' letting the victims who still have strength rebuild their own homes. This can solve water conservancy problems and also prevent victims from wandering around."

Hearing these suggestions from Liu Li, Liu Che's eyes lit up. He had to admit that this was a very good method. Why couldn't his own ministers provide such advice?

Involuntarily, Liu Che looked at Liu Li.

His gaze carried a bit of scrutiny. Was this still the same daughter who was once like a simpleton? Could falling into the water really make her so intelligent?

Facing Liu Che's gaze, Liu Li touched the tip of her nose uncomfortably: "Father Emperor, did A Li say something wrong?"

Liu Che narrowed his eyes and slowly curled his lips: "No."

He paused and said: "Your proposal still requires me to formulate a specific plan. Come with me to the Xuanshi Hall."

Liu Li blinked. Go to the Xuanshi Hall together?

Of course they had to go together, since A Jiao was the Son of Heaven at this moment.

The Xuanshi Hall was not only the Emperor's sleeping quarters but also the place where the Emperor handled state affairs. The memorials submitted by the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers in the morning were all carried here.

The Xuanshi Hall was the main hall of the Weiyang Palace's front palace and the tallest building in the entire Weiyang Palace. The Imperial Chariot stopped in front of the hall, and Liu Li looked at the towering palace before her, letting out an exclamation: "Wow."

The Xuanshi Hall before her was solemn and towering, as if every step held a heavy historical story.

Getting off the Imperial Chariot, Liu Li couldn't wait to run toward the Xuanshi Hall. She lifted her skirt, hopping up the steps, and curiously studied the carvings on the railings nearby.

These carvings looked a bit like the exotic beast Pixiu from the *Classic of Mountains and Seas*; each one was lifelike, and even their expressions were different. Liu Li had to marvel at the craftsmanship and wisdom of the ancient artisans.

If these were in the modern era, they could only be seen in museums, and one wouldn't even be allowed to touch them.

Rarely seeing Liu Li have such a childish side, A Jiao called out a reminder: "A Li, walk a bit slower, be careful not to fall."

Hearing the voice, Liu Li stopped and turned to look back. She jumped up and waved at A Jiao and Liu Che: "Father Emperor, Mother Empress, hurry up."

Watching Liu Li, a tiny figure standing before the towering Xuanshi Hall, Liu Che suddenly said in a low voice: "I remember the last time I saw A Li, her legs seemed a bit unsteady. Today, looking at her climbing the steps, there isn't a single flaw."

A Jiao turned her eyes to look at him, and he happened to look over at that moment.

He had his long hair simply tied up, with only a plain hairpin in it. His eyes were pitch black and carried a bit of deep meaning, and the half-smile on his lips carried a kind of otherworldly mystery, like a fairy who had fallen into the mortal world.

Damn it, this was clearly her own body!

A Jiao looked away and stopped watching him, sneering: "The last time you saw A Li was half a year ago."

Liu Che was stunned: "Has it been that long?"

"Hmph." A Jiao couldn't be bothered to pay attention to him anymore and climbed the steps to walk toward Liu Li ahead.

Liu Che raised his hand to touch the tip of his nose and lifted his skirt to chase after them, muttering in a low voice: "It shouldn't have been that long, right?"

The three of them arrived at the place where the Son of Heaven usually handled state affairs. Liu Li curiously peered inside, feeling that the construction style inside the Xuanshi Hall was quite different from the Jiaofang Hall.

The interior decoration of the Jiaofang Hall was dominated by dark gold and red, while the interior of the Xuanshi Hall was dominated by black, making it look more solemn and dignified.

"Su Wen, you don't need to serve here today; having the Empress is enough. Go and tell the kitchen to send some food. I haven't eaten since the morning court session." A Jiao turned to Su Wen, who was following behind, and said.

Su Wen replied: "Nuo."

After only the family of three was left in the hall, Liu Che walked straight to the desk where he usually handled memorials and sat down.

He looked at the brush and ink on the desk for a moment, then raised his eyes to look at the mountain-like pile of memorials on the left, and then turned his head to look at himself, who was showing their daughter around the Xuanshi Hall.

Little Liu Li seemed to want to touch the carvings on the pillar, but because she wasn't tall enough, she couldn't reach. Liu Che saw A Jiao, who had become him, bend down slightly and pick up their daughter, letting her sit directly on his neck.

What a picture of a loving father, actually letting his daughter ride on his neck! Liu Che himself hadn't expected that he could see such a gentle smile on his own face.

At this moment, Su Wen's voice came from the doorway: "Your Majesty, the meal is ready."

A Jiao said: "Bring it in."

As she spoke, A Jiao put Liu Li down.

She smiled and asked Liu Li: "Do you want to eat something more?"

Liu Li rolled her eyes and nodded: "Okay." Although she had eaten in the morning, since it was almost noon, she could treat this as lunch.

A foodie never misses three meals a day!

Su Wen pushed open the hall door, and the palace maids holding the food walked in slowly, placed the items on a small table in the side hall, and then exited in an orderly fashion.

Liu Li leaned in and sniffed, smelling the gamey scent of mutton. A Jiao reached out and lifted the lid, revealing a large bowl of mutton soup. There were also several steamed buns and a whole piece of roasted meat.

A Jiao used a spoon to serve a bowl of mutton soup for her daughter, and then served one for herself. Afterward, she broke the steamed buns into small pieces and put them into the mutton soup.

Liu Li's eyes lit up as she watched A Jiao's actions: "This is mutton soaked bread!"

A Jiao smiled and nodded: "That's right."

Liu Li also took a steamed bun, broke it into small pieces, and put them into her bowl. She used a spoon to taste a bit of the soup first. The taste was very fresh, and the gamey scent of the mutton was also quite strong, but besides the saltiness, she couldn't seem to taste any other seasonings.

If there were more seasonings, it would probably taste even better.

A Jiao picked up two pieces of mutton from the bowl and gave them to Liu Li: "It would be perfect with two more pieces of mutton."

Liu Li smiled and said: "Thank you, Mother."

She decided that after the "Yellow River Huzi breach" incident was resolved, she would not only redeem daily necessities but also seasonings that didn't exist in this era, to make her daily diet more flavorful.

After eating this meal of mutton shredded bread in soup, Liu Li felt warm all over. After being full, it was easy to get sleepy, especially since the sun was just right, making it a good time for a nap.

Liu Li sat cross-legged on the soft couch by the window, her little head drooping weakly, swaying like a roly-poly toy as she dozed off. A Jiao watched her daughter in this state and found her simply adorable.

She smiled and reached out to pull her sleepy daughter into her arms. Liu Li opened her eyes in a daze and saw a handsome, heroic face.

A Jiao gently stroked Liu Li's hair and said softly: "Sleep."

Liu Li gave a shallow yawn, then turned around in A Jiao's arms, found a comfortable position, and closed her eyes to continue sleeping.

The little cub looked so cute when she was asleep, especially curled up in her arms like a soft little dumpling. A Jiao couldn't help but reach out and gently poke her little cheek; it felt soft and squishy.

The sleeping Liu Xiao Li suddenly smacked her lips, as if dreaming of something delicious.

Seeing her daughter sleeping so soundly, A Jiao also felt sleepiness wash over her.

She held her daughter with one hand and supported her head with the other, leaning against the edge of the window to close her eyes for a light nap.

The entire Xuanshi Hall was peaceful. Liu Che, who was hunched over the desk reviewing memorials, looked up occasionally and saw the "father and daughter" sleeping by the window in front.

The sunlight from outside the window shone on them impartially, carrying a warm glow, and it seemed to illuminate a corner of his heart as well. **Chapter 12: Waste of Heaven's Gifts**