Shuhan

The sky of the Han Dynasty was as blue as a mirror, and the sunlight poured down, illuminating the majestic imperial palace with its golden splendor.

However, beneath this seemingly peaceful surface, a fierce undercurrent is quietly surging.

Inside the imperial palace, in front of the gate of the East Palace, the atmosphere was solemn and almost oppressive.

A group of officials dressed in court robes, with solemn expressions, knelt in an orderly manner at the foot of the stone steps of the East Palace.

Their shadows were stretched out under the sunlight, like a silent black forest.

Leading the group was a white-haired old minister, his beard fluttering gently in the breeze, the wrinkles on his face engraved with the vicissitudes of life and the worries of the moment.

"We beg His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to make a decision for us and persuade His Majesty to stop measuring the land!" The old minister's voice trembled and carried a bit of pleading, echoing in front of the silent palace gate.

At this time, in a spacious and bright study room inside the East Palace, sunlight shines through the carved windows and falls on the ground, forming patches of mottled light and shadows.

Liu Si, dressed in the prince's robe, sat upright at the desk, holding a brush in his hand, staring at the book spread out in front of him.

He was a little thin, with a face as white as jade and a pair of bright and clear eyes, revealing the innocence and ignorance of a young man. However, at this moment, his eyes were full of confusion and entanglement.

Beside him stood a young man of similar age but much stronger than him. He was the second prince Liu Xuan.

Liu Xuan has a tall and straight figure, thick eyebrows and big eyes, revealing a maturity and calmness that does not match his age.

He looked at the officials kneeling outside the window, frowned slightly, turned to Liu Si and said, "The crowd is very excited. Your Highness, why don't you go and persuade His Majesty? Otherwise, it will chill the hearts of these people."

Liu Xuan's voice was low and powerful, with a barely perceptible hint of urgency.

Liu Si raised his head, glanced at Liu Xuan, sighed softly, and said, "Once the emperor has made a decision, it cannot be changed by persuasion."

His voice was gentle, as if he was afraid of disturbing the tranquility of the palace.

Liu Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly, with a barely perceptible light flashing in his eyes, and said: "Whether to change or not is one thing, but if the prince persuades, he will win the hearts of the people."

As he spoke, he paced slowly with his hands behind his back, and his tone was firm, as if he believed in what he said.

When Liu Si heard this, his heart was shocked, as if he was hit by something.

His eyes gradually became deep and he fell into deep thought.

His fingers tapped lightly on the desk unconsciously, and Liu Xuan's words kept echoing in his mind.

"Win people's hearts... Win people's hearts..." He muttered to himself, and the expression on his face gradually became complicated.

After a long while, Liu Si raised his head, a trace of determination flashed in his eyes, and said: "You are right, I will make a gesture, but as for the result, I can't guarantee it."

As he spoke, he stood up, straightened his princely robe, and straightened his back, as if he had made up his mind in an instant.

The sunlight shines on the walls of the East Palace, casting a golden glow.

Liu Si was dressed in the crown prince's attire, his sleeves fluttering gently with his steps, and he strode towards the palace gate.

He has an upright posture, and although his face still bears the immaturity of a teenager, his eyes reveal a calmness that goes beyond his age.

In front of the palace gate, a group of officials dressed in court robes knelt on the ground in an orderly manner.

Some of them are gray-haired with wrinkles all over their faces full of anxiety; some are in their prime, with furrowed brows and clenched fists, revealing their inner uneasiness.

At this time, Liu Si's figure came into view, and the officials raised their heads one after another, their eyes full of expectation, as if they saw the dawn in the darkness.

Liu Si stood still and slowly scanned everyone's face.

He saw that some officials had tears in their eyes, and some had slightly trembling lips, as if they were trying hard to suppress their emotions.

These ministers, who usually speak eloquently in the court, seem so helpless at this moment.

Liu Si took a deep breath and said softly, "My dear ministers, please stand up. I know your intentions. I will go to the palace and persuade Your Majesty to stop measuring the land."

His voice was not loud, but as clear as a bell, and there was unquestionable firmness in his gentleness.

As soon as these words were spoken, the officials' faces changed instantly.

Hope rekindled in his originally gloomy eyes, and the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a relieved smile.

An old minister, with red eyes and a choked voice, shouted: "Your Highness the Crown Prince is wise! Your Highness the Crown Prince is virtuous!"

Immediately afterwards, other officials responded one after another, and the shouts rose one after another, echoing in front of the empty palace gate, scaring the birds in the trees away.

Liu Si nodded slightly, looking at the excited officials in front of him, but a hint of bitterness arose in his heart.

He knew very well that the issue of land measurement was related to the rise and fall of the country, and that his father implemented this policy for the long-term development of the Han Dynasty.

But these officials, either their own properties were affected, or they represented the interests of local powerful people. They opposed so fiercely and even put pressure on Liu Si by kneeling in the East Palace, that Liu Si could not sit idly by.

He understood that if he went there, he would almost certainly face the wrath of his father, but at this moment, for the expectations of these ministers and to maintain the superficial stability of the court, he had no choice but to go ahead.

Liu Si raised his hand, signaling the officials to be quiet, and then said: "Everyone, please rest assured. I will do my best. But this matter is difficult, so I hope you will wait for the news."

After saying this, he turned around and walked towards the emperor's bedroom with firm steps.

Behind him, the officials' eyes followed closely. There was trust, expectation, and a hint of uneasiness in their eyes as they entrusted their fate to him.

Liu Si's back, in the reflection of the sunlight, looked a little thin, but revealed a sense of resoluteness, as if he was walking towards an unknown storm to meet all the challenges that were about to come.

Relieved smiles appeared on their faces, as if they saw the dawn of hope.

Surrounded by officials, Liu Si left the East Palace and walked towards the emperor's bedroom.

Along the way, he felt mixed emotions, pressure from the officials' expectations and nervousness about facing his father.

He didn't know what the consequences would be of this trip, but he knew that he had no way out.

The emperor's bedroom is magnificent, with carved beams and painted buildings displaying the royal majesty and luxury.

Liu Si came to the bedroom, took a deep breath, calmed himself, and then walked in steadily.

The emperor was sitting in his study, reviewing a mountain of memorials. He was wearing a dragon robe, a crown on his head, a serious face, and a look of majesty in his eyes.

Seeing Liu Si coming in, he raised his head slightly, his eyes fell on Liu Si, and asked, "Prince, why did you come to see me?"

His voice was deep and majestic, echoing in the study. Liu Si stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Father, I heard that there has been a lot of controversy in the court recently about the land measurement. I think that although the land measurement is a major national plan, now that all officials are opposed to it, the people are unstable. I beg you to stop the land measurement for the time being to calm people's hearts."

As Liu Si spoke, he secretly observed the emperor's expression.

When the emperor heard this, his face instantly turned gloomy.

His brows knitted together, a trace of anger flashed in his eyes, and he slammed the memorial in his hand on the table with a "bang", saying: "What do you know! Land measurement is a key measure for my revitalization of the Han Dynasty, and it is related to the rise and fall of the country. Those officials are just trying to stop my plan for their own selfish interests. As the crown prince, you should support my decision, but now you listen to their slander and come to persuade me to stop land measurement. Where do you put the country?"

The emperor's voice became louder and louder, with a hint of roar, making Liu Si's ears buzz.

Liu Si turned pale with fear, and knelt on the ground with a plop, saying, "Father, please calm down. I know I was wrong. I was just worried that the officials would oppose it, which would affect the stability of the court, so I..."

His voice trembled slightly and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

The emperor looked at Liu Si kneeling on the ground, feeling angry and hateful.

He stood up and paced back and forth in the study, saying as he walked: "I know you are kind-hearted and cannot bear to see the officials in trouble. But you must understand that as a king, you must have a long-term vision and not be intimidated by the difficulties in front of you. I have made up my mind about the land measurement, and no one can shake it. If you listen to the slander of those people again, I will not let you off easily!"

The emperor's eyes were as sharp as torches, staring straight at Liu Si, as if he wanted to see through him.

Liu Si lowered his head, not daring to look the emperor in the eye, his heart full of regret and grievance.

He thought his persuasion could calm the anger of the officials, but unexpectedly it angered his father instead.

Only now did he realize that he was too naive. The matter of farming was much more complicated than he had imagined.

"Your son will follow your father's teachings and will fully support your father's decisions in the future." Liu Si gritted his teeth and said.

There was a hint of helplessness and determination in his voice. At this moment, he finally realized his responsibility and mission.

The emperor looked at Liu Si, and his anger gradually subsided.

He walked forward, helped Liu Si up, and said, "My son, I know you are doing this for the good of the court, but there are some things you still need to learn slowly. Although the land measurement is difficult, I believe that as long as I am determined, one day I will be able to achieve the prosperity of the Han Dynasty. As the crown prince, you must work together with me and work towards this goal."

The emperor's voice became gentle, and there was a hint of expectation in his eyes.

Liu Si raised his head and looked at the emperor, tears in his eyes, and said: "I understand. I will study hard in the future, share my father's worries, and contribute my own strength to the prosperity of the Han Dynasty."

His voice was firm and powerful, as if at this moment, he had truly grown up.

Liu Si left the emperor's bedroom.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on him, stretching his shadow out.

In his heart, he felt both awe for his father and confusion about the future.

The matter of farming will be a huge challenge on his path to growth, and he must face it bravely...

Coming out of the Taiji Hall, Crown Prince Liu Si's face was as gloomy as the sky before a storm.

The sunlight shone through the gaps in the palace walls, casting a series of light and dark shadows on his body, but it failed to dispel the haze in his heart.

His footsteps were heavy and quick, and his clothes swayed violently with his steps, as if he was filled with resentment.

Along the way, the palace servants passing by lowered their heads in fear when they saw him like this, and dared not even breathe.

Soon, Liu Si arrived at the Pepper Room.

The Pepper Room Palace is filled with luxury and elegance.

The walls are painted with exquisite flower and bird patterns in colorful colors; various precious objects are placed in the hall, emitting a warm luster under the soft candlelight.

Queen Zhang was sitting on the main seat. She was wearing a gorgeous phoenix robe, with an elegant figure, beautiful appearance, skin as white as snow, and bright and deep eyes, as if hiding endless wisdom.

Liu Si walked into the hall, bowed respectfully, and said in a low voice: "Your son pays homage to the mother."

When Zhang saw her son's appearance, her heart tightened and she asked with concern, "My son, what's wrong with you? You look so ugly."

Liu Si raised his head, his eyes full of grievance and confusion, and told the queen everything that happened in the court today.

From the officials kneeling in the East Palace asking him to persuade the emperor to stop measuring land, to him entering the palace to persuade him but being scolded by the emperor, every detail was not missed.

Zhang listened quietly and her expression became serious.

She frowned slightly, her eyes full of thought. After a moment, she slowly spoke: "My son, as the crown prince, you should share the worries of His Majesty. The future of the world will be handed over to you. Those ministers have their own selfish motives. They oppose the land measurement just to protect their own interests. But you are different. As the crown prince, your every move concerns the country, so you can only be impartial."

Her voice was gentle yet powerful, like a spring breeze, blowing gently yet carrying unquestionable power.

As Liu Si listened to his mother's words, he gradually raised his head, which had been lowered, and a hint of realization flashed in his eyes.

He knelt down again and said sincerely: "Thank you for your teachings, mother. I understand."

However, in his heart, a resentment towards the second prince Liu Xuan was quietly growing.

He recalled the look on Liu Xuan's face when he had persuaded him. Those words seemed to be for his own good, but the more he thought about it, the more suspicious they seemed to him.

He couldn't help but wonder inwardly whether Liu Xuan had anticipated his father's reaction and deliberately set this trap to make him anger his father and thereby weaken his position in his father's heart?

Thinking of this, Liu Si's hands clenched unconsciously, his nails dug deeply into his palms, and the expression on his face became more complicated.

"Mother, there is one thing I don't understand."

Liu Si hesitated for a moment, then said, "My second brother urged me to persuade my father. Now that I think about it, he seemed to have known this would happen. I doubt him..."

Zhang gently waved her hand, interrupting him, and said with a deep look in her eyes: "My son, don't make random suspicions. You brothers should live in harmony. Maybe the second prince was just inconsiderate and had no ill intentions."

Although Zhang said this, Liu Si's doubts were not completely eliminated.

After leaving the Pepper Room, Liu Si was on his way back to the palace.

At this time, the sky had gradually darkened, and the palace lanterns were lit one after another. The dim lights swayed in the breeze, stretching his shadow out.

His steps were no longer as rapid as when he came, but became slow and heavy.

In his heart, he felt regret for his impulsive behavior and suspicion towards the Second Prince.
Under the imperial power, are there really brothers? (End of this chapter)