Chapter Fifteen: Father, Please Hear My Explanation

Emperor Liu Che usually doted on his son Liu Ju with exceptional affection. Now, hearing his own crown prince utter such blasphemous words, the Han emperor’s forehead veins bulged, his chest heaved violently, and his breath came in harsh gasps—like a beast on the verge of eruption, his gaze fixed fiercely on Liu Ju as if ready to unleash fire.

“He’s not even dead yet, and he’s already thinking of giving himself a posthumous title?”

“Is he really wishing for his own death so eagerly?”

“Traitorous son!”

Liu Che cursed inwardly, struggling to suppress the fury boiling within. He glared at the uneasy Liu Ju, grinding his teeth and speaking each word through clenched teeth.

“Then tell me, what is my posthumous title?”

At this moment, Liu Ju sensed something amiss. His original intention was to draw his father’s attention and accompany him to the future, but it seemed the emperor was genuinely angry now.

However, he found himself caught between a rock and a hard place. If he didn’t say it, he would be in trouble beyond repair.

“Father, in the future, you are known as Emperor Wu.”

Emperor Wu?

Liu Che muttered the words softly to himself.

To be honest, the posthumous title “Wu” was considered a very high honor.

According to the “Book of Zhou” (the Lost Book of Zhou, not the Twenty-Four Histories’ Book of Zhou), the character “Wu” signifies strength, righteousness, power over enemies, suppression of chaos, enforcement of law, ambitious perseverance, wisdom, and benevolence. It embodies countless virtues and accomplishments.

It was evident that the title “Wu” represented almost entirely positive attributes.

This was why Liu Che’s expression shifted subtly.

If given a choice, “Wu” perfectly aligned with his style of rule.

Moreover, following the Han dynasty’s naming conventions, his posthumous title would be “Filial and Martial Emperor.”

It sounded rather fitting.

“Ju’er, is this the title you intend to give me after my death?”

Hissing inwardly, Liu Ju felt the situation slipping beyond control.

His father actually suspected the title was chosen by him.

He felt wronged.

Though he had heard his father’s posthumous title from Zhang Bo and even visited the Eastern Han period, he had not inquired about his own future path.

Whether his father’s title was connected to him, whether he would ascend the throne, or whether he would become a worthy emperor—he knew none of this now.

But first, he had to answer his father’s question.

“Father, I don’t know if I chose that title. It’s something I heard in the future.”

Liu Che responded only with an exasperated eye-roll.

“Future” indeed.

Liu Che was well aware that it was customary for the succeeding emperor to bestow the posthumous title upon the previous one.

Right now, the crown prince was Liu Ju—who else could it be?

Could Liu Che possibly change the heir now?

He knew this was impossible, as he himself had recently undergone such a transition in the previous reign.

At that time, the crown prince was Liu Rong, son of Consort Li. Liu Che, the current Han emperor, was merely the tenth son of Emperor Jing, relatively unknown.

When Emperor Jing was near death, Consort Li, in a reckless outburst, insulted the emperor, calling him an old dog. Emperor Jing overheard and was so angered he extended his own life by ten years.

Consort Li’s fate was well known, and Crown Prince Liu Rong was deposed, with the crown prince title ultimately bestowed upon Liu Che.

Liu Che was well aware of his own harem.

The current Empress Wei Zifu was no foolish woman like Consort Li; she was renowned for her virtue.

With generals Wei Qing and Huo Qubing—the twin pillars of the Han dynasty—supporting him, why would he dare to depose the crown prince?

In other words, the posthumous title was indeed chosen by Liu Ju.

Although the character “Wu” was not a bad choice—indeed, it pleased him—it was unsettling to have a posthumous title chosen during one’s own lifetime.

“Father, I know how to travel to the future. Perhaps you would accompany me there for a visit?”

But Liu Che was clearly unwilling to continue this conversation with his son.

“That’s enough. You may leave. I will inquire about this matter from Huo Qubing myself.”

Liu Ju was left with no recourse.

Yet, recalling his purpose—to inform his father—it was now up to the emperor whether to believe him or not.

With that, Liu Ju prepared to take his leave.

“Your Majesty, the Grand General and the Cavalry General request an audience outside the hall.”

Liu Ju halted his steps, a smile brightening his face.

His uncle and elder brother had arrived; surely this time they could explain matters clearly to the emperor.

Emperor Liu Che naturally noticed the change in his son’s expression and could not help but feel a flicker of doubt.

Could it be that what Ju’er said was true?

“Enter.”

Thus, the uncle and nephew, standing at the pinnacle of Han power, entered the hall together.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

“Greetings, Crown Prince.”

The two men bowed in turn to Liu Che and Liu Ju.

“Zhongqing, Huo Qubing, what is the purpose of your visit?”

Huo Qubing glanced at the frightened Liu Ju beside him and grinned.

It seemed his role was done; now his uncle would explain everything to the emperor.

“Your Majesty, after returning, Huo Qubing recounted the events of recent days. He said he accompanied the Crown Prince to a time three hundred years after the Han dynasty.”

“Oh? Zhongqing, do you truly believe in such uncanny phenomena? That hardly seems like your character.”

Wei Qing saw no surprise on Liu Che’s face and quickly surmised that perhaps the Crown Prince had already informed the emperor of this matter.

Moreover, from the emperor’s tone, he, like Wei Qing, did not fully believe such tales.

“Your Majesty, at first I was skeptical as well, but Huo Qubing presented several items that made me begin to believe this event truly occurred.”

This piqued Liu Che’s interest.

“What items did Huo Qubing bring back that could prove their journey to the future?”

As Liu Che and Wei Qing’s gazes locked on him, Huo Qubing, though initially confused, quickly composed himself and began to describe each object to the emperor.

Liu Che was knowledgeable about horses and often hunted in the imperial hunting grounds during his leisure.

After a brief pause, he realized the tremendous benefits these three items could bring to the Han dynasty.

Of course, Liu Che first considered the possibility that these items originated from the Xiongnu.

But he quickly discarded this notion.

If the Xiongnu possessed such artifacts, how could the Han have been so thoroughly defeated?

Perhaps, just as Liu Ju said, these items truly came from the future.