Chapter Fourteen: Emperor Wu Liu Che

In the fifth year of the Yuanshou era, within the halls of Weiyang Palace, in the Xuanshi Hall.

A man clad in a crimson dragon robe sat behind the imperial desk, carefully examining a small object in his hand—it was unmistakably a five-zhu coin.

This man was none other than Liu Che, the seventh emperor of the Western Han dynasty, the tenth son of Emperor Jing, and currently the supreme ruler of the Han empire.

Before him stood Sang Hongyang, a court attendant, showing utmost respect.

“Sang Hongyang, this version of the five-zhu coin is excellent. Proceed with minting coins in this design,” Liu Che said, fiddling with the coin in his hand, a satisfied expression evident in his brows.

“Yes, Your Majesty. However, the current five-zhu coins owe much to the assistance of the General of the Cavalry,” Sang Hongyang replied.

General of the Cavalry? Huo Qubing?

What connection did Huo Qubing have with the five-zhu coin?

Liu Che’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Sang Hongyang.

“What assistance did the General provide?”

“Majesty, a few days ago, the General showed me a five-zhu coin, which inspired me greatly. Thanks to this inspiration, I was able to successfully mint the current coin.”

Echoing Sang Hongyang’s reaction at that time, upon hearing the report, Liu Che furrowed his brows slightly, clearly realizing something significant.

Since the court had not issued any five-zhu coins, where did Huo Qubing’s coin come from?

“Did the General mention where his five-zhu coin came from?”

“The General did not disclose its origin.”

Liu Che showed no particular expression, only nodding to indicate he had understood.

He held great affection for Huo Qubing, almost treating him as a son, or perhaps, as another version of himself.

Indeed, Huo Qubing had not disappointed him—at a young age, he had launched numerous victorious campaigns against the Xiongnu, never once defeated, capturing and slaying countless enemies, embodying the spirit of his uncle, Wei Qing.

Just last year, Huo Qubing had held a sacrificial ceremony on Mount Langjuxu, a sacred site for the Xiongnu. Undoubtedly, this victory was a powerful vindication for the Han dynasty and for Liu Che himself.

“Where the enemy goes, I shall go as well!”

The thought of Huo Qubing brought a rare smile to Liu Che’s usually stern face.

“Enough, I understand the matter. You may leave now.”

However, Sang Hongyang did not move. Instead, he bowed deeply.

“Your Majesty, I have one more report.”

“Oh? What else is there?”

“I suspect that the five-zhu coin in the General’s possession originated from the commanderies or kingdoms. Therefore, I propose that Your Majesty revoke the minting rights from the commanderies and kingdoms, centralizing the authority of coinage under the court.”

Liu Che’s eyes fixed on Sang Hongyang as he continued to toy with the coin in his right hand, clearly contemplating the feasibility of this proposal.

For Liu Che, this was a delicate matter, mainly because of the lack of evidence. Sang Hongyang himself admitted it was suspicion alone that the five-zhu coins came from the local states.

Although the powers of the feudal kingdoms had been greatly reduced by the Tui’en Edict, Liu Che was keen to avoid another Rebellion of the Seven Princes.

Thus, the immediate concern was to inquire about the origin of General Huo’s five-zhu coin.

However, it seemed Huo Qubing had left Chang’an several days prior, and his destination was unknown.

He had also taken the Crown Prince with him.

“Sang Hongyang, I have noted this matter. I will question the General myself in due time.”

“I take my leave, Your Majesty.”

Sang Hongyang then slowly departed from the hall.

Though Sang Hongyang knew the matter was somewhat rushed, his goal was not necessarily to have the minting rights revoked immediately, but to remind the emperor.

If the Han dynasty’s finances were to remain stable, the minting authority of the commanderies and kingdoms must be reclaimed and unified under the court.

After Sang Hongyang left, Xuanshi Hall returned to its usual calm.

Liu Che picked up a bamboo slip from the desk and unfolded it. A message caught his attention.

Zhang Qian had sent word from the Western Regions that emissaries had been dispatched to Wusun, Dayuan, and Yuezhi, inviting them to ally with Han against the Xiongnu.

Furthermore, some of the gains from this journey—such as seeds—were being sent back to the homeland ahead of schedule.

“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince requests an audience outside the hall.”

The Crown Prince had returned?

Liu Che’s gaze lifted from the slip, and a smile that he could not suppress spread across his face.

Ever since his accession, he had no heirs until the age of twenty-nine, when this son was born.

Thanks to this son, Wei Zifu rose to become empress after Empress Chen.

Liu Che cherished this son deeply and bore great hopes for him.

He wished that after his own reign, this son would lead Han to even greater heights.

Therefore, in the first year of Yuanshou, he appointed Shi Qing, son of the “Ten-Thousand-Dan Lord,” as the Crown Prince’s tutor.

The “Ten-Thousand-Dan Lord,” Shi Fen, had served under the founder of the dynasty since age fifteen, and by the time of Emperor Jing, held a high-ranking office. All four of his sons were officials with two-thousand-dan ranks, a testament to the strict and honorable family teachings.

This was why Shi Qing was chosen to educate the Crown Prince.

“Enter,” Liu Che commanded.

With that, Liu Ju stepped slowly into the hall.

Facing the man seated behind the desk, whose presence was commanding even without anger, Liu Ju, despite being the emperor’s son, felt a degree of unease.

The reason was simple—the immense pressure his father exerted upon him.

Upon returning to the Han court, Liu Ju first sought out his mother to recount the events of recent days.

Though his mother was surprised, after a brief explanation, she believed his account and advised him to report swiftly to the emperor.

Thus, Liu Ju came to Xuanshi Hall.

“Your son pays homage to the Emperor.”

“My son Ju, where have you and your elder brother traveled these past days?”

Originally cautious, Liu Ju’s face brightened upon hearing his father’s question.

He had never heard of anyone traveling three hundred years into the future—he was the first!

Liu Ju’s change in expression did not escape Liu Che’s notice. Curious, he wondered what his Crown Prince had witnessed to elicit such a look.

“Father, my brother and I journeyed to the Han dynasty three hundred years hence.”

Upon hearing this, the usually stern expression on Liu Che’s face flickered with surprise.

His immediate thought was that the Crown Prince had suffered a hysterical episode.

Yet, recalling that this was no solitary trip, but accompanied by Huo Qubing, Liu Che suppressed the urge to summon imperial physicians.

“Ju, you say you traveled three hundred years into the future? Do you have proof?”

“Well…” Liu Ju knew the fastest way to prove his claim was to take his father to an eatery.

But seeing the mountain of documents piled on Liu Che’s desk, he abandoned the idea.

The emperor would most likely dismiss it as a joke and refuse to go.

Or perhaps he might summon Liu Ju’s elder brother.

Liu Ju silently shook his head.

His brother was likely still discussing horses with their uncle, and they would need time to arrive.

As for other proof—

The five-zhu coin had been taken by his brother, and the emperor could not read the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Just as Liu Ju sought words to capture his father’s attention, a sudden thought struck him.

“Father, I learned what your posthumous title will be, three hundred years from now.”