My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

"Brother Liu,"

Li Chengqian turned to Liu Ju.

"What brings you here today? I remember you went back to oversee the state, didn't you?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Ju immediately became interested and chuckled.

"Regency? That's natural. Things in the court are settled for now. However, some time ago, those Xiongnu bastards in the north were not behaving themselves. They came to the border to plunder, kill my people, and burn my granaries."

As he said this, his tone suddenly turned cold, filled with undisguised murderous intent.

"I just finished setting up the heavy truck I bought and was thinking about how to test its weight. And then, they just walked right into it."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly, and was about to ask for details when Liu Ju continued.

"I thought to myself, how the hell can I tolerate this? And then..."

Liu Ju grinned.

"I drove straight there with my people."

Li Chengqian: ...? ? ?

"Weren't you going back to oversee the country? You just led your troops on a northern expedition? Do you think the others would agree to that?"

Li Chengqian's mouth gaped open.

MD!

No wonder he's a man who dares to rebel, just like him!

That's some guts!

Li Chengqian pondered for a moment, then looked at Liu Ju and asked tentatively.

"So... you're in charge of the central command of the army? And then..."

"How could that be! What does that mean!"

Liu Ju waved his hand.

"I drove straight to the front!"

Li Chengqian: ? ? ?

"You...personally drove the car...into battle?"

"It's not just about charging into battle,"

Liu Ju was clearly in the mood to talk, and became more and more excited as he spoke.

"The heavy trucks bought from here, after being modified, are impervious to swords and arrows, possess immense strength, and when the lights shine on them, the barbarians are blinded. Then, with a sudden charge and ramming, any formation will be scattered!"

"We launched a surprise attack under cover of night, conquering several tribes in succession, and even captured the Left Wise King alive!"

Li Chengqian's heart was stirred upon hearing this.

Back then... he was like that on a certain website, personally leading his men on an expedition!

But reality...

MD!

Once my leg is fully healed, I'm going to personally experience what life is like!

As for how to fight?

It's really nothing, they're just doing what they did to China in their country.

After the initial shock, a complex mix of emotions welled up in Li Chengqian's heart.

MD!

I wish he could just start doing it like that!

Ugh!

They're both princes!

Why is there such a big difference in treatment?

However, while such actions may be exhilarating, they also involve inherent risks, potential impact on the political landscape, and subsequent troubles…

"This action...is indeed magnificent."

Li Chengqian paused, carefully choosing his words, and then spoke slowly.

"However, Brother Liu, as the Crown Prince, personally braved arrows and stones, venturing into perilous places, and in the court..."

Liu Ju smiled.

"Brother Chengqian, rest assured, am I someone who acts without regard for the consequences? With someone in the court holding the reins, my swift attack and withdrawal is intended to deter others and seek revenge, not to linger in this situation. Furthermore..."

The light in his eyes shone even brighter.

"With such divine weapons, ordinary dangerous places are no longer dangerous for me. But now..."

He paused.

"That's why I came here. I'm running out of diesel to power this magical device, and I want to buy more to take back."

Liu Ju looked at Li Chengqian.

"It would be even better if there were methods for collecting and manufacturing them."

"However, we'll have to wait until Manager Chen and Father Emperor return to see this estimate."

Just then—

"Sizzle—!!! Clang!"

A loud sizzling sound of oil popping suddenly came from the kitchen.

Then came a dull thud, like something falling onto the metal stovetop.

Li Chengqian and Liu Ju both stiffened and looked toward the kitchen door.

There was a moment of silence inside the door, followed by sounds of Li Lizhi seemingly frantic.

"...It's alright, it's alright, I was just a little too angry..."

Li Chengqian's face froze almost instantly.

Liu Ju swallowed subconsciously.

The two exchanged a glance, and their lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

"Why don't we go back to the lobby and talk?"

"Great idea!"

Back in the front hall, Li Chengqian parked his wheelchair in a spot where he could look after his younger sister but was away from the passageway to the kitchen, before slowly exhaling a breath of stale air.

Liu Ju also sat down on a chair nearby, picked up the cold tea on the table, took a sip, and composed himself.

"Just now we were talking about... personally leading the expedition against the Xiongnu."

Li Chengqian took the initiative to start the conversation.

"Conquering the Xiongnu is certainly a good thing, but have you thought about the consequences?"

Liu nodded.

"Of course I thought about it. There are old scholars in the court who nag, but they are nothing more than things like 'the crown prince should not take risks himself,' 'the imperial weapon should not be used lightly,' and 'it may provoke border conflicts.' I had anticipated these things."

He tapped his fingers unconsciously on his knee.

"My response was, firstly, based on tangible results: the Left Wise King was captured, his troops were routed, several tribes suffered heavy losses, the blood feud in the border regions was avenged, and most of the plundered wealth and people were recovered. This is an undeniable fact."

"Secondly, regarding the use of the siege engine, my uncle Wei Qing, Qu Bing, and I have repeatedly rehearsed the scenario, striving for a swift victory and a quick retreat, avoiding prolonged fighting and a protracted war that would give the court an excuse to accuse us of 'exhausting the people's resources and engaging in militarism.'"

Thirdly…

He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"I define this battle as 'punishment' and 'revenge,' not as territorial expansion. The report will emphasize that the Xiongnu broke their promise and looted first, leaving me no choice but to launch a thunderous counterattack."

"In this way, we can both demonstrate the inviolability of the might of our great Han Dynasty and avoid provoking an excessive backlash from those voices in the court who advocate 'peace through marriage' and 'appeasement'."

Li Chengqian shook his head.

"What I mean is... what are you going to do if Emperor Wu comes back later?"

"Father...after returning to court."

Liu Ju remained silent.

He considered many things, but... he forgot about Emperor Wu.

Looking at his appearance, Li Chengqian said in a low voice.

"After this incident, the image of 'Crown Prince Liu Ju' in the army, in the border counties, and even in the hearts of some court officials will definitely be different from before, and the common people will also have an impression of you."

"But your father, Emperor Wu, is in his prime. How would he view a rising star, a prince with extraordinary military power, and an unconventional approach to politics?"

"Especially since you enjoy considerable prestige among the common people and in the military... what do you think... your father would think?"

"Father wouldn't..."

Liu Ju wanted to speak, but fell silent before he could finish his sentence.

Li Chengqian continued.

"Emperor Wu is a man of great talent and ambition, with a vision for the future. Expanding the territory and opening up new frontiers to sweep away the chaos of the world is his long-cherished wish. This time, you defeated the enemy with a surprise attack and captured the Left Wise King. Your achievements are outstanding. When Emperor Wu hears of this, he will surely be delighted at first."

Liu Ju's expression softened slightly, but the worry in his eyes deepened.

Li Chengqian's words were sharp and cutting.

"But what comes after the joy? How will your father view you, his crown prince, who defeated the Xiongnu so badly that they couldn't raise their heads! Wherever you go, the people cheer and the soldiers admire you."

"Great merit certainly deserves reward. But with merit this high, is reward truly all your father cares about?"

Li Chengqian lowered his voice even further, carrying a sense of melancholy from someone who had been through it all.

"Brother Liu, do not forget that Emperor Wu was not only a father, but also a monarch."

He paused, a complex mix of reminiscence and understanding flashing in his eyes.

"Especially for someone like your father, a powerful and all-powerful emperor who has controlled everything throughout his life, seeing the crown prince's wings grow stronger, his extraordinary power wielded, and his actions becoming increasingly unconventional, his state of mind... is probably not simply one of satisfaction."

Why does he know so much about this? Because his father is.

He didn't quite understand before, but now his understanding of the emperor is getting deeper and deeper.

Li Chengqian snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Liu Ju again, his voice complex.

When Emperor Wu returned after purchasing the weapons, he discovered that his crown prince had already utterly defeated the Xiongnu.

"It wouldn't be so bad if it were just you, but the problem is your uncle is Wei Qing, and there's also Huo Qubing... they were both top-notch military leaders."

"Do you think... your father might be wary of you?"

"When he returns, will he reward you for your victory? Or...?"

A glint of light flashed in Li Chengqian's eyes.

"How should we re-examine, evaluate, and even... check and balance you?"

Liu Ju remained silent.

The body, which had been casually leaning back in the chair, unconsciously straightened up a bit, and the fingers stopped tapping unconsciously on the knees, instead interlacing and clasping together, the knuckles turning slightly white.

The lobby fell silent for a moment, with only the steady narration of the news anchor on the television and Xiao Sizi's occasional exclamations of surprise.

His gaze deepened, as if he could see the throne in the Weiyang Palace that represented supreme power, and also his father, a man of great talent and profound thoughts.

According to my brother…

Li Chengqian sighed.

"We both hold positions in the Eastern Palace, and we both know that while those positions are prestigious, they are also fraught with peril. We have both once harbored ambitions that were not content with mediocrity and that we aspired to achieve great things."

"Now that you have accomplished such a great feat, I feel your heart is filled with excitement and your ambitions are soaring. I share your sentiments."

He paused, then lowered his voice.

"but……"

"Now is really not the time."

"The tallest tree in the forest will surely be felled by the wind."

He slowly uttered these eight words.

"Your 'tree' has grown too tall. Your achievements have gone too far!!!"

He turned back and looked directly at Liu Ju; the unspoken words remained unspoken between them.

"Emperor Wu was a man of great talent, but also prone to suspicion; he valued talent, but also emphasized checks and balances."

"The brilliance you've displayed this time is too dazzling."

Li Chengqian's tone was resolute.

"Concealing one's sharpness, hiding one's brilliance, appearing dull, even... appearing weak, is the way to preserve oneself, and also... the way to prolong one's life."

"Put this earth-shattering achievement under the Emperor's brilliance; temporarily return this peerless sword to the Emperor's hands. Let His Majesty feel that everything is still under control, and that you are still the Crown Prince who needs his guidance and relies on his authority."

"Instead of being a 'potential variable' that has begun to act on its own and wields unknown power."

Liu Ju's hands, resting on his knees, loosened and tightened repeatedly.

But... we've already fought our way this far?

Are we really going to have to retreat in defeat?

With just a little more diesel fuel, they could have wiped out the entire Xiongnu royal court!

Liu Ju was unwilling to accept this.

a long time.

So long that the light and shadow outside the window shifted an inch.

He sighed deeply.

"I see."

Li Chengqian smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

"According to what that book says, everything has two sides. Having a father to rely on isn't necessarily a bad thing, is it?"

"you're right……"

Liu Ju smiled, his usual radiant demeanor completely gone.

At the same time, Li Lizhi's voice came over.

"Dinner's ready."