Chapter 52

Huanan Wang Palace.

Liu Ling got out of the carriage, lifted her skirt, and skipped into the hall, saying in a sweet voice, "Father, your daughter is back."

Huanan Wang Liu An was holding a scroll in one hand and a brush dipped in cinnabar in the other, carefully proofreading it. Hearing Liu Ling’s voice, a smile that he couldn’t hide appeared in his eyes. He put down the book and brush, stood up, and walked around the desk filled with scrolls to greet her.

"Ha ha ha, my daughter is back. I wonder what good news you’ve brought me? You’ve been gone for several months, I assume you’ve visited all the talents in Jiangdu?"

"Though not exactly, it’s not far off," Liu Ling said with a smile, nodding to the guests who were helping with the proofreading. She then had a maid bring a model of a swing and placed it in front of Liu An. "Father, esteemed scholars, I have a small question to discuss with all of you."

Liu An’s interest was immediately piqued. He called the guests over to hear the question Liu Ling had brought back from her mission. Liu An was known as a wise king, highly learned. These close guests were also talented scholars, somewhat arrogant and dismissive of others. Although Liu Ling was smart, they didn’t take her seriously.

Their enthusiasm for Liu Ling was merely out of politeness. When it came to academic issues, they were not about to be humble. Having just participated in the compilation of a grand work, they believed no problem in the world could stump them, and there was nothing they didn’t know.

After successfully piquing everyone’s interest and pride, Liu Ling presented Liang Xiao’s question.

She knew these people were all talented and well-versed, but she believed this question would stump them. Only by stumping them could she highlight Liang Xiao’s brilliance. Only by highlighting Liang Xiao’s brilliance could she make Huan Yuan’s refusal seem natural. If Huan Yuan could teach such a brilliant disciple, he had every right to be picky. Otherwise, where would the face of the Huanan Wang Palace be, and how could they balance the moods of these people?

After hearing Liu Ling’s question, most people, like Liu Ling, gave answers based on common sense. Even those who were more composed were somewhat dismissive. What kind of question was this? Discussing such a trivial matter was too undignified.

Liu An was somewhat uneasy. Sending Liu Ling on this mission was done under considerable pressure. If Liu Ling couldn’t complete the task satisfactorily, he would be suspected of favoritism and lack of judgment, damaging his reputation.

The Crown Prince Liu Qian, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, smiled but said nothing, watching how Liu Ling would explain. He also had some reservations about this capable sister.

Liu Ling was unhurried. She manipulated the bronze swing model and, under everyone’s watchful eyes, began to time it.

A moment later, the hall was filled with surprised murmurs. Although this question was a minor skill not worthy of high regard, the clearly counterintuitive result was embarrassing. If they couldn’t even get such a simple question right, what face did they have to claim knowledge of astronomy and geography?

Liu An was also surprised, but he was more relieved and in a good mood as he discussed with the guests.

After half a day of debate, they still couldn’t reach a conclusion, so they turned to Liu Ling. Liu Ling, however, became modest, admitting that she only had a superficial understanding and hadn’t truly grasped the principle. That was why she had rushed back to Huanan to seek advice from the scholars.

At this point, a guest named Wu Bei recommended someone. Among the thousands of guests in the Huanan Wang Palace, there was a peculiar talent named Chen Guobin. He was said to be a disciple of the Mohist school, not well-read but skilled in calculations and very interested in various practical technologies. He might be able to answer Liu Ling’s question.

Liu An immediately had Chen Guobin summoned. Chen Guobin was indeed very interested. He disregarded the rudeness and pursued Liu Ling with questions about Liang Xiao, then happily took the swing model and left.

Liu An called Liu Ling to the inner chamber. The father and daughter sat down, and Liu An’s smile faded.

"Why didn’t Huan Yuan come?"

"Daughter dares not make a judgment," Liu Ling shook her head. "Perhaps he still harbors resentment over past events, or perhaps he feels ashamed of his disability and fears being humiliated. Father, he is already incapacitated and can no longer lead troops. He has focused his energy on teaching his disciples. In my opinion, it would be better to court Liang Xiao."

"A fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, even if he is a genius, how strong can he be?"

"Father, when Huan Yuan was a general, he was just past his twenties. Is Father not as magnanimous as King Wu?"

Liu An pondered in silence. He thought for a long time but still shook his head. When Liu Bi appointed Huan Yuan as a general, many old generals opposed it. If he appointed Liang Xiao as a general, the resistance would be even greater. Offending so many guests over one person was not a wise choice.

"Ling, let’s discuss this later. The Emperor has no son. If he passes away, I have a good chance of inheriting the throne smoothly without much conflict. A famous general is not as valuable as a famous scholar. Liang Xiao is so young; he may not be up to the task."

"Father, the Emperor is only seventeen. Even if he has no son, it will be at least twenty or thirty years before he passes away. A lot can happen in twenty or thirty years."

"The Emperor is only seventeen, but he has been married to Empress Chen for several years, and there has been no news of a child," Liu Qian walked in, closed the door, and smiled. "Three years to see the future, seven years to see the old age. Among the sons of the previous emperor, very few had no children at seventeen."

Liu Ling remained silent. She didn’t want to conflict with the Crown Prince. No matter how capable she was, she was still a woman, and her wealth and status depended on her father and brother. Conflicts with the heir to the throne were unwise. Besides, she had her own thoughts. She didn’t want Liu Qian to be interested in Liang Xiao. She wanted to bring Liang Xiao into her own palace and have him serve her.

She wondered what the young man was doing now and whether Hu Lai had caused him any trouble. Liu Ling’s thoughts were somewhat distracted.

...

After Hu Lai was assassinated, Liang Xiao finally had a few days of peace. He accompanied Huan Yuan to watch the military trials and observed a military inspection. After returning home, he practiced archery diligently and began to study military strategy from Huan Yuan, leading a simple and fulfilling life.

Huan Yuan dictated a military strategy to Liang Xiao. It was very different from the "Art of War" by Sun Tzu. More than half of this strategy focused on the use of cavalry, particularly emphasizing the mobility of cavalry. Liang Xiao was puzzled. According to his knowledge, the extensive use of cavalry came after Emperor Wu of Han’s campaign against the Xiongnu, initiated by the naturally gifted general Huo Qubing, who was still in his mother’s arms at this time. How could someone be so enthusiastic about cavalry?

Huan Yuan didn’t say who wrote the strategy, nor did he want to explain it in detail. He just made Liang Xiao memorize it.

Liang Xiao had no choice but to memorize it. Fortunately, the strategy wasn’t long, only about two thousand words. He memorized it in two days and then started to ponder it, hoping to find some clues in the wording.

This strategy was somewhat different from the Han dynasty texts he had read, containing many ancient characters and Wu-Chu dialects, with a flavor of the "Chu Ci."

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