Chapter 101, Chapter Twelve: Stern Words
While Liu Jun was eyeing the south with covetous intent and planning his campaigns in the north and south, an even more important event was imminent—the emperor's eastern hunt. After ten years away from Luoyang, the Jin emperor finally returned to the war-torn capital.
Liu Jun personally led his generals to kneel and welcome the emperor at the Changhe Gate. After the emperor arrived, Liu Jun was ordered by Sima Ye to ride alongside him.
After Liu Jun sat down, Sima Ye took his hand as usual, looked him up and down, and finally touched a faint scar on his cheek. "The battle report sent by the Ministry of War was truly thrilling. I couldn't sleep for two whole days after reading it. Only when I saw that you were safe and sound did I feel relieved."
Liu Jun smiled bitterly, "Although we have captured Luoyang, many of our brothers have still died. Thinking of this, I cannot eat or sleep in peace."
"They risked their lives for you; they should have expected this day to come. I have decided to use funds from the Imperial Treasury to build a pagoda for them to comfort their spirits." Sima Ye's fingers were slightly cool, offering little warmth even in midsummer.
Liu Jun shook his head, "Wouldn't it be better to save the imperial funds meant for building the pagoda and use them to help the orphans?"
"If we help them pass on to the afterlife, they will be able to enter the cycle of reincarnation sooner, and they won't have to suffer so much in their next life," Sima Ye insisted.
"They are the ones who sacrifice their lives in this life, so why go to such lengths for their next life? Rather than worrying about a vague afterlife, it would be better to do what we owe in this life." Liu Jun frowned. "Someone wanted to hold a grand ceremony to worship heaven and earth, which I rejected. They have the resources to worship the gods in the mountains and rivers, yet they turn a blind eye to the barren fields and show no concern for the displaced people. It is absurd that such a wicked person can be recommended for the civil service examination. It is clear that Heaven is blind."
The person he was referring to was from the Chen clan of Yingchuan, and was of the same clan as Marquis Jing of Yingyin (Chen Qun). He had previously been verbally abused by Liu Jun.
Sima Ye knew that he was usually the least believer in ghosts and gods, and now his expression was obviously quite displeased, so he did not insist anymore. He simply let go of his hand and said, "I took five hundred gold coins from the imperial treasury on this trip. Since the Minister of Works thinks the afterlife is a myth, I will use it to distribute porridge and provide relief. This is not just about respecting ghosts and gods and ignoring the lives of ordinary people, is it?"
Liu Jun grasped his hand in return, clasping their fingers together to warm it, "Your Majesty is wise and righteous, and readily accepts advice; truly the first sage ruler since the founding of our dynasty..."
"What nonsense is this?" Sima Ye wanted to shake him off, but he didn't have the strength. In the end, he snorted coldly and fell silent.
Liu Jun then recounted in detail the events that had transpired in Luoyang during this period. When he mentioned the matter of reporting to the ancestral temple, Sima Ye's anger turned to joy. "I have brought Liu Cong along with me. I will have him kneel with Liu Yao so that our ancestors can see clearly at once."
Liu Jun had long forgotten about Liu Cong, and upon hearing this, he sincerely replied, "Your Majesty's considerations are thorough; I am far from being able to match them."
It was rare to win against him on one matter, and Sima Ye smiled and said, "In addition, I have brought two people with me this time. You will surely be happy when you see them."
Liu Jun felt a chill run down his spine and immediately considered the various unusual occurrences around him. After a short while, he suddenly said, "What virtue or ability does my son possess that has caused Your Majesty such concern? Is it Yuanji or Yuangui?"
In the previous fierce battle, there was a shortage of spies and undercover agents, so the eyes and ears that had been watching the mansion were withdrawn. Unexpectedly, no one even informed the two young masters that they had left the mansion, which was such a negligence.
"No, it is certain that He Yuangui will be obtained."
"Must it?" Liu Jun asked blankly.
Sima Ye frowned and scolded, "You don't even know your eldest son's childhood name? What kind of father are you..."
“Although it’s true that a humble name makes a child easier to raise, this is still rather undignified.” Liu Jun calculated with his fingers and shook his head, saying, “That’s it, he’s born in the Year of the Rat.”
"I have already sent someone to take the young masters to Lu Jing's place. I believe he will make proper arrangements." Sima Ye was a little tired and yawned listlessly.
Liu Jun turned to the side and offered his shoulder, "We are still six miles from Jinyong City. The ceremony of presenting prisoners and offering sacrifices at the temple will be very complicated in the next few days. Your Majesty may take a short rest."
Sima Ye grunted in response, and then Liu Jun felt a weight on his shoulder and couldn't help but smile.
While accompanying Sima Ye in a grand banquet to reward the troops and meet with meritorious officials, Liu Jun didn't have time to see his two sons until the evening.
Liu Liang was nearly ten years old and was born to Lady Guo, while Liu Qin was only five or six years old and was born to Lady Dou. Compared to the eldest son Liu Yong, they naturally lacked some of the poise and were both submissive and silent.
Liu Jun frowned and said softly, "You've had a bumpy journey, so you don't need to study for the next two days. Take a good rest. If you need anything, go find General Lu."
"Father, there is nothing lacking. The sons are not tired and can continue their studies as usual tomorrow." Liu Liang was older and, being the son of a woman from the same clan whom his grandmother had given him, he had more confidence and answered with a bit more courage.
Liu Jun hadn't really intended for them to rest, but upon hearing this, he nodded and said, "Then rest for half a day and continue your studies after noon. I have found some great scholars for you here. You must study diligently and serve the country in the future. Do not waste your time."
The two sons gave a dry reply, and Liu Jun then asked, "You haven't caused His Majesty any trouble along the way, have you?"
"No, son..." Liu Liang hadn't finished speaking when he heard Liu Qin mutter something under his breath.
Liu Jun, with his exceptional hearing, immediately retorted with displeasure, "Speak louder! Your timid and cowardly manner is utterly disgraceful!"
Liu Qin looked up and said, "Since Father has asked me to speak, I dare not refuse an elder's command, so I will speak! Father doesn't care whether we are doing well or not, he only thinks about whether we have caused trouble for the Emperor. In fact, if it weren't for the Emperor, would Father have already forgotten about us sons?"
"How dare you!" Liu Jun was so angry that he almost fell backward. From his past life to this one, he had never dared to be unfilial in his filial duties.
Cao Lin, the tyrannical King of the East Sea, would beat and scold him at the drop of a hat, but he dared not talk back to him.
Although he had some disagreements with Liu Kun because of Xu Run, he was always polite to him in person. Later, he suffered the deaths of his grandparents and his mother, and he became a father himself. He felt even more empathy for Liu Kun. When Liu Kun sacrificed himself for his country, he understood the true meaning of the sorrow of a fallen tree.
He couldn't help but take a closer look at Liu Qin. Perhaps because his mother was a Xianbei, he had a high nose and deep-set eyes, which was quite different from the people of the Central Plains. He spoke crudely and acted recklessly, which made him very dislike him.
Looking at Liu Liang, although he was born out of wedlock, his mother came from a prominent family. He spoke with gentleness and elegance, was respectful and polite, and had a handsome face and red lips. He already had the demeanor of a dashing young man.
Then he thought of Liu Yong, the eldest son of the family, who was said to be a well-educated and polite young man. His mood improved a little, and he said in a deep voice, "Yuan Gui, go and copy the Classic of Filial Piety for me today. You are not allowed to sleep until you have finished copying it!"
"Father!" Liu Liang was about to plead for mercy, but Liu Jun gave him a cold glance and he had no choice but to give up.
"I heard that the Minister of Works was furious," Bi Gong reported in a low voice. "I also heard that the Third Young Master copied books all night long, and didn't rest until the hour of Yin."
Sima Ye stood up, frowning, and said, "He's still just a child. He's being too harsh on him."
Guan Tong and Mo Chi worked together to comb his beautiful hair, and said with a smile, "We heard that the eldest son has been busy all night lighting the lamp for his younger brother."
Sima Ye shook his head, looking at the hazy figure in the bronze mirror, "Everyone says that a parent's love for their child is deep, but he is... I'll talk to him about it later."
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