Chapter Ten: A Private Conversation Between Father and Son

The next morning in the southern palace, only Liu Yao, Liu Hong, and Zhang Rang were present.

“My son, what brings you to your father today? Have you brought more fine wine for me?” Liu Hong’s face was full of greedy anticipation. For years, Liu Yao had occasionally brought him precious wines, and Liu Hong assumed this visit was no different.

“Your Majesty, these past years I have studied literature under Master Cai Yong and martial arts under Hero Wang. I consider myself well-read and skilled in arms. I hope to serve the great Han by contributing my strength. I have heard that the northern borders are often harried by foreign tribes. I therefore ask Your Majesty’s permission to take up an official post beyond the capital, to defend against our enemies and uphold the dignity of our empire,” Liu Yao declared passionately.

At these words, Liu Hong’s eyes lit up with a keen gleam. “Eunuch Zhang, you may withdraw. I wish to speak privately with my son.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Once only Liu Yao and Liu Hong remained, Liu Hong shed his usual idle and greedy manner, his face turning grave. “Come with me, my son,” he said, striding into the inner chambers without looking back.

Liu Yao, puzzled, nonetheless followed. Today, his father felt different, though he could not say how.

Liu Hong walked straight to his bedchamber and, to Liu Yao’s astonishment, pressed a hidden mechanism by the bedside. With a thunderous clang, a dark passageway appeared before them.

“Come in,” Liu Hong commanded, entering first. Liu Yao, still reeling from surprise, followed. Everything was beyond his expectations.

The secret passage was long and pitch dark. They walked for the time it takes half a cup of tea to cool before reaching the end. Liu Hong lit the surrounding candles with practiced ease, and the entire chamber was revealed.

The room was simply furnished, almost bare, save for a pedestal at the center upon which rested a sword.

Liu Hong stepped forward and gently caressed the sword. “Do you know what this sword is, my son?” At this moment, Liu Hong bore none of his former weakness or debauchery—he was every inch an emperor.

“Could this be... the sword of our great ancestor?” Liu Yao asked cautiously.

“Indeed,” Liu Hong replied. “This is the Chixiao Sword, with which our founding emperor slew the serpent. Now, I entrust it to you.” With that, he handed the sword to Liu Yao.

Liu Yao received the Chixiao Sword gingerly. “Father, what does this mean?” He was utterly bewildered, at a loss.

Liu Hong burst out in wild laughter. “The world believes the Imperial Seal is the emblem of our dynasty, but few know that this sword is the true symbol. Whoever holds the Chixiao Sword is the head of the Liu clan, empowered with the right to act first and report later. From now on, you are the head of our family.”

“Father, what is the meaning of all this?” Liu Yao was drenched in cold sweat. Things had spiraled out of his control, and the unknown was terrifying.

Liu Hong sighed deeply, his face filled with sorrow. “My son, do you know the true state of our Han dynasty?”

“We are strong and feared by all...” Liu Yao stammered, sweat pouring down his back.

Liu Hong shook his head with a bitter laugh. “Do you think your father, cloistered in the palace all these years, is truly ignorant of the world outside?” He raised his hands to the heavens and cried, “I have failed the ancestral emperors of the Han. The dynasty may perish in my hands!” Tears streamed down his face.

“Father, you...” Liu Yao was utterly confounded. Was this his incompetent father, or a wise, clear-sighted emperor?

“Do you find me strange now, unlike the useless emperor you once knew?” Liu Hong smiled at Liu Yao’s expression.

“Yes,” Liu Yao nodded mechanically.

“My son, though I lack great talent, I am not blind to the decline of our house. The great clans control almost all power. When I first ascended the throne, I wished to be a wise ruler and restore the flourishing days of our ancestors. But I could not—I simply could not,” Liu Hong said, his expression growing wild.

“I tried to weaken the great clans, but the Han cannot survive without them. So I began to favor the eunuchs, hoping to create a force to counterbalance the nobles. But now, their struggle is but petty bickering. I am powerless, so I have become a man who only seeks pleasure,” Liu Hong finished, his face filled with grief.

Liu Yao was shaken. He had never imagined that the infamous, avaricious Emperor Ling was in truth a ruler who wished to benefit his people. “Father, I am sorry. I have misunderstood you.”

“No need for apology. Tell me, do you know of the Way of Peace?” Liu Hong asked.

“The Way of Peace? Zhang Jue’s sect?”

“Indeed. Do you know why their seditious plots have never been exposed?” Liu Hong smiled mysteriously.

“Father, could it be... you?” Liu Yao’s eyes widened in shock.

“Yes. I have tacitly permitted their activities. Every time someone reports them, I suppress it. That is how they have grown so freely,” Liu Hong admitted without hesitation.

“But why, Father?” Liu Yao pressed.

“Hahaha! Why? I want revenge. Revenge on the great clans who have brought us to ruin. My health is broken from years of indulgence; I have little time left. They have destroyed the Han, so I will drag them down with me!” Liu Hong laughed madly.

Liu Yao gasped. He had never imagined his father would be so ruthless, willing to risk everything to strike back at his enemies.

Liu Hong then looked at Liu Yao. “But now, my plans have changed—because of you.”

“Me?” Liu Yao asked, pointing at himself in confusion.

“Yes. Everything you have done these years, I have seen: the Firecloud Wine, the Firecloud Merchant Guild, the three thousand private soldiers—I know it all,” Liu Hong said.

“When did you find out, Father?” Liu Yao was stunned.

“From the first time you asked to leave the palace,” Liu Hong replied. “You are my son; how could I let you go unguarded? So I had you watched, and thus saw your extraordinary talent.”

Liu Yao was moved. No matter the man before him, this was his father, the one who cared for him most. With a trembling voice, he called, “Father!”

“You must have a plan for coming to me today. Will you share it?” Liu Hong asked.

“Yes, Father. I have decided to seize territory beyond the capital, build my strength, and when chaos descends, reunite the empire and destroy the great clans,” Liu Yao replied concisely.

“Good! Good! I am blessed to have such a son. You may act boldly; though I may lack strength in other matters, I will always support you from behind. The future of the Han rests with you, my son,” Liu Hong said, looking at Liu Yao with deep satisfaction.

“Yes, Father. I will not fail your trust. I will restore the glory of our dynasty!” Liu Yao replied, voice choked with emotion.

“Good! I believe in you. What will you do next?” Liu Hong asked, ready to follow his son’s lead.

“Father, I still wish to go to Youzhou, to train troops and build my strength. But now, with your support, I hope you can summon three men to serve me. With their help, I will have greater confidence in success,” Liu Yao said after some thought.

“Oh? Who are these men you value so highly?” Liu Hong asked curiously.

“First, Tian Feng of Luoyang, currently serving as Assistant Imperial Censor. Second, Taishi Ci of Donglai in Qingzhou. Third, Huang Zhong of Nanyang in Jingzhou,” Liu Yao replied, naming the three. These were the easiest to recruit; others were either wandering, still children, or had eccentric tempers that made them unlikely to heed the court.

“Very well! No problem, my son. I will issue an edict summoning them at once,” Liu Hong agreed without hesitation.

“Thank you, Father.”

In the secret chamber, the father and son conspired together. No one knew how profoundly this conversation would shape the future.