Side Story 1: Eastern Tour: Strengthening the Rivers and Mountains

In the fifteenth year of Yanwu, the weather was peaceful and the harvest was plentiful. The country was at peace and prosperous, and people called it a golden age of prosperity and enlightenment.

The Xianbei chieftains Tuoba Shiyijian, Murong Jun, and Duan Kan, along with the Di chieftains Pu Hong and Qiang chieftains Yao Yizhong, simultaneously submitted a memorial requesting His Majesty the Great Emperor of the Central Plains to follow precedent and perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai.

Liu Jun, mindful of the people's well-being, resolutely refused. However, he could not resist the Crown Prince Liu Qin leading all the officials in kowtowing and pleading. In addition, the two princes and three ministers from Sima Ye down also urged him. After more than a month of this ordeal, he finally agreed.

Unexpectedly, the ministers argued endlessly about etiquette. Han scholars were fond of debating the classics, and coupled with the previous trend of pure conversation in the Wei and Jin dynasties, the ministers were best at getting to the bottom of the wording. In the end, they could not make a decision and submitted a thick memorial.

Liu Jun glanced at it, then laughed in exasperation. He turned to Prime Minister Wen Qiao beside him and said, "Is this really something they're arguing about for so long? Tai Zhen, why don't you enlighten them?"

Wen Qiao asked calmly, "Which emperors in the past performed the Fengshan ceremony?"

"Qin Shi Huang, along with Emperor Wu, Emperor Guangwu, Emperor Zhang, and Emperor An of the Han Dynasty." Everyone present was well-versed in history and classics, so they answered without hesitation.

Seeing that the emperor remained silent and Wen Qiao smiled without saying a word, everyone immediately understood and hurriedly took their leave.

When the regulations were released, Liu Jun flew into a rage, halting all the large-scale construction projects proposed in the memorial, including building altars and erecting steles at the foot of the mountain, the summit, and Sheshou Mountain. In court, he rebuked, "Have you forgotten the days when famine was rampant and the people were starving? The Fengshan ceremony was originally for the emperor to personally inspect the distant people and awe the world. Last year, the cost of river management was enormous, and this time it will again require a great deal of manpower from the people. I feel deeply uneasy about this. How can I waste the people's resources on so-called grand displays? If we place the gods and spirits before the people, even Mount Tai will not tolerate me!"

The rustling of clothes continued, and in the blink of an eye, another group of people were kneeling in the hall.

Liu Jia, the eldest son of Liu Qin, is now ten years old. He has been raised by Liu Jun since childhood and is deeply loved. At such a young age, he has been brought to court every day to listen to government affairs. Seeing that the situation was not good, he immediately crawled forward on his knees and kowtowed, saying, "Although the adults are inconsiderate, they are acting out of a sincere desire to pray for the well-being of the people and to establish the authority of the Emperor and the court. I beg Your Majesty to calm your anger, and I also beg my grandfather to take care of his health!"

Liu Jun's expression softened, and he said calmly, "Very well, let's follow the old precedent set by Emperor Wen and send a thousand laborers to repair the mountain road. We will exempt them from taxes for three years, and there's no need to build stone blocks; we'll just burn firewood to worship Heaven."

"Who are the guards?" Wen Qiao asked in a low voice.

"There's no need for all officials to accompany us. Each province and ministry can send one or two people, along with members of the imperial family, the two kings and three ministers, and nobles. As for the chieftains of various barbarian tribes and foreign envoys, as long as they are still willing to be subjects and vassals of my Great Han, they may come along. If they are unwilling, there is no need to force them." He frowned and said, "Tell the Han envoys to behave themselves. If I hear of anyone again using the banner of the court to act arrogantly, cause trouble, or commit evil deeds abroad, I will not let them off lightly!"

Thus, even though the number of people participating in the Fengshan ceremony was intentionally reduced, it was still a grand affair. On the twelfth day of the tenth month, the emperor led his officials to Mount Tai to perform the Fengshan ceremony and personally wrote the Mount Tai Inscription, ordering it to be engraved on a stone to commemorate his virtues.

After the Fengshan ceremony, the emperor suddenly decided to appoint his crown prince Liu Qin as regent, while he himself, along with his close ministers and grandson, continued his southern tour.

Throughout history, whether it was Sun Wu versus Cao Wei or Eastern Jin versus Han, Jiangdong was undoubtedly the enemy state. But starting with Liu Jun, Jinyang was the place where the dragon rose, Bashu was the place where the foundation was laid, Youji was the ancestral land, Longxi was the fiefdom of Yue Fei's family, the Central Plains was the place where he was born, and Luoyang and Chang'an were still the two capitals.

From Jiangdong to Lingnan, apart from the southern expedition, he never set foot there again. Sima Ye was kept in the deep palace and unknown to the people. Apart from the war, he almost never left the palace.

Today's southern tour, in addition to pacifying the people and border regions and understanding their sentiments, also carries the intention of taking close relatives and loved ones to explore the mountains and rivers.

Liu Jun disliked human labor, so he did not ride in a palanquin, but instead rode in a carriage. After sitting alone for a day, he felt bored and ordered someone to convey his decree to Sima Ye to ride in the carriage.

Where is Binu?

Liu Qin was born to Dou, a Xianbei concubine. He had light yellow eyes. For some reason, Liu Jia inherited his maternal grandfather's blue eyes. In addition, his birth mother, the Crown Princess Zhang, was a devout Buddhist in Liangzhou, so she gave him the nickname "Binu" (Blue Slave).

It is said that Binu and Sima Ye had quite a history. For example, when Zhang gave birth to Binu, she had a difficult childbirth. Liu Jun was busy with court affairs and only asked Sima Ye to go and see her. When he arrived at the Eastern Palace, he happened to meet the Imperial Physician who reported that if the mother was saved, both mother and child would likely die. If the child was saved, the mother would have to be abandoned. Liu Qin did not dare to make any rash decisions and left it entirely to Empress Zhang. Empress Zhang was torn between the imperial heir who had Zhang blood and her niece whom she had only met a few times. Finally, Sima Ye said coldly, "If I save the Crown Princess, I will bear the blame if His Majesty blames me in the future."

Fortunately, heaven protected them, and the mother and son were safe in the end. From then on, the Zhang mother and son were grateful to the King of Chenliu.

For example, Liu Jun disliked Buddhism and wanted to give him a nickname like A Kang (Shao Kang) or A Lou (Qian Lou). Liu Qin found it awkward and difficult to pronounce, and dared not speak out. However, Zhang Shi was much more tactful than his aunt, Empress Zhang. She prepared generous gifts and asked the Prince of Chenliu for help. In the end, the Prince of Chenliu went to visit him in person, held the little baby and called out "Bi Nu", and the matter was settled.

It is unclear whether it was because of these relationships that Liu Jia became close to Sima Ye, and Sima Ye also treated Liu Jia differently. Therefore, every few days, when Liu Jia was tired from studying and practicing martial arts in the Eastern Palace, he would climb up to the Golden Valley Garden to chase cats, tease birds, pull weeds, and pick flowers.

“Look, he’s riding his horse in front,” Liu Jun said casually. “He’s still a young man, it’s unfair to confine him to this small space.”

Sima Ye watched the young man's departing figure and said nostalgically, "When I was young, I mostly saw you on horseback."

“Back then, I was either running for my life or saving my life, so I didn’t have time to enjoy the scenery.” Liu Jun shook his head and sighed. “Our generation grew up in war and famine, and only about half of us survived to this day. We are all thanks to our ancestors for bringing us to where we are today.”

His voice deepened, “At first glance, this Fengshan ceremony appears to be a vast expanse of fertile land, where the sounds of chickens and dogs can be heard everywhere. But upon closer inspection, one can see that the people’s lives are filled with hardship. Once you leave Luoyang, ask any farmer, and they will tell you that it is a rare treat to be able to eat meat twice a year. In contrast, we high-ranking officials in the court have heard that when the king marries or Xie marries, hundreds of gold coins are spent, and a single banquet can feed a thousand households for an entire year!”

The emperor, who rose from a powerful minister, was truly terrifying when he put on a stern face. Sima Ye took a sip of tea. "As one grows older, one should cultivate a calm and peaceful mind. It's only been a little over a decade since people resorted to cannibalism to have meat to eat. Don't be too harsh. As for those families who are extravagant and dissolute, as long as they haven't been corrupt or broken the law, they shouldn't be convicted, right? Your Majesty cherishes talent the most. Didn't you say before that the Wang and Xie families are full of talented people?"

Liu Jun smiled and said, "Indeed, I love Wang Yishao's books."

"I urge Your Majesty not to harbor any resentment towards talented individuals because of their relocation to the south," Sima Ye said in a low voice, but with a very serious tone.

After a moment of silence, Liu Jun seemed to recall all the talents he had promoted since ascending the throne, and finally nodded and said, "Confucius said that I examine myself three times a day, and also said that I do not know the taste of meat for three days. After listening to your words, why should I worry about not having good advice to reflect on myself, and why do I need the music of Qi?"

Even the old man Sima Ye couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed, saying, "Clever words and flattering manners are nothing more than this."

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