Chapter 89, Chapter Twenty: Limitless Potential
On the day Liu Jun returned to the capital, almost all the people of Chang'an flocked to him. From the outer city to the small city, from Luosuo Gate to Duan Gate, everywhere was filled with cheering and jubilant people welcoming the army with food and drink.
As usual, Liu Jun left the main army outside the city and only brought a thousand personal guards into the city. After finally getting through the crowded streets, he wanted to ride quickly to the palace to pay his respects and then return to his headquarters to rest. However, he saw the emperor's entourage at the East Gate in the distance.
During this period, I was busy with military affairs and was also separated from the court by mountains and rivers due to the war. It was extremely difficult to receive news from the court. Even if I was lucky enough to receive it, I was so engrossed in blood, swords and military strategy that I had little energy to read it, let alone reply to it.
Sima Ye was not discouraged. Whenever an envoy came from Guanzhong, almost everyone would present him with a pair of fish-wood boxes and solemnly convey the emperor's words. However, they did not know that the bright yellow silk contained only small, fragmented words of advice and instructions.
Liu Jun's thoughts were still in turmoil, but he had already subconsciously dismounted, stepped forward, knelt, and bowed in one smooth motion. "Your subject is humble and insignificant, having accomplished nothing of note. How dare I trouble the Emperor to personally welcome me? Your subject..."
Unexpectedly, he was pulled up by Sima Ye, who was walking quickly down the jade steps. Sima Ye then covered his face with his sleeve and wept, exclaiming, "You have become so thin!"
Liu Jun subconsciously touched his face with his other hand, and sure enough, he only felt bony bones. He didn't know what to say for a moment, and just looked down at Sima Ye's crown swaying in front of him.
When Sima Ye cried like that, all the officials probably thought of Liu Kun. For a moment, everyone shed tears, and the sounds of sobbing and wailing rose and fell. If you didn't know better, you would think that Liu Jun had somehow made so many relatives and old friends in the court.
There were also those who were truly heartbroken. For example, Wen Qiao did not weep like the others, but he trembled all over, his gaze fixed on the other sword at Liu Jun's waist, the very sword that Liu Kun had worn until his death.
Sima Ye gripped his arm tightly, his voice barely audible, "How could it be so dangerous? Just reading the battle reports made me feel like my soul was about to leave my body... And when you weren't here, Chang'an wasn't doing well either. Several times I was afraid that Suo Lin might secretly surrender again like before, and I wanted to be like Emperor Huai..."
Although Liu Jun had been away from home for many years, he knew from the official reports sent by the military headquarters how dangerous the situation in Chang'an was at that time. He was also a little scared, so he whispered in his ear, "I am late. It won't happen again."
Because Sima Ye was much shorter than him, Liu Jun was practically squatting down so that he could lean on him, which was rather improper. Therefore, although Sima Ye was reluctant, he did not linger for long. He first stood up and straightened his clothes, saying, "I have prepared a plain feast to welcome you."
Liu Jun's recapture of Ye City, pacification of Bingzhou, and expulsion of Shi Le were undoubtedly great achievements. Therefore, even though everyone knew he was still in mourning, people came in droves to offer their congratulations and toasts. Finally, when a doctor came up with a wine cup in a smile, Liu Jun couldn't help but say lightly, "I didn't know that losing my father and brother was such a joyous and celebratory event that it could make you gentlemen so happy."
No matter how embarrassed the doctor was, Liu Jun was much more relaxed during the banquet and was able to catch up with Suo Lin, Qu Yun and others.
"To be honest, Yanshi," Suo Lin coughed lightly, looking rather haggard, "after my son passed away last year, I have felt increasingly unwell and have been planning to return to my hometown to live in seclusion."
Over the years, Liu Jun, Du Dan, and Suo Lin have kept each other in check and balance, and they are no longer as hostile as they used to be. In particular, Liu Jun and Suo Lin can appreciate calligraphy and painting together, even when it comes to politics, and they have a friendship that transcends age.
Upon hearing this, Liu Jun was taken aback. He looked at Suo Lin's gray hair and felt a pang of regret. "It has been no easy task for Lord Suo to support the government all these years. It is time for him to enjoy his grandchildren. I have often thought about returning to Zhongshan. To be honest, Lord Suo, I have never returned to my hometown since I was born."
Suo Lin thought of Liu Kun and couldn't help but sigh, "Although you are not the head of the clan yet, the Liu family of Zhongshan now follows your lead. You really should go back and take charge of the overall situation."
“What kind of clan leader am I?” Liu Jun shook his head with a smile. “The Liu family of Zhongshan is not a proper clan either; they are just a declining family.”
Suo Lin thought to himself, "Given the way your uncle and father behaved when they were young, if they had truly fallen on hard times, they wouldn't have even had to wait for the War of the Eight Princes; they would have been beheaded along with Shi Chong and Pan Yue long ago. But now that he's retired from the limelight, I'm too lazy to expose his pretentious act. The pain of a white-haired person sending off a black-haired person is indescribable. Now I've taken a detached view of life, death, fame, and fortune, and I have no other desires. The only thing I can't let go of is my daughter."
It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned it, because the mere mention of Empress Suo made Liu Jun feel uneasy. Sima Ye was already indifferent to the harem, and according to the secret reports from his spies in the palace, since their affair, she hadn't visited the harem even once.
But these things are not to be told to outsiders. Liu Jun took a sip of wine and asked, "What, has Consort Du been disrespectful to Your Highness again?"
Suo Lin smiled bitterly, "I shouldn't have sent her to the harem back then. It would have been better to marry her off to a handsome and virtuous man like Sikong than to have her lamenting in the palace every day."
Liu Jun offered a weak consolation: "No matter what, as long as she behaves herself, the position of Empress is as secure as Mount Tai..."
"Empress Zhen of the previous dynasty came from a prominent family in Hebei and had a legitimate heir, yet she was still replaced by Empress Guo." Suo Lin said listlessly, "Yanshi is ambitious and has unlimited potential. He is also a close friend of His Majesty. I only ask that Yanshi take care of me for the sake of my old face, and that my son can be spared."
Even if he didn't say it, Liu Jun wouldn't easily let Sima Ye depose the empress. He immediately said, "Don't worry, Suo An. I know what I'm doing. I will definitely advise His Majesty and will never let him be seduced by beauty."
Suo Lin nodded, finished his drink, and sighed, "When I heard the bad news about your esteemed lord, I heard that he fell seriously ill and won't live much longer."
Since leaving Liangzhou, Liu Jun had never seen Zu Ti again, but their correspondence never ceased. With Liu Qi and others remaining in Liangzhou, they were well aware of his situation. "These past years, besides managing Liangzhou, he's also had to deal with Sima Rui and Li Xiong; it's been incredibly tiring for him..."
"How many old horses still have ambitions to gallop a thousand miles?" Suo Lin looked at Liu Jun, who was full of talent and potential, and said, "In Luoyang, Qing Sun and Yue Shi have turned to dust, and Zu Sheng, who rose at the crowing of the rooster, will also pass away. I am old, and I have done all that I could."
He turned and walked away slowly, saying, "My brother has been waiting in Dunhuang for thirty years, it's time for me to go back."
Thinking of Liu Zun, Liu Jun felt a lump in his throat and couldn't speak. He gritted his teeth to hold back his tears.
“Sikong,” Bi Gong reminded him from the side.
When Liu Jun looked up, he saw that an extra seat had been set up in the high hall, where he sat on equal footing with Qu Yun and Du Dan, yet it seemed as if he were closer to the emperor.
He glanced at Sima Ye on the nine-tiered jade steps. Though his face was blurred, he leaned forward, looking around without any attempt to conceal his gaze.
Liu Jun smiled to himself and started walking upstairs.
Volume Six: A Generous and Resolute Approach
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