Late September.

In the past, with the approach of winter, officials who had been busy all year would also enjoy a rare period of relaxation.

Due to the climate in various regions and the fact that there is not much to do in winter, the officials of the imperial court are relatively idle from October to December.

However, after the emperor arrived at the Han Sea this year and incorporated the grasslands into the territory of the Han Dynasty, the officials of the cabinet and the six ministries were also busy with how to effectively govern that vast territory.

For these officials, how to effectively and sustainably govern the grasslands, which are primarily based on nomadic pastoralism, was undoubtedly an unfamiliar topic.

Ultimately, with Liu Hong's guidance, the officials unanimously adopted a governance policy that prioritized industry and agriculture, supplemented by pastoralism.

In order to effectively combine industry and agriculture with nomadic pastoralism, the information that officials had to access and consult piled up like small mountains in the government office.

In addition to officials from the cabinet and the six ministries, Liu Hong also recruited a group of professional scholars from the fields of industry, agriculture, medicine, and the Imperial Academy to join his plan to rule the grasslands.

In addition, the imperial court also solicited various effective methods from across the country through the Great Han Daily.

For a time, the entire government and the public focused their attention on the grasslands.

As for Liu Hong, the supreme ruler of the empire, he became a hands-off manager, spending his days in leisurely comfort with his wife, children, and a warm bed.

Because of his own experience of losing his father at a young age, Liu Hong has always been exceptionally loving and attentive to his first son.

Inside Weiyang Palace, Liu Hong practically monopolized Song Yue's time as a mother during his leisure time, always personally holding his son and constantly teasing him.

"Your Majesty, it's not good for you to dote on Cheng'er like this!"

Although Song Yue, like Liu Hong, loved her son very much, out of a sense of responsibility as Empress, she couldn't help but speak up and offer advice.

After all, princes are different from ordinary children. If they are spoiled too much, it will inevitably lead to some deviations in their personality and cognition, and the harm will be magnified infinitely. This is not a good thing for the royal family and the Han Dynasty.

Upon hearing Song Yue's words, Liu Hong looked down at his son in his arms, a hint of loneliness flashing in his eyes.

"The Empress is right, but I can only hold him more often when he's still young and doesn't understand anything!"

As Liu Hong spoke, he couldn't help but recall his childhood experiences.

Deep down, he didn't want his son to bear burdens that weren't meant for children, like he had when he was a child.

Unfortunately, Liu Cheng's identity destined him to bear responsibilities that ordinary people could hardly shoulder.

Therefore, Liu Hong can only spoil his son as much as he can now, because once Liu Cheng is old enough to understand, he will no longer be able to love his son like this.

After all, the upbringing and education of the next generation is always one of the most important things for an emperor, no matter when.

Seemingly understanding the meaning behind her husband's words, Song Yue didn't say anything more. Instead, she sat down next to Liu Hong and started playing with their one-year-old son.

Seeing the Emperor and Empress holding the eldest prince in their arms, looking very happy, Zhang Rang also had a joyful expression on his face.

Zhang Rang, who had followed Liu Hong for many years, had witnessed the emperor, who was only twelve years old at the time, grow up step by step to become a father.

This bond forged over many years had long led him to regard the emperor as his family.

Holding his son, Liu Hong smiled when he saw Zhang Rang watching them. He then got up and walked over, saying, "Zhang Rang, come and hold him too!"

After saying that, he simply handed his son over.

"Your Majesty!" In his haste, Zhang Rang, caught off guard, instinctively took the eldest prince from him.

Looking at the fair and rosy prince in his arms, Zhang Rang felt a moment of disorientation. He was holding His Majesty's eldest prince, who might become the future emperor, but he was just lying quietly in his arms.

Thinking of all this, Zhang Rang became even more cautious, afraid of disturbing the eldest prince.

Liu Cheng seemed to really enjoy holding Zhang Rang, and even chuckled with a smirk, making indistinct sounds.

Seeing the prince's innocent smile, Zhang Rang felt his heart melt and couldn't help but grin as well.

"Zhang Rang, it seems Cheng'er likes you very much!"

Seeing this, Liu Hong laughed. His son really knew how to please people.

Upon hearing Liu Hong's words, Zhang Rang also showed a shy smile. As a eunuch without offspring, this was the first time he had been in such close contact with a child.

Looking at the eldest prince in his arms, Zhang Rang felt a special emotion welling up inside him, and he vowed to protect the eldest prince for the rest of his life.

When Liu Hong took his son from Zhang Rang's arms, he suddenly thought of Dian Wei, who was on duty outside the palace, and then got up and walked outside.

Upon arriving outside the hall, Liu Hong saw Dian Wei, clad in armor, standing faithfully in front of the hall. He smiled slightly and then walked over.

"Your Majesty, it's cold outside, you should go back quickly!"

Upon seeing the approaching emperor, Dian Wei bowed respectfully, then offered words of advice with a worried expression, his eyes fixed on the eldest prince in Liu Hong's eyes.

"It's alright, I just wanted you to hold the prince too!"

"Your Majesty, I am fully armored; I fear I may injure the prince!"

Upon seeing the eldest prince being handed to him, Dian Wei quickly waved his hand and took a step back.

"Hey, Cheng'er is my son, he's not that weak, come here!"

Liu Hong smiled and handed his son to Dian Wei again.

Meeting the emperor's encouraging gaze, Dian Wei, who had been hesitant, also reached out his hands and carefully accepted Liu Cheng.

Looking at the prince in his arms, whose features bore a resemblance to the emperor, Dian Wei's face showed a mixture of joy and affection.

Seemingly sensing Dian Wei's affection for him, Liu Cheng looked at Dian Wei's intimidating face, but instead of being frightened, he chuckled.

Seeing this, Dian Wei couldn't help but grin, revealing what he considered to be his most amiable smile.

At this time, Dian Wei, like Zhang Rang, also regarded the eldest prince as someone he was determined to protect with his life.

At night, after finishing his duty, Dian Wei returned to his residence outside the South Palace.

Thinking of the scene of holding the eldest prince in his arms today, Dian Wei, who had never married in order to better protect the emperor, suddenly had the idea of ​​wanting to get married and have children.

Nowadays, many of the Imperial Guards' colleagues, as well as the Emperor's young confidants, have children.

For example, the eldest son of Xi Zhicai, Xi Ping; the eldest son of Sun Jian, Sun Ce; the eldest son of Zhou Yi, Zhou Yu; the eldest son of Cao Cao, Cao Ang; and the eldest son of Tian Feng, Tian Chou—the children of these people range in age from over a year old to over three months old.

These descendants will undoubtedly form the foundation of the Crown Prince's future, and I need to work hard to achieve that.

Only in this way can the Dian family protect Your Majesty and Your Majesty's descendants for generations.