Chapter 277 Ridiculous Ridiculous
If young people are not full of energy, can they be called young people?

This sentence returns again.

There were many royal family members and marquises who were detained in Chang’an, both old and young, but those who gathered in the courtyard to fight cocks today were all young people.

Rules and decency might be something that others need to take into consideration, but not in front of this group of young royal family members who have all been granted titles.

The constraints are very limited.

Someone had already waved his hand and told Han to get out, but he didn’t. Instead, he angrily said, “As the chief minister, my every word and action represents the court!”

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has issued an order that all members of the royal family and marquises must be assessed. Those who fail must pay a fine. This is the imperial decree!”

“You guys want to disobey orders?!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the young man closest to Han Shuo spat, “Tsk! Is it about the imperial decree?”

“How come we didn’t know anything about this before?”

Han Shuo shouted coldly: “Before making the decision, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had already discussed it with the clan member Liu De, and he had no objection. Do you think he needs to call each of you to discuss it?”

“absurd!”

When he rebuked them, the clan members who were already glaring at him suddenly became furious. One of them rolled up his sleeves, pointed at Han Shuo, and cursed:

“You bastard, don’t mention Liu De to me! He has been a running dog since he got an official position in the imperial court. How dare he represent the royal family?”

He walked forward while cursing, as if he was ready to start a fight if there was any disagreement.

This Lord.

His surname is Liu and his given name is Wansui. Liu Wansui, Marquis of Qucheng, is the seventeenth son of King Jing of Zhongshan. He has always been lawless in his fiefdom and would beat people when he got angry.

Han Shuo seemed frightened, with a look of disbelief on his face. He stepped back and said anxiously, “You…you…what do you want to do?”

When he said this, coupled with the situation of the enemy advancing and we retreating, the most suitable line for Liu Wansui must be: “What are you doing? Beat you up!”

And then.

The situation will turn into a situation where the royal family members beat up the officials, and things will get out of hand…

Fortunately, just as Liu Wansui was about to say something harsh and raise his fist, someone pushed him away and snatched away the imperial edict that Han Shuo was using to resist.

No matter who he was dealing with, his actions were never polite, but this man was dressed in tight clothes, about thirty years old, and he had just rushed over from the side hall after hearing the noise.

now.

More and more clan members gathered in the courtyard. Liu Wansui, who was pushed away, became angry and shouted, “Brother, why are you stopping me from teaching this fellow a lesson?”

Amidst the questioning and noise, the thirteenth son of King Jing of Zhongshan, Liu Wansui’s thirteenth brother, Marquis of Gaoqiu, Liu Pohu, didn’t even look at his younger brother.

Sweep the decree.

Liu Pohu looked at Han coldly and said, “Who issued this decree? Don’t use the name of the court to pressure me. Is it the Crown Prince’s Palace or the Weiyang Palace?”

“The Crown Prince’s Palace!” Han said in a timid tone, “But so what? The Crown Prince’s order is the imperial decree!”

“According to the prince’s order, tomorrow you will…”

“Your mother!” Before he could finish his righteous official tone, a loud shout came from the noisy royal family behind him.

The person who cursed was not from the lineage of the King of Zhongshan. He did not give Liu Pohu any respect at all and said, “What a bullshit decree!?”

“He said fine, so what? And what about the assessment? I’ve never heard of it. Except for the imperial edict from His Majesty, we won’t recognize anyone else’s order!”

“Yes, I don’t recognize it!”

“If you want to criticize the royal family, let Liu Ju speak for himself, and let Liu De come as well!”

Amidst the noise and abuse, the names of Liu De and Liu Ju were frequently on the list. As princes, they were rarely called by their names by the common people of the Han Dynasty, or even by officials. But in front of a group of uncles and brothers who also shared the surname Liu, not to mention them, they would be cursed at!
Amid the noise, the royal family approached step by step. Han Shuo retreated in embarrassment, but he still insisted on shouting: “How dare you!”

“It is simply outrageous to disrespect the prince!”

“I will report this to His Majesty!”

It would have been fine if he hadn’t said this, but once he did, the clan members started to curse even louder: “You dog official, as the head of the clan, you don’t speak for the clan members, but use His Majesty to pressure us!?”

“Go find His Majesty? Who wouldn’t? We’ll go find him too! Go to Weiyang Palace and file a complaint!”

“Seek justice from His Majesty!”

“go!”

They left as soon as they said they would. The angry royal family members swarmed out of the inn. Some of them were smart enough to know that this was a rash move.

But even though they knew it, the smart people kept their mouths shut when they thought of the “exploitation decree” issued by the Crown Prince’s Palace. Not only did they not stop it, but they secretly instigated and cheered on.

If you don’t make trouble, you will definitely be punished.

After all the commotion, there might be a turning point.

The lawless royal family members were in front, and those who added fuel to the fire were behind, and they went straight to the Weiyang Palace.

At the gate of the inn, watching the group of royal family members waving whips and shouting as they left, Han Shuo straightened his clothes. The expression on his face was the same as that of the groom, no longer showing any sign of embarrassment. The corners of his lips curled up, and he smiled without saying a word…

Weiyang Palace, Greenhouse Palace.

Footsteps were heard in the quiet hall, and the eunuch walked behind the screen and reported: “Your Majesty, the royal family members are crying outside and want to see Your Majesty.”

The emperor, who was holding the book and reading it, did not respond until he finished reading the memorial. He then threw it onto a table below and gave a four-character comment:

“Re-approve it and re-approve it.”

Sitting behind the desk, Shang Shu Pushe Huo Guang wrote the four words exactly as they were on the memorial submitted by the prince.

The greenhouse was as warm as spring. The emperor, wearing only a single layer of clothing, stood up and walked slowly to the screen. Only then did he ask, “What are they crying about?”

The eunuch Ling, who followed closely, answered hesitantly: “It seems to be related to a decree issued by the Crown Prince’s Palace.”

“Yes, it is. No, it is not.”

The emperor said indifferently: “What do you mean by ‘as if’?”

The old eunuch immediately knew how to answer and bowed, “The Crown Prince will conduct an assessment of the royal family and marquises. Those who are not virtuous and talented will be fined.”

“They are dissatisfied, saying that when Your Majesty issued the Enfeoffment Order, you claimed to extend favors and treat the royal family well, but now the Crown Prince has changed it for no reason and is deliberately treating them harshly.”

“It is a betrayal of your majesty.”

It was agreed that the extension of favors would bring blessings, but now the order has changed every day. Are they going to punish even the marquises who were extended favors? Where is the integrity?

Where does this strategy of the Crown Prince put Your Majesty?

Are the descendants of the Liu family going to be forced to go out on the streets and make a living by selling straw sandals? Emperor Gao certainly would not have thought that his descendants would be treated so harshly!

Your Majesty, please make the decision for us!
…It’s no wonder that the old eunuch was hesitant. The words that the royal family members cried out were actually much more explosive than what he relayed to the emperor.

“Hey!”

Who would have thought that the emperor did not get angry but laughed instead, put his hands behind his back, approached the palace door and listened, he could vaguely hear the wailing sounds like ghosts and wolves howling outside.

“I have done a trick to seize the title by using the money, and the prince is trying to imitate me and do a…”

“Demotion of rank due to virtue and talent?”

After hearing the emperor’s tone, the old eunuch’s face immediately changed to a smile, “These royal family members are indeed too much, they really should be reduced. I think His Royal Highness did nothing wrong.”

“Humph.” The emperor glanced at him sideways, “You eunuch, you are really good at reading the atmosphere.”

The eunuch smiled like a chrysanthemum and did not make any explanation.

The royal family has joined forces to cause trouble for the prince. Who knows what His Majesty is thinking? Until his attitude is clear, the old eunuch will definitely not express his opinion.

But once the attitude is clear, the old eunuch immediately follows up and bravely becomes the vanguard to protect his master!
“Okay, go and pass on the message.” The emperor didn’t dwell on the eunuch’s order, and pointed casually outside, “Aren’t they going to cry and complain? Let them find the right place.”

“Why are you in Weiyang Palace? Go to Mingtang and kneel down and cry!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The eunuch was about to go and tell the emperor to clean up his messenger, but before he could take a step, the emperor stopped him and said, “Also, tell the prince to come and clean up his mess.”

Nowadays, the emperor will no longer clean up the mess for the prince, but will deal with the troubles he has caused himself.

Liu Ju had anticipated this scene, and the person who was going to clean up the mess had already prepared…

West side of the Greenhouse Hall.

Seeing the eunuch’s order to turn back, the royal family members who had gathered in the corridor and were crying loudly immediately stopped and gathered around to ask, “Is His Majesty going to receive us?”

“Your Majesty is busy with government affairs, please forgive me.”

“What?” A group of Liu clan members exclaimed at once. They had seen many people claiming to be alone, so how could they not understand what this meant.

The eunuch ignored the shocked expressions of the crowd and chuckled, “His Majesty has instructed that you are all descendants of the royal family. How can the court treat you harshly?”

“If you have any requests, please go to Mingtang and wait.”

Go to Mingtang?
Their faces changed. Once they went to Mingtang, it was not a place where they could act recklessly. At this time, a voice came from the back of the crowd:
“Your Majesty, will you be in the Mingtang to make the decision for us later?”

Hearing this, the young royal family members in front of them, whose faces had changed color, suddenly brightened up and became hopeful again. Isn’t it just kneeling in the Mingtang? As long as they can reject the prince’s order, it is worth it.

As for the assessment fine, after just one listen, I knew it was going to be a penalty for them.

Never admit it!

Facing so many hopeful looks, the eunuch smiled and said softly, “His Majesty has specifically ordered His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to uphold justice for everyone.”

Prince?
No matter if it was the young and inexperienced people at the front or the smart people at the back, they were all stunned at this moment.

The person who stabbed us was the prince, and we still ask him to seek justice?

For a moment.

The smart ones realized something and thought something was wrong, but the foolish ones… became furious!
“How can this be possible? We are members of the royal family and marquises. I want to see His Majesty!”

“Eunuchs isolate the inner and outer worlds, and have ulterior motives. You must have been bribed by the crown prince to deceive His Majesty. We want to see His Majesty—!”

The royal family is the royal family, and they are extremely courageous. In the past, their fathers dared to gather together and go to Empress Dowager Dou to report the emperor. Now, they gather together to the emperor and report the prince.

As tough as ever.

The eunuch’s order was not Han Shuo’s. The old eunuch’s face darkened immediately after being scolded. When he was about to “invite” the royal family members out of the palace, a voice sounded from the back:
“Everyone, listen to me!”

Liu De, with a complicated expression on his face, walked past the eunuch’s order and bowed to his many uncles and brothers.

“How dare you come here, Liu De!”

“You are such a shameless person, but you discussed the assessment fine with the prince? Can you represent us?”

The curses came as expected and the crowd was excited, but Liu De just held his hands and remained silent. After everyone had cursed for half a cup of tea, the noise gradually died down and he stopped.

“My dear uncles and brothers.” Liu De bowed and said, “The Crown Prince has ordered me to take charge of the assessment of the royal family.”

His first sentence brought about a barrage of abuse, and his second sentence undoubtedly set off another wave of abuse, which was nothing more than refusing to recognize, take the exam, or pay the money.

During this period.

The eunuch watched coldly, and Liu De continued to swallow his pride.

When everyone got tired of scolding, they paused for a while. Taking advantage of the gap, Liu De began to speak the third sentence: “According to the order of the crown prince, those who perform poorly in the assessment will pay a fine, and those who perform well can be recruited to serve as officials in the court.”

“Fuck you, no…”

I subconsciously started to refute but was only halfway through when I suddenly realized that something was wrong.

Even the most angry young man fell silent at this moment. The crowd of marquises were like ducks with their throats grabbed, and the scene suddenly became quiet.

Comparing the before and after, I just feel an eerie quietness.

Everything is because of…

At present, the imperial court has been restricting and revoking the titles of royal family members in order to strengthen centralization of power. This is the general trend and everyone can see it.

The feudal states were weak and the central government was strong. The vassal states were unable to protect themselves, let alone the marquisates. Ever since the position of Zongzheng, who originally belonged to the royal family, was occupied by outsiders, this sense of unease became more and more intense.

This is a time of critical life and death!

The royal family members had long reached a consensus that if they wanted to protect themselves, they could only occupy a place in the central court, that is, to serve as officials!

Not to mention protecting the entire royal family from wind and rain, that would be too fake and unrealistic.

Just for myself.

A title can allow one to enjoy privileges, but it is a precarious one. However, once one holds an official position in the court, one will have power.

Consolidating one’s own title is one thing, and secondly, if done well, those without titles can be granted titles, and those with titles may even be given higher titles.

This is the fundamental solution!

However, the imperial court had many grudges against members of the royal family, and only a few could serve as officials in the court. For example, if Liu De had not been extremely talented and chosen by the emperor, he would never have been able to enter the court.

It must be admitted.

Those who had just cursed Liu De the most harshly, all had more or less envy, jealousy and hatred in their hearts!

At this time, he said that “the outstanding ones can be recruited to serve as officials in the court”, and everyone immediately calmed down, and no matter how angry they were, they suppressed their anger.

There was a moment of silence under the eaves.

Someone asked cautiously: “After the imperial court recruits, how many hundred shi of official rank can one get?”

Liu De replied: “Officials are appointed according to their talents, some are big and some are small, but as a member of the royal family, I will definitely not let you start as a minor official.”

The silence continued.

Someone else rolled his eyes and asked, “Is there a limit on the number of places?”

“No, anyone with talent can be recruited.”

The silence deepened. There were nearly a hundred people, but at this moment, no sound was made, which made the eunuchs who were watching on the side sneer.

“De, how are the talent standards established? What are they tested on?”

Liu De bowed to the uncle who had disappeared before and now came out of the crowd to get close to him, “Second uncle, you can come to Zongzheng Temple to find me for details.”

Say it.

He turned and left.

The snow on the palace walls was rustling, and the corridor was silent. I didn’t know who took the first step to catch up, but in the blink of an eye, the group of people who were red-faced and spitting just now all surrounded Liu De, as if they were afraid of being left behind.

“Xiao Dezi, we met when you were a kid.”

“Well, that’s nothing. I even hugged him before! By the way, are you also the one responsible for the final evaluation of this assessment?”

“Oh, it’s the prince. Hello, Prince!”

“Although I am the Crown Prince’s fourth uncle, we are of similar age. I have always respected His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. If anyone dares to disrespect him, I will kick him!”

“…”

(End of this chapter)