I, Liu Bian, the hero

Chapter 30 The Conspiracy of Yongle Palace

Although Emperor Ling is a foolish emperor, he has been the emperor for 14 years since he ascended the throne at the age of 15. At least he has gained some political experience. Will not buy it.

What's more, Liu Bian's remarks in the Chongde Palace today really moved him - most people in the world think that Emperor Ling is a foolish emperor, but Emperor Ling himself doesn't think so, at most he admits that he really likes wine and sex.

Therefore, after Liu Bian stated his interests, Emperor Ling also cut off the thoughts of Zhao'an Kingdom, Han Sui, Ma Teng and others, and valued Liu Bian's heart a little bit.

At this time, Empress Dowager Dong proposed to make Liu Xie the crown prince, but Emperor Ling was actually reluctant - he hated Empress He for poisoning Wang Meiren by relying on the power of his two elder brothers, but Liu Bian was born of him after all, even if he saw Liu Bian Liu Bian would make him think of Empress He, but it would not really transfer the anger of Wang Meiren to Liu Bian.

Not to mention the rumors in the womb a few days ago that the beauty Wang was disrespectful to Empress He because she gave birth to the prince at that time, so she was hated by Empress He. This also slightly weakened Emperor Ling's longing for Beauty Wang.

Therefore, when Empress He led Zhao Zhong and Guo Sheng to the Changqiu Palace to quarrel with Empress Dowager Dong, although Emperor Ling severely reprimanded and repelled Empress He and his party, the appointment of Liu Xie as the prince would not be done. It's over.

This made the Queen Mother very angry.

In all fairness, is Empress Dowager Dong really ignorant?

Of course not, you must know that when Emperor Ling was young, Empress Dowager Dong also listened to the government behind the curtain, and she was by no means an old lady who knew nothing. Slow and subtly accepted by everyone.

And this is exactly what Liu Bian took for granted—the old lady underestimated the opposition of the ministers in the court and chose a bad time, let alone angered the ministers in the court. Some unhappy.

After all, after being moved by Liu Bian's words, Emperor Ling actually wanted to do something for the Han Dynasty, such as quelling the Liangzhou rebellion.

On that day, because Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and Guo Sheng communicated in private, the news that the Empress Dowager Dong wanted to use the Liangzhou rebellion to make Dong Hou Liu Xie the crown prince soon spread throughout the court. Biao, Zheng Tai and others were shocked and angry.

After all, since Liu Bian refuted Hussar General Dong Zhong in Chongde Hall yesterday, most of the officials in the court have expressed good feelings towards this Marquis Shi, even Zheng Tai and Yuan Shao, although they suspect that Marquis Shi has been deceived by eunuchs , but aside from this point, I also think that Liu Bian is a smart young gentleman.

So, led by General He Jin, Henan Yin He Miao, Shangshu Lu Zhi, Sikong Yuan Kui, Taizhong doctor Yang Biao and others, a group of ministers joined forces to dissuade this matter, and took the opportunity to re-raise the matter of making Liu Bian the crown prince. .

What's more, He Jin originally wanted to lie that the Liangzhou rebels broke Hanyang, robbed Sanfu, and endangered Henan, which made the Empress Dowager Dong fearful, but in the end he was persuaded by Lu Zhi, Yang Biao, Zheng Tai and others on the grounds that it was too late up.

But even so, the voice of opposition from scholars in the DPRK was huge this time. In addition, Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, Guo Sheng and others released various rumors, fueling the flames, and countless rumors arose in the court and the opposition.

Most of these rumors say that the Empress Dowager Dong disregards the country and has no sympathy for the officials. Before the country survives, she still wants to destroy Liu Bian, the eldest son, and make Donghou Liu Xie the crown prince. If the Liangzhou rebels attack Luoyang in the future and endanger the country, Dong It is also caused by the queen mother.

Knowing these rumors, Empress Dowager Dong was shocked and angry. Of course, she was also a little bit afraid. She was afraid that the Liangzhou rebels would really attack Henan, and she was also afraid of the resistance of the officials in the court. So she asked Yu Yongle to order Sun Zhang.

Sun Zhang didn't expect the reaction of the officials in the court to be so fierce. Hearing this, he said helplessly to Empress Dowager Dong: "Now Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, Guo Sheng and others are attached to the He family and colluding with scholars. They are very powerful. Only temporarily Submit and support the thief in exchange for the heart of the courtier, and then..."

He proposed two strategies to Queen Mother Dong.

First, find a way to let Dong Zhong be the commander in chief of the Liangzhou rebel army, and take this opportunity to let Dong Zhong gain more military power. As long as Dong Zhong can win a small victory over the rebel army, he can increase his momentum and overwhelm He Jin.

When Empress Dowager Dong turned to look at Dong Zhong, Dong Zhong panicked on the spot. After all, although he had read some military books, how could he have actually led troops to fight?

We must know that the rebels in Liangzhou even defeated Huangfusong and Zhang Wen, and if he led the troops to conquer, wouldn't that be sending food?Although his own life may not be in danger at the time of introduction, once he is really defeated, how can the scholars in the court headed by He Jin and others, as well as Zhang Rang and others, spare him?
He will inevitably be dismissed as a defeated general.

Empress Dowager Dong also thought of this, and seeing Dong Chong's face was full of panic, she shook her head and said, "It's better for my nephew to stay in Luoyang, as it can restrain the He brothers and help Xie'er."

So Sun Zhang put forward the second suggestion: "...then order He Jin to lead the army to go out and take the opportunity to transfer him away from the capital. In this name, He Jin can be impeached."

Dong Chongsheng was afraid that he would lead troops to go out, so he quickly said: "This strategy is good!"

Empress Dowager Dong glanced at Dong Zhong, feeling a little disappointed in her heart, but it was undeniable that Sun Zhang's trick of killing two birds with one stone was indeed not bad.

On the third day after the meeting in the Chongde Hall, Emperor Ling had no intention of political affairs, and discussed with Zhang Rang and Lu Zhi in the Chongde Hall how to persuade Empress Dowager Dong.

The three of them were discussing, when suddenly Yongle ordered Sun Zhang to come in a hurry and told Empress Dowager Dong that she agreed to send troops.

Emperor Ling was overjoyed, and felt relieved: the queen mother still took care of the overall situation.

Just when he was happy, Lu Zhi said seriously: "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager agrees to conquer the rebels in Liangzhou. This is of course very good news, but in the past two years, Your Majesty spent a lot of money from the treasury in order to repair the garden for the Empress Dowager." , with only the remaining money in the national treasury, it may be difficult to support too many troops..."

From the side, Zhang Rang deeply hated Sun Zhang for showing his teeth and claws in front of him during this time, and scratched his face again yesterday when they were fighting in Yongle Palace, and secretly helped Lu Zhi: "Your Majesty, you can use the 'Xiyuan Qian' Funding the court."

Hearing this, Lu Zhi glanced at Zhang Rang inexplicably, while Sun Zhang opened his eyes wide and looked at Zhang Rang bitterly.

What does Xiyuan money refer to? It refers to the money that Emperor Ling got from selling officials and nobles in Xiyuan under the instigation of Empress Dowager Dong over the years.

The money was mainly managed by Yongle Ling Sun Zhang, Yongle Taifu Fengxuan, and Fanglinyuan Ling Xia Yun under the orders of the Empress Dowager Dong. In addition to the expenses in the palace, it was for Emperor Ling, Empress Dowager Dong, and Empress He to enjoy luxury. It is used to build palaces and gardens-that is to say, but whenever palaces and gardens are to be built, Emperor Ling will spend a sum of money from the treasury under the instigation of Empress Dowager Dong as a subsidy, so that after many years, the dignified Han Dynasty The national treasury is actually not as rich as Xiyuan.

When Lu Zhi raised this matter today, he was actually aiming at Xiyuanqian.

In his opinion, instead of using the "black money" obtained by selling officials and lords to enjoy luxury, extravagance and waste for Emperor Ling, Empress Dowager Dong, and Empress He, and to build palaces and gardens without meaning, it is better to spend it on real valuables. beneficial to the country.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Rang secretly helped him—well, it’s not too surprising, after all, Lu Zhi saw with his own eyes during this period that Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, Guo Sheng and others had indeed been with Sun Zhang, Feng Xuan, and Xia. Yun and the others broke up. The so-called "ten permanent attendants" used to be in the world, but now the internal situation is not as good as fire.

"This... needs to be discussed with the Queen Mother."

When Emperor Ling looked at him, Sun Zhang hurriedly withdrew and went back to inform Queen Mother Dong of the matter.

Empress Dowager Dong heard that she was very dissatisfied: "My palace has agreed to send troops, but Lu Zigan still dares to stare at the royal family's money?"

Sun Zhang persuaded: "Queen Mother, the most urgent task is to transfer He Jin to suppress the bandits."

Hearing this, Mrs. Dong turned pale and asked hesitantly, "Then...how much will it cost?"

How could Sun Zhang know about this?

So Empress Dowager Dong asked again: "How much did Huangfu Song and Zhang Wen spend to fight against the rebels in Liangzhou two years ago?"

Sun Zhang hurriedly sent someone to inquire, and when he came back, he told Queen Mother Dong with a bitter face: "Counting the weapons, food and grass, and the compensation for the soldiers who died in the war, the imperial court spent [-] to [-] million yuan."

"What?" The old lady gasped in surprise, and said hastily, "How can Xiyuan have so much money?"

Sun Zhang licked his lower lip, tactfully not revealing the truth.

In fact, Xiyuan had the money. After all, Emperor Ling had sold his official positions a lot in the past two years, but if he told the truth at this time, he would not be able to become Yongle Ling.

After a long time, Empress Dowager Dong hesitated and said, "I will subsidize 3000 million... no, 2000 million, and tell Lu Zhi not to stare at the royal money again."

"Yes."

Sun Zhang bowed and retreated, and returned to Chongde Hall to inform Emperor Ling of the matter.

"Too little!"

Lu Zhi shook his head again and again.

In fact, Emperor Ling was also a little unhappy, but he also understood that before he was selected by Queen Dowager Dou to inherit the throne, their mother and son lived in poverty in Hejian, poor and frightened, and wanted his mother to give more money Come on, it is really impossible to invest in a war where the outcome is unknown.

However, Emperor Ling lost his father since he was a child, and was dependent on his mother. He didn't want to be wronged or force his mother, so he said helplessly: "For the matter of money, I and Zhuqing will find another way."

Seeing what Emperor Ling said, Lu Zhi had no choice but to stop talking.

Later, when Lu Zhi handled government affairs on behalf of Emperor Ling, Emperor Ling called Zhang Rang to the apse and asked, "Father, do you know who still wants to buy an official?"

Not surprisingly, the only way this fool can think of to get money is to sell an official.

So Zhang Rang secretly ordered someone to release the news.

When the news reached the court, the gentry who were determined to resist Emperor Ling’s sale of officials and titles in the past did not stop this time, because they also knew that the court was short of money, and they also learned that Empress Dowager Dong only promised to allocate 2000 million yuan from the West Garden to support the court. Send troops—this old woman used to instigate the son of the emperor to embezzle hundreds of millions of money from the treasury, but now she has to spend a mere 2000 million?

What can a mere 2000 million dollars do? !

As the news spread, there was a person in the court who was moved. It was Cao Song, the adopted son of Cao Teng, the chief minister in the past, and the great chief minister Cao Song.

He hurriedly contacted Zhang Rang secretly, and donated [-] million yuan to buy the post of Taiwei, just as it was said in history.

When the news reached Liu Bian's ears, Liu Bian was also very happy. He was not only happy that the court had received the military expenditure of [-] million yuan, but also happy with Cao Song's son Cao Cao.

If his memory is not bad, Cao Cao during this period served as the prefect of Dongjun as in history, but after his father Cao Song spent [-] million to buy the position of Taiwei, this hero who is currently aspiring to conquer the west general He will be transferred to Luoyang as an official.

What Liu Bian had to do was try to win Cao Cao under He Miao's command.

(End of this chapter)