Chương 287: Northern Inspection Tour of Hejian

In the fifth year of the Zhongping era, in April, in Luoyang, at the Deyang Palace of the Imperial Palace.

The morning assembly that day lasted exceptionally long.

The ministers, each keeping their eyes downcast and their minds on the matter, were filled with apprehension. The scandal involving Wang Fen had barely subsided; they hoped His Majesty would refrain from mentioning the northern tour again...

What you fear most is what happens.

On the dragon throne, Liu Hong's face was paler than usual, his eyes were puffy, and he coughed lightly every now and then, covering his mouth.

As he listened to the ministers' reports on the troubling issues of rebellions across the country, shortages of funds and grain, and the resettlement of displaced people, his brow furrowed deeper and deeper. Finally, he simply waved his hand and said, "Let's end the discussion here for today."

The officials breathed a sigh of relief and were preparing to bow and leave the court.

Liu Hong suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but it made everyone pause: "My lords, I... have decided that the northern tour to Hejian will proceed as planned."

"..."

There was a deathly silence in the hall for three seconds.

Then, with a loud "boom," the pot exploded!

"Your Majesty! You mustn't!" An elderly minister with white hair stepped forward first, his voice trembling.

"The Wang Fen rebellion has just been quelled, the remnants have not been eliminated, and the situation in Hebei is not stable. A northern tour at this time would be far too dangerous!"

Another minister quickly followed up: "Your Majesty is unwell. The journey from Luoyang to Hejian has taken at least a month of arduous travel. I fear Your Majesty's health cannot withstand it! We are deeply worried!"

"Indeed! Now, Ma Xiang of Yizhou has declared himself emperor, Han Sui of Liangzhou is in rebellion, and the Xiongnu of Bingzhou are invading the south. The world is in turmoil. Your Majesty should be sitting in the center of the country to stabilize the people's hearts!"

"Although Hejian is Your Majesty's former residence, it is a simple border region. How can it compare to the security and comfort of the palace in Luoyang? Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

......

Opposition grew stronger and stronger.

The civil officials quoted classical texts, while the military generals worried about security. In short, they all meant the same thing: Your Majesty, please stop making trouble and stay at home!

Liu Hong squinted as he listened to their argument.

Once the noise subsided a little, he slowly began to speak:

"Ahem... I appreciate your kind intentions, but Hejian is my hometown, ahem... I would like to go back and pay my respects to my ancestors soon."

"Besides, Wang Fen is dead, and with the Prince of Yan in charge of Ji Province, there won't be any chaos."

"I know my own body well. The imperial physician said that going out for a walk and clearing my mind would be beneficial."

"With the world in turmoil, I should go out and see the world. Staying in Luoyang all the time, listening to your reports of good news and not bad news, I'm starting to lose track of what the Han Dynasty has become."

Finally, he added his trump card: "As for safety... I have already issued an edict ordering Prince Liu Ce of Yan to personally come to the Yellow River to receive and protect the emperor. With my younger brother, the Prince of Yan, here, what are you still worried about?"

After these words were spoken, the opposition dwindled by half.

Liu Ce's reputation has been earned through hard work over the past few years.

He defeated the Yellow Turbans, annihilated the Wuhuan, swept away the Xianbei, pacified Goguryeo, sealed the Wolf Mountain and drank from the vast sea... With him protecting the emperor, the safety factor was indeed high.

But someone, still unwilling to give up, said, "Your Majesty, although the Prince of Yan is brave, the northern tour involves many aspects. The reception by the prefectures and counties along the way, the arrangement of the temporary palace, and the sacrificial rites all require time to prepare. Currently, the national treasury..."

"Even if the national treasury is tight, it won't lack the money for my imperial tour." Liu Hong interrupted him, his tone unusually resolute.

"My mind is made up on this matter, and you need not discuss it further. The relevant matters will be handled jointly by the Ministry of the Imperial Household, the Ministry of Ceremonies, and the Ministry of the Imperial Guard, and preparations will be completed within a month."

After speaking, he stood up, glanced at the assembled officials, and said, "Court adjourned."

He turned and left, leaving the ministers in the hall looking at each other, their expressions more varied than the last.

"This... His Majesty is determined!"

"The Prince of Yan is protecting the emperor... Sigh, never mind, with that person here, there really won't be any major trouble."

"But His Majesty's health..."

"Say less, can't you see His Majesty's expression is off today?"

The ministers shook their heads and sighed, then dispersed in twos and threes.

He Jin's face turned ashen. Upon returning to the General's Mansion, he smashed a teacup: "Liu Bolue! It's Liu Bolue again! His Majesty only cares about this younger brother!"

His advisors advised, "General, please calm down. The Prince of Yan is in Youzhou; his influence cannot reach Luoyang..."

"What do you know!" He Jin roared, "His Majesty specifically requested him to accompany him this time, which clearly shows he trusts him more! What if His Majesty... makes some kind of will on the way..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood.

Meanwhile, in the Royal Palace's Greenhouse Hall.

Liu Hong lay slumped on the soft couch, and a palace maid carefully fed him medicine.

His face was ashen, his eyes sunken, and he had lost all the toughness he had shown in the court just moments before.

"Why does Your Majesty insist on the northern tour?" Zhang Rang asked tentatively while massaging his legs.

"The long journey is not good for Your Majesty's health."

Liu Hong closed his eyes and after a long while said, "I... have to go back and take a look."

He didn't say what he was looking at, but Zhang Rang knew perfectly well that the emperor felt his days were numbered and wanted to return to his hometown to settle his affairs.

"What about the Prince of Yan..." Zhao Zhong asked in a low voice.

"Have Liu Ce come and pick him up." Liu Hong opened his eyes, a complex emotion flashing in them.

"I... have some things I need to say to him in person."

...

A few days later, in the Northern Palace of Luoyang, at the Yeting Palace.

Princess Liu Yue's palace was quiet.

She was sitting by the window, holding a copy of the Book of Songs, and softly reciting: "The ospreys cry 'guan guan' on the river's islet..."

Sunlight streamed through the carved wooden window, casting dappled patterns of light on her moon-white skirt.

The young girl had grown into a graceful and beautiful young woman with exquisite features and a calm demeanor. She was also Liu Hong's most beloved daughter. Although Liu Hong was not a very good emperor, he truly doted on his only daughter, who was left behind by his deceased concubine.

"Your Highness," a maidservant said quietly as she entered, "His Majesty has decreed that you come to the Greenhouse Palace, as he has something to say to you."

Liu Yue put down her book and said calmly, "I understand."

She got up and tidied her hair slightly in front of the bronze mirror.

The girl in the mirror had a beautiful face, but her eyes were much more mature than those of her peers. Her mother had died early, and her father was busy with "politics" (fun). She learned to read people's expressions and be self-controlled when alone in the deep palace at an early age.

After changing into a slightly more formal palace outfit, Liu Yue, accompanied by two maids, walked through the long palace corridor toward the Greenhouse Palace.

On the way, she had a vague premonition.

The Emperor summoned me suddenly, and it was in the Greenhouse Palace, where the Emperor usually held banquets and rested, an informal occasion.

I'm afraid... it's not some major political matter.

Upon arriving outside the greenhouse hall, Liu Yue slowly walked in after being announced by a eunuch.

Inside the palace, Liu Hong was leaning against a soft couch, with two palace maids kneeling beside him, one feeding him grapes and the other fanning him.

Upon seeing his daughter enter, Liu Hong waved his hand, and the palace maids immediately bowed their heads and withdrew.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty." Liu Yue bowed gracefully.

"Get up, get up, come and sit down." Liu Hong rarely showed a kind smile, patting the soft cushion next to him.

Liu Yue got up and sat down next to her father.

She noticed that her father's complexion was worse than it had been a few days ago; the dark circles under his eyes were so thick they seemed impossible to dissolve, and his breathing was also slightly noisy.