In the span of just a few years, the Great Han seemed to have transformed entirely. In the fifth year of the Yuanfeng era, the Son of Heaven performed the Feng and Shan sacrifices at Mount Tai once more and established the Regional Inspectors. That same year, the Grand Marshal Wei Qing passed away. In the sixth year, the Emperor opened the Bonan Road, established agricultural colonies in the Western Regions, and dispatched ships to the eastern seas. Princess Xijun was sent far away to marry into the Western Regions.
In the seventh year of Yuanfeng, the Emperor revised the calendar, marking the first year of the Taichu era.
Throughout these years, Liu Che often felt as though the memory of A’jiao’s return was nothing more than a dream—a dream belonging to him alone. No one else knew of those past events; when the subject was broached, they offered only respectful, bewildered expressions.
Had he not known with absolute certainty that he had posthumously honored A’jiao, and were it not for the presence of a certain Chen Wan in the imperial tombs, he might have begun to doubt his own mind. Since that fierce battle upon the river, Huan Jun had been gravely injured. Upon waking, he resigned from his post and departed without uttering a single word regarding A’jiao.
In the fourth month, Yan Zheng gave birth to a prince. The timing was auspicious, falling on the very day the Emperor performed the sacrifices at Mount Tai. The Son of Heaven dispatched a special envoy back to the capital to bestow the name Fuling upon the child and promoted Lady Yan to the rank of *Jieyu*.
After more than a year of effort, Lin Gao finally led his team to produce a fine, white paper suitable for writing. The Emperor rewarded him with gold, land, and a residence, bestowing upon him the title of Marquis of the Domain. All officials involved in the papermaking process received rewards.
Liu Fuling was indeed exceptionally bright. He learned to speak at seven or eight months old. Now, at six years of age, he could already compose poetry and prose. However, he was habitually quiet and reserved, which caused Liu Che some concern.
On this day, the Emperor summoned his three sons who remained in the capital. He asked, "There has been a prolonged drought for years, and the people are suffering. I wish to change the era name to pray for sweet rain. Do you have any thoughts?"
Sitting in the place of honor, Liu Ju cupped his hands and said, "Your servants shall reverently obey Father’s decree."
Liu Che pressed his brow, feeling a burgeoning headache. He leaned against the table, irritated that the Crown Prince had shown no progress despite the passing years. He had built the Bowang Estate for him, yet Liu Ju was overly indulgent toward his retainers. It had even come to pass that an official under the Crown Prince’s command drove a carriage upon the Imperial Road. That was one thing, but instead of coming before the Emperor to confess his fault, that useless boy had gone to plead with Jiang Chong, asking him to help conceal the matter.
Liu Che truly wanted to use Lin Gao’s phrase and say he was "wasted"! Then there was Li Yu, who dared to openly clash with the Emperor’s personal attendants. Though Li Yu was eventually pardoned, it was clear how poorly the Crown Prince managed his subordinates.
If this was how he governed as Crown Prince, how could he rule the world in the future? The Emperor’s gaze lingered on Liu Bo for a moment before finally settling on Liu Fuling. "Fuling, what is your view?"
Liu Fuling was only six. His features were youthful, but his expression was quite detached. When he spoke, his voice was a soft, milky childish tone. "Your son believes the two characters 'Tianhan' would suffice. *Tianhan* signifies the Silver River, the Celestial Han. Is the water of the Heavenly River not the finest of sweet rains and dew?"
Only then did Liu Che’s expression soften into a smile. "Very good. Come, come to your Father’s side."
He pulled Liu Fuling into his lap, thinking that if A’jiao could see how clever and quick-witted this child was, she would surely be delighted and start talking about changing the succession again. Over these years, he had promoted many members of the Yan family; they had earned marquisates through their merits in the campaigns against Dayuan and the Xiongnu. Furthermore, due to the invention of paper and the cultivation of cotton, the Chen family had also received official posts and rewards. Though they were not as prominent as they had been during the Grand Princess's time, they were no longer as destitute as before.
Liu Fuling sat properly in Liu Che’s arms. He watched the Emperor, who spoke again. "Bo’er is grown now, isn't he?" This child had seemed clever in his early years, but after the sudden death of his sister, Ru’er, from a heavy illness, the boy seemed to have lost his backbone. Day by day, he became more mediocre, appearing quite dull when compared to Fuling.
Moreover... during the southern tour years ago, the Crown Prince had inadvertently wandered into the Weaving Room and favored Li Yan. The Crown Prince had been punished for it. While Liu Che himself had not favored Li Yan back then, for some reason, he felt a strange sensation every time he saw her—a feeling that something belonging to him had been used by another.
"Since you are grown, it is best you depart for your fief early." Liu Bo was astonished. He was eleven now, an age where he should be enfeoffed as a King, but his Father had never mentioned it. He had thought his Father wanted to keep him close.
Liu Ju felt a weight lift from his heart and smiled. "Fifth Brother, what is that look for? Are you unhappy? I wonder where Father has enfeoffed you, so that you may set your mind at ease."
"The Kingdom of Wu."
Liu Fuling was kept by the Emperor for the midday meal. Liu Ju paused, his expression darkening, before gritting his teeth and walking out. Ever since Liu Fuling was born, his Father had shown him nothing but blatant favoritism. Not only had he extensively promoted the Yan family and their associates, but today, a mere mention of enfeoffing the other prince had resulted in a reprimand for the Crown Prince.
Currently, Chancellor Gongsun He was one of his own people. The Imperial Censor Yan Guang had been promoted by his Father and had no personal ties to him. However, Lin Gao, whom his Father held in high regard, was extremely close to Liu Fuling. He felt as though his Father was pitting him against Liu Fuling—a mere six-year-old child. How could he be so highly esteemed?
Liu Che watched the Crown Prince depart with anger in his eyes and sighed. He turned to ask Liu Fuling, "Fuling, what do you think of your eldest brother?"
Liu Fuling chewed and swallowed his meat before opening his large, misty eyes. "Eldest Brother is kind and merciful."
Liu Che asked again, "And as a ruler?"
Fuling replied, "Too kind." He was lax with his subordinates and repeatedly offended the Sovereign; calling him "kind" was being generous.
Liu Che nodded and personally placed some greens into his son’s bowl, his voice turning stern. "Don't just eat meat. A growing child needs to eat plenty of vegetables too."
Looking at the vibrant green leaves, Liu Fuling felt his own face might turn the same color. Like a little white rabbit, he nibbled on the leaves in small bites.
Only then did Liu Che pat his son’s head with satisfaction, feeling the boy finally showed some of the liveliness of a child. In a grand mood, he added a portion of stir-fried eggs to the bowl.
Stir-frying was something Lin Gao had tinkered with. However, since iron was a vital resource for weaponry, such dishes could currently only be eaten within the palace. Outside, with the Emperor’s tacit permission, Lin Gao had opened a restaurant in the Eastern Market under the name of the Sixth Prince. Only there could the nobility get a taste of stir-fried food.
Speaking of which, Lin Gao was never short of novel ideas. Take paper, for instance; it was now centrally managed by the Privy Purse. Other nations had to pay exorbitant prices to buy it, yet Liu Che simultaneously required that certain official documents must be written on paper. It felt somewhat similar to the White Deer Skin currency of years past.
However, Lin Gao was quite an amateur when it came to running a business. Fortunately, with Liu Che’s secret support, the venture was thriving.
Liu Fuling finally finished his greens and hastily served his Imperial Father a piece of pulled-sugar taro. He said with a hint of pride, "Father, adults shouldn't be picky eaters either."
Liu Che: "..." He had seen Lin Gao teaching the child this way before, so when he found Fuling disliked greens, he had used the same logic. He hadn't expected... Looking at the large, syrupy sweet chunk, Liu Che sighed and resigned himself to setting a good example for the child.
In the first year of Taichu, Yang De’yi passed away from illness. Sima Qian was appointed as the Grand Historian. Now, those serving by Liu Che’s side were Guo Dun and Huang Yu. Guo Dun had succeeded his master as the Director of the Secretariat, and Huang Yu had been promoted to Director of the Yellow Gate.
Huang Yu felt that over the past few years, His Majesty had become much more benevolent. He was more affectionate toward the princes, often summoning them for conversation. As for the Inner Palace... since Lady Chen passed away, and the lady His Majesty found during the southern tour also passed, His Majesty had become even more indifferent toward the harem.
First, he had shown mercy by releasing many women. Later, he reduced the number of "Family Daughters" selected for the palace each year. In fact, His Majesty had stopped visiting the Inner Palace altogether these past few years; any newly selected girls were sent directly to the Crown Prince’s palace.
After lunch, the father and son went for a walk to aid digestion and converse. Liu Che did not hold back, explaining court affairs to Liu Fuling in simple terms. Though young, Fuling often offered unique insights.
They chatted all the way to the Palace of Nine Blooms, where Yan Zheng resided. Liu Che sat inside for a while, leaving only after the child had settled for a nap.
Shortly after Liu Bo was enfeoffed, he was ordered to leave the capital for his kingdom. Liu Ju remained the Crown Prince, and Liu Fuling remained the favored one.
The following year, the Emperor suddenly suffered a nightmare during the night. He summoned his ministers, claiming that in his dream, small wooden figures were striking him with mallets. Suspecting that someone was practicing witchcraft within the palace, he ordered the closure of the Crown Prince’s palace and the Palace of Nine Blooms, placing them under the guard of the Minister of the Armed Forest.
Lin Gao held his head and gave himself a slap. *It’s all your fault! Why did you have to drink? Why did you have to act crazy after drinking? And if you acted crazy, why did you have to blabber nonsense in front of the Emperor? You just had to spill everything—the Golden House, "A Beauty Who Topples Cities," the Crown Prince’s rebellion, and Lady Gouyi!*
*What was the point of showing off just because you know a bit of history!* Lin Gao lay prostrate on the floor, wanting to cry but having no tears. He could only watch as the supposedly "nightmare-stricken and gravely ill" Emperor sat composedly on his couch, sipping tea.
"Your Majesty!" He crawled over and grabbed the hem of the Emperor’s robe. "I was just... I was just drunk and talking nonsense! It can't be believed! You’re scaring everyone like this."
Liu Che kicked him away and snorted coldly. "Just you wait. If anything happens to my two sons, you will meet the same end as the Jiang Chong in your story."
Lin Gao truly began to cry.
After a few sips of strong tea, Liu Che felt the fog in his alcohol-laden head clear a bit. *Jiang Chong framing the Crown Prince for rebellion? Wei Zifu and Liu Ju raising troops and saying "The Emperor is gone"?* He let out a cold laugh.
Absurd! Utterly absurd! He knew of the grudge between Jiang Chong and the Crown Prince, but he hadn't expected it to run so deep. Jiang Chong was audaciously bold, and Liu Ju was pathetically useless.
The Crown Prince of several decades had allowed someone to bury witchcraft items in his palace—is that how he had managed his household all these years? Ridiculous, ridiculous, ridiculous! And to actually dare to rebel? The Wei clan actually dared to incite the Crown Prince to revolt?
His heart ached with fury. If, as Lin Gao said, he had no other good choice besides the Crown Prince in that "history," he now wanted to see how Liu Ju and Liu Fuling would each extricate themselves from this predicament.
Liu Che blew aside the tea leaves and took a sip. The more he thought, the angrier he became. He slammed the cup onto the floor. Only at the sound of the porcelain shattering did he feel slightly better.
He then asked, "And what about the princesses and witchcraft? Tell me clearly."
Lin Gao said with a mournful face, "Your Majesty, I was just talking nonsense."
"If it’s nonsense, I’ll have you dragged out and beheaded, along with three generations of your kin."
"..." Lin Gao stammered, "Your Majesty, you’re forcing my hand."
"I am forcing it. Speak."
"It’s been too long, I don’t remember clearly... Anyway, it was something like Gongsun He and his son were found embezzling military funds. Then Gongsun Jingsheng was reported for having an affair with a princess. Then someone claimed the Gongsun family and the princesses were practicing witchcraft. So you had Gongsun He and the princesses all executed. But later, it seemed the witchcraft part was actually fake." Having finished in one breath, he hastily crawled back several paces.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
元封 | Yuanfeng | Era name of Emperor Wu of Han (110–105 BC).
太初 | Taichu | Era name of Emperor Wu of Han (104–101 BC).
部刺史 | Regional Inspector | Officials sent to inspect the commanderies.
大司马 | Grand Marshal | Also translated as Great Minister of War; a high-ranking military official.
细君公主 | Princess Xijun | Liu Xijun, a Han princess sent to marry the leader of the Wusun.
陈莞 | Chen Wan | The name given to A'jiao's mortal identity/tomb.
刘弗陵 | Liu Fuling | The youngest son of Liu Che, later Emperor Zhao of Han.
婕妤 | Jieyu | "Lady of Handsome Fairness," a high-ranking consort title.
关内侯 | Marquis of the Domain | A title of nobility without a physical fief.
刘据 | Liu Ju | The Crown Prince, son of Empress Wei Zifu.
博望苑 | Bowang Estate | An estate built by Liu Che for the Crown Prince to host guests.
驰道 | Imperial Road | Roads reserved for the Emperor's use.
江充 | Jiang Chong | A historical official known for his role in the witchcraft scandal.
刘髆 | Liu Bo | One of Liu Che's sons, Prince of Changyi.
天汉 | Tianhan | "Celestial Han" or the Milky Way; also an era name (100–97 BC).
暴室 | Weaving Room | A place in the palace for weaving, but also used as a prison or infirmary for palace women.
李妍 | Li Yan | Likely referring to Lady Li (Li Furen).
少府 | Privy Purse | The office managing the Emperor's private finances and palace needs.
杨得意 | Yang De'yi | A historical eunuch official who recommended Sima Xiangru.
司马迁 | Sima Qian | The famous Grand Historian of the Han dynasty.
太史令 | Grand Historian | The official title of Sima Qian.
尚书令 | Director of the Secretariat | A high-ranking administrative official.
黄门令 | Director of the Yellow Gate | An official overseeing the palace gates and eunuchs.
九华殿 | Palace of Nine Blooms | The residence of Consort Yan.
巫蛊 | Witchcraft | Specifically "Wugu," sorcery involving buried wooden figures.
执金吾 | Minister of the Armed Forest | Also "Bearer of the Gilded Mace," official in charge of capital security.
金屋藏娇 | Golden House for Jiao | The idiom "Hiding Jiao in a golden house," referring to Liu Che's childhood promise to A'jiao.
倾国倾城 | A Beauty Who Topples Cities | An idiom describing extreme beauty, historically associated with Lady Li.
钩弋夫人 | Lady Gouyi | Consort Zhao, the mother of Liu Fuling.
公孙贺 | Gongsun He | A high-ranking official and brother-in-law to Empress Wei.
公孙敬声 | Gongsun Jingsheng | Son of Gongsun He.
