Chapter 262 (Big Chapter) Whose Court!

Great court meeting.

The Imperial Household Official Shangguan Jie frowned.

Tian Qianqiu, the secretary of the Crown Prince’s Palace, winked at the official behind him.

The Grand Minister of Agriculture Bu Shi, no, the Imperial Envoy Bu Shi bowed his hands in thanks.

A meaningful smile appeared on the corner of the mouth of Minister of Agriculture Sang Hongyang.

Guanglu Doctor Jin Midi was thinking about what to do next.

Liu Che: “The meeting is adjourned.”

Walking out of the court, Taichang Huo Guang was surrounded by a group of ministers.

“Master Huo, now that the Prime Minister has passed away and the political situation has changed again, you should make plans early!”

Huo Guang stopped, looked back at the person who was speaking, and shook his head, signaling him to stop talking.

Zhao Guo, one of the Nine Ministers, walked over and bowed, “Lord Huo, we have worked together for many years, please be careful with your words.”

After saying this, Zhao Guo slapped the minister who spoke on the face, then snorted coldly and turned away.

The beaten minister shouted: “You!”

The main door of the palace opened with a bang.

Wei Qing walked over slowly.

Wei Qing had not attended grand court meetings for several years and had been staying at home on the pretext of illness.

The whole group of people were stunned.

Why did the general come here at this time?
Sang Hongyang stood beside Bu Shi and asked, “Why did the general come here this time?”

Bu Shi: “Probably to ask for fiefs for a few princes.”

Although several princes should have had fiefs long ago, it has never been realized.

It seems that the political situation is about to change, but in fact it has become even stranger.

There are five Shangqing in total.

Grand Marshal, Generalissimo, Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry, Prime Minister, Imperial Envoy, and Grand Minister of Agriculture.

There are three and a half of Wei and Huo’s lineage, and Bu Shi is half of them.

There are seventeen ministers above the Nine Ministers and below the Senior Ministers.

There are eleven in the Wei Huo lineage.

If Huo Guang is also considered to be from the Wei-Huo lineage, then there are fourteen in total.

The problem is that Wei Qing and Huo Qubing have not appeared in the court for many years.

Huo Qubing would go out every year to inspect military affairs in various places, replacing Wei Qing’s duties.

But Wei Qing was sick all year round.

Gongsun He and his men did not come out to take charge of the matter.

In addition, Huo Guang and the Huo family split up.

It gives people the feeling that the various forces in the court are very scattered.

But Bu Shi and Sang Hongyang knew very well that everyone was waiting for an opportunity.

What we are waiting for is nothing else but the opportunity to start the final war to unify the world.

Now that we have started a war to unify the world, we cannot afford to make any mistakes.

Wei and Huo came out together.

The necessary condition for Wei Huoqi to leave is that the prince leaves the Central Kingdom and the Thirteen States earlier.

Not only the prince, but all the dukes and nobles had to leave.

If they don’t leave, Wei Huo can’t leave.

I don’t know how many years it will take.

It was no longer just a matter of fighting the Huns. Once those places were conquered, they had to start digesting them on the spot. Relying on the various experiences accumulated in other places, they dismembered them into small fiefdoms and distributed them to various nobles of the Han Dynasty.

Therefore, Wei Huo will not leave any threat in Chang’an, or even in the entire Thirteen States, not a single one.

Seeing Wei Qinglong walking past them with such vigor and power, everyone fell into deep thought.

The general is still the same general, and it is no problem for him to overturn a cow.

Only someone out of his mind would believe that he has been ill all these years.

Bu Shi was just laughing when an official stepped forward from behind him and whispered, “Sir, the position of Prime Minister is now within reach. The former Imperial Envoy has been away from Chang’an for many years and is unfamiliar with the officialdom. He may not be able to adapt when he returns.”

“You should focus on the Prime Minister and take one step closer!”

“Everyone can see that the war is about to begin. If you become the prime minister and take advantage of this trend, you may become another great general in five years.”

Bu Shi’s smile froze and he looked back.

Counting the days in my mind.

At present, when these officials first entered the court, they could not come into contact with Huo Hai. By the time they were qualified to come into contact with people of Huo Hai’s level, Huo Hai had already gone to Chengdu to live in seclusion.

I’m afraid there are many such people.

But the main force of the entire court is currently of this type.

Because most of the older generation of officials are incapable of implementing the new policies and lack the innovative consciousness to match them, there has been a trend in the court in recent years for the older generation to look for promising talents among the lower classes and then personally train them.

Then give way to them and let them climb up.

Be your own boss.

Yes, Huo Hai is not familiar with the court.

but……

Bu Shi: “You may have made a mistake.”

“Lord Wu Hou does not need to adapt to the court. It is the court that should adapt to Lord Wu Hou.”

The Minister of Transport, in his fur coat, coughed twice and walked by.

Although the position of Minister of Communications was below that of Minister of Rites, Xiang Xu’s prestige in the court was still very high.

At this time, Xiang Xu walked out slowly, shaking his head and saying, “The general is too explosive.”

Bu Shi was puzzled: “Master Xiang, what happened to the general?”

What happened to the general?
Xiang Xu: “The general listed 140 crimes of the royal family and wants to kill them all.”

Bu Shi didn’t understand but felt it was powerful.

After walking a few more steps, Bu Shi suddenly realized: “Did the general sue all the royal family members who were unwilling to leave the Thirteen Provinces?”

Xiang Xu: “You just understood?”

Bu Shi shook his head: “Exaggerated, Your Majesty, do you agree?”

Sang Hongyang: “How do you know this is not what your majesty thinks?”

Shangguan Jie was standing beside them, walking slower and slower. After more than ten seconds, his raised leg did not come down at all.

At the same time, he asked, “Mr. Huo, why are people walking slower and slower?”

Huo Guang: “Why are you walking so slowly?”

Shangguan Jie: “I always feel that things are not that simple. There will be something interesting to watch today.”

As he was speaking, the front door opened again.

The Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry walked in from the middle of the palace gate.

Shangguan Jie: “So, Grand Marshal Hussar General, what do you want to propose?”

Mehefu next to him joked, “You are the Imperial Horse Servant, but you don’t know what the General of the Cavalry is going to do. Isn’t that a waste of your position as the Imperial Horse Servant? You don’t want to get into trouble by saying it, right?”

Shangguan Jie laughed: “I am just a humble servant who is in charge of horses. What can I know?”

Jin Midi: “I am the one who is in charge of the horses. When have you ever been in charge of horses? Aren’t you in charge of sugar, canned food, munitions, and cannons?”

“Besides, you are an important official, how can you call yourself a mere imperial servant?”

Shangguan Jie: “Those are all court secrets. Of course, we can’t say what we shouldn’t. Besides, compared to the Grand Marshal, the General of the Cavalry, what am I if not a small imperial servant? When I visit the Huo family, I may not be able to enter the main hall.”

The group of people walked slower and slower.

Some people walk faster, but when they look back later they realize why everyone is dragging their feet.

Now, it’s not right for me to leave, nor is it right for me not to leave, so I might as well stay where I am.

They discussed it in groups of three or five.

Soon, news came that the Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry proposed that all princes and nobles exchange their fiefs and move outside the Thirteen Provinces of the Han Dynasty.

The Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry begged His Majesty earnestly.

It has been twenty years since the world has been changing.

Nowadays, the nobles collect pitiful agricultural taxes and cannot even get enough to eat.

Only those who allow everyone to exchange land, develop business, and collect business taxes are true aristocrats. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be unworthy of the name?
I demand that Your Majesty agree to it.

I understand everything I understand.

Those who don’t understand will see, wow, the Grand Marshal, the Grand General, the Grand Marshal, and the General of the Cavalry, are all forcing the emperor to abdicate!

Those who understand will see it.

What a double act.

However, after such a wonderful show, no one wanted to leave.

In front of the newly built Xianyang Palace, a large number of nobles had no intention of leaving.

Fortunately it’s not cold here.

Warm water pipes are buried underground here to deliberately heat the ground in order to protect the plants collected from the warm south and planted on both sides of the stairs.

So the steps also had residual heat and the snow did not stop.

Everyone moved forward slowly and continued to listen to the news from the palace.

First, the emperor was angry and wanted to take action against more than a hundred noble relatives who broke the rules and violated the law.

Then the emperor was even more angry, “These bastards are breaking the law, and you are still trying to get benefits for them? Do you want to be the Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry and don’t want to do it anymore?”

The Grand Marshal and General of the Cavalry argued that the royal family should be given a chance.

Many new officials couldn’t help but sigh.

He is worthy of being the founder.

I am the originator of simplified new education. I am not kidding you.

So, what else is going to happen today? Why don’t we leave today?
Soon, a message came from outside the palace.

The old eunuch Wang climbed up the stairs, panting.

The ministers along the way also lent a hand.

“Eunuch Wang, what’s going on? Why are you running so fast?”

Wang Nei Shi gasped: “Imperial Doctor, Imperial Doctor…”

Bu Shi: “Looking for me?”

Wang Nei Shi glanced at Bu Shi and said, “No! It’s the old imperial doctor, the great Han Xuanwu Marquis Huo Hai… Lord Huo, he has returned to Chang’an.”

“We are now on Chang’an Avenue, coming all the way west.”

“On the way here, General Li Guangli borrowed the road and drove against the flow, blocking the carriage of Lord Wuhou.”

“That guy, until it was Lord Wuhou, Li Guangli drove backwards all the way, and luckily he didn’t block Lord Wuhou from entering the palace.”

General Li Guangli is now the most powerful person in Chang’an.

A few years ago, Liu Che married a new wife named Lady Li.

Lady Li soon gave birth to a little son for Liu Che, named Liu Bo.

Li Guangli is an enhanced version of Dong Yan 25 years ago.

Who among the nobles in Chang’an City does not follow Li Guangli now?

In the court, who saw Li Guangli not greeting people with a smile?

Whose car would not give way when it encounters Li Guangli?
But the person who came was Huo Hai.

Li Guangli drove backward for three kilometers before he found a gap and cleared the road.

But Huo Hai didn’t even look at him.

Huo Hai walked a long way and was picked up by the Prefect of the Guards Luo Lie, only then did he realize that the man was Li Guangli.

Li Guangli, that is the second great uncle of Marquis Haihun.

Oh no, I got it wrong. There is no grandma, it’s my second uncle.

Huo Hai was not satisfied with chatting with Luo Lie with the window open.

So he switched seats with Wu Da, letting Wu Da sit in the back while he sat in the groom’s seat.

When Luo Lie saw this, he burst into laughter, sat in the coachman’s seat of his own car, and then drove with Huo Haibi.

A red light appeared ahead.

The guard took a look and patted the head of the person who pressed the red light, turned the light back to green, and turned the sidewalk light back to red.

People who were about to cross the road all stepped back.

The traffic policeman straightened his hat and looked at the guard: “Who is the identity of the person in the carriage? We haven’t changed the order of traffic lights for a long time.”

The garrison commander lit a cigarette and looked at the carriage going away: “I don’t know the identity of the people in the carriage, but the driver is Lord Huo Haihuo, the Imperial Doctor, one of the Three Dukes.”

“I guess I’ll be promoted to Prime Minister today.”

The traffic policeman was surprised: “Isn’t that the former Minister of Agriculture? When you entered the industry, he should have been in charge of us, right?”

“He is in charge?” The garrison commander said, “He gave us this job. There was no such job before. He is our bread and butter, don’t you understand?”

……

The main gate of the new Xianyang Palace opened.

Luo Lie, the Imperial Guard, bowed and said, “Now that I am no longer the commander of the Imperial Guard, I will not go in with this family.”

Huo Hai: “Who is the current leader?”

Luo Lie: “Nominally it’s Jin Midi, but the person in charge is actually Zhang Anshi.”

Huo Hai knew: “Zhang Tang’s son.”

Luo Lie smiled and finally said, “Old Master Shi Qing is out and about again.”

Shi Qing…is not dead yet?

What does it mean to be out and about again!? Could it be that… Dong Zhongshu has made new achievements in his research?

Huo Hai didn’t care and said goodbye to Luo Lie.

It has been an hour since the grand court meeting ended, but the ministers did not leave the court completely, and almost none of them left.

One step up the stairs after another.

Huo Hai was not wearing official robes, but casual clothes, and he walked in like that.

The people at the front couldn’t help but bow when they saw Huo Hai. They bowed respectfully and said to the ground, “Master Wu Hou!”

Huo Hai nodded, did not help, and continued walking away.

Several ministers around him were puzzled: “Lord Wuhou seems to be much more arrogant than the General of the Cavalry?”

The man who bowed said: “Nonsense, Lord Wu Hou is the most approachable noble.”

Several people looked at each other.

Have it?

As Huo Hai walked along, people bowed to him along the way.

They knew very well that they were where they are today, that they could serve in the imperial court instead of being peasants digging fields in the mountains, all because of Huo Hai.

Those who were not aware of the situation were wondering why these ministers they knew were so respectful to this man who had not been in office for ten years.

A group of people looked at Huo Hai.

Huo Hai finally arrived at where the Nine Ministers were.

Xiang Xu was at the front, and he bowed respectfully: “Sir!”

When I raised my head, tears filled my eyes.

Huo Hai laughed and scolded: “Is it that exaggerated? Come to my house for a drink tomorrow.”

“I heard you gave birth to two sons? Bring them along.”

Turning back, Jin Midi fell to the ground: “Second Master!”

Huo Hai raised his hand and stopped Jin Midi from falling completely: “Come on, little Jinzi is doing well.”

Turning around, Shangguan Jie greeted him with a smile and knelt down to kowtow.

The ministers were caught off guard.

Huo Hai quickly stepped forward and helped Shangguan Jie up: “Good boy, you are young and energetic, get ready to go.”

Shangguan Jie looked excited: “Yes!”

Next to him, Huangfu Hua, who had been silent, stepped forward and bowed respectfully, “Sir.”

Huo Hai: “Come to my house for a drink tomorrow.”

The nine ministers came forward one by one.

Those ministers who didn’t understand became more and more confused the more they read.

Those in power do not know whose dynasty this is.

Huo Hai’s achievements are not taught in school.

No one asked, and no one would tell them.

No one would say “Huo Hai is my benefactor” every day.

It was only at this time, when the nine ministers came forward one by one and performed their grand ceremony, that everyone gradually realized the importance of this person who had been away from the court for ten years.

Huo Guang cupped his hands and said, “Second brother.”

Huo Hai was very happy: “Well done.”

Huo Guang smiled bitterly.

After Huo Hai left, Huo Guang spent ten years trying to replace the framework left by Huo Hai.

As a result, he became the Minister of Heaven, holding the two powerful weapons of parliament and imperial examination, with the help of His Majesty.

Still no success.

Zhao Guo, Bu Shi, and Sang Hongyang all stepped forward.

They are friends with Huo Hai, but they are also teachers and friends.

Here in Huo Hai, they learned a lot of new things, and eventually they became other most important banners in the new business reform.

Over the years, the flag has been flying and the Han people have become increasingly powerful.

Bu Shi bowed and said, “Master Huo, please come in.”

Finally, Huo Hai returned to the palace.

Although I returned to a newly built palace.

At this time, outside the palace gate, Shi Qing was about to get off the carriage.

Liu Ju grabbed Shi Qing’s hand and said, “Master! Is this really necessary?”

Shi Qing looked at Shi De next to him: “Shi De!”

Shi De raised his hand and grabbed Liu Ju: “Prince!”

Shi Qing: “Prince, you and I both know that today is your last chance. If Huo Hai returns to the court, the throne will be forever away from you, Prince!”

“Even if it’s not for yourself, shouldn’t you consider the Crown Prince?!”

Crown Prince Liu Jin is already fourteen years old.

Liu Ju couldn’t make up his mind.

After a moment of silence, he said, “I’m afraid my father will chop you off.”

Shi Qing’s old body trembled: “Now among the civil and military officials in the court, there are not many old ministers willing to fight for the prince! Dong Zhongshu is obviously alive and well, but he is unwilling to come out again. Only the old ministers, only the old ministers are gone!”

In the main hall.

The eunuch Wang announced.

“Enhance the rank of Sima, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and make him Prime Minister!”

The General of Chariots and Cavalry is the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and the Grand Marshal of Chariots and Cavalry is the Grand Marshal of Chariots and Cavalry.

The General of Chariots and Cavalry ranked below the General and the General of Cavalry, and above the General of Guards and the Generals of the Front, Back, Left and Right.

The Grand Marshal and General of Chariots and Cavalry ranked above the Three Dukes.

Logically, he is second only to the Grand Marshal General and the Grand Marshal General of the Cavalry.

Therefore, the edict also has the second half of the sentence: “Official rank and salary are equal to those of a general.”

Liu Che was already very old at this time, but he seemed even more vigorous and energetic.

The key point is that the anger he had more than ten years ago is dissipating.

Instead, there was a hint of indifference and a hint of suspicion.

But, just a hint.

Liu Che smiled and said, “Over the years, Wei Qing was given the title of Duke of Khan, and the General of the Cavalry was given the title of Duke of Xia.”

“Now, it’s time to confer you the title of Duke, otherwise you will have to perform formalities when you see your son.”

The court was filled with Wei Huo’s relatives and important clan members.

Everyone is laughing.

The Duke of Nanguo is like a dragon that can only be seen from head to tail, and is rarely seen at ordinary times.

It is hard to say whether he is in Chang’an at this time, but it is estimated that he is not.

However, if Huo Hai saw the adult Duke of Nan who had succeeded to the throne, he should bow.

Liu Che: “I want to keep the word ‘Wu’ in your title, so I want to confer you the title of Duke of Wu’an.”

“But when I think about it carefully, all those who were granted the title of Wu’an in history did not have a good ending, so I hesitated.”

In history, those who were granted the title of Wuan included Bai Qi, Li Mu, and Su Qin.

Liu Che: “So, I want to confer you the title of Duke of Anhan, but then the word Wu will not be left in your name. You can choose for yourself.”

Duke Anhan?
The Grand Marshal and General of Chariots and Cavalry was given the title of Duke of Anhan, which is much more unlucky than being given the title of Duke of Wuan!

Wang family, Wang family…

Huo Hai cupped his hands and said, “Just call him Wu’an Gong. In history, several people were given the title of Wu’an Jun, not Wu’an Gong.”

“If your majesty thinks it is not a good idea, then you can confer the title of Duke of Anguo on him.”

Huo Hai pointed to the world map on the wall and said, “The local ministers have been selected, and we will settle down on the peninsula that we currently rule.”

Liu Che: “It’s a desert, with no birds or shit, and no one living there.”

Huo Hai: “Anguo must be a good place.”

Liu Che waved his hand and said, “Forget it. If you want it, I’ll give it to you. But this place is still peaceful now. If you want it, you have to go and fight for it yourself.”

Huo Hai cupped his hands and said, “I came here for this very purpose!”

“The former prime minister died for the Han Dynasty. When he was reborn, he sent a letter to the King of Kings of the Parthian Kingdom, asking him to form an alliance to fight against Rome. However, the King of Kings did not know what was good for him and even scolded the former prime minister.”

“As a result, the prime minister was so angry and old that he could not accept it for a while. He eventually fell ill and now he has passed away.”

“The big man must take revenge!”

Having said that, the Han Dynasty joined forces with Rome to attack the King of Kings from both sides.

Then he spread Confucianism crazily throughout the Parthian Empire.

‘Slander’ The King of Kings is a big fool for marrying his close relatives. If he is not a fool, his offspring will also give birth to fools.

They also said that the Emperor of Han was the ruler of the world and the king appointed by heaven.

As a result, this set of ideas spread very quickly, so that the prestige of the King of Kings became lower and lower.

As a result, the Han Dynasty still talked about forming an alliance with Parthia to fight Rome.

Are you sure they are not using Parthia as cannon fodder to fight Rome to the death and then the Han people will come out to take advantage?
Mithridates II, the king of kings, wrote a letter to scold Sima Xiangru.

Sima Xiangru was already over eighty years old, how could he be irritated by him?

Of course not.

Besides, is it a good reputation to be recorded in history books as someone who died of anger?
However, the Han Dynasty was in a hurry to mobilize troops, and the reasons needed to be rich and detailed, so Huo Hai just opened his mouth.

Liu Che nodded thoughtfully: “Indeed, it would be unreasonable not to avenge this.”

Liu Che turned around and said: “Then let’s call him Duke of Anguo, and keep the character Wu, it will be useful in the future.”

You’ll use it when the posthumous title comes, right?
But Huo Hai was polite: “You take care of this.”

Such a good posthumous title, is it my turn as a minister? !

Liu Che blew his beard and glared: “You old man, you are cursing your father, Taishan!”

Huo Hai chuckled.

At this time, the elderly Shi Qing, who had already stepped one leg into the coffin, came to the hall staggeringly.

The Shi family’s longevity gene is no joke. Even at Shi Qing’s age, he walks slowly but steadily.

Everyone was also very confused. Shi Qing hadn’t come to the court for several years. Why did he come out today?
However, Wei Qing, Huo Qubing and Huo Hai haven’t come to the court for several years.

Was Shi Qing’s arrival also discussed in advance?

What good news is this?
Shi Qing came up and kowtowed.

Liu Che: “Hey! Don’t try that. Come, please give me a seat.”

Shi Qing ignored him and kowtowed: “Your Majesty!”

“Princess Wei Chang is a virtuous woman. She loves the people like her own children, has made great contributions to the new learning, and has been very supportive of the Han Dynasty… I ask Your Majesty to grant Princess Wei Chang a fiefdom, and ask Princess Wei Chang to leave the Thirteen Prefectures of the Han Dynasty and go to her fiefdom.”

In the entire court, all sounds disappeared.

Everyone was in shock.

But then, everyone understood.

If Princess Wei Chang also has the right to inherit the throne, and if Your Majesty thinks that Princess Wei Chang can inherit the throne.

Then, Princess Wei Chang is the prince’s current enemy.

Seeing that the great battle of the Han Dynasty was imminent, all the relatives of the Wei and Huo clans had to show up, neither in Chang’an nor in the Thirteen Prefectures of the Han Dynasty.

Now all clan members who pose a threat to the prince must be transferred away.

So, what about Princess Wei Chang? Is she going or not?

But then again, if Princess Wei Chang really has the right of inheritance, shouldn’t the Wei Huo family also support her?

It’s just that everyone has supported Crown Prince Liu Ju for many years and no one thought of this.

Shi Qing, why are you talking about this at this time?

Liu Che thought about it for a moment, and immediately understood what was going on. He put his palm on the table, his face gloomy: “Shi Qing, you are so brave!”

“To alienate the flesh and blood of the royal family!”

Shi Qing was furious: “Aren’t the other princes relatives of the royal family? Your Majesty, you should make a decision!”

The gray-haired Liu Che leaned on the table and roared like a tiger, “Back off!”

Shi Qing kowtowed: “Your Majesty, please reward Princess Wei Chang and invite Princess Wei Chang to become a vassal!”

This is Liu Ju’s last chance, Shi Qing will not let it go.

Or, Your Majesty, you should stand up and say that you want to give Princess Wei Chang the right of inheritance, and let the people of the world discuss it.

Otherwise, Your Majesty should let Princess Wei Chang go to her fiefdom.

Otherwise, Princess Wei Chang’s achievements were not enough to earn her a fiefdom outside of the Thirteen States, so how could other relatives get a turn?
right.

Liu Che: “I said at the beginning that the place where the Han Dynasty produces the most salt will be the place where Princess Wei Chang will be given a fief. My dear Shi Qing, do you want me to break my promise and get rich?”

Liu Che was quick-witted and immediately refuted it.

Shi Qing had already thought of a way to deal with it: “Your Majesty, the place with the most salt in the world is on the coast of Jinzhou, in North America.”

Liu Che was stunned for a moment.

Eunuch Wang hurried to turn it over.

Nowadays, salt production is no longer a very important thing, so Liu Che couldn’t remember it clearly.

The salt we eat today is still produced in those places, but the problem is that today’s chemical industry requires a lot of salt.

And this salt is produced in North America and then shipped here.

Why not produce it along the coast of the Thirteen States of the Han Dynasty? Because there are not many coastal plains, and the production methods are not advanced enough, industrial salt cannot be produced in the Han Dynasty for the time being.

Seeing how confident Shi Qing was, Liu Che knew that this matter would be difficult to handle.

(End of this chapter)