Shuhan

Early morning in Chang'an.

Life in the market was bustling with activity. In teahouses and taverns, storytellers were vividly telling the heroic legends of the Han Dynasty. The audience was fascinated and burst into applause from time to time.

The most popular stories were those about the present emperor. When the storytellers told these stories, teahouses and taverns would always be packed.

Later on, even a three-year-old child could tell stories about the current Emperor of the Han Dynasty.

The wise and brave Emperor of Han is the man of destiny and the father of all his subjects.

The life we ​​have now is bestowed by the Emperor. When we grow up and become successful, we must serve the country and His Majesty!
Elsewhere, a group of scholars were sitting around a table, discussing national affairs intensely, their faces filled with longing and passion for the future.

All of these scenes show the world the unique charm and vitality of Chang'an as the capital.

For those military merit groups, Chang'an is not only their place of glory, but also where their interests lie.

They owned vast industries here and enjoyed privileges and honors granted by the emperor.

If the capital is moved, or if the emperor is no longer here, it means that everything they have will face a reshuffle, which they are unwilling to accept.

Therefore, whenever there was a rumor of moving the capital, they were always the first to stand up and oppose it, using all means to safeguard their own interests.

It was for this reason that Liu Chan had been away from Chang'an for about a year when people kept writing letters requesting to return to the capital.

The people in Guanzhong have deep feelings for Chang'an.

They have lived on this land for generations and witnessed the rise and fall of Chang'an.

For them, Chang'an is their home, their roots, and a place they can never give up.

As for those generals and soldiers who had established their own businesses, they regarded Chang'an as their second home.

They shed blood and sweat here and contributed their efforts to the peace and prosperity of the country.

Once the capital is moved, it means that they will leave this familiar land and start a new life.

This is undoubtedly a huge challenge and sacrifice for them.

Liu Chan was well aware of the interests involved. He had to consider both the long-term development of the country and the interests and emotions of all parties.

After becoming an emperor, sometimes, you still have no control over your life.

In the imperial city at this moment.

As the morning light began to break, a ray of soft sunlight filtered through the delicately carved window lattices inside the Pepper Room, gently sprinkling onto the jade-like floor, adding a touch of warmth to this magnificent palace.

After a night of lovemaking, Liu Chan and Queen Zhang have now gotten up, ready to greet the new day.

Liu Chan sat on the edge of the bed carved with dragons and phoenixes, wearing a light nightgown, with two obvious dark circles under his eyes, which were traces of last night's joy.

There was a hint of laziness in his eyes, but it could not conceal the unique majesty of an emperor.

Although he looked a little tired, his love and enjoyment for life were clearly revealed in the occasional upturned corners of his mouth.

He rubbed his temples, trying to dispel the remaining sleepiness, and his eyes unconsciously fell on the busy queen.

Queen Zhang was wearing an elegant morning gown, with her hair tied up in a bun and a few strands of black hair casually falling on her shoulders, adding a touch of softness to her.

Her face was as rosy as a newly blossoming peach blossom, her watery eyes sparkled with bright light, and there was a gentle smile on the corners of her mouth with two deep dimples that seemed to be sweet enough to touch people's hearts.

She was carefully selecting clothes for Liu Chan. Every robe passed through her hands, gently smoothed, and then carefully put on him.

Her movements were gentle and skillful, and every detail revealed her deep affection and respect for Liu Chan.

"Your Majesty, how about having a family dinner tonight?"

As the queen tied the jade belt for Liu Chan, she suggested softly, "Chengqian, Jiwu, Mannu, Weinu and the others, I haven't seen them for a long time. I know you miss them very much."

Her voice is as gentle as the spring breeze, which makes people feel warm.

Liu Chan was slightly stunned when he heard this, then nodded, with a soft light flashing in his eyes.

"Good idea. I miss them too. Especially Cheng Qian. As my legitimate son, I have always cared about him. And those children, although they are usually busy with state affairs, their smiles always make me feel relaxed."

Speaking of this, a hint of imperceptible melancholy appeared on Liu Chan's face, but it was soon replaced by expectation.

As the emperor of the Han Dynasty, he had many sons and daughters, but only a few of them could be remembered and understood their names and personalities.

This regret made him decide to put the education of his offspring on the agenda. After all, they are the future of the country.

When the queen saw Liu Chan agreed, she was delighted and quickly said, "I will arrange it right away and it will satisfy your majesty."

After getting dressed, Liu Chan stood up. His tall figure looked particularly upright in the morning light.

He gently patted the queen's hand to show comfort and encouragement, then turned and walked towards the door of the Pepper House.

Before leaving, he looked back at the queen.

"Queen, you have worked hard. I will come back to accompany you after I have dealt with state affairs."

The queen bowed slightly and saluted, her eyes full of tenderness and determination.

"Your Majesty, I await your return."

Liu Chan nodded, strode out of the Jiaofang Palace, and set out on the road to the Xuanshi Palace.

Along the way, the palace maids and eunuchs saluted him one after another, but he just nodded faintly, his mind completely immersed in the upcoming family dinner and thoughts on the education of his children.

Inside the Xuanshi Hall, the ministers had been waiting for a long time. When they saw Liu Chan walk in, they all stood up and saluted. The atmosphere was solemn and dignified.

Liu Chan sat on the dragon throne and glanced at everyone, but his mind was still thinking about the details of the family dinner and how to better educate his children.

As the ruler of a country, one must not only govern the country well, but also set a good example for future generations and cultivate outstanding descendants who can inherit the great cause.

Inside the Xuanshi Hall, the flickering candlelight shone on the ancient and solemn bronze vessels, emitting a faint glow.

In the center of the hall, a dragon throne carved with dragons and phoenixes stood proudly. Liu Chan sat on it, wearing a golden dragon robe with intricate cloud and dragon patterns embroidered on the lapels. He looked majestic and mysterious.

Although his face is young, his brows reveal a sense of calmness and wisdom. The occasional flash in his eyes reveals his keen insight into the current situation.

Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, dressed in plain clothes and holding a feather fan, walked slowly forward. He had a gaunt face and deep eyes, as if he could see through all the mysteries of the world.

Every step he took seemed so calm and unhurried, as if he had already grasped the overall situation of the world.

Shangshu Ling Fa Zheng followed closely behind. He was tall and strong with a resolute face, and his brows revealed an unquestionable determination. He held the documents tightly in his hands, as if he was ready to answer any questions for Liu Chan at any time.

The Grand Coachman Fei Yi, the Junior Treasurer Dong Yun, the Central Guard General Wu Yi, the Jingzhao Yin Guan Xing and others were on both sides, each keeping an appropriate distance, which not only showed respect for the monarch but also maintained etiquette among court officials.

They were either standing or sitting, with different expressions, but they all revealed the importance they attached to the state affairs to be discussed.

Zhuge Liang gently waved the feather fan in his hand, his movements elegant and rhythmic, as if laying the groundwork for his subsequent words.

He slowly raised his head and looked directly at Liu Chan with a look that was both respectful and confident.

"Your Majesty, the matter of the grasslands is related to the safety of the northern border of Shu Han. We must be cautious."

After saying this, he leaned forward slightly, pulled out a document from his sleeve, gently unfolded it, and showed it to Liu Chan and his ministers.

Fa Zheng, seeing this, also stepped forward and handed the document in his hand to Liu Chan, and whispered: "This is a summary of the recent dynamics of the various tribes on the grassland. Please review it, Your Majesty."

His movements were neat and swift, without any delay, showing his decisive character.

Fei Yi was wearing official uniform, his face was gentle and his eyes revealed a bit of bookishness. He stood quietly aside, with his hands folded in front of his abdomen, appearing very humble.

Dong Yun was wearing official uniform and a tall crown on his head. He had a handsome face and a scholarly air between his brows, but his eyes flashed with a determination that should not be underestimated.

Wu Yi was a tall and strong man, wearing armor and with a long sword hanging from his waist, looking extraordinary and heroic.

Guan Xing was dressed in an outfit that combined both civil and military elements, with the elegance of a scholar and the heroism of a military general. He stood next to Wu Yi, and the two looked at each other, with a tacit understanding.

Liu Chan thought to himself that matters concerning the grassland were related to national security and must be handled with caution.

Although he was able to receive some news in Jianye, it was far away from Chang'an after all, and many details were difficult to grasp. At this moment, facing the important officials, he felt the burden on his shoulders, but at the same time he also felt a surge of determination to handle all of this and make the Han Dynasty stronger.

Zhuge Liang was thinking about how to take advantage of the conflicts among the various tribes on the grassland to gain the greatest benefits for the Han Dynasty.

The situation on the grassland is ever-changing. If you are not careful, it may trigger a chain reaction and affect the stability of the Han Dynasty's borders.

Therefore, he must plan carefully to ensure that every step is on the right track.

"On the grassland, the Xiongnu, the Xianbei Tuoba tribe, and the Xianbei Kebineng tribe were three major tribes."

Zhuge Liang's voice was clear and powerful. He continued, "The Xiongnu moved inland, and their strength has been greatly reduced. They can only protect themselves. Although Kebi Neng once attacked Wei, he was defeated and returned. Now he is recuperating in the north of Liaodong and has no spare energy to take care of other things. Only the Tuoba tribe has expanded its power in recent years and has become the most formidable force on the grassland."

Fa Zheng then added: "The leader of the Tufa tribe is brave and good at fighting, and the tribe is united. If we don't deal with it soon, it may pose a threat to our northern border."

After hearing this, Liu Chan frowned slightly, as if he was thinking about something.

Although he was the one who supported Tubo Shoutian, power makes people swell.

It would be funny if Tufa Shoutian's tail couldn't be cut off.

He slowly stood up, walked to the front of the hall, and glanced at the crowd.

"As for the grasslands, we must guard against the expansion of the Tufa tribe and take advantage of the conflict between the Xiongnu and Kebi Neng. The most important thing is how to use the grassland people to shed blood and sacrifice for the Han Dynasty to attack the Wei Kingdom."

The lives of the Han people are much more valuable than those of the grassland people.

Being able to weaken the grassland while enslaving and exploiting it is what Liu Chan wanted to see.

"As for the Tufa tribe, we still need to focus on winning them over." Zhuge Liang spoke slowly. Although his voice was soft, it carried unquestionable authority.

“But at the same time, we must also find another person to support from within the Tufa tribe to prevent Tufa Shoutian from becoming too ambitious and difficult to control in the future.”

After he finished speaking, the hall fell into silence. Everyone knew that this was a risky move, but one that had to be made.

"I second the motion." Fei Yi stood up, his eyes firm, and said, "We can select from the younger generation of the Tufa tribe, looking for those who are both capable and loyal to the Han Dynasty, and gradually train them to disperse Tufa Shoutian's power."

Only by brainwashing the grassland people into real Han people can these people stabilize the grassland for the Han Dynasty.

It seems that recruiting noble people from the grassland to the Martial Arts Hall is something that needs to be put on the agenda.

When overseas students from the grassland return to the grassland, do they prefer the grassland or do they admire the Han people?

With everyone's unanimous agreement, the decision on the Baldness Department was finalized.

Next, let’s discuss the Kebinen tribe.

"The Kebineng tribe has grown in power in recent years. Although they were defeated in the war, they have great potential. If we cannot use them, they will become a serious threat to us."

"Win over Kebineng, but make him aware of his position." The Han prime minister spoke slowly, his eyes deep, as if he could see into people's hearts.

"Let him recognize the Han as his master, pay tribute to the Han with horses and soldiers, and fight for the Han. This will not only increase our strength, but also contain Kebi Neng."

As for the Xiongnu to the northwest of the Yellow River, they had long lost their former glory, their tribes were scattered, and their strength was greatly reduced.

Now it has become a vassal of the Han Dynasty.

When the Han Dynasty's manifesto arrived, there was an uproar among the Xiongnu.

Some tribal leaders advocated submission to the Han Dynasty in order to obtain peace and protection; while others insisted on resistance, unwilling to lose their last bit of freedom.

However, under the powerful military pressure of the Han Dynasty, the Huns finally chose to submit.

They sent envoys to the Han Dynasty, presented precious gifts, and expressed their willingness to become subjects of the Han Dynasty.

The Han emperor gladly accepted the Huns' submission and granted them land and supplies as a token of his favor.

The discussion of the grassland affairs came to an end with the departure of all the ministers, and the Xuanshi Hall gradually returned to its former tranquility.

Liu Chan sat on the high dragon throne with a deep look in his eyes, as if he was thinking about something.

He waved his hand gently, signaling the attendants around him to retreat, leaving only the Shaofu Dong Yun.

Dong Yun, dressed in official uniform, walked steadily to Liu Chan, bowed, and waited for the emperor's instructions.

Liu Chan looked at him with a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. Dong Yun was not only a trusted minister, but also the Shaofu who was in charge of the emperor's inner treasury. For Liu Chan, his importance was self-evident.

"How is the construction of my imperial farm going?" Liu Chan spoke slowly, with an imperceptible hint of expectation in his voice.

Dong Yun immediately replied, "Your Majesty, at least ten imperial farms have been established in each prefecture, and at least one in each county. The imperial farms are equipped with 100, 500, or 1,000 soldiers, depending on their size. So far, the income and expenditure of the imperial farms have been basically balanced, and the excess grain has been registered and stored in the granary for emergency use."

Dong Yun paused for a moment, then continued, "Since the opening of the Western Regions, the Merchant Alliance has made a huge profit. Now the treasury is full, so Your Majesty does not need to worry about money."

As Liu Chan listened to Dong Yun's report, a smile gradually appeared on his face.

The emperor's money and the country's money must be separated. This is a truth understood by emperors of all dynasties.

Being poor is a difficult task for a man, and the same is true for an emperor.

The reason why Emperor Chongzhen failed was largely because he had no money and could not mobilize the army, which eventually led to the demise of the Ming Dynasty.

Thinking of this, Liu Chan became even more satisfied with Dong Yun's ability to do things.

He nodded and said, "I have always trusted Dong Qing to do things. The imperial farm and the palace soldiers are the focus of my hard work, and I must manage them well."

Dong Yun heard this and immediately replied respectfully: "I will do my best to help Your Majesty."

Liu Chan looked at Dong Yun with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

Dong Yun was not only loyal and reliable, but also extremely capable.

The construction of the imperial farm and the military garrison was an important task he gave to Dong Yun.

Now it seems that Dong Yun has done a great job.

"The soldiers in the imperial farm are my personal troops. They must be loyal to me, go deep into the local areas, and become my eyes and ears." Liu Chan said in a deep voice, his tone revealing an unquestionable majesty.

Dong Yun heard this and immediately replied: "I understand. I will strictly select the soldiers to ensure their loyalty."

Liu Chan felt relieved when he heard Dong Yun's answer.

With the assistance of loyal ministers like Dong Yun, his throne could be more stable.

At the same time, he also understood that some means would be needed to maintain the imperial farm and the palace soldiers.

"Dong Qing, although the soldiers of the imperial manor are loyal to me, I have to give them some sweet treats so that they will work harder for me."

When Dong Yun heard this, he immediately understood what Liu Chan meant.

He nodded and said, "I will consider giving the palace soldiers some rewards and promotion opportunities to let them feel the favor of your majesty."

Liu Chan said: "If there is a favor, there must be a punishment. The military department will send inspectors to various imperial farms at irregular intervals every year to check the situation. We must ensure that there is no exploitation of government soldiers, occupation of land, or enslavement of the people."

Dong Yun immediately nodded in agreement.

but
Just as the Wei Suo system of the Ming Dynasty collapsed in the middle and late stages.

The fubing system naturally has its shortcomings.

but
He can only see this life, or the next two or three generations.

For thousands of years?

He doesn't ask for anything.

In this life, he will do everything he can.

The tide of history is rolling.

The world may not belong to him with the surname Liu, but it must belong to the people of the nine provinces of China! (End of this chapter)