Chapter 104, Chapter Fifteen: Feigning Madness

The three pursuing troops sent out by Liu Jun swept through the enemy lines and quickly found Liu Xi, who had just ascended the throne. They immediately killed Liu Yao's three sons and abducted the remaining concubines and princesses back to Luoyang.

Liu Jun was too lazy to deal with these trivial matters anymore. He simply sent someone to Sima Ye and asked him to handle it. He then invited Liu Dan, Xi Jian, and other high-ranking officials who had led the troops, as well as the generals of Liangzhou, to a banquet and gave them a lot of gold, silver and brocade as a reward.

"The rewards that Your Excellency bestowed upon the soldiers have all been distributed in recent days, and the brothers are all deeply grateful, wishing they could repay you with their lives. However..." Liu Dan, who always spoke his mind in front of him, "has yet to decide on the rewards for meritorious officials. Perhaps the cash and silver cannot be raised in time, but titles and promotions are just a matter of a decree. Is it really that difficult? Is someone interfering?"

He had almost explicitly pointed to Du Dan and others, but Liu Jun remained noncommittal, saying, "Jingdao, you are overthinking it."

If Suo Lin was able to rival Liu Jun back then, his successive campaigns, defeating Shi Le and destroying Liu Yao, have greatly enhanced his prestige in the court. Du Dan was only put on the throne by Sima Ye to counterbalance the ministers. He was a fence-sitter, so why would he really break ties with Liu Jun for him?

Regarding the matter of bestowing titles, Du Dan would never proactively suggest adding titles, but he would also never voice his opposition.

Therefore, there is only one explanation for why this matter remains unresolved—the emperor himself is unwilling or not in a hurry to bestow rewards.

Liu Jun never felt that Sima Ye trusted him completely, but he also knew that Sima Ye wasn't just using him. In addition, the world was still unsettled, and if anything happened to Liu Jun, the newly stabilized northern border would probably fall apart again. Even if he were ruthless enough to discard a cunning rabbit after it's dead, he would never do it now.

If that's the case, then it's probably a test or a form of suppression...

Given Sima Ye's temperament, he would never personally clash with him. Why would he need to elevate someone to counterbalance him?

Liu Jun shook his head and sighed, "To make such a great contribution without making a sound will discourage the soldiers. I don't think His Majesty is that confused. Perhaps the court is facing some difficulties lately. I think we don't need to trouble His Majesty. We should just wait for good news."

Liu Dan and Xi Jian exchanged glances, but then Liu Jun smiled slightly and said, "These past years have been so busy that I'm also riddled with injuries and illnesses. If I don't rest and recuperate, I'm afraid I won't be able to continue."

"Is Sikong using a strategy of retreat as a means of advancement?" Xi Jian understood, but then felt that Liu Jun was not the kind of person who would waste time. "Or does Sikong have other plans?"

Liu Jun laughed loudly, "Lord Xi knows me well, that's right. I plan to go to Liangzhou to recuperate."

Liu Dan and Xi Jian exchanged a glance and said in unison, "We sincerely wish you, sir, swift success!"

After the meal, Liu Jun fell seriously ill and closed his doors to visitors. When Sima Ye visited him at his headquarters, he was sitting behind his desk painting, while his two sons were kneeling in the courtyard copying classic texts.

"You..." Sima Ye thought he would at least pretend to be like Emperor Taizu, lying on the couch, but he didn't expect him to be so blatant. Just as he was about to question him, he saw Liu Jun look up and smile, and extend his index finger to make a "shush" gesture.

Whether it was his rare moment of refined elegance amidst his busy military campaigns that captivated him, or the undeniable authority he exuded over time, Sima Ye truly shut his mouth and stood beside him watching him paint.

On the silk painting, wind and clouds surged, dragons and tigers galloped, mist rose between towering mountains, and a man stood with his hands behind his back in the valley, exuding a majestic and far-reaching aura.

Sima Ye slowly said, "Those of the same kind respond to each other, those of the same kind seek each other out. Water flows to damp places, fire goes to dry places. Clouds follow dragons, wind follows tigers. When a sage arises, all things are revealed. Is this a self-portrait?"

Liu Jun chuckled and said, "Your Majesty may wish to step forward and take a closer look."

Having said that, he reached out and pulled Sima Ye forward by the waist, almost embracing him. He then lightly swept the tip of his brush across the figure in the painting. "Look," he said.

Sima Ye then noticed that the man's hair was like a waterfall, fluttering in the wind, and that he wore a wide robe with long sleeves and a slender back, which did not resemble Liu Jun.

“In this world, besides the emperor, who else can be called a sage?” Liu Jun handed him the brush, and with his hand, he dipped it in cinnabar and outlined a red sun in the clouds. Then, he splashed ink onto the silk, and the originally desolate painting instantly came to life, as if it were truly filled with radiant light and auspicious clouds.

Sima Ye's face flushed a rosy hue, and she leaned back against him. "You're feigning illness. What are you planning?"

"Liangzhou." Liu Jun put the pen back on the jade pen that Sima Ye had given him earlier. "I plan to secretly infiltrate Liangzhou to do some work, and seize the opportunity to attack and destroy Li Xiong and take back Bashu."

Sima Ye was taken aback. "If you go secretly, you can't possibly bring many men. So how do you plan to deploy your troops?"

“During this period of fighting in the Central Plains, I have not used the Liangzhou troops, nor have I requisitioned much grain,” Liu Jun said patiently. “Furthermore, my purpose this time is not to achieve success in one fell swoop. First, to stabilize Liangzhou; second, to probe Li Xiong’s strength; and third, to spy on Jingzhou.”

"It seems this trip is unavoidable," Sima Ye said with difficulty.

Liu Jun took his hand and walked into the garden. “Your Majesty is now adept at governing and has many capable advisors. It would be useless for me to remain in the court. I might as well help Your Majesty expand the territory.”

"If only I could go with you."

Liu Liang and Liu Qin had finished copying the text at some point and stood respectfully to the side. Liu Jun glanced at their work, his face grim and silent, which frightened the two of them.

Seeing this, Sima Ye smiled brightly at them, "Hmm, you finished copying so quickly? You must have written it quite well. Yuan Gui also has excellent handwriting. Before long, you'll probably write even better than me."

"The two sons are inherently unruly and mediocre, and need to be disciplined severely. Your Majesty should not be too lenient..." Liu Jun said helplessly.

Sima Ye pulled him a few steps away and whispered, "You are busy with military and political affairs all year round and rarely have time to return to the mansion. We only see each other a few times a year. Every time I see you, you look fierce and menacing. As a result, I used to know you by heart, but when I see you, I am so frightened that I forget everything."

He slowly walked to his side and lowered his voice, saying, "I will not allow you to have any other children in the future. If these three are not properly instructed, are you not afraid that there will be no successor? Think of Your Excellency..."

Liu Jun paused, then turned and gently comforted his two sons. Seeing them flattered and taking their leave, he bowed to Sima Ye and said, "I never imagined that Your Majesty could not only govern the country and bring peace to the people, but also cultivate oneself and manage one's family. I have learned a great deal today."

Sima Ye was almost amused by him, but remembering the purpose of his visit, he composed himself and asked, "When do we depart?"

"There's no rush. If Your Majesty doesn't mind, I'd like to stay by your side for a while. It won't be too late to set off after the New Year."

Liu Jun spoke gently and kindly, which comforted Sima Ye. In the end, the Minister of Works, despite his illness, accompanied the emperor and coaxed him to return home satisfied.