I am not a deposed emperor of Han Dynasty

Chapter 319 The only people who can make me bow my head are the emperor and Prime Minister Wei! (Please subscribe)
Prime Minister Wei's reputation in the Han Dynasty is very great, so great that no one knows about it.

If Bingji's starting point in the court is low, then Prime Minister Wei's starting point is even lower.

Because when he became an official, Wei Xiang was just a minor soldier in the county. A few years later, because of his ability and political integrity, he was promoted as a virtuous man and appointed as the magistrate of Maoling County.

Later, Prime Minister Wei successively served as governor of Yangzhou, admonishing doctor, and prefect of Henan.

If you just look at the official position of Prime Minister Wei, there seems to be nothing special about him.

But if you look back a little at his experience in office, you will find that this person is tough and fierce.

Punishing evildoers, rectifying officialdom, suppressing powerful people... Whatever is difficult to handle, Prime Minister Wei likes to do it.

When Prime Minister Wei first took office as the magistrate of Maoling County, a retainer of Sang Hongyang pretended to be the censor and committed mischief in the residence of Maoling.

It's just a matter of being someone else, making some insinuations, and then sending gifts out of the country.

However, Prime Minister Wei did not do this. Instead, he personally led the soldiers to capture and tie him up. After finding out the situation, he was sentenced to death.

Later, when Prime Minister Wei served as the governor of Henan County, the son of the former Prime Minister Tian Qianqiu served as the military commander of Luoyang. He abandoned his official position and fled because he was afraid that Prime Minister Wei's administration would be too strict.

General Huo Guang, who had a good relationship with Tian Qianqiu, did not punish Tian Qianqiu's son. Instead, he ordered to reprimand the Prime Minister of Wei.

Prime Minister Wei didn't care either. He knew that all the memorials would be handled by Huo Guang, the Secretary-General, but he still wrote a letter to impeach Huo Guang for harboring a fugitive.

At this point, Prime Minister Wei offended Huo Guang.

Because Prime Minister Wei had always acted resolutely and never turned around, local powerful people colluded and took the opportunity to falsely accuse Prime Minister Wei of killing innocent people indiscriminately while in office.

So Huo Guang took the opportunity to launch an attack and ordered Wei Xiang to be arrested and sent to prison for interrogation.

However, Ting Weicheng had just brought people to Henan County to remove Prime Minister Wei from his official position. Before he could take Prime Minister Wei away, something unexpected happened.

Two to three thousand garrison soldiers from Henan County blocked the official road from Henan County to Chang'an City, and they all expressed their willingness to serve for one more year to forgive Prime Minister Wei.

At the same time, more than [-] people from Henan County and Guizhou Province walked directly to Hangu Pass and stood guard in front of the pass, threatening to go west to Chang'an and submit a letter of grievance to Emperor Xiaozhao.

Ten thousand people crossed Hangu Pass and approached Chang'an City - this was much more terrifying than the hundreds of Confucian scholars who made trouble in Beique.

If not, it will turn into civil unrest.

Huo Guang felt troubled, so he had to issue another order, pretending to have people investigate the matter thoroughly.

In the end, Tingwei Temple cleared Prime Minister Wei's name and reinstated him as a local official. Emperor Xiaozhao even issued an edict to reward Prime Minister Wei.

It is easy to make a strong horse turn around, but it is not easy to make Huo Guang admit defeat.

In today's Han Dynasty, there are only two people who can do this, one is the emperor and the other is Wei Xiang.

Because of this upright and upright style of acting without fear of the powerful, Wei Xiang, who once served as the governor of Yangzhou, became a role model for all governors.

Therefore, Liangzhou Governor Gongyu certainly knew him

……

"Come, Wei Gong and Xiao Gong, I'm sorry to bother you today, so I'll use the wine on the table to toast you two." After Gong Yu said this, he drank by himself and drank it all.

"Gonggong is so heroic!" Xiao Wangzhi and Prime Minister Wei said, and drank the wine in one gulp.

At this time, all the food and drinks had been served, and the three of them started chatting freely while drinking.

The three of them were all upright people, and naturally had a lot of dissatisfaction with the powerful and powerful, so they chatted very well with each other.

I don't know whether it was the strong force of the wine or the magic power of Xianheng Winery, but it made these three already upright people even more "unbridled" and started talking without caution.

Gong Yu talked about what he saw in the bitter cold land of Liangzhou, while Wei Xiang and Xiao Wangzhi talked about the tragic situation of land annexation in Henan County.

Together, the three of them couldn't help but criticize the intricate Huo Party in the DPRK.

……

Fortunately, the drinkers around were already drinking to their heart's content and no one noticed them.

Under the strong aroma of wine, the entire Xianheng Winery was in an ecstatic state.

It seemed that even the couch and tables were drunk.

They didn't realize that those inconspicuous boys, who seemed to be working quickly, were actually listening to them intentionally or unintentionally, and from time to time they would go to the dark to record something with pen and ink.

……

After three rounds of wine and two tastes of food, the emotions of Wei Xiang and others gradually calmed down.

"Is the second prince coming to Beijing this time for official or private matters?" Gong Yu asked, his eyes already a little blurry.

"In this officialdom, you can't help yourself. If there is any private matter, of course it is official." Wei Xiang said with a smile.

"Is that for the purpose of reporting to the county and state, or for tax deportation?" Yu Gong had forgotten that Prime Minister Wei was the governor of the county and did not need to deal with these trivial matters.

"No, Chang Qian and I were recruited by the emperor, so we came to Chang'an City."

"Why, the second prince was also recruited by the emperor?" Gong Yu asked doubtfully.

The word "ye" in Gong Yu reveals too much information.

After working on it for a long time, the three of them were actually recruited by the emperor.

In an instant, the three of them sobered up a lot. First they looked at each other and smiled, and then they laughed loudly.

They not only laughed at the coincidence of this incident, but also laughed at the emperor's "insanity".

"What on earth did the county magistrate think that he recruited unpopular people like us to Chang'an?" Gong Yu shook his head and laughed, taking advantage of the wine.

"Young man, you are just a loser. Wei Gong and I have both sinned against the general. The county magistrate recruited us to come to Chang'an. I don't know what his plan was." Xiao Wangzhi said.

"They say the county magistrate is crazy. It seems he really doesn't know what's important." Gong Yu continued to laugh.

The two of them seemed to be speculating on the holy meaning, and they seemed to be complaining.

Different from before, Wei Xiang didn't talk to them. He just sipped his wine with a faint smile on his face.

Regardless of age or rank, Prime Minister Wei was taller than Gong Yu and Xiao Wangzhi, and he had been friends with Bing Ji for many years.

Therefore, Prime Minister Wei naturally knew many things that the two of them did not know.

He didn't talk much to Xiao Wangzhi along the way from Henan County to Chang'an City.

"Why did Wei Gong smile and say nothing?" Xiao Wangzhi asked with some confusion.

"When the county magistrate recruits us, I'm afraid what he values ​​is our unpleasant 'uprightness'."

"How do you say this?" Xiao Wangzhi continued to ask.

Prime Minister Wei didn't say anything immediately. He glanced at the drinkers around him to make sure no one was paying attention, and then he put his index finger into the wine cup.

Dip in the little bit of residual wine and write the word "Huo" on the case.

After I finished writing, I seemed to still have something to say, so I drew another circle on it.

Everything was said without words, and Xiao Wangzhi and Gong Yu understood it immediately.

"Wei Gong said that Your Majesty wants to..." Xiao Wangzhi said eagerly, with a trace of longing on his face.

Prime Minister Wei made a silent gesture, and then lowered his voice and said: "Don't worry, you two, listen carefully to what the people in the wine shop are saying now, and you will know why the county magistrate wants to recruit me. .”

Without saying another word, Xiao Wangzhi and Gong Yu put down the cups in their hands, pricked up their ears, and listened carefully.

Just now, it was noisy everywhere and nothing interesting could be heard.

Now, when I calm down, I have gained many voices that I have never noticed.

The drinkers who were drunk were complaining loudly under the influence of wine.

"I heard that the reason why the general fell ill this time was because the county magistrate was insane and believed the slanderous words of Cai Laothi, the imperial censor." Guan Jia said.

"Exactly, the general is the most loyal minister of the Han Dynasty. How can the county magistrate doubt him?" Guan Yi agreed.

"If you say this, you will be blamed for spreading the word. It is true that the general is a loyal minister, but he cannot always control the government and prevent the county magistrate from taking charge, right?" Guan Bing objected.

"The county magistrate is only 15 years old. How can he govern personally? I'm afraid he can't do human affairs yet. Otherwise, why not welcome Huo Chengjun into the palace?" Guan Jia said with a lewd smile.

"I heard from my brother Cong at Zongzheng Temple that the county magistrate was actually nineteen years old. He was only changed to four years old just to call Shangguan Queen Mother the queen mother," Guan Bing said in a low voice.

"I see, I didn't expect there to be such a secret." Guan A and Guan B suddenly realized.

"Don't look at the fact that the county magistrate now calls the general his father-in-law and wants to pray for the sick general in Weiyang Palace, but I'm afraid he is already afraid of him." Guan Bing said proudly.

"Then Chang'an City will soon be in chaos?" Guan Jia asked worriedly.

"How can humble officials like you and me control this kind of thing?" Guan Bing said disdainfully.

"This county magistrate is really crazy. Could it be that he wants to bring chaos to the Han Dynasty?" Guan Yi said sadly.

"Hey, I don't think the county magistrate is crazy. Don't forget that since he took office, the magistrate has done a lot of practical things for the big man."

"On the first and fifteenth day of every month, people will be sent to the city to give porridge, and we will be invited to eat cakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival. In recent days, many toilets have been set up, and rice paper and many agricultural tools have been made..."

"Not to mention other things, without the county magistrate, we can't even drink this Xuan wine, let alone taste the glutinous rice balls, roujiamo, Hu cakes, and tofu..."

"And how to drink tea. My old man feels uncomfortable if he doesn't drink it for a day."

Official C seemed to have a lot of respect for the Son of Heaven, and when he talked about the goodness of the Son of Heaven, he would go on and on, making Official A and Official B who had some complaints nod their heads.

"But these are all trivial matters." Guan Jia said unconvinced. "The county magistrate is not in power yet, so of course he can only do small things. In the future, if he is in power, he will have to do many big things." Guan Bing said firmly.

"I hope so."

"Come on, come on, I have something secret about the general that I want to tell you. Let's see if you dare to listen." Guan Bing's smile suddenly turned a little lewd.

"As long as you dare to speak, we will dare to listen."

Then, these three officials, who were not even qualified to hold official titles, put their heads together and started talking in a low voice.

"This general's illness has nothing to do with the county magistrate. Instead, it may have something to do with Huo Xian..."

"I heard that Huo Xian is forty this year, which is exactly the age of... He is very capable in the boudoir..."

"The general is no match... I heard that they are often under the eaves or in the main hall..."

Guan Bing's voice became smaller and smaller, but his not-so-pleasant laughter became louder and louder, as if he was reaching his most proud point.

Gong Yu and Xiao Wangzhi, who were eavesdropping, were very curious, but they couldn't hear clearly. It was like a cat scratching their hearts and could not calm down for a long time...

They now looked at Wei Xiang's profound expression, and finally understood the meaning of Wei Xiang's words just now.

The emperor came to them, probably because he wanted to use them to defeat Huo Guang and eradicate him.

"Second Master, don't be impatient. In the next two days, we will enter the palace to meet the Holy Spirit. By then everything will come to light and the truth will be revealed."

"It's just that coming to Chang'an this time may be a dangerous thing."

Gong Yu and Xiao Wangzhi didn't say much, but looked expectant on their faces.

It is a pleasant thing to be able to fight with the emperor and Huo Guang.

By the time this was said, all the wine on the table had been finished, and several people had sobered up from their drunkenness.

The three people, whose status was quite different, did not speak, but they looked at each other meaningfully, and their words were full of meaning.

"When will those two enter the palace?"

"Tomorrow, I'll go to the bus library to check in and see what their arrangements are."

Nowadays, all the people recruited by the emperor must be brought into Weiyang Palace by official chariots and horses.

"Then I'll go with you tomorrow." Gong Yu suggested.

"That's great!" Xiao Wangzhi clapped his hands.

Prime Minister Wei also smiled and nodded.

The person the Emperor was waiting for has finally arrived.

……

Two days later, at Shenshi, Liu He had been waiting for a long time in the greenhouse hall.

Attendant Fan Ke came in and reported: "Your Majesty, the three ministers of Wei, Gong Yu and Xiao Wangzhi who were recruited by imperial decree are already waiting in the side hall."

Liu He's eyes lit up, he was indeed here.

Yesterday, Liu He received the news that the three competent generals he had recruited had finally arrived.

After a month of waiting, it was well worth it.

These three people will all have different roles in the future, and they are not just as simple as cheating.

Prime Minister Wei enforces the law impartially and uprightly.In the long run, it can be used to rectify the administration of officials and eliminate the Huo Party in the court.

Xiao Wangzhi has high attainments in Confucianism, dares to speak out, and does not flatter the powerful. He is the best choice to monitor the words and deeds of officials.

Gongyu, who was proficient in selling goods and colonizing, paid attention to people's livelihood, could help the emperor achieve the goal of enriching the people and strengthening the country.

Nowadays, although Bingji, Zhang Anshi and others in the court are very loyal, some new blood must be introduced to revitalize the entire court and prevent the court from becoming a stagnant water.

What's more, as the Huo Party is gradually liquidated, Liu He also needs to prepare some talents to fill the vacancies.

One in and one out can truly weaken the Huo Party.

"Call Wei Xiang and Xiao Wangzhi in first." Liu He said.

"promise."

A moment later, Prime Minister Wei and Xiao Wangzhi arrived at the Greenhouse Hall.

After the monarch and his ministers met, the three of them sat down respectively - Liu He, the emperor, sat in the first place; Wei, the elder, sat on the right; Xiao Wangzhi, the young, sat on the left.

The ruler and his ministers should be in order, and the elders and the younger should be in order, and there should be no confusion.

Different from the scene when he first met Zhang Anshi, Bingji, Zhao Chongguo and others, Liu He did not use those little tricks to manipulate people's hearts this time.

In the past, Liu He used more conspiracies and heresy; now, Liu He is better at using conspiracies and righteousness.

Of course, he still maintains his approachable appearance. After all, sincerity is his greatest weapon now - it is also a skill to make his ministers feel like spring breeze.

Liu He was not in a hurry to get to the point, but first asked Wei Xiang about the situation in Henan County, using this method to distance himself from the two ministers.

"This year's autumn harvest, how many dendrobium millets can Henan County receive from one acre of farmland?"

"Normally, a family of five people can have a surplus of Gebu weaved in a year?"

"Henan County has a small land, but a large population. I heard that the local people are stingy, frugal, and sophisticated. I don't know the truth?"

……

These questions asked by the emperor made Wei Xiang and Xiao Wangzhi sigh in their hearts.

This emperor is indeed different.

Prime Minister Wei, Xiao Wangzhi and Bingji all have a very close relationship. It is not an exaggeration to describe their relationship as close friends. They often correspond with each other.

Especially after the emperor issued an edict to recruit Wei Xiang and Xiao Wang, Bingji immediately wrote a long letter to the two of them, recounting the emperor's life situation one by one so that they could be prepared.

This is a taboo among the Han people. Once known to outsiders, it is easy to be accused of "guessing God's intentions" and "peeping into the Sacred Heart".

Bingji is willing to take huge risks to do this, which shows the extraordinary relationship between them.

With Bingji's "informant", Prime Minister Wei and Xiao Wangzhi had a vague understanding of the emperor - at least they knew one thing. This emperor was not a crazy person like the rumors said.

Even though Prime Minister Wei and Xiao Wangzhi had been prepared, at this moment, the emperor asked about these "trivial matters" in a familiar way, which still shocked them.

These questions were trivial yet to the point - not like they could be asked by a high-ranking young emperor, but more like they could be asked by a veteran official who knew the place well.

Liu He seemed to see the confusion and shock on the faces of the two people. He smiled, which relaxed the atmosphere in the hall a little.

"You two dear friends, you don't have to be so surprised. I have only been here in Chang'an City not long ago. I was quite interested in these things when I was in Changyi State."

"Xunzi said: Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it. I am the helmsman of the Han Dynasty, so of course I must understand the lives of the people."

"Your Majesty, there is really a legacy of Taizu and Taizong." Wei Xiang said sincerely.

"Hahaha, what Wei Qing said is wrong, because I care so much about these trivial matters, many people say I'm crazy." Liu He said with a smile.

"Your Majesty is a sage, and those who say your Majesty is crazy are short-sighted." Xiao Wangzhi said angrily.

Because he was very disrespectful to Huo Guang, he was often said to be crazy and disobedient to Meng Lang. In this regard, he was in sympathy with the emperor.

"Three people must have my teacher. Choose the good ones and follow them, and change the bad ones." Liu He waved his hand and said: "Let them talk. This can always remind me not to make any mistakes." Other crazy things."

"Your Majesty is enlightened." Prime Minister Wei said sincerely.

"Of course, in order to prevent me from becoming a crazy and foolish king, the two beloved ladies must also do their part." Liu He said meaningfully.

Prime Minister Wei and Xiao Wangzhi looked at each other again. They knew that the emperor was about to enter the main topic of the day, so they quickly sat up straighter.

"A few months ago, I issued an edict to recruit two beloved ministers. I originally wanted them to help me preside over a major event."

Liu He paused for a moment before continuing: "This matter is about Jianpingling County."

When Wei Xiang and Xiao Wang heard this, they immediately understood.

Emperor Xiaozhao had been on the road for several months and had already rested in Pingling, so the establishment of Pingling County should be put on the agenda.

Building a Ling County is a major event. Regardless of whether it is done well or not, it is certainly a major event to be able to leave a history book with Emperor Xiaozhao.

"In the tenth year of Emperor Taizu Gao's reign, one hundred thousand people moved to Guandong County to fill Changling."

"After Emperor Xiaohui's great success, Empress Lu moved to Guandong and promoted [-] households to Anling."

"When Emperor Xiaowen, Emperor Xiaojing and Emperor Xiaowu were on the throne, they also repeatedly moved officials and people, heroes and wealthy households from Guandong counties to Zhuling counties in Guanzhong."

"After Emperor Xiaozhao came to the throne, the construction of Pingling Mausoleum began. However, Emperor Xiaozhao suddenly became popular and the mausoleum was not even completed, let alone Ling County."

"I have heard Taichang successfully mention before that Pingling County has not even completed the city wall yet, which really makes the late emperor feel chilled."

"Therefore, I recruited two beloved ministers because I want them to build this Pingling County."

This matter sounds ordinary, but in fact it is bound to involve bloodshed.

　As we enter September, we will have some free time, and the subsequent plot should be smoother.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)