Chapter 90, Part 1: Radiant New Beginnings
"Has Sikong not rested yet?"
"I stayed up all night at Weiyang Palace yesterday, slept for two or three hours this morning, met with the generals and strategists in the afternoon, and now I'm studying by lamplight again."
"Alas, Sikong is good in every way, but sometimes he is too self-torturing."
"Yes, among all the officials, our lord is the most frugal. Two years ago, Lady Dou secretly sent someone to buy Shu brocade and was reprimanded by our lord."
"Indeed, little did they know that even the lord's own clothes had patches."
At this time, Liu Jun was unaware of and unconcerned about the gossip among his servants. Instead, he was engrossed in reading. According to reports from his spies, although Shi Le was illiterate, he was quite studious and loved having people read "Records of the Grand Historian" and "Book of Han" to him. As the saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated." Therefore, these days, apart from military books, Liu Jun also spent his days reading history, and while reading, he would also try to deduce what Shi Le was thinking.
After finishing reading "The Biography of General Wei and General Huo", it was nearly midnight. Liu Jun put the book aside and went to sleep on the couch.
Half-asleep, he was shaken awake. "My lord! My lord!"
Liu Jun opened his eyes and frowned as he looked at Lu Jing in front of him.
“Grandfather…” Lu Jing began in a low voice, without saying anything more.
Despite being mentally prepared, Liu Jun still felt somewhat saddened when the day actually arrived. He sat for a long time, still wearing his clothes, before finally mustering his spirits to get up and "enter the palace."
Now it is the ninth year of Jianxing. Although Liu Jun has long held the title of Minister of Works, he has not yet relinquished his position as Attendant-in-Ordinary. Suo Lin retired to his hometown two years ago. Sima Ye once wanted Liu Jun to take over as Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, but Liu Jun declined because he was not qualified enough.
Of course, he said something different to Sima Ye in private—"Although the position of Grand Secretary is high and powerful, I cannot always be by Your Majesty's side. The world is not yet at peace, and I often have to fight on the front lines. I cannot always be by Your Majesty's side. If I were still a Palace Attendant, at least I could spend a little more time with Your Majesty..."
Sima Ye was deeply moved and even set up a special room in the East Hall of the Taiji Hall in Weiyang Palace for the officials to use for discussing state affairs at night. Although they were officials, only Liu Jun had stayed overnight so far, and whether they were truly discussing state affairs late at night was only known to the two of them.
Furthermore, Liu Jun, at a young age, had made outstanding military achievements and inherited his father's title, becoming one of the Three Dukes. The emperor once intended to show him favor by allowing him to "enter the court without hastening his steps and present memorials without naming his name," but Liu Jun resolutely refused. In the end, he only reluctantly retained the privilege of "not naming his name when being praised or bowed to." The emperor felt this was not enough, so he often bestowed extra favors, such as tributes and imperial meals, which were not considered presumptuous.
There were many other exceptions. For example, Liu Jun entered the palace at night, but did not pay homage to the emperor. Instead, he went directly to the East Hall, ordered the eunuchs to light lamps, and began to draft an edict.
In fact, this matter should have been the responsibility of the Secretariat. Liu Jun's actions were somewhat of an overreach of authority. However, firstly, Wen Qiao was one of their own and was magnanimous, so he wouldn't care. Secondly, Zu Ti's death was a matter of great importance to Hanzhong, and they couldn't afford any delays or mishaps.
At dawn, Wen Qiao also rushed over. Upon seeing the imperial edict on the table, he couldn't help but joke, "Our Minister of Works is indeed young and strong; he managed to finish the work of the three provinces all by himself."
Liu Jun rose and bowed, then said, "I just heard the bad news last night. Because this matter is extremely urgent, and I dare not trouble you, my brother-in-law, at night, I have drafted an edict in advance. I would like to ask you, my brother-in-law, to make your decision."
He spoke respectfully, but Wen Qiao would never really take the Liangzhou matter seriously. He glanced at it, changed some insignificant wording, and then personally took it back to the Secretariat for use.
Following the system of the Han and Wei dynasties, the Jin dynasty held court every five days. Today there was no court assembly, so Liu Jun planned to go to the Secretariat to handle government affairs.
Before they had even left Weiyang Palace, they heard Bi Jing shout, "Minister Sikong, wait!"
As soon as Liu Jun turned around, he saw Sima Ye standing far away under the eaves of the East Hall, his hands behind his back, carefully examining the hibiscus in the courtyard.
After taking a few quick steps, Liu Jun stepped forward again and bowed respectfully. He was much taller than Sima Ye, and only at this moment could Sima Ye see the slight bulge on his forehead.
"The governor of Liangzhou..." Liu Jun began, but was interrupted by Sima Ye, "I only know one name of these people. You decide."
After Suo Lin retired, there were no major changes in the court situation. The court still issued orders, but apart from the prefectures and counties directly controlled by Liu Jun, the other regional officials were still hesitant and acted independently, as if no one, except Liu Jun, truly respected the emperor.
"This is a matter of great importance; it should be decided by His Majesty."
Sima Ye smiled and said, "What is it that I have not agreed to, the thing you wish to do?"
"I have never refused Your Majesty's orders," Liu Jun said helplessly.
Sima Ye pursed his lips and remained silent, his narrow eyes filled with displeasure.
Liu Jun was well aware of what he wanted, and sighed softly, "The country is exhausted from years of war and needs to recuperate."
“But wouldn’t that give the Jie and Zi slaves a chance to catch their breath?” Sima Ye said unwillingly. “If we keep waiting, when will we be able to conquer the Central Plains?”
Liu Jun said in a deep voice, "If Your Majesty gives the order, I can send troops to the Xiongnu tomorrow and perhaps defeat Liu Yao. But then what? Shi Le will take advantage of the situation, wait for the enemy to tire themselves out, defeat the strong with the weak, and unify the Central Plains in the process?"
The face reflected in Sima Ye's brown pupils was cold and fierce, which even Liu Jun himself found somewhat frightening. Looking at Sima Ye's furrowed brows, he wondered if this was the kind of expression Sima Ye had often shown over the years.
Liu Jun suddenly reached out and covered Sima Ye's eyes, took a few deep breaths, and said, "I... Your subject has been disrespectful before the Emperor, and my crime deserves death."
Sima Ye did not struggle, but leaned forward, resting his head on his shoulder, and said softly, "The national and personal grievances are still vivid in my mind, and it is inevitable that I would lose control of my emotions. I was too hasty in wanting to send troops blindly. However, you are indeed guilty."
Liu Jun had already released his grip, looked down at Sima Ye, his legs slightly bent, as if he wanted to look him in the eye, or as if he was ready to kneel down and beg for forgiveness at any moment after he finished speaking.
Sima Ye turned his head to look at him, and said half-jokingly, "Too fierce."
Liu Jun was taken aback when he heard him say that. He then struggled to suppress the smile on his lips and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I deserve to die. I only beg Your Majesty not to implicate my family."
Sima Ye smiled and took his sleeve, leading him into the hall together. "You've been working day and night for several days now. How about we take a break today?"
"If it is His Majesty's decree, I dare not disobey. But if it is not..."
"It's just advice from your bedmate," Sima Ye whispered in his ear.
Liu Jun glanced quickly at the palace servants around him and said calmly, "Then I have some important matters to attend to this morning. May I accompany Your Majesty after noon?"
Sima Ye was overjoyed that he agreed to take a day off and nodded repeatedly, saying, "I will wait for you to have lunch."
Unfortunately, Liu Jun's leave of absence never materialized—Zu Ti's younger brother, Zu Yue, rebelled in order to seize Liangzhou.
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