A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 32 The Battle for Supremacy
Shanglinyuan.

With a gentle breeze and warm air, it's the perfect time for hunting.

Shanglin spans five counties: Chang'an, Huyi, Xianyang, Zhouzhi, and Lantian, covering an area of ​​340 square kilometers. Eight rivers—Wei, Jing, Feng, Lao, Yu, Hao, Chan, and Ba—flow through it, and its territory was once the domain of the six rulers of the Qin Dynasty.

The area is covered with dense forests, vast reeds, and rolling grasslands, making it an ideal habitat for various wild animals.

It is also an excellent place for hunting.

The Yuhe River Valley, also known as Fanchuan, was once the fiefdom of Marquis Fan Kuai of Wuyang. This place is neither wide nor deep nor dangerous nor steep, but has mountains, water, forests and animals. The valley and plateau are covered with dense forests, and the terrain is undulating and stretches out. It has always been a hunting ground for the royal hunting grounds.

The valley was neither too far nor too close to Chang'an. In order to please the emperor, the Fan family built a hunting palace in the valley and stayed there to enjoy hunting.

However, the hereditary title of Marquis of Wuyang ended after four generations. Fan Kuai's grandson, Fan Taguang, succeeded his father as Marquis of Wuyang in the seventh year of Emperor Jing of Han's reign. In the sixth year of Emperor Zhongyuan's reign, he was accused by a servant of not being the son of Fan Shiren, but rather the child born of his mother's affair with his uncle. As a result, he was stripped of his title and reduced to a commoner.

Under Emperor Xiaojing, the Marquisate of Wuyang was not returned to the Fan family, but was abolished along with his fiefdom.

This valley was then placed under the management of the Imperial Household Department.

The Yuhe River Valley became a royal hunting ground because it was home to two extremely precious and incredibly fast-moving animals: the muntjac and the sika deer.

The male muntjac has a large "Y" in the center of its face, fangs on its forehead, and short horns, while the female has no horns and a bony lump on its forehead.

Both the sika deer and the sika deer belong to the deer family. They are not only good at running and jumping, but also at swimming in water, making them a highly exciting opponent for all skilled hunters.

But what attracts hunters even more is the deer itself. Chasing deer, chasing deer, who in the world could resist the temptation?

With a command from Commandant Li Guang, the Southern Army's three thousand cavalry and seven thousand infantry, a total of ten thousand men, marched in a mighty procession from three directions toward the hunting grounds of the Yu River valley plain.

The mountains and fields were filled with the deafening sound of drums and horns, and the fluttering of flags, creating a magnificent scene.

Liu Che, clad in armor and carrying a strong bow and long arrows, stepped into a chariot specially made for hunting by master craftsmen. As a monarch who was very skilled in the art of pleasure, he was also an expert in large-scale hunting.

The bright sunshine and the exquisite jewels adorning the imperial carriage complemented each other, making Liu Che, inside, appear as majestic and powerful as a god. The vastness of the surrounding plains and the emperor's grandeur were truly awe-inspiring, if Lady Wang had not been in the carriage with him.

Lady Wang, dressed in a tight red dress and draped with a priceless red and gold cloak, exuded charm and elegance on the golden imperial carriage.

The imperial chariot rumbled into motion.

In an instant, the sounds of rumbling carriages, horses' hooves, drums and horns, footsteps, and shouts of people driving away wild animals filled the air.

Dong Zhongshu was promoted to one of the Three Dukes, and the Grand Historian was naturally replaced by Sima Tan. Such a prosperous era would surely be recorded in history books. Coming here to commemorate it, and hearing and witnessing Liu Che and Lady Wang laughing in the imperial carriage, I couldn't help but say, "Absurd!"

Sima Qian, who had traveled the world and finally returned to Chang'an, became the emperor's physician. His duties were originally to protect and accompany the emperor, to offer advice, and to be available for consultation and dispatch. Although he was an official in the inner court, he could not be considered a trusted minister of the emperor. He quickly reminded his father, "Father, be careful with your words."

“There is a proper order of rank. Only the emperor and empress can ride together in the imperial carriage. Lady Wang is merely a concubine. How could she have such a privilege?” Sima Tan said indifferently, his voice not lowering.

When the Han dynasty was established, following the titles of the Qin dynasty, the emperor's mother was called the Empress Dowager, the grandmother was called the Grand Empress Dowager, the legitimate wife was called the Empress, and concubines were all called the Lady. There were also titles such as Beauty, Good Lady, Eighth Son, Seventh Son, Senior Attendant, and Junior Attendant.

This is overstepping one's bounds.

Sima Qian was always frustrated by his father's insistence on etiquette. He said in a low voice, "With the Empress absent, Lady Wang is the most favored. What's wrong with riding and sitting together?"

“If Your Majesty favors Lady Wang, you can reward her handsomely and let her sit with you. But that would be harming her. Have you not heard of the old story of the ‘human pig’?” Sima Tan shook his head and said.

Sima Qian felt like dying. Who could harm someone favored by the emperor?
Naturally, the person who was offended by the "riding and sitting together" was none other than Empress Wei Zifu.

The term "human pig" refers to the cruel corporal punishment inflicted on Consort Qi, who was vying for the emperor's favor, by Empress Lü.

"In the Grand Historian's heart, is my mother the same kind of person as my great-grandmother?" Liu Ju's voice rang out from behind the father and son.

Sima Tan and Sima Qian turned around and saw that Crown Prince Liu Ju, Grand Marshal Wei Qing, Colonel Huo Qubing, a group of dukes, generals, marquises, and members of the imperial clan, including Gongsun He, Gongsun Ao, Zhang Cigong, Su Jian, Zhang Qian, Zhao Shiqi, Cao Xiang, Lu Bode, and Zhao Ponu, were all there. Clearly, they had all heard the Sima family father and sons criticizing the Empress.

"Your Highness, I had no such intention," Sima Tan bowed and explained, but his words were utterly weak.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Sima Qian seemed unafraid, bowing slightly but not avoiding Liu Ju's gaze.

That's hostility!

As an official of the central government and a long-time friend of the Li family of Longxi, Liu Ju watched with great interest as Sima Qian brazenly scrutinized the crown prince. His first thought was that one could empathize with a work of art, but not with a real person.

It wasn't unjust for him to take that blow.

Liu Ju ignored him and helped Sima Tan up from his kneeling position, saying with a smile, "Grand Historian, my mother is resilient and kind, as I hope to see in the historical records. Please do not harm her."

“Of course,” Sima Tan nodded.

Anyone who has lived through the time of the jealous and deposed Empress Chen Ajiao can appreciate the beautiful qualities of humanity embodied in the current Empress Wei Zifu.

With such a queen mother, what more could a husband ask for?

A barely audible hum came from nearby, but no one paid any attention.

From afar, the driver shook the reins, the horse galloped, and the chariot rumbled up the high slope. Below, in the green reeds, several small deer, driven out by the Southern Army soldiers, were running and leaping.

As the chariot turned to charge, Liu Che had already taken out his strong bow, nocked a long arrow, and fired it from a hundred paces away. The lead deer immediately let out a mournful cry and collapsed in the reeds, struggling.

"Long live the Emperor!" The Southern Army soldiers who had gathered on the surrounding hilltops cheered in unison.

"Long live!"

"Long live!"

"Long live your Majesty!"

"..."

Amid cheers, the other muntjacs seized the opportunity to flee, perhaps in their panic, rushing straight towards Liu Ju and his group.

The four horses neighed and the wheels rumbled, their momentum extraordinary, relentlessly chasing the muntjac from three arrow-lengths away. Liu Che did not put down his hard bow; instead, he nocked another arrow and aimed intently at the running muntjac.

Almost instantly, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing moved from the left and right to Liu Ju's front, and the positions of Gongsun Ao and the other generals also changed, their hands somehow gripping the hilts of their swords.

"Zheng!"

(End of this chapter)