Chapter 129, Chapter Twenty-Two: Rising Stars

Upon returning to the capital from Jiangdong, Liu Jun was surprised to find that the first person he met was not Liu Qin, nor Cui Yue, but Liu Dan.

He went south first and met Liu Jun a hundred miles from Beijing.

They had known each other since they were six years old, and had been friends for thirty years. Therefore, Liu Jun disregarded the rule that only generals could ride in the same carriage and invited him to get in.

Liu Jun personally poured him wine, saying, "I recently acquired some fine wine in Jiankang, which I intended to keep to myself. However, I am fortunate that you caught me waiting for it, so I have no choice but to invite you to drink with me."

"Your Majesty possesses the entire world, how could you be stingy with a cup of fine wine?" Liu Dan smiled as he accepted the wine, then frowned. "How could the wine from the South be so sweet? In my opinion, it is not as good as the fine wine from You and Bing that Ji Gong brought earlier."

“The mountains and rivers of the South are beautiful, and the people there are delicate and frail, so the wine is naturally smoother.” Liu Jun gave him a few more dried plums, speaking calmly.

Liu Dan waited for a long time, but Liu Jun did not show any signs of anxiety. He was discouraged and said, "Since he was young, even when the military situation was critical, His Majesty has not changed his expression in the slightest."

Liu Jun smiled and said, "Although Jingdao waited for me in advance, his words and actions were not hurried. I guess something has happened in the court, but he has it all under control?"

He sighed, "I have roughly learned about the affairs of the court from the official gazette, but I still need Jingdao to enlighten me on the hidden details. Is it Liu Liang?"

"Your Majesty is right." Liu Dan reported in a deep voice the whole story of Liu Liang's rebellion, how Liu Qin suppressed it, and the activities of the Empress and Liu Yong. Finally, he glanced at Liu Jun's expression and added, "Apart from attending the court meeting at the beginning to keep the Third Prince in check, the Prince of Chenliu has been staying at the Golden Valley Garden ever since."

Liu Jun was taken aback. "What does this have to do with the Prince of Chenliu?"

Seeing the other person's cautious and hesitant expression, he instantly understood and said awkwardly, "He has people I've specially placed around him. Jingdao, let's get down to business first. Which families are involved this time?"

"The eldest son's mother was Lady Guo, who came from the Guo family of Pingyuan. Families that had been on good terms with the Guo family for generations were more or less involved," Liu Dan said truthfully. "Especially the relatives by marriage, who lived in constant fear."

Liu Jun said calmly, "Many of them have been working for me since Jinyang. As long as they do not openly support the usurpation, I will reward and punish them fairly."

"Then... has Your Majesty made up your mind? As time goes on, not only the princes, but also the ministers will likely feel uneasy." Liu Dan asked hesitantly. His relationship with Liu Jun was different, and they were both members of the Han imperial family. Therefore, he had always been very detached from the princes. However, the noble families who were used to speculating and betting did not think that way. They were busy choosing the eldest son, the eldest son, or the most virtuous. Now that one of them was crippled and another was useless, the fear in their hearts for choosing the wrong side was indescribable.

"After returning to the capital, I will soon decide on the heir apparent, and their fear will not last long," Liu Jun said calmly. "This will also serve as a lesson for them, so that they will understand the principle that there cannot be two suns in the sky. If anyone comes to you for information again, just tell them this."

Liu Dan agreed, then hesitated and said, "There is one more thing. I would like to act as a matchmaker for Your Majesty."

"Oh?" Liu Jun raised an eyebrow. "Which of my nephews or nieces is it?"

Liu Dan laughed and said, "No, it's to act as matchmaker for the princess."

Liu Jun was strict with his sons but quite lenient with his daughters. He even kept many of them until they were twenty, which was rare at the time, considering the chaos of war. He was recently worried about the marriage of his two young daughters. Upon hearing this, he immediately sat up straight and said, "Jingdao knows me well!"

"This southern expedition has allowed me to discover a talented individual named Huan Wen. His ancestor was Huan Fan, the Grand Minister of Agriculture of Cao Wei, who was executed by the Sima clan in the Jiaping prison."

Upon hearing this, Liu Jun began to nod, "Huan Fan is a loyal minister!"

"After Huan Yi fled south, he died in the Su Jun Rebellion, with Jiang Bo, the magistrate of Jing County, as the mastermind. At that time, Huan Wen was only twelve years old, but he secretly vowed to avenge his father's death. In the eighteenth year of Jianxing, he took advantage of Jiang Bo's funeral to disguise himself as a guest, sneak into the funeral house, and kill Jiang Bo's three sons to avenge his father."

The words "loyal minister of Cao Wei, young and spirited, seeking revenge for his father" were enough to move Liu Jun. At this moment, Liu Dan smiled and said, "To be honest, Your Majesty, this young man greatly admires the late Marquis and often compares himself to him, thinking himself heroic and dashing. Originally, Sima Yan intended to marry his elder sister, Princess Nankang, to him, but he refused because he had not yet avenged his father. Later, when he heard that Your Majesty had raised an army, he immediately crossed the river to join you, and I happened to capture him. He has been under my command for two years now, fighting bravely and making many contributions."

"Good! Good!" Liu Jun was already eager to find talented people, especially such a young prodigy. "Has he ever traveled with Jingdao?"

Liu Dan nodded, and Liu Jun leaned out of the carriage and mounted the horse led by the stable boy.

Liu Dan hurriedly followed and ordered his servant to summon Huan Wen.

Before long, a handsome young man rode up on horseback, dismounted and bowed. After the formalities were lifted, he stood up and was startled to see Liu Jun. His previous radiant spirit vanished, and he stood sullenly to the side.

"What are you doing?" Liu Dan asked, afraid that Liu Jun would be angry.

Huan Wen remained silent, while Liu Jun laughed and asked, "Am I repulsive?"

“When I was a child, I met an old woman who was a maid in the household of Liu Sikong. She said that I looked a lot like Liu Sikong, but after seeing Your Majesty today, I realized that I am far inferior to him.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Jun couldn't help but chuckle and said to Liu Dan, "Young men are indeed fond of looking good. I seem to have been busy with wars all my life and haven't really thought about appearances much."

“The Prince of Chenliu once said that Your Majesty is beautiful but unaware of it. Although I have never seen Pan Lang, I am afraid that he is not as elegant as Your Majesty.”

Liu Jun quickly interrupted, "Alright, what I lack now is advice, not flattery. Whether it's Pan Yue or Zuo Si, the common people see beauty and ugliness, but I see talent. Huan Wen, I wonder if you are interested in the Imperial Guard? Of course, I don't want you to waste your youth as a mere halberd bearer, but rather to become my personal guard, following behind me to learn important military and political matters. Are you willing?"

The Jinwu Guard was originally the name of the Han imperial guards, but it gradually evolved into the Central Commander and Central Protector of the Jin dynasty. It seems that the current regime intends to follow the Han system.

Huan Wen was overjoyed to finally meet the hero he had admired since childhood and to have the opportunity to train under his tutelage. "Yes, sir!"

After Huan Wen left, Liu Dan joked, "One should be an official of the Imperial Guard and marry a woman of the caliber of Yin Lihua. I wonder whose wife Yuanzi will marry after he becomes an Imperial Guard."

Liu Jun didn't hide anything from him, "The Empress is the head of the harem, and the Prince of Chenliu used to be quite fond of the princess. This matter still needs their approval."

"Your Majesty's method of checks and balances is truly admirable."

Liu Jun smiled bitterly, "If I were truly proficient, I wouldn't have such a mess at home, making myself a laughingstock for the world."

He glanced at the sky, then turned and ordered, "Go to Jin Valley Garden first. Tomorrow morning there will be a grand court assembly. Apart from the two kings and three ministers, all the officials in the capital will be present."