100 Chapter 100
◎Father and son. ◎
His Majesty the Emperor was a passionate and literary man, so he was surrounded by many literary and artistic workers who were skilled in writing lyrics and essays. Sima Xiangru and Dongfang Shuo both fell into this category.
The emergence of bamboo paper and porcelain was something they could write about and praise highly.
The caravan's plan to earn money from foreigners by using silk, tea and porcelain was a life-saving straw for Sang Hongyang.
War was too expensive. Sang Hongyang wanted to cry every time there were preparations before a war and rewards after the war.
In addition, at Liu Ju's suggestion, Zhang Qian, who had been on a diplomatic mission to the Western Regions, was sent by Liu Che to participate in the construction of the caravan.
——Marquis Bowang, General Li Guang’s lost buff is too powerful, you’d better not go to war with him.
While almost everyone was busy and making some gains, Gongsun He was still frowning, because his son was still in the hands of the general, and without the prince's permission, he had no way of bringing his son home.
Seeing his son become darker and thinner, and burst into tears whenever he saw him, Gongsun He gritted his teeth and stamped his feet, then went to ask to see the Crown Prince again.
Liu Ju was practicing archery on horseback at the time. He drew his bow and hit the bull's eye on the target. He sighed coldly, "How pitiful are the hearts of parents in the world."
Liu Ju did not meet Gongsun He, but only sent someone to tell him that the prince would go to see the general tomorrow.
As his son was still in the hands of the prince, Gongsun He was afraid to say anything and could only wait anxiously until the next day, when he also went to Wei Qing.
Wei Qing, smiling as always, said, "Tomorrow Qubing will be hosting a banquet at his home. Your Highness, would you like to go?"
Liu Ju smiled and said, "Of course I'll go! Uncle, who else did my cousin invite?"
Wei Qing smiled and replied, "You probably don't know a few of his men, and there's me."
Liu Ju nodded and gave Wei Qing a mischievous smile: "It seems that my cousin doesn't plan to invite me. Uncle, let's not tell him and just give him a sneak peek!"
Gongsun He couldn't wait any longer and interrupted, "Your Highness, General, there's no need to rush to attend the banquet. My son respectfully asks... What exactly is Your Highness planning?"
Liu Ju and Wei Qing looked at him at the same time. Wei Qing shook his head and said, "Jingsheng cries every day about wanting to go home, and you also look forward to taking him home every day. You are indeed father and son with one heart."
But this was obviously not the result Liu Ju wanted.
Gongsun He thought Wei Qing was reminding him, so he said to Liu Ju: "Your Highness, Jingsheng really knows that he was wrong, but he has always been filial. He can't see his mother every day and can't help missing her, so he cried and wanted to go home. He is not resentful of Your Highness's punishment. I also feel sorry for the child's filial piety, alas..." As he spoke, he wiped his eyes, as if he was really moved by his son's filial piety.
Liu Ju remained unmoved and said expressionlessly, "Taifu Gongsun, you can take your son home now."
Gongsun He was astonished and bowed, "Thank you, Your Highness!"
Liu Ju raised his hand to support the man and said, "I cannot accept the Grand Coachman's generous gift. Besides, I still have something to say. If I say it, the Grand Coachman probably won't want to thank me."
Gongsun He wiped his forehead, his heart rising again, and said, "I dare not. Your Highness, please speak."
Liu Ju said, "Gongsun Taifu, don't think that everything is over after this. If Gongsun Jingsheng dares to do it again, I will punish him."
Gongsun He did not dare to underestimate the prince's words. He repeatedly assured him that he would keep an eye on his son and would never let him commit the same mistake again.
At this time, Wei Qing had already ordered someone to bring Gongsun Jingsheng. When he saw Liu Ju, he subconsciously took a step back.
Liu Ju smiled and felt a little satisfied. It seemed that this lesson wouldn't be needed too many times, and the lesson learned this time was not completely useless.
After Gongsun Jingsheng came forward and paid his respects, Liu Ju said nothing more and just let the father and son go home.
Wei Qing gestured, "Would you like to go sit inside?"
Liu Ju nodded: "Okay, uncle, do you have something to tell me?"
Wei Qing said worriedly, "I'm afraid Jingsheng will do it again when he returns, and that would be a waste of your efforts."
His original intention of saying that was to remind Liu Ju that Gongsun He simply couldn't bear to discipline his son, and Gongsun Jingsheng had not sincerely admitted his mistake. If he let him go now, all his previous efforts would be wasted. He wanted Liu Ju to reconsider.
"That's all right." Liu Ju said with a cheerful smile, "Uncle, don't you remember? I told you that if he does it again, I'll punish him until he doesn't do it again."
"How many years does a person have in their lifetime?" Liu Ju said softly as he stepped over the threshold. "Once he dies, we won't have to worry about whether he changes or not."
Wei Qing looked down at the top of his head and thought, The prince really does look like His Majesty sometimes.
This might not be a bad thing. Wei Qing thought to himself as he sat down.
Liu Ju took a cup filled with fruit drink, which should have been specially prepared for him by Wei Qing.
I took a bite and it was very sweet, probably because they added a lot of honey.
Liu Ju smiled happily and said, "Thank you, uncle!"
"Huh?" Wei Qing looked over in surprise. When he saw Liu Ju drinking water with a smile on his face, he also smiled. "You kids all have the same taste."
Liu Ju handed the cup to Wei Qing: "It's very sweet, uncle, try it too... Well, as long as you don't mind me using it."
Wei Qing lowered his head and took a sip. After swallowing it, he smiled and said, "Have you ever seen water on the grassland?"
When it comes to water on the grassland, Liu Ju becomes melancholy: "It's impossible to carry enough boiled water with you on a long expedition."
Wei Qing said, "Didn't Qubing tell you that? Zi'er, this is how war is. We don't find it hard."
Whether it was to serve His Majesty or to realize their own value, Liu Ju could understand the pursuits of Wei and Huo, but...
As an outsider, Liu Ju always hoped that their ending could be more perfect.
…
In the evening, Liu Ju went to the Xuanshi Hall to pay his respects to his father as usual, but he was not there. The eunuch said that His Majesty was in the front hall discussing matters with the ministers.
Still discussing matters at this time... Liu Ju glanced at the sky and it seemed to be an urgent matter.
The eunuch asked the prince to wait in the hall. Liu Ju thought about it and decided that since his father was not there, he should not stay in there alone.
The eunuch stared in amazement at the prince casually sitting down on the steps in front of the palace. His little heart trembled. If His Majesty saw the prince waiting for His Majesty outside in such a pitiful manner, wouldn't he have lived enough?
The eunuch trembled and advised, "Your Highness, the ground is cold. Please... please come inside and sit down."
The weather in May was already getting hot. With the evening breeze, Liu Ju felt it was a good place to sit. So he shook his head and said, "No need."
Eunuch: “…” I don’t need to live anymore.
Liu Ju couldn't understand the eunuch's despair. He was thinking that he should go back and check his phone. Happy Candy Crush had updated a new level, and he hadn't completed it yet.
Just when Liu Ju was hesitating whether to go back first, Liu Che returned to the Xuanshi Hall with his entourage.
Seeing Liu Ju in a daze with his hands on his chin, Liu Che was stunned for a moment, then walked over, lifted the hem of his robe, and sat next to his son.
Eunuch: “…” I seem to be unable to die.
Liu Ju blinked, a little dazed, and then he came to his senses. Just as he was about to stand up and salute, he saw his father sitting on the ground without caring about his image.
"Aung..." Liu Ju said hesitantly.
Liu Che looked back at the high eaves of the Xuanshi Hall and said with a smile, "Sitting like this is quite interesting."
"You really have a childlike heart," Liu Ju complained silently.
Complaints aside, the necessary etiquette still needed to be observed. Liu Ju was about to stand up, but his father held him back: "Didn't we just say that father and son should be more casual in private? Is your memory so bad?"
Facing his father's feigned surprise, Liu Ju sighed silently. Wasn't he afraid that someone would use this to complain to him in the future?
Emperor Wu of Han was not as petty as Emperor Kangxi. Kangxi, however, could hold a grudge against the Crown Prince for nearly twenty years, refusing to speak a word to anyone about an incident when the Crown Prince was sixteen. Emperor Wu of Han, however, always resolved matters on the spot. However, those around him were constantly trying to sow discord, speculating even more narrowly than Emperor Kangxi's, speculating on the Crown Prince's every word and action.
But he could not tell Liu Che about these concerns. When he was the crown prince, he had never been suspected by his emperor and father, so he could not empathize with Liu Ju's situation.
Liu Ju could only say, "I forgot, Aung. I will never do it again next time."
Liu Che propped his chin with one hand and looked at his son in the afterglow of the setting sun for a while. He then used his free hand to ruffle the child's soft hair and asked slowly, "My son, if there is anything that makes you unhappy, tell me. I am the Son of Heaven and can relieve any of your worries."
It is true that many of Liu Ju's worries could only be solved by Liu Che, but there were also some that even Liu Che could not solve.
Liu Ju thought about how to put his father off, then said, "Aung, do you have a way to make sure my uncle and cousin can drink boiled water on the grassland?"
"Drink boiled water?" Liu Che obviously didn't expect that this would be the thing that made his son unhappy. He didn't fight in wars, but he was familiar with the situation on the battlefield. "This... I really can't do it."
"Why did you suddenly think of letting your uncle and cousin drink boiled water?" Liu Che asked curiously.
Liu Ju was unable to briefly explain bacteria and viruses, so he told Liu Che truthfully what had happened in the general's headquarters today.
After hearing this, Liu Che laughed and said, "Your uncle loves you very much. Among all his children, he loves Qubing the most, and you are second only."
Since his rebirth, Liu Ju has indeed gained more favor from his uncle than in his previous life. He believes that this is related to the set of horse harnesses.
Wei Qing was a person who didn't care much about blood ties, which was of course easy to understand. Given the character of his biological father and half-brothers, it was difficult for him to naturally have a good impression of his blood relatives.
For Wei Qing, blood ties are certainly not as important as the grace of Your Majesty in giving him a chance to succeed.
Liu Ju smiled and said, "Although my uncle loves my cousin the most, the most important person in his heart is still His Majesty. Besides His Majesty, my cousin loves my uncle the most. In the end, my uncle wins."
Liu Che's eyes were filled with laughter: "Well... In that case, I should also enjoy myself with the Marquis of Changping and the Marquis of Guanjun."
Liu Ju was stunned. What big thing was his father thinking about?
Liu Che smiled and said, "Tomorrow, I will take you out of the palace."
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