Three Kingdoms: Ancestors of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 518
At the end of spring and near summer, the army of the Northern Expedition returned to the army one after another. After about eighteen months, the emperor of the Han Dynasty returned to his loyal Chengdu.

Following Liu Chan's return to the capital, Jiang Wan did not block the news of Dahan's resumption of Guanzhong.Instead, he ordered people to release the battle report of the big man's victory and regaining Chang'an, so that it was completely spread throughout the whole big man.

All of a sudden, the sergeant's family rejoiced endlessly.The women slaughtered pigs and sheep to celebrate the man's triumphant return, and the city was very lively.

Officials in Chengdu and prefectures and counties expressed their congratulations on the return of the great man to the old capital, and the concubines in the court wore new clothes to win the favor of the emperor.

Da Si Nong Li Yan, Shang Shuling Jiang Wan, Changle Shao Fu Meng Guang, Guang Lu Xun Pei Jun and other high-ranking officials of the Han Dynasty came ten miles out of the city to welcome the emperor Liu Chan and his party.

Liu Chan got out of the car and dealt with the crowd with a few words on the scene, explaining the precautions for the next court.Tired of the journey, Liu Chan boarded the car again, separated from Zhuge Liang, Huang Quan and others, and went straight to the palace.

As before, Liu Chan did not meet the beauties of the harem first, but went to Changle Palace to meet the Empress Dowager Wu.

Fortunately, when she saw Liu Chan, the Empress Dowager Wu began to mutter again, and said, "Your Majesty, the Northern Expedition to Guanzhong is indeed a national affair, and it is related to the future of the great man. But the Ai family saw that your majesty was thin and exposed to the scorching sun. The queen mother is indeed a My heart aches, Your Majesty has to put your body first, so that you can rule the big man forever."

After a pause, the Empress Dowager Wu looked at Liu Chan's obedient expression, and said with emotion: "If the late emperor knew that the great man was under His Majesty's rule, he could restore the Central Plains, and have the potential to calm the world, he would have no regrets!"

Empress Dowager Wu is not simply an ignorant lady in the palace, she has been in contact with wives of courtiers outside the palace for a long time, so she still knows a little about the external situation.

Liu Chan helped the Empress Dowager Wu to walk into the hall, and said: "I have worshiped the ancestors, ancestors and late emperors in the outskirts of Chang'an, and when I return to the court, I will grant the temple title of the late emperor. The late emperor will be able to celebrate with the emperors of the Han Dynasty in the dark This matter."

Empress Dowager Wu patted the back of Liu Chan's hand and said with a smile: "Your Majesty is very organized, so why worry about mourning the family. It's just that Your Majesty bears the weight of the country, and you need to be careful. The matter of the late emperor being trapped in Ma'anshan should be cited. As a warning."

Liu Chan didn't argue, nodded and said: "I'm worried about my mother, I will be more cautious in the future. By the way, how are the ladies and princes in the palace?"

Empress Dowager Wu rolled her eyes at Liu Chan, knowing that he was changing the topic, she didn't expose it, but said rather meaningfully: "Between women in the harem, quarrels are inevitable. However, the affairs of the harem are relatively stable, without ups and downs. You can rest assured, Your Majesty. But Mrs. Xiang often greets Aijia and asks how the crown prince is doing? Mrs. Wang also often asks Sui'er to come and say hello to Aijia."

Liu Chan didn't answer right away, but helped Empress Dowager Wu to sit on the couch, and asked, "Who does Empress Dowager think can succeed?"

Seeing Empress Dowager Wu kneeling on the couch, the maid stepped forward to squeeze her shoulders.The Empress Dowager Wu was enjoying the massage, and said slowly: "The Ai family is very happy with your majesty's fourth son, Hu'er. Although he is five years old, he is very intelligent and strong. It's a pity..."

Although he didn't say anything later, Liu Chan knew what Empress Dowager Wu meant.Liu Hu's mother is Xiahou Hui, who was born in the royal family of Wei State, so it is destined that Liu Hu will not be able to become the prince.Even if Liu Chan is willing, the officials of the Han Dynasty will oppose it.

Liu Chan knelt and sat on the couch opposite the Empress Dowager Wu, and asked, "What does the Empress Dowager think of Sui'er?"

The Empress Dowager Wu patted the maid on the back of her hand, motioned her to step back, and said, "Zi'er has good knowledge, but she has a gentle temperament. She is not like your majesty, nor like the late emperor. Her temperament is more like that of her mother, Mrs. Wang. It would be good if she is a son. However, the world is still uncertain, and I don’t know if I can inherit the Han business.”

Empress Dowager Wu's ex-husband was Liu Mao, who was the first heir to Yizhou.The remarriage is Lao Liu, the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty.His son Liu Chan is the current ruler of the Han Dynasty.The men you come into contact with are either honorable or noble, so they will naturally be influenced by them and have their own evaluation criteria.Therefore, the future heirs of the great man will definitely hope to be biased towards the type like Lao Liu or Liu Chan.

After a pause, Empress Dowager Wu continued: "The Ai family is just a woman, not as wise and powerful as Your Majesty. Therefore, Your Majesty can accept or not the words of the Ai family."

Since the Han Dynasty, the empress dowager has the right to intervene in the affairs of state, and also has the qualifications to discuss with the prince, but the decision-making power still rests with Liu Chan, the great Han monarch.

Liu Chan was silent for a long time, and said: "My mother's words are not unreasonable. Her temperament is weak, which is also what I worry about. It is really my fault that I seldom teach Sui'er and let him get along with his mother more."

Although Liu Chan gave the eldest son Liu Zhen a chance, it didn't mean that he would accept an heir who was difficult to control.The monarch of the Han Dynasty can ignore the government and calm the people, but he cannot control and employ people.After all, not all monarchs will have the luck to meet Zhuge Liang and the "knowledge of people" from later generations.

Empress Dowager Wu smiled and said comfortingly, "Your Majesty is in the prime of his life now, so don't worry."

Liu Chan smiled and said nothing. The prince is not in a hurry, but what is in a hurry is to train the prince next.I'm almost thirty this year, if I don't have the historical lifespan, it's impossible for the prince who doesn't know the world to take the throne directly.

It has only been a few years since the establishment of the prince, and there is no delay.If it is delayed for a long time, it will be ugly if Sun Quan starts a dispute between the two palaces, and it will also hurt the vitality of the great man.

"If your Majesty is having difficulty deciding on the crown prince, you might as well ask Master Zhang (Zhang Wen) for his opinion. The princes have studied with Master Zhang for many years, and he taught books and learned scriptures from the princes, so he is quite familiar with the princes' minds. Or Changle Shaofu Meng Guang is outspoken. It will be beneficial for your Majesty to ask. The prime minister is the minister left behind by the late emperor, and he is also the father of your majesty's prime minister, so if you ask, you will gain something." Empress Dowager Wu suggested.

Liu Chan nodded, and said, "Thank you, Queen Mother, for your advice. I will accept it. I have found a good son-in-law, who will be a good match for the eldest princess. There is no need to worry about Queen Mother and Qiang'er."

Liu Chan currently has three daughters, one is born to Queen Zhang's maid Zhang Qiang, named Liu Yuan; the second daughter is born to Mrs. Li in Longxi, named Liu Yu;

Liu Yuan treats people kindly, and Xiao Xi reads poetry and books. Most of the concubines in the palace love Liu Yuan very much, and Liu Chan is also very fond of her, and she is a plus princess.

In terms of the Han system, the eldest princess is not the oldest princess in the literal sense, but a title.Generally, it is the emperor's first daughter or the meritorious emperor's daughter, emperor's sister and emperor's aunt, plus the eldest princess.The difference between it and ordinary imperial daughters is that ordinary imperial daughters are all named county princesses, and their ceremonial attire is the same as that of Liehou.The eldest princess wears the same ceremonial clothes as the king of Fan.

This is also Du Shu's joy in giving Liu Chan a marriage. The eldest princess married Du Yu. At present, Du Yu is purely high-ranking.

Empress Dowager Wu felt reluctant and asked: "Who is the good son-in-law who can get my daughter Liu?"

Liu Chan showed a smile and said: "Jingzhao Du, Du Yu, the son of Du Shu, the prefect of Wuwei in the great Han Dynasty, is thirteen years old. Although his appearance is not good, he is very talented and knowledgeable. He likes to read the Spring and Autumn Period. Must be talented."

Empress Dowager Wu hesitated for a while, and said: "Can you let her be called into the palace so that Ai's family can have a look."

"Of course it is possible," Liu Chan said.

After chatting with Liu Chan for a few more words, Empress Dowager Wu said, "It must have been hard work for Your Majesty to come back from the Northern Expedition. Madam Xiahou is far away from her relatives, so sad. Your Majesty can visit her more often when you have time."

"Good, the queen mother will rest early tonight." Liu Chan said goodbye.

After saluting, Liu Chan walked out of Changle Palace, took a deep breath to adjust his mood, and prepared for the upcoming artillery fire.

(End of this chapter)