Dahan first prince

chapter 209

Seeing Xiao He's figure slowly sitting back on the banquet table, even Liu Ying who was standing on the side of the imperial couch, couldn't help showing a touch of surprise on his face.

What kind of person is Ben He?

Perhaps, as Xiao He said, he is a veteran in the officialdom who is useless in his job and only knows how to make money; or, he is just an idiot who is too stupid to study, and he is not suitable for being an official at all.

But the crux of the problem is: for today's court, Ben He's temperament is of no importance at all!

What the court should have paid attention to was that Ben He, as an official of the Huainan Kingdom, reported his own king, Yingbu, for suspicion of treason!

This is the focus that the court officials and officials need to focus on!
According to Liu Ying's expectation, the process of today's court meeting should naturally enter the stage of "temple calculation" after the emperor Liu Bang proposed that "Huainan Chinese doctor Ben He reported Yingbo's rebellion".

That is: in response to the possible rebellion caused by Yingbo, how should the court respond, what kind of preparations should be made, and who will be armed, ready to go out to counter the rebellion at any time.

But all of Liu Ying's predictions tended to be weird following Xiao He's inexplicable speech...
"Um······"

"What the prime minister said is true."

Just when Liu Ying was puzzled by Xiao He's inexplicable speech just now, Liu Bang's deep praise came from her ear, which made Liu Ying open her mouth slightly in a daze!
What made Liu Ying even more confused about everything in front of her was that after Liu Bang's 'reminder', the confusion on the faces of the courtiers and officials in the palace disappeared almost visible to the naked eye!

Instead, there are pairs of tacit understanding eyes and extremely serious faces.

"Master Beiping Hou Cang, I respectfully bow to Your Majesty!"

After only a moment, I saw Xiao He's left back standing up with a gray hair, but he didn't see an old figure at all, and he bowed his hands heavily to the imperial steps.

"I think: What the prime minister said is indeed old-fashioned to seek the country's opinion!"

"Since Ben He has been capricious since the past, his words are so unbelievable!"

"Even if it's not credible, His Majesty can't fully believe that the king of Huainan conspired to rebel!"

Under Liu Ying's blank gaze, leaving such a slightly derogatory comment, Zhang Cang took a breath, and then quietly changed the subject.

"However, this person, Benhe, has always been regarded as an official and assistant in Huainan; even if he is untrustworthy, what he said is also related to the rebellion of the princes."

"Also Huainan Wang Yingbu, who was originally Xiang Yu's subordinate, even though he descended to Han later, he occasionally acted arrogantly."

Saying this in a solemn tone, Zhang Cang finally straightened his body and bowed to Liu Bang on the imperial steps.

"The old minister thought: Ben Heju Huainan King intends to rebel..."

"It's a big deal!"

"It is exactly as Xiao Xiangguo said: Your Majesty, you may first imprison Benhe and send envoys to investigate Yingbu's truth!"

"If Ben He's words are not true, and if the King of Huainan wants to rebel against him, then his subordinates will falsely accuse the emperor, and he should be punished severely according to the law;"

"If Yingbu is indeed as Ben He said, he has secretly stockpiled soldiers, food and grass, and his rebellion has been decided. It is not too late for His Majesty to speak of conquest and suppression of rebellion..."

Saying this with a solemn expression, Zhang Cang cupped his hands again, and immediately sat back in his seat calmly like Xiao He just now.

But after hearing Zhang Cang's speech, all the officials who were as dazed as Liu Ying a moment ago, all put on a look of "really so" and nodded their heads again and again.

The emperor Liu Bang naturally didn't pay attention to the change of Liu Ying's expression.

When Zhang Cang returned to his seat, he saw Liu Bang nodding his head with a sullen face, and looked again at the kneeling figure in front of Zhang Cang.

"Since that's the case..."

"Um······"

"In accordance with the prime minister's opinion."

With a tone that seemed to be well thought out, he said the phrase 'just do as Xiao He said', Liu Bang raised his head slightly, and waved his hand to Zhang Cang who was behind Xiao He.

"As well as what the Marquis of Beiping said, I think it's slightly inappropriate."

"As the saying goes: Those who don't plan for the eternal life are not enough to plan for a while."

"Although Ben He is not credible, what he played is also a major event involving the rebellion of the princes; just as the Marquis of Beiping said: This matter is of great importance!"

"Since the matter involves the country, we can't just send envoys to explore, but take advantage of the opportunity with Yingbu..."

Hearing Liu Bang's words, Liu Ying, who was already standing on the edge of the imperial couch with hesitation, became even more confused.

But when Xiao He heard this, he only nodded his head thoughtfully, then turned sideways and cupped his hands on the imperial steps.

"Your Majesty's eyes are as bright as a torch."

"The rebellion against Yingbo is still inconclusive, only the country's plan, Your Majesty must take precautions and prepare a good strategy to deal with it early..."

As Xiao He said this in a calm tone, everyone in the hall nodded their heads again, putting on a thoughtful look.

But on the imperial steps, Liu Bang didn't make any more detours, he just sat back on the imperial couch and slapped his thigh fiercely.

"In this way, the topic of today's court discussion has been clarified."

"——What good strategy should I prepare to deal with Yingbu's or against it?"

"And if I dispatch troops and generals to hold Qi Wu, but Ying Bu is respectful but does not turn against me, how can I face the world's rumors?"

After saying that, Liu Bang stood up again, put his hands on the imperial case, frowning and glanced at the people in the hall.

And at Liu Bang's side, Liu Ying finally understood something faintly after hearing the sentence "How to prepare, which can prevent Yingbu's rebellion and not make it into reality."

Just as Liu Ying was thinking, Xiao He pondered for a moment, then bowed his hands to Liu Bang on the imperial steps.

"His Majesty."

"I have a plan, I don't know if it works..."

The soft words naturally provoked Liu Bang to wave his hand casually before the case: "Prime Minister, but you can speak bluntly."

Seeing Xiao He groaning again, he slowly presented his 'plan' in front of everyone in the hall with a hesitant face.

"Yingbo's rebellion is nothing more than the one-sided words of the Chinese doctor Ben He; if your majesty sent troops to Huainan just because of Ben He's actions, and Yingbu had no objection at all, your majesty should have the suspicion of forcing against Yingbo."

"Ranchen also heard: the hole may not be without wind;"

"That is to say, Ben He dared to tell His Majesty that 'Huainan will turn against'. Regardless of whether the matter is true or not, Your Majesty must not be defenseless."

"Um······"

Having said this, Xiao He quietly stopped talking, and turned his slightly asking eyes to Liu Bang on the imperial steps.

After Liu Bang nodded his head with a gloomy expression, Xiao Hecai finally sighed again, and then slowly shifted his complicated eyes to Liu Ying who was beside Liu Bang.

"Today, although His Majesty has turned back first, but last year, His Majesty personally led the army to pacify Chen Xi, and it is still stationed near Handan."

"Also, Chen Xi's defeat is a foregone conclusion. If Yingbu wants to rebel, the hundreds of thousands of troops stationed in Handan can be used to counter the rebellion!"

"Therefore, if His Majesty wants to prepare a strategy to deal with Yingbu's rebellion or rebellion, there is no need to worry too much about the soldiers needed to counter the rebellion."

When he said this resolutely, Xiao He let out a slight smile, and first bowed his hands to Lu Zhi, who was in the middle of the royal rank.

When Lu Zhi nodded his head indifferently, Xiao He raised his head again, smiled meaningfully, and bowed his hands to Liu Ying.

"I still remember: since the first battle in Pengcheng, my family has never been to Fengpei Longxing to worship the ancestors of the Liu family?"

Hearing Xiao He's sudden question, Liu Ying only thought for a while before she came back to her senses.

Glancing at her father with a little admiration, Liu Ying finally turned back her confused look, smiled lightly and saluted Xiao He.

"It is exactly as the Prime Minister said."

As soon as Liu Ying finished speaking, Xiao He couldn't help but smile again, and then shook his head with emotion.

"The battle of Pengcheng, my family was only five years old last year, and I haven't yet entered the shrine to worship my ancestors."

"After Pengcheng, the family entered Hangu and lived in Liyang Palace by order of His Majesty; after the establishment of the Han Dynasty, the family also lived in Weiyang for a long time, and never left the customs to return home, but went to worship ancestors..."

Speaking of this, Xiao He finally raised his head with a faint smile, and looked at Liu Bang tacitly.

"His Majesty."

"The family is now fifteen years old; although it is not as good as the weak crown, it is still old enough to worship the ancestors."

"After the upper body of the family, the crown prince is the most precious!"

"When your majesty registered as the crown prince, he was busy running around the Guandong to quell the chaos of the princes with different surnames; there were future affairs in the country, and it was not yet time to tell the ancestors of the Liu family."

"Right now, His Majesty's sage is ill, and he can't conquer Yingbu himself, and Yingbu hasn't revealed his rebellion yet, so it's inconvenient for His Majesty to send generals out..."

"Chen Yi: Your Majesty, why don't you order the family to go to Fengfeng to worship the ancestors, and tell the ancestors of the Liu family in person about the future of the country?"

He asked a question full of deep meaning, and before Liu Bang could respond, Xiao He smiled again.

"The upper body of the family is the prince and the prince, and if he wants to return to his hometown to worship his ancestors, he should be accompanied by a trustworthy general and a sharp warrior."

"Also, when you travel far, you should have a national weapon by your side; Your Majesty can put a talisman with soldiers at home, and leave an edict saying: There are priorities, and the prince can do things cheaply."

"In this way, Ruoyingbu has no objection at all, and the family is just returning home to worship their ancestors; even if someone says 'Your Majesty forced the rebellion against Huainan', it is just an unfounded rumor."

"However, if there is no doubt that Yingbu is opposed, the family can swear to Fengpei, take the military amulets and edicts given by your majesty, and send all the Guanzhong soldiers from Handan to the south to join Changsha, Qi, Chu, Jing and even Liang. The rebels are all besieged in Huainan!"

Speaking of this, Xiao He couldn't help but clenched his hand into a fist with a little excitement, and lightly slammed it on the short table in front of him!
"In this way, no matter whether Yingbu opposes it or not, Your Majesty can remain invincible..."

As Xiao He's tone fell slowly, a look of understanding finally appeared on Liu Ying's face.

"I see······"

Thinking secretly, Liu Ying couldn't help turning her eyes full of admiration to her father Liu Bang who was standing upright and smiling lightly.

It was different from Liu Ying's sudden realization, when Xiao He told all about this plan, everyone in the hall showed a touch of astonishment on their expressions.

this······

——I haven’t heard of Prime Minister Xiao, and he has the talent of a counselor?
After a brief moment of surprise, everyone came back to their senses one after another, and immediately moved their probing eyes to the middle of the imperial steps, who was sitting on the empress Lu Zhi at the banquet with no expression on her face.

The prince brought the military talisman and the edict to return home to worship the ancestors, and brought several generals of the town as bodyguards. This plan can almost be said to be foolproof!
Although just now, whether it is Liu Bang on the imperial steps or the prime minister Xiao He who is at the forefront of the pilgrimage, what he said in his mouth is "what should I do if Yingbo is rebellious, and what if I don't rebel", but in fact, there is no second kind of question at all. result.

——Yingbo, you will be safe!

The only difference is: Yingbo, whether he took the initiative to rebel for no reason, or pulled up a fig leaf and pretended to be "passive" to raise troops.

There is no doubt: as long as the water in the whole river is not poured into Yingbo's mind, Yingbo will pull a fig leaf no matter what.

As far as the current situation is concerned, this fig leaf is likely to be: His Majesty sent Peng Yue chopped into meat sauce, which scared the widow to death...

In order not to fall into the miserable situation of Peng Yue, even if the widow had no ambition, he had no choice but to raise troops to protect himself.

And under the premise of 'the British cloth must be opposed', if the Chang'an court takes action first, such as mobilizing troops to gather near the Huainan Kingdom.Na Yingbu's fig leaf, the fineness will immediately go up several grades.

——Let’s just tell the widow?

——If you don't rebel, the widow will be like Peng Yue, and become a meat sauce that warns the princes not to rebel!

And such a fig leaf of "conclusive witness and material evidence" is of strategic significance in today's era of extremely backward communication technology and rapid and slow information flow, no less than 20 troops descending from the sky!

After all, no matter how you say it, the common people in the world today are still farmers who don't know a single character.

It is undoubtedly too embarrassing for these peasant households who have never been out of the countryside, or even the village, to imagine that "the emperor is farming the land with a golden hoe" to understand what is meant by "the threat of princes with different surnames to the feudal dynasty".

And Xiao He's plan reduced the risk of "Yingbo being forced to rebel" to almost nothing.

——The prince has grown up so much, and he hasn't entered the ancestral hall of the old Liu's family. Go back to the hometown of Fengpei, and report to his ancestors about being a prince. Who can make a mistake?

Since he is the crown prince, it is normal for him to be accompanied by three to five thousand guards from the southern army and seven or eight generals from various countries to guard him.

Fengpei Longxing's place happened to be in the territory of Chu State, and the crown prince has already gone to Chu State, so why don't we miss Uncle Chu King?

The uncles have already seen each other, so the eldest brother King Qi and the cousin King Jing will naturally have to see each other, since they are not far away anyway.

As for the tiger talisman and the imperial edict, it can be completely interpreted as: In order to ensure the safety of the prince's life, he left behind to prepare for any eventuality.

Combining all the above, it is no exaggeration to say: Xiao He's strategy has a bit of the charm of Su Qin and Zhang Yihe in the past!

As for whether this plan can be implemented smoothly, the final difficulty lies in: Will the queen allow the prince to wear the vest of "returning to the hometown to worship the ancestors" in order to put down the Huainan rebellion?

For a moment, the hearts of all the officials and ministers in the palace couldn't help but suspend!

From everyone's point of view, the next Changxin Palace will usher in yet another violent storm caused by Queen Lu's Pheasant!
I don't know if he guessed what everyone was thinking, the emperor Liu Bang also lowered his head at the right time, and stopped his plain eyes on the empress Lu Zhi who was kneeling in the middle of the imperial steps.

"The empress thinks: can the strategy offered by the prime minister be of use to me?"

Asked softly, seeing Liu Bang turned his head sideways with a sigh, he put his rough hand on the back of Liu Ying's head again.

"Prince, it is indeed the year of ancestor worship."

"I'm old and sick, I don't know when, I will leave as the emperor..."

"If the prime minister hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known about it: the crown prince had to be appointed as the reserve, but I hadn't told my ancestors of the Liu family..."

Following Liu Bang's sad words, the eyes of everyone in the hall looking at Lu Zhi became more and more complicated.

It was also under the attention of all the people that Empress Lu Zhi finally turned sideways, smiled and nodded to Xiao He who was under the imperial steps, then turned around, and slightly opened her lips to Liu Bang who was on the imperial steps.

"A concubine is no more than the master of the harem. All matters outside the palace should be decided by His Majesty."

"If your majesty thinks it's good, I will pack the prince's luggage for the long journey..."

　and also

　　
　
(End of this chapter)