I will be the master of Xuande

Chapter 805 Treat the Old Monarch Well
Cao Cao surrendered, and Jiangnan was finally unified.

This day was the beginning of the year 204 AD. This year in history was the year when Cao Cao launched an expedition to Yecheng and laid the foundation for his hegemony in Hebei.

However, at the same time in history this year, Cao Cao surrendered to Liu Jian, the overlord of Hebei, in Jianye.

As for the Cao clan, Liu Jian asked them to move back to Xi County, while Cao Cao went to the capital with Cao Ren, Cao Chun and others, waiting for the emperor's order to confer the title.

Xiahou Yuan was captured alive by Taishi Ci and brought back to Jianye. Liu Jian knew that Xiahou Yuan had a grudge against him and would never surrender to the court. Of course, he would not kill Xiahou Yuan, after all, he still had to consider Cao Cao's face.

So he was sent back to his hometown and given money and property to live out the rest of his life in peace.

Liu Jian was not afraid that Xiahou Yuan would stir up any trouble in the local area. With the School Affairs Office there, Xiahou Yuan could not do anything.

Three years later, Xiahou Yuan died of depression.

As for the other people under Cao Cao's command, including Cao Hong, Lu Fan, Yu Jin, Dong Xi, Cheng Yu, Ling Cao and the like, as long as they are willing to surrender, they will all be retained as appropriate!
Next, it was time to deal with the affairs in Jiangnan.

It has to be said that Cao Cao has laid a good foundation in Jiangnan over the years. Although many families in Jiangnan are arrogant, they have become much more obedient under Cao Cao's suppression over the years. Moreover, Cao Cao has always imitated the policies of the north to govern Jiangnan. Therefore, after occupying Jiangdong, it does not take too much effort to implement the policies of the north in Jiangnan.

The only ones who might cause some obstacles are the Four Families of Wuzhong, but what can they do in the face of the current situation?

At most it is just a struggle, but in the end they still have to obey the new policies of the court.

Many prominent families in the north ended up having to obey the imperial court's orders.

Of course, apart from the prominent families in Jiangnan, the local tycoons in Jingzhou are still relatively difficult to deal with.

After all, the ruler of Jingzhou has always been Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shao's interests are most closely connected with those of these local prominent families. They all belong to the same class. Therefore, the overall ideology and political decrees of Jingzhou can be said to be completely inclined towards the prominent families. If Liu Jian wants to change these places, it will probably take some effort.

But in Liu Jian's view, this is just a matter of time.

Moreover, Liu Jian did not intend to personally preside over local reform affairs!

The second generation of talents has begun to grow gradually, and Liu Jian feels that many things can be left to them.

After all, he couldn't stay at the helm of the Han Dynasty forever. The next generation of elite talents would sooner or later take over the baton from him.

Instead of waiting until you are too old to pass the baton to them, why not do it now?

No one can exist for tens of millions of years, and no dynasty can exist for tens of millions of years.

The Han Dynasty may still perish after a few centuries, but even if it does, it will be worth it if the Chinese land can still be far ahead of the world.

Shortly after Liu Jian conquered Cao Cao, a piece of news suddenly came from Chang'an, which surprised Liu Jian and Liu Bei.

Lu Zhi passed away.

After the incident, Liu Jian and Liu Bei were immersed in grief.

Although Lu Zhi was old, he had been in good health over the years and no one had ever heard of any health problems with him. It was unexpected that he passed away suddenly.

Liu Jian did not dare to delay. He temporarily handed over the affairs of Jiangnan to a few trustworthy people such as Guo Jia and Jia Xu, and then rushed to Luoyang overnight.

Over the years, Lu Zhi has been serving as the president of Sanhe University, and his coffin is now also in Sanhe.

Brothers Liu Jian and Liu Bei rushed to Luoyang day and night to pay homage to their teacher.

When they arrived at the mourning hall, the two brothers knelt on the ground and cried together.

To be honest, Liu Jian had very deep feelings for Lu Zhi.

After all, it was Lu Zhi who promoted Liu Jian. Although Lu Zhi had many disciples, among them, the one he valued the most in the later period was Liu Jian, and the one he helped the most was also Liu Jian.

Time flies, and before he knew it, Liu Jian had already entered middle age, and his former elders had passed away one after another during these years.

Recalling the past, Liu Jian and Liu Bei felt sad.

However, all good things must come to an end.

When the time comes, no matter how close you are to each other, you have to go your separate ways.

Perhaps it was because he was getting older and his mind was becoming more and more troubled. After paying homage to Lu Zhi, Liu Jian dreamed of the past every night. For three or four days in a row, he dreamed of every detail of his time in Zhuo County.

After meeting Liu Jian, Lu Zhi's son Lu Min told Liu Jian Lu Zhi's last words before his death.

Those were the only words Lu Zhi left for his disciple.

"Be kind to the old king."

Be good to the old lord... Be good to the old lord... The teacher is really worried about me. Until this last moment, he is still thinking about the last thing for me.

After paying homage to Lu Zhi and mourning for a month, an imperial edict came to Luoyang from Chang'an, asking the prime minister to return to Chang'an as soon as possible, as the emperor had important matters to discuss with him.

Liu Jian didn't want to go back. He wanted to stay here and continue to mourn for Lu Zhi.

However, the descendants of the Lu family kept persuading Liu Jian.

Liu Jian’s identity is different from that of ordinary people, so he should take the world’s affairs as his top priority!
If Lu Zhi were still alive, he would not want Liu Jian to keep mourning for him.

Finally, after everyone's unanimous persuasion, Liu Jian agreed.

Liu Bei temporarily replaced him and stayed in Luoyang to continue mourning for Lu Zhi, while Liu Jian received the emperor's edict and returned to Chang'an.

After arriving in Chang'an, Liu Jian received the king's order and went straight into Deyang Palace.

When they arrived at the hall, there were only Liu Jian and the current emperor Liu Xie in the hall.

Just the two of them.

"Your Majesty, I, Liu Jian, pay my respects to you..."

Liu Jian was performing the great ceremony of emperor and subject to Liu Xie, but before he had finished, Liu Xie quickly stepped forward, stretched out his hand to support Liu Jian, preventing him from kneeling.

"Uncle Emperor..."

Liu Jian raised his head and looked at Liu Xie, who was smiling, and suddenly felt a sense of closeness in his heart.

Although this young man is now the current emperor, the Son of Heaven...

But, after all, he is the child that I have watched grow up.

Liu Jian admitted that he was indeed suspected of taking advantage of Liu Xie.

But who can say that he had no feelings for Liu Xie?

"Uncle, you won, the Han Dynasty won! We succeeded!" Liu Xie said excitedly.

Liu Jian smiled faintly and said, "Your Majesty, the recovery of Jiangnan and Jingzhou is just the beginning. From now on, the road we have to face may be even more difficult."

"Your Majesty, you need to be prepared." Liu Xie was stunned when he heard this.

Then, he was seen shaking his head vigorously.

"Uncle, this is not right."

"what?"

Liu Xie said solemnly, "Uncle, I have said before that I am only keeping the throne temporarily for you. I have always been very clear in my heart who the common ruler of the world is. I don't have many advantages, but I know myself. Uncle, I am tired of sitting on the throne, and you also promised me that when the world is unified, you will let me enjoy a peaceful life and live the life I want!"

Liu Jian looked at Liu Xie with a sincere face and said, "Your Majesty, in fact, you have done a very good job over the years..."

Liu Xie suddenly raised his hand and said, "Whether I have done a good job or not, I don't know. I just know that I am not comfortable with this throne! I feel like I am sitting on pins and needles!"

"Uncle, you should know exactly what kind of life I want. Why do you keep forcing me?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Jian fell silent.

"Uncle, I know you have concerns in your heart. You have been a loyal minister all your life. If you accept the abdication, you are afraid that you will be known as a disloyal person. But when we close the door, this throne should have been yours!"

"I just had to replace him."

"Uncle, in fact, ever since you rescued me from the river, I have always regarded you as my father. I lost my mother when I was young and my father when I was five. Apart from my sister-in-law and Liu Jin, I have always regarded my uncle as my closest person. Uncle, you are my relative. Without you, how could I live peacefully until now?"

"I ascended to this throne to repay my uncle for saving my life. I have persisted until now, and I think it is time to return this position to my uncle."

"Uncle, I beg you!"

When it came to this, Liu Xie was about to kneel down to Liu Jian.

Liu Jian hurriedly reached out to support him.

"Your Majesty... Thank you."

Liu Xie shook his head: "Why thank you? The throne was originally my brother's, but unfortunately he... Alas, it was all his own fault, why should I blame others."

"Uncle, how should the throne be abdicated? I will listen to your arrangements!"

"After abdicating the throne, I hope that my uncle will abide by the promise he made in Yecheng and give me and Liu Jin a prosperous and happy future."

Liu Jian nodded heavily and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do it!"

……

Three days later, Liu Xie convened a court meeting, read the imperial edict, and stated that he wanted to abdicate.

There is no doubt that there were still some ministers in the court who expressed opposition.

"Your Majesty is young and strong, in the prime of life, and should be leading the Han Dynasty to create a prosperous era. Now you want to abdicate. Isn't it uncomfortable for the people of the world?"

"The country is at a critical moment. I'm afraid it would be inappropriate for Your Majesty to abdicate at this time!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, you still need to do your best for the people! To repay your ancestors."

"..."

Liu Xie shook his head and said, "I have been sitting on the throne for these years, walking on thin ice, exhausted, and it is not easy to hold on until today. Besides, I want to live a few more years. This emperor is working hard every day, and there are too many things to deal with. I... can't adapt, and I can't adapt!"

"I want to live a life of leisure and serenity! My dear ministers, there is no need to persuade me."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the court was speechless.

From ancient times to the present, I have never met such an incompetent emperor!

Saying this in front of all the officials in the court!
You said he was forced to abdicate?

Ghosts don't believe it!
It's obvious that he wants to quit.

Xun Yuzhan came out and bowed to Liu Xie, saying, "Your Majesty wants to retire to the mountains and forests, but to whom do you want to pass the throne? Your Majesty has no heir yet."

Liu Xie said: "To be honest, I haven't made up my mind for the person to abdicate for a moment."

Everyone was stunned when they heard this.

Goodness... In fact, everyone already knows who the throne will be passed on to.

If he is not the prime minister of the current dynasty, then who is he?
According to the principles from ancient times to the present, shouldn't the emperor publicly announce to whom he wants to abdicate?
Why, he said he didn't know.

Xun Yu turned around in surprise and looked at Liu Jian, the head of the class, but saw that he had his eyes half closed and did not say a word.

Suddenly, Liu Xie said, "I have an idea, my dear ministers, please listen carefully."

"I will select ten virtuous and capable people from among the royal family, who are benevolent, righteous, and have great integrity. Then, all the ministers and the kings of the Han Dynasty will discuss and vote together to select the new emperor. What do you think?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a smile appeared on Liu Jian's lips.

All the important officials in the court were horrified.

Voting... to elect an emperor? Unheard of.

Since ancient times, kings have been granted by heaven. How can it be decided by the public opinion of ministers? Isn’t this... ?
Isn't this the emperor devaluing himself? Devaluing himself?

But do you think it is safe to do so?
To be honest, it is still very fair and safe.

At least, it can stop the world from gossiping.

In fact, although the king's power is granted by God, it also depends on the timing.

Weren't many of the Eastern Han emperors elected through public consultation and recommendation by ministers, eunuchs, and relatives of the emperor?
It's just bringing this matter to the table.

Xun Yu was the first to react.

There is no doubt that this was the idea Liu Jian gave to Liu Xie.

Compared with those methods of asking and declining three times, this method is more convincing to people all over the world!

He, Liu Jian, did not usurp the throne.

I was elected by the court officials, princes, and the current emperor through public consultation.

It’s not like I don’t have rivals. I have nine rivals!
Unfortunately, I am a dark horse and everyone is optimistic about me, so they choose me. What can I do?
Xun Yu estimated that there should be no fools among the princes and the civil and military officials in the court who would choose the other nine candidates.

Because, Liu Xie talked about voting by name from the beginning to the end, but he didn't say anonymously...

(End of this chapter)