My father is Emperor Wu of Han, how can I be different from him?

Chapter 271: The Way of Governing a Country

Chapter 271: The Way of Governing a Country
Xu Yan.

Among the ministers who came to Bu’s mansion today to show goodwill to King Qi, the leader was none other than this doctor of the Imperial College.

In Xu Yan’s official career, the most recent record that people can mention is that when the Xiongnu sent envoys south to propose marriage, he firmly opposed the Xiongnu princess entering the Han palace.

Other than that, there seems to be no highlights.

But there are many ministers who have come to visit the King of Qi today, and some of them have higher official positions than Xu Yan. There is a reason why he can take the lead.

one.

Xu Yan was a descendant of the founding general Xu Li and inherited the title of Marquis of Songzi. However, in the sixth year of Jianyuan, he was stripped of his title due to a crime.

Second, he was a disciple of Shen Gong.

Shen Gong and Shen Pei, his status in Confucianism at that time was comparable to that of Dong Zhongshu today, and he had many famous disciples, such as Zhao Wan and Kong Anguo.

Xu Yan’s status and teacher are both first-class, so it is not surprising that he is the leader today.

But.

Today we are here to visit the King of Qi and show goodwill to him. In other words, it is a gathering that is hostile to the Crown Prince’s Palace. Xu Yan is the leader. Does he have a grudge against the Crown Prince’s Palace?

Have!
It had nothing to do with the incident of the ‘Xiongnu princess entering the palace’ that day. The hatred came from a man who had been away from the martial arts world for a long time, but whose legends were everywhere in the martial arts world –

Zhang Tang!

As the saying goes, success and failure are both due to Xiao He. Although the relationship between Liu Ju and Xu Yan is not so extreme, it is also very similar.

After Zhang Tang was forced to retire, Liu Ju gained many benefits from his political legacy, such as making friends with and recruiting Zhang He, Zhang Anshi, Wang Wenshu and others.

but.

While gaining benefits, Liu Ju also brought himself into trouble. Zhang Tang had many disciples and former officials, but he made even more enemies due to his harsh laws in the past!

Liu Ju went through several twists and turns to save Zhang Tang’s life. Afterwards, he reused Zhang Tang’s son Zhang He and appointed a secret censor to the imperial court. These are obvious to all.

Zhang Tang’s enemies can see it.

Based on this, it is not to the extent that they are completely hostile to Liu Ju and call for an attack on the Prince’s Palace, but they will definitely have a tendency to be dissatisfied!
Xu Yan was a man who was almost executed by Zhang Tang. He was very hostile to the Zhang family, so he was also dissatisfied with Liu Ju.

then.

When the news in Chang’an changed and the emperor’s attitude was ambiguous, he came to Bu’s Mansion and met the King of Qi.

As Bu Shi said, the people who came today all had some grievances with the Crown Prince’s Palace. In addition to Xu Yan, let me give you another example –

Mrs. Ding.

Surname Ding, given name Mrs., male.

He was the descendant of Ding Fu, a founding hero of the Han Dynasty, or in other words, the descendant of a founding hero who fell from grace halfway through his career.

The title of Marquis of Yangdu inherited by the Ding family was abolished as early as the reign of Emperor Jing due to a crime.

Nowadays, Madam Ding is the Minister of Imperial Households. The grievances between her and the Crown Prince’s Palace are due to another proposition of Liu Ju:

I don’t like alchemists!

Although Confucianism is the only school of thought in the current dynasty, other schools of thought have not been strictly prohibited. There are many examples of other schools of thought, such as Liu An, the King of Huainan, who studied the classics of various schools, and Zhuang Qingzhai, who is now a supporter of Taoism, in the Han Dynasty.

Madam Ding is a self-taught alchemist who is fond of Yin-Yang theory.

The way is:
If the superior likes something, the subordinates will like it even more; if the superior dislikes something, the subordinates will also follow it.

The prince does not like alchemists, so the important officials in the court who belong to the prince’s faction will deliberately stay away from or even hate them. When reflected in reality, it becomes suppression!

Unfortunately, Mrs. Ding was such an unlucky person who was affected by Liu Ju’s hobbies.

This is where the “resentment” lies.

On the other hand, Mrs. Ding came to show her goodwill to the King of Qi, also motivated by “profit”.

Alchemist, alchemist.

If we talk about where in the world there are the most alchemists and where alchemy is most popular, it must be Qi!

When Madam Ding came to see King Qi, it was like a turtle seeing a mung bean, they fell in love with each other!
Besides.

All those who came to Bu Shi’s residence today had connections with Xu Yan and Madam Ding. As the saying goes, “Birds of a feather flock together.” The reasons for their feud with the Crown Prince’s Palace are similar, so I will not list them one by one.

Let’s talk.

At this moment when all the kings are here and His Majesty is showing an ambiguous attitude and is ready to make a move, if the King of Qi makes a move, can the other side be far behind?
No, the Prince of Yan is equally unwilling to be outdone.

However, unlike the second brother Liu Hong, the third brother Liu Dan did not have a teacher who was one of the three highest officials in the capital to protect him, so his actions seemed…

More open and aboveboard!

In Chang’an city, under the eyes of the emperor and the prince, don’t hide. Hiding would be deceiving yourself. If you can’t hide, just be generous.

Hold an elegant gathering in the name of discussing poetry, poetry and hunting!
In the Han Dynasty, which was full of martial virtues, the term “elegant gathering” might be a bit abstract, but in the Song and Ming dynasties, there was a scene very similar to it:

Poetry meeting.

“Boom.”

The arrow fell into the pot, which was two feet high, with a long neck and a big belly.

“The Prince of Yan is very skilled.” Liu Qi, the Prince of Guangchuan, who was standing on the left side of Gao Hu and holding several arrows, praised with a smile.

Liu Dan curled his lips and said, “Tossing pots is nothing. Compared to this, I prefer horseback riding and archery. Wrestling is also fine.”

Speaking of wrestling.

Liu Dan looked at a man not far away and asked, “I didn’t see the Cavalry General Shangguan Jie when I entered the capital this time. What is his current position?”

“Oh.” Zongzheng Han Shuo bowed slightly and said with a smile: “Shangguan Jie asked to be sent to a remote county governor last year and has not been on duty in the capital.”

“hehe.”

Han said this and then chuckled twice, and everyone present really understood what he meant – he was afraid of retaliation from the Crown Prince’s Palace.

As a member of the Fourth Prince’s party, Shangguan Jie was in a very awkward and delicate situation after Li Guangli and his brothers were demoted to Lingnan. It was possible that the Crown Prince’s palace would be displeased with him one day and kill him. Rather than that, it would be better for him to ask to be sent away to avoid the limelight.

“profound.”

Upon hearing this, King Yan Liu Dan nodded but did not take it to heart.

When he asked about Shangguan Jie, he was just remembering that when he was in Chang’an, there was such a minister who had been in conflict with him, and they could not be said to have any friendship.

As for Liu Dan’s words to Shangguan Jie, “I will definitely be rewarded handsomely”…

In recent years, Liu Dan has been far away in Yan State. If Li Ji had not passed away, she might have helped him build connections in the capital.

Now.

After not seeing each other for a long time, Liu Dan had long forgotten what he had said to Shangguan Jie.

at the moment.

In the villa that the Prince of Yan had set up in the capital, there was a small red clay stove, the sound of pitching pots and poems, and dozens of dignitaries, including princes and court ministers.

Today we got together to chat and have fun. No one was being subordinate to each other and the atmosphere was much more relaxed, at least on the surface.

Is this actually the case?

Certainly not!

On the King of Qi’s side, people are known by the company they keep, while on the King of Yan’s side, people are like birds of a feather flock together. There is no difference.

“The King of Yan was so strong when he was young. I’m sure he will be braver than ten thousand men in the future. It’s really a waste of his talent to live in the bitter cold of Yan State.”

Look, less than a quarter of an hour after the party started, some people can’t wait to get straight to the point.

After hearing this, Liu Dan said without hesitation: “Of course, when I have mastered the arts of literature and martial arts, I will ask my father to return to the capital and serve the country!”

This statement came out.

Everyone in the hall fell silent and exchanged glances with each other.

Asking for permission to return to the capital? The Han Dynasty had been established for nearly a hundred years. Could the princes who took the initiative to ask for permission to return to Chang’an be here to serve the country?
It’s almost like rebellion!

At this time, Shouxi Chang, the minister of the State of Yan, who was standing beside him, smiled and said on behalf of his king: “My king has heard of all those who are willing to come to the gathering today.”

“We can be fellow travelers in the future. Your Majesty was inevitably a little frank in his words, so please don’t blame me.”

This sentence translates to:

I have checked you out, and you guys are not on the same page as the Prince’s Palace. My king’s words are quite direct, so stop pretending!

This must be what he meant. But the King of Yan was still a young man after all, so how could he understand so much? As soon as Shou Xichang, the King of Yan’s confidant, spoke, everyone knew that he was the one who was behind the King of Yan’s plan.

“Prince Yan is so straightforward, and we are ashamed.”

“That’s right, that’s right. The King of Yan has a broad mind, which is incomparable to us.”

“The King of Yan is far away at the frontier. If you have any doubts in the future, you can write to my palace.” Han said, saying something useful and true.

“it is good!”

Liu Dan stood with his head held high, and his words were still very frank, “I have already explained your thoughts to you, sir. I cannot guarantee others’ success, but if you help me, I will definitely reward you handsomely!”

His words and his intentions are all clear.

Just to fight for the throne!

If you ask why, Liu Dan might say: “I am both civil and military, why can’t I sit on the throne?”

Yes.

It is so natural that the emperor should be the one with the most virtue!
Who stipulated that the throne must be inherited by the elder brother? Wasn’t my father promoted to the position of crown prince from the tenth prince?

Does this sentence sound familiar?
That’s right, it was the mother of Prince Yan Liu Dan, Li Ji, who taught him this, and Liu Dan remembered it firmly!

Furthermore.

As he was young and ignorant, he did not know the dangers of the palace. After Liu Dan went to Yan to serve his country and gathered a group of retainers and aides around him, he gradually understood the relationship between his mother and the prince’s palace through their stories.

The situation is like fire and water!

The fight between the two even led to the death of a prime minister!
After Liu Dan left the capital to return to his country, his mother, Concubine Li Ji, fell seriously ill and died a few months later. The ruler and ministers of Yan State did suspect the Crown Prince’s Palace, but they had no evidence and the case was left unresolved.

But there is no doubt that the Crown Prince’s Palace and the Prince of Yan’s faction are not on good terms.

The seeds of discord have been sown and cannot be avoided…

Then don’t avoid it!

Prince Yan’s political declaration was very loud. People in the hall did not think it was reckless. Instead, they thought there was great potential. If they wanted to compete for the throne, they would not be able to succeed if they were timid.

Among the officials present, some wanted to take credit for following the emperor, so they were excited; some wanted to use his strength to their advantage, so they smiled subtly; and some simply wanted to disgust the prince, so they sneered.

Han Shuo, one of the Nine Ministers.

He belongs to the second.

Han Shuo had no direct conflict with Crown Prince Liu Ju, but there was an indirect grudge between them, which came from the Li family of Longxi.

If he could use the King of Yan to suppress the arrogance of the Li family, Han Shuo would not mind showing goodwill to him.

As for King Guangchuan Liu Qi, who had been listening to the people forming cliques, his presence here today may seem abrupt, but it is not the case.

If we talk about those who are present at the moment…even if we count the people from King Liu Hong of Qi’s side, there are Han Shuo, Xu Yan, Madam Ding and so on.

The resentment of all people towards Liu Ju combined was not as great as that of Guangchuan King Liu Qi alone! He was also the one who sneered.

Prince Guangchuan hated Liu Ju.

I wish I could eat his flesh and drink his blood! I wish the Prince of Yan would drive Liu Ju off his horse one day, and the Prince of Guangchuan would take the opportunity to trample him to death!
He has such a great resentment, all because of… love, the revenge of having his sister taken away, the separation… Ugh!

No, I’m going to vomit.

In short, in one sentence –

In order to save Princess Wei Chang from suffering, Liu Ju once recommended to the emperor to marry Prince Guangchuan’s half-sister to Luan Da, Marquis of Le Tong!

King Guangchuan Liu Qi was repeatedly accused of committing adultery with his own sisters.

At that time, Liu Ju pushed his sister out to take the blame with the idea of ​​making the best use of things and recycling waste.

later.

Luan Da was struck to death by lightning, and the sister of Prince Guangchuan Liu Qi became a widow and is now under house arrest in her Chang’an mansion.

Being under house arrest has nothing to do with Luan Da.

The emperor did it on purpose simply because he was dissatisfied with her violation of human ethics. At the same time, he was also giving a warning to Prince Guangchuan Liu Qi.

Judging from the current situation.

People who are blinded by love are unreasonable…

In short, those who stood with the King of Yan and the King of Qi all had some grudges with Liu Ju for various reasons.

There is no need to mention Han Shuo and others. They know very well how high their status is, how sensitive their contact with the two princes is, and what it means.

I’m not planning on hiding it.

As for the other unknown people… their names were all written down and sent to the Prince’s Palace that day and placed on Liu Ju’s desk.

After reading it, Liu Ju chuckled and said, “It’s good to worship the ancestors. We have to do it. The enemies will show up all by themselves.”

Subsequently.

He just looked at it and didn’t do anything, at least not now.

The next day, the warm sun was shining, the sky was clear, and it was a good day.

Bowang Garden.

Near the flowerbed on the south side, a pale-faced young man was lying on a rocking chair with his eyes slightly closed, enjoying the rare sunshine in winter.

At some point, footsteps were heard behind him, and then a low salute, or perhaps a defensive voice, was heard, “Greetings, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”

Liu Hong opened his eyes, turned around and saw his brother standing not far away with a smile on his face. Two guards were stretching out their hands, half saluting and half stopping him.

“Don’t be rude, leave.”

Hearing the sound, the two guards of King Qi stepped aside. Liu Ju did not care and stepped closer, stopping Liu Hong from standing up to salute.

“You are my brother, no need to be polite.”

As he spoke, he put down the stool he was holding and asked, “Second brother, do you also like this seat that I made for you?”

Liu Hong still cupped his hands, lowered his head to look at the chair under him, smiled and said, “I saw it in the clinic before, and was quite curious, so I sat down and tried it out.”

“It’s really comfortable.”

“If you like, you can learn it and bring it back to Qi. But I have to remind you not to show it in front of outsiders, or you’ll get spit on.”

“My younger brother is far away in Qi State, and I have heard that you are good at business skills and are not particular about trivial matters. It turns out that your reputation is well-deserved.” Liu Hong said with a smile.

“Oh?”

Liu Ju glanced at him and said teasingly, “What other reputations have you heard of? Tell me all about them. I love to hear people flattering me the most.”

“Heh…” Liu Hong laughed and shook his head.

The two brothers were chatting and laughing in the distance, but the people behind them were staring at each other. The two guests of King Qi and Zhang He and Jin Midi looked at each other in silence, as if they were betting on who would blink first and lose.

“Uncle Weng, please step back.” Liu Ju called out to the back, “I want to have a private conversation with the King of Qi.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Hong looked back and nodded.

Wait for a few people to retreat.

Liu Ju then said with emotion: “We brothers have not been together for a long time. You grew up in the palace. When you were a little older, I left the palace. When you were older, you went to work for the country. We are far apart, so it is inevitable that we are unfamiliar with each other.”

Liu Hong paused and said softly, “But blood is thicker than water. After all, we are brothers.”

“Yes.”

Liu Ju looked into the distance, “They are all brothers, like my father and the King of Zhao. But the way they get along with each other now really makes me uncomfortable.”

There was a moment of silence, and Liu Hong nodded and said, “I feel the same way.”

Liu Ju looked back and saw that he looked serious and his eyes were clear. Seeing this, Liu Ju smiled and asked, “Do you have any opinions on how to govern a country?”

“…Whose way of governing a country are you asking, brother?”

“Father’s.”

“……Have.”

A gentle breeze blew across the grass. The sun was shining brightly. Liu Ju smiled and said, “Tell me about it.”

(End of this chapter)