Chapter Thirty: The Visit of Young Master Liu Qi

The "Book of Han"?

At the sight of these two characters, Liu Che’s face immediately brightened with certainty.

Named after the great Han dynasty itself, just from the title alone, one could discern the extraordinary nature of this book.

Indeed, indeed.

Liu Che’s eyes quickly scanned the text, only to find that the events recorded in this volume of the "Book of Han" were all occurrences of the past, which dampened his enthusiasm.

“Xuande, hand me the last portion of this bamboo slip.”

Liu Che now wished to turn to the end and see the commentary that the "Book of Han" offered about him.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Liu Bei picked up another roll of bamboo slips and handed it to Liu Che.

Unfolding it, Liu Che read for a while before a smile broke across his face.

No wonder this was the official history compiled by the Han court—it far surpassed the works revised by Sima Qian.

The reason for Liu Che’s satisfaction was nothing other than the praise bestowed upon him in the "Book of Han."

“When Emperor Xiaowu first ascended, he decisively dismissed the myriad schools, endorsed the Six Classics, thereby consulting the realm, selecting its finest talents, and establishing merit. He founded the Imperial Academy, reformed rituals, rectified the calendar, standardized music and poetry, constructed altars and performed sacrifices to the myriad gods, continued the legacy of the Zhou dynasty, and issued orders rich in literary grace, all brilliantly recorded. His successors could adhere to this grand legacy and embody the virtues of the Three Dynasties. Emperor Wu’s heroic talents and grand strategies did not forsake the humility and frugality of Emperors Wen and Jing in governing the people. Though praised in the classics, what more can be added?”

Though Liu Che was content with much of this—his achievements enumerated, his strategic genius recognized—there was one point of dissatisfaction.

His military campaigns against the Xiongnu had been omitted.

And what was this talk of governing the empire with the humility and frugality of Emperors Wen and Jing?

It was sheer nonsense.

If the Han dynasty were managed solely by the methods of Wen and Jing, the realm might prosper in wealth, but the Xiongnu would perpetually harass the borders—how could there be true stability?

Being at the mercy of the enemy was something Liu Che refused to accept.

Only by thoroughly vanquishing the Xiongnu could the Han truly flourish.

This minor flaw in the "Book of Han" was something Liu Che could tolerate.

After all, the text concluded that if one could govern with such humility and frugality, even the emperors recorded in the "Book of Songs" and "Book of Documents" could not surpass him.

That was, in itself, high praise.

Of course, Liu Che had no intention of altering it.

His governing principles were beyond the comprehension of those who compiled historical records.

Casting a glance at the towering stack of bamboo slips beside him, Liu Che resolved to take them back to Han and study them thoroughly.

Just then, someone at the door suddenly reported.

“Report! Master, Young Lord Liu Qi is here to see you.”

Liu Qi had come?

Liu Bei’s heart leapt with joy.

Though not Liu Biao himself, sending his eldest son Liu Qi showed the seriousness of the matter.

“Quick, bring him in at once.”

Surname Liu? Could he also be a descendant of the Han imperial family?

Liu Che looked toward Liu Bei, curious.

“Xuande, who is Liu Qi?”

“Your Majesty, Liu Qi is—”

“Uncle!”

As soon as Liu Qi entered, he knelt before Liu Bei, who was seated on the ground.

Liu Bei hurried to his feet and helped Liu Qi up.

“Young Lord, please rise. What is the matter?”

Supported by Liu Bei, Liu Qi lifted his head, clasped his hands in a fist, and spoke with a face full of emotion.

“Uncle, my stepmother cannot bear me and wishes for Liu Zong to succeed the throne. She constantly schemes against me. My life hangs by a thread.”

“This is your family’s private matter, nephew. This—”

Worry crept across Liu Bei’s face as he looked toward Liu Che, who lay reclined nearby.

Liu Che gazed at the kneeling, weeping Liu Qi with evident displeasure.

Is this the caliber of the Liu clan? Such weakness.

Seeing that Liu Bei did not agree, Liu Qi collapsed to the floor.

“This time, I shall perish.”

“Young Lord, what will become of me if you are like this?”

Though Liu Bei wished to help upon hearing Liu Qi’s plea, the tangled family affairs left him at a loss.

“Perhaps you should go consult the strategist.”

Liu Qi’s eyes brightened instantly, hope flashing within.

He had heard of the famed Zhuge Kongming.

He quickly rose and took his leave, bowing to Liu Bei.

“Thank you, uncle, for your guidance. I will seek out Master Zhuge immediately.”

With that, Liu Qi prepared to depart.

“Nephew, wait. Has Brother Jingsheng not told you the purpose of this journey?”

The purpose?

Liu Qi looked puzzled. His father had summoned him but said nothing of the reason.

He had taken this chance to escape from the treacherous land of Jingzhou.

Seeing his hesitation, Liu Bei guessed that even Brother Jingsheng had withheld the true intent.

It seemed even Jingsheng didn’t trust him.

Liu Bei sighed quietly and turned to introduce the man behind him.

“Young Lord, do you know who this is?”

Liu Qi glanced at the reclined Liu Che by the desk. At first sight, he sensed an inexplicable aura of authority, as if the man were no ordinary mortal.

Yet, the man was unusually impolite; even Cao Cao would not show such disrespect before his uncle.

“Uncle, I do not know…”

“This is Emperor Xiaowu of our great Han.”

Emperor Xiaowu of Han!

Not only Liu Qi, but anyone with even a modest education in Han would understand the weight of those words.

Liu Qi’s gaze flickered between Liu Bei and Liu Che, baffled.

Emperor Xiaowu passed to the heavens three centuries ago—there was no way he could be here now.

Yet, the man before him indeed radiated the oppressive aura of a sovereign, an aura surpassing even Yuan Shao or Cao Cao.

Moreover, his uncle spoke with such certainty.

After a moment of silence, Liu Qi knelt before Liu Che.

“I, Liu Qi, descendant of Prince Lu Gong, grandson of Emperor Xiaojing, pay respects to Emperor Xiaowu.”

Liu Che’s eyes lifted.

Unexpectedly, here was another familiar descendant.

Liu Che ranked tenth among his kin, Prince Lu Gong Liu Yu was fourth, and Liu Bei’s ancestor, Prince Zhongshan, was ninth.

However, unlike Liu Bei, who at least caught Liu Che’s attention, Liu Qi was clearly beneath his notice.

Whining and weak, lacking fortitude—he was unfit to inherit the great legacy.

Liu Che gave a faint acknowledgment and then ignored Liu Qi.

Seeing this, Liu Qi turned to Liu Bei, uncertain of what to do next.

“Nephew, rise. I shall take you to meet Strategist Zhuge.”

Seeing Liu Che’s disinterest in Liu Qi, Liu Bei was helpless and prepared to leave with him.

Watching their departing figures, Liu Che shifted his gaze back to the nearby stack of bamboo slips.

Having first read the concluding comments, he now turned to review the chronicles of his own life journey.