107 Chapter 107
◎Princes and kings.
Some of the princes who really couldn't figure out the emperor's thoughts thought about whether they should try to get in touch with the prince. After all, the prince was the son the emperor had been waiting for for many years. It was said that he had a lot of face in front of the emperor. Plus, he was young, so he was probably easy to deceive... No, he was very soft-hearted. Maybe they could get some information from him about the emperor's recent thoughts, so that they could avoid making the emperor unhappy. They didn't seek to please the emperor, but just to avoid offending him.
But the first few people who sent gifts to the prince had them all returned, and those who asked to see the prince were also turned away. Just when they thought this way was blocked, someone who was not well-informed and just now arranged to send gifts to the prince was actually accepted by the prince's palace!
After that, the prince accepted all the gifts sent by the princes. He no longer refused those who wanted to see him, and acted like a junior, treating people politely and courteously. He was completely different from his father who had a cold face and sharp eyes, which made the princes feel like spring breeze.
Only after emerging from the Prince's Palace did they realize, "Hey, where's the truth about His Majesty that I was trying to understand? How could I have forgotten to ask? It's all because of the Prince's hospitality that I accidentally forgot to do the important thing!"
The princes were still confused the first time, but after going two or three times and paying out a lot of generous gifts, some of them finally got the taste of it.
Were they deceived by the prince in return?
A few people gathered together and discussed it. They found that the prince was never stingy in accepting gifts. He said many nice words, but he never revealed a single useful word.
The prince is such a small person, but he deceived all the princes of his father's and grandfather's generations?
Impossible?
Absolutely impossible!
The princes claimed to be a group of old foxes and refused to admit that they would be defeated by a child!
Forget about me, but I can’t defeat my sons?
How is that possible!
The princes gathered their courage and went to the Crown Prince's Palace again, intending to regain some face.
Then the prince set out the chessboard and asked affably, "Would you like to play chess?"
Princes: “…”
What are you laughing at? Your grandfather once killed the crown prince of Wu with a chessboard. Do you think we don't know?
In order to prevent the Crown Prince of Han from losing another soul on his chessboard, the princes declined the invitation to play chess.
…
In the Xuanshi Hall, Liu Che glanced at the pile of brocade boxes and sneered, "I am indeed too soft-hearted."
Liu Ju smiled and said, "I see they are in good spirits, especially the older ones. Grandfather, feel free to torment them. They will be fine for a while."
The coldness on Liu Che's face faded a little. "Of course they are very energetic. After so many years of hardship, they are still alive and kicking." He waved his hand. "Let's not talk about them. Ju'er, you have made a contribution this time. What reward do you want?"
Liu Ju said, "A son works for his father, and a minister works for his sovereign. This is all part of my duty. I do not want any reward. As long as my father gets what he wants, that will be my reward."
Liu Che smiled and rubbed his son's head: "I know you are sensible, but it is also your father-in-law's responsibility to distinguish between rewards and punishments. You have made contributions, so of course you should be rewarded."
Liu Ju paused, and when he was about to speak, his father spoke again.
"Take these back. I'll pick some more for you later." Liu Che pointed to the gifts sent by the princes. "The bow I used in Shanglin Garden the other day was quite good. Take it. And your horse, I'll give you a good one."
Liu Ju smiled and said, "In that case, I won't refuse. However, Aung, I don't want these. I only want your bow and horse."
"You kid..." Liu Che bent down and pinched his face. The coldness on his face had completely faded, leaving only a smile full of comfort. "As you wish."
"Thank you, old man." Liu Ju said with a smile.
"Come." Liu Che held his son's hand. "I'll take you to pick out a good horse. I remember the horse your uncle brought back last time had a foal. If it's good, you can take it home to raise. I'll also pick out a tall horse for you..."
However, before the father and son left the Xuanshi Hall, Prime Minister Gongsun Hong came to ask for a meeting. His case was easy to deal with, but immediately afterwards, Zhang Tang returned to Chang'an and asked to see the emperor, saying that he had found evidence of the King of Huainan's rebellion and must present it in person.
Just when the princes were coming to pay homage to the emperor, Zhang Tang found evidence of the King of Huainan's rebellion. Liu Ju couldn't help but look at his father. Was this really a coincidence?
Liu Che smiled and said, "Call him over... Ju'er, I'll take you to choose a horse later."
Liu Ju stood up and said, "I..."
Liu Che stopped him and said, "Listen to it too."
Gongsun Hong naturally stayed as well. Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but look at the prince. Even as the current emperor, the late emperor did not allow him to participate in politics at such a young age.
It seems that His Majesty favors the Crown Prince just as much as the late Emperor did him, Gongsun Hong pondered.
Liu Ju was a little surprised. In his previous life, his father taught him government affairs only after he was ten years old, and it would take a few more years for him to participate in government affairs. Was it so early this time?
Liu Che patted his hands and said softly, "Just listen."
Liu Ju nodded obediently.
Zhang Tang arrived very quickly. Although his face looked dusty, his clothes were clean, and it was obvious that he had washed up before coming to see the emperor.
After all, Your Majesty is a germaphobe. Even if I want to show my hard work day and night for Your Majesty, I must first not make Your Majesty unbearable.
Zhang Tang presented the evidence of King Huainan's rebellion. Liu Ju took a look and saw that there were documents, official seals, etc. It seemed that Liu An had indeed made sufficient preparations.
However, no matter how well prepared he was, it remained at the planning stage and he did not dare to implement it. Even if it was a rebellion, it sounded hilarious.
Liu Che sneered and ordered Prime Minister Gongsun Hong and Court Justice Zhang Tang to try the case.
Afterwards, the Emperor happily led the Prince to choose a horse as usual. Liu Ju couldn't help but look at his father a few more times.
He was angry when he saw the princes sending him generous gifts and huge wealth, but he was happy when the evidence of Prince Huainan's rebellion was right in front of him.
Although the Prince of Huainan was indeed quite funny, if he knew that his rebellion had amused the Emperor, he would probably commit suicide out of shame and anger before the Emperor could send the Minister of the Imperial Clan.
Seeing the look Liu Ju was giving him again, Liu Che said, "Each generation of princes is weaker than the previous one. Ju'er, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty will become stronger with each generation. In this way, the Han Dynasty will be in the hands of the Emperor alone in the future, and there will no longer be any princes."
Perhaps the emperors of the Han Dynasty had such a wish since Emperor Taizu.
Thinking of this, Liu Ju resisted the urge to pour cold water on his father.
——Even if the Han Dynasty were to suffer death and rebirth again, it would inevitably perish. This is a historical law that cannot be violated.
"Don't worry, old man. Ju'er will study hard and become as great as you in the future," said Liu Ju.
Liu Che laughed and said, "Ju'er is even more powerful than Aweng."
The feudal society lasted for such a long time, there has never been an emperor more powerful than you... Liu Ju thought to himself, I don’t think so. Do you want me to surpass you... In my previous life, I thought I could do it, but in this life, I will no longer be so self-aware.
But his father needed to be coaxed, so Liu Ju agreed with him and said, "Good! Ju'er will be more powerful than my father, and more powerful than Emperor Xiaowen and Emperor Xiaojing!"
Liu Che nodded with satisfaction: "I am very pleased that my son has such ambition!"
That's good too. Liu Ju thought, after all, you will definitely not see the fall of the Han Dynasty, so you won't be sad about it.
In the process of dealing with Liu An's rebellion, Liu Ju always followed his father. He could only find time to experiment with allicin. Fortunately, he had the correct steps and he only needed to master them to successfully produce it.
In Liu Ju's fulfilling life, Huo Qubing also sent him ripe grapes from his own home.
Huo Qubing said, "I've tasted it, it's sweeter than the one at my uncle's house."
Liu Ju tasted one and said with a smile, "It's indeed sweet. Thank you, cousin. It seems that your grape growing skills are better than my uncle's!"
"I gave my uncle a grape vine. Next year, his family will have sweet grapes." Huo Qubing asked, "Do you want it?"
As for grapes, Marquis Changping certainly has enough, and Liu Ju certainly has enough too, so why would he still need Marquis Guanjun’s vines?
Of course!
Liu Ju smiled and said, "Thank you, cousin. I'll go get it with you!"
Huo Qubing held his shoulder and said seriously, "Haven't you been learning how to govern from His Majesty recently? Your Highness, don't be lazy."
Liu Ju pretended to be sad: "Cousin, why do you doubt me? Am I such a person?"
Huo Qubing affirmed: "You are."
Liu Ju wiped his eyes with his sleeve unceremoniously: "Then I am really sad."
Huo Qubing pulled out his sleeves and said with a bit of disgust: "I still have to go to see the emperor again."
Liu Ju smoothed his hair and encouraged him, "It's okay, it's not noticeable. You can endure not changing clothes or taking a bath for several days. It's just this little bit, cousin, you can definitely do it!"
Huo Qubing said, "I shouldn't have sent you grapes."
Liu Ju said with a smile, "Then I'll go too. I'll ask Grandfather to try some of your grapes, too."
Huo Qubing said: "Of course I have presented it to Your Majesty. This is just for you."
"Then I have something else for Grandfather." Liu Ju pulled Huo Qubing out. "Cousin, do you still remember allicin? I have made allicin."
As he spoke, he took out a glass bottle and handed it to Huo Qubing: "This is it."
Huo Qubing took a look and said, "It looks... quite ordinary."
"You'll know how good it is once you use it..." Liu Ju said, "But cousin, it would be best if you and uncle never have to use it."
Huo Qubing paused as he was about to break free, and obediently let Liu Ju hold him.
"My next visit to the Emperor is also related to your matter," Huo Qubing said. "The agricultural tools have proven to be very effective. Your Highness, you should report this to His Majesty."
"Me?" Liu Ju pointed at himself. "Cousin, your people did it. You can go back. It doesn't matter who goes back. As long as it works, it's fine."
Huo Qubing rubbed his nose and felt as if he had aged ten years. He said earnestly, "Ju'er, this is your achievement. I cannot take the credit away from you."
"No, no, no," Liu Ju said, "tell the old man it was me who troubled you."
"Help someone to the end, cousin. You've tried everything for me. If you can help me get back to His Majesty, that's what it means to have a good beginning and a good end."
Huo Qubing was at a loss for words.
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