Chapter 124, Chapter Seventeen: Bashan and Shushui

When the emperor travels, he should be accompanied by a thousand chariots and a thousand-mile-long carriage. However, Liu Jun was used to the rapid pace of military travel and disliked extravagance. Therefore, the ceremonial procession was not much different from that of his previous residence, except that the guards were strengthened to prevent any unforeseen events.

Aside from the initial months of exile in Guanzhong during the Yongjia Rebellion, Sima Ye spent most of his life either in Luoyang or Chang'an. Now that he had abdicated, he had the opportunity to go on an inspection tour, and he couldn't help but look around with great curiosity along the way.

Unfortunately, he did not stay in his own carriage for long; after only three or four hours, he was summoned to ride alongside him.

When Liu Jun was a general, according to Han custom, the general rode in the same carriage. On several occasions, when there were sacrifices to Heaven, ancestors, and farmers, the two of them would ride together in the same carriage. At that time, they were deeply in love and inseparable, wishing they could stay together all day long. Now that things have changed drastically, it is inevitable that they will feel a little awkward to squeeze together in the not-so-spacious carriage.

Sima Ye lowered his head and played with the prayer beads on his wrist, while Liu Jun closed his eyes to rest. However, with their knees touching and their breaths mingling, how could they truly be free from desires and chant Buddhist mantras?

“Do you remember when Taizhen taught us to read Zhuangzi back in the day?” Liu Jun suddenly interrupted, “When the spring dried up, the fish were stranded on land, breathing moisture into each other…”

Sima Ye suddenly looked up at him and saw Liu Jun staring at him intently. "This time, I overruled everyone's objections and decided to take you on this tour. First, I realized that when we were both caught in the turmoil of the world, we never had the chance to travel together to famous mountains and rivers, and this regret must be made up for. Second, taking you away from Luoyang means that not many people in Shu know you. If you want to escape your predicament and live a carefree life, this is a rare opportunity. Third, I have thought this over carefully these past few days. Although there is national enmity between us, upon closer examination, we don't owe each other anything. Whatever you choose, it will be a complete success from beginning to end, and it will not be a waste of these fourteen years."

Liu Jun said softly, "To share a life of mutual support or to forget each other in the vast world, Mu Nu, what do you choose?"

Sima Ye remained silent. From birth as a prince, through becoming a prince, crown prince, emperor, and even a deposed emperor, he had never imagined that there was such a thing as the option of living in the Jianghu (江湖, a term referring to the martial arts world). He was even trembling slightly. Although he didn't think Liu Jun would kill him, he also never thought he would let him go...

"Really?" he asked in a trembling voice.

Liu Jun nodded, his smile somewhat strained. "I always keep my word. My words are as good as gold and as precious as gold."

"Let me think about it some more..." Sima Ye calmed his breathing, took a deep breath, and looked out the window at the shimmering Luo River.

“It will take at least a month to get to Shu, you have plenty of time to think it over.” Liu Jun’s gaze swept over his beautiful profile and then settled on the surging Luo River. He said softly, “I hate that the paths of humans and gods are different, I lament that my prime years are not meant to be… I grieve that our good time is forever lost, I grieve that I have passed away in a foreign land… Although I live in seclusion in the moon, I always keep my heart with the king. Suddenly I do not realize where I have been abandoned, and I am saddened that my spirit is obscured by the night.”

Sima Ye had also read this famous piece. Hearing his voice so tender and poignant, he couldn't help but turn his head away, his mind elsewhere.

"When I was young, I wanted to paint the Goddess of the Luo River, but I gave up because I couldn't imagine her beautiful and graceful appearance and gentle charm," Liu Jun said with a light laugh, somewhat self-deprecating. "Later, I had a picture of the Goddess of the Luo River in my mind, but I was too busy with military affairs to devote myself to painting. Now, I'm afraid I can only look at her with longing and yearning."

Sima Ye said softly, "Now Your Majesty is the true celestial being, while I am but a man beyond the mundane world. How could I possibly be worthy of Your Majesty's affection? All that has happened in the past, I consider it all an empty dream and too lazy to look back on."

"Twenty years have passed like a fleeting dream. What is real and what is illusion? Do you truly understand in your heart, my lord?" Liu Jun didn't want to press him too hard, so he pointed to the endless fields beside the official road and said, "These used to be military farms. It was fine during wartime, but if things continued like this in peaceful years, no one would be willing to cultivate them in the long run. Therefore, I have already had these fields distributed according to military merit. When the horses are released to graze peacefully in the future, all the military farms in the country, except for a small portion reserved for imperial estates, can be managed in the same way."

Sima Ye listened to his political discussions with a smile, just as before.

But both of them knew that those days might never come again.

From Luoyang to Guanzhong, from Guanzhong to Hanzhong, and finally to Shu, seventy years later, Yizhou finally welcomed back the Emperor of Han.

Before he could even rest, Liu Jun immediately went to the former Cheng Han imperial palace to summon the surrendered generals and officials and to reward his own soldiers.

At the banquet, despite the repeated urging of everyone to drink, Liu Jun declined each time, laughing and saying, "I am not good at drinking, nor do I like drinking. Excessive drinking will lead to mistakes, so you gentlemen should also exercise restraint."

It should be known that people today admire a detached and unrestrained lifestyle, and famous scholars never part with wine, not to mention casual drinks. So when they hear him say such discouraging things, they are all a little embarrassed.

Liu Jun didn't expect to change these people's minds with just a few words. He leaned back and stared intently at the powerful figures from Sichuan and Chongqing seated there. "I've heard that in the south, during the Three Kingdoms period, people used to take pride in striving for success and being ennobled. I wonder when it started, but striving for power and advancement has become a sin. If anyone here is crossing the river, could you tell me if this is true?"

"Indeed, I've heard that elegance and refinement are valued in the south, which is why many people can't even ride horses."

"Is that so?" Liu Jun raised an eyebrow and sneered, "If one is not proficient in archery and horsemanship, how can one be considered to have mastered the Six Arts of a Gentleman? And what elegance is there to speak of? Such affectation only makes one a laughingstock. I am an ordinary man and cannot be worthy of such great talents. Only by doing one's job diligently and conscientiously can one rise through the ranks in this dynasty and secure a position for one's wife and children, regardless of whether one is a barbarian or a Han."

Another former official of the Cheng-Han dynasty said, "I have heard that His Majesty has shown great favor by allowing the former Prince of Chenliu to travel with him. Why not invite him over? Even if he doesn't drink for His Majesty, he can still add to the fun and excitement."

"Judging from your age, and having served as a Jin official for several years, how can you be so ignorant of etiquette?" Liu Jun said coldly. "Li Ban and Li Qi are still alive. Why not invite them to come and serve wine to liven things up? Even if there is no loyalty between ruler and subject, one should not humiliate the emperor in this way."

The man repeatedly begged for forgiveness, full of remorse, but Liu Jun ignored him. Looking at the sword pendant that he had taken off as a pendant, he said, "The Prince of Chenliu has now entered a Buddhist monastery and does not enjoy banquets and sensual pleasures, so he has not come. In a couple of days, when I pay homage to Emperor Zhaolie, I will ask him to make time to attend. Although the ceremony is important, it should not be too elaborate. The sentiment is enough; there is no need for a grand display."

When everyone heard that he was going to pay homage to Liu Bei, they shouted "Long live the Emperor!" and cheered with joy.

Feeling bored, Liu Jun looked away and saw Liu Qin drinking and laughing with his soldiers, showing no signs of anything amiss. He couldn't help but smile and whispered a few words to the eunuch.

As soon as the banquet ended, Liu Qin received an imperial decree to meet the emperor.

"Your son pays respects to Your Majesty..."

"No need for formalities." Liu Jun was carefully reading the official report sent by express horse from the capital. After saying these two words, he remained silent, leaving Liu Qin standing there with his heart burning with anxiety.

"Father..."