Han Shizu

Chapter 1590 Emperor Liu's Suspicion
The car with simple and serious decoration style stopped slowly in front of the mansion of Duke Yu in Tokyo. The driver gently reined in the reins, and the accompanying guards took out a low stool from behind the car and bowed to the side. Yan took off his horse and stepped forward quickly, opened the car door, carefully He carefully helped Emperor Liu get off the car.

Standing on the ground, Emperor Liu looked up at the gate of the Duke of Yu's Mansion. Except for the plaque "Emperor built the Duke of Yu's Mansion" hanging high, there was not much to attract attention.

"This is probably the most simple mansion I've ever been to. Whether it's Xijing or Tokyo, it's the same scene!" Emperor Liu sighed softly.

In Kaifeng in winter, the climate is still very cold, the sky is gloomy, the light is dim, the air is filled with a little mist, and the accumulated chill is constantly invading. Even though Emperor Liu is wearing extra thick clothes, he still shiver unavoidably.

This trip out of the palace, fortunately, was a sudden attack on Duke Yu's mansion, but he heard that Wei Renpu, Duke of Yu's condition was getting worse, and he was dying day by day, so he decided to visit him personally.

In fact, Emperor Liu was still hesitant about this trip. After all, he had experienced a lot. Apart from being indifferent to the matter, he could not help but have some doubts.Some metaphysics, I have to believe, Emperor Liu is also worried that his visit in person is to urge Wei Renpu to order
After so many years, sickness or old age, so many veterans and old officials died, there are always some people whom Emperor Liu does not want to die, and Duke Yu Wei Renpu is obviously one of them.

As the most important minister in the Qianyou period, he was trusted by Emperor Liu as his confidant and regarded as a good teacher and helpful friend. His merit and prestige will not fade with the passage of time, and even become more fragrant with age, even though Wei Renpu has not spoken out in the court for many years , but what is certain is that as long as he is willing to stand up, he will still get the response and support of many people.

There is no doubt that during the nearly 30 years of Emperor Liu's rule, during the process of the great Han from separatism to unification, and the world from chaos to peace, Wei Renpu was the most respected prime minister.

During the period when Wei Renpu was in charge of government affairs, the court was harmonious, and there were few disputes between the upper and lower levels. Even if there were, they would be subdued under Wei Renpu's mediation. Wei Renpu is the best example of doing his best in his own work.

It can be said that Emperor Liu has experienced so many prime ministers. In terms of political clarity and harmony between the upper and lower levels, the "Wei Renpu period" is second to none, and no prime minister has been able to achieve such a height.

It's not like now, in the imperial court, there are undercurrents surging, and the fight for power and profit is not uncommon. The country is unified, the world is peaceful, and the hearts of the people are also scattered. It is not as cohesive as it was in the past. The elite ruling class in China has also begun to focus on chasing fame and fortune, and on internal friction.

For such a situation, Emperor Liu has insight into his heart, but he can't really change anything. The trend can be reversed for a while, but there will always be repetitions. After all, the general environment is not the same as before. Obviously, his prestige alone is not enough to truly suppress everyone. Chi.

What's more, he is happy to see the ministers fighting openly and secretly. If the ministers don't fight, how can he be a stable emperor? The disputes are controlled within a certain range.As for more, it can only be described as intentional and powerless, he is not a god after all.

And every time he thinks about this, Emperor Liu can't help but miss the scene when Wei Renpu was in power. Of course, it's just a nostalgia. There will be no fundamental change, even Emperor Liu can't help it, let alone Wei Renpu.

What's more, Wei Renpu, the prime minister of a gentleman, may not be able to do as well as Zhao Pu, and be able to be as safe as a rock in the endless disputes.

Having said that, why did a virtuous prime minister like Wei Renpu, who was famous in the Qianyou era and entered the Kaibao era, gradually sink, gradually or even completely disappear in the power center of the Han Dynasty, and fade out of people's vision.

The root cause still appeared in Emperor Liu. Probably after Pingnan, Emperor Liu began to alienate Wei Renpu, which was almost a subconscious behavior.

Facing Emperor Liu's estrangement, Wei Renpu certainly felt it. Knowing how to protect himself, he also kept a low profile at the peak of his career and power, and even took the initiative to resign, but was rejected by Emperor Liu.

Even so, in the redistribution of central power in the imperial court in the early years of Kaibao, Wei Renpu still "successfully" retreated bravely, stepped down from the position of prime minister, and was bundled up by Emperor Liu with the title of a cabinet scholar.

The cabinet of the Great Han Dynasty was born out of the early advocating academic system. It was originally used by Emperor Liu to divide the prime minister's power, check and balance the political affairs hall, and assist himself in handling military affairs.

But the final development did not meet expectations. Although the status is high, he really has no real power, especially Emperor Liu himself has put down the actual handling of the military and state affairs, and the cabinet that exists relying on the emperor has naturally become one. Honorary post, a pension post.

Even now, Wei Renpu still has the title of a cabinet scholar, but in addition to serving the emperor in the early years of Kaibao for consultation, Wei Renpu didn't even need to be on duty in the palace, and Emperor Liu seldom summoned.

Even if they were summoned, it was not to inquire about state affairs, but just as an ordinary hero and nobleman, to talk about the romance and care about Wei Renpu's living conditions.

It has to be said that Emperor Liu respected these old ministers enough, and he did not hesitate in terms of treatment, honor, and status, but this kind of alienation and suspicion hidden behind the eminence was terrifying and even chilling.

But there is no way, thunder, rain and dew are all the grace of the king, no matter what your psychological feelings are, you have to bear it honestly. This is a universal value in the contemporary era. Abandoned by the emperor, no matter whether you are highly respected or have made outstanding achievements, you will only end in a bleak end.

Logically speaking, for a virtuous prime minister like Wei Renpu, Emperor Liu shouldn't have been suspicious of him. Coupled with the entrepreneurial friendship of more than ten years of working together through thick and thin, he doubted anyone, and he would not doubt Wei Renpu.

With Wei Renpu's character and style, it is impossible to betray Emperor Liu. However, the problem is not what Wei Renpu does, but what Emperor Liu thinks.

Wei Renpu, the prime minister, has a really good reputation. He is highly praised by the government and the public.In his early years, he was accused of favoritism, but it turned out to be a misunderstanding. He did not retaliate at all against the officials who impeached him. He even searched for his talents and promoted them.

A prime minister who is too perfect is obviously not what Emperor Liu needs, or any emperor is unwilling to see such a prime minister.

Wei Renpu was as innocent as a spotless white lotus, with outstanding ability and noble character, which was praised by everyone. In the eyes of Emperor Liu, such a minister was either a great kindness and a holiness, or a traitorous loyalty.

Of course, Emperor Liu himself knew very well that Wei Renpu was a loyal minister, but in many cases, the emperor did not simply consider whether he was loyal, and sometimes he couldn't help but wonder where the upper and lower limits of his loyalty were.

Emperor Liu didn't look at the world from the perspective of God, but Wei Renpu from his perspective, the more perfect you are, the more awkward he will be.

Undoubtedly, Emperor Liu was a suspicious emperor, bred by a mixture of occasional low self-esteem and absolute conceit.In the early years, the country was still unstable, and the future of the great man was still bleak, so he had to be suspicious, but also to maintain his own rule and ensure the safety of the imperial power.

However, as he grows older, that kind of suspicion is also evolving. If it was said that there were mixed benefits and disadvantages in the past, then now, the negative effects account for more.

In the long-term experience of the emperor's career, he also developed the mentality that there are always troublesome people who want to harm me, and he is always on guard. Wei Renpu's reputation was too loud before, and he felt uncomfortable watching and listening, so the past Good teachers and helpful friends are naturally alienated.

Emperor Liu is not stingy, and he is even very generous and magnanimous in many cases afterwards. Pierce with a sharp blade.

The end of Wei Renpu's political career is just a product of this mental and psychological state.

In the early years, the prime ministers of the Han Dynasty were changed like a horse watching the lanterns. In 15 years, only the prime ministers changed five times. As for the ministers and ministers of the auxiliary government, they changed more frequently. The performance of centralizing and consolidating power also implicitly pointed out that he did not trust the prime minister.

However, after entering the era of Kaibao, this speculation has obviously been broken. Taking Zhao Pu as an example, he has been in the position of prime minister for more than ten years. He may have hesitated in the middle, but he is still allowed to sit securely. with.

The long-term trust in Zhao Pu, despite the use of virtuous ministers like Wei Renpu, also reflects the changes in the political environment of Emperor Liu and the Han Dynasty during the Kaibao era.

(End of this chapter)