Chapter 46: I Saw His Majesty
It is often said that Emperor Wu of Han became senile in his later years. Liu Jin once believed this as well; otherwise, how could he have been deceived by commoners like Jiang Chong and Su Wen, ultimately leading to the disastrous witchcraft incident?
Liu Jin had long tried to get close to Emperor Wu to discern the true thoughts and character of the aging sovereign. Yet the emperor remained so inscrutable that Liu Jin could never fully grasp his mind, leaving him uncertain of his current intentions.
But today, he could be somewhat certain: even in his twilight years, Emperor Wu was far from senile.
So why then had he trusted the deceit of Jiang Chong and Su Wen? A chilling thought began to take hold—unless he had orchestrated the witchcraft calamity himself!
The strained relationship between father and grandfather showed no sign of improvement. Judging from the emperor’s demeanor toward him and his father in the Xuanshi Hall today, he still maintained a wary distance from the Crown Prince’s household.
Especially since a few days ago, his father and he had quarreled.
Liu Jin felt unsettled, yet truly did not know how to gain a foothold in the emperor’s favor.
Leaving the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs, Liu Jin did not return to the Chang Le Palace. Instead, accompanied by his servants, he wandered aimlessly along Hengmen Street.
On the broad main road of Hengmen Street, a group of officials was leading throngs of commoners in an orderly procession.
Standing among the crowd, Liu Jin watched in confusion and asked nearby onlookers. They explained these were displaced people and disaster victims.
A recent drought had caused many peasants to lose their land. Natural disasters are often accompanied by man-made calamities; when nature strikes, it is usually the peasants’ land that is seized.
Human nature being selfish, the wealthy landowners and nobles had no sympathy for the common folk—they seized the opportunity to maximize their own gain.
As for why the government was escorting these displaced people, a bystander looked at Liu Jin with envy and said, “The authorities have conscripted them to work at Ganquan Palace or to help build the Five Zhi Temple north of Chang’an. They get meals too — three meals a day!”
Liu Jin’s eyes widened. Work in exchange for relief?
He had just discussed such measures with the old emperor yesterday, and now the court was putting them into effect? Unless... the court had long planned this solution.
“What are you staring at with those wide, round eyes?” Emperor Wu asked casually.
Liu Jin glanced sideways, then suppressed his surprise and smiled, “Old sir, what brings you to the city?”
“Just taking a stroll, and thought I’d look at some gold and jade ornaments,” the emperor replied.
Liu Jin looked back and saw a gold and jade shop behind them. He nodded and said, “Quite curious, old sir.”
“Curious about what?” the emperor inquired.
“Yesterday I told you about using labor to aid disaster victims, and today the court has already acted.”
“Could it be... you secretly suggested it?”
Emperor Wu was momentarily speechless.
---
“Do you think the court can’t come up with what you can?” Liu Jin replied. “With so many capable ministers near the capital, they must have long been planning this. They’re just executing it now.”
Liu Jin nodded and said, “That makes sense. Like recently when plowing began, the peasants lacked oxen. It seems the court is also taking measures to solve that.”
“Looks like His Majesty’s vision is far-reaching, overseeing the whole picture. Whatever we think up, he’s already thought of it first. As you said, all the talents gather at court; how could they not think of what the two of us have?”
“By the way, are you buying jade? I’ll accompany you to look.”
The emperor nodded, “Good, let’s go inside.”
---
Not far away, a middle-aged man stared in disbelief at the jade shop.
Isn’t that His Majesty?
Why is he out of the palace, dressed differently? And who is that little fellow beside him? Judging by their closeness, could it be an illegitimate child the emperor fathered outside? Or perhaps a favored companion?
Li Ji’s eyes widened in shock.
He was the third uncle of Prince Changyi Liu Bo, as well as the brother of Lady Li and Li Guangli and Li Yannian. Although Emperor Wu had not granted him any official post, thanks to his two favored brothers and Lady Li’s early favor, Li Ji enjoyed special privileges allowing him to come and go freely at Changxin Palace.
Yet there was little inside the palace that interested him. Most of the time, he stayed outside, amassing wealth and moving discreetly.
He had just spent the night carousing in the pleasure quarters and still smelled of wine this morning. Now, seeing this scene, he was sobering up quickly.
What was His Majesty doing? Why was he so fond of that young boy? Buying jade for him? An illegitimate child or a male favorite?
Li Ji shook his head hard. Whoever this boy was, he had to inform his brother and nephew.
“Quick, go to Changxin Palace! Hurry!”
Without delay, Li Ji hurried toward the imperial palace.
---
The jade shop on Hengmen Street was packed.
The Guanzhong region produced fine jade, and jade from Lantian was all brought to Chang’an for sale. It sold exceedingly well—nobles were wealthy and adorned themselves regularly with such ornaments.
Some merchants who had made a little money, or even prosperous farmers, also wore jade accessories.
Inside, a middle-aged woman wandered about and, seeing a hesitant youth, said, “Are you buying it or not? If you can’t afford it, step aside—I have my eye on this piece!”
The youth blushed with anger, “Get lost! I’m buying it!”
The woman cursed and then approached a young lady nearby, “Hey you, miss, you’ve been looking for so long. If you’re not going to buy it, just let me have it.”
A man beside the young lady snorted, “Who said I’m not buying? Go look somewhere else! Bad luck!”
The woman grumbled again as she walked off, “People these days, so unreasonable!”
She then came over to Liu Jin and the elderly man and said, “You two, grandfather and grandson, are you buying or not? If you can’t afford it, please move aside!”
Emperor Wu frowned deeply, displeased.
Liu Jin smiled and pulled the emperor aside, “Go ahead, lady, you buy first.”
“Huh?” The woman looked at Liu Jin in disbelief. This boy was different from the rest.
Liu Jin gave her a half-smile, “Go ahead and pay.”
The woman hesitated.
“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you buying now? You were so loud just now—don’t you have money?”
Liu Jin then glanced at the shop’s attendant and lowered his voice a bit, “Hey, did you send her here?”
The middle-aged attendant’s bulky frame trembled as he quickly intervened, “Ah, young master, old sir, it’s not easy, haha, it’s never easy.”
“I saw you were looking at this jade belt pendant quite a while ago, hmm, I’ll give it to you, give it to you.”
“I’ll choose myself,” Liu Jin said, lowering his head to examine the pieces for a long while.
Emperor Wu glanced thoughtfully at Liu Jin. Only now did he realize and smiled wryly—this little rascal was indeed clever.
Liu Jin took the jade pendant and said to the shopkeeper, “Thank you. I’ll come again next time.”
The shopkeeper’s fleshy face twitched, forcing a grim smile, “Welcome, welcome, come... often!”
“Hmm.”
Liu Jin casually tossed some money behind him, though it was somewhat less than the item’s true value.