Chapter 28: What is the meaning behind His Majesty's actions?

Night fell, yet the lamp in the Crown Prince's study remained lit.

Liu Jin hunched over his desk, deep in contemplation over how to draft his memorial. Once he had clarified his thoughts, he dipped his brush and began to write.

"A Memorial Praying for the Remission of Autumn Taxes in the Three Adjuncts of Chang'an: Since the beginning of summer, the Three Adjuncts have suffered a relentless drought. The fields are cracked, the crops have withered, and the people are in dire straits... The path to the fall of the Qin Dynasty is a warning not far from us. Your Majesty inherited the burdens of that era and knows how to rectify them. Yet, while change is easy at the beginning, it is difficult to sustain. I humbly hope that Your Majesty will be as cautious at the end as at the beginning, that the beauty of your governance may be complete. I pray that Your Majesty will show compassion for the people and extend the longevity of the Han Dynasty; do not seize their time, but allow the people to rest and recuperate, so that the myriad subjects may revere you."

Liu Jin checked the text carefully once more. It contained no criticism of Emperor Wu, nor did it point out any of his faults, and only then did he nod with satisfaction. From his father, the Crown Prince, he knew that in his later years, Emperor Wu would never tolerate anyone denying his achievements—not even his own son, let alone himself. He could only use reason to persuade him, highlighting the hardships of the people and the prestige such benevolence would bring to the Emperor.

Satisfied that there were no issues, Liu Jin washed up and went to bed.

...

The next morning, before Liu Jin had even risen, several eunuchs arrived at the palace and personally requested the memorial from him. This left the Crown Prince, Liu Ju, who had not yet grasped the situation, in utter shock.

After they left, Liu Ju asked, "Jin'er, why did they come? What did they ask you for?"

Still bleary-eyed, Liu Jin told his father what had happened at Weiyang Palace the day before.

Liu Ju exclaimed in astonishment, "The Old Man asked you to write a memorial and submit it?"

"Yes. It was too late yesterday, and you had already gone to sleep. I intended to show it to you this morning, but before that time came, the messengers from Weiyang Palace arrived."

"Was the memorial handed over?"

Liu Jin replied, "You just saw it yourself."

Liu Ju looked anxious. "How would you know how to write a memorial? How is it supposed to be written? The Old Man is self-willed and stubborn. Even a hint of veiled criticism would be spotted by him; you have no idea how sensitive he is! Oh! You should have woken me up last night! What if a certain phrase displeased him... Never mind, never mind, it's fine, don't worry!"

Liu Jin thought to himself, *I'm not worried, but I think you're more anxious than I am.*

He had been quite confident the night before, but now, hearing his father's words, he began to doubt himself. Who knew which sentence in the memorial might trigger the Old Man's suspicion?

...

The minor morning court was held in the Xuanshi Hall. Compared to the grand court, it was held much later in the day.

Emperor Wu nibbled on a pastry while reading Liu Jin's memorial with great focus. From time to time, he nodded slightly or wore a smile on his face. He was clearly very satisfied with the memorial, though it was unclear whether the Crown Prince had polished it.

It did not matter.

When the Three Councillors and Nine Ministers, along with the high-ranking officials of the central government, had all arrived at the Xuanshi Hall, Emperor Wu handed the memorial to Chancellor Gongsun He and said, "Take a look at this."

After reading it, Gongsun He did not understand the Emperor's intent and dared not express an opinion. The Emperor then gestured for him to pass it to Sang Hongyang, Huo Guang, Shangguan Jie, and the others.

Once everyone had finished, Emperor Wu asked, "What do you lords think?"

The atmosphere in the Xuanshi Hall became extremely eerie. No one could discern the Emperor's attitude from his impassive face, and they felt uneasy. Not long ago, the Crown Prince had submitted a request to exempt the Three Adjuncts from taxes, which the Emperor had denied. Now that another had arrived, who knew how the Old Man felt about it?

Liu Quli spoke first: "Reporting to Your Majesty, I believe this is inappropriate. The people of Guanzhong are indeed poor, but they can still endure through this year. If the soldiers at the northern border have no food to eat and no clothes for the winter, they will have no heart for battle. If we grow weak and the enemy grows strong, I fear it will invite chaos."

Emperor Wu nodded, grunted, and asked Gongsun He, "You are the Chancellor; what is your view?"

Gongsun He bit the bullet and said, "I concur."

Emperor Wu looked at him deeply with a playful smile, then asked Sang Hongyang, "You speak."

Sang Hongyang began to feel that something was amiss. If the Emperor truly opposed the matter, why would he ask so many people? He tentatively replied, "Your Majesty, I humbly believe this memorial is written with flowery language and sound reasoning. It is enough to increase Your Majesty’s popularity among the people, though what Minister Liu said is not incorrect either..."

Emperor Wu interrupted him: "Bandits are rising frequently among the people, and they cannot bear the turmoil. The voices of those who oppose me treat me like the Second Emperor of Qin. If this continues for long, the nation will surely perish."

Sang Hongyang froze for a moment. *Why has the Old Man changed his temperament today? In the past, he made everything yield to the requirements of war.*

He quickly tried to remedy his position: "I believe this memorial could indeed be implemented."

"Then let it be carried out."

Emperor Wu delivered the final verdict. His control over the court and his centralization of power had reached their zenith. He was no longer the young Liu Che who had been held back everywhere when he first ascended the throne; he was now the true Emperor of the Great Han!

"What do you think of how this memorial was written?" Emperor Wu suddenly asked again.

Sang Hongyang hurriedly said, "Every word hits the mark. It is overflowing with talent, never strays from the topic, and the remonstrance is grounded in reason. The literary value of the piece is exceptionally high."

He was puzzled, wondering who the Emperor intended to promote to a high office, and he was dying to know who this talented individual was who had appeared out of nowhere to earn such high regard from the Emperor.

...

"Dismissed."

Emperor Wu flicked his sleeves and left the hall, leaving the high officials to exchange bewildered glances. Even the Crown Prince had been unable to persuade the Emperor; who could have written a single memorial that changed his mind?

Everyone began to ponder. However, everyone knew one thing: this person was of great importance and held a place in the Emperor's heart. If they could win them over, their future career prospects would be limitless!

...

After leaving the court, Gongsun He hurried toward the Crown Prince's palace.

"Uncle? Why are you in such a panic?"

Liu Ju had a bad feeling. It was the time the court usually ended, and seeing the grave look on Gongsun He's face, he knew something had happened. Recalling the memorial Liu Jin had submitted that day, he could not help but feel anxious.

"Crown Prince, there is someone we must win over!"

Liu Ju asked in confusion, "How so?"

Gongsun He said, "Today in court, His Majesty showed us a memorial and praised its writing highly. Because of this person's remonstrance, His Majesty actually... actually..."

"Actually what? Uncle, don't leave me hanging!"

Gongsun He took a drink of water and said, "His Majesty actually agreed to exempt the Three Adjuncts from half a year of taxes!"

"This is inconceivable! In all the world, there is actually someone who can persuade His Majesty!"

Liu Ju stared at him in astonishment and blurted out, "What did you say?!"

Gongsun He continued, "Someone submitted a memorial to His Majesty, and he immediately granted the tax exemption. This person is deeply favored by the Emperor. We must win this person over; it would surely be of great benefit to us!"

Liu Ju widened his eyes, his voice cracking as he said, "It was Jin'er..."

"Jin'er?" Gongsun He was puzzled. *I didn't do anything, why should I exert myself?*