Chapter 43: No Wonder the Old Age Comes So Fast
Liu Jin looked at Emperor Wu of Han and suddenly asked, “Old sir, how old are you?”
The Emperor replied, “Just turned sixty.”
Liu Jin pondered for a moment and said, “You look old.”
“Do you know why?”
“Too many thoughts, too many worries!” Liu Jin said. “Your mind is filled with so many things every day, you understand everything and excel at all of it. At sixty, you look more like seventy or eighty. I bet your brain is always occupied with how to manage your subordinates and scheme against others.”
Emperor Wu gave the young man a look of silent disbelief. Earlier, he had been discussing serious matters and showing him bamboo slips, but now he was growing impatient and changing the subject.
With a tone full of earnestness, he said, “Do you think it’s easy to carry the family legacy?”
“So many eyes are watching you closely. One small misstep, and the foundations laid by our ancestors could fall into someone else’s hands. If you don’t think and strategize more, how can you honor your ancestors?”
“I asked you before about the difficulties in founding and maintaining a dynasty, and you told me it’s hard to maintain the achievements.”
“Oh, so you were just boasting? You didn’t really take these lessons to heart?”
“You know how hard it is to maintain the legacy. Since you understand that, naturally you have to think and plan more to protect the family fortune. If you don’t, how can you succeed?”
The old man lectured him with fatherly concern.
Liu Jin nodded, “You’re right.”
“In that case, I truly need to learn more from you, so I can help my father preserve our heritage.”
Emperor Wu countered, “Why can’t it be you yourself?”
Liu Jin was speechless. What kind of question was that? I have a father above me, so are you saying the Han Empire should be handed directly to me, bypassing my father?
But since the old gentleman didn’t know his situation, Liu Jin didn’t elaborate and merely smiled politely in response.
The sunset was infinitely beautiful, but it was close to dusk.
Reluctantly, Liu Jin took his leave.
However, Emperor Wu suddenly threw out a question: “Let me test you. This drought has caused many refugees in Guanzhong.”
“I see that you always care deeply for the people, so I’ll ask you, how do you think these disaster victims and refugees should be handled?”
Liu Jin replied, “It’s not a difficult problem; it was discussed even during the Spring and Autumn period.”
“Relief through labor.”
Emperor Wu asked curiously, “What does ‘relief through labor’ mean?”
Liu Jin smiled, “Looks like I’ve outdone you this time. During the great famine in Qi, Yan Zi used public works to aid the people.”
“When Qi suffered a severe famine, Yan Zi requested grain relief, but the King of Qi refused. At the same time, the king was building roads and palaces, so Yan Zi employed the famine victims in these public works, thus alleviating the famine.”
Liu Jin waved his hand behind him. “I’m off, old sir.”
“Yes, next time I should bring you some gifts. Learning from you every day is truly rewarding.”
“There’s something else I want to ask you next time. I’ll tell you then.”
Emperor Wu was puzzled and asked, “What is it?”
Liu Jin replied, “I want to learn from you how to deal with my grandfather, hahaha!”
Watching Liu Jin’s departing figure, Emperor Wu’s face twitched involuntarily. He seemed to have said something like that twice now!
...
Night fell.
Emperor Wu returned to Weiyang Palace.
Upon reaching Xuanshi Hall, he saw Su Wen waiting for a long time.
“Your Majesty, Lady Zhao requested an audience this afternoon,” Su Wen whispered.
Emperor Wu responded with a noncommittal hum.
Su Wen didn’t dare ask whether the emperor wanted to move to Yao Mu Palace; he didn’t even dare to give him advice. He could only accompany Lady Zhao here.
“The Fifth Prince’s condition has worsened somewhat.”
Emperor Wu furrowed his brows, thought for a moment, then said, “Go to Changxin Palace.”
“Yes.”
At the Changle Palace compound.
Liu Jin had just arrived when, from a distance under the palace lights, he saw a group of embroidered guards and eunuchs carrying the imperial carriage heading toward Changxin Palace.
He stood silently, not intending to approach, only watching the figure of the elderly man on the carriage from afar.
Under the dim and unclear light, the black and yellow silk robe with golden dragons embroidered on the sleeves radiated an aura of solemnity and dignity.
Since Emperor Wu’s reign, the Five Elements are said to have declined gradually; yellow symbolizes the center, so Emperor Wu had increasingly added yellow to his black robe.
The old gentleman seemed more genial.
Comparing the two, Liu Jin concluded that unlike his imperial grandfather, whose presence chilled others and discouraged closeness, Emperor Wu was more approachable.
This was the first time Liu Jin had seen Emperor Wu come to the Changle Palace compound. Unfortunately, judging by the direction, he was not heading to the Crown Prince’s palace, but rather to the Fifth Prince’s.
His imperial grandfather would rather visit the Fifth Prince than drop by the Crown Prince’s palace.
Liu Jin shook his head, disappointed, and quickened his pace toward the Crown Prince’s palace.
After Liu Jin left, Emperor Wu turned his head slightly, gazing into the distance at the palace lights, watching that young figure grow smaller and smaller.
...
Soon, he arrived at Changxin Palace.
Emperor Wu stepped down from the carriage and found Prince Changyi Liu Bo still reading at his desk.
Liu Bo was startled and quickly rose to greet the emperor, coughing nervously, “Cough, cough… Father, Father Emperor… Your humble servant pays respects!”
“No need for formalities.”
“Your uncle is stationed on the northern frontier preparing for battle. You must take good care of your health and not distract him. Why has your condition worsened?”
Emperor Wu inquired.
Li Guangli held military command in the northern frontier. If the emperor did not still need him, he would never have come to Changxin Palace so late at night.
But Liu Bo was unaware of these concerns. Although intelligent, he was still inexperienced before the old emperor.
He naïvely thought that his worsening illness would stir the emperor’s paternal affection.
“Replying, cough, cough, Your Majesty, it’s nothing serious.”
“Your Highness, the Fifth Prince has been working in the fields all day today, so…”
A maid whispered nearby, but Liu Bo snapped angrily, “Wretched maid! Be silent!”
Emperor Wu looked at him deeply and said, “It’s all right.”
“Why do you still go to the fields to work?”
Liu Bo hurriedly said, “Father, I wanted to experience the hardships of the common people. Only by farming for a day can one understand that the lives of ordinary folk are not trivial. I apologize for my careless words before, Father.”
“Oh.”
Emperor Wu said, “It’s commendable that you have such thoughts. Knowing the difficulties of the common people means understanding the challenges of governance. Personally experiencing the toil of farming is not a bad thing.”
“But you must also take care of your health. I do not want to see old parents bury their young.”
“Thank you for your concern, Father. May you live a long life as well.”
“Hmm, rest well. Summon the shaman to examine Prince Changyi.”
After giving instructions, Emperor Wu departed.
Liu Bo clenched his fists tightly, a trace of excitement on his face. The maid who ‘spoke out of turn’ was immediately rewarded.
Of course, if the emperor had shown any displeasure, he would have dealt with the ‘talkative’ maid afterward.
If Liu Jin could move the old emperor with sincerity, so could he! Though he lacked cunning tricks, he had a resolute heart!
When he learned that the Crown Prince’s palace had invented the straight plow and that Emperor Wu valued it, he immediately devised this method to gain the emperor’s favor.