Chapter 121, Chapter Fourteen: A Blow to the Head
When news of the fall of Cheng Han reached Luoyang, Liu Jun was personally offering sacrifices to the emperor and tilling the imperial fields. Upon hearing the news, he was overjoyed and immediately rewarded his generals and soldiers handsomely. He also appointed Liu Qin as the governor of Yizhou and ordered him to take charge of the military and political affairs of Yizhou.
"The reason why Yuan Gui was rewarded so handsomely this time is because he did not just launch a direct attack, but instead provoked conflict between Li Qi, Li Ban and others, thus reaping the benefits," Liu Jun explained to his men. "He has already made great progress by understanding that victory or defeat is not only on the battlefield."
Crown Prince Liu Yong, who had returned empty-handed, did not receive any reward. Instead, Liu Jun sent him to Guanzhong to deal with the Qiang and Di peoples.
It was clear to everyone that Liu Jun had become dissatisfied with his eldest son, Liu Yong, regarding the Cheng Han affair. The Zhang family of Liangzhou sent envoys to the court twice, each time going to Guanzhong to pay homage to Liu Yong, showing that they were determined to support Liu Yong.
Liu Jun watched coldly, but was quite wary, fearing that before his great undertaking could be accomplished, internal strife would arise first.
Meanwhile, Wen Qiao and other generals who were on the southern expedition did not rush to cross the river to attack, but instead gradually eroded the area north of the Huai River. They quickly captured Hefei and advanced along the river with unstoppable momentum.
In the spring of the second year of Yanwu, Crown Prince Liu Yong and Liu Fu, Duke of Linzhang, were attacked in Ayang. Liu Fu died protecting Liu Yong, who was seriously injured and remained unconscious.
Such a major event had occurred on his own territory, and General Longxiang, Duke of Xiping Pu Hong, dared not delay at all. He ordered his son, Duke of Donghai Pu Xiong, to ride ahead to the capital to report the news, while he himself personally escorted Liu Yong back to the capital.
He even heard about Liu Jun from Pu Xiong, and was stunned on the spot. After a long while, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Pu Xiong knelt down tremblingly and begged for forgiveness, "We really didn't know. Apart from two who were captured, all the assassins have either been killed or escaped. And one of those two committed suicide by poisoning himself, so now only one person is left alive..."
"Very well, I will have the officials investigate thoroughly." Liu Jun's mind was still foggy, and after what seemed like an eternity, he finally asked, "Where is the Crown Prince injured?"
Pu Xiong was terrified and whispered, "Legs."
Liu Jun did not make things difficult for him, but instead ordered someone to take him down to rest.
Pu Hong finally arrived five days later. Liu Jun looked at Liu Yong, whose Achilles tendons had been severed and who was still unconscious, and Liu Fu's coffin beside him. He swayed and was supported by the eunuch beside him.
“I’ll hand over the survivor later,” Liu Jun said hoarsely. “This isn’t Guang Shi’s fault; someone is targeting me.”
He looked sadly at Liu Yong's pale, thin, young profile, all his previous dissatisfaction with his mediocrity vanishing into thin air—how could a person with mobility issues become the ruler of a country? In any case, even if Liu Yong could recover, his position as crown prince was completely out of the question.
"Send the Crown Prince back to the Eastern Palace and ask the Empress and Crown Princess to go and take care of him." Liu Jun then glanced at Liu Yong. "I will personally hold the funeral for the Duke of Linzhang. His younger brothers Liu Yi and Liu Liang will keep vigil for him, and the rest of the Liu clan will wear mourning clothes for him. In addition, these news should be kept from the front lines for the time being, so as not to distract the soldiers."
He helped Pu Hong up and said slowly, "Guang Shi is getting on in years. You must be tired from your journey. Take a good rest. Whoever did this is trying to sow discord between us. I will find out the truth. I believe you are innocent. You don't need to stay here just to put me at ease. You are free to come and go as you please."
Pu Hong felt a great weight lifted from his heart, and choked out, "If it weren't for us, Your Highness wouldn't have gone to such lengths..."
After a long pause, Liu Jun said softly, "It's his fate."
Just past midnight, all was quiet in Luoyang, including the White Horse Temple. Except for a faint light in one room in the rear hall, all the other rooms were pitch black.
"Your Highness, a carriage entered the temple without anyone stopping it," Bi Gong, dressed in a black robe and holding a candlestick, said in a low voice.
Sima Ye, dressed in plain clothes, sat upright on a futon, meditating with his eyes closed. "If it were in the past, it would definitely be Tai Zhen, but now he has already gone south, so who could it be?"
"The young novice mustered his courage and went up to take a look. It was probably...that person."
"Your Majesty is Your Majesty, why be so stingy?" Sima Ye said with a soft laugh.
Bi Gong gritted his teeth and said, "In my heart, there is only one Your Majesty. I will not acknowledge any traitors or usurpers."
“I have already abdicated in favor of Sima Yan, but you still have to acknowledge the emperor on the other side of the river. As for Liu Yanshi… his civil and military achievements are unparalleled. If I weren’t surnamed Sima, I would probably also regard him as a wise ruler. It’s just a pity that fate plays tricks on us.” Sima Ye spoke calmly, then suddenly frowned and said, “He has never liked riding in a carriage, yet he didn’t ride a horse this time. Is he injured?”
Before the words were finished, someone knocked on the palace door. "Master Sanshan, my lord requests an audience."
Sima Ye said quietly, "Distinguished guests have arrived, yet I have not come to greet them from afar."
Bi Gong reluctantly opened the palace door, and sure enough, Liu Jun, who was being supported by someone and looked exhausted, was standing outside.
Liu Jun shook off the servants and said, "Please dismiss everyone."
Sima Ye nodded to Bi Gong, closed the door himself, looked intently at Liu Jun, and sighed softly.
Although he had already ascended the throne, compared to his high spirits a year or so ago, Liu Jun looked haggard, dejected, and thin, somewhat like a slender bamboo or pine tree.
The attendants had already brought over a prayer mat, but Liu Jun did not sit down. He stood silently, looking up at the solemn and dignified Buddha statue.
“He is a Bodhisattva who makes offerings,” Sima Ye said slowly.
Liu Jun smiled. "Would praying to him be of any use?"
“Isn’t it interesting that people in the world support us and I support them in return?” Sima Ye smiled. “I know you have never liked Buddhism or Taoism, but when your mind is in turmoil, you can still find some peace by bowing. Although you can’t eliminate the six desires and the three poisons, you can still find some peace.”
Liu Jun looked at the Buddhist shrine, which seemed to contain Sima Ye's offerings. "He didn't lack people to support him, but you've given too little."
Sima Ye looked at his pale face and finally couldn't bear to continue the pretense. He said softly, "It seems the rumors in the temple are true... Yuanji really is..."
"Although I survived, my legs are completely ruined."
"Ah..." Sima Ye took a deep breath, his eyes already red. "Then do you guess? Who delivered the message for me back then?"
Liu Jun's face was as cold as ice and snow as he stared intently into the clay sculpture's emotionless eyes. "Yuanji."
Sima Ye opened his mouth to speak, but then heard Liu Jun say, "However, the strategist by his side must have been someone who was placed there, and Yuan Gui had already noticed when the message was sent, but he still did not move and watched his brother ruin his father's grand plan! Ha, this is my good son."
Liu Jun didn't turn to look at Sima Ye. "It's my fault for neglecting to teach them properly, causing a rift between father and son, which you took advantage of. I don't blame you. I just don't understand how they could be so stupid..."
Liu Liang's advisors suggested to Liu Yong that he plant an inside agent in the palace who was closely connected to Liu Liang, then use Liu Liang's name to send a message to Sima Ye, and finally clear his name. Liu Qin knew about this but did not report it, intending to be the one who was waiting in the wings...
"Mu Nu, do you still remember what my father looked like?" Liu Jun asked suddenly after a long silence.
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