Chapter 531: If Heaven Had Feelings, Heaven Too Would Age

In mid-May, when Sun Quan’s clan arrived in Yingchuan with a sense of relief, the Son of Heaven’s “family” had already reached the old capital of Luoyang a step ahead of them. Meanwhile, the Governor of Jiaozhou, Shi Xie, and the returning Grand Marshal and Grand Commander, Lu Fan, had just entered the territory of Nanyang.

Fifteen years of toil and travel, and now the dust was finally about to settle.

However, Luoyang did not carry the sense of eager anticipation that many had expected. On the contrary, the officials from Ye displayed immense resistance to the sudden relocation, hesitating and dragging their feet. Quite a few even submitted memorials directly to the Duke of Yan, going on about the merits of Ye, creating a fair bit of discordant noise… In response, the Duke of Yan, Gongsun Xun, showed extreme tolerance and indifference. He neither refuted nor punished them, nor did he show any intention of changing course.

In truth, the officials from Ye, who had no room to resist, understood in their hearts that Ye, located within Hebei, was still somewhat too remote for the entire realm. If a capital were truly to be established, they themselves would also say Chang’an or Luoyang, not to mention the officials with native ties to Bingzhou, Shanzhou, and the Sanfu region who were subtly chiming in from the sidelines.

It was just that among the high-ranking and even mid-level core officials from Ye, those of Hebei origin still held an absolute advantage. Moreover, after years of orderly construction, Ye had a thriving economy and a prosperous market, and everyone there had assets, so they could not help but feel somewhat displeased.

As for the true meaning of this move, it was merely to remind Gongsun Xun not to forget their “sacrifices” for the State of Yan, and that when the Duke of Yan accepted the Mandate of Heaven and everyone was promoted, he needed to look after those of Hebei origin.

Such a groundless matter made it no wonder that Gongsun Xun could not be bothered to pay it any mind.

A practical problem, however, was that Luoyang, the former Henan region, and half of Hongnong had been emptied by Dong Zhuo’s relocation. The policies of military farming and equal-field land distribution inevitably constrained the common people’s return from the side. The former capital of the Great Han was now a blank, empty space, which could not help but stir a sense of melancholy.

In fact, that afternoon, atop the three-story pavilion within the Duting Post Station east of the city, Liu Xie, who had finally returned to Luoyang and was once again overlooking the outline of this former capital, could not help but feel dejected… They say the things remain but the people have changed, but for this man, not only had the people changed, the things were no longer the things of the past either. Even the entire city, the entire realm, was about to change masters—how could he not be grieved?

“Your Majesty, is this Luoyang?” Noble Lady Dong carefully passed between two armored soldiers and stepped forward to take her husband’s arm. “The city is extremely large and has been tidied up cleanly, but why is it so desolate, not even matching the bustle of Chang’an?”

“Because there are no people…” The young Son of Heaven grew even more dejected. “I still remember when I was six or seven, my elder brother secretly came to see me. We climbed the corner tower of the Northern Palace together. Although we could only see the small corners on either side of the Northern Palace, at that time, everywhere we looked was bustling, with people coming and going… Today, the outline of the city walls is still the same style, the divisions are still so orderly, and the newly built structures and residences are even taller and tidier than before. But without people, how can there be the atmosphere of a capital?”

Having seen that the escorting armored soldiers were courteous along the way, and being young, Noble Lady Dong had inevitably grown bolder. She glanced at the soldiers behind her and could not help but ask in a low voice: “Your Majesty, I have heard that the Duke of Yan… that as soon as his Grand Marshal returns, he will force Your Majesty to abdicate in this utterly empty Luoyang. With such impatience, won’t he be laughed at in the future?”

Liu Xie sighed and was about to speak, but he felt a chill run through his entire body, and cold sweat immediately streamed down his back, because at that moment, a voice he had heard a few times before suddenly rang out from behind him:

“I do not know if it is Noble Lady Dong or Noble Lady Fu, but this shows some lack of understanding. When I assume the imperial title has nothing to do with whether the capital is prosperous or not… In my view, a blank sheet of paper is the best for painting at ease! What does Your Majesty think?”

Liu Xie knew full well who had arrived. He forcibly suppressed his alarm and turned his head back, and sure enough, he saw the Duke of Yan, Gongsun Xun, dressed in brocade casual clothes, ascending the tower with his hands behind his back. Besides him, there was a beardless youth about the same age as himself, and two tall young men in brocade robes carrying blades.

Seeing this, Liu Xie roughly understood that the other party meant no harm, so he mustered his courage and forced himself to respond: “The Duke of Yan jests. Noble Lady Dong is merely a woman, and without proper upbringing, how could she understand such grand strategies?”

This was a jab at Gongsun Xun for slaughtering Dong Cheng’s entire family that day. Upon hearing this address, Noble Lady Dong also hid behind the Son of Heaven in alarm, only slightly raising her head to look at the man who had killed her father.

“What of it if she is a woman?” Gongsun Xun shook his head repeatedly, not angered, but rather taking his time. “I have come in casual clothes to see Your Majesty, so I will forgo the formalities.”

“As things stand, I dare not accept them…”

“How has Your Majesty found the Duting Post Station?” Gongsun Xun smiled again, still not angered.

At this point, he truly had no need to be angry with a child, even if the other party was still the Son of Heaven at this moment.

“Is there a Son of Heaven under heaven who returns to the old capital but stays at a post station?” Liu Xie, who had already been dejected, could not help but feel somewhat depressed upon hearing this. “Even if the Duke of Yan wishes to humiliate me, there is no need for this. The Northern Palace was, after all, my childhood residence… Even a commoner returning home after ten years would perhaps go and take a look, would they not?”

“Your Majesty misunderstands.” Gongsun Xun still stood with his hands behind his back, clearly unbothered. “I am not so petty as that. The truth is that neither the Northern Palace nor the Southern Palace has been fully repaired. Even I am only staying in a newly built private residence… It is estimated that they will barely be habitable only after the autumn harvest.”

The Son of Heaven was momentarily puzzled: “Did the Duke of Yan not summon me here to carry out the abdication? How is it that the palaces have not been repaired all this time?”

“Because I also did not expect the realm to be unified so quickly.” Gongsun Xun replied calmly. “This brings us back to the point. When I ascend the throne has little to do with this city… What matters is the unification of the four seas! Once the four seas are unified, I am naturally the master of all under heaven. What else is there to discuss?!”

“In that case, does the Duke of Yan not need me to abdicate?” The Son of Heaven was momentarily angered.

“You know, that actually makes some sense. I am genuinely tempted.” Gongsun Xun could not help but laugh.

The Son of Heaven’s expression changed drastically: “I was only jesting… Since the Duke of Yan has come here personally, I naturally have nothing to say. Whenever the grand ceremony is to be held, I will absolutely not refuse. I only beg that the Duke of Yan can keep his promise and allow the bloodline of the House of Han to continue naturally.”

“I did not come today for this matter!” Gongsun Xun suddenly became serious. “This trifling matter is not worth a personal trip… Your Majesty, I came here because there is something I must tell you. After you left, Jing Youxi threw himself into the river and died.”

Upon hearing this, the Son of Heaven’s first instinct was to refute it, but just as he was about to speak, he realized in his heart—it was obvious that Jing Ze was truly dead, and truly by suicide, for there had been omens during their final parting in the hall that day. It was just that he had been so focused on survival that he had not paid much attention.

Besides, given the man’s identity and actions, there were countless reasons for him to seek death. And considering the scheme to swap the eldest imperial prince, this man had likely sought death precisely to set Liu Xie’s mind at ease.

Thinking of this, all the grievances, anger, and forbearance in the Son of Heaven’s heart vanished. He felt his mind go completely blank, not knowing what to think or do… The House of Han had withered to this extent, and in the end, the one who had considered everything for the Han and for himself and chosen to die loyal was actually a spy!

But so what if he was a spy? Did he not far surpass those from families of four generations of Three Excellencies or those hereditary officials of two thousand dan?

But there was no time to think further. At the mere thought of the word “spy,” the Son of Heaven almost instantly came to a realization, and tears streamed down his face uncontrollably. There on the pavilion, facing the expressionless Gongsun Xun, he spoke in a tearful voice: “Duke of Yan, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Jing, was originally a Han subject…”

For some unknown reason, a tone of almost pleading seeped out from the Son of Heaven’s voice.

Seeing the other party’s demeanor, Gongsun Xun also looked up and sighed: “Indeed, Jing Ze was originally a loyal subject of the House of Han! No different from Cao Mengde or Liu Xuande!”

In that instant, Liu Xie was almost overwhelmed with gratitude toward him.

Seeing this, Gongsun Xun said nothing more. He simply put his hands behind his back, turned around, and descended the tower.

Up on the tower, the Son of Heaven was grief-stricken beyond words… In his lifetime, he had witnessed the violent deaths of his closest kin, but he had been too young then, and fear had mostly outweighed sorrow. Today, the situation had no room for retreat, or rather, he was in a peculiar place beyond worry and fear. Suddenly hearing this news, he finally understood completely what it meant to have one’s heart and lungs torn apart, as if his very liver and gall were lost.

Hearing the uncontrollable weeping from the tower, Gongsun Xun also felt a moment of gloom in his heart.

After all, he also felt a sense of guilt toward Jing Youxi… And his purpose in coming today was, on one hand, naturally to express his anger and question the blame; on the other hand, it was faintly to test the young Son of Heaven’s attitude!

After all, as one of the few who knew that Empress Yuan was pregnant before Lu Bu’s death, Gongsun Xun had understood from the very beginning what the so-called eldest imperial prince was all about. He had just never taken it to heart. It was only after Jing Ze’s death that he discovered someone had actually staked their life on this matter. Amidst his inner gloom and shame, he naturally also understood that Jing Ze’s death was, to some extent, for the sake of those messy affairs surrounding the Son of Heaven.

Therefore, when the young Son of Heaven rarely shed his imperial facade and made a desperate plea, Gongsun Xun felt a moment of relief. No matter what, this young Son of Heaven still had a sliver of human conscience.

And so, the Son of Heaven went on to weep, and Gongsun Xun naturally returned to his “private residence” in Luoyang—he had not deceived the other party earlier; the Southern and Northern Palaces were still under repair, and he could only reside within the newly built city district, under heavy guard.

However, just as the young Son of Heaven had lamented on the tower earlier, there were very few residents in Luoyang city now. The people in the city were merely the officials gradually migrating from Ye, the Imperial Guard troops previously stationed here, and the laborers who had participated in the city’s repair and construction earlier. It could be considered exceptionally safe.

And along the way, because one person had been following him the entire time, he inevitably delayed a little longer.

“If you want to ask, just ask. After more than a year in Tazhong, how have you become so much more reserved?” Gongsun Xun reined in his horse at the front, surrounded by cavalry and with a vanguard ahead. The person behind him was none other than his eldest son, Gongsun Ding, who had hurried over with Gongsun Yue.

“Your son…” Gongsun Ding, riding a large horse, immediately responded, but seemed somewhat hesitant. “Your son does not know where to begin asking.”

“You can ask about anything. Take it one thing at a time.”

“Understood!” Gongsun Ding quickly caught up. “Father, why was that Son of Heaven of the Han so distraught? Is there a reason behind it?”

“There is! But your father does not wish to speak of it… Next.”

“Then, Father, why must you ascend the throne so hastily? Although the realm is unified, you could still wait a little…”

“What is there to say about this? It is simply that your father cannot wait any longer! And your father has never cared about face or reputation!”

“But Father is not someone who cares about a mere title or position, right? Why not wait until the Luoyang palaces are repaired, the provinces and commanderies of the realm are properly divided, and the hearts of the people are somewhat prepared, before undertaking this matter?” Gongsun Ding was still puzzled. “Is there some inside story?”

“There is… But your father still does not wish to speak of it.” Gongsun Xun still reined in his horse at the front, replying calmly.

“Then your son has only one question left.” Gongsun Ding was also helpless.

“Speak.”

“May I ask, Father, why Luoyang was chosen as the capital?” Gongsun Ding rallied his spirits and continued to ask earnestly.

“This is a good question.” Gongsun Xun finally turned his head on horseback to glance at his son. “The matter of establishing a capital is not only about seeking a strategically advantageous location, but also concerns the grand policy of the state… And Luoyang was the place decided upon after your grandmother and I discussed it for a long time. You should know, at that time we discussed no fewer than five cities!”

“Your son wishes to hear the details.” Gongsun Ding was naturally invigorated. Even Sima Yi, who had been restored to his original post behind them, and Ma Dai pricked up their ears.

"The five cities are Luoyang, Chang'an, Yecheng, Xuchang, and Jixian." Gongsun Xun spoke slowly, discoursing with ease. "And each of these five cities carries a distinct strategic bias... For instance, Jixian is included not because it is my father's fief capital, but because if one were to make it the capital, the state would inevitably have to rely on Hebei as its rear, develop Liaodong, exploit the Three Han territories and that newly surveyed island of Wa, and prioritize the suppression of the grasslands beyond the frontier! As for Xuchang, it embodies the intent of using the Central Plains as a base to open up Jiangnan! However, these two locations are somewhat too remote. Geographically speaking, under the same grand strategy, Jixian is slightly inferior to Yecheng, and Xuchang is slightly inferior to Luoyang! Because Yecheng can also attend to the Central Plains, while Luoyang can conversely link up Hebei and the Three Adjuncts."

From Gongsun Ding on down, everyone's heart stirred slightly.

"As for Chang'an, it naturally follows the old path of the Han dynasty — to open up the Western Regions, restore the ancient Silk Road, use the Western Regions to squeeze the grasslands, and use Guanzhong to remotely control the Central Plains..." Gongsun Xun continued. "If you had read even a little, you would understand the meaning behind it. It is also an excellent choice."

Gongsun Ding immediately nodded: "Your son fully understands Father's meaning, but I still have some doubts."

"Speak!"

"Since Father has settled on Luoyang, there is naturally a reason for it. But as Father just said, this move means the state's grand policy will lean toward developing Jiangnan... If so, will the Western Regions be ignored? Will Liaodong be neglected? Will the grasslands not be suppressed?" Gongsun Ding inquired earnestly.

"A good question. A year away has brought you some progress after all." Gongsun Xun finally turned back with a laugh. "But who said I would neglect them?"

Gongsun Ding was momentarily speechless: "..."

"Ah Ding!" Gongsun Xun laughed even more freely. "Each generation has its own strategies, each generation has its own responsibilities... The reason your father finally settled on Luoyang is not to abandon the Western Regions, the grasslands, or Liaodong, but to do my utmost to settle these matters for you within my lifetime! I dare not promise eternal peace, but at the very least, during your time in power, you will not need to worry about these three regions!"

Gongsun Ding suddenly understood — so this national policy of developing Jiangnan was meant for him to carry out; no wonder he had been sent to manage the military farms.

Moreover, Gongsun Ding had not the slightest doubt that his father's ability and prestige were insufficient to subdue the grasslands and control the Western Regions! As for the grasslands, at worst they could just fight a battle — did that Kebineng really have the nerve to try anything now? And the Western Regions already had Han Sui managing them; they could simply continue that arrangement in the future.

Only Liaodong — how to develop Liaodong was not something that could be done overnight, and Gongsun Ding could not think of any strategy that would yield immediate results.

But then again, if his father ascended the throne this month, he would still have at least twenty or thirty years as the Son of Heaven — that should be enough, right?

"Are you done asking?" Just then, Gongsun Xun suddenly turned back, interrupting his son's wandering thoughts.

"Yes!" Gongsun Ding quickly responded.

"You may be done asking, but I still have something to tell you!"

"Please give your command, Father!" Gongsun Ding did not rein in his horse, for he knew his father disliked that.

"Once the Governor of Jiaozhou and the Grand Marshal both arrive at the end of the month, I will ascend the throne as the Son of Heaven before the autumn harvest." Gongsun Xun spoke as casually as if discussing some trivial household matter. "At that time, you will be made Crown Prince... This is also why I summoned you here specifically... But after receiving the appointment as Crown Prince, do not wait for me to urge you — return directly to Tazhong on your own! Whether it is Xie Zheng's death or your appointment as Crown Prince, you must produce results with the military farms for me! Only after your capping ceremony may you return to Luoyang!"

"Understood!" Gongsun Ding dared not hesitate.

After father and son had spoken these words, they did not fall silent, but instead pointed out the newly constructed city of Luoyang along the way, chatting only about trivial matters of the past.

For example: at this spot, so-and-so had drawn his blade in a standoff with Duan Jiong; over there, so-and-so had once fed chickens; that place was where so-and-so first met one of his wives; this place was where so-and-so had once dragged the corpse of a powerful eunuch through the streets.

With all this, they spent the entire afternoon before finally returning to that temporary private residence serving as the imperial lodging. The whole family had a rare dinner together, which also served as a welcome-home feast for the eldest son who had been away so long.

After dinner, as the lanterns were first lit, Gongsun Xun idly chatted for a while with his increasingly articulate youngest daughter, then suddenly dismissed everyone else. He came to the rear hall and stood solemnly, requesting an audience with his own birth mother, Lady Gongsun, who was soon to be elevated to Empress Dowager.

It must be said, mother and son had both been in Luoyang all these days, and Lady Gongsun had been continuously arranging planning matters inside and outside Luoyang. Although both were very busy, they saw each other daily and had no lack of opportunities to talk... So Gongsun Xun's sudden, formal request for an audience now left Lady Gongsun's maidservants alarmed and bewildered.

However, Lady Gongsun herself was not bewildered at all; she had, in fact, long been prepared.

When the two met, Gongsun Xun finished paying his respects to his mother, who was seated upright in the rear hall. Rising, he spoke directly: "Mother, your son has met with the Han Emperor. My resolve is set — I will conclude this matter and ascend the throne as Emperor around the time before the autumn harvest! So today, I have come specifically to ask for one item!"

Lady Gongsun slowly nodded, then personally brought out from behind her a square box the length and breadth of a palm, placing it directly on a side table. She let out a sigh:

"I knew long ago I couldn't hide it from you. I've been waiting for you!"

Gongsun Xun stepped forward, opened the box, and calmly took out a jade imperial seal.

The seal was four inches square, with five intertwined dragons coiled atop the knob, and on the face below were carved eight large characters, precisely: "Having received the Mandate of Heaven, may it enjoy long life and eternal prosperity." Not only that, one of the four corners of the jade seal was clearly chipped and had been repaired with red gold. Gold and jade intermingled, suffused with hues of cyan and yellow, glittering radiantly under the candlelight, all the more captivating.

There was no need to say it — this was the Imperial Heirloom Seal... Gongsun Xun had long searched for it in vain and had long suspected that his mother had obtained it directly through Gongsun Yue during the chaos of that day, or had someone retrieve it from some well immediately after the chaos, but had simply never spoken of it. Nor had he ever pressed anyone on the matter.

"A fine treasure!" Gongsun Xun held it in his hand and studied it for a long while, but could not help shaking his head. "In truth, I can probably guess Mother's thoughts... A supreme treasure found in a well, with dragons upon it — and Mother has said she 'crossed over' from a well because of a dragon. Is there truly a connection between the two?"

Lady Gongsun, whose hair was already faintly streaked with white, looked despondent for a moment upon hearing this. She adjusted her long-worn black-framed spectacles: "I don't know, and I haven't the courage to take this thing and jump into a well to test it. I've lived over forty years on this side, with children and grandchildren filling the hall, and I'm about to become Empress Dowager. At this point, do I still hope to go back? I'd rather earnestly consider how to be a good Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang or something. As for you, this time your ascension is so hurried, and after all, it concerns the four-hundred-year Mandate of Heaven of the Han — there will always be people who care. Keeping it for you to legitimize the Mandate of Heaven is also good!"

Gongsun Xun burst out laughing, but then placed the Imperial Heirloom Seal, which had not even warmed in his hands, back into the box. Turning to his mother, he laughed and said: "Though there's no need to jump into any well, why not grind a little jade powder into porridge and see if it has any special effects? Or perhaps, when Mother eventually passes into eternity, as you once said, bury you on the grasslands beyond the frontier, inter your bones three feet deep in the earth, and when the white horses trample the ground flat, bury this item with you. Who knows, your soul might lodge upon it and live another life?"

"Don't joke." Lady Gongsun could not help but speak with some exasperation. "It's not that I'm reluctant to part with this thing, but that my heart truly harbors some concern about it."

"Your son is not joking." Under the candlelight, Gongsun Xun pushed the box directly before his mother. "A mere dead object — I don't even regard it. A mere Mandate of Heaven — I've never cared for it either. If you ask me, if Mother has concerns in her heart, then keep it! Your son wants to ascend the throne and become Emperor; Mother can give some other congratulatory gift just as well."

Lady Gongsun lifted her gaze from the jade seal to her son's face, and it was her turn to laugh in spite of herself: "Your mother should have thought of this long ago... However, I am indeed already prepared! I agree. After you ascend the throne, the Anli Trading Company can be returned to state operation, for you to dispose of as you wish. But you must also promise me a few things."

"Mother, please speak." Gongsun Xun bowed.

"First, the Anli Trading Company's operations are vast and complex; even I no longer know how many businesses it encompasses. It must be transferred gradually to avoid chaos."

"That is only natural."

"Second, the reason Anli Trading Company has been invincible is precisely because it is a commercial enterprise, not a government office... Once you take it over, you must remember this firmly: whether you split it up or merge it, you must not allow too many intersections or flows of personnel between it and the court bureaucracy. Otherwise, this enterprise will naturally grow dull!" Lady Gongsun warned with a solemn expression.

Gongsun Xun nodded heavily.

"Then go!" Lady Gongsun suddenly felt relieved as well, and picking up the jade seal, she turned toward the rear chambers. "To leave your mother something to hold onto — that can be considered having a conscience."

"May Mother live a long life of a hundred years, and she will still have a conscience in the future!" Gongsun Xun, who had already turned to leave, looked back, equally relieved.

The colossal weight lying between mother and son was so deftly pried loose by a single jade seal — or rather, the last missing corner of the Yan dynasty's Mandate of Heaven was so deftly filled by a single jade seal. One can only say, no wonder this item is worth a string of cities.

—————I am a dividing line worth a string of cities—————

"How rare it is! A ruler of perfect governance does not appear in every generation! Yu possessed the realm and passed it down through sixteen kings, yet only Shao Kang achieved a restoration. Tang possessed the realm and passed it down through twenty-eight kings, and among the most prosperous, they were only hailed as the Three Ancestors. King Wu possessed the realm and passed it down through thirty-six kings, yet aside from the reigns of Cheng and Kang and the achievements of Xuan, the rest are unworthy of mention. Though the records in the 'Book of Songs' and 'Book of Documents' are sometimes incomplete, still, over more than one thousand seven hundred years of the Three Dynasties, through more than seventy rulers, those who stand out conspicuously to later generations amount to only these six or seven. Alas, how difficult it is to find! And when it came to the Grand Ancestor, who overthrew the Han with Yan, how glorious it was! His quelling of the chaos at the end of Han rivals the deeds of Tang and Wu; the beauty of his governance nearly matches that of Cheng and Kang. Since antiquity, none have combined such merit and virtue since the Three Dynasties. Yet his indulgence in his own nature, his disregard for ritual and law, his irreverence toward Heaven and Earth, his disdain for letters and fondness for arms, his arrogance toward superiors and esteem for the lowly — these are truly lamentable. However, the method of the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' is to often demand more from the worthy, and thus, among later gentlemen who wish to perfect the admirable, none fail to sigh over these matters." — New Book of Yan, Volume 2, Annals of the Grand Ancestor, the Martial Emperor

"Alas, since antiquity, there have been fathers who founded an enterprise to bequeath to their sons, but never a mother who founded an enterprise to bequeath to her son. As for the Grand Ancestor of Yan, who in a mere decade came to possess all within the Four Seas, his mother, the Filial and Solemn Empress Wen, donated vast fortunes in Youyan, soothed the hearts of the people in Bingzhou, stabilized industries in the Three Adjuncts, controlled the situation in Liaodong, presided over the rear, and oversaw the entire economy — surpassing even Xiao He, her merit was immense indeed! When the Grand Ancestor settled his strategy on Luoyang, he once said: 'Were it not that my mother is a woman, I could simply sit back and enjoy the fruits of her labor!' Were these not truthful words?" — Records of Heroes at the End of Han, by Wang Can

(End of Chapter)