I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 471: Princes

"Brother, please sit down!" Liu Bian greeted him generously, "Today there is no king or subject here, only brothers! Brother, don't be so reserved."

King Hejian Liu Xi did not believe the emperor's words at all.

He sat upright, trembling with fear, afraid that the emperor in front of him would find any fault with him.

Although he had been enjoying himself in the Hejian Palace for several years, he had also heard some rumors from the outside world and knew that the emperor in front of him was a murderer.

Especially last year.

Although we haven't heard of any stories of the emperor taking action against the princes, how do we know that he is not the first one?
Thinking of this, Liu Xi became even more frightened.

If Liu Bian knew what Liu Xi was thinking, he would definitely cry out loudly - he was such a kind-hearted person, how could he be regarded as a ferocious monster?

But he also noticed Liu Xi's restraint. In fact, when Liu Bian first ascended the throne, he issued a special edict allowing the princes to submit letters of advice every three months. This not only reassured the royal family, but also gave himself an additional channel to understand the local conditions.

If the princes wrote to him with meaningful information, he might appoint them.

But unfortunately, in the years after Liu Bian ascended the throne, the princes behaved extremely low-key.

I don't know whether they were afraid of Liu Bian's trap or they had all gotten used to the life of being kept in captivity relying on land rent.

It is true that, as princes of the Han Dynasty, although it was difficult for them to experience the taste of career and love, they had no shortage of money and beautiful women.

Putting aside these wild thoughts, Liu Bian comforted the nervous and frightened Liu Xi, "Speaking of which, among all the princes in the world, except for the Prince of Chenliu, my brother is the one who is closest to me. When I first came to Hejian, I only had a quick meeting with my brother, which was a pity, so I took this opportunity to summon my brother to meet me."

In fact, Liu Bian and Liu Xi had a close relationship. They were both great-great-grandsons (sons of great-grandsons) of Liu Kai, the sixth son of Emperor Zhang of Han, Liu Xun.

"I am frightened!"

Seeing that Liu Xi still couldn't let go, Liu Bian was prepared. He asked Guo Zhi who was not far away: "Have Shou'er and Xie'er come? Let them come to pay their respects."

Soon, Liu Shou and Liu Xie came over.

Both of them called him "Brother" just like Liu Bian did just now.

Liu Bian clearly felt that Liu Xi relaxed a lot after Liu Shou and Liu Xie arrived.

Liu Bian struck while the iron was hot and said, "Today we will only talk about family affairs, not state affairs."

Then he noticed that Liu Xi became visibly nervous again.

Liu Bian sighed silently in his heart. The Han Dynasty's restrictive policy towards the princes was still too mature, so that when Liu Hui faced him, he was like a frightened bird at the slightest sign of trouble.

After thinking for a while, Liu Bian asked directly, "Brother, you have inherited the title of King of Hejian since you were young. It has been fifteen years now, right?"

"I wonder how you've been doing in the Hejian Palace these past fifteen years?"

Liu Xi immediately replied respectfully: "Very good, very good, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am very ashamed."

"My brother has been in the palace for a long time, and his ability to make friends and travel is restricted."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I have no ambitions to begin with. I am content living in the palace."

……

Facing Liu Xi who was deliberately avoiding him, every word Liu Bian said seemed to hit cotton, with no response at all.

After a few times, Liu Bian simply let Liu Shou and Liu Xie leave first, and he said to Liu Xi: "Prince of Hejian, I have something to ask of you."

When Liu Xi heard this, he immediately knelt on the ground with joy and responded decisively: "Your Majesty, as long as you give me an order, I will obey it!"

Seeing Liu Xi so happy for the first time, Liu Bian couldn't help but want to hold his forehead. Although he couldn't see Liu Xi's expression, Liu Bian could feel that Liu Xi should not be nervous now.

After thinking for a while, he said, "What I want to ask you to do is related to the Han Dynasty. But if you want to accomplish it, you will definitely offend many people. Don't think about agreeing directly, think about it carefully."

"For Your Majesty and for the country, I will not refuse even a thousand deaths!" Liu Xi continued to express his stance.

If he hadn't had a tremor when he spoke just now, Liu Bian might have believed that this was what he meant.

"You should think about it carefully," Liu Bian reminded kindly.

After saying this, he felt that Liu Xi became even more nervous...

Liu Bian was speechless. He discovered that Liu Xi had probably developed some problems over the past decade or so and would only respond to tough situations and not soft ones.

It seems that appeasement does not work for everyone.

After a brief pause, Liu Bian said directly: "Okay, since you have decided to take on this task for the country and the people, I will never treat you unfairly after it is accomplished!"

Liu Xi declined, saying, "I serve Your Majesty and do not need any reward!"

Liu Bian waved his hand and said, "This is what I give you!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Although he didn't know whether the task was accomplished or what the reward would be after it was accomplished, Liu Xi still expressed his gratitude first.

"Okay, then, please prepare yourself. Two months from now at the latest, when the time is right, I will send someone to inform you." Liu Bian said, "During these two months, you should take a good rest and practice swordplay and gunplay to strengthen your body. There is still a tough battle to fight next!"

"Your Majesty, are we really going to the war?" Liu Xi was a little panicked. With his physical condition, he would not be able to fight in the battlefield in two years, let alone two months.

"Of course not," Liu Bian had begun to doubt whether he had made the right choice by looking for Liu Xi, "but it will be more difficult, I am afraid..."

Looking at the bloated Liu Xi, Liu Bian finally uttered the last few words - "Brother can't..."

It turns out that telling a man he's not good enough is always an excellent means of motivation.

Liu Xi, who had always been very soft in front of Liu Bian, expressed his true feelings for the first time and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will be in good health within two months!"

"I believe my brother can do it."

After he finished speaking, Liu Bian saw that Liu Xi seemed a little flustered again, so he added: "No, it must be done!"

Liu Xi immediately became excited again.

Liu Bian looked at Liu Xi and felt that he seemed to be trying all kinds of methods to cure his illness.

Can such a Liu Xi really help him in the land transfer issue?
Moreover, even the Prince of Hejian, who was closest to him, was like this. As for the other princes...

Liu Bian knew that the current princes of the Han Dynasty would probably be of little use in measuring land.

Although, at least from the perspective of their buttocks, these Han princes and kings did not sit together with the wealthy and powerful families who hid their populations and lands.

Once upon a time, when Liu Bian first ascended the throne, he felt that the Han Dynasty's system of princes was very conducive to the smooth succession of the throne, because those clansmen who were qualified to compete for the throne only had corresponding titles but not corresponding powers. But now, when the time came, he was dissatisfied with the drawbacks of this system.

Today is another day of reflection...

Liu Bian watched Liu Xi leave with high morale, and hoped that Liu Xi could really persist in keeping fit every day in the past two months.

Only then is Liu Xi worthy of trust.

(End of this chapter)